Wife decided she wants to attend board meetings

Is there a question here?

Henry

Do you have a PM?

Henry does not want anyone at the BOD Meetings. His wife might well be the first crack in the dam to Henry.

It's good to har that Henry and his board are going to have an open board meeting. If, Henry, you think only your wife will attend, your board can start getting used to complain giant your state's laws.

As an owner in AZ, which REQUIRES open board meetings, she is allowed to attend. Also, in AZ, owners must be permitted to make remarks AND may even do so with each agenda item. Even I kinda squirm at the latter IF it's still in the statutes. BUT, this means he cannot mute his wife for th whole meeting. there must b time allowed for owners in attendance to speak.

But I think Henry might be feeling uncomfortable about his wife observing him as a meeting chair and presider. For some folks, it's much easier "performing" in front of those we know less well. Henry probably could see if their PM can preside OR another director.

Btw, these now-open meetings, might see attendance from the old boys club who gripe at the bus stop, Henry. They'll now be able to actually see your board in action discussing, debating and deliberating agenda items. IF the only thing your board does at the meetings is vote, attendees, whether 2 or 10 will know you've already settled on a decision OUTside the open meeting and suspicions will be aroused.

Best of luck and glad to see positive change!

Since you would be violating your rules and probably state law by excluding her, then there is only one possible answer, you cannot stop her and would be foolish to try. My wife usually did not attend meetings but I was always happy to have her there.

On the plus side, this is the only time you can mute your wife and not get in trouble.

I agree with Max. The typical owner shows up at any meeting for self interest as in to piss and moan about something. Few show up just to observe, never mind help. New owners may have a tendency to show to see what goes on.

Some attribute lack of interest to apathy. I attribute it to satisfaction and/or happiness.

If not for proxies, we would not make Quorum of 20% of 112 owners or 23 owners.

Want to see people show up. Put out notice that a dues increase will be discussed....LOL

I conduct about more than 150 board meetings a year, and have been doing so for about 13 years. Do people come to meetings because they have absolutely nothing else to do, a few. Do they show up praising their admiration for the board doing their job, nope. Peope generally show up for a numbe of reason. They have a ARC application under review, something happened that they wanted the board to be aware of, someone didn't cut their grass or take their trash cans in, so and so forth. Saying the typical owners shows up for self interest and to piss and moan, is what gives HOA's a bad rep. As a manager, they pay my salary, and I don't forget that.

Our board meetings are in the early evening and we have at least one a month. In our high rise HOA of 200+ units, about 25% rentals, about 35 owners attend (now) in person or via Zoom. The same owners seem to attend with some who come occasionally based on the posted agenda 4- days in advance of the meeting. They actually seem interested in what we as a board are doping for our community. They actually DO mention various directors' quality of meeting participation, or lack thereof, at campaign time before elections (this is the first year when the election hasn't been competitive).

During Open Forum--we hold one at the beginning and at the end of each open board meeting--there often are several comments and questions, but little pissing & moaning.

We do have a Meeting Conduct sheet on the back of the agendas, which discourages "maintenance" problems from being brought up and advises owners to handle those with management. We, of course, listen intently and do respond to an owner or owners if complaining about green water in the pool that's occurred way too long. And our PM replies to those kinds of maintenance concerns. The conduct sheet allows for 2 minutes per owner and only one topic at a time.

We also have an excellent president in terms of his presiding skills, who's gentle, affable, understanding and reminds owners to be respectful and kind at the beginning of each Open Forum.

When we had a surly, arrogant, insulting Board majority, owners were far less forthcoming and helpful. And the membership seemed to reflect that board's attitude in their remarks.

Hi Henry,

Is she an owner, then she has the right to attend. Not much can be done here.