HOA newsletter committee

Our HOA has only published newsletters sporadically in the last 30 years. A newletter committee was formed (2 board members, 1 volunteer) this spring at the recommendation of the management company and approved by the board. It is published every 2 months has been well received in the community. Input is solicited from members and directors for topics.

We do post the meetings at least 48 hours in advance. We don't have a clubhouse to meet in. No one has ever shown up from the community at any newletter committee meeting. We first met at an area restaurant with a meeting area. That business closed so the last 2 were held and next meeting is planned at a nearby coffee shop. We have permission to meet there. We order, get a table and quietly discuss the draft newsletter. The meetings are held on the weekend because everyone works.

Many of the board meetings can only be described as riots because of a certain obstructionist element. We always have security, frequently have to call the police, and even the police have had to call for backup. One member threatened to beat people at the last meeting so obviously no one wants a meeting in their home. They don't understand that they only have the right to peaceably assemble.

We have received information that this element plans to disrupt this meeting. The coffee shop manager was contacted and told that a meeting was planned there for 30 people. This was done in an attempt to block the newsletter.

We can go ahead with a quick meeting and hope they don't disrupt. Cancel and reschedule because I don't want the coffee shop to be subject to this behavior. I'm not sure when or where this would be.

I do plan to talk to the coffee shop manager. If he's ok with it we'll go ahead and hope for the best. Otherwise we'll have to have a callin meeting.

My question is do other associations hold committee meetings at other businesses? Some businesses such as Panera's, McDonald's, and local buffets welcome it. Is it considered unfair if anyone who wants to attend doesn't or can't buy anything? The association has limited choices since many places that typically have meeting space available such as the library or adjacent subdivision which has hosted in the past won't allow us because of the disruptive elements.

Be glad you don't live here.

Suzanne,
what a story. You know, you do not have to post the committee meeting unless you are discussing ‘money’. It may be easier on you guys just solicit members’ articles by e-mail or have a drop box somewhere. We do not meet in the restaurants just by the pool area.

Nothing in the bylaws, but the board did approve. After recommending that we have a newsletter the property manager said it wasn't part of his contract. We can use the association printer to print it and it's passed out in the community and posted. The property manager does mail to non-resident owners or he's supposed to and we do have some who want it e-mailed to them.

I also think we aren't required to post,but we do because a certain group will yell about ecverything.

Susan, not sure about your By-laws but FS720 does not require it.

(a) A meeting of the board of directors of an association occurs whenever a quorum of the board gathers to conduct association business. All meetings of the board must be open to all members except for meetings between the board and its attorney with respect to proposed or pending litigation where the contents of the discussion would otherwise be governed by the attorney-client privilege.

The provisions of this subsection shall also apply to the meetings of any committee or other similar body when a final decision will be made regarding the expenditure of association funds and to meetings of any body vested with the power to approve or disapprove architectural decisions with respect to a specific parcel of residential property owned by a member of the community.