Video Recording Meetings, Part 5/8: Liars don't like being recorded

Video Recording Meetings, Part 5/8: Liars don't like being recorded

After three years of recording monthly meetings not one resident has shown any concern about being recorded.

What did not surprise me was that it was the board members who didn't like the recording of meetings, and it was the board member who lies the most who had the largest objection to it.

Mr. Liar sent an email off to our attorney asking why I was allowed to record. She told him the same thing I already had told the board: Anyone can record the meetings. He did not like that, and after three years he still questions whether recording is allowed.

I also learned that board members who use their board position for personal gain or benefit, or who don't do their duty to the community, did not like being recorded.

But then they quickly forgot about the camera and continued on as if it wasn't there, without any change to their behavior, with the camera recording whatever good or bad they were doing.

Next:
Part 6/8: It doesn't matter if it's on video, it didn't happen

Mark,

Many States specify within their HOA/COA statutes that recordings are allowed.
If the owner of the property doesn't want the potential of having a recorder within their home, then the meeting needs to hosted elsewhere.

I don't think I misunderstood what the attorney said, as it was in writing and given to all board members and the manager. Mr. Liar misunderstands most everything, and it doesn't matter if it is verbal or written.

In my first post I didn't go into details, but the main reason I started recording was because of Mr. Liar. He has his own reality, and it doesn't match the real world very often. The fact that Mr. Liar is still questioning recording after 3 years, despite multiple verbal and written explanations by the attorney, is an indicator of the level of crazy I have to deal with.

As our attorney explained, there is no expectation of privacy at the meeting of a public corporation (the HOA), where the board members are officers of this public corporation and are required to conduct the business of the corporation in public. The actions of the board are public, and are published as meeting minutes to be read by the public. The exception to this is executive session, where only limited items may be discussed.

Attendance at our meetings is restricted to homeowners & approved tenants only, but anyone at the meeting may video/audio record or take written notes, and may discuss or publish anything said at a meeting.

For me the purpose of recording a meeting (video or taped) is for more accurate note taking. It's when it's used outside that scope that issues are incurred. Especially if someone wants to post it on social media or use it in a court of law.

Think about it. What is the purpose of record in a HOA? Note taking. It should be shared with outside parties. It's a meeting for member's only. The person recording should be doing so to confirm their notes are accurate and reflect what occurred. It's a record keeping process.

Now not to say that someone who can't attend a meeting can't view a copy. Don't think they need to own a copy. The HOA should keep that within their control. Unfortunately, the recording may be needed for cases of crime in case of assault. Not sure if the court will allow it in court due to consent to be recorded issues.

So for me, if recording aren't used in the right context, then not going to do it.