Can the board prevent me from joining a committee?

I recently (Sept 2013) moved into a 465 unit high rise, with a $3M operating budget. In the short time we had a special assessment levied. In 2014, I ran for the association board as I have 25 years working in Accounting. While I do not have a CPA, I do have budget creation, budget analysis, financial reporting, General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Royalty and Revenue Share reporting. While I did not win the election, I was encourage by 4 of the board members and many other residents to join the Budget Committee.

When the notice was posted, I responded as interested. I was informed I had to provide my QUALFICATIONS. The prior year budget committee was not required to provide any qualifications. (I asked a couple of people who did serve on that committee.)
Now 3 Business Days before the state first meeting, I had to ask if I was on the committee. I was then informed that “Although they were very impressed with your credentials, the Board has decided to go with (2 names deleted for privacy reasons) for the budget committee. I think that there may have been too many on the committee last year and they are keeping it down to two committee members who are not on the Board .Please come to the budget meetings….they will be posted. Thank you.” I must note that the 2 persons who were chosen did not run for the board.
My Questions:
A. Does the Board have a right to limit the number of residents that will serve on a committee?
B. Does the Board have a right to seek qualifications of residents in application to serve on a committee?

Bill -
Thank you for your quick response. I will check the governing documents if they have any criteria. And, yes, I am planning on attending the budget and board meetings.

I can identify with your situation. While the declarant was in control of my former association I volunteered for the finance committee. I was not appointed by the board. For the ensuing 5 years I attended every meeting of the committee (in Va. the law mandates open meetings). By then, due to committee turnover, I knew more about the association's finances than anyone else. Following the election of three new board members I was appointed to the committee. A year later I was made chairman of the committee. A year after that I ran for and was elected to the board and was appointed Treasurer.

Be patient. If you have the skills and the interest, stay involved as an observer of the committee. Eventually your value will be recognized.

Dave

Sound advice. While you might ordinarily think that a person with specific expertise would be welcome with open arms, that's usually not the case. You will bring change. But with your changes comes risks for those who who do things a certain way because that's the way it's always been done.

It seems like there is a lot of consensus, however scary, that's the board can construct committees based on a whim. A couple additional questions if a board selects some owners over others:

1) wouldn't this create more than one class of owners,which is restricted by many governing documents, and qualifications were never required in the past?

2) assuming the board created this rule at some point, if t wasn't during an open session- isn't that a problem too?

I know all to well how you must feel Katherine We have our own problem board...

Like it or not it is as Tim says.

Despite you credentials, you could not win an election. Do you assume you can back door those elected being on a committee? Like it or not, they were elected, not you.

Kerry

Backdoor in this case. Someone who thought great things of themselves but were not elected when they ran. Now, still thinking great things of themselves they want to be on a committee and will argue that the BOD should accept/abide by their (committees) views.

Committees (those not elected) are appointed by the BOD (the ones elected) and will serve at the BOD's will.

Kerry

Almost a one on one conversation here....

I do agree about accepting a new poster and maybe I was a bit harsh but s/he came out here telling us how great s/he was versus asking the question about being turned down. Like saying, how dare they do this.

Katherine ... Welcome to Our forum.

With regards to your questions:

1. Yes the Board is generally the entity via most documents who determines committee members. However, you need to consult your governing docs to determine for your HOA.

2. A Board of Directors would want potentially the best candidates for any committee based on qualifications. What I find interesting is you stated your board only appointed two individuals. Generally most committees or boards consist of odd number of members. This is so there potentially is a vote to break any tie vote on the board or committee. Your BOD seriously should have 3 members if enough volunteers are a a available.

I want to thank all for the responses. As a new condo owner, I have learned I have a lot to learn!

to JanetB2 - my apologizes for not clarifying. The Budget Committee will be made of the 5 BOD members and the 2 appointed residents. So, yes, we will have the odd number to break any ties.

Katherine,

Keep in mind that unless your governing documents are unusual, the board makes the final decisions. Typically a budget committee would create a suggested budget, possibly with some alternates, and the BOD actually votes on and determines the budget. In some associations the budget then needs to be ratified by the membership (sometimes only if there is an increase above a certain amount). The upshot of this is that you might be able to contribute just as much by attending meetings and being involved as you would as a member of the committee.