Out of Control Board Members

First thing to do is inform the other homeowners.

- Write a letter to every homeowner. Stamps are cheap! (anonymous if you like with a note of a free email address such as gmail to get in touch with you)

- Online forum. Start an online forum and mention it in the letter. This will allow all the homeowners to discuss what is going on.

Seems Steve hit the nail on the head. Where are the unit owners in all this???

Was an election held???? Were these folks voted in?????

People get away with what you let them.

As to changing the By-Laws to allow for their not paying CCs well I would think that would require a vote of the unit owners. Is that in your documents?

Do you have monthly open meetings? Any open meetings??? Is a budget provided or audit required annually?????

If not where do you get your information from? How do you know about what checks have been written?

The unit owners either get involved or more than likely you will have a few less dollars coming in each month if what you have represented is accurate.

When they send out newsletters, they have a small section that contains the financials. So far, a majority of HOA checks have been written to 5 different Board Members, some are for office supplies, others have no explanation, then you have the lawn care and so on. I know how it works because I was a Board Member for 4 years, President for 3. I had a CPA go over our financials every year and do our taxes, so a third party was also looking at the books, this Board is not doing that. One of their neighbors whose wife sits on the Board is going to do it.
I'm not sure of everything that is being done because I'm not in the circle, there is also not a budget, when they run short of money they will raise the dues without a majority vote. I don't believe that just because we have money it should be spent. They disagree with me, they are also putting their hands in the cookie jar and they like their little enterprise.

Patty,
I'm sorry but there is a lot of what you say is suspect. You mentioned the seating of this Board. Tell us how that came about. If these folks are all putting their hands in the cookie jar it has got to be a first. I am unsure about how many people you are calling crooks but it seems a lot. That would mean they all would have to agree to be crooks and their is no honor among thieves.
Another thing that strikes me is you don't seem to be doing anything that would establish that you object to what is going on. You can request to be put on the Board agenda to discuss any number of things. The point here being you need to get on the record your concerns and present something to the board that they would be obligated to answer. If they don't answer you request it be made part of the official record and tape your request if necessary. How is your credibility with the other owners, surely after serving four years you can scratch up five or ten and go to a board meeting and get your concerns on record.
Michele also has a point about your HOA attorney.....if....he is being consulted in all these illegal procedures you say that have happened but then again he may not know what is going on and unless paid he could care less. You should listen to what is posted here, and you should start building some foundation for your side of the story, because if you are right there is only one place this will end up and that is court, cover your back and get some strong support and if you are right you can chase the devils away, shine some light on the matter.

Patty,
You need to read what you write if this is a reply to my questions. I asked how the Board was seated? I could guess my election of the members but you did not say so. There is also this election ever year, are you saying you change your board every year completely, don't think I ever heard of that. You say they have been waiting to do this for a long time. What's that mean?

Look I am playing some of the Devils Advocate here. From this posting you raise more questions than you answer. You just went off the Board, I offer no criticism for that, you have to do what you have to do. As I said when yopu are heard before the board, make sure it gets recorded. Prepare a statement and ask thaqt it be included in the minutes, be factual, direct, don't get personal and cite any violations with correct reference to your documents.
In your last post you state you had no idea they were going to do this although they complained a lot. Then you say they have been waiting a long time to do this............how does the reader take that.

You sound sincere and instinct tells me you have a valid concern, but you also appear to be rushed to do something and don't have the time to get your ducks in order. If you can, devote some quiet time to formulating a plan and get some support, build your position and take small bites of the apple. If these people are suspect, steady slow smart pressure will crack the shell and you can then take some constructive action.