StephanieB3
(Georgia)
Posts:29
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| 08/04/2008 12:24 PM |
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I am the President of our HOA. Three of the Board members are absolutely ridiculous and completely uncooperative. They got together and tried to put me on a "probation" which our attorney said wasn't even legal. They claim they are upset because I do things and they aren't included.
I only do things that are needed to keep our troubled neighborhood going. They never have any ideas or stand up to take the lead on anything. I would love for them to help out but the only thing they seem to be concerned about is having the title of a Board member, but not doing any of the hands on work.
We have elections for two of them coming up in November. I also would really like for the other one to just go away.
Does anyone have any advice as to how I can get through the next few months without strangling someone??? |
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NicoleO4
Posts:0
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| 08/04/2008 12:45 PM |
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| Keep your eye on the real issues and goals at hand. As far as elections.. why not encourage others to run? I did this last year and 1 of our most problem causing member was NOT re-elected. Stick to the facts and remain business like.. hard to do I know but I would REALLY encourage others to run against anyone who doesn't seem to be on board. |
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DonnaS
(Tennessee)
Posts:2948
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| 08/04/2008 12:47 PM |
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Stephanie,
VALIUM!
Okay, now seriously. I read this post and I know that you are genuinly wanting to solve all of your communities problems and have your association running well. But you answered your own question as to what is the problem. You are not a Board of 1 but of several members. You are not to make decisions for the entire Board but to include them. There are other members on your Board who don't move fast enough for you. Hey, sometimes that is what happens. You have to take a deep breath and slow down. The others have opinions but they just aren't telling you what they are. Because they went into an effort to put you on "probabtion" (never heard of that) that means that they have something bugging them. Stop and slow down to hear others around you.  |
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JohnO6
(Georgia)
Posts:122
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| 08/04/2008 12:52 PM |
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Stephanie -
Xanax ;)
Alcohol ;)
Wouldn't advise combining the two 
Seriously .. .. Nicole provides good advice in that things should be kept to "business" and done objectively.
Unfortunately, your original post isn't detailed enough that it can generate substantial support and ideas. You say you "do things" - what sorts of things? Are you making decisions that should be made by a Board vote in a unilateral way? Obviously your fellow Board members must think so or they would attempt this "probation" tactic.
How often are your Board meetings? Aren't most substantive decisions undertaken after a vote?
Please don't misinterpret - I'm not trying at all to be accusatory; I'm merely asking the types of questions that other readers here would ask to assess "the situation". |
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GeraldT4
Posts:934
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| 08/04/2008 12:55 PM |
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DonnaS - With all due respect you seem to have a penchant for drawing conclusion based upon only one side of information we are provided. Let's not make assumptions here. Perhaps Stephanie isn't the problem, perhaps it's like she posted, the other Board members won't step up, and not that SHE is making the decisions for the entire Board, rather they are not making decisions at all.
I would encourage any Board member, especially a President, seek participation, to delegate and do so in an open meeting documenting all responsibilities in the minutes with a follow-up action plan less than the amount of time before the next open meeting to further document the results. |
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DonnaS
(Tennessee)
Posts:2948
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| 08/04/2008 1:09 PM |
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Gerald,
My "penchant" for drawing conclusions? Stephanie said--and I quote her--
"They claim they are upset because I do things and they aren't included.
I only do things that are needed to keep our troubled neighborhood going."
It seems pretty clear to me what she wrote and I interpret this as she is doing things without the other Board members. Hey, I don't blame her because I have had a member or 2 thru the years who fit what Stephanie describes but I also know that it ain't supposed to work that way. |
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GeraldT4
Posts:934
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| 08/04/2008 1:19 PM |
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| DonnaS - Doing things that need to be done by people that won't do them is different than doing things that others will do but can't because no one will let them. It doesn't seem clear to me by anything that Stephanie wrote that she is deserved of any admonishment. Rather some detail needs to be provided first, then we can all judge and or advise her accordingly at that time. : ) |
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JohnO6
(Georgia)
Posts:122
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| 08/04/2008 1:34 PM |
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Gerald - Go easy on Donna here .. .. I must admit I thought about (and posted almost simultaneously to Donna) the same sorts of questions about the original post. While Donna's post may have been a little more forthright than mine, your use of the word "penchant" suggests that this is something Donna either does frequently and/or is something she likes doing.
