Condominium And Homeowner Associations Are Micro Democracies That Function Much Like Any Other Democratic Form Of Government.


Homeowners cast votes to elect a governing body (board of directors) and the members of that governing body (board members) voteon matters, making the majority of the policy and financial decisions on behalf of their constituents (association members). The majority of association members will support the board on decisions made for the good of thef


community. Increasing assessments to meet


operating expenses, approving a special assessment to fund a capital improvement, or enacting a pet fee to cover cleaning expenses might not be popular decisions, but they are generally accepted by the ownership as “necessary” with no hard feelings against the board.


Certain decisions that would result in significant changes for the association require a percentage of approvalf


from


the unit owners, but these are rare. The majority of decisions are made by the board of directors and don’t require owner approval or owner input, though many unit owners don’t understand that concept. Unit owners frequently chime in at board meetings to voice support or opposition during a board discussion. Sometimes owners respond when a board member makes a motion for approval, not understanding that only a board member’s vote counts towards the motion.


mo n. Board members rarely correct the t


he owners, and rarely ask associationk their m


ta a members to hold


th comments. Essentially that wouldbetelling a neighbor tostop talking and that his or her opinion doesn’t matter,


which often doesn’t bode well come election time, or when the board does need owner support for amendments or special assessments.


Soliciting Owner Opinions,r Whether Requiredr


Or Not,r Is Good


Political Strategy. Several years ago a suburban association with a large senior


n


population decided it was time for a facelift of thef common areas. Even though there was a committee established select paint, carpet, fixtures and furniture for the hallways and lobbies, the majority of thef


m d to w choices were made by y the


board president and the contractor, whose taste in dn decor was quite different than the rest of the building’s populace.


op apu ac That Sim


after the project owners Similar insults


at was te the


w e s attended mi ar to recent b


the de decisions While


h le designs


a a big mistake. A the annual meeting held shortly ct concluded, over ninety percent of thef d and voted for an almost entirely new board. e political debates, the candidates hurled


sta .e At c


vo


u t at the board members, especially the president, for s made with the hallway remodeling project.


n for hallway remodeling and landscaping enhancements don’t need homeowner approval, a board that involves owners in the process by posting drawings or paint and carpet samples accomplishes two things: First, the board maintains an appearance of openness, which is more important to some homeowners than


t


color.olo Second, the board establishes a response


result, “We asked for owner opinio and


s the


Certain cum


such a extending h as exten governin ons


actually helping select the paint on to complaints about the end- a this was th most popular design.”


d-


Certa amendments to the governing documents


include the individual unitsndividua units, limiting number of rentalsf entals in i an association,, or no longer allowing pets. So, how


h does a


board gather support and campaign for items that require unit owner approval? While it’s not impossible to gather the support to pass these amendments, the


process can take years from start to finish, as well as a lot of timef


draft an amendment, a board should poll the unit owners to determine the level of interestf


from board members. Before paying an attorney to in the initiative. Just because


a board thinks something is for the good of thef community, that doesn’t mean homeowners will automatically accept it. Owners need to be convinced it’s for the good of thef community. Simply sending out an amendment and asking for signatures will not get the job done.


Involving Owners By Askingy Them To


Complete A Survey Isy A Good Start For A Campaign To Pass An Amendment.


It introduces the idea to all of the unit owners who don’t attend board meetings or read minutes, and are therefore unaware of discussions the board has undoubtedly had about the topic. If possible, drafting a survey with options


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ments require owner approval, nding a non-smoking rule to g the


o


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