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Commitee Meetings Florida

Started by LindaC3 • 48 replies • 2712 views

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LindaC3 (Florida)
Posts: 526
Posted:
Good day group.....this question may need some assistance from all the Florida floks who belong to this GREAT FORUM..... I am now on the By Laws Commitee and the Chairperson wants to have the meetings at her private home...My question is.....Should not all Commitee meetings beheld in a public place ? All our other meetings are held at our Lodge...Any replies will be appreciated.........LindaC
KellyC3 (Florida)
Posts: 39
Posted:
You can have a commitee meeting anywhere as long as you post your meeting date, time, location to the community. All homeowners are welcome to come to all meetings unless it is with the HOA Attorney on specific items. As long as there is a quarum you must post the meeting.
LindaC3 (Florida)
Posts: 526
Posted:
KellyC3-- Thanks Bunches... I do understand about the posting etc...however the Chair seems to think that she does not have to have these meetings open to all......I have told her that ALL meetings need to be opened to all and we have a common building here open for our use.........LindaC
BarneyC
Posts: 50
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By LindaC3 on 07/28/2007 10:10 AM
KellyC3-- Thanks Bunches... I do understand about the posting etc...however the Chair seems to think that she does not have to have these meetings open to all......I have told her that ALL meetings need to be opened to all and we have a common building here open for our use.........LindaC

That is correct. Any Board sanctioned committee requires that the meeting be open.
AnnJ1 (Florida)
Posts: 122
Posted:
Hi Linda,
This matter has piqued my interest for some time now... glad you brought it up!

I live in Florida and have researched Chapters #718, #720, #607 and #617. All of these chapters are "silent" on this subject of "committee meetings" The condo statutes (Chapter #718" and the homeowner Chapter #720) are very specific regarding which bodies must be in the sunshine. They both specifically address Board of Director meetings and General membership meetings. Our docs are also silent on this matter.

We, too, have a clubhouse available for meetings but I understand why a committee such as By-laws or perhaps Communications would prefer a closed meeting inasmuch as ours are kinda like "workshop" meetings. We have had Social Committee meetings in which a few non-committee members have been very disruptive and have intimidated the chairman to the point when one meeting had to be prematurely adjourned. Unless a chair has a background in the use of Roberts Rules or is strong, it could be devastating to deal with a gallery of folks with their own agenda and obviously counterproductive to the meeting purpose. I'm concerned that future chairs for some committees will be hard pressed for new volunteers.

Barney: Since the committees do not have the final authority for action and committe reports must be brought before a BOD meeting (which is open to all), I question why you feel so strongly that "board sanctioned" committee meetings need be open. I would truly appreciate a referance in the Florida statutes that speak to this. I understand the "spirit" of acting in the sunshine but am also sensitive to other association needs and am not convinced (yet ) that it is carved in stone to "open committee meetings".

Thanks for listening...
Ann

BarneyC
Posts: 50
Posted:
I don't feel strongly about it, I know for a fact, at least in my state:

http://www.state.fl.us/dbpr/lsc/condominiums/publications/condo_living.pdf

Page 5

It seems from these postings that many people are working off of feelings. You have a PM and attorney. You need to know these things. You should be asking them; not other people who aren't sure in most cases either.
BarneyC
Posts: 50
Posted:
Note that I didn't post the law itself, but a document put out by the state. The statutes are a pain to look up, but in FL committees are extensions of the Board. The spirit of the open meeting laws are not just to hear the board discuss things; they are so that the decision makeing process can be understood. So you need to have context on all deliberations.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
What is the by-law committee? Just curious? I would think the by-laws and CC&R's would be a BOARD only issue with no need for a by-law committee. By-laws are the general rules of the HOA. They must have a majority of homeowner's votes to be changed. I don't think a majority of committee members would have the power to change by-laws or CC&R's. They may indeed discuss the issue and bring it up to the board's attention. However, to ratify the rules it would take a general membership majority vote. NOT board or committee members.

