HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - March 29, 2013
Published: Fri, 03/29/13
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Did That Board Member Really Say That? And Who Leaked It?
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In this week's tip, we reveal the lessons of "catgate,"
which prompted the resignation of an Arizona HOA board
member after he proposed the association shoot a fellow
owner for feeding feral cats, according to AZfamily.com.
Here's the back story. Kim Harris, an owner in the Los
Racimos Homeowners Association in Mesa, Ariz., was
putting food and water outside her unit to feed feral
cats. She also paid to have some of the cats fixed and
vaccinated.
One of the HOA's board members wasn't pleased and wanted
to get rid of the cats and keep Harris from feeding them.
He sent an email to fellow board members calling Harris
a "looney tune character" and suggesting the HOA trap
and "dispose of" the cats, set out a "poison control
substance ounce for ounce of what she feeds the cats,"
or "just shoot her and put her out of her misery..."
A fellow cat-loving board member forwarded the email to
Harris. She hired an attorney and filed a police report.
The board member who sent the email apologized and
resigned.
The board issued a statement saying it doesn't advocate
violence against humans or animals and characterized
the board member's email as a "private" one in which he
"showed his frustration..." in a "sarcastic" manner.
This type of situation isn't unusual. "I've seen board
members make dumb and offensive comments," says Jenny
Key, the Austin, Texas-based vice president of
RealManage, a San Rafael, Calif., association management
firm that oversees properties in Arizona, California,
Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, and Texas.
"They'll often disparage residents' character, saying
they're stupid or irresponsible," she adds. "They
sometimes make it really personal. It's difficult
when you're sitting in a meeting and a lot of other
board members pitch in and guffaw about it because
the comment was said humorously. But when it's said
in writing, as a manager, I have to step in and say,
'You can't put this in writing because we've all had
those situations where something we put in an email
is forwarded.' No matter what their personal feelings
are, they're acting on a board in that capacity and
have to rise above the personal dealings they have
with someone."
Did that board member have to resign? And what's the
ultimate lesson of this tail? Find out in our new article,
Watch Your Lip: When a Board Member's Mouth Gets in the Way
http://www.hoaleader.com/members/833.cfm
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
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Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:
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How to Get Your Nonfunctioning HOA Operating Again
In this week's tip, we throw a lifeline to board members at associations that
have never operated much as an association and want to get back on track.
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/public/How-to-Get-Your-Nonfunctioning-HOA-Operating-Again.cfm
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Restarting Your HOA? Where to Begin
Here's a question from an HOAleader.com reader on a situation that happens
more often than you might imagine: "We have four units in our building and
three owners. Currently we have a property management company, but we have
not been happy with them for some time and are looking to start new. However
since Hurricane Sandy flooded our basement, I have come to realize that I
need to know more. We have never had a formal board meeting and a few weeks ago
was the first time all three owners were on a call together. My question is
does anyone have advice on where to start?"
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/members/Restarting-Your-HOA-Where-to-Begin.cfm
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Are HOAs Taking Security Too Far?
In this week's tip, we discuss whether your HOA should build a police force to
begin raiding owners' homes for rules violations.
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/public/Are-HOAs-Taking-Security-Too-Far.cfm
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Smart HOAs Get Tenants on Their Side
In this week's tip, we provide insight on why and how to get tenants involved
in your community.Not sold on the idea of getting tenants involved in your
community? It's more important than you think.
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/public/Smart-HOAs-Get-Tenants-on-Their-Side.cfm
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Getting Tenants Invested in Your HOA
Experts are advising that HOAs work to get tenants more invested in their
community. Why is that wise, and how can you achieve that goal?We answer both
questions below.
Click here to read full article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/members/Getting-Tenants-Invested-in-Your-HOA.cfm
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