Website created for our HOA

Would our Bylaws and/or our Rules and Regulations for Homeowners have to reflect that information is being shared on a website? If so, is it just a BOD decision to vote on this or do all homeowners have a vote on this? Our website has been "active" since last May but was not rolled out to the community until January. There was a Discussion Board but they've decided to remove it. It is now gone.
I am thinking since it is the homeowners' money helping to fund this and other projects we should have a say as to what can or shouldn't be out there. The only downfall to this is homeowners have no say in the manner this BOD conducts its business even at our annual meeting the ONLY business conducted is to re-elect board members. What can this homeowner do to change this? Are there other HOAs experiencing this problem as well? -ReneeD

Thanks, Roger, this is good to know. I've done much reading on this and other areas of interest (when they come up for discussion at meetings); what is confusing is the use of word 'members', 'general membership', etc. They (BOD, actually the Prz) has told me and other homeowners as well that they are the only members because we (homeowners) elected them to the board to represent us--thus they have the only voice on decisions made for this community. They will communicate changes and adopt at next meeting regardless of our input.

As far as the website, it was introduced as a new line item for our Y2004 Budget, was started up in May but they hadn't rolled it out until December 2004 at which time most of the information out there was old/outdated. Again, a percentage of my assessment fee goes to pay for this amenity yet it is the BOD that has done a poor job maintaining its intelligence so to speak. So, for something like this, would it be correct for homeowners to petition for its demise and use of funds for other more important projects?
ReneeD

every homeowner that pays their assessment is typically a "member" in most HOA bylaws. As a member, you have the right to attend ALL director meetings EXCEPT those that can legally be closed (usually, those dealing with personnel issues, lawsuits, and the voting of officers, etc.). You have a right to be heard, and bring ideas/petitions/concerns to the board in a meeting (if you are a paid up/full member).

One of the most effective ways to handle ANY board is to know the rules better than them. If you haven't read your by-laws, do so. then read them again, and then read all the definitions of the terms, so you know exactly what they mean, and NOT what someone thinks they mean.

then, go approach your board with your ideas.

as for the website, that should either be a very small amount of money (relatively speaking, less than $50/month... many places offer tremendous web hosting packages for under $15/month), or you should definately inquire where your money is going and for what. There honestly is little reason for an average HOA to spend much on a website... if you are spending a lot, i would question how much is for bells, whistles, smoke, and mirrors.

True. There's no reason for an HOA website to post personal information unless it contains a "directory" of some sort. As Roger ststed, you can decline to have your information posted in such a directory just as you could decline to have your information posted in a paper directory.