The Importance of Community Association Committees

By Augustus H. Shaw IV, Esq, CCAL

Association Committees serve a vital function in community associations. They provide an opportunity for Association members to serve their community in specialized areas. Committees also serve to aid the Board of Directors in governing the Association.

Association Committees are functions of the Association’s Board of Directors. Committees can come in the form of an Architectural Control Committee, Landscaping Committee, Welcome Wagon Committee, etc. In most Associations, committee members serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors; meaning that the Board of Directors has the power to appoint or remove committee members with or without cause.

While Association Committees may have a vital role, there role (with the exception of the architectural/design review committee) is advisory; meaning that the committee makes suggestions to the Association’s Board of Directors. Committees rarely have the authority to bind the Association without prior board approval.

Most Association Committees meet on a regular basis. If an Association Committee meets on a regular basis, the Committee must meet in the State of Arizona (A.R.S. §33-1804(B) (Planned Communities) and A.R.S. §33-1248(B) (Condominiums)). Also, association members or their designated representatives have the right to attend and speak at Committee meetings (A.R.S. §33-1804(A) (Planned Communities) and A.R.S. §33-1248(A) (Condominiums)).