Zoom Meetings

Started by LaskaS • 29 replies • 1282 views

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LaskaS (Texas)
Posts: 1,025

Posted:

hello,
Texas has stated that meetings must not exceed 10 people.
Even though our board is less than 10 people. Most board members have decided to use zoom.

I initially thought this was a great compromise. However. after using it this past week I realized, the way Zoom was being used was eliminating the requirement that. every board member can hear every other board member and every board member can be hear by all other board members.

The Person who set up the zoom meeting had control of who could talk and when. Several board members were cut off before they finished what they were saying. I thought it was a glitch. But it happened over and over to 3 board members who disagreed with the meeting host on certain issues.

Is this just par for the course.? It seems that zoom can easily be abused. One person controlling who talks, whether the get to talk a second time. what order ..etc..

doesn't this defeat the requirement for everyone can be heard and everyone can hear everyone else.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Zoom isn't a recommended. It's too much of a security risk and has other issues associated with it. There are other options out there. Try looking into them.

People get cut off in live meetings as well. Kind of jealous if I had the power to do it online...

Former HOA President

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

During this time Zoom, or one of the many other VTC-like systems, most with audio only options, are going to be needed.

Better to get more adept at how to interact using this type of tool, than to immediately start out by assuming someone is controlling the system with manipulative intent.

MarkW18
Posts: 1,290

Posted:

Unless you are on the Dark Web, once you go online you have pretty signed off on any privacy rights you think you may have.

I could be wrong, but I don't think a Board is discussing items of national security interest, are they? I think the paid versions of Zoom or any other video conferencing will have more security features built in then a FREE version.

Get what you paid for sound familar?

LaskaS (Texas)
Posts: 1,025

Posted:

I must have explained incorrectly.

Its not the security I am concerned about. You are right, it's not national security.

I'm concerned with one person being able to mute another board member if that one person gets mad at something the other board member says.

The host of the zoom account basically should not be able to mute someone at will.

that defeats the purpose of the right to dissent. and be heard.

MarkW18
Posts: 1,290

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LaskaS on 04/18/2020 12:51 PM
I must have explained incorrectly.

Its not the security I am concerned about. You are right, it's not national security.

I'm concerned with one person being able to mute another board member if that one person gets mad at something the other board member says.

The host of the zoom account basically should not be able to mute someone at will.

that defeats the purpose of the right to dissent. and be heard.

Not the way the system works. I use GoToMeeting and the same feature is there. Either the host or co host control the meeting. Even your in person board meeting, the president should be controlling the meeting, or it gets out of hand.

LaskaS (Texas)
Posts: 1,025

Posted:

ok,, so basically, whatever i said pissed off the host. and she decides to remove me from the meeting.. she did it on impulse. because she did not know how to allow me back in... anyway.

i guess. the real issue.. i shouldn't have protested the motion she wanted passed.

MarkW18
Posts: 1,290

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LaskaS on 04/18/2020 1:07 PM
ok,, so basically, whatever i said pissed off the host. and she decides to remove me from the meeting.. she did it on impulse. because she did not know how to allow me back in... anyway.

i guess. the real issue.. i shouldn't have protested the motion she wanted passed.

Unfortunately, this is technology that most don't know how to use. I am sure you won't have to put up much longer with it as I understand Texas is opening up next week or the week after.

LaskaS (Texas)
Posts: 1,025

Posted:

Ha ha, i wish. The board prefers to remote meeting.. you know,, so they have to put in as little effort as possible.

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

Laska,

You say things like "ok,, so basically, whatever i said pissed off the host. and she decides to remove me from the meeting.. she did it on impulse. because she did not know how to allow me back in... anyway," as if it is true ... did someone say they did this?

It just doesn't make sense.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

Maybe you should just do a conference call - no one can mute anyone else.

If you still want to do video conferencing, you can look into alternatives like Skype, Google Hangouts or even Microsoft Teams. There are a few other services that charge a fee like Go To Meeting. Look those up and ask about control of the meeting, muting and all that and then decide what's best.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

LaskaS (Texas)
Posts: 1,025

Posted:

george..

