The Building Group, Inc. Judee Pyrcz The Building he Bu Group, Inc.

Association boards often have members who are reminiscent of the characters in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. If your English class syllabus didn’t include this classic – or if you have forgotten its details – the novel tells the story of British school boys who become stranded on a deserted island and must govern themselves to survive. Despite creating reasonable rules, the group descends into anarchy as immoral boys take control over those who attempt to behave morally.

In the less exotic setting of a board meeting, Lord of the Flies’ character personalities such as Ralph, Jack, Piggy, Simon and Roger are nonetheless recognizable. There are board members who remain civil and act in the best interests of the community as a whole; members who are intellectuals and view civilization rationally; members who manipulate and intimidate others in their quest for power; and, members who follow these destructive leaders because they are unable – or unwilling – to think for themselves.

It’s remarkable how a congenial board can splinter into warring factions if a single individual becomes disruptive. Divisive association politics demand attention. They are not occurring on a hypothetical island in a novelist’s imagination; they are very real.

22 | COMMON INTEREST®

When self-interest begins to overrun the common good, an owner’s property is at stake.

Thoughtful elections are critical to maintaining order. Association owners must strive to elect board members who will work on behalf of the entire community and to remove those who do not. As Lord of the Flies makes abundantly clear, all the rules in the world won’t save a board from itself if the personalities involved are not ethical. Ralph-types will struggle to maintain order; Jack-types will try to seize control; Piggy-types will intellectualize from the sidelines; Simon-types will suffer as they cling to their morals; and, Roger- types will descend into brutality. To avoid leadership problems, it helps to know who you are electing to the board from the outset.

A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter