Board turnover

Yes.

In my eight years serving on the board, we only had 2 people leave before elections.

One moved. One wouldn't read any emails until the meeting night and simply couldn't keep up with what was going on.

14 years on our Board of (in reality) 6. 1 director left in a snit. 1, a realtor, left imo due to to not getting her way, and no new clients. 1 resigned after her 3 evil co-directors were defeated in an election. 2 moved. 1, just elected in Nov. is resigned after 4-1/2, 3 as prez, years due to burn-out. He only sought reelection because some of us talked him into it to finish a big project and to help "train"our new PM.

In general, I don't recall any president individually asking any directors to do specific tasks or work. A director might bring up something that needs to be one, it's discussed and a director volunteers to help....or not. We do have a full-time onsite PM who's directed to do a lot of work by the Board. Sometimes an appropriate director is assigned by THE BOARD to stay on top of a PM assignment.

As a org. exec way back in the 1910s learned, "the turnover," causes great inefficiencies and productivity losses as JohnT points out.

I also think MichelT forgets that Boards govern HOAs, not presidents. In addition it's been suggested to MichaelT many times that his HOA of 270+ homes and many parks, needs a PM more than for a few hours a week.

MichaelT may have mentioned this, but, even if not, I'd guess some kind of an engineer.

Turnover is typical, but your amount seems greater than most.
Suggest referencing your hundred or so other posts here that contain significant info, suggestions, and feedback for some things to consider implementing that might help your situation.

Yes it is. That's why you originally stated, "I've found that the less that I ask of other to do, the more likely they will stay. They seem to stay as long as they don't have to do anything. Once I press them to do work, they seem to depart at a higher rate."

I think it's important to be fair{1}. None of us are perfect, and Michael isn't shy about exposing his weaknesses in this space. But I rather doubt his Board's attrition rate is entirely his fault. I haven't been doing this HOA/BOD thing for as long as many of you, but - just the other evening, a new BOD member jumped in with "We should do this! And we should do that! And ..." on and on and on. I turned it around: "Those are some excellent ideas! Can you take care of implementing them within the next week?" and (of course) they backed down and soon it was all forgotten. It's not the first time I've seen this kind of thing.

I'm not trying to pick on the new BOD member person; I'm simply attempting to use them as an example of how many people - 50% might be a *low* figure - really have no idea what serving on a HOA BOD is like, and once they discover there's actual effort involved in the job, they greatly regret the altruistic impulse that led them to seek the position in the first place. Indeed, one of my pet peeves is a Board member who believes their "contribution" is simply showing up and 'making their feelings known'. Unsurprisingly, many of these people will step down at the first opportunity. And sometimes it's legit: we had a BOD member step down because they had their first child. Admittedly, I couldn't *stand* this person and was happy to see them leave. But I'd advise *any* new parent to ditch the BOD and hang out with their new family. Michael provides a list of reasons why people have stepped down, and many of them are just this kind of personal issue. Swimming pool repairs, or diaper duty?{3} Anyone who doesn't find it an easy choice is probably a war criminal.

And while I'd expect very few people are happy that (ex) a parent is at death's door, they're also not above taking advantage of the situation to bail out of a gig they aren't liking overly much. And who wants to work with someone who's already got too much crap going on, anyway? So: goodbye, and Godspeed!

Admittedly, people *do* quit Boards over personal conflicts. There are ex-BOD members in my very own neighborhood who will tell you they left because of me. I know it's difficult to believe (*chuckle*). And I guess I'm supposed to be ashamed of it. But I'm not. If anything, I think that anyone who is running for their BOD to institute Change should take heart knowing that "HOA Board member" is not a position that most people are willing to fight for{4}.

Finally: MHO is that retired persons (such as myself) are often excellent BOD members. For instance: they tend to have more experience and free time. Maybe less free time than they think they have. But - speaking for myself and I think many others - when a person retires, they are in some sense losing their sense of identity. When I retired, I was no longer "Bill the computer genius who worked for {a large blue company}". For better or for worse, "HOA Board member" is a part of who I am now{5}, and I like to think it helps me do a better job of it. I mean, who wants "really awful HOA Board member" as part of their integral sense of self?

Bill

{1} This drives certain friends and even spouses of mine crazy, because when the news reports that {political figure} has acted up, my first thought is: Is that what *really* happened? Because - I hope this doesn't ruin anyone's day - American journalism these days isn't so good. It's not that I'm a fan of {political figure}{2} - it's just that I think it's important that accusations against someone need to be fair and accurate. If the news begins crapping all over someone for imaginary wrong-doings, it makes it *much more difficult* to hold that person accountable for their *real* offenses. In the same way: it's not *always* Michael's fault.

{2} I believe that my mom - not the most politically astute person - nonetheless was largely correct about politicians: "they're *all* crooks!"

{3} An observation based on my own adventures in child-rearing: my kids' poop doesn't stink. *Other* people's kids' poop is vile.

{4} I'm guessing it's very different in National or World politics, where there are real lives and jobs and $$$ on the line. If I seem a bit too proud of myself, I'll assure you that I have no illusions about functioning in a Real Political Office: I'd sink like a stone. Only faster.

{5} Realizing that this gig won't last forever, I've taken the precaution of becoming other things, too.