President Quit---FINALLY

Started by AnnaD2 • 8 replies • 1447 views

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AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960

Posted:

Hi All! Over the past few months I "picked" all of your brains, trying to find solutions to get rid of our tyrannical president. Special meetings; re-electing president; appointing new president; recall; etc. Well she finally got sick of us (the majority of the board members) and quit. The way she did it, just proves that she doesn't know proper proceedures. She typed up a letter telling all the owners how "difficult" we were to work with, and how we were alway sending out nasty e-mails, etc. She then went around and slapped a copy of her letter on everyone's door. She didn't even notify the board, first, to let us know she was quiting! We (the remaining board members) then wrote our OWN letter---yet it was all POSITIVE things to say! We thanked her for her time and went on to say friendly and encouraging things to the members. No bad-mouthing or negative comments. A week later we had a scheduled meeting with our Association Attorney. He proceeded to tell us that MANY of her actions during the past year were ILLEGAL. He said, he told her that, too. (Maybe that's why she quit?) So my message here, is to thank you all for your comments and your suggestions. I also have one thing to add: Perhaps we should have gone to our attorney a LONG time ago, to tell HIM what she was doing! Maybe we could have ended this problem a long time ago. Others may consider doing the same. We're all breathing (again) but still looking over our shoulders. Now, if we could just get her to move...............

JanP1 (Arizona)
Posts: 76

Posted:

Keep looking over your shoulder, not meaning to be paranoid, but I think you former President,has a clone who was on our board. After our "Bad Boardmember" was not re-elected, we also found huge problems, financial and legal that we are now sorting out and the letter thing you discribed must be classic, because it happened to us too.

Additionally, our "Bad Boardmember" has now started coming to the meetings and talking about things in the public part of the meeting that were only discussed in executive session... - against the law. Going around the neighborhood giving people false information and the whole letter thing.

I feel it is a control issue and am concerned that many people say they have stopped coming to the meetings because our "Bad Boardmember" is toxic. Even our volunteer committee members are saying they won't serve if she is appointed to their committee. We have taken steps with the Attorney and just work to follow the laws. But if anyone knows tried and true steps for dealing with angry people and de-escalating delutional people I'd love your suggestions.

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

Anna - just to be on the safe side, be sure there is a motion to accept the resignation & voted on by the Board and it is included in the minutes. Just because she says she quits, it's not official until the Board accepts the resignation!

AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960

Posted:

It's now been five months since she quit, and yes, she's still a thorn in our sides. Any chance she gets to bad-mouth the board to people, she takes it. When she comes face-to-face with a board member, on the property, she always takes the opportunity to "sling" something really nasty at them. But she's sly---she always makes certain there is never a "witness" to what she says; then she denies ever having said anything. She corners other people (out walking or at the mailbox) and tries to get them stirred up about how the board is neglecting their duties (for not doing projects SHE wanted done) or how their property values are declining because the board won't spend the money (again--on HER personal projects).

So, yes, we are STILL always looking over our shoulders because she's toxic and an evil person. If there was any way we could get a restraining order or SOME way to ban her from even speaking to people we would. Of course we know that isn't possible. We cringe every time she shows up somewhere (meetings;etc.) because all she does is set a mean and nasty tone and upset the business we're trying to discuss with her demeaning, demanding, accusatory comments.

Sigh...........any suggestions?

PaulM (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 1,347

Posted:

AnnaD2: Someone once said...the best revenge is to live well!. So, live on and well AnnaD2 with your other Board members.

Her deeds will speak clearly to residents--but you don't have to resort to the tactics which are being used against you. And, in living well, managing the association well and in the best interests of all, your deeds will come back to you and the truth of your reputation brought to light. Don't get stuck in the past--move forward!!!

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

The presiding officer can warn anyone at the meeting about prpper decorum. And that person can be asked to leave if he/she is disruptive. You folks have a right to a peaceful meeting, to say the least.

Other than that, most residents probably know that she is a little screwy, so don't pay attention to her antics.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Yes Anna,
Every association has one of these kinds, who just have a mission to make anyone around them feel their nastyness. Smile at her and keep walking. Others will do the same and eventually she will get tired. I am proud of you guys that you kept at this. And yes, the attorney might have been a short cut especially after we recieved many of your posts and read of her anti Board actions.

AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960

Posted:

Thanks everyone for your kind and encouraging words. It just gets soooo tiring looking out the window (first) before one even leaves the house because we don't want to run into her anywhere. Some of us don't even leave our homes before we see she's gone to work. Pathetic isn't it??? Especially since we've all been here years and years before she showed up. She went bankrupt up north then muscled her way into her aunt's condo to "take care" of her. Her aunt cried and cried because she didn't want her evil niece moving in. But she did. As a result of her aunt's death she "got" the condo. She doesn't belong here. No one wants her here, either. We're only two two-story buildings, so there isn't really any place to hide. The best we can do is not let her know she gets to us.

JanP1 (Arizona)
Posts: 76

Posted:

We've all dealt with jerks in our HOAs and most of them can't help themselves because they don't bother to become educated about the processes and procedures of these unique corporations - (I've always said the woes of the world come from the ignorant or arrogant and heaven help us all then they are combined in one person.) But we have risen above the fray to reach out to others in this forum to say - Can you help. So kudos to you for rising above the pettiness

I have read a couple of interesting books lately that add an interesting perspective to dealing with difficult people and I'm just throwing them out because I enjoyed them

"Basic Black" by Cathie Black: There is no question why this talented woman is so successful and Chapter 3 deals with people. Take to heart some of the reminders we all know: Don't personalize things that aren't personal. Make your life a grudge-free zone. Be generous with praise, and careful with criticism. Be a mentor.

"The No A--hole Rule" by Robert Sutton ***Title cleaned up for blog purposes
This is a compilation of research, but extremely readable, of "those people".
And the formula for calculating the cost of "those people" is a big eye opener whether it is in the volunteer organization of and HOA or a cut throat corporate environment.

McKinsey Quarterly.com in May 2007 featured a summary article by the author which gives you a sense of the book. cut and paste the following URL into your browser if you want a quick and informative read.

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Organization/Building_the_civilized_workplace_1963

But truly, pat yourself on the back, we're all here looking for great ideas.

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