The annual HOA dues or fees are usually the biggest difference along with a given association's board. There are certain budgetary items, and the budget itself, that are dependent on the dues/fees. There are also board meetings for various asundry items where votes are required for a decision to be made. If you represent the HOA big decisions are tend to be time and people intensive
Specific skills needed for this type of management are; patience, communicate well (verbal as well as written) and undestand HOA protocol for meetings (call to order, point of order, minutes of meetings, etc).
I hope his helps.
Tito