Committees Groups

We are trying to adopt two committee groups, a grievance committee and a policy committee. Must it state in our by laws that we can do this? Or is it up to the board to adopt any committee group they feel a need to.

If it is not in your By Laws add it in. Make it a right of the trustees to create these committees and adopt them. Then appoint your members to it.

Be aware of your CCR's in addition to your bylaws.

For instance, while our Board can appoint any committee we so choose, the committee only has the authority (in matter such as Architectural review, or grievance, etc) to advise the Board. They cannot substantively act on behalf of the association.

Most governing documents in Florida state there shall be an Architectual Review Committee which is granted the power to approve or reject architectual changes to homeowner properties. Of course homeowners grieved by an unfavorable decision can always apeal to the board. An other committee referred to as a Fining Commitee, also has the authority to approve a fine or dispose of it after a hoemowner is first provided the opportunity of a hearing. Their decision is final without appeal to the board. This provision is stated in the Florida Homeowner Statute 720. There must be at least 3 members appointed by the board who are not related to members of the board.

So, Lisa, if the AC Committee and Grievance Committees are the only ones to act on behalf the the board, what if the other committees are voted approved by the board, like security, landscaping, etc. And if you have no grievance or complaint committee and there is an issue that should have been handled by another committee chair, but the president handles it by herself in a biased way, is she acting out of scope of board? For instance, if a breach of safety or security is committed at the pool, but president covers it up and doesn't report it to the rest of te board because it is a swim team member that she doesn't want to get into trouble because he's one of the top swimmers, yet another child who commits an equally serious or less serious offense is banned from the pool the rest of the summer, by the president---is this an area that she should deal by herself, when there is another director who has that security and safety committee??????
EdR