States Requiring Open Board Meetings

Does anyone know where I can find a list of states that require that HOA board meetings be open to the members of the association? Or at least the number of states that require open meetings.

In November I moved from an HOA in Virginia, where the Property Owners Association Act requires that board meetings be open. Now I have been appointed to the board of my new North Carolina HOA where the option to have open or closed meetings lies with the board. The board here has always held closed meetings other than a once a month meeting where committee reports are given and owners can address the board. All other board actions (e.g. debate, motions, votes) take place behind closed doors.

I am trying to convince this board that open meetings are the right thing to do and I would like to be able to cite the number of states that have decided this is important enough to include that requirement in legislation.

Also try an internet search for States with open meeting laws for HOA

Cali is an open meeting state, David. I'm happy to hear that at least your board has the option of holding more open board meetings. so, I wonder if there are any state that require closed HOA meetings. Or do many, for example, NC, NY & PA that permit closed board meetings also permit the option of having all board meetings open?

One thing your might ry is surveying other HOAs near you to see if all Boards keep their meetings close. perhaps if your fellow directors learns that reputable HOAs near you have open meetings and still flourish, they'll think differently.

I tried to look up the same question once but ran out of patience. Tim has plenty.

(Btw, I agree with you [& not with JohnC] that it's a good thing if discussion, debates & votes take place in front of H/Os. I believe that we adults more likely to comply and be good HOA citizens if we hear the REASONS why various policies are made. But whether he or I value open meetings is NOT your questions David. Sorry I got off course and hope I'm the last to do so!!)

IOWA is optional.

Roger,

What you've described was also how the Board in Virginia operated when I was on it. The board I am now on in NC does not transact ANY business in open meetings. I am trying to build the case as to why it is in the best interests of the community to allow the members to observe their "government" in action. A recent community survey revealed considerable distrust of the board and management company and questioned the motives behind some recent unpopular board decisions. In my opinion, the best way to combat that distrust is to operate in the open - that is, to let the members hear the board debate the issues and see that many different viewpoints are considered in arriving at decisions. For reasons I have not yet been able to identify most of the incumbent board members are strongly resistant to the idea of holding open meetings.

DavidW, I quoted a article in GA not long ago on a three, but don't remember anything about it. Tho' GA is a closed meeting state, the HOA attorneys who wrote the article gave very persuasive reasons use the open meeting option. One is exactly your concern: H/Os can lose trust and faith in boards & the PM when meetings are held in secrecy. I think you can find it if you check GA and open HOA meetings or some such.

I think it's kinda natural for owners to ask: What are they hiding from us?!!?? Your board might consider a trial run. Give owners clear but brief rules of behavior in a handout.

I do know that WA has open meetings required in some kinds of HOAs, but not all, and the same goes for TX. I believe that both FL & AZ are open meeting states. And maybe CN?

S.C. no legal requirement in corporate law

Be it in an open meeting state or not, I never will understand the arguments against conducting HOA business in open meetings where all of the membership can see and hear what is going on, and add brief comments when permitted to do so.

The argument for transparency shouldn't be an argument at all, it should be a requirement at every level of governance in every state.

I agree. I would be at every meeting that I was able to attend so I could see for myself what is being discussed and ask questions when appropriate.

Recently I asked my association secretary to please send me board meeting minutes for the fiscal year 2014/2015. The board meets quarterly. I expected to get 3 sets of minutes. I received one. The explanation for only getting one is because the board has just recently met and the minutes would not be approved until the next meeting. I asked when the next meeting was and if draft minutes could be sent. His response was that the next meeting date had not been set and minutes are not sent to members until approved. The fiscal year runs from May 1 to April 30.

Iowa does not require open meetings so I routinely ask for minutes every year. I am particularly interested in them this year because I received notice that on April 19 a special meeting has been scheduled to vote on a special assessment. Every time I make a request I get the run around of some sort. I included in my written request, sent by U.S. mail, stamps and cash to make copies. I also made the request by e-mail. Every year except this one, the minutes have been mailed or I picked them up at the annual meeting. I have always said the cheapest and simplest method to remit the minutes is by e-mail but until this year when I provided stamps and cash for the copies they were sent by e-mail.

Iowa nonprofit code provides that nonprofit corporations must remit documents to members within 10 days of the request. I am now requesting the financial report for the fiscal year thus far. I sent the request by e-mail 3 days ago.

I am not whining, just sharing my experience so far with a closed meeting board. - Banks