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Started by DouglasK1 • 17 replies • 911 views

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DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046
Posted:
After 4 years of being treasurer of a self managed association, I decided not to run for the board again. It felt good to walk from the front table to the audience at the annual meeting last night. The election was pretty much a formality as there were only 5 candidates for 5 seats. I've got a little filing and such to do this weekend before turning over everything next week, but it already feels like a load off.

I'll probably still attend board meetings, the main reason I ran in the first place is that the existing board was calling the CCRs the "bylaws", didn't even appear to have a copy of the bylaws (until I sent them), and very little understanding of our governing docs and state law. That situation has improved somewhat, but I can see that devolving without some oversight.
Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.
BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273
Posted:
Congrats! I've got 2 more months. I don't think your situation is unique. Our directors have good intentions but most of them have no inclination to educate themselves or even read our governing documents.
PestyonE
Posts: 18
Posted:
Congratulations Douglas !

? are we brothers ?



BillH10 (Texas)
Posts: 1,217
Posted:
Douglas and Ben, your comments are one of the reasons I not opposed to a state mandating a reasonable amount of training for POA board members. I think the Colorado model is somewhat excessive; a one or two hour session with a curriculum prepared by CAI would be most helpful.

I know the arguments against, mainly that a training requirement would tend to deter many volunteers. In the long run I believe it could avoid many headaches, heartaches, and issues.

Enjoy your 'retirement'.
SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
I've never understood why people are so opposed to training for HOA board members. Running your own household isn't the same as running a non-profit corporation, which is what most HOAs are. If you want to do the job well and haven't done it before or not in that setting, why not attend a seminar or at least crack open a book and learn how?

Douglas and Ben, congrats on stepping down - I resigned from my board three years ago and I don't miss it, although I do come to this board to keep up on HOA issues (you never know when a similar situation may land in the community.)

One tip from a friend who also served on his HOA board (as its treasurer) - after you leave you may feel tempted to come back and help.. It's natural, but DON'T DO IT, otherwise you'll be pulled back in! That doesn't mean not being a resource if your successors have questions - offer your opinion if you want, but emphasize they have to figure out some things for themselves. It's not that hard if you quiet yourself, observe and LISTEN....
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius
DaveD3 (Michigan)
Posts: 796
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BenA2 on 01/19/2018 6:29 AM
Congrats! I've got 2 more months. I don't think your situation is unique. Our directors have good intentions but most of them have no inclination to educate themselves or even read our governing documents.

That sounds like the 98% of HOA boards that give the other 2% a bad name. Well-intended, poorly-educated, not realising that they need to abide by an established set of rules, rather than just do what feels good.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By SheliaH on 01/19/2018 7:37 AM

I've never understood why people are so opposed to training for HOA board members.

Opposed? Naw.
Concerns? You bet.

As Treasurer I spend 20 hours a month on HOA business.
I have a day job.
I have to maintain my own home.
I work nights.
I have a family.

Training will take about 4 hours (travel to, training itself, questions, travel home)
Training is typically scheduled during a week day (when I'm sleeping or when someone else is working)
Training might be scheduled in the evening (when I'm working)
Training could be scheduled on a weekend (but I have work around the house and would like to spend time with the family).

Who is going to pay for the use of vacation time?
Who is going to pay for the missed salaries?
Who wants to give up a half a Saturday?
Who wants to give up an evening with family?
Who is going to pay for the training?

Training is a good idea.
Required training may reduce the number of volunteers for all the concerns mentioned above

Like I said, Concerns.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062
Posted:
Congrats Doug.

I would likely be less frustrated had I not ran again (as I am the only returnee).

This is definitely my last year. I doubt half of the others will reup.
AugustinD
Posts: 5,144
Posted:
I think a partial solution may be to pay HOA Directors a nominal amount, like that of small town City Councilors, though with a nod to the reality that City Councilors have many more professional resources on which to draw to get their questions answered.
TimM11
Posts: 354
Posted:
A lot of people who would be great on an HOA board don't get involved, and some of the ones who do, are unfortunately not the type that should.
RichardP13 (California)
Posts: 3,868
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By AugustinD on 01/19/2018 8:54 AM
I think a partial solution may be to pay HOA Directors a nominal amount, like that of small town City Councilors, though with a nod to the reality that City Councilors have many more professional resources on which to draw to get their questions answered.

Have any idea what a "small" town City Council person makes in California. Some over $100K. Look up Bell, California.
AugustinD
Posts: 5,144
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By RichardP13 on 01/19/2018 9:25 AM
Have any idea what a "small" town City Council person makes in California. Some over $100K. Look up Bell, California.


I hear you. Where I am, the City Councilors are paid $20k to $30k $30,000 (populations 100k to 1000k). I am thinking $5k would get out some talent for HOA directors in small, non-coastal towns. I know this will not happen until either the courts are backlogged or the American Bar Association says the incompetence among HOA attorneys is destroying communities.
AllumW (Florida)
Posts: 68
Posted:
Do boards at least past down reading material outside of the governing documents? Something to explains running an HOA. I ordered a manual that would help me better understand running an HOA from one of those CAM school. I was thinking of making copies and giving it to the board when it's established.

CONGRATS on stepping down and your new freedom!
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062
Posted:
I created binders for each Officer and committee that explains what and how to do the minimum.

Many Associations have nothing more then the Association records.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By AugustinD on 01/19/2018 8:54 AM

I think a partial solution may be to pay HOA Directors a nominal amount

Unfortuanetly, having such payments removes the protections of being a volunteer.

See: VOLUNTEER PROTECTION ACT OF 1997

personally, I wouldn't want to give up those protections.
AllumW (Florida)
Posts: 68
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimB4 on 01/19/2018 10:27 AM
I created binders for each Officer and committee that explains what and how to do the minimum.

Many Associations have nothing more then the Association records.

Thats a good idea!!
AugustinD
Posts: 5,144
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimB4 on 01/19/2018 10:31 AM
Posted By AugustinD on 01/19/2018 8:54 AM

I think a partial solution may be to pay HOA Directors a nominal amount


Unfortuanetly, having such payments removes the protections of being a volunteer.

See: VOLUNTEER PROTECTION ACT OF 1997

personally, I wouldn't want to give up those protections.


Good point. I confirmed this is federal law, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/chapter-139

There might be a go-around to this problem, consisting of how liability for, say, City Councilors is handled.

Though again, I am not holding my breath on this.
DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimB4 on 01/19/2018 10:27 AM
I created binders for each Officer and committee that explains what and how to do the minimum.

Many Associations have nothing more then the Association records.

I did create a doc containing reference info and treasurer procedures, hopefully they will maintain it going forward.

Thanks to all that have responded on this thread.
Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.

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