So you have a board that is constantly at each other, and you think well this must not be a good sign, they must not know what is going on, or they can’t get along so the community must be in trouble.
Beware….not always the case.
Just because a board doesn’t agree, or gets into a heated argument doesn’t necessarily mean there’s trouble. I would be more concerned with a board that always gets along to be honest. A certain amount of “spirited debate” must be present or collusion could be afoot.
Let’s take a look at three scenarios of board arguments…the good, the bad, and the ugly.
1.) A board has your month maintenance at a reasonable rate that at least 68% of the community thinks is reasonable. The property is kept up, the insurance is premium coverage with a reputable company, and your debit load from people not paying dues is less than 12k. Basically a sound business minded BOD. Now this board is constantly arguing over cost of current maintenance, future projects, reserves, etc., and it gets heated, maybe even some yelling occurs. Bottom line with a community in this situation…let them argue and stay deadlocked. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! The more motions the Board passes in the end by and large the more it costs the community.
2.) This board has maintenance that is considered too high by an overwhelming majority of homeowners. The reserves are depleted; spending and debit are both going up at the same time. First off this board should be arguing with somebody, because there are multiple problems that need immediate attention. The problem in this scenario is usually the board is arguing with each other over small items that don’t matter much, and just flat out ignoring the big issues. This is not considered productive arguing and the board should be pressured by the community to handle the big business.
3.) Finally the ugly… This board has all of the above problems of number 2, but instead of arguing about any issue at all you have what I call “Survivor Series” which is when alliances are formed on the board (like the show Survivor) and Jane votes against Jimmy because she doesn’t like taste in music, or because she is friends with Pat who doesn’t like Jim. Now Jim wanted to make a legitimate motion to help the community but it has become stifled because a member of the board has a personal problem they can’t get over. This board is wasting it’s time and unless they can put personal feelings aside this board is doomed to fail.
Beware….not always the case.
Just because a board doesn’t agree, or gets into a heated argument doesn’t necessarily mean there’s trouble. I would be more concerned with a board that always gets along to be honest. A certain amount of “spirited debate” must be present or collusion could be afoot.
Let’s take a look at three scenarios of board arguments…the good, the bad, and the ugly.
1.) A board has your month maintenance at a reasonable rate that at least 68% of the community thinks is reasonable. The property is kept up, the insurance is premium coverage with a reputable company, and your debit load from people not paying dues is less than 12k. Basically a sound business minded BOD. Now this board is constantly arguing over cost of current maintenance, future projects, reserves, etc., and it gets heated, maybe even some yelling occurs. Bottom line with a community in this situation…let them argue and stay deadlocked. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! The more motions the Board passes in the end by and large the more it costs the community.
2.) This board has maintenance that is considered too high by an overwhelming majority of homeowners. The reserves are depleted; spending and debit are both going up at the same time. First off this board should be arguing with somebody, because there are multiple problems that need immediate attention. The problem in this scenario is usually the board is arguing with each other over small items that don’t matter much, and just flat out ignoring the big issues. This is not considered productive arguing and the board should be pressured by the community to handle the big business.
3.) Finally the ugly… This board has all of the above problems of number 2, but instead of arguing about any issue at all you have what I call “Survivor Series” which is when alliances are formed on the board (like the show Survivor) and Jane votes against Jimmy because she doesn’t like taste in music, or because she is friends with Pat who doesn’t like Jim. Now Jim wanted to make a legitimate motion to help the community but it has become stifled because a member of the board has a personal problem they can’t get over. This board is wasting it’s time and unless they can put personal feelings aside this board is doomed to fail.
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