Executive meetings

In our HOA our bylaws state executive meetings are to be held for personnel issues and litigation discussions. What can a board do when a member requests to speak to the board on a personnel matter of great sensitivity? Member does not want an open meeting. We are a Florida based homeowners association.

Our HOA had open meetings. That meant the board members held the meeting with general members could WATCH. At the end we also would include feedback or help with a decision. However, I also had an unofficial "rule". If you did not want to attend the meeting, then you could email/write a letter to the HOA. The HOA board would read that letter at the meeting. The caveat being that if you did not attend the meeting, then you had to live with the Board's decision. Unless you presented your "Issue" with your solution. We would discuss if your solution was acceptable.

We were quite open. However, we did not reveal people's names when it came to collections or litigation etc... We used Lot #'s. Plus when it came to litigation, liens, or foreclosures we had one source that dealt with the HOA lawyer. Which was usually the President. It wasn't a free for all in contacting the lawyer. All the membership had to know is that legal actions were being taken. No need for the "details".

Rarely does an owner want to meet with the board. When that happens the owner has a specific time to come and discus with the board their issue. We keep the time short 10 -15 minutes this is arranged through the property manager and always encouraged to state what the issue pertains too or can the property manager handle the issue and report back to the trustees.