Florida Community Association Manager Practice Exam

True or False: Only members in an association can change the formal documents.

1. True

2. False

3. Depends on the situation

4. Only board members can change them

The correct answer is: True

The assertion that only members in an association can change the formal documents is indeed true. In a community association, such as a homeowners' association or a condominium association, the governing documents—like the declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs), bylaws, and articles of incorporation—typically require the approval of the membership for any changes or amendments. Members of the association are key stakeholders with vested interests in the rules and governance of their community. Therefore, they are granted the power to vote on changes to these foundational documents. The specific requirements for amending these documents, such as the percentage of votes needed for approval, are outlined within the documents themselves and relevant Florida statutes. While board members play an essential role in managing the association and may propose amendments, they do not hold unilateral power to change the formal documents without the consent of the membership. This system of checks and balances ensures that all member interests are considered in the decision-making process, reflecting the democratic nature of community associations.