Simply stated that isn't something I've seen from her many, many posts on this forum. |
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StephanieB3
(Georgia)
Posts:29
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| 08/04/2008 1:34 PM |
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| Well we have positions that will be open and I have two awesome residents who are going to run. Something tells me that they will try to sabotage their campaigns though. |
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StephanieB3
(Georgia)
Posts:29
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| 08/04/2008 1:39 PM |
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| Donna I swear I have tried everything. I send out emails, they take forever to respond. I ask them to come out and help with the community, they always have something else on their schedule, etc. They always want to say "we" but "we" aren't doing anything. It's me and one other Board member who resigned last week because he just couldn't take it anymore. Now I'm all by myself. Residents have asked me and complained to me why they never see the other BOD out doing anything. It's embarassing. |
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StephanieB3
(Georgia)
Posts:29
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| 08/04/2008 1:52 PM |
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Thanks John,
Let me give you an example...Last year our Treasurer was supposed to put together a budget for the members to vote on. He handed me something but I'm still not sure what it was. When I tried to explain what the budget needed to entail, he still never revised it so I had to do it myself but then he got mad about that too.
They claim that I make decisions without including them but that has never happened. When I show them the emails that I sent proving that I did included them, they still never appologize for being wrong they just find something else to complain about.
Their problem is that everyone in the community (good and bad) turns to me for everything. When it's something bad, they don't care, when it's something good, they get upset because they don't get the pats on the back, but that's because they don't do anything. When I try to show them what the Covenant and Bylaws along with what State Law says, they still don't want to do things the right way. They treat being on the Board like and exclusive social committee instead of the buisness that it is. They just don't take it seriously. |
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StephanieB3
(Georgia)
Posts:29
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| 08/04/2008 1:54 PM |
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| We meet once a month and vote on everything. I called a summer break because I just could deal with them anymore but that still isn't working. |
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DonnaS
(Tennessee)
Posts:2948
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| 08/04/2008 1:56 PM |
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Stephanie,
I don't doubt for a second what you are saying and I have said that I have been in your shoes also. Below is from my earlier post.
"Okay, now seriously. I read this post and I know that you are genuinly wanting to solve all of your communities problems and have your association running well. There are other members on your Board who don't move fast enough for you. (Most people don't for me) Hey, sometimes that is what happens. You have to take a deep breath and slow down. "
Others are posting exactly what you will need to do and I agree fully with them. I started my reply to you with "VALIUM" and it was meant to go at you light heartedly. You want the best for your community as I do and many others do also. I am an "A" Type Personality. I want things done now and they should be done right. I expect that of myself as well and I think that your note to us tells me that we are alike. But I still stand by my earlier statements. :
(Thanks John) |
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JohnO6
(Georgia)
Posts:122
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| 08/04/2008 2:04 PM |
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Stephanie -
Thanks for expanding the description and providing example(s). Let's take the budget one as an object lesson.
So the treasurer is supposed to provide a budget that the HOA members will vote on - presumably at the annual meeting at the beginning of your associations fiscal year.
It appears that what was provided either didn't meet your standards, or would not meet minimum standards from an accounting point of view. If that is the case, why did you then take it on yourself to do this? It's his/her job to have it ready for the members' meeting. If (s)he doesn't get it ready, they (s)he is to blame and that should be readily apparent to all concerned.
In fact the minutes of the Board meeting(s) prior to the annual meeting should repeatedly reflect that the preparation of the next year's annual budget is still "pending completion" by the treasurer. As the annual meeting draws closer, the Board should probably adopt a motion that the budget is adequately completed by xx/xx/xx date or an accountant will be hired at HOA expense to prepare one. If this happens, the subsequent Board Meeting minutes should reflect an explanation of why this expense was necessary.