I do question the need for a separate committee for by-laws. We had one for clubhouse and the Archectual Control Committee (ACC or ARC). I wonder if your committee doesn't fall more into the ACC responsibilities than the by-laws themselves. The ACC would control the outside exterior issues that usually involve the by-laws or CC&R's. Things like paint colors, use of building materials, fences, or other structural issues. Is that what this committee does?

As far as having the meeting at a member's house. That may be okay if it is just committee members. If board members are involved, that may make a difference. Although a board member may be on the committee, they can NOT make board decisions at a committee meeting. It would have to be at the board meetings which are open to the members. A committee meeting may be more private than a board. That's because a committee is usually developed for one area and one purpose. In our case, it's the clubhouse. That committee meets separately but presents JUST clubhouse issues to the board in an open meeting.

If someone is really interested in a committee issue, they can attend to address it. Not keeping anything secret. A member may feel more comfortable talking an issue over with a smaller group who in turn can present it to the larger board group and members. If someone wanted to repaint the clubhouse, I'd refer them to the committee first. If they agreed, then they would present it to me. The HOA would then decide to spend the funds or not.

Owner apathy is a number one issue with HOA's. I am amazed you got a committee together at all. That's progress in my book!
Former HOA President
AnnJ1 (Florida)
Posts: 122
Posted:
Thanks Barney....
The publication you referenced was published prior to the Condo Act itself and was one of the sources I had previously researched. Subsequent changes were written into the actual Condo statutes.

Gee, I'm laughing here cause, if you knew me, you would know that I am the last person who would "work off of feelings"... hence my efforts of researching. Additionally, I lived in a rather "black and white world" for 30 years while serving as parliamentarian for many associations. Thanks for the chuckle tho!

Perhaps, as you state, it is "fact" in your state. Empirical data has merit also in some instances, no? Yes, PMs and attorneys are a good source but not always THE definitive source.... hence my query.

Thanks for your input. I enjoy hearing the authors of the posts in this forum. I've drawn no conclusions as yet... guess I best move to Missouri on this one?
BarneyC
Posts: 50
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By AnnJ1 on 07/28/2007 2:20 PM
Thanks Barney....
The publication you referenced was published prior to the Condo Act itself and was one of the sources I had previously researched. Subsequent changes were written into the actual Condo statutes.

Gee, I'm laughing here cause, if you knew me, you would know that I am the last person who would "work off of feelings"... hence my efforts of researching. Additionally, I lived in a rather "black and white world" for 30 years while serving as parliamentarian for many associations. Thanks for the chuckle tho!

Perhaps, as you state, it is "fact" in your state. Empirical data has merit also in some instances, no? Yes, PMs and attorneys are a good source but not always THE definitive source.... hence my query.

Thanks for your input. I enjoy hearing the authors of the posts in this forum. I've drawn no conclusions as yet... guess I best move to Missouri on this one?

The current answer is blowing in the wind:

Section 718.112(2)(c)

Committee Meetinga are subject to the same rules as board meetings unless your bylaws override them under certain conditions.

The subject does say Florida, so I'm not sure what Melissa is yakking about
LindaC3 (Florida)
Posts: 526
Posted:
MelissaP1---- I will be proud to say that we now have GREAT input from the majority of all our Members here in our HOA....It was hard work,but when all were made aware that this is their neighborhood and have a say they got their interest up.........

We have commitees for almost anything you can name....Deeds,by laws, building,lanscaping,social,church etc.. We operate under the assumption that nothing is secret here ,and why should the BOD have to do everything.

.Now after the by laws are re written and updated they will go for final approval and legalease check from the attorney,then be presented to the Members for their vote of approval by a 2/3 vote...
My question was really one of feeling out other folks who live in florida and their take on open commitee meetings...I am very proud that we all have decided to WORK TOGETHER for a common goal than have unhappy people all the time because only the BOARD RULES..............

