CMCA CMCA - Certified Manager of Community Associations Meetings, Elections, and Voting Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Robert's Rules of Order, a motion is tabled in order to:
- Kill the motion permanently
- Temporarily set aside the motion to address more urgent business, with intent to return to it later (Correct answer)
- Pass the motion without debate
- Refer the motion to a committee
Correct answer: Temporarily set aside the motion to address more urgent business, with intent to return to it later
Tabling temporarily postpones consideration of a motion so the meeting can address more pressing matters, with the expectation of returning to it at the same or next meeting.
In Robert's Rules, tabling is not a way to kill a motion. That requires a motion to postpone indefinitely or a failed vote. Tabled motions can be taken up again by a motion to take from the table. This distinction is frequently tested on the CMCA exam.
Question 2: The association's annual meeting notice must typically be sent at least how far in advance under most state statutes?
- 48 hours
- 10 days
- 10 to 60 days depending on state and governing documents (Correct answer)
- 6 months
Correct answer: 10 to 60 days depending on state and governing documents
Most state statutes and governing documents require annual meeting notice to be sent within a specific window, commonly 10 to 60 days in advance, to give owners adequate time to participate or submit proxies.
Notice requirements vary significantly by state. Managers must know their state's specific requirements and also check the association's governing documents which may impose a longer notice period than the statute. Failure to provide proper notice can invalidate actions taken at the meeting.
Question 3: A proxy in the context of an HOA membership meeting is:
- A written authorization allowing one person to vote on behalf of another member (Correct answer)
- A type of board resolution
- The agenda distributed at the meeting
- A substitute manager hired for the event
Correct answer: A written authorization allowing one person to vote on behalf of another member
A proxy is a written instrument by which a member authorizes another person to attend and vote on their behalf at a membership meeting.
Proxies increase participation in membership meetings where a quorum is required. They can be general allowing the proxy holder to vote as they choose, or directed requiring the proxy holder to vote as specified. State laws and governing documents often specify proxy requirements including form, duration, and revocability.
Question 4: Which of the following describes a special meeting of the membership?
- Any board meeting that lasts more than two hours
- A membership meeting called outside the regular annual meeting schedule to address a specific urgent matter (Correct answer)
- A meeting held only in states that require more than one annual meeting
- A closed meeting for board members only
Correct answer: A membership meeting called outside the regular annual meeting schedule to address a specific urgent matter
A special meeting is called between regular annual meetings to address specific matters that cannot wait, such as a major emergency repair vote or recall of a board member.
Special meetings typically require proper notice and are limited to the specific items for which they are called. They cannot transact general business unless that was the stated purpose. Governing documents specify who can call a special meeting, usually the board or a petition by a certain percentage of members.
Question 5: Under most HOA governing documents, cumulative voting in board elections means:
- Only one vote per household regardless of units owned
- Each member receives votes equal to the number of director seats being filled and may concentrate all votes on one candidate (Correct answer)
- Board members are elected by cumulative popular vote of all municipal residents
- Each vote cast counts double if the voter is a senior citizen
Correct answer: Each member receives votes equal to the number of director seats being filled and may concentrate all votes on one candidate
Cumulative voting allows members to concentrate all their allocated votes on a single candidate, giving minority ownership groups a better chance of electing at least one board representative.
If three seats are open, a member with cumulative voting rights gets three votes and can cast all three for one candidate. This can help ensure minority representation on the board. Not all associations use cumulative voting. The CMCA exam tests different voting methods and their governance implications.
Question 6: When counting ballots in an HOA election, the inspector of elections role is primarily to:
- Nominate candidates for board positions
- Oversee the election process, count ballots independently, and certify the results (Correct answer)
- Prepare the meeting agenda
- Set the quorum requirement for the election
Correct answer: Oversee the election process, count ballots independently, and certify the results
The inspector of elections is a neutral party responsible for managing the ballot process, counting votes, resolving challenges, and certifying results to ensure election integrity.
California and several other states require associations to appoint an independent inspector of elections. Even where not required, using an inspector is a best practice that protects the board from accusations of vote manipulation.
CMCA CMCA - Certified Manager of Community Associations Meetings, Elections, and Voting Questions and Answers 2
Under Robert's Rules of Order, a motion is tabled in order to: