Volunteer Guidelines

I would like you guys to offer your opinions about the below scenario.

Early this summer we were having problems with non-residents utilizing our pool facilities, residents breaching rules, etc. A group of residents decided to reclaim our facilities. To accomplish this goal we created a Pool Monitor program, comprised of volunteers with guidelines. We have met with great success. Non-residents can no longer enter, members in dues arrears have paid almost $100K to gain access, alcohol consumption is under control, etc.

We have some residents that are demanding to be copied our volunteer operational guidelines. Should we dessiminate resident wide? Or just refer to the HOA office to see/ obtain? Thoughts and ideas, anyone?

We don't serve liquor. People were bringing it in, which is prohibited.

Yes, we do have a web-site. The Pool Monitor guidelines are not published on it. Perhaps they should be. Certainly something to consider!

Lifeguards - one complex is guarded, the other is not. Oddly enough it is the guarded pool that has had the most issues. Weird, huh?

Volunteers make sure that owners in good standing only come into the pools and only bring in the approved number of guests. They also ensure compliance of no diving, no running, etc. Our lifeguards aren't very good at that. In fact, we spend an inordinate amount of time instructing the lifeguards. Makes me crazy.

We have a MC that is supposed to stay on top of the dues and collection thereof. Personally, I do not think they do a very good job in that area. That too makes me crazy.

Our BoD is still the builder. We will flip in another year to year and a half.

Maybe I'm just tired and cranky from spending 8 - 10 hours a day at the pool

Pool rules should be posted at the pool not just at a web site. Make sure the penalty is stiff enoough and includes barring from using the pool. This requires pool monitors or life guards who are authorized to enforce the rules. Pools are the greastest financial risk of the HOA so make sure to have greater than adequate insurance.

MistiH,

That is awesome that, have a better handle on the pool rules and guidelines. I assume it will only get better for you. If money (HOA), man-power and the dedication to these rules and guidelines are enforced, I see a much greater appreciation for the amenities, in your HOA community. I say “go for it” IMO, All “board” around the world need member like you to take position on the board.

Chuck W.

CharlesW1, thank you for the vote of confidence. It means a lot to me. I am not on our Board, though. We are still under Builder BoD. It will be another estimated 15 - 18 months b/4 we flip to Owner BoD, at the current rate of growth.

I am the co-chair of our Safety Committee, and the Pool Committee sits beneath our umbrella. This fact alone has been cause for contention with the Pool Committee. Some wish for independance, some appreciate the weight of the Safety Committee (and budget!) behind them. We try to keep them all placated until the end of this season and then we can re-visit with our appointed advisor for the 2007 swim season. TMI? It has been challenging, that's for sure!!

RogerB, as volunteer homeowners we have self imposed limited power of enforcement. We cannot pull a card, even with cause. If there is an issue, we call the HOA office for our property manager, who will then pull the card. Our job is to politely insist upon rule compliance and call the correct authority if necessary. That includes the sheriff's department as a last resort. Frankly, I like this system. It is non-confrontational, therefore neighbors are not pitted against neighbors. It seems to be a good system this first year out. We all had a LOT to learn, and still do I'm sure.

MistiH:
Great that you are able to monitor and control your pool and facilities. Our assn. has created a monster by having a swim team. When it first started about 10 years ago, they were business-like enough to ask for permission from the board to use the pool to practice and have a few swim meets. Over the years, residents became aggravated that the pool would be in use by the ST either practicing or having a meet, until finally, the board let them use the pool in April (for practice) (we are in TX) before it opened to the members in May. As our assn. had fewer and fewer children, as it is an increasingly retirement age group of people, they had to start recruiting kids from outside. They did not get the permission of the board of the HOA to do this. Then, unfortunately, along came a family from outside who moved into the assn. and the woman refused to work with the board, but is now president of the ST for the last few years. She basically has taken over the pool and clubhouse as though she owns it. Many members are furious that IF the pool is open for any reason, they should be able to use it--including April. I agree. Further, the ST tries to say that "well, no one comes to the pool anyway". Dues-paying members feel that if just one member is there--the pool should be open to the members because the members pay for it. We have lifeguards and pretty good rules--posted--including "no smoking or glass" and they haven't made a stand about alcohol, because people sneak it in in their plastic "drinking-type-looking" cups and the problem is: how can a lifeguard, who usually is a minor (under 18) tell an adult that they cannot bring a drink in that has alcohol in it. At any rate, as you can see, it's infuriating that non-members (about 1/3 now on ST) are from outside and have more use and say of our facilities than the owners. This is aggravating as hell to the owners. To make matters worse, the management company is colluding with them to keep their contract with the assn. and in return DONATES to the ST so they can kiss each other's ____! These people also make it unpleasant for a child of someone they don't like to be on the team, to keep them out and keep them from lowering their scores. We have an unethical, terrible situation going on. I've been on the board and tried, along with other directors (minority) to do something about it, but the forces from outside (of parents who have kids on ST from outside) are stronger than from inside the assn. (apathy). We will end up selling our beautiful home (which has decreased in value due to the lack of enforcement of important CCRs) and moving on when our youngest graduates from HS. Those of us who tried to change the situation and make it fair were verbally assaulted and defamed.

I congratulate you that you've been able to handle this, and I might add, it is probably best that you do it from a position of "not" being on the board. You are probably less vulnerable. There need to be outside pools (Aquatic Buildings, etc.) for swim teams and to keep the assns. politically out of it--keep that in mind for any future use of your pool. I've heard it is a nightmare in other assn.'s as well. Because, how can you tell an outside kid "no" to pleasure swimming in your pool, if you've allowed him in for a ST, and he is not a dues-paying member? It's a racket! Our assn. spent $200K renovating a pool that would have lasted many more years if not for the extra wear and tear from ST--not one outsider helped with that cost.
EdR

Ok, been thinking about the post I made earlier today. Texas Red has been replaced with sane Misti.

Can you guys work out a compromise? How many actual hours is the pool utilized by the ST and meets each week. Does the ST enhance the quality of life of the youth in your community? If it does, then the value of it may out weigh the negatives.

Maybe try to depersonlize and look from another angle. If it's still just wrong, then play ball.

It is a pretty intense situation. I'll continue to watch for updates. You could always move north to Providence. We like good homeowners up here!