It's nice to see that people actually want to live here now instead of selling and I will pat myself on my back knowing I was instrumental in waking these people from their coma and state of apathy......It takes ONE to get the ball rolling and when it does look out......Just be honest with people and you;d be surprised how quick their attitude can change.......
PEACE.........LindaC
BarneyC
Posts: 50
Posted:
Member interest is a function of the Board in many cases. Most board don't do anything very interesting, so people aren't interested. When you do innovative things, and allow the membership to participate, you create a culture of participation.
LindaC3 (Florida)
Posts: 526
Posted:
Member interest is a function of the Board in many cases. Most board don't do anything very interesting, so people aren't interested. When you do innovative things, and allow the membership to participate, you create a culture of participation

AMEN TO THAT BARNEY............LindaC..............
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
The board isn't responsible for member interest. It's the homeowner themselves that are responsible for their own interests in their community. 90% of the time the people on the board are the only members who "get it" or are least bit interested in their community. Hence why it seems soo "one-sided". If you don't participate, you don't get heard.

I too worked hard to create less owner apathy with my HOA. Prior to my presidency, there wasn't much interest. The President at the time was a con-artist who's over the years conned money out of the members one way or another. The one's who figured out his "tricks" got called "crazy" or didn't want anything to do with him. It took ALOT of work to get rid of him and his hand out of the "till". (Now that I am gone, he's back in it.)

It takes a "leader" to lead people in a HOA. Surprisingly, it may just be one person that makes the difference. It's a hard position to be in but the right one. My ultimate goal was for the people to eventually vote me out of office! I knew that if I did a great job, someone would rise up to take the reigns from me. The whole "There's always a bigger fish" theory.

I found it funny that the SAME EXACT members who didn't participate or generate interest where the same ones who eventually sought to "overthrow me" and takeover!!! They didn't know it but that was EXACTLY what I wanted them to do! That meant that they weren't apathetic anymore. Cool trick eh? If I hadn't done things correctly and straightened things out, who knows how long I would have been President! No one wanted the President's job when they knew it was hard and impossible. But boy did they want it when it looked "easy" and under control!

This is just a "fair" warning of what to expect AFTER the hard work is done and you have rid yourself of "owner apathy". Expect the power to shift and to propel itself instead of being dragged along and pushed. It's a good feeling. It's almost like watching your baby grow-up. They depend on you then they are able to take care of themselves.
Former HOA President
LindaC3 (Florida)
Posts: 526
Posted:
MelissaP1.....am not a leader - dont want to lead.....only want to guide people to be more responsible to have active participation in the say of their neighborhood.....like serving on commitees.....have no ambition to be on the BOD...am more effective outside......we have grown and will continue to grow into the type of community where we all LIKE EACH OTHER......so far ,so good.........LindaC
BarneyC
Posts: 50
Posted:
Melissa is also not a leader. Blaming other people for not being able to get them involved. You failed, and now you're out (apparently). Probably not a bad thing.
BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640
Posted:
Barney:

Your comments are eerily similar to someone who recently got booted off of here. My question to you, do you serve on a board? If so you will understand how difficult it is to get people involved. Yes, it takes a special person to lead people, but when people like Melissa are willing to serve that shouldn't be ridiculed. I will even throw myself in there since you don't like my viewpoints either. Giving up and volunteering your time are also special qualities, I don't remember you saying you were on a board, I hope you are and can understand my viewpoint.
BarneyC
Posts: 50
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BradP on 07/29/2007 6:28 AM
Barney:

Your comments are eerily similar to someone who recently got booted off of here. My question to you, do you serve on a board? If so you will understand how difficult it is to get people involved. Yes, it takes a special person to lead people, but when people like Melissa are willing to serve that shouldn't be ridiculed. I will even throw myself in there since you don't like my viewpoints either. Giving up and volunteering your time are also special qualities, I don't remember you saying you were on a board, I hope you are and can understand my viewpoint.

