HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - August 6, 2010
Published: Fri, 08/06/10
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Selecting a New HOA Board Member: How to Choose
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Something unexpected has occurred, leaving you with a vacancy on
your condo or homeowner association board. Now you and your
fellow board members must step up to the plate and appoint a new
member to serve until your next election. In this week's tip, we
show how you can make that decision without causing dissention
among your members.
Dennis J. Eisinger, a partner at Eisinger, Brown, Lewis & Frankel
PA in Hollywood, Fla., who currently represents more than 500
condo and HOA associations, suggests you focus on achieving
balance. "Consider a balance of personalities on the board," he
says. "You don't want anyone who feels the same way as everybody
else. Also consider a balance in areas of expertise. If you can
be lucky enough to find someone who's an accountant, an insurance
agent, an attorney, or an engineer, that would be tremendous so
you have more expertise when decisions related to those areas
have to be made."
Matthew A. Drewes, a partner at Thomsen & Nybeck PA in Edina,
Minn., who represents associations, has a slightly different take.
"That's a hard question to answer in the abstract," he says. "But
I think boards should think about the leadership qualities
that are important to the association at that time. If the past
board member has left because of some contentious issue or there
are factions forming in the association, you might want somebody
who's more of a consensus builder. At the same time, if there's
been a problem that has plagued the association for lack of
somebody taking firm action, you may want to choose someone more
decisive. It's going to depend on the association's need at that
time, and board members should think really honestly about what
they need."
Those are just two factors to keep in mind as you and your fellow
HOA board members serve as appointers-in-chief. For more insight
on what to consider when you appoint a new HOA director, see our
new article: http://www.hoaleader.com/members/465.cfm
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
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Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:
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When Pets Do Damage in Your HOA
In pet-friendly homeowners associations, fights can erupt over
whether common-area damage is the result of pets--and over whose
pets are the culprits. Here, we cover how to determine the cause
of and get reimbursed for pet damages to common areas.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/463.cfm >
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Guard Your HOA's Membership List Carefully
If an owner or someone else asks to see your association's member
list, can you say no? If your state requires that you provide
members your list, can you redact some information? Are there
restrictions on how members can use the list?
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/462.cfm >
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Discussion Forum Follow-Up: When Are Board Actions Invalid?
Frankly, your board is a mess. It doesn't have enough members to
meet a quorum, and your members are demanding resignations and
claiming your actions are invalid. You're in the board camp that
knows something's wrong, but you can't convince the other members
they've run afoul of your governing documents.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/459.cfm >
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Who Can Attend Your HOA Meetings?
Does your state or homeowners association have rules covering who
can attend owners' and board meetings? Here we explain potential
restrictions and whether your board can and should allow
exceptions.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/456.cfm >
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Can You Use Small Claims Court to Collect Unpaid HOA Fees?
One California small claims judge's opinion has caused confusion
over homeowners associations' ability to use small claims court
to collect unpaid fees. Here, we explain the California brouhaha
and offer insights about using small claims court in other states
as well.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/455.cfm >
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