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There is a shareholder in this building that has enough votes to get himself on the board and he also has been a chronic source of noise and smoke violations in the building. Recently another board member and shareholder who live on his floor have made complaints about unreasonable noise from his place cause mostly we think by his live in lover--bass music, banging the door at 3 AM etc. They have asked hin nicely to stop it and the Board member argues and denies making any noise, tells the shareholders to soundproof their hallways and then circulates defaming letters from his lover to the Board. Some members of the Board are uncomfortable with sending a formal lawyer's letter to this couple. The Board president thinks it's unfair to vote on taking this action without including the offending Board member in the discussion and vote. I thiknk this is ridiculous -- why don;t we just let the offending Board member write their own letter to themselves? This is very preferntial treatment -- how can we send a letter to any other shareholder about house rule violations and not a Board member who does much worse things. I feel like one member of the Board has something else behind his take no action agenda. How do other building deal with this? Would calling in a mediator help?
Oh FN dont get me started on Board members braking rules.
I can go on for ever listing what goes on. Not all board members though. Just a few that feel privileged.
Its a shame that we just cant tell them the truth and what really is on our minds without knowing that to do so would mean looking for a new job.
Pg
First there must be a tone of fiduciary responsibility and ethical values which must be inculcated in the board’s activities day after day, decision after decision, meeting after meeting, etc.
Basically personal gain or good are checked at the door and the it is the good of corporation and the shareholders which is paramount.
In our case, when we found a board member had broken a rule and wanted to be grandfathered, we then found a replacement board member and asked that offending board member not stand for reelection. This was kept quiet, other board members were aware, but not made public. This action was taken even after the offending board member took corrective action.
In my view the board needs to behave in a proper manner at all times.
This is one reason in our coop the board of directors does not have access to any waiting lists for any cages, parking, etc. This simple expedient eliminates any chance of personal persuasion and also allows the board to face the shareholders and honestly respond: ”I don’t know who is on the list or in what position, nor can I influence the list, nor would I want to influence the list.”
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Sad but true. From my very own personal experience haveing managed many properties the board member(s)appear to be the first one to break their own rules more often than not.
Example: "All dog walkers/owners must take their pets on the service car and out the service entrance except for board members who can use the front elevators and go out through the lobby." Could you also ask the staff to enforce the rules.
FN
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