Nominated for BofD

What are the most important statements to make and questions to ask when deciding to run for a position on the BofD? My biggest concerns are: 1)the learning curve will be steep. I/we really don’t know much about condo associations other than paying dues and we want to do a good job. 2) I don’t want to be/will not be, the Complaint Department/Parking Police/Neighborhood Mediator.

A neighbor and I see a rather compelling need -current board is resigning- in our small development (18 condos) and have decided to run for the BofD. Communication has been pretty skinny from the management company and the BofD for the 4 years I have lived here. Our annual meeting is next week. We’ve taken steps to try to have a quorum at the meeting as that has been a problem for our association.

We want to run. It’s not rocket science, we have some skills, and we want to create a positive tone to what might be a long tenure (the last board has served 5 years). Our preference is for common sense and courtesy to prevail so that we may all live harmoniously. AND that there be funds available for important things like roof repair, siding problems etc. Not necessarily for flowers, speed bumps and ‘No Parking’ signs .

Basically, we would like to set some parameters for our involvement while also managing association business in a professional manner. Thanks for any suggestions. This is a very helpful forum.

CB

Thank you! We have been searching for something to focus our attention on. Can't see the forest for the trees sometimes . I made a mistake. there are 15 buildings, 30 condos.

CB

Carol wrote: "you mentioned a couple of different topics: (1) siding, roofs & finds to repair/replace. So you two probably should review your HOA's reserve accounts to see if you're accumulating enough for that.
(2) flowers, speed bumps, signs. These items would be in your operating budget. If enough folks want the latter two, you'll want to know how much the cost would be to build into your 2013 budget. Could be that homeowners might want them, but may not be willing to have their dues (possibly) increased.

I'd also review your mgmt. co. contract to see if it's doing the job it was hired to do. I assume it is off-site and perhaps part-time for your HOA? Is it supposed to be playing cop and fielding complaints?"

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Hoo boy. Will do re:our HOA's reserve accounts. Flowers and signs have apparently not been approved by the board since we don't have them. The speed bumps simply appeared one day and when we asked about it at an annual meeting, we were told they were necessary because of the excessive speeding and for the safety of the young children at that end of the street. Our dues have increased at least twice in 4 years. It's a short street but it has two ends (!) that don't mingle much. It's done... so we'll move on but something is clearly not right. I'll call it a communication failure and resolve to improve communication and hopefully, procedures.

I flat-out don't know what the management company does. I attend the annual meeting, listen to the recitation of expenditures, parking complaints, grousing and then leave since there is never a quorum so nothing gets voted on. The rep from the management company, his job description and the mgmt. co. contract are in my crosshairs. It is off-site and, I assume, part-time.

I didn't know when I bought a condo that I would have to know what a condo lawyer knows just to live here. But now that my attention is on the task, I will learn, my husband (bless him) will learn, my running mate will learn and hopefully, our neighbors will too. I guarantee you that when I know/learn something, so will they, lol. My friend and neighbor is a mediator for a company and I work for the school district. We don't lack raw horsepower, we just need a little direction. And I thank you for your help.