Board Member Behavior

Sour grapes don't get ripe again.

45 minutes instead of 15 on something that normally happens once a year is nothing to get ruffled about.

Much depends on personality of new prez.

If prez is a take charge individual, a little speech might help. Probably not while people are still crying in their soup though.

If prez is more of a heads down individual, best to dig into the work at hand.

One tactical solution that's been effective for me is to put specific time ranges on each agenda item

Item A 10-15 minutes
Item B 5 min
Item C 30-35 min
Etc

Then manage the schedule with minimal flexibility. Give a 2 minute or a 5 minute warning if you like. When time's up on one topic, move to the next topic even if a decision isn't reached. It won't take long for others to figure out that dragging their heels on an issue puts the responsibility on them.

Of course, you need to have a good sense of how long these discussions should take. Would probably wait 5-6 months before trying this - once there's some reasonable history to rely on.

Another tactic: Pick something small that the crier wants accomplished and make sure it happens. Can have a very quieting effect.

Good luck.

First, I think everyone needs a little training on parliamentary procedure and running effective meetings - there's lots and lots of stuff you can Google, or hunt through this website to see how others handle it.

But mostly, all of the other board members need to nip this in the bud and fast. Someone (you, perhaps?) may want to suggest preparing a resolution on conduct during meetings and using parliamentary procedure (or something similar) to keep things moving along. You don't have to point out a specific person (everyone will know who you're talking about), but note there should be a way for everyone to behave like adults and disagree accordingly. Once everyone has had their say, make a decision and run with it, then go on to the next issue. It's a shame some people don't know how to behave in public, but a resolution could address things like:

Everyone is to be treated with respect - no offensive language, name-calling, etc.

Once the Board has made a decision, those opposed are expected to support that decision - it's ok to write a formal reason for objecting to place in the minutes, but board members are not to undermine each other.

No side conversations or interrupting - speak only when the president recognizes you, get to the point, shut up and sit down (if you have to set a time for everyone to have their say, do it)

If a discussion on an issue is to last, say, 10 minutes, it will not be extended so the Board can address agenda items in a timely manner. If someone thinks the issue should be explored further, he/she can make a motion to table the matter until the next meeting or other specific action. Once that's been decided, no further discussion of that issue

Anyone (including Board members) who cannot or refuse to behave in a professional manner will be reprimanded - if they continue, they may be asked to leave or the meeting will have to be adjourned. Board members who continue to behave in an unprofessional manner will be censured. Homeowners will be told why and the board member will have a chance to explain his/her side. After that, the homeowners will have to make the call - if they want that board member to continue serving, they should vote accordingly at the next board election.

You didn't say how many board members you have, but if the majority of you like what the president is doing, ALL OF YOU need to shut this other person down - he/she is welcome to disagree, but he/she WILL behave in a professional manner throughout. Don' be afraid of a select group of homeowners or anyone else riling things up - concentrate on doing your job to the best of your ability according to the documents. Sooner or later, people will see blowhards for what they really are, and ignore them.

I have one of those types on the board as well. He is a bully and tries to intimidate anyone who might either disagree with him or cross him.

In one meeting, after I brought up some issues with some residents and the common area where they live (problems with kids destroying common property) he promptly told me I had no right to talk to any of the residents about their kids because I had no kids myself.

In a conversation with our snow removal company, he was beligerent and demeaning with the vendor. He denies he was that way but I have heard from the other 2 people on the call. The vendor now refuses to deal with this particular board member based on his actions.

He is trying to get us to change landscaping vendors to a friend of his. I had to remind him he had a conflict of interest with this contract and he would not be allowed to be part of any discussion concerning the contract. He didn't even know we had a conflict of interest policy.

There are 3 of us up for re-election this year. Myself and another board member are burned out and won't seek re-election. He will run and most likely will become the next president.

We just had our first 'workshop' meeting after voting in officers, and the tantrum thrower actually had a few valid points. His eye rolling and other antics hopefully will stop after a few meetings. (Here's hoping).

Say, KP3; I think you received great advice above in July. Please review it again. To be more specific, the president must learn how to preside and the secretary or whoever takes notes must know what to place in the minutes.

Minute only should contain what was done, not what was said. So...the minutes should say the motion and vote.

The sour grapes person may not demand that anything be on "the record" unless the board agrees to place his/her every remark in the minutes (which is a very bad idea).

But, KP3, what do you mean by "they 'contested' everything the president called a decision for." This, I must admit, escapes me.

How many are on your board? If the current president was elected by a majority on the board, why is the Board permitting Mr/Ms. Nasty to disrupt the meeting??

Would you please give "names" of the players? I think I and maybe others could follow you better...

Do you have property mgr.? Maybe s/he can formulate some rules for meeting conduct among directors.

Please don't try to find meeting conduct in your CC&Rs--it's not there. If it's anywhere, which is unlikely, it'd be in your bylaws.

Might be worthwhile for one of you to try to read Robert's Rules of Order (RONR) to lear how important s civility and respect are in meeting conduct. There's also a little pub called Robert's Rules for Dummies," just to learn the basics about motions & votes.

Dana's citation takes us only to the sequence in which a typical meeting is held. There is nothing about directors' unacceptable behavior & conduct in it.

But below, KP, is a sample agenda from a CA HOA attorneys' web site called Davis-Stirling.com -> Agendas. I think a good agenda helps, as some have suggested above, because it keeps the meeting well organized. Someone mentioned putting a estimated time before the agenda items to keep the meeting moving and that can help in your Board's case, too, KP. But the president needs to make sure you all stick to it!

A tidy agenda, though, cannot keep a disruptive director from being a bully. Donna sounds exactly right. Those of you who want productive meetings need to support your president and ask that s/he not permit outbursts, interruptions, etc. There are nice pamphlets & educational materials around that don't take forever to read.

At the Davis-Stirling website, there also are ideas about disruptive directors. See if you can find it. Or maybe I'll have a chance later. While some advice at the site is specific to CA, a lot is useful in other states.

BOARD MEETING AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Open Forum (permitted in TX for homeowners to speak?)

3. Approval of Minutes

4. Reports
a. Treasurer's Report
b. Committee Reports
-Architectural Committee
-Landscape Committee
c. Manager's Report

5. Unfinished Business
a. Balcony repairs
b. Installation of new security gates

6. New Business
a. Tree trimming (slope areas)
b. Schedule for painting of buildings 3, 4 and 5
c. Possible change in board officers

7. Adjourn

I began my reply with "Dana's citation takes us only to the sequence in which a typical meeting is held." So, of course what I posted is is the same thing. I also explained one reason why an agenda is important--it can keep the meeting moving logically IF the president works at it. I assume that's why you directed your agenda to her, yes, Dana?

But a well-organized agenda doesn't help KP's Board mage the disruptive boorish conduct of the director.

KP's concern is the BEHAVIOR of the director, NOT the organization of the agenda.