CCM CCM Governance & Community Standards 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which governing document for a community association is typically recorded with the county and establishes the fundamental rules for the community?
- Meeting minutes
- Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) (Correct answer)
- Annual budget report
- Vendor service agreement
Correct answer: Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)
The CC&Rs are recorded in the public land records and are the foundational governing document that binds all owners to community rules.
Question 2: In the hierarchy of community association governing documents, which document takes precedence in the event of a conflict?
- Rules and regulations
- Bylaws
- CC&Rs (Declaration) (Correct answer)
- Board resolutions
Correct answer: CC&Rs (Declaration)
The CC&Rs are the highest-ranking association document; bylaws rank next, followed by rules and regulations, then board resolutions.
Question 3: A homeowner requests a variance to the architectural guidelines. Who typically has the authority to approve or deny this request?
- The community manager acting alone
- The architectural review committee (ARC) or board of directors (Correct answer)
- Any neighboring homeowner who objects
- The local municipality's zoning board only
Correct answer: The architectural review committee (ARC) or board of directors
The ARC or board reviews variance requests against established standards and governing documents, then issues a written decision.
Question 4: What is the quorum requirement in the context of a community association meeting?
- A unanimous vote of all members present
- The minimum number of members or directors required for the meeting to conduct business legally (Correct answer)
- A simple majority of the full board
- At least one representative from every unit
Correct answer: The minimum number of members or directors required for the meeting to conduct business legally
Quorum is the threshold number of eligible voters or board members whose presence is required for decisions made at the meeting to be legally valid.
Question 5: Under the Open Meeting Act principles adopted by many states for community associations, which of the following meeting types is generally required to be open to all members?
- Executive session discussing litigation
- Regular board of directors meeting (Correct answer)
- Personnel review meeting
- Legal strategy session with the association's attorney
Correct answer: Regular board of directors meeting
Regular board meetings must generally be open to all association members; executive sessions are the limited exception for sensitive matters.
Question 6: What is the purpose of adopting Robert's Rules of Order (or similar parliamentary procedure) for community association meetings?
- To require formal attire at all meetings
- To provide a structured process that ensures orderly, fair, and efficient decision-making (Correct answer)
- To limit board meeting duration to 30 minutes
- To prohibit homeowner comments during meetings
Correct answer: To provide a structured process that ensures orderly, fair, and efficient decision-making
Parliamentary procedure provides a neutral framework for conducting meetings, making motions, voting, and resolving disagreements in an orderly manner.
CCM CCM Governance & Community Standards 1
Which governing document for a community association is typically recorded with the county and establishes the fundamental rules for the community?