Another board meeting...

 

In case I didn't mention it here, I have resigned from the HOA board of directors, effective with the March meeting; that will be the annual meeting, where new board members will be voted in.  Two other board members resigned shortly after I did.

"Why, Jim?"  Thanks for asking.  It has been frustrating trying to get anything done.  One and occasionally two other members have drug their feet, not done their jobs, and seem more about drama than getting things done.  The homeowners notice this, and think it is the entire board.  A small, but very vocal group, have plastered Facebook with rumors, innuendos, and outright lies.  Escalating costs made for a $20 raise in HOA dues, and that sparked anger from some homeowners.

It doesn't matter that I voted against some of the things that caused the increases; as president, I am the one in the crosshairs.  It was a board decision, and my ethics are to support the decision of the majority.  One board member actively participates on Facebook, looking to stir things up, when a decision doesn't go her way.

I don't need the drama.  That said, I still have two months to serve.  No time off for good behavior.  ;-) 

So, another board meeting this evening.  There is time at the end for Open Comments.  I expect there will be many.

At the Meet the President gathering a couple months ago, I proposed a Meet the Candidates forum before the upcoming annual elections.  Yes, my idea.  I think it would be good for homeowners to see and hear candidates before they vote; rather than read a paragraph the candidate wrote about themselves.  One homeowner who is considering running for the board is opposed to me moderating that Meet the Candidates.  I would be happy to have someone else step in and take it over.

The issue with the vocal minority: they don't understand what the role of the board actually is.  They think that if they oppose a CC&R, they can get a board elected who will not enforce those governing documents.  The board is required to uphold the CC&Rs, and it takes a super majority of homeowners to vote to change them.  Given that homeowner attendance at any given board meeting or forum is generally less than 10%, that will never happen.  They don't understand that a board meeting is a business meeting and not an open forum, thinking they should be able to speak and vote on board decisions.

Is this board dysfunctional?  Yeah, I think so.  Some strong personalities who don't agree on the direction the board should take.  I will admit I didn't expect people who were elected to the board would come onto it with personal agendas - I really thought we were all there to do what is best for the homeowners.