What's the point

I am the elected president of our POA. I tried my very best to get the board to follow the by-laws and deed restriction. However the majority of the board is controlled by a "very" corrupt group. The board has illegal members serving. They have conducted business outside of meeting even behind the backs of other board members. They've hidden funds, given away association property without the full boards knowledge and altered the books and records. Once I learned of the hidden fund I got the police involved but since the funds where no stolen they refused to do anything. We have had no nominating committee for years even though I try to get one the board just tables it over and over. The voting is better in Iran then at our association. The judge of the election is not allowed to receive returned ballots. The secretary and treasure refuse to follow that rule even if one of them is running for office. The by-laws are only used when it is to their favor. Last years annual meeting I was voted back in office but the majority group wanted their person in since I had the police look in to the missing funds. At the next board meeting the majority group blindside me and voted to remove me from office. I protested two facts first that the board was illegally composed and that under the law only the members can remove an officer. Attorney's were consulted and theirs stated that each co-owner could be a member even though our restriction state other wise. He did inform them that they could not remove an officer only suspend. Well they got around that by stating that since I did not attend two meeting that I was now removed that way. I have now been requested to appear before the board for a hearing to remove privileges. Under our by-laws I must be given at least a fifteen day notice and the failed to even do that. I refuse to follow a illegal board and have no plans to attend since "WHAT'S THE POINT" they have already planned the results. If I have one word of advice I could give is "If you buy into an association don't, sell as fast as you can sell. The headaches are not worth it!!

I have others that know about what has been going on however the secretary controls the minutes and the group will not publish the truth. How can they? They would have to explain all of this to the members. Their view is the less the members know the better. I have contacted so many people that I'm out of breath. Budgets of the law enforcement limited. The AG's office of Michigan is the same. PA 162 of 1982 is the law but no one will enforce it. And lets face it attorney's are only in it for the money!! The board will not even address this matter at a meeting. Members have tried only to be told "We have already discussed that matter and will not any more"! I keep fighting but again whats the point.

Hi Will:

When you stated: They've hidden funds, given away association property without the full boards knowledge ...

What kind of property was disposed of?

As for the funds. For over ten months $3018.00 was hidden from the full board and the members. The group had plans to purchase a pool cover. I researched it and found out that it was not needed. That same month the treasurer reported that she had a deposit error. So for ten months she did not use the bank statements to balance the books. No one does that. Your beginning balance is always the ending balance from the statement.

Will,

Is this a condo association?

Rob

In most states, if a board member does not carry out their fiduciary duties,
they can be PERSONALLY be sued (along with the entire board). You'd just need the proof to do so. Sounds like a rather contentious group. If your neighborhood is like ours, good luck getting others to get involved. If dues don't go up from year to year, most people just don't seem to care what goes on (sadly).

Tom

Off topic but I suggest maintaining even but low level of engagement rather than be a shooting star.

It is tempting to try to fix everything for a few months and then quit for a few years. But, if you just go and sit in the back and say nothing, you'll remain informed on what's going, not be blind-sided by major disasters and maybe, just maybe, you'll see an opportunity to improve things. That's better than returning cold after several years absence and getting smacked with a totally unexpected special assessment.