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Former Board members

Started by LV • 7 replies • 1048 views

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LV (South Carolina)
Posts: 38
Posted:
What do you suggest we do with former board members who resigned and start bad-mouthing the current board? These board members were part of the problem and now resigned and now going on social media to disparage the current members of the board. What does a board do in that situation? Please advise.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,061
Posted:
Be transparent.

Monthly or every two month newsletters informing the membership of what was done can go a long way.

Don't respond to the social media or on social media. However, if something is brought up, mention in the newsletter what the board is doing that is associated with that topic.

Example: You may have heard rumors about xyz. The Board would like to inform the membership that we are addressing . . . .

Encourage participation and members to attend board meetings (most won't take you up on the offer, but just offering can go a long way).

Explain what you found. The Board discovered that there were many delinquencies from last year. We have been addressing this issue by informing the parties involved and we are pleased to announce that are delinquencies are now at x%.

Mention the negative (being transparent). Stress the positive.

AugustinD
Posts: 5,144
Posted:
I think the best thing you can do is remember that (1) People are entitled to their opinions, especially as dues-paying members of a HOA; (2) Often times those spewing lies are already established as liars. The rest of the community will look favorably upon you if you ignore them and focus on infrastructure, budgeting, and being civil yourselves; (3) this sort of social dynamic has been happening from time immemorial.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
when you wrestle with pigs, you get dirty and smelly but the pigs love it.
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
With Tim, let your membership know what you're doing as a Board. You'd asked in another thread ways to communicate. Use them.

Do hold open board meetings. I guess they're required in SC, but Boards aren't required to put up notices about them or list the agenda items.

If Owners do attend, make sure you have a period on the agenda where they can express their ideas of concerns--an "Open Forum." These are required in CA HOAs and help with the transparency topic. Be respectful of these Owners even if they ask questions based on the old directors rumors & gossip.
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
With Tim, let your membership know what you're doing as a Board. You'd asked in another thread ways to communicate. Use them.

Do hold open board meetings. I guess they're required in SC, but Boards aren't required to put up notices about them or list the agenda items.

If Owners do attend, make sure you have a period on the agenda where they can express their ideas of concerns--an "Open Forum." These are required in CA HOAs and help with the transparency topic. Be respectful of these Owners even if they ask questions based on the old directors rumors & gossip.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JohnC46 on 08/05/2017 1:58 PM
when you wrestle with pigs, you get dirty and smelly but the pigs love it.

Be open and candid with communication. Do not wrestle with the pigs on a one to one basis as in they say, we say. Refer to any issues that upset you and/or incorrect as in lay out the information but do not mention their remarks/criticism.

In SC we do not have the stringent requirements on posting BOD Meetings nor the agenda. This does not mean a BOD cannot impose such on themselves.

We once had an owner that being egged on by several complainers, started a very critical of the BOD newsletter. We personally invited him to sit in on our BOD Meetings. Once he saw how we operated, the newsletter took on a different slant. It became pro-BOD.
LV (South Carolina)
Posts: 38
Posted:
These are all excellent. Thank you!

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