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Interesting/Funny Annual Meeting Happenings

Started by JohnC46 • 15 replies • 590 views

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JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Tell us some interesting and/or funny things that happened at an Annual Meeting. I will start:

1. Couple in the middle of a divorce both show up claiming the right to vote. They were told to step outside and decide which one got to vote. They argued then both drove off. Neither voted.

2. Had a person nominate them self, from the floor, for a BOD position. When questioned, it turned out they were not even an owner. They were under contract to buy a home in the association and the present owner had invited them along to the meeting.
AnnaJ1 (Maryland)
Posts: 95
Posted:
Well I don't have anything to add other than "LOL". :-D
GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808
Posted:
Love Item 2, JohnC.

Like a prospective christian being asked, with lions roaring in the distance, if they want to enter the Colosseum, and answering "sure."
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
We had an owner insist that the board had to recuse themselves from voting at the annual meeting. He was straightened out by our attorney who happened to be attending that year.
JohnC77 (California)
Posts: 562
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By CathyA3 on 01/27/2021 1:15 PM
We had an owner insist that the board had to recuse themselves from voting at the annual meeting. He was straightened out by our attorney who happened to be attending that year.

I am curious how that is funny. Membership meetings are not Board meetings. The Board doesn't take action at such a meeting, the Members do.
GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808
Posted:
I'm with Cathy - it's hilariously ignorant on the part of the member!
AnnaJ1 (Maryland)
Posts: 95
Posted:
I guess because Board members have a right to vote as well. (?) At least we do.
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JohnC77 on 01/27/2021 1:44 PM
Posted By CathyA3 on 01/27/2021 1:15 PM
We had an owner insist that the board had to recuse themselves from voting at the annual meeting. He was straightened out by our attorney who happened to be attending that year.


I am curious how that is funny. Membership meetings are not Board meetings. The Board doesn't take action at such a meeting, the Members do.

It's funny/sad because it shows how much people don't understand this stuff. Board members vote at the annual meeting/election of directors, since for purposes of the election they're acting as homeowners, not directors. They even - gasp! - vote for themselves if they're running for re-election. A director who owns two homes can vote for him/herself twice!!! Oh, the humanity...

This particular homeowner seems to latch onto a new idea or buzz word without understanding things fully, and then we're off into the weeds somewhere. That year's shiny new concept was "conflict of interest".
JohnC77 (California)
Posts: 562
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By CathyA3 on 01/27/2021 3:04 PM
Posted By JohnC77 on 01/27/2021 1:44 PM
Posted By CathyA3 on 01/27/2021 1:15 PM
We had an owner insist that the board had to recuse themselves from voting at the annual meeting. He was straightened out by our attorney who happened to be attending that year.


I am curious how that is funny. Membership meetings are not Board meetings. The Board doesn't take action at such a meeting, the Members do.


It's funny/sad because it shows how much people don't understand this stuff. Board members vote at the annual meeting/election of directors, since for purposes of the election they're acting as homeowners, not directors. They even - gasp! - vote for themselves if they're running for re-election. A director who owns two homes can vote for him/herself twice!!! Oh, the humanity...

This particular homeowner seems to latch onto a new idea or buzz word without understanding things fully, and then we're off into the weeds somewhere. That year's shiny new concept was "conflict of interest".

I've managed a number of associations whose Board members think the Annual meeting is no different than a Board meeting.
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JohnC77 on 01/27/2021 3:07 PM
...

I've managed a number of associations whose Board members think the Annual meeting is no different than a Board meeting.

That's unfortunately believable.
ChrisE8
Posts: 454
Posted:
The property manager screamed at owners who asked questions, and threatened owners who asked questions.

That was really enjoyable.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
We had 2 old men go at each other over a boat in the backyard of one of them. The one with the boat was a retired professor. The other may have been retired Rocket Scientist. Nearly came to blows... It was one of my first HOA meetings I ever attended... Yes, and I chose to run for President after this... LMAO!!!
Former HOA President
GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By CathyA3 on 01/27/2021 3:04 PM
It's funny/sad because it shows how much people don't understand this stuff. Board members vote at the annual meeting/election of directors, since for purposes of the election they're acting as homeowners, not directors.

