Let the Mud Slingin Campaign of the new Board Begin!

Started by NoelleC • 12 replies • 1540 views

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NoelleC (California)
Posts: 42

Posted:

Yes, our annual meeting is next month and I have my squeaky clean flyer ready to be mailed out for campaigning. One of the other board members is going to be doing something really really brave and I am not sure just how legal this is.

She is a bright, brave woman who also like myself shares big concerns with our present board, and wishes to change things and get on with it. Her campaign flyer of course will have her platform and concerns, but due to emails not being considered "confidential extensions of the executive meeting" it is pretty much open to whatever without protection from the law.

I am understanding that one could literally make a coffee table book about all the hoa emials about home owners, opinions, comments ect and sell it to the members.. with no legal action what so ever.. or at least that is the way our attorney has commented to us. Our emails are a free for all.

My emails are full of caution and have only been used to answer or comment on absolutely necessary things. ( not issues)

The co board member is going to be releasing the email from the President that states she thinks we should have a special assessment due to the fact she wants more money in our reserves, comments about how the window covers although torn will have to do for the next year, remarks about individual home owners... from the president vice and treasurer all emailed without censorship. Really despite attempting to share the possibilities of this, ( which I have emailed and forwarned... ) fell on deaf ears. The one man who keeps slinging mud at board members and telling them to get off the board then forwarding it all to the including management. All this is going to be exposed. I am most thankful, I did not partake in this kind of shit. I would like the individual board members answer to the homeowners that were called "bitchy, never happy" " wantes everything... and stated.. We think the idea is stupid"... makes for very bad mud sling that I am not part of.

I have been advised this is legal as email is not protected... and it is not slander as it will be the contect of the email, the author and the date sent.. very unusual approach to comapaigning,, and it may just cause some angry neighbors. ( I don't support this )

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

Interesting.

And also why I advise people all the time: don't put anything in an email that you wouldn't mind reading on the front page of the newspaper the next day.

Or that you wouldn't mind your MOTHER reading on the front page of the newspaper the next day.

GeraldT4
Posts: 1,022

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By NoelleC on 03/25/2008 7:01 PM
Yes, our annual meeting is next month and I have my squeaky clean flyer ready to be mailed out for campaigning. One of the other board members is going to be doing something really really brave and I am not sure just how legal this is.

She is a bright, brave woman who also like myself shares big concerns with our present board, and wishes to change things and get on with it. Her campaign flyer of course will have her platform and concerns, but due to emails not being considered "confidential extensions of the executive meeting" it is pretty much open to whatever without protection from the law.

I am understanding that one could literally make a coffee table book about all the hoa emials about home owners, opinions, comments ect and sell it to the members.. with no legal action what so ever.. or at least that is the way our attorney has commented to us. Our emails are a free for all.

My emails are full of caution and have only been used to answer or comment on absolutely necessary things. ( not issues)

The co board member is going to be releasing the email from the President that states she thinks we should have a special assessment due to the fact she wants more money in our reserves, comments about how the window covers although torn will have to do for the next year, remarks about individual home owners... from the president vice and treasurer all emailed without censorship. Really despite attempting to share the possibilities of this, ( which I have emailed and forwarned... ) fell on deaf ears. The one man who keeps slinging mud at board members and telling them to get off the board then forwarding it all to the including management. All this is going to be exposed. I am most thankful, I did not partake in this kind of shit. I would like the individual board members answer to the homeowners that were called "bitchy, never happy" " wantes everything... and stated.. We think the idea is stupid"... makes for very bad mud sling that I am not part of.

I have been advised this is legal as email is not protected... and it is not slander as it will be the contect of the email, the author and the date sent.. very unusual approach to comapaigning,, and it may just cause some angry neighbors. ( I don't support this )

NoelleC - I'm pretty sure HOATalk is going to delete your post, mine and everyone else that responds to before deleted as well. This due to your foul language. Please, at least cover it up with some asterisks, and symbols, sheesh!! However, you've got to realize how your post comes across. Basically a rant from a crazy person. I thought you weren't going to send out your own campaign letter, correct? Now you are? The emails should be kept private or part of the minute book of Board activity for owners to review if they wish. Nightmare in and of itself but whatever. Part of me is beginning to wonder if the guy you have an issue with, the one slinging the mud, is as troublesome as you've made him out to appear. Granted, his method may not be professional. But you seem to be the one making the mud pies and reveling that someone else is throwing them. I know that kind very well and they are as dangerous as they come.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

From what I can read of this, Gerald, she is not the one compiling and sending out the emails.

