Shareholding membership of the association is open to any applicant and in particular we welcome applicants who are tenants of the association or from minority or disadvantaged groups. The shareholders of the association are entitled to vote on matters discussed at our annual general meeting and for electing our voluntary board of management, which in turn has responsibility for the effective management and governance of the association as a whole.

The board of management seeks to ensure that its members have the following relevant skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their responsibilities:

• housing needs, and residents’ issues and concerns;
• general business skills, including the management of staff and property and the use of information technology;
• the policy, statutory and regulatory environment affecting the association;
• finance and accounting;
• strategic management, risk management and planning;
• community relations and needs, including equal opportunities;
• working with government, local authorities, private and voluntary bodies;
• public relations and making public presentations;
• development, building and maintenance;
• legal matters.