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What keeps an HOA thriving for the long haul? Wise counsel may be one of the biggest advantages a board can have.
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In Episode 173, Robert is joined by Don Boswell, a longtime community association volunteer and recipient of CAI’s 2026 Byron Hanke Award. Drawing from more than a decade of experience with the Twin Hickory Association in Virginia, Don talks about what it really means to step up and serve a community well. He shares how his board approaches leadership, why outside expertise matters, and what he’s learned about making decisions that serve the community as a whole.


Chapters:

00:00 What can longtime HOA volunteers teach us about leadership?
03:53 What does a well-run 1,500-home community look like?
06:31 How did Don Boswell become an HOA Board member?
07:49 How does a stable board preserve institutional knowledge?
10:01 What creates a strong long-term board culture?
15:41 Why should HOA Boards rely on professional expertise?
17:22 How do volunteers know when to seek wise counsel?
19:04 Ad Break - FiPhO Health Score
20:00 What can law enforcement ethics teach HOA leaders?
24:04 How do you build a community that lasts beyond your term?
26:26 Why does HOA service extend beyond your own community?
28:11 What makes board service rewarding instead of exhausting?
29:00 Why can serving others make HOA leadership meaningful?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization.

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