Deciding if I should just resign

The meeiting took place last night.

It is apparent that the other Directors do not care for any corporate knowledge I had.
One Director (the Bully) actually demanded to know where in the documents Association approval is required to plant a tree on their property.

In a vote of 4 to 1, they voted not to award 2 contracts for storm water projects. 1 contract would have addressed a complaint from owners outside the HOA claiming erosion is now having water go to their property and home. The other contract would have addressed a safety issue (and potential liability risk) between two rows of town homes. Reason - if we spend that money now, what happens if something more important comes along. Therefore, even though a County official has been out, evaluated the areas of concern, made suggestions on how to address the issues seen and prioritized them for us combined with my corporate knowledge of walking the property with contractors, obtaining proposals and overseeing the storm water projects, they want to take a look and decide at a later meeting - perhaps a couple months out.

In a vote of 4 to 1, they are forming committees to evaluate adding signs that say "Reserved" to assigned parking spaces. Keep in mind, I've already did that leg work, obtained bids and presented the findings to the Board as this was a request from the general membership at the annual meeting.

In a vote of 4 to 1, they are forming a committee to determine if sidewalks need repaired. Of course my recommendation of take a notebook when you walk the dog would provide that info in an hour or two.

I proposed obtaining a playground audit based on the Nevada lawsuit we discussed earlier. After a 15 min debate on if we could afford the audit and what legal ramifications would occur if an audit was done but nothing was addressed, the fact it's not required by the insurance company do we need it at all, could we afford correcting issues an audit might find, etc. they finally approved obtaining bids.

In a vote of 4 to 1, they are forming a communication committee to handle the newsletter, social events, etc. I proposed that since this is a long term committee a resolution should be made to identify how members are assigned, the purpose and the authority of the committee. Question was asked, is that required by the Bylaws. Answer was no but it's important to do to give guidance to future boards and committee members. In a vote of 4 to 1 the voted not to create a resolution based on the fact if it's not required, why do it.

A Facebook page was actually created in Dec and turned over to the spouse of the bully to administrate. When asked, the Board responded that that was the work of a private member, not an Association site and does not need to be discussed. Note: this is the first time the spouse sat in the meeting taking notes.

In a vote of 4 to 1 they are forming a committee to see if the mailbox enclosures (rural mailboxes group mounted in housings) should be repaired or go to cluster boxes because they lock and there were those package bombs in NV (Note: they were not delivered by the post office). They didn't believe me when I said you can obtain rural mailboxes that lock and that I had been looking into this issue over the past three years to find replacements for the Board to consider.

Proposal was made to form a committee to look into a request from the membership (at the annual meeting in Oct) to add (paint) a lane divider on our roads that enter the intersection. I informed them that the work had already been done, quotes obtained and presented to the Board in November when the transition to the new board occurred. I presented the minutes from that meeting that had the costs, the pros/cons etc. In a vote of 4 to 1 they are forming a committee.

I wonder where they are getting all the volunteers from to form the committee.

I am now under the impression that this group came onto the Board for the sole purpose of creating Association social media platforms and hold social events. Everything else that needs to be done and procedures that should be followed are ignored unless there is a written requirement for the specific procedure or task to perform.

I am very concerned on how they will want to spend the Association funds, including the reserves. At this point in time, that is the only reason I see of staying on the Board. Honestly, I'm not sure it's enough of a reason.

It is a question what happens if you walk away? Try it. Just say for a month or 2 you are "busy" and can't make it to the meetings. Matter of fact, go out to dinner and stay away. If you can handle what happens in that time period, then you can walk away. If things don't go so well, then stop being so "busy".

Although I hate my ex-Fiancé, he did teach me something about management. He was a "top level" manager. Sometimes I would call him and he would be out playing golf in the middle of the afternoon! Knew he had issues and project due. It would frustrate me to no end... Then found out the "logic". If he could not walk away from that project, then that means the team wasn't one. A cohesive team is one that if one member leaves, the others can step up or fill that space. A team that can't stay together is missing a cog in their wheel... Which you have to ask yourself? Are you that Cog or the Wheel?

Somehow the above is a little uplifting to read, if only to know that bullying presidents are pretty common. I am glad you have good support at home.

Regarding the creation of committees not explicitly created by the Bylaws: I think this is often the managerial refuge of amateurs and the inexperienced.

Tim

Are they breaking laws and Bylaws as one poster said? Seems to me they are scared of making decisions. In business I was taught to never raise a problem unless I had a solution and most times, they took my solution.

I say lead them to the water.

Something that both Sheila & Roger, and Jon too, wrote suggest that you give it a little more time, Tim, IF it's not interfering much or at all with the rest of your life.

It's the non-acceptance of logical reasoning and the others on my board's lack of ideas that bothers me too. But, I'm thinking that some boards, when they lack knowledge, will resort to their own sort of reasoning which, at last here right now, doesn't have sound bases. And details too, seem to annoy them.

Wish I could be more helpful, Tim.

A board without a squeaky wheel is a board sure to fall off the rails.

First and foremost, thank you for the kind words.

I agree with those that said watching the money may have to be enough of a reason.
We will be moving in a year or two and I want to be sure that the Association has a good financial footing so any sale is not impeaded.

Side note to Richard - our next home is in an Association because my wife wanted one. However, it has no amenities, no common area and provides no services. The assessment amount is $50 per year and stated as such in the Covenants. Therefore, I think it's the best alternative I could find to satisfy my wife's desires and mine (to not be in an Association).

I've decided that I'll take the suggestion initiated by Melissa and echoed by many. I'll skip a meeting or two and see what happens.

I do appreciate the feedback from all of you !!

Tim

Tim

I have lived in 6 or so HOA's in 3 states. They ranged from one that owned a golf course, clubhouse/restaurant, the septic systems, private streets, and every amenity one could think of to one (my present one) with no amenities. While I like the concept of association control, the amenities can kill you financially and problem/disagreement wise thus I chose my present one for having none. Best of both worlds. Controls with no amenities.

Tim I have always appreciated your vast knowledge and wisdom .Come to FL an I would love to have you on our Board anytime. thank Bob

You'll have to get in line

Thanks again for the kind words.

I agree that some of this may be perspective. This is why I asked a friend to attend a recent meeting and give me their opinion (the friend would have no problem telling me I'm being a horses behind if need be).

For Ben, a little clarification about the tree comment:

This is the same group of people that reported the Association to the County for removing trees and planting trees without permission from the County (required for common areas).

This group has approved an spring cleanup where they are purchasing 50 tree saplings and giving them out as a thank you for participating in the cleanup. They wrote a newsletter article saying that those who participate will receive a tree that can be planted in the common area (violation of county codes they are aware of) or own their own property (requires approval per CC&Rs).

OR, and this is something I haven't made a decision on yet, it may be a struggle between old and new.