BOD Perception and Volunteerism - Why do you serve?

Started by WilliamS1 • 7 replies • 1711 views

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WilliamS1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 113

Posted:

A little talked about duty of the BOD is to intentionally foster volunteerism within the community. It is up to the BOD to re-create the perception of sitting around and talking about the Jones family, street signs, and dog poo. Rather emphasize the goals, shaping the community to better fit current and future homeowners desires and living standards, problems solving, communicating, and shaping.. attaining accomplishments and leaving a mark.. a legacy.

Board duty should be light for the most part, fun, and rewarding. It is time away from family and other tasks and should be respected.

There should be some form of board appreciation fostered within the community. Have a BBQ, go out to dinner, have a honor board or brick yard in your community, make past board members, honorary board members, and ask them for opinions on off topics, keep them in the loop if you can and respect past members with funeral flowers or contributions. Looking for ideas...

People serve for different reasons including:
-sense of community accomplishment
-desire to contribute and direct
-satisfaction of involvement
-neighborhood social affiliation and interaction
-desire to be informed or
-desire to inform,
-ability to represent others
-ability to protect others
-desire to protect personal interests
-consistency with family or social upbringing.

People DON'T serve for different reasons including:
- no time,
- don't want mental distraction,
- bad board environment,
- lack of social confidence,
- lack of communication skills,
- percieved lack of relevant skill and experience,
- lack of family support,
- percieved BOD steriotype,
- lack of information,
- fear of responsibility,
- fear of commitment.

Why do you serve??

EdB3 (Maryland)
Posts: 5

Posted:

I served initially, candidly, because a friend talked me into it. We needed one more member to have our minimum. But as it turns out, we do have some real issues to address, and we just can't let them fester. Nothing earth-shattering or dire, but nonetheless issues that require some basic planning and sometimes budgeting. Therefore I continue to serve because I want to do my part, since I live there to help foster our community to develop in a way that makes sense, by keeping fees as low as possible, and with as few rules as possible. And if someone wants my spot, they are more than welcome!

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

I was appointed by the Board because they were unable to pass an amendment to increase the Board size from the Developers 3 members to their desired 5 members.

The amendment failed the first time only because no one cared to sign the referendum. Out 0f 197 homes, 32 were returned. So I grabbed copies of the proposed amendment and spent a week going to every door that had not returned their vote. As a reward to me (they thought) I was appointed to fill one of the new seats. I did not do the work in order to have a Board spot but once on it, I saw so many things that needed to get fixed and off I went on a mission.

PeterT3 (Illinois)
Posts: 28

Posted:

I did serve, actually not anymore, by accident more or less. It's a long story and I don't want to bore anybody with it, but I got appointed to the board. I had run for the board due to being fed up with the cloak & dagger mentality of the then-BOD, did not get elected, but about 10 months later was appointed since some BODs left for various reasons. Served for a few years and then decided not to run anymore for this year's election. Somebody else's job now, and I knew I would move away at some point. Will do that in a couple of months and not be member of an HOA anymore.

KarenT (Washington)
Posts: 250

Posted:

I initially served because our developer filed bankruptcy then passed away and never turned control over to the HOA. I've tried to resign 3 times and still continue to serve because no one else has lasted longer than a few months before resigning. The other homeowners have all the reasons you state above including the most glaring one - they have no idea what a Board or HOA is truly about, that it is a legal entity and all they do is complain instead of becoming involved.

MarianneG (Indiana)
Posts: 170

Posted:

I decided to volunteer for the board because I and many others were fed up with a previous board and their lack of communication, their high-handed attitude, and community suspicions of some BOD mishandling of decisions and maybe funds. The BOD operated independently with little or no communication to the community. Five of us completely turned out the old board with the HOA attorney's suggestion and assistance. Now everyone is on a staggered term. I let my term expire a couple of years ago but I continue to be involved by serving on committees.

As it turned out, there was no evidence of mishandling of funds, but there were many issues that needed to be sorted out and re-done. We are now about 5 years past the complete turnover and it seems that things are running much more smoothly.

As far as promoting volunteerism, one of the things we did was to publish a one-page newsletter more frequently. At first it was once a month. That kept the community informed and somewhat involved. Then, the newsletter was done once every two months. Sadly, now it comes hit and miss. I am convinced that more frequent communication, especially regarding fund balances and general information is a real help in any community.

Another thing we did was to have committee sign-up sheets at our annual meeting (an idea that I got from HOATalk discussions). We established committees: activity, decoration and grounds, document review, and internal audit. That worked well and several people signed up. Our activity committee has arranged several luncheons and an ice cream social, which also serve to acquaint neighbors and promote neighborhood talk. The committees also provide a pipeline of potential future board members.

ValerieS2 (Michigan)
Posts: 244

Posted:

William I agree with just about everything you mentioned except for trying to foster "Board Appreciation". While it is nice to be appreciated, the Board should not be the ones trying to drum up the appreciation.

I will be honest, I got involved because I didn't trust anyone to get it right. I hope to STAY involved for other reasons!

FredB4 (Ohio)
Posts: 375

Posted:

Valerie,
I loved your last statement! I think if they are honest that is why many people get involved with the board.

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