Representing Your Organization

Who can represent the association?

Ordinarily the Board of Directors and the officers (who are usually Board members) are the authorized representatives. The President is usually the one person authorized as representative for general matters. Sometimes the Association has committees, such as an Architectural Control Committee, whose members also are granted authority in certain areas. To be sure, check your Declaration and your Bylaws.

Do I need permission to speak for our association?

Yes, if you want to speak on behalf of the Association, unless you have authority by reason or some recognized position. Members can express their own views without speaking FOR the Association.

 If so, how do I get it?

The governing body has the right to delegate authority. Ask the Board.

What are my responsibilities as the association representative?

The extent of your responsibilities, and the limits of your authority, are determined by the grant of authority. If the authority is by reason of holding office, look to the rights and roles spelled out for that position in the legal document that created it. If the authority is by way of special permission, then the party giving the permission should be specific as to how far you may go. In general, look to the source that authorized you as representative for definition.

Tom Newton, NRC Board Member