Adulting; Financial Edition

[coffeedaiv]

 As you may know, I now own a condo (or, more precisely, about 20% of a condo). Which means, I have a Home Owners Association, and the board that governs it. Additionally, I have an investment account, where I put some of my money, in the hopes it will grow at a reasonable rate. Which is, as far as I know, all well and good and proper adulting. 

But that is not the end of it. Both the investment fund and the HOA Board are having elections. And ... I have no idea where to start. I know that I Want to research the assorted candidates and make an informed choice about which one I think will best represent my interests. But how? And, really, what are my interests? Especially with regards to the investment account, what is possible, and within that, what do I want to happen? 

On the HOA Board. Because of the timing of meetings, relative to my work schedule, I have been unable to even attend, as yet (they are held via Zoom, but they start before i get off work). I have only lived here for six months. I have never owned property before, much less been a part of an HOA. I don't know what is possible, what is realistic, what is desirable, what is best for me.

Both of these things are, presumably, researchable. But that requires time. And time is a finite resource, best spent on good food and good friends and good fictions. Researching these questions is about asking the right person the right questions. I don't know who the right person is, or what the right questions would be. 

I want to be a 'responsible adult', and I don't even know where to start in this arena.