Alexander Wolf & Company: The Transition

THE BIG PICTURE

A co-op or condo board is a democracy. Every member has one vote. It’s very important that all board members vote their conscience in a way that will improve the property. It’s just as important that the board keeps the specifics of those votes – how each member voted – inside the boardroom. It’s a big mistake to broadcast individual board members’ votes on specific issues.

BE SMART

Board members have different opinions, and very often they have strong opinions. It’s important for them to express their thoughts, to fight and vote on items they feel will help improve the property’s value and operation, and vote accordingly. Once the votes have been tallied, however, board members’ individual opinions and votes should be kept within the board – because when they get brought out to the shareholders or unit-owners, it becomes a political fight. And when politics becomes an issue, board members sometimes lose focus on what’s necessary to keep the value of the building up.

So, while each board member does have the right to an opinion and a vote, it’s important that these opinions and votes are kept among the board members, and that the board shows a unified front. If personal politics is allowed to become an issue, it’s harder for the board to represent the building properly.