A manifesto for the governance of Cimarron Hills Homeowners' Association ("CHHOA")
Anthony C. Humpage
I don't think the governance of CHHOA need be complicated. Indeed, I think it would probably benefit from some simplification.
I believe that it is the responsibility of the CHHOA Board to maintain the quality of life that residents moved to CH to enjoy. In fulfilling this overriding responsibility the Board should discharge its duties in a financially conservative manner. In my first term on the CHHOA Board I said I was interested in obtaining value for our residents -- for example by using competitive bids for major financial expenditures . Fiscal conservatism also requires that the Board ensure that reserves are always at least adequately funded as a percentage of expected future expenditures. Our community should never be faced by a special assessment or a "tax" (assessment) on the sale of homes because reserves fell short. When it comes to matters of finance, it is not the Board's job to be popular, necessarily. The Board has a duty to be a good steward. This includes avoiding encumbering the association with debt to finance discretionary projects.
Adequate communication is essential. Again, given the state of online alternatives today, this is not hard or costly to achieve. The community should communicate frequently with its residents through a menu of online options that are easy to navigate and which allow two-way communication. Every year, six months after the annual meeting, the Board meeting should be held on a Saturday afternoon to better facilitate an exchange of views between residents and the Board. Where substantial discretionary expenditure is contemplated, the Board should ascertain that a majority of residents support the project.
The Board should set policy and give direction and oversight but it is not the Board's job to manage the minutiae of the community's affairs. We have a well-paid professional management company who has that responsibility as their "day job", and who are far more experienced in community management than the Board ever will be. The board should remain in touch with its community, but it should not buy a dog and bark itself.
Maintenance of the quality of life and security of our community should be the primary concern of the Board consistent with conservative and sensible financial and operating practices. This does not strike me as being that hard to grasp, but apparently it is for some.
In closing, I believe that Board members should limit their service to a maximum of two full terms. If members are unable to physically attend meetings for an uninterrupted period of, say, four to five months, they should resign their position. They should also avoid possible conflicts of interest that might arise by serving on the Board of the master association while also serving on the CHHOA Board. Additionally, those residents whose professions or livings could place them in a conflict of interest situation should avoid offering themselves for service. Finally, although it is countenanced by our bye-laws, Board members should physically reside in the community, i.e., ownership of a rental property should not qualify one for Board membership.
Posts
As a resident of Cimarron Hills since 2005, my wife and I really love our home and community. It saddens me to read about all the strife going on with our board. I really agree that communication has been poor, and feel that, if nothing, more comes of these recent events, we all will take more interest in the workings of our outstanding community. This blog spot is certainly a great way to start.
ReplyDeleteI have followed this entire situation with great interest. Because we have 2 very busy children and my husband travels, it is pretty much impossible for either of us to attend the monthly board meetings regularly. We have managed to attend a couple - beginning when the speed bumps were removed which was completely puzzling. My biggest complaint has been communication and the lack of it. There was no notice that the speed bumps were to be removed - at least no obvious notice. I was told by Mr. Fuchs that if I wanted to know what was going on in the community, I should attend the meetings. This was frustrating to begin with - and only after several phone calls and internet searching did I finally stumble upon the Rossmar Connect website where minutes are posted. Since then, the board has made some efforts at communication. Simply telling the residents about Rossmar Connect was a start! My point in all this is that had I known that there were studies and discussions to remove the speed bumps, I would have spoken up earlier.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate and agree with your Manifesto 100%. I am especially interested in the statement, "Where substantial discretionary expenditure is contemplated, the Board should ascertain that a majority of residents support the project." I understand that a board is voted in with the charge of managing the funds of the community in a fiscally responsible manner, and that they really do not HAVE to inform the residents of their plans other than posting meeting minutes. I just think it is a neighborly and right thing to do to get resident's input on things that affect every resident. Expenditures on a fitness room renovation, speed bump removal, or purchase of an expensive monument (giant street sign) are 3 things that serve as perfect examples. Every neighbor I know has an opinion on these things and the Board really should make serious efforts to take the temperature before taking action.
Jenny Dorsch
Jenny: Communicating with the residents is as hard as a blog like this. Which is one of the reasons I started it. The Board isn't catching on very quickly, though.
ReplyDeleteTony,
ReplyDeleteDo you have any idea why the personnel manning the Gate was changed from Safeguard to Trident? And why were we given email notice at 12:54 pm on Friday, 12/21/12 that the change would take place at 2:00 pm that same day?
Howard Smigel