Language Problems

I live in a multicultural HOA. There is a sizable number of Russian-speaking homeowners (first language), as well as a sizable group of Tagalog speakers (Filipino). In addition, we have Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian, and other groups who speak, as their first language, a range of languages other than English.

Some homeowners are demanding that we contract with a MC that has Russian-speaking people on staff who can interpret discussions at Board meetings, and also want the Association to translate our governing documents into Russian. The BOD is resisting this, for all sorts of reasons (expense being one of them). Another major issue is: where would this stop? What about all of the other non-English-speaking homeowners?

Has anyone dealt with this problem, and if so, how was it resolved?

Thanks,

Rob

Rob:

There are several sites out there I have seen over the years that allow you to paste entire documents and then pick from several "major" languages for translation. I would point them in that direction in terms of the property's documents.

As to their demands to have a Russian speaking employee at the MC or providing someone to translate at the meeting I would guess that is NOT an expense the property must assume.

The owners bought the property understanding the manguage issues and IMO the other owners need not be held finacially resonsible for the costs of translating into how many different languages?

Good luck.

Удача с вашими проблемами

Memo:
HOA meetings and documents will continue to be conducted in English. Those who would like to translate documents we recommend http://translate.google.com Those would would like to have a translator present at meetings may do so at their own expense.

Rob:

I would recommend to not go there … I agree with SteveM. When is this type of stuff going to end here in the USA … if you choose to come here you should have to learn English or you are responsible for any other assistance needed regarding language barriers.

If you go there … and later stop supplying translations can someone then potentially sue for discrimination because you did supply and now are no longer supplying except in english? I just think you would be opening a big can of worms.

Hi Janet,

I agree with you and with Steve, and that opinion is also shared by the majority of the BOD, including the president, i.e., this is not the nation of (fill in the blank), but is in fact the United States of America. Our language is English (or maybe "American English" is a more accurate name for it), all of our documents are in English, our laws are written in English, our meetings are in English, and so on.

All of that said, it doesn't address the legal issues (assuming there are any) around "official" translation, and I realize the Association would need to get a legal opinion if it gets any more intense than it has. I would like to hear from anyone living in any HOA in the U.S. that has had to deal with this problem, and what the outcome was.

Thanks,

Rob

Thank you Donna I’m not sure if it is guts or just from the heart truth.

It is kind of like government entities. Once you start stroking feathers and offering perks, later it is hard to get out from under without someone jumping on the soap box.

I really like Rob and he offers very good advice on this site, so I want to be sure he looks ahead before jumping on the train and later wants to possibly jump back off. Getting off might not be too easy regarding this subject.

Don’t get me wrong my husband is part Hispanic and I do not care if someone is pink with purple polka dots. We have friends who are Anglo, Hispanic, African American, and Native American. This is just something that if an HOA starts, they will not be able to back out of easily.

In our HOA the Vice-president didn't automatcally fill the President spot. They filled in for them when they couldn't attend a meeting but that was all. The actual President position was voted on by the elected board members. Which meant if you were selected for the board it was amongst the board to decide on the positions.
This may vary a bit with each association. However, you may want to check and verify how officers and board members are selected just in case.

I still say IF they want a translator then they have to PAY for it. Simple as that. They may decide to change management companies that will accommodate the situation without paying extra if your REALLY lucky. I would overall consider this a "Special circumstance" which requires additional funding to support.

Rob:

Sounds like you have a problem many properties have faced but it is complicated by having different ethnic groups and languages. Stupidity can be spoken in any language. Their is a word for ignornace in German, French and Russian.

The tactic is to make the party you wish to remove the enemy. Suggest that if they are just removed YOUR world will be a better place. And no matter where you come from some folks are dumb enough to believe it.

A few years ago we had a group, led by a former Board President who attemtped to take over the Board by running some of her lap dogs. They also circulated a petition making all kinds of wild accusations. The members of the Board were all being paid. The property had MILLIONS but the Board was stealing hence the increase in CC. And one of my favorites the Board planned to change the property into a 55 and older living community and if you were under 55 you would be forced out. And people signed the petition.

My answer was simple and in the end worked I spoke with, sent notices out, and provided information to counter these lies.
Eight of the nine members of the Board were under 55 would we force ourselves out of our own homes? We provided financials no one was being paid for their service on the Board. In fact our assets have increased almost 10X while costs have increased. And I exposed the true motivation and composition of those wishing to take over the property. Or in plain ENGLISH the truth. You had one who was looking to get even for being removed from the Board. One who thought the landlord should cover any additional costs rather than have the owners pay. We are a condo property and this person was pushing to serve as PRESIDENT believing or failing to understand there is no landlord. Part of me was hoping she won just to watch when she attempted to make contact with the deep pocketed landlord. And one was a functional drunk who never cared to be told what they could and could not do so his motivation get on the Board and allow trash like him to run the place.

In the end after much work and MANY difficult conversations (there are some really dumb folks out there) at the special election to remove the Board they got less than 20 votes out of more than 130. In the regular election they got 13 votes out of more than 130 so it worked.

Today people hear what they want to hear. There is no cure for dumb and you are faced with a simple case of politics. To me the answer comes down to one simple detail NUMBERS. Do you have enough people left who might understand or be brought up to speed by May to give you enough votes to hold these folks off. If so then you, your wife and those that stand to lose must start your own campaign. If not then the shifting tides will overcome the property and things will go down quickly.

As Mr. Perot said a few years back. "You're going to have to get dirty on this one." There is no easy and quick solution.
But in my case this is my home and I could not allow a group of mental defectives take over the finances of the property and run it into the ground. It was worth my effort to stop them. But then again some people think I take things to the extreme.

Good luck.

What a great group!

After digesting all of this feedback, I went back and reread the Bylaws and the CC&Rs today. As it turns out, previous Boards misinterpreted a few passages. First, the vice president doesn't become president - only temporarily assumes the president's duties until the Board chooses a new president.

Second, the president doesn't appoint someone to serve out the remainder of a director's term - the president only nominates someone to do so. The Board decides to accept or reject the nomination by voting, except....

In the case of a successful recall of a director by the membership, the Board has no say in who the replacement is. That privilege goes to the membership, and therefore, a general election is held - same rules as for a regular election.

On conducting seminars to educate homeowners about our governing documents: BRILLIANT! I'll propose it to the president.

Thanks, everyone!

Rob