Apparently another board member who is campaigning for another stint on the board feels it's relevant to paste the neighborhood with slime.

It might seem like it would be fun, but when you lay down with pigs, yada yada yada. . .

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

Noelle,

You need to distance yourself from this potential bomb.
When it goes off, ALL of you may be out the door.

Keep focused and your eye on the ball. If you want to be on the Board, you need to show the voters that you are above all this trash.

HaroldS (Arizona)
Posts: 906

Posted:

Oh Boy! Sounds like a media-fest. They LOVE this type of thing. Gets everyone warm and cosy about HOAs.

NoelleC (California)
Posts: 42

Posted:

Gerald, you are right about the *** I do apologize about that.

None the less. I am not the one who is going to be sending out propaganda, cut and paste emails from the board. My own campaign flyer is a professional layout, color and has what kind of platform I believe in that is all.

I didn't intend for my post to be a rant, but you have to admit that the content of it is definatly not the norm is it? I personally am fearful of the personal stuff that is going to be exposed in regards to the current board members. It may be legal, but is it ethical?

GeraldT4
Posts: 1,022

Posted:

NolleC - It's sad to say that the content of your email is not unique. It describes types activities that are occurring in associations, or as some believe them to be fiefdoms, nationwide. Campaign bio's and platforms are good stuff. However it's best to just present your qualifications, time living in the community, thing you enjoy most about living there, a mission statement, and a method you will adopt to accomplish that mission. Perhaps even a picture of yourself in one of the upper corners. Keep it simple.

NoelleC (California)
Posts: 42

Posted:

Thanks Gerald, I myself just do not really support the mud slinging that will happen. As truthful as it may be, and despite my attempts to tell the board to lay off the inappropriate emails, they have not stopped. I personally have an email sent out to all as late as March 15, and one individual responded that I need to stop lecturing and they are full within thier right to email and perhaps I should just sent out an anonymous letter to the homeowners telling them what is going on..... unfortunately reading this kind of email from the booard is not going to go over well.. especially since everyone keeps forwarding it to everyone. It may be a good learning experience for all involved. One way or another.

Email is not protected information is admissiable in a court of law, and it is not illegal to let anyone read it! ( that is what I was occused of preaching and lecturing. )

JaneK (California)
Posts: 175

Posted:

“I have been advised this is legal as email is not protected... and it is not slander as it will be the contect of the email, the author and the date sent”
and “Email is not protected information is admissiable in a court of law, and it is not illegal to let anyone read it! ( that is what I was occused of preaching and lecturing. ).. “

Who gave you this advice? The person sending the nasty emails? I’m not sure I believe it. I’ve been told that they are considered the same as written communication.

I’ve also seen it backfire, I was once sent an email telling me that I was wrong and that I should be more careful of what I say and check my sources before sending information, yada, yada, yada. This person sent it to everyone. He was wrong, I had done my homework, now he’s the laughing stock of the association!

I suspect the emails you are talking about will not impress the members of your association.

As before, email can be dangerous, very dangerous.
Jane

NoelleC (California)
Posts: 42

Posted:

Jane.. our HOA atty kaiser and singer not only sent us emails about this, but also covered it extensively in our most recent seminar which was very informative. I have a publication in regards to this, and no I do not support the publicazation of the board emails, but I am going to sit back and just say "I told you so!"

Some of the content is minor, but there are specifics.. one member saying this homowner is just a BBBBB and that she always wants her ways and doesn't know anything.. it's slander of the homewoners for sure!! Legal action from those mentioned in the emails can and should sue for slander.. not the authors of the emails though. If I was those who par took in such, I would be VERY NERVOUS about now.

NoelleC (California)
Posts: 42

Posted:

NoelleC (California)
Posts: 42

Posted:

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