Can Board Members wear two hats

I have been troubled lately. I am the President of our HOA Board. We are having our Annual Meeting and Election of Board members, in January, 2009. I have always thought that I wear one hat as a board member and another hat as a "Member" of the HOA. I have now been told that (by many of the dissenters) in our community that I can only wear "ONE" hat and that is the hat of a board member. I am being told no matter what I say, who I speak to, what the topic is
(including the gossip tree) that I always speak as a Board Member and have no opinion as a resident or member of the HOA. Please Help. Thanks, George

George,

That is really splitting hairs. Any opinion that you have passes down to your position on items that govern your association as well as yourself. I guess that you could personally not agree or want something that the membership as a whole wants so then , yes, you can have 2 hats. But your first and most important hat belongs to your association. That is what you were elected for and that is what your first duty is. I congratulate any Board member who can forget their personl feelings and does what is right for the community.

That's a toughie, George. I know where you're coming from, because I've been there, too. Lots of times, MY rights, as a MEMBER are being violated because of a rule infraction---noise, someone parking in my space; etc. When I complain, I do so through the proper channels as a member of the association; not as a Board member. I live here, too.

I also expect the same privacy and right to not be harrassed when I'm in my own home as other members do. Board members do not have a sign on their front doors that says: "Ring Bell for Service". So when I'm in my home I don't appreciate having someone banging on my door screaming in my face because the lawn guys forgot to weed-whack around a tree; or to tell me that there is a piece of paper on the ground by the dumpster.

There will be times when someone needs help for an urgent matter. For that we don't mind putting on the "board" hat. People have to respect the fact that we are "members", too, and they never know what is going on behind closed doors.