total lack of involvemant

We are an HOA of 108 townhomes in Pa with a 5 person volunteer BOD (at this time we are 1 short, our treasurer moved in Feb.). I am not a board member but my husband has been on the board for 14 of the 19 years that we have lived in this community (not necessarily by choice). The past 2 years at election time the board has received no new nominations to run for the board (other than the current board members)therefore no election was held and the current BOD continued on. I don't see this year being any different. I'm just curious, Do other HOA's have this problem (total, and I mean total lack of involvement by homeowners)?

MelissaG2,
I live in Georgia. I also have that same problem of involvement. Congratulations are in order to your husband for his continuous involvement with the board.

I know he probably feels that “well no one else is going to run for position so minds as well just do it” Right? I do believe if he really wanted, he could have resigned.

We have 275 homeowners and only three members on the BOD. Some of the members fill multiple positions. Someone currently on your board may have to fill that position. I’m not too sure who can do what, if it would be a conflict of interest or not. There are some very knowledgeable people on this discussion board. Many of them will be able to tell who can and who can’t operate multiple positions. They have educated me about HOA/POA.

Someone had just posted earlier this week about neighborhood involvement.
Use the search box on the right hand side. There have been many discussions about this subject. If you have the time, read other posts and responses.

Chuck W

Thank you for the responses. Our Declarations state that the Treasurer does not have to be a board member so I have been filling in. I also have been lifeguarding and doing all daily maintence, scheduling, etc. for the community pool we have for the past eight years.

I'm to the point where I'm just burned out. I would like for my husband to resign but we both worry what will happen if he did. Our neighborhood was once know as the slums in our town. I feel we have both help make a real difference in our community. We have outside people such as the police that come in to check on things tell us how great the neighborhood is looking. Our property values have gone from the low $70,000's just eight years ago up to the upper $150,000's currently.

I just don't know how much longer we can put up with the verbal abuse we both receive while just doing our best to serve our community. Its amazing how people can complain and be so negitive, but no one is willing to help.

It's great being able to come to this site for support!

MelissaG2,
I agree with you. It is amazing to me how homeowners feel that if “it doesn’t affect them directly than everything must be fine, just the way they are”
There are some homeowners that feel if they pay their assessments and they don’t receive violations that they are getting involved! WRONG! That’s just being a homeowner in an HOA community. That’s all.

Many of the same members will attend meetings; occasionally you will see a new face. That person is most likely complaining about the violation they have received or they are truly trying to get more involved in their community. They think the BOD is fining or “harassing” them specifically.

Melissa, maybe your husband doesn’t have to necessary resign. Couldn’t he serve on one of your committee’s? Still being involved! I know in my neighborhood, the only committees that were created are generally run by the members of the board. Neighborhood involvement is very hard to come by. You and your husband could still be involved and he could still keep at “close eye” on the actions of the BOD. Once they (BOD) get comfortable with the all the responsibilities of the current position, it will be less stressful for you and your husband. You can begin to enjoy all the hard work and dedication you have poured into your community, as you should. It’s time to get others (in your community) involved. You know you have both made huge improvements to home values alone! You have been told that the neighborhood has come a long ways from where it once was.

Everyone living in your community purchased into the HOA! Essentially, the home is an investment. So that means every homeowner should have an interest in one of their largest investments!

Maybe you and your husband can get out in the community and educate your neighbors. Encourage homeowners to volunteer to be on the board or even on a committee. He can then have a say as too who would be right for the position.

You should get some rather good advice from the people of the discussion board.

Best of luck

Chuck W.

Joe, thank you for your suggestions. Unfortunately, we have tried similar ideas with no luck. We have no committees. The 4 board members and their spouses do all the work that committees should be doing.

We have monthly association meetings and we are lucky if one homeowner shows up. We are self managed and have the lowest dues in the area, our dues are only $45.00 per month.

We just haven't been able to get people to understand if they don't step up to the plate and start volunteering we are going to have to start looking into hiring a management company. I'll make a bet though, that we'll have plenty of people come out to the meeting when they find out their dues may have to be doubled or even tripled to cover the cost of a management company.

MelissaG2,
I know this wouldn’t be the answer you were looking for by any means, but I bet it would get more members to the meetings. Let me ask you this question first. The amount due for monthly assessments, Is this amount enough to fund all of the HOA’s daily operations? Because $45.00 a month is CHEAP! OMG, THAT’S ONLY $540.00 FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR!

If not then raise the due’s that will bring members to your meetings. I can’t imagine that it would be all that productive of a meeting. Everyone complaining about the dues doing up, probably wouldn’t be a very productive meeting. You could then vote on it. If it was approved then your dues are going up and if it’s not approved then all those new faces can see exactly what goes on at these meetings. What do you have to loose? If your association needs the funds, it’s not such a silly notion. If not then you may not want to consider doing something so dishonest

Or something that others may agree with. Instead of spending the money month after month and getting like one or two HO to show up to your monthly meetings. Maybe you should consider what JulieS said about quarterly meetings. Start sending out newsletters, to every HO. Educate them on the expenses it cost each one of them (that pay their dues) every time you hold one of these meetings. Explain how things won’t get better with money alone. To prevent the dues from going up. It takes volunteers. That’s where the community steps in.
You can say “The only way I can see for us to avoid our dues from going up would be to get volunteers otherwise we (the BOD) will be required to hire the help needed! (LOL)

I’m sorry! That not right of me to say such a thing but it is very humorous! (LOL)

Perhaps you will get some good advice though!

I still think educating the other members of the association will receive plenty of involvement. You will have to be creative though.

Best of luck to you
Keep us updated as much as you can.

Chuck W.