Condo Association Management Blog

I have a condo in Fla, our board had a surplus so we got a reduction in fees, from $325-$298. our board is very proactive. I have another condo that had an increase of $91/month not proactive at all. 
I say recall the board and start fresh with people that know what they're doing. also have the management co. do the job that they were hired to do or fire them. the owners themselves need to be the watchdogs and maybe the owners need to volunteer for some of the work such as looking at contracts to make sure they are getting the best price. 
good luck 
 

That is an interesting question. The question is WHY aren't they taking care of these items. I assume that they are an association responsibility. 
 
The comment above says to "recall the board", throwing it out like that is an easy task. That may be your only option, but it is no easy task. You need to SPECIFICALLY know what to do to recall the board. There are probably requirements in your documents. You should also consult an attorney (if you feel you have enough interest to go this route) to make sure that you follow all the legal requirements. A group may need to get together to sue the board as well, which I normally don't recommend and see as only a last resort.  
 
Since your pattern of election is unknown, what may be best to do is find some other people to run with you at the next annual meeting and drum up support for those people. Don't spend time too much time pointing out the deficincies of the current board - instead get support by stating what you and your fellow candidates will do. You may need to know or consider the financial aspects before you go making wild promises. It may be good to have a solid plan in place - we will address x, y and z in this manner. 
 
I don't want to sound overly harsh, but it will be somewhat of a slog to get things moving and get the needed change, especially when things are so tough.

I'm all for firing the bums like Fran suggested but I think Joe's idea has more merit. Chances are that you have an election that's not too far off. I would talk to your neighbors and find out what some of their concerns are. I would then put together a platform and a few people to run with you so you can get on the board and have a sizable contingent that shares your views. 
 
 
 
In the first association I was a board member on, I did exactly that. There was an up coming annual meeting and the board had been neglecting my half of the community. So, I went door to door, rounded up enough proxies, and actually had a quarum at the annual meeting. I then made a motion from the floor to increase the size of the board from three to seven. My forty some proxies insured that I outvoted the three board members who figured out what I was doing. The motion passed. I then nominated myself and three of my neighbors to serve on the board. That passed forty something to three. Things started happening in the community....you guessed it, by a 4 to 3 vote of the board. 
 
 
 
Darron 
 
HOA Receivables Management

Usually motions cannot be made by an owner from the floor. The Boards make motions and carry out their business. Anything not on the agenda under Florida law at least is not allowed to be discussed. Of course, this doesn't stop it from being discussed after the meeting is adjourned.  
 
It would seem that your appointment of yourself to the Board would be illegal, and therefore any actions you and your board made, could definitely be questioned. 
 
However, this does show the real lack of interest of the sitting board members since they allowed this without seeking advice.

Thank you Joyce for pointing out the flaws in my story. It was nearly 15 years ago that this took place so I'm sure that the passage of time has impacted some of the finer details of it. 
 
 
 
I do remember that I did not appoint myself. We had a valid election and I was elected to the board. That was generally opposed by the other board members there but they were outvoted. Our management company was definitely there. She was the one who certified the votes as well as the quarum being present. 
 
 
 
Please forgive me for not remembering the finer points of the meeting. 
 
 
 
Darron

Under Florida Statutes 718.112(2)(d)3, The members of the board shall be elected by written ballot or voting machine 
 
Applicable section can be found on here http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0718/SEC112.HTM&Title=-%3E2009-%3ECh0718-%3ESection%20112#0718.112