Question: We have a member who likes to tell the board how to do business. She wants one of the directors to read her messages (advice) at the meeting and have them incorporated into the minutes if she is unable to attend the meeting. Is this something we should do?

Answer: No. If she has something to say, she should attend the meetings. And even if she did, what she has to say is not appropriate for the meeting minutes. Minutes should reflect board business decisions, not visitor discussions or opinions.

Question: We have a homeowner who purchased a property and did not receive a copy of the governing documents prior to or after closing. He says that it is management's responsibility to provide these.

Answer: It is not management's responsibility. It is the unit seller's responsibility. The fact that this new owner did not receive them does not relieve him of the obligation to adhere to them. His beef, if there is one, should be with the seller or the seller's agent. Management can also provide copies at a reasonable charge or post them to the HOA's website if it has one (highly recommended).

Question: Our six member board voted 5-0 to pursue one course of action and a dissenting board member who was not in attendance at the meeting is now undermining that decision with the membership. What can be done?

Answer: The board president should speak to this board member reminding him that he's entitled to his personal opinion but is personally responsible for misrepresenting the board. What does that mean? It's fine for him to state that he did not agree with the vote, but the board is ruled by majority vote. If he continues to undermine that vote, he will find himself marginalized by the rest of the board.

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Published: November 10, 2010

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Richard Thompson owns Regenesis, a management consulting company that specializes in condominium and homeowner associations. He is a nationally recognized expert on HOA management issues. Regenesis publishes The Regenesis Report, a monthly newsletter for HOA boards, developers and managers. To subscribe, go to Regenesis.net. He can be contacted by email at .