Tim's 'Volunteer' Threads

Tim,

I applaud your efforts with these two threads. I did not weigh in on them with the thoughts I am sharing here as I felt it would be off topic.

Do the regular Board members posting here see a pattern with the answers on both threads so far? I believe everyone posting is pretty much doing so in a positive manner. Hopefully current Board members will realize there are problems out there, some no doubt perceived but others being real. I hope all of us are open to learning and challenging our own positions so we can make our HOAs better in serving the membership!

Again, thank you Tim.

I would have some serious questions about the judgment of someone who hosted meetings in a bikini. While you might think it is titillating to some, I am sure others would be made uncomfortable. Nutty!

Melissa,

I suggest you try and remain silent rather than continue speaking and remove all doubt.

Thanks Frank.

I wasn't looking for applause but I'll humbly take them.

Amin had a good comment. It could have been worded differently so as not to ruffle feathers, but it was still a good comment. This had me think why is it that people don't volunteer? I've always listed membership apathy as a major problem but perhaps it isn't just apathy (and the comments on the reasons why people don't volunteer show that it isn't all apathy).

Just as I'm learning from the non-volunteer thread, I hope those who don't volunteer are learning from the volunteer thread.

I'm not ready to draw conclusions yet as I hope there are more posters on those threads. There certainly isn't any right or wrong answer. It's just identifying the reasons why one individual chose to do something or not do something.

Hopefully we all can at least learn to look at the same issue from different perspectives.

Well, I’ve noticed more responses to the “why we volunteer” thread (8) as I write this) as opposed to “why we don’t/won’t volunteer” (3). Those of us who often post here have learned no one will care about our homes more than we do and if we want to see positive change, we can’t always wait for someone else to bring it.

I think that’s the #1 reason people don’t volunteer - the current volunteers may just take them up on their offer of “I can do better than you!” (Really? Here’s my chair – good luck and have a nice day!) Others are afraid of being uncomfortable, being yelled at, ignored or laughed at, so they hope the people who do volunteer know what they’re doing, forgetting that they still have to watch the watchers.

Life isn’t all black or white – most of it is in varying shades of gray, but people don’t understand that either. You won’t find every single scenario of HOA life addressed in the Bylaws, CCRs, Declaration or whatever your community runs from. People and communities are constantly evolving and some things should be a matter of common sense and working together to find common ground.

Instead, people figure “it’s MY house, dammit!!” and will struggle to find someone, anyone, who will interpret the Bylaws, CCRs, an architectural request or something else the same way they’re trying to do. When you start with reading one’s documents, attending a meeting or two, coming up with a thoughtful suggestion AND volunteering to help, you’ll usually find 90% of your problems can be solved at that point. Then again, all of these options require more brain power and thinking before speaking, which is too much to ask of most people, so they don’t do it.

For my part, I find it more productive and satisfying to at least try and work towards a solution rather than sit at home and complain or run screaming to the courts when things don’t go my way. It may not work, but at least I tried and I’ll put up my effort against all of my neighbors who did nothing. I’m not so in love with this VOLUNTEER position that I’ll be insulted if someone runs against me and wins. Hell, if he or she can do the job better, that’s a good thing – especially if our community will be cleaner, more attractive and safer, the vacant houses will be sold to owner occupants and everyone’s property values, including mine, will rise. Why on earth would I want to interfere with that, manipulating proxies, holding secret meetings or this other stuff I often read about on this board?

It may be people think they don’t have the time or energy for board membership, but the real problem might be one’s unwillingness to listen to others and spread the work around. People are also afraid of not knowing the answers or they know the answer and don’t like it, so they wing it and mess things up. You also have to know when to delegate – if you have a property manager, he or she works for the Association, not the other way around. They’re supposed to handle the day to day stuff – you have to step back and let them do their jobs instead of micromanaging everything – and screwing that up, too.

I don’t mind people criticizing the board – at least they’re paying attention and maybe we’ll get some help that way, or at least a different perspective on a problem. It also keeps board members humble – the more I learn the more I realize there’s a lot more to learn, so I keep going.

"Attendance had been so low I had meetings in our pool in my bathing suit!!!"

My bad. Bathing Suit. But really, who cares? Still highly inappropriate.