I apologize. I was commenting on the the information informing me that zoom and skype etc all have a host who controls the meeting. not unlike a meeting in person...

you are right. I read it and it doesn't make sense. i wasn't being sarcastic though. I was saying basically, if that's the way the the video meetings work. I need to make sure and not oppose the board member who is hosting the meeting.

Because, what happened at a previous meeting was that I was responding to a motion that was made by the host of the meeting. I vehemently disagreed and said something like. "are you serious Ms . M, do you actually think that is plausible?(i was using a sarcastic negative tone that i've been told is incredibly condescending,) Her response was to cut me off halfway though my allotted time and act like it was an accident. Then when i figured out how to unmute myself she removed me from the meeting.

It's embarrassing actually. I think the situation is no longer salvageable. I just need to resign. I'm come so far, I've gotten a lot done. despite every trick in the book being pulled to try and discredit me.
But at the end of the day, I just don't care anymore.

like someone said,, if I don't have a majority, i'm spinning my wheels. right or not.

BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273

Posted:

I don't think this is a virtual meeting issue. The president could temporarily prevent people from speaking in a regular meeting following parliamentary procedures, although it would be more difficult. Muting people until it is their turn to speak isn't a problem, in my opinion, but kicking someone from the meeting or blocking a director from speaking at all is not acceptable.

The problem with having an in person meeting is, how do you know more than ten people won't show up? I suppose if you have never ever had ten people show up, you are probably ok but you can't just count directors.

BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273

Posted:

Most restrictions in Texas are controlled by the cities and counties and our governor has said he will leave it that way.

MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459

Posted:

Laska,
If you give in you give up. If that is okay with you then do it. If not you should try to fight harder. The difference from winning and losing is usually very close. I have always been a fighter and have been successful. It does not always seem like it is worth the battle but if you get anyone off the board that is not helping I view them as hurting the HOA.

PaulJ6
Posts: 990

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LaskaS on 04/18/2020 12:02 AM
hello,
Texas has stated that meetings must not exceed 10 people.
Even though our board is less than 10 people. Most board members have decided to use zoom.

I initially thought this was a great compromise. However. after using it this past week I realized, the way Zoom was being used was eliminating the requirement that. every board member can hear every other board member and every board member can be hear by all other board members.

The Person who set up the zoom meeting had control of who could talk and when. Several board members were cut off before they finished what they were saying. I thought it was a glitch. But it happened over and over to 3 board members who disagreed with the meeting host on certain issues.

Is this just par for the course.? It seems that zoom can easily be abused. One person controlling who talks, whether the get to talk a second time. what order ..etc..

doesn't this defeat the requirement for everyone can be heard and everyone can hear everyone else.

I use Zoom all the time for business meetings (and did before the current pandemic). Usually if you set up a Zoom meeting everyone can speak and be heard. Whoever set up your meetings must have just set them up using controls that block other people. I didn't know that those controls existed.

If Zoom doesn't work so that everyone can hear and be heard, try freeconferencecall.com.

JamesV3 (New Hampshire)
Posts: 50

Posted:

We are doing our monthly meeting on the 28th using Zoom for the first time.
I have never used Zoom before i hope we don't have any issues as we have 3 very important issues on the agenda plus other things as well.

LaskaS (Texas)
Posts: 1,025

Posted:

Mark thanks for that message.
what industry do you work in ?

if i may ask.

LaskaS (Texas)
Posts: 1,025

Posted:

james,, zoom actually is pretty cool.

as long as everyone agrees with everything.

If you have dissention and disagreements (which i view as a good thing up until a vote is taken) it can be challenging.

I'm sure you will be fine.

LaskaS (Texas)
Posts: 1,025

Posted:

Ben,

I absolutely think the board should meet in person. If possible.
No there will not be more than 10 people.

However, what i find is that several board members are using covid as an excuse not to attend in person.

the past two meetings.. We could have absolutely met in person , following safe distance protocols. wearing masks. The fist meeting. 4 members didn't want to come in, 4 members came in(3 board, 1 manager) the last meeting 6 board members didn't come in. now they see how easy zoom can be. I still went to the office and insisted the office manager stay at the office(vs. go home). in case any owners showed up. None did, but that's not the point.

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

Jeez ... Laska,

If you had told me to attend a board meeting in person ... I would chuckle and say no.

You’re sounding a bit off on this topic.

