Condo Association Management Blog

Interesting to see the responses. We used to have a lady who would sigh as loud as she could when we had meetings and a certain person with really relevant points spoke. She was really obnoxious. We found out she drank a number of beers before coming to the meetings.

You speak about meetings in units and in neutral ground, but do not say what kind of meetings you are referring to. Are they Committee meetings, Board meetings, meetings of the Association or meetings of individuals who own or rent units.  
 
You do not say what the behavior is that you consider to be disruptive. What I consider disruptive may be different from what you consider to be disruptive, and vice versa.  
 
Without knowing what you are referring to I doubt that you will get information that would be helpful to you.

I don't think it wise to bar them, but they should be removed each time they don't adhere to the rules of conduct at the meeting. See if your rules allow for a fine and perhaps the cost of having the police remove them for disruption.

I found a creative way to stifle a repeated meeting disruptor who was the bane of board after board for years.  
 
She would always passionately state her gripe at length to which others present would roll their eyes and prepare to leave, knowing the rant would continue. The first time she began to make a ruckus when I was the board President, and she kept going on and on, I looked to the other owners present and asked how many were interested in having her continue. Only one person raised his hand and I recommended he and the disruptor get together to discuss after the meeting. I used this tactic at several meetings with her. She finally got the message and piped down and the owners were happy with the way it was handled. 

Bravo, A. Morrison. Unpleasant, disruptive people generally look for attention. You gave her the platform she needed..one on one with someone who cared about her issues, while sparing the rest of the group. Very creative. Please come run our Board meetings!

WOW, this is a huge problem. I would refer this to your community attorney for his opinion. You could get the Association in a huge legal action without doing it the legal way. Even doing it the right way could land your Association in court. 
 
One way is to adopt a code of conduct for those attending the meeting. Appoint a sargent at arms to enforce the code or hire a security officer.  
 
I would make sure the owner gets a written copy of the meeting if he is removed.  
 
Make sure you don't get your community into a legal bind and tie yourself up in a legal action for years. That could bankrupt the community. Good luck.

I agree with A. Morrison, in fact we utilize "the parking lot" in all of our board and owner meetings. It saves time and keeps everyone focused, disruptive or not.

I am a condo owner, living at this property for over 20 years..I have seen board members come and go and most importantly, the 'new' property management company, (12+ years) and especially the property rep who 'dictates' all board meetings! This man tries to intimidate unit owners. I know all the by-laws, condo docs, etc. and this man refuses to apply Robert's Rules. 
At one point a few years back, he TOLD ME to leave the board meeting  
as I kept appropriately asking questions, in which he kept 'squirreling' the answers.  
I didn't leave. I called my attorney the next day..my attorney said , "NOT LEGAL". Can't be asked or told to leave.State of NH. 

You only ask if something is legal. You don't state that the owner will have time for his comments. This might be a reason for sighing? 
 
How many owners show up to the meetings?  
 
Do you allow for comments to your agenda and if so how much time do you allow for owners to speak? 
 
Vic 

Vic has a good point and speaks to the problem MSW has.  
 
In FL HOA and Condo assoc members are allowed to speak to agenda items within time limits and if the secretary is notified. This is all well and good but that does not cover all tempers or issues 100% of the time. We tried doing an open forum at the end of the board meetings but found out people, including board members, were walking out, talking to their neighbors, and the people asking questions were ignored. We moved the open forum to 1/2 hour before the board meeting and it helped tremendously. People are heard, but at the appointed hour all discussion from the floor is cut off, and the meeting belongs to the board members only at that point. Decorum is enforced in the open forum but otherwise the board members just listen unless asked a particular question. Works for us. Townhome HOA, 200 units.

Yes, at our board meetings, we as unit owners do have a time frame in which to speak. (approx 30 minutes)All unit owners do speak, however, the property mgt rep, seems to take over,'dictate' leaving unit owners feeling intimidated and barely anytime for unit owners to speak. This is a huge problem. This prpty mgt. rep is known for these inappropriate tactics and 'squirreling' info not only at our condo complex but many other condo properties throughout the state.

By the way the original person who blogged didn't add some kind of a name for themselves. I'm not sure If I'm responding to the original blog post. 
 
Vic