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Started by RogerB • 10 replies • 2810 views

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RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067

Posted:

I think the article "Making peace with the taste police" by Sarah Max is very good. I agree with her that a homeowners association can be a force for good -- or a power trip gone bad. I've tried hard for many years to create the good and some posters have seen the power trips gone bad.

One item with which I disagree is eliminating proxies. I realize that some Boards may use proxies to maintain control. But proxies also provide members the means to get sufficient votes to remove undesirable Boards or Board members. Albeit it is usually more difficult for the members than the Board. Plus member should have the right to be represented when they can not attend.

What are your feeling about this article?

RogerB

RandyS (Colorado)
Posts: 29

Posted:

I agree witht your thoughts Roger, I've not read the article personally, so I am going from what you've indicated. Yes, i've heard the horror stories of some boards and boards members.

It's that alter ego thing kicking in there it seems. Too bad that some feel they must instill a sense of fear to be effective, I don't see this needing to be the case at all. In fact, if I were ever to be elected to a board (I was appointed this time), by the H.O., I would feel very honored, that they would be entrusting myself and my fellow board members with that which is very important to them.

I would rather have a board that is approachable and listens to the community, and projects an image that seems to be going by the way-side, that being a community in which you actually want participation from the residents, not to have them live in fear of the board. Afterall, the board is there to represent the H.O.'s and to protect the image projected, along with that of the property values.

There is no room for "mini-hilters" on any board. I say check the ego's at the door, and remember why the board and it's members are there. Prison Guards and such are not needed, simply get out and talk to the residents, not like your asking for their vote, but instead of going around looking for the bad in everyone, try looking for the good, and give positive feedback for that. Yeah, the bad will be there, but handle it, and move forward, don't dwell on it and allow this to fill the days and nights.

I think I got off the subject here a little, but you get where I'm going here I hope. Instead of a always telling, try listening. This is actually a better way to communicate with large diverse group.
If you listen when they have something to say, the response will be reflected in the outward appearance by the members of the community.

Sorry, got on a soapbox there... I'll jump down now... Please continue (pay no attention to the dude on the box)

LuciusD
Posts: 139

Posted:

I think this is a fair and balanced article that shines a light on issues that have been covered over for far too long. I'm really glad to see someone question in print the often repeated notion that covenants or associations necessarily improve property values. I think this is a myth.
In the matter of proxies, I agree they are needed by owners to control undesirable Boards. However, proxies provide a tremendous opportunity for abuse by abusers. The problem is that most owners don't really understand how proxies are supposed to work and are not equipped to realize when proxies are being manipulated improperly. It seem to me that "blanket proxies" might well be eliminated as long as issue-specific or meeting-specific proxies are allowed to permit owners to wrest control from abusive boards and officers.

TerryL (California)
Posts: 23

Posted:

Everyone living in a community with an HOA or considering purchasing where there is one should read this article.

I have absolutely seen the power trip gone bad. The community I live in had a board that used proxies to maintain control. Unfortunately, our bylaws are written in such a way that we cannot use them to remove board members. After recent upheaval on the board, the Association has now regained control and with the former board members gone, we can now revise the bylaws to make it possible to remove board members.

The problem I have with proxies is that complacent, uninvolved homeowners use the proxies instead of performing due diligence to ensure the Association is being run properly. Had these complacent homeowners taken the time to attend meetings and hold the board members accountable, the Association would have been choosing board members instead of board members using proxies to keep their cronies in place. As long as you have involved homeowners, proxies are a good idea. Otherwise, it aids and abets the power trip gone bad.

hoatalk (California)
Posts: 599

Posted:

Since the news rolls off our site eventually, here's the article's web address, in case someone would like to read it:
http://money.cnn.com/2005/11/22/real_estate/home_associations_0512/index.htm

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DorothyH (Florida)
Posts: 23

Posted:

Our Association uses proxies in order to obtain a quorum necessary
to hold an official membership meeting. Only 1/3 of our property
owners have built homes in our Association. So proxies are a necessity.
We only use limited proxies so they can not be abused. Dorothy

HollyR (South Carolina)
Posts: 3

Posted:

Our HOA uses proxies at meetings for a quorum. We have 206 homes in our HOA and approximately 75 homeowners come to meetings. Without the proxies we would have no way to get anything done.

RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067

Posted:

Holly, getting 75 out of 206 owners ,38%, is very good attendance for most HOAs. Many need proxies to get the 20% required by their Bylaws. You may want to consider revising your Bylaws.

Roger

LisaS (Illinois)
Posts: 341

Posted:

Our Covenants do not require a quorum- only a majority vote of those in attendance at a meeting.

As well, most matters are handled by vote of the Board only per the same rules. This requires only a qurom of the Board (3/5) and a majority vote.

The very scary thing is that most of our association has no idea what a dangerous thing our system is. We recently incraesed our dues for to complete some improvements and that did draw some people into the process and opened their eyes (charge too little and no one cares, charge some more and watch the parade...)

In order to change our Declaration (written by the Developer)we require a 2/3 vote of the membership. How ironic. Seeing as we only had 47/300 at our annual meeting, it is not likely to ever change.

One of the reasons I chose to join the Board- to avoid the abuse I have seen elsewhere.

Lisa

RobertG (Arizona)
Posts: 505

Posted:

In Arizona, a new law was put into place that eliminated the use of proxies once the development has been turned over to the home owners. At that point, only mail in votes may be used (and they are counted as part of the quorum). The mail in ballot is specific to each issue brought up. This eliminates many of the problems that are inherent with proxies.

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