I understand how difficult it is. But having a defeatist attitude is counterproductive. I've already commented in another thread about the pct of people who view our web site and who participate in our surveys, so feel free to search it out.
hoatalk (California)
Posts: 603
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BarneyC on 07/28/2007 10:31 PM
Melissa is also not a leader. Blaming other people for not being able to get them involved. You failed, and now you're out (apparently). Probably not a bad thing.

BarneyC:

Please review our posting rules link right beside the Add New Topic Button. Our culture here is to be FRIENDLY and HELPFUL. Your post above is neither. Please respect our rules if you wish to post here.

Thank You.
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BarneyC
Posts: 50
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By hoatalk on 07/29/2007 6:41 AM
Posted By BarneyC on 07/28/2007 10:31 PM
Melissa is also not a leader. Blaming other people for not being able to get them involved. You failed, and now you're out (apparently). Probably not a bad thing.


BarneyC:

Please review our posting rules link right beside the Add New Topic Button. Our culture here is to be FRIENDLY and HELPFUL. Your post above is neither. Please respect our rules if you wish to post here.

Thank You.

Could you "warn" melissa to keep on topic and refrain from her long drawn out stories that noone cares about also please? What does hear leadership soliloquy have to do with anything?
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Thanks Barney! I didn't know you cared enough to read my posts. Thought everything was about you this whole time.

I am very proud of what I accomplished at my HOA. It was time for me to leave. I did what I set out to do. That was to get the members interested and empowered to run the HOA themselves. That clearly happened. Even though the people who took over the HOA weren't the best moral people in the world, the fact they stood up and took over was enough for me!

When I moved in, the place was falling apart. Houses hadn't been painted in years. The pool area was a danger zone. Railroad tie wall were literly falling into the pool and sticking out. We had overgrown trees causing damage to yards. The rules were whatever the con-artist President made them up to be. The city had even issued us a code violation for the lawncare (with the president's help) illegally dumping in a nearby lot. We had houses NOT paying their dues for years. The place was NOT in good condition.

My 3 years as Vice-President, President, and Board member I was able to tackle these issues and more. I cut down trees, rebuilt a new retaining wall at the pool area, fixed fencing, had houses painted, did general cleanup, and established a volunteer day. Never once raising dues or having a special election. The property values raised in one year over $2K. My last year the property values skyrocketed to over $10K and climbing!

Is this enough useless siloqui yet? Just checking... Got more! I am a poster here because of my experience and education. I went through my HOA experience without knowing there were places like this I could ask questions and get help. Now that I know this place exists, I am willing to pass along what I have learned. Most posters here feel the same way. We don't try to shove opinions down anyone's throats. We try to listen and get as many details as we can.

I don't feel the need to post anything negative about you Barney. Your attitude so far has spoken for itself. You are apparently a smart person I will grant you that. However, the experience is quite different from what your posting. A HOA shouldn't keep running to a lawyer or PM everytime. That costs money and they are NOT a member of the HOA. HOA's are designed to govern themselves amongst the owners. Your dealing with more "cultural" needs and wants than you may with legal and black and white issues. There are no Black and white issues in a HOA nor are there a "They or Them". So let the posters here post their "feelings" about a situation and not knock them down for it. It's not nice.
Former HOA President
LindaC3 (Florida)
Posts: 526
Posted:
Now now kids.....lets behave ourselves.. There is plenty of room on the merry go round for all to enjoy the ride .....We all are entitled to our opinions and YES I read all of melissa's posts..dont always agree with her as i am sure she doesnt always agree with me...But thats life and thats what i like about it....we all are different, but so much alike.........SO on this BEAUTIFUL sunday morning...lets all stop being childish and quit the name calling and lets get back to what we do here HELP ALL OF US THRU THE LIFE IN AN HOA AND ALL THAT THAT IMPLIES...........Have a GREAT DAY........and I really enjoy this forum and have learned so much from it and for that ... I THANK EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.........PEACE LindaC
BarneyC
Posts: 50
Posted:
My point was, Melissa, that nobody cares. Pat yourself on the back in the privacy of your own home please
BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640
Posted:
Barney:

