Your First 90 Days — The Operating Calendar New Boards Need
New Board, First 90 Days: An Operating Calendar That Works
January isn’t for grand speeches; it’s for rhythm. A 90‑day operating calendar makes volunteer leadership sustainable. Here’s a practical plan.
Month 1 (Weeks 1–4): Foundation
Organizational housekeeping that didn’t fit in December (signers, portals, vendor sheet).
Publish the annual meeting calendar and Q1 agendas.
Hold a goal‑setting workshop: 3–5 priorities with owners and timelines.
Review insurance and reserve timelines; schedule milestones.
Month 2 (Weeks 5–8): Visibility
Launch a monthly manager’s report and a one‑page homeowner update.
Inspect common areas with a punch‑list walk.
Kick off one reserve project with a clear scope and communication plan.
Month 3 (Weeks 9–12): Momentum
Vendor review check‑ins against SLAs.
ARC standards tune‑up and a “how to apply” explainer.
Mid‑quarter budget check; adjust forecasts as needed.
Cadence tools
A standing consent agenda for routine items.
A decision log (what, when, why) for institutional memory.
A dashboard with 5 metrics: cash, receivables, work orders, ARC queue, and open actions.
The point isn’t perfection; it’s predictability. A steady 90‑day rhythm makes volunteer service feel humane—and effective.
Educational content only; not legal advice.
We help boards implement this calendar through JAM Consults and the Board Member Society.