I?’ve been hearing comments about a few people who have had issues with past HOA Boards. This is to address some of those comments as related to the second HOA Board which I served on.
Originally, I had the same complaints such as the lack of communication and being a lame duck. I originally served on the Design Review Board and only reluctantly served on the second board since there was a LACK OF PEOPLE willing to do it. NO ONE else volunteered to serve in ?’04 when we were elected. When the original Board was created there was a list of people to choose from. That list quickly evaporated and hasn?’t existed since. Some of the new people who serve us now were just as reluctant and was lobbied heavily by Rod and I to serve. We were tired of it and wanted off!
This arguing is precisely the kind of thing that makes the Board?’s tasks difficult. Who do you please? Do you tell the people who have a HOA fence 15 feet from their back door, no you can?’t move it (at your own expense)? You?’re not allowed to enjoy your 50 foot x 50 foot backyard like the rest of us. Should they have put the kids play things in the front yard instead? Watch the complaints roll in when that happens!
We took care of many things for people such as contacting the city about zoning requirements for fences on corner lots. I?’ve personally stopped by people?’s homes to help them. I guess I should have made an announcement every time I was contacted. Some people contacted us about community events, but didn?’t want to help organize it. 2 ?– 3 people can?’t do all of the work!
Rod and I worked extremely hard at keeping costs to a minimum. In fact, a lot of the copying expense, postage, etc. was done at my OWN expense. If anyone checked the books you?’ll see that almost all of the checks were written to the landscape company. The sign was the only other big expense.
These current discussions are proof that the Board is a thankless job. Now I know what Jarrick meant when he said the bookkeeping was thankless.
It?’s amazing to hear and read about these problems. When I?’ve walked the neighborhood with my dogs and family, many of you were out and no one said anything other than a Hi. Some of you would prefer I didn?’t acknowledge you at all. I respect that. Then there are those who stop me to talk about HOA matters. YOU NEED TO TALK TO US AS MUCH AS WE NEED TO TALK TO YOU!
The arrival of my son early in my term quickly changed my priorities. I reluctantly took over the bookkeeping when Jarrick left. I hated it. Earlier this year only ONE member of the community contacted me to ask how things were going with the HOA Board. I knew we had become a lame duck. I told them things were not going well. That person offered to help in any way they could.
I challenge you to attend the meetings to offer your opinions. (The ?’05 meeting had 3 people, so we assume no one had any complaints. Not the opposite.) The Board was elected to take care of the mundane things I don?’t want to be bothered with. If they?’re looking into management companies, all they can do is collect information. Instead of complaining about the HOA Board, offer help! That?’s what they need the most!
Originally, I had the same complaints such as the lack of communication and being a lame duck. I originally served on the Design Review Board and only reluctantly served on the second board since there was a LACK OF PEOPLE willing to do it. NO ONE else volunteered to serve in ?’04 when we were elected. When the original Board was created there was a list of people to choose from. That list quickly evaporated and hasn?’t existed since. Some of the new people who serve us now were just as reluctant and was lobbied heavily by Rod and I to serve. We were tired of it and wanted off!
This arguing is precisely the kind of thing that makes the Board?’s tasks difficult. Who do you please? Do you tell the people who have a HOA fence 15 feet from their back door, no you can?’t move it (at your own expense)? You?’re not allowed to enjoy your 50 foot x 50 foot backyard like the rest of us. Should they have put the kids play things in the front yard instead? Watch the complaints roll in when that happens!
We took care of many things for people such as contacting the city about zoning requirements for fences on corner lots. I?’ve personally stopped by people?’s homes to help them. I guess I should have made an announcement every time I was contacted. Some people contacted us about community events, but didn?’t want to help organize it. 2 ?– 3 people can?’t do all of the work!
Rod and I worked extremely hard at keeping costs to a minimum. In fact, a lot of the copying expense, postage, etc. was done at my OWN expense. If anyone checked the books you?’ll see that almost all of the checks were written to the landscape company. The sign was the only other big expense.
These current discussions are proof that the Board is a thankless job. Now I know what Jarrick meant when he said the bookkeeping was thankless.
It?’s amazing to hear and read about these problems. When I?’ve walked the neighborhood with my dogs and family, many of you were out and no one said anything other than a Hi. Some of you would prefer I didn?’t acknowledge you at all. I respect that. Then there are those who stop me to talk about HOA matters. YOU NEED TO TALK TO US AS MUCH AS WE NEED TO TALK TO YOU!
The arrival of my son early in my term quickly changed my priorities. I reluctantly took over the bookkeeping when Jarrick left. I hated it. Earlier this year only ONE member of the community contacted me to ask how things were going with the HOA Board. I knew we had become a lame duck. I told them things were not going well. That person offered to help in any way they could.
I challenge you to attend the meetings to offer your opinions. (The ?’05 meeting had 3 people, so we assume no one had any complaints. Not the opposite.) The Board was elected to take care of the mundane things I don?’t want to be bothered with. If they?’re looking into management companies, all they can do is collect information. Instead of complaining about the HOA Board, offer help! That?’s what they need the most!
