How to help new condo association board members do their job?

Hi, I'm writing an article for the Cooperator magazine, a New York-based magazine intended to educate board members, coop manager and condo residents. The story I'm writing is about how to help new board members in Illinois do their job, and my editor suggested that you would be the person who could help me! I was hoping you could answer the following questions (or at least a few of them) for the article.

• What are some common misconceptions people have about serving on co-op/condo boards–both for better, and for worse?

• What kinds of things does a new board member need to know upon being elected to help run their building or association?

• How can sitting and/or past board members assist new board members in understanding their responsibilities, and bring them up to speed on projects, ongoing challenges, and other building-related issues?

• What about property managers? What's their role in getting new board members oriented and up-to-speed?

• And what about new board members themselves – how can they take initiative to get informed about how their building community works and how they can best carry out their duties?

• Do you have any specific examples about how different building communities handle board orientation – staggered terms, member manuals, work sessions, etc?

Thanks! Danielle