DEALING WITH HOA POLITICS/FAVORITISM

I've just been selected to a committee of 5 in a FL HOA to get competing MC bids for 2009 due to an outcry from a growing number of discontent community members. Our committee has held 3 meetings so far and as I get deeper into this and get to know "both sides" within the community, I'm beginning to see the politics within our committee.

For example: The chairman of OUR committee was appointed by a member of the BOD who also happens to be our committee's BOD liason. The president of the BODs step-father AND mother both WORK for the current MC (see where this is going?) and I just found out that one of our other committee members (I'll call him "Joe") is good friends with the BOD president and regularly plays cards with his stepfather! I find it impossible for him to remain impartial and unbiased under the circumstances.

So, I'm taking it upon myself to call and have private discussions with the other 2 committee members to see if they are "insiders" or not. I'm trying to determine if the establishment of our committee is just being done to placate the "outsiders" within the community with no real intention of seriously considering a MC change.

So, I am considering doing the following at our next meeting and welcome YOUR opinion/suggestions(s):

1. Suggest removal of Joe from the committee because of his close personal relationship with the BOD president and his stepfather/mother who works for the MC.
2. Ask each committee member (and the BOD liason) to explain, individually, WHY they believe the committee was set up in the first place.
3. Demand that NO communication of any kind take place between committee members and the BOD or MC without approval of the committee.
4. Ask that BOD liason only attend committee meetings per our request.
5. Ask that ALL ONGOING detailed findings, opinions, and recommendations of the committee re: prospective MCs NOT be disclosed to ANYONE outside the committee (including the BOD) until ALL results are compiled and sealed bids submitted.

Tom:

You can ask all you want...however, since the BOD appoints and supervises committees they will take what they deem as a problem child and toss them out and move on without you. As a committee you have no power, just have the ability to recommend and do what the board asks you to do.

Instead of trying to find out who is a secret agent or a spy, why not put your energy and focus into something a little more creative. Maybe suggest the committee draft an RFP to solicit proposals for a new MC. The committee could get samples from other communities and draft it to what they and the board feels are necessary. Poll residents to see what their most pressing concerns are...

As was mentioned secret meetings are a no no, and you will be seen as a trouble maker. I am not trying to squash your committment, I just think there are better ways to accomplish what you want. One other thing that should happen, when the discussion for an MC change takes place the president should excuse himself since he obviously has a conflict of interest. That is the current boards job to do.

Tom,
I more or less agree with all the other responses and you are more or less right also in my opinion.

One thing that has had an effect for me is my condo life is to try to tell every owner I meet that this is one quiding primcipal in community living. If accepted and practiced it can start all on the same page.

Convince all that any action taken within the community must first past the requirement that every act must serve the community equally. If all do not benefit, it should not be considered in committees. You will find that there are times issues may be resolved that give the appearance of some sort of selective benefits. I believe these matters should be brought before the membership for justification. Any other expenditures or actions must first pass the "Community Benefit Demand"

Tom:

I agree that the president should excuse himself when the bids are reviewed because of his obvious ties to the current MC, however, just because a committee member is friends with the president doesn't necessarily mean they can't be objective. In and of that they are only one person on a committe of 5.