Learn Your Documents

Hi Everyone,
After reading almost all of the posters who are asking questions, it seems apparent that most people either have not read their documents or did not grasp what they state. Mostly, they are written in another language that most newcommers do not understand and they really are a boring read.And most people do not want to be bothered with that stuff.

I am currently chairman for a docs committee for a 565 member association and on the Board of directors as V.P. I also am documents research chairman for a large development where I own a rental unit. I inherited a "rag tag" bunch of 9 committee members who did not understand a word of what they were reading. "Now", I said, I need to get these folks to understand this stuff so we set up monthly meetings. I made gormette coffee and we started on page 1. Each member read a section or a page and we all followed along. Then we talked and asked questions. We went to Board meetings and questioned the Board when we knew something was askew. All of a sudden, they got very interested and saw so many problems in the community that could be starightened out by simply following the CC&Rs

We composed a statement to the Board with our "Mission Statement" and made it very clear that we were NOT there to be confrontational but as an advisory capacity to them.

It did not take long and the Board was asking us for "yeses or No's" on anything that they needed clarification on. It became fun. Pretty soon, all of the committee was looking forward to our next sessions---the DREADED STATE STATUTES. But we tackled them and Boy!!, what a smart bunch we now have working on behalf of our community.
Donna

Thanks Nancy. And actually, it became fun to learn and to know information that made living in a H.O.A.much easier. Our e-mail addresses were published on our web site for residents to ask questions. Mainly "can I do this"? were the majority but we trained ourselves on how to explain the contents of the documents, rather than give "NO's or YES'S"
Hardly ever did we have a resident leave us being angry.

I applaud you both on your success, I only wish our members were as eager to learn the dos and don’ts of association living as I have read. We aren’t even fortunate enough to establish quorum let alone something of this nature. God for bid homeowner’s partake in something/anything that wouldn’t directly affect them personally.

If I could get more homeowners involved in community events it would be a wonderful neighborhood.

Unfortunately there will always be someone who says “they didn’t know” I’m willing to deal with those individuals on as frequently as possible oppose to waste the association money (MY) to fund such events, to educated a handful of people, generally the same people at that.

As I said before, I commend those who continue to be involved in their community, unfortunately it isn’t mine.

Chuck W.

My response is in reference to the Topic's subject "Learn your documents".

A P.M. may provide unbiased or a "limited bias" interpretation in helping others understand the docs. In FL. I beleive this document "awareness" is included in LCAM training.

RW1

I have read my docs...what if the board/Manager itself dont follow to whats exactly in the docs/declaration?

SteveC, no sarcasm intented here, but your answer is more than likely IN your documents. It may not be the most "efficient" way about handling the issue (most folks think that about even our local/state/federal legislative bodies/rules). Becoming familiar with your documents gives you the tools to successfully operate within a community managed property. Most of the "complaints" or odd stares that I get are about "common sense" issues where an owner "expects" one thing - but the methodology is contrary to what our documents require.