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AUDIO TAPING OF A BOARD MEETING

Started by DanielL3 • 22 replies • 2319 views

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DanielL3 (Louisiana)
Posts: 65
Posted:
Recently, it came to light that all our HOA Board meetings are taped. The taping was without the knowledge of the membership in attendance. Should the Board announce
prior to the meeting that it was being taped/ What are your opinions?
MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
Daniel,

It all depends upon what state law says about taping meetings.
AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960
Posted:
I'm not sure about your state but in Florida it's in the State Statutes (twice) that audio and video taping of all meetings are allowed. We tape all of our meetings; I do it to transcript the minutes. No one is allowed to be "disruptive" with their taping; for instance setting up a video camera in someone's face. We do remind everyone at the beginning of the meetings that a recorder is running.
EllenS1 (Florida)
Posts: 1,148
Posted:
Daniel,

Regardless of any state laws I believe it is only common sense to have everything out in the open, including that the meeting is being taped.
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Daniel,
As was stated, in Florida , the Statutes allow for Board meetings to be taped. But, we announced at the start of every meeting, that it is being taped. Reason is that the Secretary or P.M, whoever is doing minutes, had an easier time in transcribing and in case of a controversy, the proof was in the recording. They get erased AFTER the minutes are approved and go on official record.
SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202
Posted:
Taped by Whom?

A member that sets up recording equipment? or professionally taped by the board for historical reference?

If it's a guy from the neighborhood, I'd say that the board should vote on whether or not that person should have permission to tape any meeting.
GeorgerwilliamsW (Indiana)
Posts: 975
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By SusanW1 on 01/20/2009 2:16 PM
Taped by Whom? A member that sets up recording equipment? or professionally taped by the board for historical reference?
If it's a guy from the neighborhood, I'd say that the board should vote on whether or not that person should have permission to tape any meeting.
Susan, laws in many states allow such meetings to be recorded by members. The board has no control over it.
AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960
Posted:
George, you are correct. In Florida anyone has the right to audio or video tape meetings. Of course many will question what the motive is behind it. Not only can Board Members tape it; but members in the audience can tape it, too.

Florida has open meeting laws and if someone wants to show all their neighbors what happened at a meeting, so be it. Too many people want to "flex their muscles" if there isn't much of an audience. I'm more than happy to show those not in attendance what happens at meetings. Some associations put it on their website or Youtube for everyone to see.
KirkW1 (Texas)
Posts: 1,665
Posted:
First, I would caution that a law which gives you the right to record the meeting does not definitively state that you can do so without notification. And the laws about recording a conversation vary greatly from state to state.

Having said that, aside from the question of legality comes a question of proper behavior. (I refuse to allow legality to dictate my sense of ethics.) I personally believe that if the BOD tapes their meetings, then they should tell everyone in attendance that the meeting is being recorded.

All the same, because of the law, I would advise anyone to assume that any public meeting is being recorded.
ChrisM10 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 2
Posted:
does anyone know what would happen if it was found out the taping of the meeting was being done without the knowledge of ANYONE including board members that it was being taped?
MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
Chris,

Perhaps nothing! As I said earlier, it all depends upon the laws of your state.
RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164
Posted:
I am not sure why anyone would object to having a meeting taped. I am not sure they could do anything about it. I do think common sense says to announce it if known. You go and charge a member for taping a meeting that he is allowed by law to attend and he comes back and says I can't hear what is being said because I have a hearing deficit and you got a problem. But folks a Public (association) meeting is an open meeting if others are allowed to participate or observe. That gives you the right to hear and most case be heard. Boards should tape meetings and do for their protection, they don't ask permission to do it, and shouldn't, Same with members.

Can someone give a good example of why a meeting should not be taped?
MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By RobertR1 on 01/24/2009 1:14 PM
Can someone give a good example of why a meeting should not be taped?

Embarrassing but true, sometimes I don't wear a bra. . .

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
Michele,

Robert said "taped" not "filmed"!!! LOL
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Okay, That was not a good image that just popped into my mind.
AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960
Posted:
Why, Donna? Do you know Michelle? KIDDING!!!
RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164
Posted:
No, no Michele, I said give me a good Reason not to tape a meeting, not a good reason to tape a meeting.

EllenS1 (Florida)
Posts: 1,148
Posted:
Susan,

I couldn't disagree more. Board meetings should be transparent and if not why would they disagree with tapings of their meeting? Do they have something to hide? Actually I believe Florida law does not give a board the power to control tapings of hoa meetings.
DwightT (Idaho)
Posts: 664
Posted:
Michelle - my wife says to just tuck them into your belt.
MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
Dwight!!! I almost choked on my AM tea. LOL

Now I'm wondering about your wife going braless. LOL LOL LOL
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Anna,
No I don't know MIchelle but wish that I did. We seem to share the same values and desires for our HOAs.
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:


Ellen,
In complete agreement here. All meetings that are open to the public or memberships are allowed to be taped. Some requirements include that those in attendance be informed that the meeting is being taped, giving those people the opportunity to leave if they chose to do so. What reason is there for not taping when the minutes will reveal what was said and done at the meeting anyhow. aping is the 21st centurys way of documentation.
JohnF10 (Missouri)
Posts: 7
Posted:
Daniel,
I would be concerned about the board's minutes (maybe we should call them "seconds") being too brief. we used to record our minutes by audio which helped w/transcription; but now we have a new Gen Mgr. and we have very brief minutes; instead of pages of minutes. I am currently researching the concept of not only video taping ALL our BOD meetings, but webcasting them as well, accessible via pre-authorized password. If we are to have transparency, then KNOWING you are being preserved for all of God's eternity via the video/audio or internet might be a good thing.

Out of common courtesy, I would announce that the meeting is being taped.

John

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