caution:Take time in the beginning to work together and get to know each other before formalizing your association's structure. You will want to decide what structure works best for you. You may find that electing a steering committee, setting up a few committees, and writing some flexible rules for the group to govern decision making and other parliamentary concerns may be all you need to do.
you might want to incorporate you tenant association for a specific reason. Some tenants formalize their existence in order to become a nonprofit corporation. You need to be incorporated to accept tax-deductible contributions and grants from foundations
Before you set up a steering committee, select a board of directors, form committees,
etc, make a list of all the things you want the association to do. The list
will likely include such things as: conducting meetings, keeping tenants informed,
keeping records of your activities and grievances, raising money and maintaining
financial records. When you have made your list, think about how many tenants
are involved in your group, what kinds of skills each one has and what kinds
of things they like to do. You will want to set up a structure that works with
all of these factors in mind. For example if only ten tenants are active in
the association, it does not make sense to set up a variety of committees to
get things done. Instead, consider designating the group of ten as the association's
steering committee until more members can be recruited and you can form a more
elaborate organizational structure.
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