You are new to here and apparantly haven't read Melissa's posts much. That is her, for better or worse. She doesn't attack people and this is the important thing. Your opinion as is everyone's on here is important. You may live in a neighborhood or association that has a lot of participation. I do not, everyone is different. But to say that Melissa's association is better off without her is wrong. We all need volunteers, some are better than others, I don't know if you have served on a board or not but if you have you would understand the challenges and the thankless job it is, especially when no one wants to participate. Mine is not a defeatist attitude, mine is a realistic viewpoint. We have tried many things to get our people interested. I believe you said you were in a condo, it seems to me that condos have more participation than single family homes, not sure why that is.
BarneyC
Posts: 50
Posted:
Well this is me, for better for worse. So practice what you preach. Maybe you can benefit from my 140 IQ between your mumblings.
BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640
Posted:
Barney:

practice what you preach then, I could care less what your IQ is because it doesn't always equate to common sense. But if you are proud of then I am happy for you.
BarneyC
Posts: 50
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BradP on 07/29/2007 11:17 AM
Barney:

practice what you preach then, I could care less what your IQ is because it doesn't always equate to common sense. But if you are proud of then I am happy for you.

Thats "couldn't care less". If you could care less, then you care.
LindaC3 (Florida)
Posts: 526
Posted:
Hey BarneyC........I have read a few of your other posts where they contributed a lot to this forum..So for you to start acting childish with these past few post does not fit you...Let's let it go.......and get back to the business at hand --HELPING OTHERS........LindaC
BarneyC
Posts: 50
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By LindaC3 on 07/29/2007 11:30 AM
Hey BarneyC........I have read a few of your other posts where they contributed a lot to this forum..So for you to start acting childish with these past few post does not fit you...Let's let it go.......and get back to the business at hand --HELPING OTHERS........LindaC

Frankly these people are beyond help. But who died and elected you king?
LindaC3 (Florida)
Posts: 526
Posted:
Barney ....LOL LOL.......in my part of Florida no one was injured,maimed, or killed in the due course of myself becoming QUEEN...I would have to be MALE to be KING........And I much prefer being Queen...It so much more becoming of me....chuckle chuckle........Have a great day.....LindaC
BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640
Posted:
Barney:

Your absolutely right, since none of us can rival your 140 IQ we don't deserve to volunteer for our association and give our free time. We also don't deserve to ask questions without the fear of being ridiculed if we don't know or are wrong or our ideas are not accepted by you.

I am glad you are now our leader as we are all wiser. This forum used to be very helpful until DavidR5 and yourself (whom I think are the same person) showed in the past couple of weeks. I think I will save my time and opinions until we can get along. To steal the words out of your mouth that is not loss to your or anyone else and my association is probably better off without my help.
BarneyC
Posts: 50
Posted:
just let it go brad.
BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640
Posted:
David/Barney:

No problem.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Thanks for the support people! I appreciate it! I always agree to disagree! This is one of the BEST websites available for posting valuable HOA information and education. We may not all be geniuses. (IQ of 150 here LOL) However, we do strive to do what's best for our communities, properties, and family.

Let's keep posting positively and not let anything negative get in the way. I am not about one person's opinion or even two. I am about being me and I am going to keep being me! Hope everyone else does the same!
Former HOA President
EdieL (Virginia)
Posts: 86
Posted:
Sounds like all of you need to get a life. This site should be for important
information concerning HOA topics not, personal venues.
BradD2 (Florida)
Posts: 418
Posted:
Not all commitee meetings in Florida have to be open to everyone. Barney pointed to a section of the Florida Statutes that deal specifically with Condo Associations and I have read the sections dealing with Homeowner Associations.

