What do you do about past BOD members?

I have been on our Board for a year now, and one of the most dishearting problems I have is the actions of past Board members. They either disappear, never to be heard from again. Or they are so vocal that they are disruptive to the BOD and the other homeowners.

Some of them, if they have a question will talk to us privately. They will discuss their concerns with us in a dignified manner, whether they agree or disagree. Then there are others who against everything we do good or bad, and try to find ways to put up roadblocks. They make scenes at BOD meeting and trying to incite members against us.

These people know what we go through. I understand personalities are involved but we have the community to consider. Personalities should not be a concern. It is for the betterment of the whole that we are concerned about. We are all volunteers and give many hours, trying to do the best we can for the community.

To you that are past BOD members, please tell me that we will not be a part of the problem when our terms expire, but instead, a part of the solution.

What do you do with past BOD members? Send them out to the farm or onto this website! My preference is to move atop the highest mountain just above the monk who has the answer to "life" and make him pass up coffee in the morning!

Past board members can be a lifeline. I've had several that I depended on just for the history of the HOA alone. They could tell me stories about past events that would allow me to see the effect on my decisions today. Without many of them, I would have been completely lost at some points. They were able to lead me into the right direction. Plus, they knew most of the people and could give me a heads up on who could be trouble or who could help.

For past members who are angry about not being board members anymore, I can't believe they exist. LOL. I don't know many who weren't happy with "jumping ship". However, they do have thier points as well. I would let them attend the meetings and listen to their feedback positive or negative. Just listening usually calmed them down enough to deal with them.

My suggestion for you is to possibly integrate a system of allowing people to WRITE down their issues and submit to the board for future discussions. However, they MUST understand their correspondence in writing will be read ALOUD and openly at the meeting. That is what OPEN meetings are about. This also allows everyone to know what issues someone has upfront and not going behind backs "cackling". This may be a direction you may want if your having so many issues of disruptive nature. If they aren't willing to stand behind something written, they they shouldn't speak at all until it is appropriate. (Still allow an open forum but at the END of the meeting after all written ones are cleared up if necessary).

As for my Ex-Status of being on a board and President, it NEVER EVER ends. Still 4 years later and I am STILL being contacted and involved in the HOA I moved away from. I still love the members but sure could do without the current board members! They are two-faced idiots. They tell everyone that I made up my "own rules" and then come to me for advice on how to translate the rules properly! Go figure!

Charles, This happened to us!! One call to the HOA attorney, his one call, and the keys and codes appeared. As for the info and financials; call a respected past board member. I have found that if you are honest and present your case and inexperience to them, they will help you. There are good ones out there. They still live there and they will want the best, for the community and themselves.

If there is no help available; I hope you have a cable connection with your front page set to this forum. It is very informative. Good luck..

Charles,
My God Charlie, she is paying you a compliment. You ask her to explain and she may find we are a bunch of bums, I say thank you, I wish we had a magic wand, but first, I would wave in around my condo for a couple days and get this place in top shape.

The president of our Board stepped down this year. This is my first year (actually I get 10 months because of a botched election). The former president is trying to run the board even though he stepped down. Our first board meeting, he sat directly in front of me and stared me down. During my campaign, he called me several times, screaming at me and threatening me, telling me I had no idea what I was getting myself into and was I "prepared to lose my house?" implying I may get sued. Needless to say, he's a bit of a bully, but the new president handled his attendance at the meeting very well, he acknowledged the former president's presence, and commended him for his past service and asked him if there was anything he wanted to say to the new board. Caught off guard by this gracious invitation, the former president declined to speak.

Most of the former board members have been pretty active in the community still- I just think they may have gotten burned out and needed a break from serving on the board.