HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - October 19, 2018
Published: Fri, 10/19/18
=================================================================
What Nonprofit Board Members Say Every Condo and HOA Board Member Should Know
=================================================================
In this week’s tip, we share advice from three of seven nonprofit board members on how to be a great board member:
A Different Idea Isn’t a Wrong Idea
“My advice is to review and be familiar with your instruments, your fiduciary obligations, and the business judgment rule. And don’t be shy about contacting counsel to find out what you don’t know. Also be consistent, be fair, and recognize that others may have tastes other than yours—and that doesn’t make them wrong.”
—James P. Arrigo, an attorney at Rathje & Woodward in Wheaton, Ill., who has counseled and represented HOA and condominium associations ranging from 6 to 1,600 units for more than 14 years
Look at Tech to Ease Your Job
“As a board member and communications director of the United Nations Association of Tampa Bay, my advice is to be patient and take advantage of technology tools to assist with communication. Since everyone’s schedule is so different, it’s important to take advantage of technology. You’d be surprised how many nonprofits don’t do that.
Here are what I recommend as essentials: email, text messaging, and Trello or a similar project management tool.”
—Jon Tavarez, owner, Vantage Internet Group, Tampa, Fla.
Treat Every Aspect Like a Business
“I was on my HOA for five years and was the vice president for two of them. I stepped down before becoming president. Although it’s your community, it’s run like a business. Being on the HOA is more than just organizing the local community parties. Be prepared for the in-depth legal and financial discussions that will occupy a majority of the meetings.
Also, the number of neighbors who file complaints on each other but don’t want their information revealed may surprise you. Your set of conflict resolutions skills will be sharpened in your role on the HOA.
Maintain the confidentiality of your role. You’ll be privy to information and discussions not known by all who live in the community. For example, you’ll know who hasn’t paid their dues. Sharing specifics about what’s said in the closed meetings isn’t appropriate and could have consequences.
Finally, be sure you’re able to separate business from friendships. If you learn in your HOA role that your long-time favorite neighbor hasn’t paid dues in three years, will you let that impact your relationship and daily interactions? You need to prepare yourself emotionally for the tension your new HOA role may bring about in your community relationships.”
—Felicia Johnson, Sevenfold Coaching, who served on a 923-home HOA board in Little Rock, Arkansas
Read all seven experts’ tips in our new article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/members/3803.cfm
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
=================================================================
Upcoming Event -- THIS THURSDAY!
How to Protect Yourself & Your HOA from the Neighborhood Sociopath
Thursday, October 25, 2018
2:00 p.m. Eastern
An Exclusive HOAleader.com Webinar
With Practical Tips for Condo and HOA Boards
In just 60 minutes, you'll hear valuable information you can use now to be smarter when it comes to lessening the damage caused by the most difficult owners, residents, and board members. Register now for this informative event for community association board members.
Learn more or register now:
https://www.hoaleader.com/products/protect-hoa-neighborhood-sociopath-b.cfm
Members save $30!
=================================================================
Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:
=================================================================
The Best Advice for Future Condo/HOA Board Members from 7 Board Experts
Surely, as an experienced board member, your thoughts on how to be a good board member have changed from your first day on the job-? Here, seven nonprofit board members and HOA experts give their best advice for the people who will someday step into your shoes.
Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/members/Best-Advice-for-Future-CondoHOA-Board-Members-from-7-Board-Experts.cfm
=================================================================
How to Prevent Your Condo or HOA Volunteers from Landing Your Community on the News
In this week's tip, we discuss videos you've very likely seen that involve allegedly racial incidents at neighborhood pools. We offer two of seven tips to avoid such incidents at your HOA, and what to do if your community ends up in the news for the wrong reasons.
Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/public/How-Prevent-Your-Condo-or-HOA-Volunteers-from-Landing-Your-Community-on-News.cfm
=================================================================
7 Tips for Handling Guests at Your HOA Pool Without Becoming a Headline
Condos and HOAs are increasingly being dragged into today's hot-button issues, particularly with the issue of guests at their facilities. According to the Washington Post, at least six videos that gained traction online involve allegedly racial incidents that took place at neighborhood swimming pools in such places as Indianapolis, Winston-Salem, N.C., Pasadena, Calif. Here are seven tips to avoid that and handle the problem if you do end up in the news.
Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/members/7-Tips-for-Handling-Guests-at-Your-HOA-Pool-Without-Becoming-Headline.cfm
=================================================================
More Tips on Political Signs in Condos and HOAs as Next Month's Election Nears
The midterm elections are Nov. 6. In this week's tip, we offer additional insights on how you might handle political signs that are popping up on your residents' lawns, windows, and other places.
Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/public/More-Tips-on-Political-Signs-in-Condos-HOAs-as-Next-Months-Election-Nears.cfm
=================================================================
Midterm Elections Are Weeks Away: Best Practices for Political Signs at Your Condo/HOA
A California owner is in a dispute with his HOA over two signs he's put in his home's window protesting the current administration's immigration policies and welcoming neighbors of different backgrounds.
Click here to read full article:
https://www.hoaleader.com/members/Midterm-Elections-Are-Weeks-Away-Best-Practices-for-Political-Signs-at-Your-CondoHOA.cfm
=================================================================
Get your own copy!
Subscribe to the HOAleader.com Tip of the Week at:
https://www.hoaleader.com/public/department49.cfm
=================================================================
Please feel free to forward the *entire text* of this email to others.
Copyright 2018, Plain-English Media, LLC
(866) 641-4548
https://www.hoaleader.com