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Subject: Are President's of HOA's - Like island castaways?

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MaureenM4
(Washington)

Posts:20

03/18/2010 9:57 PM
Hello All, Today has been one of those days... It got me thinking of how HOA support their Presidents. All I came up with is ... No man (in my case woman) is an island. So why do most President's feel like Tom Hanks in Castaway? Alone sitting on a beach problem solving without assistance or any help (board or resident volunteers). Talking to Wilson, you’re ever ready and trusting friend (imaginary). Wondering how you will solve X issue. You have run around your island looking for other sources of life (volunteers, committee members, and engaged board members). No life seems willing to show itself. Some days it seems Wilson the volleyball is the only person (thing) that seems to hear and understand your woes. Not to mention, you wonder to yourself why did I ever take this trip in the first place? Well, I guess even though tonight; I feel like Tom Hanks in castaway... And Wilson the volleyball is my only confidant. Tomorrow will be better and perhaps I may finally find a way off this island (rescue myself) by pulling together some resources at hand or not. But, at least I can joke about it now and perhaps I will not take on too many tasks and get frustrated tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day. Good night all and good night Wilson. - Maureen

AnnaD2
(Florida)

Posts:924

03/19/2010 5:21 AM
Maureen, I don't think that problem is one shared only by the person who is president. At some associations it is common for only one (or maybe two) people on the board who seem to do all the work. It may be the secretary or the treasurer. You're not alone....there are a lot of us out there.

JonD1
(New York)

Posts:706

03/19/2010 7:53 AM
Maureen: Sorry to hear you have come to the reality of HOA living and life in general. I have served on our Board for 23 years, the last 7 as President. Why because no one else has any desire to do so. The option leave the operation of your property (your most valuable asset) up to the MC. Will that benefit you and the other members? In the long run my opinion no one looks after your interests better than YOU! Review the stories on this home page of those who have stolen from properties they have managed or served. There are doers and do nothings in this world and many of your fellow HOA members although try to hide from the truth, do nothing of value in the operation of some properties. Many times you have one person or perhaps two or three who oversee the operation of the property and make the tough decisions. Then the Board is filled out by what I call the once a month Board members who show up each month but haven't a clue what needs to be done or why. And even with time their level of effort remains close to zero. They occupy seats nothing more. Then of course you have those members who sit on the sidelines, never become involved but have opinions on how and what should be done and why. Understanding they have no real idea of what effort is required or provided to protect THEIR homes and property. Gratitude, appreciation just not in their vocabulary. Have they EVER taken a role in their community other than expressing their opinions???? Hardly. Many people these days look for the easy way out with the least effort required. And as long as there are others who will do the work they are more than willing to sit back and do nothing. Sad commentary on our world when there is a task to be done some are willing to sit by and watch others do THEIR share of the work. If this is the level of effort they are willing to give to protect their homes and property I would expect little from them in other areas of their lives. You have two choices, accept the reality of your holding a thankless job and contiue on for yourself and your interests or move to a property that does not require YOUR effort to protect the property of others. Those willing to sit by and do nothing. Hard to accept you might be the only person who really cares and takes their job seriously but that is a possibility unless you live in a rare community. How long have you served on the Board? President?? Good luck but remember the more you do the more that will fall on your shoulders. That's your reward!

MaryA1

Posts:0

03/19/2010 12:03 PM
Anna, You are so right. That one person was me, the Treasurer, in my former assn. I did everything, including all the accounting as we were self-managed. I even made up the agenda and guided the Pres through every meeting. Of course I have no one to blame but myself. When no one else was doing their job I just did it myself and of course that person let me. My feeling was that it needed to be done and no one else was doing it, so I did it.

LynetteB
(Texas)

Posts:141

03/19/2010 12:57 PM
Yep! As Jon stated, we are the DO'ERS. We all have our own reasons for getting involved and for staying involved. We just baby step on to the next project.

RobertR1
(South Carolina)

Posts:5164

03/20/2010 5:01 PM
Maureen, Since you have the situation well in hand, of course, we expect to hear why you do it. HAS to have a reward. What's yours, tell Wilson and have him me-mail us. You'r not hung up on Wilson are you? No being critical, as the Old Lady said when she kissed the Goat, if I want to kiss a goat, it's none of your business.

CharlieM
(California)

Posts:42

03/21/2010 3:36 PM
Maureen, Depends on the island. The island of members in your community? Yes, most likely you are alone with Wilson. The island of other HOA Presidents present and past? Not even close. You have many, many people on that island. Always feels good to know I was not alone. Charlie Former "lonely" HOA President. PS. If you are alone with a property manager with an agenda not in the interests of the community, that feeling is you are REALLY alone!!

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