Understanding the “Homeowner Forum” Portion of Association Board Meetings

One of the most important ways homeowners can engage with their association’s  board of directors is through the “Forum,” designated portion of an open board meeting where members have the opportunity to speak directly to the board.

The Homeowner Forum is a scheduled period, usually held at the beginning or end of the open session, when members may bring up concerns, ask questions, or make suggestions related to the association. In many states, offering members an opportunity to speak at open board meetings is a requirement of state statutes and/or an association’s governing documents.

During the forum period of an open meeting, homeowners are generally given 2–3 minutes to speak. The board members typically listen to the members’ comments and take notes, but they do not respond to the comments or deliberate at that time. If the directors believe that board action is warranted regarding the matter, such action should be placed on the agenda for a future meeting of the directors.

Attending open board meetings and participating in the open forum session provides association members with an opportunity to participate by directly informing the board members about issues of concern, and when multiple owners express the same concerns, their collective comments are likely to drive action by the board of directors. Proper utilization of the forum portion of board meetings enables members to participate and fosters community dialogue by: