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JeffC17 (Ohio)
Posts: 1
Posted:
Hello,

I have a question about the legality of social media as a form of official communication for HOA business. Recently I had some "neighbor" spout off about a basketball hoop I have being in the road. I didn't realize that it was an ordinance that you could not do that. Our neighborhood busy body made me aware of that. I removed the hoop from the road.

My problem is this; the so-called neighbor came to my house to tell me that he thought I was breaking the law. Now I'm going to admit that I'm butthurt, but for good reason. This person whom I've never met came to my house to say that, never introduced himself to me, and I said I would look into it. Then he went directly to Facebook to spout off about it. The next day another neighbor told me about the post. I was highly pissed because it was public at that point. Ultimately, I got my wifes FB account banned from that page. Not because I was vulgar or threatening, but I think because I said the HOA busy body had no power. She is VERY active on those pages, and my thought was that she is power consumed and was "teaching me a lesson". She said I broke the rules.

Anyhow, I work in IT and I'm the type of guy that I put all my effort in my job, and have nothing to give outside of that. In other words, I don't do social media. On top of that I think it's ruining us as people. Just look at this neighbor. He complained to me about the hoop, and when he was not satisfied he went to social media to complain. That to me is unsocial behavior in an indirect way. Its like most of the world is using this for social acceptance, justification, and to be a faceless jihadist when they have issues.

A week goes by and I start to see the use of social media as a primary format for HOA business. I write an email saying that I object to the use of social media as a primary format of communication. I said that I felt like this was in breach of my obligation to the HOA. I felt like I should not be obligated to create a Facebook account to see what is going on in my neighborhood wether it be real or anonymous. This is especially true when someone is using this format to talk about me...that person mentioned my address on social media. So? What do you say legal? Not legal?
GwenG (Florida)
Posts: 669
Posted:
Is this an HOA-sponsored form of communication? If yes, what are the Terms of Service that Members must obey to have access or be banned? If not connected formally with HOA, then you have recourse to send a Cease & Desist Letter to the person who named you and your address. It would be a personal matter. All persons have a right to personal privacy.

Unfortunately, this behavior is becoming all too common and the "new norm" in an increasingly divided and intolerant society.
SueW6 (Michigan)
Posts: 814
Posted:
You don't have to answer every barking dog.

You could have told the lady you would wait for official letter from the board if there was a violation of your bylaws or CCRs.

Don't jump into the frey. Step back and remain silent.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Jeff,

I agree it's bad form for one to mention anothers address.
Obviously, that individual had a problem with the Basketball hoop.

As others have said, you didn't have to respond.

Social media is often used as a way for communities to communicate amongst themselves. Unfortunately, similar to email, it's way to easy to post something without thinking things through (where the effort of physically writing a letter, addressing the envelope and paying for postage gives one time to think before placing it in the mail box). This is the new norm. I don't like it and simply don't use social media (I could care less that you ate at this or that restaurant or that you just mowed the lawn). You can't escape it. You can choose not to participate.

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