I understand the use of the word 'funny' in the present context but count me in with those who think it's not funnny at all. I think it's rather sad.
BillH10 (Texas)
Posts: 1,217
Posted:
This Annual Meeting Happening is not funny in the least, it is sad and very troubling.

18 months ago, at an annual meeting of the association in which we reside, the candidate for reelection incumbent President held proxies from five owners. There were two open positions on the Board, and four candidates. The Bylaws stipulate cumulative voting is not allowed. Therefore, while the President held 10 votes in his hand (with two seats open, each owner was entitled to vote for two candidates), he could vote a maximum of five for any single candidate, including himself.

Following the election, an owner asked the President if he had voted for himself. While he was under no requirement to respond, he did so affirmatively.

The owner became very upset, went into a long diatribe, then accused him, and the management company representative standing with him, of having "cheated". She walked (not really, stormed would be a better word) over to the PM, described the situation and asked if what the President had done was acceptable or if it was cheating. The PM told her the President was free to vote for whomever he pleased, including himself.

This was followed by more accusations of cheating then she left, quite angry.

After she left, I told the representative of the MC, and the PM, both of whom hold a CMCA from CAI, the owner involved is also a CMCA as a result of previous employment. Both were astounded at the lack of knowledge of the owner involved, as well as her reaction and behavior.

The owner has since twice been a candidate for a position on the Board, unsuccessfully. She recently repeated much of her behavior at the annual meeting at a regular meeting of the Board during the Owner's Open Forum, by accusing the Board of being out of compliance with the meeting notice requirements. She cited the Notice Requirements for the Annual Meeting in her accusations, there are no notice requirements to Owners regarding regular Board meetings. Owners do receive notice of a Board meeting under the notice interval stipulated for notification of the Board. Members of the Board (the PM was not present) told her in an appropriate manner she was mistaken and showed her the sections of the Bylaws, to no avail.
AnnaJ1 (Maryland)
Posts: 95
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BillH10 on 01/28/2021 12:45 PM
This Annual Meeting Happening is not funny in the least, it is sad and very troubling.

18 months ago, at an annual meeting of the association in which we reside, the candidate for reelection incumbent President held proxies from five owners. There were two open positions on the Board, and four candidates. The Bylaws stipulate cumulative voting is not allowed. Therefore, while the President held 10 votes in his hand (with two seats open, each owner was entitled to vote for two candidates), he could vote a maximum of five for any single candidate, including himself.

Following the election, an owner asked the President if he had voted for himself. While he was under no requirement to respond, he did so affirmatively.

The owner became very upset, went into a long diatribe, then accused him, and the management company representative standing with him, of having "cheated". She walked (not really, stormed would be a better word) over to the PM, described the situation and asked if what the President had done was acceptable or if it was cheating. The PM told her the President was free to vote for whomever he pleased, including himself.

This was followed by more accusations of cheating then she left, quite angry.

After she left, I told the representative of the MC, and the PM, both of whom hold a CMCA from CAI, the owner involved is also a CMCA as a result of previous employment. Both were astounded at the lack of knowledge of the owner involved, as well as her reaction and behavior.

The owner has since twice been a candidate for a position on the Board, unsuccessfully. She recently repeated much of her behavior at the annual meeting at a regular meeting of the Board during the Owner's Open Forum, by accusing the Board of being out of compliance with the meeting notice requirements. She cited the Notice Requirements for the Annual Meeting in her accusations, there are no notice requirements to Owners regarding regular Board meetings. Owners do receive notice of a Board meeting under the notice interval stipulated for notification of the Board. Members of the Board (the PM was not present) told her in an appropriate manner she was mistaken and showed her the sections of the Bylaws, to no avail.

Sounds all too familiar....

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