just an observation

Bonnie,

Sometimes it's the CCO that makes the Board/Association aware of issues that they might not have been aware of before.

Granted, being on the receiving end of a constant complainer tends to have one quit listening or only half listen. That doesn't mean that the CCO may have a point. It simply means that the CCO isn't presenting the issue the best way it could be presented.

I encourage people to listen to their CCOs. Doesn't mean that you need to act on everything that they bring up, but listening may help.

I had people I would say would complain the sun came up... We ain't never did nothing and we fix'n to do nothing... (It's a "southern thang").

I developed a policy for my HOA to address members and their "ideas/suggestions". If they wanted something, they had to go to the meeting and present it to ALL the members. If they could not attend the meeting, then we read their letter out loud to everyone. If they choose to submit a letter or even attend, the membership vote and terms had be accepted by them. They got to see the decision making and what was involved right in front of them. Leaving no doubt nothing was done "behind doors". Plus the vote was taken and written in the meeting notes. Something they could review.

The other policy I put in place is that ANY idea/suggestion had to come with a solution. If you did not provide a solution no matter what it was, then we would not discuss it. I considered it "incomplete" request. Otherwise, you have to agree that the board would come up with the solution for you. It may not be what you wanted or liked.

We also accepted bids from contractors if they thought someone could "do it better". The caveat had to be it had to be a complete bid with costs and proof of insurance/license. Plus they had to know that their bid would be put up against 2 other bids as we only considered 3 top bids.

I found if you make things open and don't make "Knee-jerk" reactions CCO's usually become model members. Never respond immediately. Take time to quote your documents and put it in writing. Off the cuff remarks or decisions can put you under. Threats to sue is just noise."If you want to sue, go ahead, we will wait on the paperwork. Enjoy suing yourself..." is the usual response instead of running to a lawyer to "protect" the HOA. You put the ball in my court I am going to run with it... Your the one who needs to learn to play with the ball better...