HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - January 23, 2009

Published: Fri, 01/23/09

HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - January 23, 2009
=================================================================

How to Get Your Homeowners to Step Up When You Don't Have Enough
Board Members for a Quorum

=================================================================

I often browse the websites and blogs of HOAs. Recently I read
a blog post by a board president that described a problem. They
didn't have enough members to meet the quorum necessary for the
board's actions to be valid.

This week's tip is about how to communicate with homeowners
if you find yourself in this situation.

The first thing to do is explain to all the owners what happens
when an association lacks the volunteers necessary for a quorum.

Eventually, the association may end up in receivership, overseen by
a person hired to collect the assessments, operate the association's
necessary functions (like utilities), and pay the bills. Receivers
typically don't work to build a community or even administer the
funds collected in the best interest of the community or in a manner
that enhances and preserves property values.

To combat this, Sima L. Kirsch, a principal at the Law Office of
Sima L. Kirsch P.C. in Chicago, advises, "Put together a letter
to all owners explaining how the law operates."

"The letter should say, 'We need three officers to operate the
board. If we can't do that, we'll go into receivership. If you
don't want to have somebody else control our building, you need
to step up.' Or go door-to-door explaining the situation."

For more discussion about how to improve your chances for
recruiting board members, see our recent article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/members/207.cfm

You can also see our previous Tip of the Week on using committees
as an ongoing way to groom future board members:
http://www.hoaleader.com/public/173.cfm

Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President

=================================================================

Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:

================================================================

A Guide to Creating HOA Bylaws

If your association is so brand, spanking new that you don't even
have bylaws yet, here's what you need to know about creating
bylaws.

Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/217.cfm >

================================================================

Best Practices for Working with Your Maintenance Crew

Avoid the stress caused by a poorly run maintenance crew by
following these 6 steps.

Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/216.cfm >

================================================================

Working With a Management Company: Do Homeowners Know Which Calls
Should--and Shouldn't--Be Directed to Your Manager?

If your homeowner association employs an outside manager--or is
considering contracting with a management company--one way to lay
the foundation for a successful relationship is to spell out when
homeowners should contact the manager and when they should
contact the board. Really this is a two step process.

Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/public/215.cfm >

================================================================

HOA Governance: Should Your Senior Community Let "Youngsters" In?

A growing number of senior communities across the U.S. have
become concerned about an increase in vacant units and are
considering scrapping their age restrictions to allow nonsenior
buyers to purchase units in their communities. Here's what you
need to know about the idea.

Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/212.cfm >

================================================================

Best Practices for Working With Your Local Police

We recently spoke with several experts about how to build
relationships with your local police department. This week's tip
from a crime prevention consultant reminds us that sometimes to
be a good leader you need to follow.

Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/public/211.cfm >

=================================================================

Get your own copy!

Subscribe to the HOAleader.com Tip of the Week at:
http://www.hoaleader.com/public/department49.cfm

=================================================================

Please feel free to forward the *entire text* of this e-mail to
others.

Copyright 2009, Plain-English Media, LLC
909 Marina Village Parkway #183
Alameda, CA 94501
(866) 641-4548
http://www.hoaleader.com