That email finally lands in your inbox: the official notice of your building’s annual meeting, complete with a call for board candidates. Maybe you’ve been thinking about running for a while, frustrated with how things are managed. Or perhaps you simply feel it’s your turn to contribute. Whatever your reason, you now face the first real hurdle: writing your condo and co-op board candidate statement.

This single page is your resume, cover letter, and elevator pitch all rolled into one. For most of your neighbors, it’s the only piece of information they’ll have when they decide who to vote for. A great statement can make you a front-runner, while a weak one can get you immediately overlooked.

Here’s a practical guide on how to structure your statement, followed by three distinct examples you can adapt for your own campaign.

The Anatomy of a Strong Candidate Statement

Your statement should be clear, professional, and concise—ideally under 500 words. Think of it as answering four key questions your neighbors have.

1.  Who Are You?

Start with the basics. State your name, your unit number, and how long you’ve lived in the building. This immediately establishes you as a member of the community. Adding a brief, friendly line about what you enjoy about living there can create a personal connection.

2.  Why Are You Running?

This is your motivation. Avoid generic lines like “I want to give back.” Instead, be specific. Is it because you believe in proactive maintenance to protect property values? Do you want to improve communication and transparency? Or do you feel your professional skills could help the building navigate a financial challenge? A clear purpose shows you have a genuine interest.

3.  What Skills Do You Bring to the Table?

This is the most important section. You are applying for a job—a volunteer job, but one with serious fiduciary responsibilities. List the specific, relevant skills you have.

• Finance/Accounting: Experience with budgeting, financial statements, or auditing is invaluable.
  • Law: A legal background is a huge asset for reviewing contracts and navigating regulations.
  • Project Management/Engineering: Perfect for overseeing capital improvements like a roof replacement or facade work.

• Communications/HR: Useful for improving community engagement and resolving disputes.
  • Business/Management: Experience in management shows you know how to work with teams and vendors to get things done.

A strong board provides clear direction and oversight, working effectively with all its partners—from the building staff to the top property management companies that handle day-to-day operations. Show how your skills will enhance that relationship.

4.  What Are Your Priorities?

Don’t just list problems; propose a focus. Pick two or three concrete, achievable goals. This demonstrates you have a vision. Good examples include:

• Initiating a 5-year capital improvement plan.
  • Improving the transparency of board meeting minutes.
  • Revisiting the budget to ensure the reserve fund is adequately funded.
  • Exploring new amenities or sustainability initiatives.

Avoid making promises you can’t keep, like “I will lower maintenance fees.” Instead, frame it as “I will conduct a thorough review of our operating budget to find potential efficiencies.”

Examples of Effective Candidate Statements

Here are three distinct examples tailored to different professional backgrounds, applicable to both condo and co-op buildings.

Example 1: The Finance Professional (Sarah Chen) Subject: Sarah Chen, Unit 12B, for the Board of Directors

My name is Sarah Chen, and I have been a proud owner at The Grandview since 2018. My husband and I live in unit 12B and have enjoyed being part of this community.

I am running for the board because I believe my professional background can be a significant asset in safeguarding our building’s financial health. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with 15 years of experience in corporate finance, I specialize in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.

My priorities would be to:

1. Conduct a line-by-line review of our annual budget to identify opportunities for cost savings without sacrificing essential services.
2. Ensure our reserve fund is adequately funded by working with the board to update our reserve study and create a sustainable funding plan.

• Improve financial transparency by providing clearer, more accessible financial summaries to all owners with our quarterly reports.

I am detail-oriented, collaborative, and committed to making fiscally responsible decisions that will protect and enhance the value of our homes. I would appreciate your vote.

Example 2: The Project Manager (David Rodriguez) Subject: Vote David Rodriguez, Unit 7A, for the Board

Hello neighbors. My name is David Rodriguez from unit 7A. My family and I have lived here for eight years, and we love the building’s character and location.

I am submitting my condo and co-op board candidate statement because I want to take a more active role in planning for our building’s future. In my career as a construction project manager, I oversee multi-million dollar infrastructure projects, from initial planning and vendor selection to final execution. I have direct experience with the types of capital projects our building will inevitably face.

If elected, my focus will be on:

1. Developing a proactive 5-year capital improvement plan. This will allow us to schedule and budget for major repairs, like the upcoming boiler replacement, instead of reacting to emergencies.
2. Improving our vendor procurement process to ensure we get competitive bids and high-quality work on all maintenance contracts and repairs.
3. Effectively overseeing the planned lobby renovation to make sure it is completed on time, on budget, and with minimal disruption to residents.

I am a practical problem-solver and believe in proactive maintenance. I ask for your support to help keep our building safe, modern, and well-maintained.

Example 3: The Community Builder (Maria Williams) Subject: Maria Williams for the Board of Directors, Unit 3F

Hi everyone, I’m Maria Williams from 3F. I’ve lived at The Parkside for four years and have met so many wonderful people here.

I am running for the board because I want to help strengthen our sense of community and improve communication between the board and residents. With a background in marketing and communications, I have spent my career building relationships and ensuring information flows clearly and effectively.

My goals as a board member would be to:

1. Launch a simple monthly e-newsletter to keep everyone informed about maintenance schedules, board decisions, and community events.
2. Increase transparency by making board meeting agendas available in advance and providing clear, concise summaries of the minutes.
3. Work to restart our building’s social committee to organize events like our summer BBQ and holiday gathering, which many of us have missed.

A condo or co-op is more than just a building; it’s a community of neighbors. I am organized, approachable, and eager to help make The Parkside an even better place to live. Thank you for your consideration.