BOD MEMBER OPINION

Started by MichaelJ8 • 13 replies • 1727 views

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MichaelJ8 (Illinois)
Posts: 113

Posted:

I am a newly elected Member to the BOD. I have never done this before. If someone ask me about something can i give MY opinion or concerns but at the same time say that it should go before the board. I was told just to say "take it up before the board"

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

Are you saying that members are bringing you concerns, and you don't know what to do with the info?

If you think it is a valid concern, put the issue on the agenda under New Business.

You owe it to the people you represent to bring their concerns to the attention to the board.

DavidW5 (North Carolina)
Posts: 565

Posted:

You don't relinquish your first amendment rights when you become a board member. However it pays to be careful to explain that you aren't speaking for the other members of the board or for the association.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By DavidW5 on 08/31/2011 6:55 PM
You don't relinquish your first amendment rights when you become a board member. However it pays to be careful to explain that you aren't speaking for the other members of the board or for the association.

Excellent advice.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

My best advice is if you don't know the answer do NOT blurt one out. Just tell someone that you will look that up for them in the documentation and get back with them. Keep a copy of the CC&R's, By-laws, and Article of Incorporation with you at each meeting. Those documents provide the answers to many questions...It's surprising how many times no one brings a copy to the meeting when they are a BOD member!

Realize that you represent the whole not your single opinion. The general membership elected you to represent their needs on an everyday basis in your HOA. You are now "They/Them". My approach was as a fascillator. If my membership wanted to paint the roads red. My job was to get a quote for the supplies and options on how to do it. If it was against the rules/ACC, then I was to point that out to them.

You will get better at this as time goes by. It's not natural at first. You just have to accept what you are and own it. If you take the approach that you don't like being a "boss", then your not made for this position. It takes a leadership mind to make it...

Former HOA President

MichaelJ8 (Illinois)
Posts: 113

Posted:

Melissa,
Your last paragraph says it all. I will give it a try. What happen was I voiced my concern,on my own,not at a meeting, on something a new future condo owner was going to do in the common area.
The other members did not like it one bit.

CharlesB17
Posts: 112

Posted:

Being a member of the BoDs, is like a politician. Some love you and some hate you. You can not please everyone all of the time. You will only please some of them some of the time.
Know you documents, listen and represent the people as a whole, and stand firm on your faith and convictions. You will do fine.

LawrenceC1 (Georgia)
Posts: 480

Posted:

If you are a board member, it's often hard to separate your personal opinion from the position that reflects the sense of the board.

There is a great article about this on the Community Association Management web site at Developing a Communications Policy and Protecting the Association.

In part the article says, "...as an individual, I had no authority to speak for the Board of Directors, and that if the homeowner wanted their matter addressed, it had to be added to the agenda at a duly called meeting of the board."

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062

Posted:

Lawrence,

It looks like an interesting site. I've bookmarked it to explore it in more detail later.
Thanks for sharing.

Tim

GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

Michael the reason for take it up with the Board is that people hear what they want to hear.

Homeowner: "Michael, I want to add a third story to my house."

Michael: "That shouldn't be a problem but you need ACC approval."

Homeowner after he receives the cease and desist order on his unapproved construction: "I talked to Michael and he assured me that it was no problem to add on."

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

Michael:

With all due respect as a new member you more than likely have very little understanding Of the day to day operations of the property, the governing documents and how that are applied to your propertyy nor the personal relationships that exist on every property and among board members.

IMO for any owner to approach you with items they wish to address is out of line. Contact the board and the can take it up.

I would avoid offering opinions to owners as you do not speak for the board but owners wishing to get what they want will assume your word is the board's.

Another consideration is you don't want owners going back to the board with "Michael said this and Michael agrees with me". Sure way to ruffle some feathers with your fellow board members.

IMO there is a learning curve to serving on any board. MY suggestion sit back listen, get to know the workings of the property and determine who you are dealing with on the board as well as among the owners.

Don't let people use you to serve their agenda nor allow people to do their bidding.

MichaelJ8 (Illinois)
Posts: 113

Posted:

JOND1
Not only am I a new member but the other officers are new too. We just had the developer turn over the association to us. This could get real interesting. I appreciate all of your suggestions. I think it boils down to "Michael, keep your mouth shut."

CharlesB17
Posts: 112

Posted:

Lawrence posted a link with some sound advice. Read it!

MichaelJ8 (Illinois)
Posts: 113

Posted:

Thanks Lawrence for the link. I have it on my favorites and will read it often. I also passed it on to the other BOD

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