An HOA Officer No More!

Last night marked the end of my third term as a member of my homeowner’s board.

Hal-a-fuggin-loo-yah!

I wrote about my tenure in another post –it hasn’t been a bad position to have, but after three years, I was more than ready to pass the torch. I’d advised the board I wouldn’t seek re-election and even convinced a neighbor to take my place. But still, I was feeling a little melancholy about the decision as I entered the meeting place last night. That is, until the residents started opening their mouths…

One lady suggested some ways the board might better communicate with the members. She meant well, and offered solutons rather than just shouting problems. But another lady chimed in that we were AWFUL at conveying meetings, projects, and other information…and pointed out that she hadn’t even known that our annual meeting was being held until her neighbor told her.

Board member: “Didn’t you see the signs posted at each entrance since last week?”

Lady: “Well, I’m usually on the phone with my employees as soon as I pull out of my driveway, so I didn’t even notice them.”

Board member: “It was also in your annual dues statement, along with proxies.”

Lady: “Yeah, but I got that almost two months ago!” (guess she has never heard of “marking her calendar”)

Board member: “If you’re on the email list, you also got two email reminders.”

Lady: “Yeah, I’ve never signed up on the website.”

So, signs, letters, and emails aren’t enough? I’m not sure what more she expected, but I imagine it would be cost prohibitive to have a plane circle the neighborhood with a banner. I’m thinking the old flaming bag of dog shit, clearly marked with the time and date of meetings, of course, is the best way to inform folks like her.

And with that conversation, I knew I had made the right decision.