LaskaS (Texas)
Posts: 1,025

Posted:

yes, i know, I've already admitted to being kind of skeptical and harsh regarding the hysteria over covid.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

It is NOT a hysteria over Covid. It is REAL. Sorry people but I've been way to exposed and know too many people who have this to keep quiet. It's like it's not real till it happens to you mentality. Well guess what? It WILL happen to you UNLESS you take the actions of staying away seriously. The virus don't care who you are, what you do, or how you get it. It just wants to find a host and live. Your HUMAN body doesn't know how to react and neither do you.

I've been in an office where there was a positive and then more positives... It spreads faster than a cold. It is NOT like the flu. You can't just go to bed and "sleep it off". One day you may feel fine and the next minute you are gasping for breath. It does hit just that fast. There are more symptoms than they talk about on TV. No one knows everything about this virus/disease. I am not taking chances of getting it or giving it to someone else.

So this virus makes you think of OTHERS beyond yourself. Atleast it should. Don't believe in the "hysteria" but don't spread that to others. If you do, then you could have just killed someone. No joke.

Former HOA President

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Just wanted to add... It is NOT NOT NOT "Fear" or "Hysteria" why people NEED to stay home and keep washing hands. The people who say these things are the ones in fear. The people who stay home and away from people are the smart ones. They are the ones who make a difference so that those who are too scared not to live...

Former HOA President

BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273

Posted:

If a couple of board members have concerns about attending an in-person meeting then your position just doesn't sound reasonable. It sounds like you have no regard for their health concerns. I'm not saying that is the case but it must seem that way to them.

I'm not trying to be critical just pointing out that sometimes you have to try to see things from others' viewpoint.

CD6 (Texas)
Posts: 34

Posted:

The Zoom meeting host has control over the muting of any or all participants.
I find it is better to mute members but leave the BOD unmuted.
People will still talk over each other but Texas 209.0051C2 says:
(c-2) A board meeting may be held by electronic or telephonic means provided that:
(1) each board member may hear and be heard by every other board member;

If you were muted and could not be heard, I believe that could make the meeting null and void.

LaskaS (Texas)
Posts: 1,025

Posted:

again, I admitted I was wrong on the covid thing.

I personally think that taking the outlined precautions

no groups of more than 10 people.

wash hands and disinfect surfaces ,
wear a protective mask(one of the board members actually provided the hoa with 100 of the 3m masks )
observe social distancing.

I believe these precautions are well within recommended guidelines of the cdc.

I did force anyone to come to the office for the meeting.

I simply made sure the office manager remained at the meeting location(upstairs community room) in order to comply with the requirements of open meetings.

This is a regularly schedule member meeting. and is always held upstairs. The board should have notified owners of the zoom meeting so they could join if they wanted.

Because they did not do this. There is supposed to be at least one person at the original meeting place.

BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LaskaS on 04/20/2020 3:26 PM
again, I admitted I was wrong on the covid thing.

I personally think that taking the outlined precautions

no groups of more than 10 people.

wash hands and disinfect surfaces ,
wear a protective mask(one of the board members actually provided the hoa with 100 of the 3m masks )
observe social distancing.

I believe these precautions are well within recommended guidelines of the cdc.

I did force anyone to come to the office for the meeting.

I simply made sure the office manager remained at the meeting location(upstairs community room) in order to comply with the requirements of open meetings.

This is a regularly schedule member meeting. and is always held upstairs. The board should have notified owners of the zoom meeting so they could join if they wanted.

Because they did not do this. There is supposed to be at least one person at the original meeting place.

I agree the membership is required to be notified and must be allowed to attend. This could easily be done for a zoom meeting by sending out the normal notifications with instructions and invitation to join the meeting.

JamesV3 (New Hampshire)
Posts: 50

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LaskaS on 04/19/2020 6:21 PM
james,, zoom actually is pretty cool.

as long as everyone agrees with everything.

If you have dissention and disagreements (which i view as a good thing up until a vote is taken) it can be challenging.

I'm sure you will be fine.

Thank you.
Does anyone know if ZOOM will work with a chromebook?

ND (PA)
Posts: 792

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By JamesV3 on 04/23/2020 1:54 AM

Thank you.
Does anyone know if ZOOM will work with a chromebook?

Yes it does.

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