HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - July 25, 2008
Published: Fri, 08/01/08
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It's a platitude that the Internet gives a pulpit to the
everyman. The Web is great because it facilitates commentary and
the airing of diverse viewpoints. In an ideal world that would
give rise to thoughtful debate and an increased understanding of
our fellow citizens. I believe that's actually true to a large
degree. But of course that's not the whole story.
The Internet can be a platform for the airing of ugliness. Take,
for example, this video posted on YouTube, accurately labelled
"Homeowners Association Meeting Gone Bad."
You might want to consider this the next time things start to
get a little contentious at a meeting of your HOA. Let's face
it, even when things aren't as cartoonishly bad as they are in
this video, we can always do more to proactively dial-down
antagonism between factions and turn up the civility in our
communities.
And while this video is clearly shot by someone with anti-board
feelings, the circus atmosphere of the meeting arises from the
antics of homeowners as much as the board. I'd wager that most
homeowners who view this would agree that it's a pretty good
depiction of how NOT to behave in a meeting and how NOT to
participate in the government of their community association.
View the video now:
http://www.hoaleader.com/public/147.cfm
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
P.S. While we're on the subject of how to run good HOA meetings
these two recent articles have tips for complying with open
meeting laws and taking good meeting minutes.
Governance: Open Access to HOA Meetings and Documents the Focus
of New State Laws; Expect More to Come
http://www.hoaleader.com/members/127.cfm
Meetings and Recordkeeping: Do Your Minutes Make The Grade? Dos
and Don'ts of Documenting Your HOA's Board Meetings
http://www.hoaleader.com/members/116.cfm
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Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:
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Financial Matters: 4 Ideas for Trimming Your HOA's Expense Budget
More and more associations are collecting less and less dues as a
result of the housing crisis. Here are four tips for trimming
your budget to ensure that your association still provides key
services with a smaller pool of funds.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/public/135.cfm >
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Safety: Get Drivers Off the Fast Track in Your Community
Association
Speeding drivers are a danger to residents. In fact, your biggest
fear is that a careless speeder will hit a child on the streets
of your homeowners association. What can you do? That depends.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/136.cfm >
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6 Dos and Don'ts to Improve Security in Your Homeowner
Association
Managing safety in a homeowner association is a thankless job. If
you do it well, few residents even notice. If you make a mistake,
you could be vilified and even sued for endangering others. Here
are six dos and don'ts that will help you ensure the safety of
your HOA residents and keep yourself off their security radar
screen.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/134.cfm >
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HOA Governance: 5 Keys to Hosting a Successful Association
Meeting
If your HOA meetings seem endless because they veer into the
irrelevant or if they run astray in other ways, take control with
these five steps to effective homeowners association meetings.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/137.cfm >
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How to Handle Troublesome Neighbors in Your HOA
Though it sounds outlandish, homeowner associations really do run
into owners who conduct illegal activity, such as drug dealing
and escort services, from their units. HOAs also run into legal
activity that's arguably legal but nonetheless a nuisance. The
best way to avoid a similar fate in your homeowners association
is to be vigilant and address problems immediately. Here are red
flags that you might have objectionable or illegal activity
taking place in your HOA, along with advice for curbing the
behavior.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/138.cfm >
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