When speaking with community association managers and board members about the COVID-19 pandemic, inevitably, we hear virtual meetings are a silver lining.
According to a survey CAI recently conducted, virtual meetings resulted in the following positive impacts for community associations:
- Increases efficiency by virtually streamlining the meeting process.
- Increases resident participation and engagement by owners who would not be able to
participate in person. - Increases the likelihood of achieving quorum.
- Provides flexibility in scheduling options.
- Allows people to attend meetings more readily, including the community manager, insurance professional, and attorney.
- Protects voter identity when votes are cast electronically instead of by paper ballot.
- Eliminates the need for a physical location to conduct a meeting.
- Allows cost-effective ways to share information and documents through screen-sharing, eliminating printing and mailing expenses while creating greater transparency.
CAI supports legislation that allows a community association board and membership to hold meetings virtually. Rules and regulations applicable to virtual meetings vary by state and can be contingent on a community association’s articles of incorporation, charter, or bylaws. Many states require associations to file as nonprofit corporations, meaning they may be governed by the state’s nonprofit or business corporation act. If an association’s governing documents are silent on virtual meeting regulations, the respective state’s nonprofit or business corporation act may allow an association to meet virtually.
CAI legislative action committees took a leadership role introducing legislation that allows community associations to hold virtual meetings. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, several states have enacted laws to help community associations.
The following states allow virtual meetings contingent on an associations’ governing documents:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona*
Arkansas*
Colorado*
Connecticut*
Delaware*
District of Columbia
Hawaii*
Illinois*
Iowa
Louisiana
Maryland*
Michigan*
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada*
New Jersey*
New Mexico
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Utah
Vermont*
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
States specifically allowing remote or virtual community association meetings include:
California*
Florida*
Georgia*
Indiana
Maine
Minnesota*
Montana*
New York
North Carolina*
Oregon*
South Dakota
Tennessee*
Virginia*
Washington*
In a few states, there are no applicable statues. Virtual meetings are contingent on an associations’ governing documents:
Kansas*
Kentucky
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
*State statutes allow for electronic voting.
Canadian provinces and territories also allow virtual meetings. They include:
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Saskatchewan
Quebec
Yukon
CAI recently released Mastering Virtual Meetings and Electronic Voting: A Guide for Community Association Leaders. The book offers tips and ideas on conducting virtual meetings and elections simply and effectively. Purchase the digital book today.
Disclaimer: The information above is subject to change. It is published with the understanding that Community Associations Institute is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, medical, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Find CAI’s latest information on electronic voting and virtual meetings laws.
