SwanB (Washington)
Posts: 199
Posts: 199
Posted:
This is in relation to the discussion thread started on 'Recruiting board members' and then a new thread generated by a post from HaroldS concerning the notion of a board's function as one of 'spying and regulating'. When I reacted negatively to this post Harold then asked how our HOA dealt with violations, etc. if we didn't employ 'spying' as a tool. In his apology he also referred to my dedication, etc. as 'malevolent' which had the reverse effect of an apology since malevolent, as defined by Websters: 1. wishing evil or harm to others; malicious. 2. producing harm or evil; injurious.; in no way defines my actions or feelings as a board member during my term.
As far as the rules and regulations our members have all agreed to by purchasing their lots or homes in our HOA (which is how one becomes a member of our HOA), we have an agreed upon process requiring a signed, written complaint turned into our Violations Director. The VD then speaks to all parties involved and determines if a violation has occurred and then places a fine on the member's account as determined by our agreed upon Schedule of Violations and Fines. The member has one month to appeal the violation and/or fine.
At no time are the lines of private or personal property violated by staff or volunteers.
We had a Block Watch program that was curtailed when it was revealed through their Block Watch reports that their over zealousness was targeting property violations and they were missing the mark of what a Block Watch program was all about. I was Violations Director at the time and took alot of shots for this until the whole community understood exactly what kind of 'Big Brother' mentality was going on under the guise of this community-wide program. I did this by talking with each member as they came to me to complain about my tactics.
Personally I abhor the idea of someone spying or feeling they have the right to spy on someone else. Regulations come with any structure and are necessary, even with anarchy so I don't understand the problem with people who cry and complain about HOAs regulating their members. So do governments, so do parents, so do schools, so do churches, so do societies, so do cultures.
As far as the rules and regulations our members have all agreed to by purchasing their lots or homes in our HOA (which is how one becomes a member of our HOA), we have an agreed upon process requiring a signed, written complaint turned into our Violations Director. The VD then speaks to all parties involved and determines if a violation has occurred and then places a fine on the member's account as determined by our agreed upon Schedule of Violations and Fines. The member has one month to appeal the violation and/or fine.
At no time are the lines of private or personal property violated by staff or volunteers.
We had a Block Watch program that was curtailed when it was revealed through their Block Watch reports that their over zealousness was targeting property violations and they were missing the mark of what a Block Watch program was all about. I was Violations Director at the time and took alot of shots for this until the whole community understood exactly what kind of 'Big Brother' mentality was going on under the guise of this community-wide program. I did this by talking with each member as they came to me to complain about my tactics.
Personally I abhor the idea of someone spying or feeling they have the right to spy on someone else. Regulations come with any structure and are necessary, even with anarchy so I don't understand the problem with people who cry and complain about HOAs regulating their members. So do governments, so do parents, so do schools, so do churches, so do societies, so do cultures.