The Hyenas Hyenas are scavengers characterized by a call that sounds like a laugh, and a penchant for preying on the young and the weak. At the holiday potluck, they show up empty handed, tell the loudest stories – and then carry off a leftover pumpkin pie and a six-pack that someone else brought. That’s when they’re being merely annoying. When a hyena-type decides to take advantage of owners or board members who fail to adequately protect themselves from exploitation, an association needs to assert itself.
The Elephants In the wild, elephants are known for remarkable displays of helpfulness, empathy and compassion. In captivity, these same characteristics made them adaptable to circus acts. Thankfully, animal rights activists and local municipalities
have championed their cause to the point that Ringling Brothers finally dropped its legendary elephant acts. On a community association board, elephant types can make outstanding board members, working well in groups towards a larger goal. They may not necessarily offer the most original or inspired leadership, but they are wise and productive team members. This is a type to identify, cultivate and respect.
There’s another kind of elephant to keep in mind: the proverbial “800-pound elephant in the room.” This kind of elephant may take the form of an issue that no one wants to discuss at a board meeting, but is serious enough to drag down an association. Among the most common unacknowledged elephants in the room are insufficient reserves, delayed capital projects, and the failure to raise assessments to adequately cover costs.
Now that we’ve covered some of the animal personalities, let’s review what will ensure that the physical zoo of your association is a civilized place to live.
Start with the concession stand menu – that is, items that involve an extra charge: Are the fees for moving in or out, pets, elevator use, and similar expenses equitable? Do owners feel that they get service that is commensurate with the additional charges on their monthly statements?
16 | COMMON INTEREST® A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter
Owners are less likely to act like unruly animals if these “snacks” are of good quality and a fair price.
A well-run zoo also provides different environments that allow every creature to thrive. Polar bears would wither in a tropical bird sanctuary; the monkeys would be miserable in a damp reptile habitat. Ditto for your buildings. Are specific areas with very different needs – the pool versus the lobby, for example – appropriately heated and cooled? Do you have emergency maintenance programs so when systems go down, they can be restored quickly? Is your maintenance staff up to the job of keeping public areas clean and pleasant?
Besides the maintenance staff’s role in creating a comfortable and clean environment, an association should make sure owners comply with the rules that govern their own behavior. Are the rules that keep sound systems at a reasonable roar and prohibit party animals from running down hallways like cheetahs consistently enforced? And what about the policy for real animals, i.e., pets? Whether you’re at Brookfield Zoo or the sidewalk outside your building, you shouldn’t have to confront a smelly pile of... well, anything. Creating a positive environment is a big job, but a smart association board working with a proactive management company can keep your property from going wild.
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