If a decision to allocate association money is going to be made, if a decision is relating to architectural review or if a majority of the board get together then it must be public. There are still plenty of meetings that fall outside of that. A social commitee greeting new homeowners or working on a newsletter, a commitee in charge of performing covenant violation walkthroughs and a commitee working on the association website are examples of those not needing to be scheduled and notice given.
LindaC3 (Florida)
Posts: 526
Posted:
BradD2-- Good Morning...You are correct..... All of our Commitees that deal with matters that effect our homeowners are indeed OPEN to all....That way there no can accuse us of doing anything underhanded....Our By Law Commitee Chairperson now realizes that and all future meetings will be held at our Lodge for anyone interested enough to attend and give input.....The nice thing about having an open meeting is someone who may have thought of something we missed...have a good one LindaC
DaneC (California)
Posts: 210
Posted:
720.301 Definitions.--As used in ss. 720.301-720.312, the term:
(3) "Community" means the real property that is or will be subject to a declaration of covenants which is recorded in the county where the property is located. The term "community" includes all real property, including undeveloped phases, that is or was the subject of a development-of-regional-impact development order, together with any approved modification thereto.

720.303 Association powers and duties; meetings of board; official records; budgets; financial reporting.--
(2) BOARD MEETINGS.--A meeting of the board of directors of an association occurs whenever a quorum of the board gathers to conduct association business. All meetings of the board must be open to all members except for meetings between the board and its attorney with respect to proposed or pending litigation where the contents of the discussion would otherwise be governed by the attorney-client privilege. Notices of all board meetings must be posted in a conspicuous place in the community at least 48 hours in advance of a meeting, except in an emergency. In the alternative, if notice is not posted in a conspicuous place in the community, notice of each board meeting must be mailed or delivered to each member at least 7 days before the meeting, except in an emergency. Notwithstanding this general notice requirement, for communities with more than 100 members, the bylaws may provide for a reasonable alternative to posting or mailing of notice for each board meeting, including publication of notice, provision of a schedule of board meetings, or the conspicuous posting and repeated broadcasting of the notice on a closed-circuit cable television system serving the homeowners' association.

KellyC3 (Florida)
Posts: 39
Posted:
If the chair or Board is not following this. Then try going to the management company, it is in their best interest to ensure that they are following the rules. I understand your issue we have this problem with our Master Association.
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:
Barney and Linda.,

Okay you two. This is an open discussion site. Please refrain from the argueing.
If you want an answer to the original question, here it is. In Florida, NO meetings associated with the operations of an association, can be NOT open to it's members. NOT CLOSED!!!! Any committee of an asociation is an extension of the B.O.D and work at the Boards discression, therefore, all members are entitled to attend.
GuyC1 (Florida)
Posts: 1
Posted:
Who cares about the IQ of somebody who serves on the BOD of a community that is at least above the median income level. If you want to brag my IQ is well above 140 and so what. What counts is will you serve you community for the common good. If you cannot say yes to that you are at best a cheat.
In our community we require committee meetings to be open and in the clubhouse. Yes we have had some ringers who were disruptive and refused to follow the rules. The way to deal with that is remove the committee and start over - much shouting and problem gone.
I also know I make it sound easy and that it is not but what happens if you do not bite the bullet is not pretty. GFC FLORIDA
RW1 (Texas)
Posts: 149
Posted:
Back to the original topic subject (which I just realized was started a year ago but here goes)

FL720 is not entirely silent on commitee meetings...

As you know FL720 does describe the requirements for BOD meetings, Annual meetings and Assessment meetings in regards to posting, notice, quorums etc.

I'm sorry I don't have a copy of 720 in front of me now but my point was that the same section or paragraph that describes the items above, it does mention (and I'm paraphrasing here) "that the same requirements of this paragraph also apply to any body vested with making the FINAL decision on architectural changes."

There is no mention of any other types of meetings and that is due to the point made earlier in this thread that commitees don't have the power to make FINAL decisions fpr the corporation. They provide a product for the BOD to approve, enact, modify, etc.

That being said the FL law does not appear to apply to Landscape, ByLaw, Rules or any other commitee. However more openness is better than less and unless it became a problem due to turnout I would take the "high road" and post it.

