Rent Real EstateTotal HOA Recall
The natives are restless. The sound of drums can be heard echoing ominously in the night. The smell of tar wafts through the air and somewhere another chicken loses its feathers. The chant of "Recall, Recall, Recall" is heard. The Board prepares for impending doom. Is there no redemption?
When the notion of recalling the Board finally gels into concerted action, it"s like trying to turn the Exxon Valdez. One way or another, there"s going to be a mess to clean up. By how do things get to this point? Why are the members so angry?
Board Recalls don"t happen out of the blue. Like Mount St. Helens, they give off warning signs months before. There"s rumbling and venting going on. Disgruntled phone calls, rants at the Board Meetings, terse letters tacked on the door. The issues include such classics as:
That $&%#@! special assessment!
Those blankety-blank rules!
My tree didn"t get pruned!
Why did your units get painted first?
Time for Stalin and his KGB to go!
Recalls can happen for seemingly big reasons and sometimes for inconsequential reasons. But the underlying reason is usually that the members feel they are not being heard. Kind of sounds like a marriage doesn"t it? Indeed. The Board"s mandate to get things done aside, their duty is to hear folks out that have a right to be heard. Sometimes these folks say things the Board doesn"t like to hear. They can be critical and they can be obnoxious and sometimes, they are 100% wrong. But allowing the members "input" is one of the smartest things a Board can do.
Look at it this way. If the Board doesn"t provide the mechanism, the members will find the means and as time passes, the meaner they get. If the Board provides the mechanism, it can control the mechanism. Here are some strategies:
1. Open Forum. If you don"t have one, add one to your pre-Board Meeting Agenda. Allow up to five minutes per member with no more than 15-30 minutes total for all speakers so the Board can get on with the Agenda. Let them rant, rave and ask questions. This is not a time to transact HOA business but to clarify positions and provide information. If a particular member wants to address the Board for business, put them on the Agenda for the next meeting.
2. Get It In Writing. Talk is cheap. If a member has a passionate issue or complaint, politely request they put their thoughts in writing so the Board can have the facts straight and seriously consider all the ramifications. Writing takes effort and most won"t do it. But it"s a great way to determine how deeply felt the issue is. Once put in writing, the Board should respond in writing. This mechanism provides a clear record of Board actions to member issues. In the response, it"s okay to direct the solution to someone else if it"s not the HOA"s responsibility. If it"s not yours, don"t accept it. Hand it back or hand it off. For more on this, read on.
3. Appoint A Committee. The Board is often presented with a task by a member who has a "good idea." Problem is, the good idea is undeveloped, requires research and funding. If the idea has merit, commend the one bringing it and ask them to head a committee to investigate further. Most will run for the hills but some won"t. For 9 of 10, the idea of doing research will take about three days to fade in appeal. The Board can probably handle the one that remains.
4. Become A Diplomat. One of the greatest joys and greatest frustrations of the world is the differences between people. Successful marriages usually have two opposites ... people that can supplement the weaknesses of the other. All of your HOA members have qualities and strengths that you don"t have. Using diplomacy will encourage them to use their talents for the common good. Instead of allowing them to sideline quarterback, ask them to join the game because they have value to contribute (even though in your heart of hearts you can"t see it). A few kind words can revolutionize their perception. Remind them that, "we"re all in the same boat." It"s true and often wins over adversaries.
Recalling the Board is the final straw of a frustrated electorate. But once the Board is given the boot, a new board has to fill the void. Where were these people at the last election when the call for candidates went out? Now, by recalling the Board, a new Board provides the grist for a new recall mill. That is, unless the Total Recall Avoidance Strategy is invoked early on. If it is, total recall will be forgotten.