Education

Started by JoyceS1 • 8 replies • 1113 views

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JoyceS1 (Indiana)
Posts: 140

Posted:

In SheilaH's last post on the Indiana legislation she said: Ultimately, I hope this will result in more homeowner education.

Education! Yes, Sheila.... definitely that is needed!

Several years ago, I attended a board meeting. I was astonished to hear all members of the board admit they had not read the governing documents.

I read everything I could get my hands on to educate myself before buying into the HOA; especially the governing documents. I continued to do so while living in one. There are those who do not exercise that initiative and yet serve on boards of directors resulting in the rogue boards or deteriorating properties.

Somehow, there needs to be a system for educating board members. But, alas, that may scare homeowners into never serving!

Our boards have the investment in our homes in their hands. Would we entrust our bank accounts to these same people?

How do other states “educate” their board representatives or is it simply luck of the draw and a self-educated system everywhere?

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Joyce,

I agree, education is a key component to smoothly running an HOA. But, education should not be just for board members; ALL members of the HOA need that education.

I live in Glendale, AZ (Phx area) and a number of cities in the area have started offering classes. A number of years ago Glendale instituted the HOA Training Academy which is a very comprehensive educational program. I attended the inaugural session and found it to be extremely worthwhile. It is primarily for board members, but any HOA member can attend. When I attended, there was no fee but I believe there may now be a $25 fee. Not bad for a 6-7 wk class! There is also a private org that offers classes; each with a fee.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

Joyce,

I completely agree with you that board members should be educated.

Here in my locality in Kentucky, our metro government has a very-well funded "Neighborhoods" department that is very active (in some cases pro-active) and holds a variety of neighborhood leadership training (cost: $5 per person per event) throughout the year.

It holds seminars and workshops in everything from "How to read and understand Covenants," "By-Laws Tune up," "conflict resolution," and on and on.

But, it's all voluntary, and, while quite a few neighborhood leaders and HOAs and COAs use the system, I'm quite sure just as many, if not more, do not.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

My HOA's attorney sponsors an annual training for board members (open to the clients on retainer) and I've sent a copy of his email to our board members, but part of our problem is they don't go. We've always been in the Central Indiana chapter of CAI (I represent our HOA) and I try to forward copies of articles from the e-newsletters and CAI's magazine to the other board members so it'll give them some things to think about.

We have good people serving (since I'm on the board, I know that sounds biased), but I'm always concerned about what will happen a few years from now when we're replaced (I for one, do not intend to serve forever!) Right now, it appears nearly half of the homeowners aren't qualified to serve because of delinquencies and the others live out of state (mostly investor owners). Either way, NO ONE seems to care. I fear we may wind up in receivership because no one will be interested or qualified to serve and said so when we sent out our annual letter with this year's budget.

But, as Michelle has said in other posts, it's as if the homeowners take the attitude of "contact me when something's really important."

And with all due respect to George (if you're reading this, I really appreciate your keeping us informed of HB 1071 and your posts on apathy were quite thought provoking) but sometimes he gives me the impression that the homeowners don't need to be held accountable for ANYTHING and the board members are just plain bad, bad, bad.

So how do we address education? Since this law, if signed by Gov. Daniels, is going to affect HOAs established after 7/1/09, the developer should get homeowners involved in creating CCRs and bylaws from the beginning, not just when the subdivision is 2/3rds of the way done. As soon as interested homeowners step up to the plate, the developer should sponsor education workshops where the initial board of directors can learn about their responsibilities and best practices from other communities.

HOAs everywhere should come up with some sort of initial and continuing education requirements for board members. Board members should be R#EQUIRED to attend some sort of annual training (Central Indiana's CAI annual meeting may be a place to start). Also, make one board member responsible for keeping his/her fellow board members informed of pertinent issues. Since there's no time to discuss these things during the meeting, consider holding an executive session at the beginning of the year where the only thing that will be discussed is "how to run an Association more effectively"

As for the homeowners? From time to time, an article in the newsletter talking about certain board functions may be helpful (e.g. what is the Association secretary responsible for?) This could get people interested in serving on the board.

I don't know if this would torpedo potential sales, but maybe HOAs need some sort of fact sheet on HOA life to give to potential buyers. It could be sent at the same time a potential buyer requests the Bylaws and CCRs - between reading all of this and reviewing the financials, those who do buy will have a better idea of what they're getting into and be willing to accept it (or at least be encouraged to get involved from the start. On the other hand, if a buyer ponders the matter and decides he/she doesn't want to live in a HOA, it'll keep the "damn the HOA - I'm doing whatever I want" bunch out.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

In my opinion ( if I still have the right to express one?) this is a very complicated subject.

Which is worse not reading the by-laws or reading them and drawing the wrong conclusions? I have had people quote me the by-laws and then determine they support a position they hold when they don't even pertain to that subject. Sort of goes back to who has the ability to comprehend the documents.

Most were written in such a way as to require at least 3 1/2 law degrees to even get through. Out attorney even sometimes can't give us a definite meaning as to their content.

On another posting we have been asked whether Board members should be compensated.
Most quote the common element in the by-laws as the answer being NO.

But you want people to volunteer their time to protect your investment for free. And now when the ability, understanding and education of these volunteers falls short you want them to be compelled to obtain more education and training in additiion to their other volunteer duties. All for free. While of course the vast majority of homeowners do nothing and make no effort. Seems fair to you? Not to me.

Funny how some people who do nothing now feel free to suggest others should do MORE than they are already doing. And don't expect anything for your effort!

Perhaps this might just be a flaw in the system.

Are there any fast and easy answers. I think not.

Asking volunteers to manage and operate an entire community when some are unable to manage their own affairs seems to be problematic to me. And of course those folks don't even see their own limitations. So why would THEY need more education or information.

Should government mandate regulations to force such changes. My guess when government becomes involved you run the serious risk of things getting worse and more complicated.

There is the perfect world where everyone works for the common good, where owners and Board members seek the same goals, where everyone makes their best effort to serve their communities and then there is the real world where none of that is true.

Will the real world ever become the perfect world??? I doubt it.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Jon,

There is no perfect world and life isn't always fair and that's not just in HOA land!

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Mary,
Florida was working on legislation that would require a Board member to get a few hours of Statute and document training, seems like it was 10 hours. Maybe someone down there can refresh my memory. What a good idea. Sort of like the AARP defensive Driver training which gives senior just a refresher in the laws and then you get a certificate saying that you are now smarter than when you came thru the doors. Something like that.

AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960

Posted:

Donna, I don't think that proposal went anywhere. It would have been a great idea though. I'd gladly take any courses offered to educate myself. But just yesterday I FINALLY found the "Condominium Association Candidate Certification Form" that all board member candidates are supposed to sign. It's so lame. Anyone can sign a piece of paper.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Donna,

While I do agree education is a key component to effectively managing an assn; I'm not sure it should be mandated by state law. I'm sure many people would be turned off from seeking a position on the board if they knew they were required to take educational courses. However, if it was like the AARP defensive driver training course (which is not mandatory) then I would agree to it. In other words the availability is there for all who want to partake of it.

Incidentally, we got a nice discount on our auto ins for taking the AARP course!

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