Possible Conflict of Interest

I am about to run for a position on our condo association's Board of Directors. I also own and operate a website for the community. I don't charge the community for this service, but I do run advertising on the site and hope to someday make a profit on it.

Being on the board could expose me to information that I would use on the website. Of course, I would never post confidential or private information, but it might put me in the position of getting information earlier than I would if I waited for a meeting or a newsletter.

The question is, "Is this a conflict of interest that should keep me from serving on the board?" Also could I alleviate this possible conflict if I was careful only to put information on the website after it was published like I do currently?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Your web site should clearly state that the site is a privately funded web site and does not reflect the official position of the board of directors.

Your web site should post only information that is public knowledge on the public portion of the web site. That is, bylaws, cc&r's, rules, etc.

Anything that is only for the members only should be in a members only section that is not available to the public. Such as financial information, meeting minutes, newsletters, etc. HOA Talk has that type of separation in their web sites.

Being a director and having a privately funded community information web site, in my layman's opinion does not constitute a conflict of interest.

All actions of the board of directors is information that is available to the members so you can publish any of that on your web site.

However, what is said in the closed "executive session" is confidential and shall not be discussed or disclosed to anyone.

Charles,

Here is a link to an attorney site that has published a guide for what should and should not be placed on a web site. He does say that it's ok to put newsletters on the site. Hope the information on this site helps. http://www.imakenews.com/ortenhindman/e_article000572279.cfm?x=b11,0,w

Also, here is the link to our site.
www.lakesideatvalvista.com I am privately funding it until our board decides to approve adopting the site. And I have the disclaimers stating that it is a privately funded site.

Regarding the minutes: Consider that the board may have had a discussion regarding a special assessment and the minutes state: "Discussion was held regarding a special assessment". It was only a discussion and no action was taken at that time. However, if that information was in the public view, then it may turn away a potential buyer of a home. The homeowner who lost a sale because of that may take action against the HOA for causing a loss of a sale. Just food for thought.

So my opinion is that minutes and newsletters are for members only. If the newsletter editor places that special asssessment information in the newsletter, or publishes some minutes and financial information in the newsletter, then that creates a problem if it is in the public view.

What if there were a car theft in the area, or a home robbery? That information should be in a newsletter to alert member homeowners. But again if a homebuyer sees that information it could make them think this is an unsafe neighborhood because it will stand out. However, taken in context with the city crime statistics, this could be minor. Police reports are the source of that type of information for a homebuyer to research. I don't think they should find it in a newsletter.

Here is just a little note for you and others. I've found it with our board as well, the board is for all the members, there are no secrets, you are looking out for everyones best interest, if not there is your conflict. Posting the board actions on a member only website would be great, the sooner the better, and leave the board members emails so they can get feedback. The board is to communicate with the members not hide actions taken, we all have to remember this in each action taken or we are all at fault.