Inappropriate behavior by incoming board member

Long story short, we have an annoying resident who always seems to think there’s a conspiracy happening within the board. At the last meeting , he told me that myself and the entire board were cock suckers and on and on . He is running for the board and will win because we have three seats and three candidates only . I was wondering how I could address this when he joins the board . Any suggestions appreciated !

I"d be tempted to assign him the job of looking for and documenting the board conspiracies. Then he should come up with some solutions for dealing with them. Then he should write a report with this information, along with his recommendation of the preferred course of action.

And is board education required for your community, or is that only for condos? I can never keep Florida law straight ...

Thomas,
The first thing I would do is let him know that he does not speak to other volunteers in that manner. The president who runs the meetings needs to shut that down as soon as it started. Decorum is very important to running smooth meetings. I would also make sure that this new member is not given a director position. He does not deserve a title other than board member.

I think Mark meant “officer” position.

Make sure the president hews closely to a carefully prepared agenda and requires others to do so as well. Agenda topic, maybe some discussion, motion, second to the motion (if given), more discussion, vote or table pending more research. Then move on. As needed, motion for time limits for anyone to speak.

Do your bylaws require use of Robert's Rules of Order?

Otherwise it is critical that the other directors ignore the ad hominems and any other jabberwocky this guy spews. If you respond to the ad hominems or jabberwocky, that just feeds this guy.

I think Shelia's headed in a really good direction.

My HOA's handout to owners about THEIR conduct, which is on the back of the agenda they receive at meetings, should be separate or the whole thing is too long.

But, hmmm, yeah, something similar for directors.

Need a title: Board Member Conduct During Meetings? Make a motion, discuss & vote.

I'd Start punchier. : "Board Members Must:

Attend all meetings on time and stay until adjournment.

Contribute well-researched agenda items

Review [Board Packet? Directors Report?] materials and the agenda before the meeting in order to contribute knowledgeably to motion discussions.

Speak on one's own agenda item for no more than 2 [3?] minutes. Only two discussion turns on any agenda item of no more than two minutes unless permitted by the meeting chair.

Do not speak unless called upon by the meeting chair. Interrupting when other directors or owners are speaking is never permitted.

Must practice professional meeting conduct by scrupulously avoiding insulting language

Treat all directors and homeowners with respect

Vote on all agenda items, .... I['d delete this unless it seems to be a problem]

Strictly maintain confidentiality about Executive Sessions details

Disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest before an agenda item is discussed. If the conflict is clear, leave the room during discussion, recuse from voting. [wording should be different here]

Accept Board decisions and follow Board directives even if in disagreement.

Your know? I don't think I've ever seen such a list on this forum. Thanks Shelia. I hope others contribute, add, delete, etc.

I also agree with Elle that the president adhere rigidly to the agenda items of business, which is required in FL anyway. The chair should immediately stop and "tangents" by direcotrs. The chair also must be fair on recognizing directors who wish to speak and not play favorites.

Thank you, Kerry, for the grown-ups' list.

Minnesota has a harassment law that our Board used as a base of expected behavior for both board members and for our residents. We installed into our Rules and Regulations a harassment rule using some of the law as a guideline.

Very interesting idea, Dean.

Can you share with us, Michel, your "harassment" rule?

Terri,
I doubt a fine could be used in this situation. I would recommend a Censure of the board member. I have done this twice for serious misconduct over my 14+ years as president. It is very effective because it goes into the minutes and can always be seen if anyone wants to investigate. In both cases board members did not run for office when their term was up.

Conduct at HOA Meetings:

1. No person shall use vulgar language at an HOA meeting.
2. No person shall speak at HOA meeting by speaking without being recognized by the president, or vice president in the absence of the President.
3. No person at an HOA meeting shall threaten any person.
4. One warning will be provided, subsequent violation shall result in a $25 fine, each subsequent violation shall escalate $25.

Excellent citation, Jack. I know I can find it in my copy, but if your cite the p. # or citation #? to make it easier for me?

Remember that the "member" in jack's citation is the board member, not the owners in HOAs unless an owners meeting.

In some states, like CAlif., Dean, no one can b fielded without "dues prices, e.., call to hearing, etc.

"Meeting" chair" is good language b/c it's not always the president for various reasons, e.g., sea ll boards might not have a VP., etc.

All replie above reply to behavior at Boad meetings. Isn
T that what you are worrried about. If he joins the Board?

After he’s Board. Member, all Board members vote on proper Board conduct.Take ideas from above. You do NOT want to single him out. Let him . Vote with rest of the Board

He will look very bad if he votes gainst reasonable plidcies for Board member conduct.

Wait—-are you on the Board, Thomas?

Thomas,
My comment about the Censure was made based on your comments that he was going to get elected to your board.

When you said the words in your first post about what he said to the whole board I can only assume that no one on your board would like that kind of talk. If he gets elected and tries that again a Censure would be in order. The board should not be divided on Self Respect.

Does your board comply with the bylaws, covenants and state statute? Failing to do so can rile folks up. Emphasize again and again that all (board, owners, manager et cetera) must comply with the governing documents (bylaws, covenants, state statutes). When someone raises a concern and whenever appropriate, ask the someone to point out where in the governing documents or state statute it says what they claim.

Is this a condominium association, subject to FS 718? Or a neighborhood of single family homes on their own lots, subject to FS 720? Or something else?

Thank you, JackieB4. Loved your pure go-to nuts and bolts advice to DeeR2 in the other thread. I wonder if this thread's (the thread herein) board needs a "checkup" in the same vein of what you posted? Maybe not. Maybe so.

Sorry about the screaming aggressive board member where you are.

I am glad you are running again. You nailed what it means to be a good director.

"what does the mean, Thomas? "There is a group of about a dozen obstructionists out of 400!"

What is their behavior, in other words, what do they obstruct? They aren't o the Board, right? if not on the Board, HOW are they obstructing??? Constant complaints to management? Constant negative behaviors?

I do have a list that is a Board policy in my HOA about how owners must behave during open meetings and open forum. Let me know if you or anyone would like to review it here.