Thank you -- Initial Election tonight

I want to thank everyone who took time to write to me over the last two weeks. I think I've learned a lot and am going to try to make it on the board tonight (153 homes, 8 nominees for 3 spots). I'm not optimistic given my very limited experience but I would not know near as much I know today if not for this board.

So thanks again!

Ken

Best of luck!

And my sympathies if you win!

**snicker**

Thank you for the kind words (and warnings ;) ).

It was an interesting night, we had a good turnout, I would say 50-60 home owners were there out of 150. We ended up voting in five (the MC choose 3 because that is usually all they can get, but the declaration allowed up to 5).

After the vote, the MC opened the floor for questions, and that got really interesting, as we had an attorney there, our mayor, and the owner of the MC and lots of venting was taking place.

There were some specific topics that really present a challenge, and I look forward to addressing those from on the board . I ended up being the top vote getter which was suprising, but I'm very appreciative. That means I have a three year term.

So with that said, does anyone have any good reference/books they would recommend that can help further my understanding of HOA's? I plan on stopping at the library later today.

Ken

ps I look forward to being a part of this (HOATALK) community for some time and thanks again!

First, uber-gratz. And the requisite, "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!"

You are to be commended for stepping up to this challenging plate.

Next, just curious, but why is your MC running the meetings ?

Robert,

That looks like a great place to start for me. I will try to get it at the library today. Thank you for the suggestion.

Michele,

The owner of the MC said that they have not heard from our builder at all this year. The last correspondance was an email from the builder saying to "turn it over." The builder/developer is going under, they want nothing to do it with anymore. So five members of the MC were on-site running the election. They choose a few election judges and what-not. They also were trying very hard to make sure we keep their contract, lowering their fee by $250/month on the spot.

Ken

Kenneth,
Another resource that you should have a copy of and to READ!! is your Illinois State Statutes or Laws for HOAs.

Kenneth,
First......congratulations.

Second, heed the advise you get here. Listen to the doubt in these words that were posted about who runs the show.

Second, do a Google search about HOA's if that is what you are and the duties of the BOD. There is a huge resource on the INTERNET. Look at the left side of this screen highlighted in yellow and check out the resources of CAN. Search the upper right hand corner for the Search block, look at past posting for BOD duties or something like that, and every night read yourself to sleep with your association documents and then branch out to the state statutes and also on-line a search of your association at the county courthouse. Plug in your association name on any block that offer Search. Plug in your principles (developers/builders) names and see what they got listed in the court records also. Know more than the next guy.

It's really board meeting. Usually most HOAs give the folks an opportunity during a 30 minute period (either at the begining or end of the meeting) where the members can voice their concerns, but the agenda is ususally preset and it's YOUR board meeting. The directors discuss the issues at hand, either table the issue for more study, or vote on an issue, or setup an action item for someone to handle with a T-Date for completion. The members don't usually participate in the board meeting.

Kenneth,
Mike is pretty much on the money for my book and I hope all went well. In another way I hope you had some questions about the whole meeting. I think most would agree Open Meetings are the way to go, but don't look for a cut and dried procedure, and rightly so. Each Hoa is different and has to develop what works best for them, but under no circumstances can the Board lose control.
As a retired Navy guy, I learned long ago you don't go from one ship to the other and try to change things and make them the same as they were on your other ship. If everyone did this.........confusion at best! And this lesson is learned at your first transfer to another ship, best join the crowd and start to plan how you can make a better run ship, at least your little part in it.
Take your time and for some reason this HOA business has never come close to effeciency as a whole, it still seems to take forever to get any single thing done. A lot has to do with the past of the Hoa and how contaminated it has become with poor management all the way down the line. Starting with the handicap of being dumped, as an association, into the mess the developer leaves. This puts the association immediately of trying to play catch up and given there is a real possibility the New Board is inadequate and uninformed about what to do, you stand a good chance of falling behind further.
No one really to blame and of course just my observation

Thanks Mary. Each idea/concern that pops leads into addition research and more questions. I will defeniatly check with the state laws. Thanks again for the reply.