A conflict of interest? Most definitely.

My own policy is it is in the best interests of not only the Board members, but for the membership as well, if Board members not only avoid actual conflicts of interests but just the appearance of them.

For example, some of the lots in our community have sold and have not been built on. We require lots to be maintained to a certain length. The Board finally contacted, after several complaints from adjacent neighbors, an absentee neighbor who has let their lot grow 3-4' tall. After being elected in November, I volunteered to cut this if we received permission from the lot owner. The owners agreed to allow us to cut it 2 times per year and pay $125 per cut. (approximately 3 acres)

I cut it and refused payment and sent an e-mail to the other Board members that we will announce this at our next meeting and anyone wanting to cut it should contact X at... I figured I would not have known about this opportunity unless I was a Board member and thus it would not be fair for me to take advantage of this. I left a message to the lot owner to just donate the $125 to the HOA.

Just the appearance of trying to be fair will win our Board more support, much more than criticizing anyone who offers up feedback. JMO, but much of the angst Board members receive is a result of not being sensitive enough to how our actions/decisions may be perceived.

There have been problems brewing and with declining membership over the years the HOA has been shooting itself in the foot left and right. That is pay off why I was so eager to get out. I think that is also why the HOA gas been ignoring MRTA and teeing every way to collect more money. They also have decided to undertake many projects during a time of economic hardship, both homeowners and association, instead of be more diligent h the budget.

That was NOT self management if you had those people on a payroll. That's not what qualifies as self management in a HOA. We were self-managed but our Treasurer/accountant also owned a home in our HOA. Although an outside accounting firm is okay to go with even if self managed IMO. That way it's known third party without personal involvement.

I don't see a problem with that set up. The president's power is not all you may think it is. Read their job description. It's not like they get more voting powers than anyone else. They still have to act as the agent of the board. With so little participation with members, it may be easier and cheaper to have someone in place that can do all of it together.

I say unless your willing to do the job yourself, let the person who has the job do it their way. You can always recall them if you don't like the job they are doing NOT because you don't like the idea of what you perceive a conflict of interest.

I don't think their attorney is that good. They ignored my legal representation and continued to send me enforcement letters and even after they were put on notice. And even being made aware of certain applicable statutes they have continued to ignore the law to continue business as usual.

Their may be a conflict of interest but I consider the neighborhood self run. The board operated out of a clubhouse and there was a budget for an part time office staff and a maintenance guy. I'm a bit confused. With declining membership and funds how can they afford hiring a management company to run the show? And I believe they still have the office staff. My thoughts are that they are going to push enforcement of the expired C&Rs and convince people to pay dues.