History lesson...Church was originally held in bars and taverns. There were no separate church buildings. It was either a gathering spot of people or outside. How inappropriate is that? Having a meeting when it a hundred degrees outside in a pool is just getting business done in a place where everyone was at anyways. I would rather have people IN the pool than staring at it and wishing they were in it...

Jon,

Have not seen you post for a little...C'mon now, you were busy watching Dr. Phil re-runs in your closed Board meetings slapping each other on the back and performing your secret handshake to show how inferior, I mean superior, you are, right?

I'm a little bored today so I thought I would get you wound up for fun

There is room for humor and jello in one's life...

Considering that the question is asked on this site, I expected that to be the case.

I do hope we get more responses from actual non-volunteers, as I think it will be a good perspective to have.

"I have big boobs and I am not fat."

"here is room for humor and jello in one's life..."

Maybe it's just me but where is the humor in the first statement!?! Sounds more like a pathetic attention grab to me.

I am sorry I forgot to play victim and prude... It's called LIFE people and it happens. My life pool is filled with lemonade but my big boobs, a little vodka, and itsy bitsy teenie weenie bikini makes life worth living...

Seriously, I paid my dues and a member of my HOA. Why can I not enjoy going swimming in a swimming pool and talk to my fellow neighbors? I put the work in restoring the pool area and fixing it up. By golly going to sit my bathing suit clad body into that pool. Considering the membership did not attend the meeting INSIDE the clubhouse, why not go join them where they are at? If you can't beat them, join them.

Guess what? Board members put their pants on just like everyone else. We pay dues just like everyone else and we have problems with our HOA just like everyone else. We just decided to get elected so we could deal with them directly and not through other people. Want something done right? DO IT YOURSELF!!!!

Don't put a board member on a higher plane than yourself. The only thing a board member is, a person who got elected with the power to make decisions in the HOA on the ENTRIRE owner's behalf. Which to me, means I would rather have someone who will LISTEN to it's membership and NOT the thoughts in their own head. That is why not many members attended my meetings. It was because I did LISTEN to them whether it be at the swimming pool or at the mailbox. Heck, they could even call me day or night because I posted my phone number at the front entrance!!! I could NOT have been more open and acceptive to my membership than if I lived inside their homes.

You all complain that your HOA boards don't listen or care. Why by golly why criticize those of us that DO listen? Just because it's in a HOA member pool that I and all my other members pay for? The worst you can think of to complain is: "Our HOA president talked and listened to us at the pool while in her bathing suit. So we know what is going on and were able to talk to her about our concerns?" Wow you really do want to find something to complain about don't you? No wonder you will never be happy people or satisfied people. That is really sad...Oh well, I am going to go lay out now and get a tan....

Thank you Frank - you are definitely in the minority on this site!

I understand the demands involved with being a board member. Two days ago I was re-elected to a third term and I am happy to serve. Key word being "serve". I always run on a platform of transparency and collaboration. During my report at the Annual Meeting I encourage the membership to review the books and records.

I stand by my statement that presiding over a board meeting, as an elected representative of the membership, clad in a bathing suit is inappropriate. While she may think everyone is fine with it, there are likely those who are uncomfortable with it. Sorry but it tarnishes your credibility and would certainly bring the judgment of such a person into question.

Would you expect to attend a school board or city council meeting and be forced to see that? Not me...

Where was the rest of the board or was it Melissa's one-woman show? wink wink!!

The paperwork was inside on the conference table as always.... My vice president was already in the pool and forgot the meeting. My other board members were either in the pool or not able to attend. There was not much business to discuss anyways..

I stayed at the pool alot anyways as it was one of my big improvement projects. So like to hear feedback on the work that was done there... I do not see anything wrong with being in a bathing suit in a pool and talking to the neighbors... Was I only supposed to come out for meetings?

Man oh man..some of you need to lighten up and/or get laid. Sometimes it is only a movie, not real life.

Oh JohnC46 - I was just giving Melissa crap because she so eagerly dishes it out to others. I perceive Melissa as one of those women who is crude, rude, and a know-it-all. Most of what she says is pretty stupid but every once in awhile she actually makes some sense. She is obviously very proud of her past service as an HOA president. And I'm sure we will all be blessed with her HOA insight.

Lol. Just keepin' you honest...

ALL,

Old thread reactivated by a poster. It is unknown why it was reactivated as their post was removed.

Tim

Valerie your posts, errr, I mean opinion(s)are far from being humble.