KassemS (Florida)
Posts: 5
Posts: 5
Posted:
Hi,
I am a member of my association purely by being a homeowner and paying my yearly dues. I occasionally attend monthly meetings and decided based on the actions of the board over the years and their way of doing business that I will get involved by running for a seat on the board of directors. I noted some perculiar actions occurring and I wish to ensure that our election which is to culminate with our monthly meeting in January (January 19) to be percise, was on the up and up. So here are my comments:
First, I noted that that the Manager sent out the intent to run to paperwork to the homeowners at the end of November 2010. There were already intents to run paperwork in there for 3 out of the 4 board of directors dated and signed on 13 Oct 2010. Why would they have received the intent letter over a month before all of us homeowners receive them and had them signed and already turned in?
Second, they mailed the ballots, proxies and intents to run to the homeowners and they are so confusing even I can not understand them. Different dates and instructions on each of the forms make determining what actions are to be taken as a homeowner and voter even more confusing. And since I am very confused right now, I can just imagine so are the majority of the other 246 homeowners.
Next, although this has nothing to do with the election process, the last few months our HOA Management company with the Board of Directors have conducted what I consider some interesting actions with regard to our budget. First they gave our management company a raise of 10-15% and they did it without a budget meeting. In fact the manager was the one who brought it up at a budget meeting and when certain members of the association quickly complained that this action should be brought up at a budget meeting the board tabled it without action. Although that particular monthly meeting when written and posted by our Manager stated that the raise had been brought up and approved by the board and having attended the meeting it was totally untrue.
They then decided to put up a notice for a budget meeting but put out the notification for the meeting 3 days prior to the meeting. In the past, I had been taught that with regard to those special meetings, notification had to go out to members 14 days out. At this meeting they then approved a 20-25% raise to our contractor who mows our common areas and also lives in our community.
Next, the board voted on purchasing $1000 on Xmas decorations. When they purchased them, they actually overspent and spent $1500 instead and this last month they decided to cover themselves they probably need to put that extra expense in the minutes as a vote for approval.
I have seen other strange things happen and all I wish is that our Board remains a ethical shepherd of our monies and community. My fear is many of these members have been on the board so long (some as mauch as 6 years) they have become oblivious to the community needs.
Other then getting a lawyer (which I am contemplating) and bringing legal action for a complete auditing of the books, who can assist me in these matters?
vr
Kassem
I am a member of my association purely by being a homeowner and paying my yearly dues. I occasionally attend monthly meetings and decided based on the actions of the board over the years and their way of doing business that I will get involved by running for a seat on the board of directors. I noted some perculiar actions occurring and I wish to ensure that our election which is to culminate with our monthly meeting in January (January 19) to be percise, was on the up and up. So here are my comments:
First, I noted that that the Manager sent out the intent to run to paperwork to the homeowners at the end of November 2010. There were already intents to run paperwork in there for 3 out of the 4 board of directors dated and signed on 13 Oct 2010. Why would they have received the intent letter over a month before all of us homeowners receive them and had them signed and already turned in?
Second, they mailed the ballots, proxies and intents to run to the homeowners and they are so confusing even I can not understand them. Different dates and instructions on each of the forms make determining what actions are to be taken as a homeowner and voter even more confusing. And since I am very confused right now, I can just imagine so are the majority of the other 246 homeowners.
Next, although this has nothing to do with the election process, the last few months our HOA Management company with the Board of Directors have conducted what I consider some interesting actions with regard to our budget. First they gave our management company a raise of 10-15% and they did it without a budget meeting. In fact the manager was the one who brought it up at a budget meeting and when certain members of the association quickly complained that this action should be brought up at a budget meeting the board tabled it without action. Although that particular monthly meeting when written and posted by our Manager stated that the raise had been brought up and approved by the board and having attended the meeting it was totally untrue.
They then decided to put up a notice for a budget meeting but put out the notification for the meeting 3 days prior to the meeting. In the past, I had been taught that with regard to those special meetings, notification had to go out to members 14 days out. At this meeting they then approved a 20-25% raise to our contractor who mows our common areas and also lives in our community.
Next, the board voted on purchasing $1000 on Xmas decorations. When they purchased them, they actually overspent and spent $1500 instead and this last month they decided to cover themselves they probably need to put that extra expense in the minutes as a vote for approval.
I have seen other strange things happen and all I wish is that our Board remains a ethical shepherd of our monies and community. My fear is many of these members have been on the board so long (some as mauch as 6 years) they have become oblivious to the community needs.
Other then getting a lawyer (which I am contemplating) and bringing legal action for a complete auditing of the books, who can assist me in these matters?
vr
Kassem