Candidates

Started by GiovanniD2 • 9 replies • 1349 views

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GiovanniD2 (Florida)
Posts: 8

Posted:

We have the position of Treasure and Secretary becoming available and having a hard time getting people to understand why they would need to run for Director with the intent to fill these positions they only want to be Directors. Does anybody have any advice?

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Giovanni,

Your bylaws should state what the specific duties are of each officer position. The reason officers are needed is to perform those functions. Directors usually have no specific duties to perform. However, if your assn contracts with a mgmt co the duties of the sec and treas would most likely be nonexistent as the PM and/or the mgmt co usually perform those functions.

It sounds to me like you have people who want to serve on the board but don't want to have to do anything. These are NOT the type people you want on your board, whether you employ a mgmt co or not!

KathrynM4 (Minnesota)
Posts: 2

Posted:

we are in the same boat. people are generally scared to take on too much (i.e. the secretary or treasurer position) since they may think these positions are 100% responsible for running the association. this is not the case and people just need to be educated that 1) there is support available (i.e. other board members or a mgmt. co.) 2) duties can always be divided among everyone 3) these are volunteer positions and if someone can't do the work, then they need to speak up...

hope this helps!

GiovanniD2 (Florida)
Posts: 8

Posted:

Thank you all for your input and I agree but these individuals have already served before and three of the four dropped out they held positions from Secretary to President the fourth one nobody wants him to be anything other than a director if that. Prior to my being appointed to president slot the BOARD seems to have been running a social club and only enforcing a rule every now and then. That has changed now and they are not happy. Does anybody know of any state statue that spells out that you do not have to put he or she on the ballot unless he or she is willing to fill the vacancies that may be coming up?

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Giovanni,

I don't know that that is addressed in FL HOA statutes. However, I think it's just common courtesy, and common sense, to get the approval of the person you want to nominate before doing so. BTW, just because the sec's position may be up for re-election doesn't mean a person should not run because they don't want to be sec. In most assn's all members of the BOD are voted in as Directors, then the officer positions are appointed/voted by the BOD. So, if you don't want to hold the position of Sec you can make that point known to your fellow board members.

GiovanniD2 (Florida)
Posts: 8

Posted:

Thank you for your response. I understand the process but the two positions that we need to fill are Secretary and Treasure so what do we do if we allow people to run for director positions, they beat the incumbents (Treasure and Secretary) and now none of your directors want to fill the Treasure or Secretary slots. How would we fill them short of hiring somebody?

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Giovanni,

The Pres could make the following statement at the next board meeting: "Seeking a position on the BOD means you have obligated yourself to take care of the business of the assn. This requires having a sec and a treas to perform certain critical functions. If none of you are willing to fill these positions then we have two options: 1) step down from your position to allow the board to appoint someone who will be willing to fill these roles, or 2) agree to hire a professional record taker and a bookkeeper/accountant to perform these functions. So, do I have a motion for either of these options?"

My Board has hired a professional record taker to take the minutes of all meetings. This works out quite well. I know of assn's who have hired a bookkeeper/accountant to perform the financial duties for the assn. This is much better than allowing someone to be the treas who doesn't know a thing about bookkeeping. This happened at my former HOA and you cannot imagine the mess that was created by this person!! On the other had, I think it's terrible that you have members who want to serve on the board but only want to be a director. It reminds me of the old sayig about having too many chiefs and not enough indians.

RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067

Posted:

Giovanni, if you do not have a managing agent I suggest you form a nominating committee and they only nominate candidates who are willing to do the work required by Board members and Officers. Otherwise, you could hire a management company. Management agreements can be tailored for the services desired, including accounting (treasurer), minutes (secretary), chair meetings (President), parlimentarian services, etc.

GiovanniD2 (Florida)
Posts: 8

Posted:

Thank you all I totaly agree.

DeniseA2 (Washington)
Posts: 15

Posted:

I cannot reiterate enough to folks, however important a effective board is, and truly if you have a very effective/dynamite property manager, board responsibilities are minimal.

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