A closed, non-public portion of a board meeting used for sensitive or confidential matters.
An executive session (sometimes called a closed session) is a portion of a board meeting from which homeowners are excluded. The board may go into executive session to discuss matters that must remain confidential — typically: pending or threatened litigation, contracts under negotiation, personnel matters, member discipline hearings, or communications with legal counsel. Most state HOA laws and open-meeting requirements allow executive sessions for these specific purposes but prohibit boards from conducting general business in secret. The board may vote in executive session on appropriate matters, with only the vote and its general subject recorded in the minutes — not the substance of the discussion.
Executive sessions protect the association's legal position and individual privacy. Abusing executive session to avoid transparency or make decisions that should be public is a governance violation.
Open Meeting
A board meeting at which all homeowners have the right to attend and observe.
Board of Directors
The elected governing body responsible for managing the HOA on behalf of all homeowners.
Meeting Minutes
The official written record of decisions made and actions taken at an HOA board or membership meeting.
Hearing Rights
An owner's right to appear before the board before a fine or disciplinary action is imposed.
LotWize handles executive session tracking automatically — along with violations, ARC requests, meeting minutes, and homeowner communications, all in one platform built for self-managed HOAs.
Start 14-Day Free TrialThis page provides general information only — not legal or financial advice. HOA laws vary by state and community. Always consult your governing documents and an HOA attorney for guidance specific to your situation.