omplacent board members might think of themselves as “stars”; like the diamonds in the sky. Along with that may often come questions about a board’s collective intentions. Unfortunately, board members who are complacent in their positions need to step back and ask the questions about what their roles really are. Recognizing bad board behavior can be the first step in the transformation to a fair and productive leadership team.
C
What is the role of a Board? Is it to be the ever-powerful, self-righteous group of elected directors dictating the way a community should look, feel and operate? Although we all know the answer to that questions is ”no,,” it’s amazing how many boards operate in this manner. With that attitude seated at the top of the association’s food chain, many homeowners may feel overrun by misplaced power-hungry neighbors and become unhappy in the very neighborhood they have chosen to call home. In addition to the uneasy feeling of insecurity among the membership, board complacency can also lead to the financial and physical destruction of a community. An effective board should be one that is open minded and responsible, understanding the weight of their decisions is important and results of their decisions are sometimes permanent.
to tackle complacency is for a board to put serious focus on creating a healthy and trusting working relationship with the association’s attorney and property manager. These professionals can help recognize potentially damaging complacent habits and help put a corrective plan of action in place. Attorneys and property managers are armed with the knowledge and resources to help guide boards through effective service and legal compliance, along with suggestions to help the board strategize for a successful administration.
A
community’s health and happiness starts at the top.
A balanced collaboration of the board is crucial to forming an operational force of effective direction. There should be delegation of responsibility among the board members to achieve diverse perspective on matters that need attention. A worthy and helpful board must also treat owners as their equals, conclusively addressing issues fairly and consistently, especially in cases involving history or a personal relationship.
Upon acceptance of a position on the board, members should put aside any personal goals and focus on the community and on the role of being an accountable leader. One initial way to avoid complacency and to achieve positive and useful power on the board is to start with understanding the Declaration and Bylaws, the Rules & Regulations and any state statutes governing the association. All too often, boards feel they don’t need to be knowledgeable of the laws, which could lead to confusion, a lack of proper enforcement and could potentially put a board member at personal legal risk. In addition to governance, the board needs to understand the overall financial picture of the association to avoid inept or destructive decision making, especially with projects and maintenance.
Of course, no board members will outwardly admit they are acting as a superpower instead of being good and dutiful elected volunteers entrusted with the care of the community by the homeowners. Board directors must be able to look within to assure the intentions of their rule are for the good of the community and not for themselves. Another channel
A community’s health and happiness starts at the top. Although many factors may influence the stability of a community, board members who want to exercise power and put themselves and their personal agendas ahead of the good of the community are lighting the fuse that can destroy a community’s health and happiness; ultimately damaging what the board is put in place to protect. A responsible, non-complacent board needs to be able to identify the directors’ roles and perform those roles with knowledge, honesty, dependability and fairness. After all, accepting a board seat means accepting legal and ethical responsibility. Board members should do everything possible to avoid the lullaby of complacency, and reach for the twinkling stars instead!
Execptional Landscape AD Design
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Total Tree Care & Arboricultural Services
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Aquatics and Fountain Service
For company information or inquires, please call Char Cobb at 815.609.2406
acresgroup.com
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888.231.1300 |
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