TraciS1 (California)
Posts: 5
Posts: 5
Posted:
Back story: Appr. 2 years ago, our then (currently President) VP was indicted for felony real estate fraud. She is a real estate agent and during the economic downturn, worked with 4 or 5 other agents, creating "straw buyers" which bought distressed properties and then never made payments, causing them to go into foreclosure. This was a federal case, widely publicized in the industry. She plead guilty,somehow managing to put off sentencing four or five times. A homeowner brought this to the attention of a board member, who told me (board member also). We requested an ES and asked her to step off the board (duh!), she refused, and the other two BM's sided with her (she was listing their condos at that time). I, after two years on the board, start doing my homework, insist we join CAI, complete classes, go to legal seminars, all the while more and more appalled at our overall ignorance and disregard for the law. Recall ensues, large contingency in support, with a small group (me included) of potential new BM's meeting so we can "hit the ground running." Meanwhile other BM in support steps down in disgust and I, the newest member, am saddled with the almost entire responsibility of the recall election. Mgmt. co. states this doesn't involve them and only provides admin. support. During this time, I find out our current Pres. is delinquent by many months, this brought to my attn. by an owner that has solicited monthly financials and not seen their name listed as paying dues. Righteously indignant, I disclose this to my small group (yeah, really stupid). Recall misses quorum by four votes, and I don't know that, as chair, I can reconvene within 25 days to get enough votes to reach quorum. I adjourn meeting citing failure, finding out later my mistake, to this day wearing that albatross.
Current: Still only board member that has bothered to educate themselves, same inept mgmt. co., the two BM's listing are gone, real estate agent now President and appointed cadre of BM's who, like her, insist they don't need or can't find time for continuing board education. I have been told that my "book learning" really doesn't matter, because it's "intuitive." Prior to last year's election, I'm in San Francisco for a job interview, and the Pres. who's up for re-election, holds an ES and resigns, allow the other BM's to appoint her to an empty position, which is not up that year. No minutes ensue and I find this out because her name is not on the ballot two months later. Whatever.
Turns out my small group contained a member that is easily offended and apparently now supports the rest of the board. Has disclosed my mistake and now I, upon returning from another interview, find I have been censured. No notice of meeting, no chance for defense. Guess I'm screwed?
Current: Still only board member that has bothered to educate themselves, same inept mgmt. co., the two BM's listing are gone, real estate agent now President and appointed cadre of BM's who, like her, insist they don't need or can't find time for continuing board education. I have been told that my "book learning" really doesn't matter, because it's "intuitive." Prior to last year's election, I'm in San Francisco for a job interview, and the Pres. who's up for re-election, holds an ES and resigns, allow the other BM's to appoint her to an empty position, which is not up that year. No minutes ensue and I find this out because her name is not on the ballot two months later. Whatever.
Turns out my small group contained a member that is easily offended and apparently now supports the rest of the board. Has disclosed my mistake and now I, upon returning from another interview, find I have been censured. No notice of meeting, no chance for defense. Guess I'm screwed?