There is nothing here that is personal or vindictive - it's just the business of running the association. |
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DonnaS
(Tennessee)
Posts:2948
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| 08/04/2008 2:10 PM |
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Stephanie,
We also do "workshops " where we hammer out this stuff among ourselves and any members that show up and want to add their input. I think that seeing that some of the other Board members probably don't take their jobs seriously enough, getting some sessions where there is no voting but just information exchanges might also get them more involved. |
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SusanW1
(Michigan)
Posts:2316
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| 08/04/2008 3:20 PM |
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Stephanie - what do you mean that you "called a break" and didn't have meetings? How can ONE person do that? Do the bylaws give you the power to cancel meetings? Was this put to a vote? What do your bylaws say about regular Board meetings?
I am concerned about you and other residents thinking that it is the Board that has to do everything. The Board's job is to govern: You only need to make sure that "everything" gets done - not to do it yourself!!
The function of the Board is to meet and govern, not to actually have to do everything. That's for committees or volunteers or hired help.
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EllenS1
(Florida)
Posts:400
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| 08/04/2008 3:36 PM |
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Stephanie,
I can appreciate what you are saying. My daughter tried for months by email to try to get some response from other board members and nothing..she was left to either let the problmem get worse or take unilateral action. Needless to say one board member contacted her AFTER action was taken and complained. However, the other members never spoke up at board meetings. Personally, I think she did the right thing. |
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MaryA1
(Arizona)
Posts:2498
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| 08/04/2008 3:51 PM |
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Stephanie,
Like Susan, I was taken aback that you, alone, decided to cancel board meetings for the summer. Here you are complaining that the other board members don't want to do anything and now you've effectively given them a good reason to be idle for the remainder of the summer. I'm afraid Donna may have been correct in her assumption that you are just going out and doing things on your own because you feel the other board members can't be relied upon. Like Donna and you, I'm also a "take charge" type of person. If someone isn't carrying their load, I'll step in and do it. Why? Because I know it must be done! However, this is NOT the way to run a BOD. All the officers on the board have certain duties to perform for their specific office. All other board members should also have specific duties such as chairing a committee. If they can't be relied upon to do their jobs then they should be removed from their position. Officers can be removed by the board. Perhaps what your board needs is a real shake-up. At the next board meeting outline all the things that you've been doing because "no one else wanted to do it!" Then let them know that it's time for everyone to realize that they volunteered just as you did. Everyone has to contribute. It's a 5-members board not a 1-member board. You are NOT going to step in and take up the slack anymore. If things don't get done and the members start complaining, they will have to take the heat. If the BOD hasn't appointed any committees, now is the time to do so: Budget, Landscaping/Maintenance, Social, Architectural, Newsletter/Website, etc. Every board member should be on a committee, either as the chair or as a member. |
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EllenS1
(Florida)
Posts:400
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| 08/04/2008 4:02 PM |
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MaryA!,
I agree whole heartedly the board "should do this". I also agree that at the next board meeting she should explain why she had to take unilateral action and ask for more assistance (and make certain that is in the minutes). Suggesting that committees be formed is great in theory but not realistic...if you can't even get the board to perform or anyone else willing to run for the board what chance is there to form committees? Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. My only suggestion is to get new blood on the board if you can find anyone willing to put in the time. |
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SusanW1
(Michigan)
Posts:2316
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| 08/04/2008 4:07 PM |
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Every Board member should belong on a committee (not to chair it, just to find people from the general membership to be on it, see that it meets, and that Board member takes the report back to the Board.)
These Committee "feed" the board and provide new blood.
When the Board isolates itself and begins to think and act like it is the only thing that can run the HOA, it will implode.
That's what's happening here.
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StephanieB3
(Georgia)
Posts:29
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| 08/04/2008 5:15 PM |
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Gerald I have follow much advise that you have given to other folks.
