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Posted By CwlW on 06/10/2013 6:04 PM
Linda,
Others have given you some great advice on your message so far. That's why I enjoy all the feedback. It's helped me a great deal.
I'd like to address another part of your concerns with your BOD, if I understand what you are communicating.
As a new board member, I also walked into a some what, unorganized situation. I'm being very kind in my wording here.
At first, I started talking to as many folks as I could, to get some background on what was really going on here, including my follow BOD members. Each had a different point of view, to say the least.
As I gathered documents, which tell the real story, I was able to identify fact, from fiction. Yes, I did mouth off a bit much my first few months, and those long extended emails, which I'm sure others got tired of reading.
Anyway, I set about studying all of our documents, corporate, city, county, state, and federal law, that was pertinent to my questions, in regards to applying them to this very disorganized situation in my HOA.
As I went along, very angry, very frustrated, pulling my hair out......something happened, I realized that my approach was completely ineffective. So, I slowed down, and made myself, address one issue at a time, as they came up for the BOD to discuss. And this worked.
So, when an issue comes up, I then send any and all information that "I" have researched, and passed it along, very matter of fact. I had to learn to leave my frustration and emotion out of any of my communications. But, first I had to know what I was talking about. Now, I feel like a much more effective board member.
The changes come very slow, here where I live. I had to pick my battles very wisely. For example, when my BOD was blatantly violating a federal safety law, I made up my mind this was one of those violations that had to be corrected, and I stuck to my guns. Quoted the laws for them, forwarded all of my emails from government officials to the other BOD members, etc. I was voted down......at first.....and I kept at it........only to finally get the much needed vote to insure our public safely in all of our buildings. Needless to say, the experience was exhausting, no matter, the job got done.
I also kept reminding myself, we are all on the BOD for some of the same reasons, to insure our communities are maintained as best we can. When I saw changes that were/are needed, I asked myself, how can I appeal to their sense of reasoning and intellect, to get across an idea that there may be a better, or more cost effective way to get something done. People skills, communication skills, and last but not least the word I deplore most, I had to learn some diplomacy skills. Don't get me wrong, I still put my cards on the table, as I see fit, but lets just say, I bake some cookies and serve coffee while I'm at it! And I give people the room to save face!!
I think you give Linda and other new Board members excellent advice.
I might add there is much more to what a Board does besides what is included in state laws, state requirements and he governing documents. You also the the nuts and bolts of managing the property day to day.
Sometimes new Board members come to the Board with heir own agenda based on what they have read and concluded as the one and only way of doing things. In some cases as we might have here, there could be a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the laws or documents. Some folks see and hear what they want to.
As as a basic rule most people don't wan o be labeled as bad, ou of control or needing to be reported to the AG's office for their behavior. Sort of sets a bad tone for future dealings with these same people.
And one final thought I would never support someone who just joined the Board being appointed Board President. If that should happen my guess it was done for ALL the wrong reasons. And we now see how that worked out in this case.
Board membership requirews many skills if done properly. Not only must you be able to read and understand, you need to have some people skills.
You need to be able to determine what issue is most important at that point and deal wih those in some kind of order. You have to understand what you view as #1 on your list might not be in the top 10 for others.
And when people make the effrot to remove you as President best to spend some time examining why they would do that and what role did your actions or behavior play in their decisions.
Making threats and attempting to undermine people is not the best way o accomplish things. IMO