Has an HOA Board ever fired a committee?

Started by NicoleO4 • 9 replies • 1313 views

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NicoleO4 (California)
Posts: 160

Posted:

I know this may sound crazy , but our social committee is not perfoming as promised.

Last month they decided to have a community yard sale to clean things up. There are 3 members and I am being told by one of them that the ball is being droppped, promised not followed through by the other members.

1- the yard sale was to be advertised in the local paper for free. It was to be handled by one of them.. It was not done.. and it wsn't until the day before the event we found out.

2- yard sale signs were to be put out aound the neighborhood by the other.. and you guessed it. It wasn't done. Myself and our HOA president were out at 10pm hanging emergnecy signs around the area.
3- pool side social hour was to happen on Wed last week and the signs was supposd to be put out by the gal who didn't do #1.. and it wasn't done..
We are also aware that the committee's chair person is authorizing purchases for the up and coming BBQ without the boards knowlege. Decorations to the tune of $100 has been purchases for oru BBQ! the gal who authorized this.. is our past HOA prez of 6 years.. She knows better.

Our board majority is seeking to fired the current committee and get some poeple in who do what they say they will and follow through is done..

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

Does your social committee have a budget? Do they have meetings? Did they approach the Board and outline their total year's activities (thus justifying the budget)

If so, the Board should get out of the way and let this committee do its thing, (appartently just stumbling along, according to you). The Board should not be micro-managing any committee, much less this one.

The Board can always call the chairperson to the next meeting for a progress report on its activities. But be gentle. These are all volunteers.

EllenS1 (Florida)
Posts: 1,148

Posted:

My understanding is that the committee makes recommendations but the Board must approve them, including the amounts to be spent.

BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535

Posted:

In most instances that I am aware of, a committee serves at the pleasure of the board. The board should have the power to dissolve the committee. The problem is, if you do that, finding volunteers to serve on another committee may not be easy.

KirkW1 (Texas)
Posts: 1,665

Posted:

I would be inclined to replace the president of the committee.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

One thing I have discovered through my many years of community service, NOT just through my service on the HOA board, but on various boards throughout our community as well, it's hard as heck to get VOLUNTEERS to do things timely and in a highly professional manner.

We have "fired" and replaced many committees over the years, again, not just in our HOA, but through other boards on which I sit.

The "firing" is usually a blessing to the people being "fired," because in most cases, their heart was in the right place when they stepped up to the plate, but they either didn't realize how much work was really involved or ran into conflicts that prevented them from functioning as we needed them to.

I would recommend "disbanding" the current committee and putting out a search for new committee members. I would strongly urge AGAINST the temptation to "bad mouth" the failed committee in any way. That sort of thing spreads like wildfire and can interfere with your attempts to get good workers.

Keep in mind, you may have to do this several times before you end up with a right mix of "worker bees" to get the job done.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

I agree with Michele. This committee is just not working out, for whatever reason. If the board is unable to get others to volunteer perhaps a social committee is not needed at this time. Any one serving on a committee must realize that if they're volunteering to do a specific job they must follow through. Letting this committee continue to spend money, make plans and not follow through with them is a total waste! When the members start complaining about not having any social events, perhaps others will step up to the plate and volunteer.

BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640

Posted:

Nicole:

to answer your question...yes a board can fire a committee...

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

IF the Board appointed the committee, it can dis-band it. (motion and vote)

IF the Committee is a Standing Committee, then the committee stays, but the members are removed by the same process they got on (elected? appointed?) New committee members need to replace the old.

Instead, the president should call the committee head and have a one-on-one about the issues, and give the head a chance to get the committee in order.

It just will not look right that the Board "fired" the social committee.

NicoleO4 (California)
Posts: 160

Posted:

I think that the pres of the HOA already will be assisting us with disbanding the current committee. We have two very willing and able bodied peeps to take over. This will be addressed at our next HOA meeting.

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