Gentrification of the Board

Started by KimT13 • 18 replies • 212 views

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KimT13 (Georgia)
Posts: 11

Posted:

Our HOA is small and not socially active.
A few Board members are elderly (70+). Most are still sharp as a tack! But there’s one who is sadly, cognitively degrading.
She’s been on the board for 20+ years, she’s kind, soft spoken (the grandmotherly type).

It’s a bit difficult to keep in the loop because she’s not familiar with technology.
Different people have sat with her at her computer to try and teach her. She tries! But even if she checks her email daily, she doesn’t reply.
She can receive texts. But won’t reply. Calls instead, which all are tolerant and happy to accommodate.

At a meeting this week it was clear she was having a bad day (cognitively). We discussed subject A, moved along to B. During discussions she piped in a comment about subject A. It was a very awkward moment.

She’s fine for now. Nobody minds stopping to clear things up for her.
But looking forward I can foresee the same thing happening with additional members and then we have a problem.

When the time comes, how do we tell members “thanks for your service, but you’re no longer able to be on the board”?
It will very likely break her spirit, and nobody wants to do that!

Even bringing this up to others may not be well received as they too are aging.

I thought of holding a party in her honor and having a plaque made to hang in the clubhouse. But that still doesn’t solve the problem of telling her.
How can this be done with the respect and dignity she deserves and without breaking her spirit?

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,060

Posted:

An excellent question, even if the individual was not on the board.

Not having gone through this myself (but see the potential in the future), I can only offer the following I found on the internet:

How do I talk to a friend or family member about mental health? from the Commonwealth of MA

How and When to Start a Conversation with a Struggling Friend from the JED foundation

How to Tell Your Parent They Have Dementia from Senior Guide

Alzheimer's Disease Signs & Symptoms from Bright Focus

How to talk to your parent about dementia symptoms from SE health

How to approach an employee showing signs of cognitive decline from HR simple

How to Assist Board Members with Signs of Dementia from Financial Poise

ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 4,420

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By KimT13 on 02/09/2024 8:49 AM
When the time comes, how do we tell members “thanks for your service, but you’re no longer able to be on the board”?

The only entities that have the power to take someone off the board are the owners at an election; a court; or possibly via a bylaw or statute that says missing three or more board meetings mean the person is no longer on the board.

The Board does have the power to strip a director of any officer duties. For liability reasons, I advise doing this.

NA1 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 190

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By ElleN on 02/09/2024 9:44 AM

Posted By KimT13 on 02/09/2024 8:49 AM
When the time comes, how do we tell members “thanks for your service, but you’re no longer able to be on the board”?

Unless the CC&R or local law provides you some relief here. Seems unlikely.

NA1 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 190

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By NA1 on 02/09/2024 10:24 AM

Posted By ElleN on 02/09/2024 9:44 AM

Posted By KimT13 on 02/09/2024 8:49 AM
When the time comes, how do we tell members “thanks for your service, but you’re no longer able to be on the board”?

Unless the CC&R or local law provides you some relief here. Seems unlikely.

Sorry, largely just restates what Ellen said. I misread her post.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

You board members all are wonderful to treat this director with respect. What size is your HOA? Your Board?

When does her term expire? What do owners have to do to run for the Board? Must they fill our a form? Must or should they write a statement about why they should be elected that is sent to owners with other board candidates' statements? These are very common in HOAs.

What Im getting at is that if the process to apply to be elected to the board is a little more complicated, perhaps she won't seek reelection.

Does your HOA hold a "Candidates Night " when candidates sit in the front of a room and owners, via some sort of moderator, ask them questions?

IF she is an officer who actually HAS assignments and duties to carry out, the Board should vote to remove her from that officer position and appoint a different person.

MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459

Posted:

Kim,
I also believe that the community has to do the job you are considering. It would also help if younger people stepped up and put their name is hat. None of us are getting any younger and hopefully we will see the signs well in advance for ourselves.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

It may be she was just having a bad day (we all have them). Just because you age doesn't necessarily mean your cognitive abilities go down the drain - many older people aren't comfortable with cell phones or computers. That's something I think more HOA boards need to remember as they rush to put everything online - you will have a few instances where you'll have to continue with landlines and snail mail. Hell, my mother was 98 when she died, and although she liked her cell phone she never used it very much and sometimes you still had to remind her of the basics.

I'd be more concerned with cognitive decline that's affecting her ability to live independently, such as letting mail (and the bills therein) piling up without any action, not eating, wearing inappropriate clothing (e.g. fur coats in 90 degree weather). If the lady has any family and you notice this sort of thing regularly, you could mention something to the family and let them handle it.

For HOA stuff, try giving her a little time and ask a few questions to ensure she's keeping up with the subject. Simplying information would also be a good idea for everyone - and that may be more of a problem, although some of you may not want to admit it.

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

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

By the way, I think you were looking for another word for the title of this subject - gentrification means "the process whereby the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, and attracting new businesses, typically displacing current inhabitants in the process." That doesn't have anything to do with cognitive ability unless someone is trying to boot out elderly residents and grab their now valuable land by driving up the price and income taxes to where the residents are pushed out because they can no longer afford to live there.

