Video Recording Meetings, Part 1/8: Why I record

Started by BradB7 • 9 replies • 855 views

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BradB7
Posts: 22

Posted:

Video Recording Meetings, Part 1/8: Why I record

One of the most depressing things I experience at my monthly board meetings is the lying. Board members lie, property managers lie, it is just something I have learned to live with. As president, I do not lie to anyone, and I have always told my residents that they will get nothing but the truth, no matter how good or bad, from me on any issue.

The incident I experienced happened three years ago. I won't go into details, but due to a misunderstanding by all the board members and our manager, I was accused of saying something at a meeting that I didn't say.

Since it was me against everyone else, I had no way to defend myself.

My integrity had been seriously questioned, I was accused of lying to everyone, and the irony is it was by the very people who lie all the time at meetings. I realized I needed to have something that would be on my side and I could use to defend myself if this type of incident ever happened again.

I decided I needed to video record the meetings, and it was the best decision as a board member I ever made.

In a series of posts I will tell you why, and maybe it will help you as well.

Next:
Part 2/8: I consult our attorney

GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276

Posted:

Oh boy. Please tell me you reduce the recording to a written transcript. To be frank, the "my residents" part is a red flag right off the bat.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Brad,

You have already shared that you served for 20 years and made the decision to not run for reelection.
You have shared that you plan on selling and leaving.

I don't think a play by play is needed about the recording. You have already posted why.

I'd be more interested in what you told the board, the boards reaction and how badly did the board shun you (as that would likely be the human nature side of it). I would also be interested in hearing if there were any positive results from the taping.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

With Geno, "my residents" bothers me too. I see your explanation of why you personally record the meetings--to try to protect your rep.

GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276

Posted:

I'm absolutely on board with recording the meetings if that's what it takes to preserve a record of what really happened.

"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." - Mark Twain

BradB7
Posts: 22

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By GenoS on 04/11/2018 2:50 AM
Oh boy. Please tell me you reduce the recording to a written transcript. To be frank, the "my residents" part is a red flag right off the bat.

Sorry, English Comp was my weakest subject in school. Should I have said "the residents" or "our residents" instead?

Feel free to highlight in red all my grammar, punctuation, and composition mistakes. I know I make a lot.

BradB7
Posts: 22

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By TimB4 on 04/11/2018 3:55 AM
Brad,

You have already shared that you served for 20 years and made the decision to not run for reelection.
You have shared that you plan on selling and leaving.

I don't think a play by play is needed about the recording. You have already posted why.

I'd be more interested in what you told the board, the boards reaction and how badly did the board shun you (as that would likely be the human nature side of it). I would also be interested in hearing if there were any positive results from the taping.

Yes, I made the decision not to run again but it hasn't been announced yet. I found out the board will just decide on a new president at the annual meeting, and they will decide between themselves who it will be. It could be me if I change my mind between now and then. Or not.

Also, you are incorrect about my selling and leaving. I never said that. Positive results from the taping are in posts 4-7 where I relate some real world experiences.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By BradB7 on 04/14/2018 5:45 AM

Also, you are incorrect about my selling and leaving. I never said that. Positive results from the taping are in posts 4-7 where I relate some real world experiences.

I stand corrected.

I went back to read posts and someone else said they would be selling and leaving.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

If you're saying, Brad, that there are lies in the Board's approved minutes, don't you vote against approval of them?

BradB7
Posts: 22

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By GenoS on 04/11/2018 7:31 PM
I'm absolutely on board with recording the meetings if that's what it takes to preserve a record of what really happened.

"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." - Mark Twain

That's why I record, so I can have that record of what really happened. Mark Twain knew human behavior, the lie will be believed over the truth almost every time. My prime examples are those who say that the recording isn't the truth, and that their faulty memory is.

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