Parkwood Neighborhood

Once again the Parkwood annual meeting was less than stellar. I was happy to see a lawyer present to ensure that order was conducted in a professional manner and the agenda was followed using correct protocol. In the defense of the board this new proceedure was awkward- making sure all motions, ayes and nays accounted for- and made for slow going, but it followed the rules of order for a meeting. Hurray!

As a whole the board was prepared with as up to date information as possible and did provide handouts. And there is a plether of information in the Parkwood Newsletter and available
on-line for getting the things you need. For security reasons some documents cannot be posted on-line, nor needs to mailed out to everyone.

While I don't speak for everyone, most residents agree we want our properties to retain their values, have a safe environment in which to live and raise our families, have our ammenities kept in good order and finally have a ''voice'' in the way our community functions. When issues arise that are out of our hands we trust the HOA board, and the Association Management Services to address our concerns in a timely manner. That hasn't always been the case, but I see improvement in that area as well. Thank You! From the meeting several residents had serious, and legitimate issues they were dealing with, and needed help with. For those things--HOA board-- that is where we really need you up to step up, and speed on what and how things get done so those things can be taken care of. Maybe posting some more Points of contact would be helpful.

Another point, many people did not get to speak their peace due to the constant noise in the background or the continual interuptions prior to the ''open forum'' where new business can be discussed. Not good! If you expect the board to conduct a meeting following the rules of order, residents should as well.

The response to the new bylaw ammendments were the boards attempt to get our HOA running better, and fill in a hole...yet instead of just raising the points in the bylaws that needed adjusting suddenly at 930pm a motion is made and seconded to scratch them, and all new bylaws be voted on by the homeowners. Okay, now that involves even more participation from Parkwood residents...to From the sparse attendance at other meetings where quorum's haven't been met I am now hoping our residents step up to the plate. Residents have real concerns outside the ''politics'' of the HOA, that affect our neigborhood like properties owners who refuse to comply with basic care and maintenance of their homes, absentee property owners who disregard the rental agreements, graffitti, stray or vicious animals, and needs to build a community by having social events and such. I know lots of ideas have been bounced around about what we can start, or have at our community center. Not everyone will agree but this is NOT an US and THEM, BUT a WE. WE all should be working to keep our neighborhood a place of pride! Thank you.

Thanks for Comments, Ideas!

I have been at work at this web site since 2002 or earlier, trying to engage our residents and owners to communicate and exchange views, ideas, suggestions, needs, concerns at this site. As the discussion forum shows here there have been over time good points raised and supplemented by those thoughtful enough to post them. My discomfort is many of the points have not really been addressed in any appropriate way by our management company and Board of Directors, as well as any adequate explanation about how to reach, work, and solve them. Explanations sometimes are insufficient. With the budget we have more should be possible and the members of the association surely need much more of a voice in the decision-making than I have observed the past 9 years, and other property owners can indicate even more robustly the trends and challenges over a much longer period.

Yes, this recent Meeting of the Members was much better operated and obviously better prepared for than some in the past. Still there are a great many weaknesses still showing their face and they need added effort to reconcile them. Some may suggest ideas for added improvements here, so that we could gain from others good ideas and begin to open up communications in this neighborhood.

Compliments go to the outgoing director, Ms Truth Camina, for her service to all of us. Likewise thanks to the property manager and remaining Board members for the information presented and obvious hard work evidenced with all the arrangements.

One key point which surfaced at this meeting was the beginning process of airing that the members need to gain more influence in their own HOA (expecially in budget making and exchange of information) and that this meeting did evidence more attending members and more proxies held than in recent times.

The promises of expanded and more frequent communications with the Board and property manager hopefully now will begin to bloom like never before. By much more effectively informing the membership, by informing the membership in a more timely and frequent basis, and having cordial and fact-based discussions this HOA, its Board, its property managers, and its members will turn the corner from the last several years (decade+) of ''less than stellar'' performance, to quote Mr. or Ms. Anonymous.

I, for one, humbly thank this author for the great discussion points made.
Hopefully this great discussion entry (and all that follow here) will spark much more constructive and valuable exchange and help engage in positive ways all of us along a path of vast improvements along many neighborhood and community-building activities.