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

KimT13 (Georgia)
Posts: 11

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By KerryL1 on 02/09/2024 10:26 AM
You board members all are wonderful to treat this director with respect. What size is your HOA? Your Board?

When does her term expire? What do owners have to do to run for the Board? Must they fill our a form? Must or should they write a statement about why they should be elected that is sent to owners with other board candidates' statements? These are very common in HOAs.

What Im getting at is that if the process to apply to be elected to the board is a little more complicated, perhaps she won't seek reelection.

Does your HOA hold a "Candidates Night " when candidates sit in the front of a room and owners, via some sort of moderator, ask them questions?

IF she is an officer who actually HAS assignments and duties to carry out, the Board should vote to remove her from that officer position and appoint a different person.

HOA is less than 100 properties. Seven board members. Subject member is not an officer. Terms expire in June.
We are lucky if 10 add’l members are at annual meetings. (Most properties are tenant occupied and owners send in proxies.)

We take nominations from the floor at annual meetings for the next year’s board members. Usually winds up board members nominating other board members. Someone not nominating her would be very obvious and shatter her inside, though I’m sure she’d put on a warm smile.

Bylaws allow the board to vote out any other board member with a tiny bit of complication, but that’s not viable even if she wasn’t at every meeting. Who’s going to go knock on her door or send her a letter to deliver that news? Even having the property manager do it feels heartless and cold.

Terms expire in June.

RogerJ1 (Texas)
Posts: 550

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SheliaH on 02/09/2024 11:35 AM
By the way, I think you were looking for another word for the title of this subject - gentrification means "the process whereby the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, and attracting new businesses, typically displacing current inhabitants in the process."

That is what I was expecting when I first opened this thread.

MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459

Posted:

Kim,
So thanks for the reply and the additional information. When I see less than 100 homes and 7 board members, I think of the 2 HOAs I have been president of both in Texas (1450 SFHs) and (Ca. 438 SFHs) I would say you have too many board members. It can be very hard to get 5 board members on the same page and attentive at a meeting much less 7. Why so many members on the board? Might be time to make some changes and that may solve many of your issues. I also liked Kerry's idea about making sure you have a Candidate night, and it needs to be promoted so that everyone in attendance see what the board members see at meetings.

We see this going on in Politics these days and I hate to even bring it up but you got to know when to hold them and know when to fold them to quote Kenny Rodgers.

KimT13 (Georgia)
Posts: 11

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MarkM19 on 02/09/2024 10:27 AM
Kim,
I also believe that the community has to do the job you are considering. It would also help if younger people stepped up and put their name is hat. None of us are getting any younger and hopefully we will see the signs well in advance for ourselves.

Yes, that would be great! But unfortunately prob 85% of residents are tenants. Owners have little interest in the community as long as it brings them passive income. No more than 10 (in addition to board members) have attend annual meetings in the last 10 or so years.

Though I’m one of the earliest remaining property members, I’m prob the youngest on the board at a ripe age of 50. Oddly enough, I’m also a non-resident owner. But I have an emotional attachment to the property, so much so that I drive 8hrs to be at the annual meetings.

KimT13 (Georgia)
Posts: 11

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MarkM19 on 02/09/2024 4:30 PM
Kim,
So thanks for the reply and the additional information. When I see less than 100 homes and 7 board members, I think of the 2 HOAs I have been president of both in Texas (1450 SFHs) and (Ca. 438 SFHs) I would say you have too many board members. It can be very hard to get 5 board members on the same page and attentive at a meeting much less 7. Why so many members on the board? Might be time to make some changes and that may solve many of your issues. I also liked Kerry's idea about making sure you have a Candidate night, and it needs to be promoted so that everyone in attendance see what the board members see at meetings.

We see this going on in Politics these days and I hate to even bring it up but you got to know when to hold them and know when to fold them to quote Kenny Rodgers.

Bylaws require min of 5, no max. We do quite well with meeting attendance. Nobody has ever missed more than one per year that I can think of.)

Are you suggesting I have her serenaded at a meeting? (Kidding!)

MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459

Posted:

Kim,
I think 5 is a great number for boards of any size. If 7 works for y'all then that's great.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

So your big problem is getting others to seek board service. That's a tough one with so few owner occupants. At the moment I can only think, following MarkM, that the Board "reduce the Board to the five newest members. I can't think of a good "reason" though.

Laughed at your "serenade" remark, Kim. As kind as you all are, I know you won't consider "Hit the Road, Jack."

MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459

Posted:

Kerry and Kim,
Sorry the Serenade thing went right over my head till Kerry mentioned Hit the Road Jack.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Kim

A BOD of 7nd one of then is "out to lunch" should not be an issue. Work to un-elect her come election time.

MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459

Posted:

Kim,
I must say I spend way too much time thinking about board business including ours and yours.

If I were in your position I would sit down and talk to this person. I would start with all of the positives I could possibly come up with and I would say I know that you will always be a vitally important member of our community. Would you consider letting others do the daily activates and become a "Board member Emeritus"? We will always honor your opinions (Voting as our heart leads us) and you are always welcome to attend the meetings. We honor your 20 years of service, and this will be a way of having you not have to run for office and possibly lose.

Just some thoughts. It is always better to leave on the high than leave in defeat.

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