SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR ASSOCIATION MEMBER COLLABORATION AND OVERSIGHT

Homeowners’ association governing documents (Bylaws and/or Declaration) contain provisions relative to the conducting of organized meetings of the members of a homeowners association. Membership meetings are categorized as either “Annual Meetings” or “Special Meetings.” Annual membership meetings are conducted once a year for the purpose of electing new directors and transacting such other business as is included on the agenda for the meeting. Typically, the additional business includes a review of the association’s financial statements for the last fiscal year and the budget for the next fiscal year. Special membership meetings are formal gatherings of the association’s members that can take place any time throughout the year to address specific matters that are deemed so important that they must be addressed before the next annual meeting. 21 Common reasons for calling a special membership meeting include:

• Board Member Removal: Members may seek to remove a board member due to poor performance, misconduct, or failure to act in the association’s best interest.
• Election of New Board Members: Filling vacancies or addressing disputes about board composition.
• Board Accountability: Reviewing decisions made by the board that members find problematic.

• Budget Approval: