When the President Doesn't Preside ...

What action should the HOA take, when the President of the Board of Directors doesn't preside? What does "preside" mean? 

To preside: "to exercise guidance, direction, or control; to occupy the place of authority; to act as president, chairman, or moderator" (Source: Merriam-Webster)

At Board meetings, the President should demonstrate leadership and control by speaking loudly enough to be heard, follow an organized agenda, keep the meeting on track, silence side conversations (even between board members), and follow parliamentary procedures, including Robert's Rules of Order.

The President is not a dictator, king, supreme leader, or autocrat. The President is an equal member of the board, no more important than any other board member. The President should treat all board members with respect and courtesy.

If the President goes off the rails, other board members should steer him back on the track. The best way to do that is with "Point of Order!" and by voting. The President cannot unilaterally declare himself in charge of anything, such as being the only board member who can contact the HOA's attorney. 

The President should keep all board members informed of everything discussed with the property manager and the attorney; after all, the attorney is the HOA's attorney, not his own. When it comes to the Board, there should be no secrets or personal agendas.

The Board elects the President. The Board can elect someone else to be the President. At any time. There is no need to wait until an annual meeting of the Association in November. If the actions (or inactions) of the President are harming the Association, he can be replaced at any time. 

The Board cannot kick the President off the Board. It can only replace him with another Board member. Of course, it's always possible that, upon being replaced, he might get mad and quit.

If the Board won't replace a President who does not do a good job, then the Voting Members of the Association can remove him. All they have to do is call a Special Meeting and remove him by voting him off the Board.

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