💬 Join us to post & get advice from 50,000 HOA & Condo leaders.

Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in

NancyM2 (California)
Posts: 249
Posted:
Dear Group...Michele,JonD1,Susan.

Our election was held last night, fortunately we had a quorum right out of the gate, with all the interest. We had enough non-revokable (secret) ballots returned.... My letters to owners paid off.

Election results were..... Out of the three new candidates we presented, two were elected to board seat's.

Unfortunately the current board president was re-elected..Due to a extensive proxy campaign organized by our ombudsman/homeowner whos job depends on board support.

Since this was cumulative voting, all proxy's returned had a box for "vote at proxy's holders discretion" If that was left blank the proxy holder could vote any way he wanted.. or all three votes to one candidate... Which is exactly what happened. Since the proxy's were distributed with the proxy holders name left blank, and returned to the ombudsman/homeowner....I'm not sure if owners knew who was voting for them.

This resulted in the board president being re-elected....Job security for our ombudsman, they are friend's. (our president is also friends with our salaried attorney) he protects both of their jobs.

The election company told us they don't see too many associations using proxy's anymore, as it has caused a lot of challanges, and problems... unless they are used for quorum purposes only.

Another thing, proxy's are not "secret" anyone can see who is voting, and could if they wanted to "trash can" any proxy's they don't agree with. (No records)

Don't get me wrong, we are gratefull for the two candidates that we got elected. It's a start... but will be a long hard road getting any "cost cutting" program's across this board, as we only will have two votes in our corner.

NancyM2

P.S. Our attorney (who is always present at meetings) say's she sees "no conflict" with having a paid vendor collect proxy's, as he is a homeowner as well??
KirkW1 (Texas)
Posts: 1,665
Posted:
I know I am not on the list, but congrats on the election and good look on the future. I would have thought as much about the employee/owner. Unless there is something in the documents requiring forgoing some privileges, the owner would retain all membership rights. (Which means he could technically run for the BOD.)
NancyM2 (California)
Posts: 249
Posted:
Thanks Kirk.... Not sure what you meant when you said "I would have thought as much about the employee/owner"..?
Perhaps I'm dence...please explain
Nanc
JonD1
Posts: 2,350
Posted:
Nancy:

Two out of three ain't bad. Congrats!

Just a few questions:
How many units on your property?
How many votes were cast?
How many votes did the current President get?
How many votes did your candidates get?
How amny people were up for election?
Those that lost how many votes did they get?

IMO Nancy NOW is the time to begin preparations for the elections next year.

Time to work the phones and set up a word of mouth campaign regarding the paid employee of the property working to influence the outcome of the election. Along with the attorney who seems to be working for the President and the status quo.

Now is the time to seek votes and ask for assistance in bringing real change to the property and Board.

Why are you paying the attorney to attend every meeting? IMO a waste of $$$.

Now that you have someone on the "inside" it will provide you with more information and insight as to the operations and activities of your Board.

See what a little effort can accomplish? Imagine what a serious plan might do?

Good luck and keep the pressure on. Nothing else will change anything. Its up to you and your group.

Good luck.

🎯 You've read this entire discussion

Join the conversation with 50,000 HOA & Condo Leaders:

  • ✓ Ask follow-up questions
  • ✓ Share your experience
  • ✓ Get expert advice
  • ✓ Access 350,000 discussions
Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in here