Anyway...I have delegated respponsibility to these folks hoping that it would inspire them to want to help make a great community. I gave them all a committee to oversee in January. It's now August and not one of those committees is active, not one of those committees has had an event, not one of those committees has any members. I have four (and 1 ad hoc) committees on my plate compaired to their one, and each of my committees is active in the neighborhood.
I'm am going to reinstate the Task List that we were using in the begining and no one paid attention to it. I'm sending it out tomorrow. This will be documentation of the fact that they aren't doing anything. I'm so tired. With a community of over 330 homes, I just can't do it all by myself. |
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StephanieB3
(Georgia)
Posts:29
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| 08/04/2008 5:18 PM |
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| Donna, I would love to do that but the other Board members are reluctant to let any members in to our meetings. I have asked several time for us to have meetings and invite the members, but they refuse. I think this is sooooo wrong. But I'm out numbered 3 to 1. Our Covenants say that we don't have to hold open meetings. |
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StephanieB3
(Georgia)
Posts:29
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| 08/04/2008 5:24 PM |
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| I totally agree with you Susan. I gave each BOD a committee in January, and they have done nothing with them. I just don't know what to do from here. |
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GeraldT4
Posts:934
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| 08/04/2008 5:26 PM |
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| StepanieB3 - I've no doubt you've tried, believe you 100%. The reason I believe you, and that these lackeys are a bunch of slackers is that if you are in the minority, why aren't they deciding to oust you as President and let one of them step up to take the task? Though I do admit decisions on meeting should be group formed, an executive decision for a break isn't a bad try. You tried it, it's not working, but at least you have some peace of mind. Take charge of the committees, reconvene them to form, meet, and give them tasks to report to the Board. |
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StephanieB3
(Georgia)
Posts:29
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| 08/04/2008 5:28 PM |
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Susan, we all decided that we needed a summer break. Nothing is getting done and I needed time to seek some other advise as to how to handle this.
The break isn't going to well though because I still have a million calls and emails from residents that need things done.
We are a new community that just had it's transition meeting last July. Most of our residents are first-time home buyers and just don't understand what being a member of a HOA is all about. I can deal with that, but the BOD that haven't even taken the time to read our CC&Rs and expect me to hand them everything on a platter, is just not acceptable. |
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StephanieB3
(Georgia)
Posts:29
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| 08/04/2008 5:30 PM |
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| That sound like an awesome idea. It seems very strange to me that all of my committees have active members and none of their committees are doing anything. Quite frankly, I find it sad and embarassing. |
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StephanieB3
(Georgia)
Posts:29
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| 08/04/2008 5:32 PM |
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| I think I forgot to mention that the Board Secretary and Vice Secretary have not produce ANY minutes in a years time. The only minutes that have been done are the ones I took the time to do along with everything else I have to do. |
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GeraldT4
Posts:934
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| 08/04/2008 5:33 PM |
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| StephanieB3 - Perhaps the committees are defunct because the bozos that were responsible to run them are control freaks, and not you, as others seem to have a penchant for surmising. : ) Quite frankly I'm a bit annoyed at the trend of their responses, and some of their distractions. |
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StephanieB3
(Georgia)
Posts:29
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| 08/04/2008 5:36 PM |
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| Donna, I have never made an initial decision that wasn't voted on first. Our attorney told us that us that if a vote has already been taken on a matter and a decision has been made (e.g. the amenities area) then, I can move forward in the best interest of the community and execute actions within that scope. |
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StephanieB3
(Georgia)
Posts:29
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| 08/04/2008 5:41 PM |
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| Gerald, I'll tell ya...I have a Board that refuses to let the members join our meetings, a Secretary and Vice Secretary that haven't produced and minute in a year and a Treasurer who can't even put together a budget. I am dealing with the worst of the worst. I'm just waiting for November to get here so that HOPEFULLY, they will be voted off. I want people who may not always agree with me but are willing to put in the work to make our community a better place. |
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