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Serving on the board

Started by StevenG9 • 5 replies • 1693 views

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StevenG9 (Florida)
Posts: 14
Posted:

When we bought our Florida home several months ago we inquired with our HOA president if there were positions available to be on the board during our initial interview. We were informed there where several vacancies. And we could volunteer. Our membership consists of 267 homes. We attended a board meeting and the board agreed to bring us on. We've served for about six months now and one of the membership keeps bringing up the fact we are married and co owners. She feels we should not to serve on the board together being that we are member of the same house. We have informed her Florida 720.306(9) clearly states all membership is eligible to serve on the board. Our by-laws do not prohibit to members of the same house from serving. She likes to bring this up during meeting of higher attendance. I get it there will always be a vocal member and she certainly has that right. Her confusion comes in because she keeps comparing that the membership vote allows one vote. And thinks it's the same as the board voting on items. The entire board it tired of beating a dead horse over this.

I really want to be able to explain to her and how she's confusing things it's getting frustrating and almost bulling at this point. Do you have any suggestion how we could explain this to her in simple terms.

GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276
Posted:
See http://www.floridacondohoalawblog.com/2016/01/articles/qa/can-husband-and-wife-serve-on-the-board-at-the-same-time/

Personally I would be opposed to such an arrangement since I don't think it's a good idea to allow one household to have too much influence on the board. Odds are the two will act as one superdirector with 2 votes on all matters. I'd much rather have all directors thinking and voting independently on their own. Not that a couple couldn't do that but it's a case of perception trumping reality as with most things.

On the other hand, if there are vacancies on the board and there never seems to be enough people willing to serve then I would probably temper my objection.

It's not forbidden by our bylaws either and a while back (before I got here) there was a husband & wife couple on the board for a few years. Just from talking to people who were here at the time it was cause for concern and a lot of people weren't happy with the arrangement.

However, if the bylaws don't forbid it then I would either have to work to amend the bylaws or else live with it. Constant complaining is rarely productive and absolutely not productive when you're arguing from a position of ignorance.

Your president should gavel for order the next time the complainer starts making noise and admonish the complainer to read the bylaws again.
LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By StevenG9 on 01/07/2016 8:16 PM
Do you have any suggestion how we could explain this to her in simple terms.


Yes. Tell her the answer to her concerns has not changed since the last time she raised the issue and there will be no further discussion on this. Then tell her to sit down and shut up if she wishes to remain in the meeting.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
If you followed the link Geno provided, that thread pointed out that in Condominiums, spouses could not serve together.

Next time she asks, acknowledge that her concern would be correct if the Association was a condominium. However, there is no such restriction for single family homes. Then, as Larry suggested (but I do it differently), ask her to provide a copy of the section of law she believes you are in violation of and the Board will review it. Otherwise the Board considers the subject closed and will not be entertained again.
StevenG9 (Florida)
Posts: 14
Posted:


It's funny because we offered one of us to resign and allow her to serve she refused. But like you said subject is closed she's been provided with the statute number. I thought we (dumbed it down) for lack of a better word explaining it to her. At the end of the day everything our board has voted on so far would have passed even it one of us abstained. The other thing that puzzling she's not brought up one specific item or issue within our community that bothers her other than this. Our community run very smooth we have very little violations of our rules and regulations. Right now we are voting on improvements to our community areas, club house renovation, removing old shuffle board. All items that have neglected and need updating as this is no longer a 55+ community from the 60's

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