New board member selected as President

Dorothy,
I think that he will learn thru the school of hard knocks. Maybe the other Board members were not willing to take on the job. Did they elect him or was he elected by the membership to be President? Eitherway, he has a lot to learn and hopefully your management company will guide him thru the process of running your HOA with the right intentions and smarts. Who has the bad feeling?

Hi, we are a medium sized condominium complex in a resort type area. Across the street from a surfing beach. We have only 20% of the membership who live here full time, 30% who use it as a second home,come unly on occasional week-ends and 50% are investor owned.

I have been a member of the bord, off and on for the past 16 years, have kept up on the latest laws governing condos, have served in every position on the board except Treasurer.

It is always hard to get people to run for the board. We had two vacancies this past year and only managed to get two people to seek nomination. Board positions are selected and voted on by the board, not the whole membership.

The 3 current board members (myself, Secy., the Treasurer, and the 1st V. President who is a Fireman and has varied schedules to report to duty did not seek nor want to change. None of the three of us, the current board members, wanted nor sought the position of President. Hence, for the first time in my many years of serving on the board, some of them as President, this is the first time this has happened.

The two brand new boaard members were voted into the President and 1st V. President offices. It certainly highlights the foibles of doing such a thing.

The new president, a very nice man is anxious to serve. We are small enough to not use a management company and hire an office person, and 3 grounds keepers including any maintenance they are capable of performing.

Each of our 4 employees have job descriptions and know what they are supposed to do.

They are the unhappy ones. They feel like he thinks they are doing a bad job which they are not.

I do not want to discourage the enthusiasm of this new member but I want to let him know that he is stepping on toes without offending him. I hate to have a new board member become discouraged.

dorothy

Our docs leave most powers with the entire BOD. The only unique power our Prez has is establishing and appointing committees. Check your docs for a list of duties for each oficer.

Thanks, I like that approach. I will also check out google. dorothy

Dorothy, there is nothing wrong with "new" blood at the top. Just as long as that person knows the definition of "governance" in a not-for-profit board.

The thing I see on our board is too much intensity from the 40 - 50 year olds who are trying to run the HOA like their own business. They don't understand board dynamics. Strong personalities often butt heads.

But for your president to be talking to the MC is not unusual, in fact one voice to/from the MC is best (otherwise there are 8 bosses)

It's just that he must remember that some things will have to be run thru the board for approval. Depends on what he is asking the MC to change. There is a difference between policies and procedures. Just be sure he gives a full report on his doings with the MC during his report to the Board.