should the HOA pay for postage when petition is circulated to remove board member

Started by MaryS25 • 11 replies • 1626 views

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MaryS25 (Nevada)
Posts: 6

Posted:

Two homeowners are talking about circulating a petition to remove a board member because she has not attended any board meetings since being elected for this term. She does not want to resign though. Now she wants the board to approve a letter to be sent out to all the homeowners stating what all she has done for the association in the past and why she has not attended any meetings. I do not think the board should approve paying for this postage; what is your opinion?

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

unless the HOA would also approve any other mass mailing by any other member, i vote no.

the board COULD send out a mailing with both sides of the 'debate', as a neutral fact sheet. But to present only one side of an issue involving one person doesn't seem a smart use of HOA money. I can't see the board of IBM or Intel allowing one of their directors to do such a thing.

If this person wants the rest of society to pay for her to mail her personal opinions and thoughts to everyone in order to win an election or hold a seat, she should run for Congress, not the HOA board.

FredS7 (Arizona)
Posts: 927

Posted:

Were I on the board I would oppose BOTH approving what is basically a campaign letter AND sending a document with both for and against statements.

A move to remove a member of the board should be entirely independent of the board. (Although the homeowners DO have the right to a list of mailing addresses).

CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563

Posted:

No, all of you homeowners certainly should not pay for this director's personal mailers defending herself. Why in the world should they approve such a request?

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,061

Posted:

Mary,

In my opinion, the petition itself should be funded by the membership.

Once the petition for a special meeting is delivered to the Board and verified, then the Association should make all arrangements for the special meeting and pay the printing and postage costs associated with the meeting (notices, proxies, agenda, ballots, etc.).

If the Association wants to publish a newsletter or flyer showing both sides that would be the decision of the Board. I do not think it's right for the Board to just publish one side of the issue.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

This should be addressed at the meeting. Why mail it out? The absense should just be announced at a roll call or something. Don't get why it's necessary to notify everyone if they don't attend meetings either. Does everyone else have announce why they don't attend a meeting? I had a board member stationed in Iraq. They still had an interest in the HOA and wanted the position. So they got it and could participate when they could. No judging as anyone who wants to be a board is a blessing in most HOA's.

Former HOA President

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By FredS7 on 03/26/2012 11:18 AM
Were I on the board I would oppose BOTH approving what is basically a campaign letter AND sending a document with both for and against statements.

A move to remove a member of the board should be entirely independent of the board. (Although the homeowners DO have the right to a list of mailing addresses).

I agree.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

ALL

Our docs say miss 3 scheduled meetings and you are automatically off the BOD.

Tough love is often needed.

John

JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219

Posted:

Hi Mary:

I agree with Fred.

Hi John:

I think it could depend on the circumstances beyond an individual’s control. What if someone had to take their father to a cancer treatment center one month, attend their funeral the next month, then nine months later had to attend their grandmother’s funeral?

Which is more important immediate family or HOA? Potentially the question would be when does tough love cross the line regarding a legitimate beyond control reasonable excuse?

While making such a choice makes an individual feel guilty there potentially is only one choice they can ultimately make.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Janet

Sorry. I should have said if they miss 3 consecutive scheduled meetings. I was to busy looking out the window for snakes...LOL

KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239

Posted:

No. Don't waste HOA resources on defending a board member. The board member's reputation speaks.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

If she wants to tell everyone how great she is, she can do it on her own dime. If she doesn't attend meetings, she obviously cant continue as a board member because she is not meeting the minimum requirements, no matter what excuse she has (poor health, family issues, etc)

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