Attracting candidates

Michele, we see this problem all the time. At some point it may become necessary to modify the By-laws and if necessary the Articles of Incorporation to allow a stipend to Board members where applicable by state statute.

Oh Brian - that isn't what I wanted to hear! I think it's such a sad situation when you can't find homeowners who are interested in the integrity of their community. I haven't had a problem finding any who want to complain about things! Or, I should say, they haven't had a problem finding me!

That's basically what we threatened our homeowners with. We have a 3-member board for a 313 member HOA. For the last election, none of the then-current Board was planning on running for reelection. We let the homeowners know that if nobody stepped up, we would turn the HOA over to the courts and they would all end up paying more to have a receiver run the HOA. We ultimately wound up with 3 new candidates, so the election was almost a moot point.

Unfortunately, one of those new Board members had some medical issues, so she wound up resigning after only a couple of months. The remaining two members came and convinced me to come back to finish her term. So even if you manage to get off, they may pull you back in again.

We have approached the subject of management companies before, but in order for us to hire one we would have to increase our annual dues by approx. $50.00 per year, per home. We had thought a management company might help us recruit some additional homeowners for the BOD, but I think we're just grasping at straws.

I'm going to check out the idea for a minimal fee for board members, it seems I may have read somewhere that we could pay $75.00, but don't remember the frequency of this. It seems such a shame that people don't want to be involved with the betterment of their surroundings.

Although I would very much like to see new members elected so I could move on to other things, I would always be willing to help out as needed. I appreciate the input from each of you. I know you face the same struggles.

This is a problem for sure. It has always bothered me that some associations can find candidates and some can't. I do know that a well run "Open" website will draw people out. We are one year from changi9ng out an "entrenched" Board, but it tokk the active interest of a couple that live here full time now. By far there is more interest in the association if the folks are full time residents. We can sned an e-mail blast and the counts on our Web site goes way up. So maybe there is interest there, but we having been mining the ore correctly. One thing we intend to do is change completely the way the Board has been run for years and years. And believe me, change is needed. You don't need too many people that show interest, just hard dedicated workers. I believe if the pot is not simmering and raising some steam, something is wrong. Difference make lively topics and Websites that are done well and show lots of pictures are productive, not destructive.

I also suspect Board actions that deal with specific owners for rules infractions stirs the pot and gets people vocal. Those of us that welcome conversation about the association need to lead the way. Be visable and be persistant about and around the complex. Rent a dog and have it trained to poop on someone's lawn, that's a good conversation starter, along with parking in your neighbors numbered spot, always an ice breaker.

EdieL,
Certainly it has been my experience to note that Boards that do not seem capable of making a decidion are a drag on the community. We have a five member board that seems incapable of doing anything but repeating the mistakes they have made over the years. Last Board Meeting (all are closed) lasted over four hours. The same with annual meetings. Over the years they must have generated over a ton of correspondence, letters to owners, etc. They then go back to their shell and close the doors.It is absolutely incredible that people who have the where-with-all to make a investment of considerable money and turn around and give this investment to some strange people who just happen to be on the board, some thru default. I also know that once this board posture develops it just runs on and on like the Eveready Battery. Cut it anyway you want, the root fault lies with those that don't contribute. If you accept your inability to change this, the next best thing is to gather enough people tgether to insure you can keep each other honest, and set about changing this stagnated form of governorship. If you can create the impression that you and your crew can change the old M.O., you begin to pick up more folks and are never faced with having to beg someone to be on the board. I believe a Website is a good place to start and build interest, but it has to have purpose and evidence that the creation of the site is going to provide a platform for individuals to say what they want. The very worse thing a Board can do is walk around with a defensive chip on their shoulders.