RWW
MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
Linda,

Please forgive me if someone else has said the same thing. I didn't read every message -- there were so many!

I just want to let you know that just because the meetings must be open doesn't mean they cannot be held in a board member's home, or anyone's home for that matter. Many small assn's do not have a clubhouse or the means to rent a hall to hold meetings. In my former assn (49 homes) all the board meetings were held in a board member's home. Sometimes inside the home, sometimes inside the garage. Even our annual meetings were held at a board members home, usually in the garage with the doors open so the overflow could sit on the driveway. Open only means the members have been given notice and the opportunity to attend.
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Florida here has to get her 2 cents worth in.

Our committee meetings are posted on the internet and on a marker Board that we have on our front gates. That way, any member that might be interested, can attend. It depends on what committee it is which determines the location of the meeting. All Docs meetings are at my house. Any member is allowed to attend per the State Statutes. Knowing that, I have to permit any member to attend if they wish. I would not open my house up to just anyone but being very active on the Board, I know most all residents and that is my decision with the approval of the entire Board. Don't forget, that all committees work at the sole pleasure of the BOD.

Now the ARC meetings at which members do attend, that is held at the clubhouse and there are usually more than 5 or 10 extra people. So that is not something the chair of that committee would like that many extra people in attendance at his home. There are NO formal requirements for location of any meetings except that it must accomidate any member that wishes to attend.
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

OOPS!!!!---Forgot to attach this. Fl Statute 720;303--2. BOARD MEETINGS (b)

720.303 Association powers and duties; meetings of board; official records; budgets; financial reporting; association funds; recalls.--

(2) BOARD MEETINGS.--

(a) A meeting of the board of directors of an association occurs whenever (ETC)(erased for sizing down)

. The provisions of this subsection shall also apply to the meetings of any committee or other similar body when a final decision will be made regarding the expenditure of association funds and to meetings of any body vested with the power to approve or disapprove architectural decisions with respect to a specific parcel of residential property owned by a member of the community.

(b) THIS IS THE SECOND SENTENCE IN THE PARAGRAPH)
:0 " Notwithstanding any other law, the requirement that board meetings and committee meetings be open to the members is inapplicable to meetings between the board or a committee and the association's attorney, with respect to meetings of the board held for the purpose of discussing personnel matters.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
Donna,

I agree you have the license to choose to have the meetings at your home; but that's only because your assn has a clubhouse which can be used if you think someone you don't like might attend. Like I mentioned in my response, not all assn's have a clubhouse or the means to rent a hall. With that in mind, the board has no alternative but to hold the meetings in a board member's home and they cannot prevent anyone from attending. That is, of course, if their state has an open meeting law or their docs state all meetings must be open to the members. In my old assn, when we had the annual meeting or if we thought a particular board meeting might draw a large crowd, we informed everyone to bring their own chair and the meeting was held in the garage.
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Mary,

Actually, our sub section does not have a clubhouse but we are fortunate that we are built around a golf course and we rent that for $50.00 once a month for the Board meetings and then the Annual meeting. It can hold a large group so we don't have much choice but to go with the large facility. But our committee meetings are held in private homes, except the ACR meetings which usually have 15 to 20 people present. The golf clubhouse gives them a break at $25.00 which is a budget item.

Our "Estates" section has a clubhouse but get this--they will not rent it out to us because we are not residents of that section. They won't even rent it out to the Master Association for meetings, even tho they are under the Master Assoc. The members voted to deny anyone use except their own people.
EllenS1 (Florida)
Posts: 1,148
Posted:
We hold our meetings at the local library which has two meeting rooms. Also some companys (realtors, etc.) will let you use their conference rooms.
JimM7 (Florida)
Posts: 71
Posted:
Back to the original question.............

Florida Statute 720.303(2) states in part..."This subsection also applies to the meetings of any committee or other similar body, when a final decision will be made regarding the expenditure of association funds....."

Don't read into it. If your controling documents are more restictive they will be the authority.

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