The jerk in unit 3

ThomasD2 (California)
Posts: 208

Posted:

I have unfortunately had pretty lousy relations with my HOA board. I used to be on the board, but no longer. But at the last meeting the Pres. of the board went off on a tangent and said he did not really appreciate my attitude, said he did not like what I had said about the board in a letter, etc. I began shouting that I wanted to stick to business, we needed to stick to business. Several times. Not too pleasant. But is it legal for a board president to single me out like that? I have plenty of opinions about some HOA members, but don't bring them up at meetings. Someone told me that at HOA meetings they only refer to individuals by address, never name. I doubt this is law, perhaps just good business protocol. But can't the president get in trouble for such behavior? Perhaps I am opening up another unresolvable discussion about slander.

ThomasD2 (California)
Posts: 208

Posted:

Sorry,forgot, I'm Southern California. There are 22 units, six board members!, and a PM.

JackE1 (Indiana)
Posts: 26

Posted:

Boorish behavior possibly but not against the law unless he threatened you. Remember it takes two to tango and you provided it by shouting back.

22 units and six Board members, seems like a bit of overkill. We only have five for 132 units

FredB4 (Ohio)
Posts: 375

Posted:

Depends on what you said in the letter.

JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,569

Posted:

? what part of the covenant(s) or corporate bylaw(s) was violated ?

perhaps NOT having the 'sergeant at arms' eject the disruptor

juuuuust say'n

LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By ThomasD2 on 05/19/2014 12:12 PM
Sorry,forgot, I'm Southern California. There are 22 units, six board members!, and a PM.

So one out of every four members is on the board. In my association that ratio would put about 400 people on the board. In both your association and mine three board members would be sufficient.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Yep, its legal.

EricH8 (Virginia)
Posts: 116

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By ThomasD2
But is it legal for a board president to single me out like that?
But can't the president get in trouble for such behavior?

Is there anything in you HOA documents or promises from the board that your letter would be kept confidential?

Robert's Rules of Order In Brief
Debate Issues, Not Personalities
"If a debate were allowed to include personal attacks, it might intimidate many from taking part in the debate who might otherwise make important points."
"When a motion is pending, you may attack the idea or the likely results of the proposal in strong terms. but you must avoid personalities! Under no circumstances can you attack or question the motives of another member."

The Community Association Institute's
Model Code of Ethics for CommunityAssociation Board Members

Board members should not:

Divulge personal information about any association owner, resident or employee that was obtained in the performance of board duties.
Make personal attacks on colleagues, staff or residents.
Harass, threaten or attempt through any means to control or instill fear in any board member, owner, resident, employee or contractor.

Religion and Politics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYhRiFVVZJI
Listen to the whole thing.

Sample: "I was talking about the elections and how the campaigns were ignoring the issues and sticking instead to invective and personal crap that had nothing to do with the substantive problems of running a government."

ThomasD2 (California)
Posts: 208

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LarryB13 on 05/19/2014 2:09 PM

Posted By ThomasD2 on 05/19/2014 12:12 PM
Sorry,forgot, I'm Southern California. There are 22 units, six board members!, and a PM.

So one out of every four members is on the board. In my association that ratio would put about 400 people on the board. In both your association and mine three board members would be sufficient.

Having so many board members means 3 or 4 of them don't know what "they" are doing. They don't participate.

ThomasD2 (California)
Posts: 208

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By EricH8 on 05/19/2014 3:35 PM

Posted By ThomasD2
But is it legal for a board president to single me out like that?
But can't the president get in trouble for such behavior?

Is there anything in you HOA documents or promises from the board that your letter would be kept confidential?

Robert's Rules of Order In Brief
Debate Issues, Not Personalities
"If a debate were allowed to include personal attacks, it might intimidate many from taking part in the debate who might otherwise make important points."
"When a motion is pending, you may attack the idea or the likely results of the proposal in strong terms. but you must avoid personalities! Under no circumstances can you attack or question the motives of another member."

The Community Association Institute's
Model Code of Ethics for CommunityAssociation Board Members

Board members should not:

Divulge personal information about any association owner, resident or employee that was obtained in the performance of board duties.
Make personal attacks on colleagues, staff or residents.
Harass, threaten or attempt through any means to control or instill fear in any board member, owner, resident, employee or contractor.

Religion and Politics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYhRiFVVZJI
Listen to the whole thing.

Sample: "I was talking about the elections and how the campaigns were ignoring the issues and sticking instead to invective and personal crap that had nothing to do with the substantive problems of running a government."

This recommendations make it clear that there are best practices for how to conduct meetings, but bad behavior does not violate the law.

ThomasD2 (California)
Posts: 208

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By FredB4 on 05/19/2014 1:16 PM
Depends on what you said in the letter.

It was a petition, not a letter. Ten signatures! That is practically half the residents.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062

Posted:

You can not control how others will react to what you do. You can only control how you respond to their reaction.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By ThomasD2 on 05/19/2014 3:48 PM

Posted By FredB4 on 05/19/2014 1:16 PM
Depends on what you said in the letter.

It was a petition, not a letter. Ten signatures! That is practically half the residents.

A petition for what?

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

So the OP submits a petition including some less than nice comments about those serving on the board and when the President responds THEY are out of line.

Sounds like you have history with the board and feel you have the right to attack them and they have the obligation to turn the other cheek.

Maybe next time you might consider your behavior and the role that plays to avoid the board's response which certainly seems to have hit a sore spot.

FredB4 (Ohio)
Posts: 375

Posted:

You said in your original posting a "letter" from you - now you say a "petition" from ten people. Completely different situation. I for one am confused about what you are asking.