Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Board of directors setting boundaries

[Joani Blank (joani]

In the two communities I've lived in (Doyle Street and Swan's Market--both 
in the SF Bay Area), everyone is on the Board of the HOA so we don't have 
the same problem you do. It seems to me that if a Board member gets a 
request or demand that he or she feels should go to a committee or team 
first, it should simply be forwarded to the appropriate team.

For the property management issue, if the purview of the teams is well 
delineated and posted or promoted, and there are issues that fall between 
the cracks still, perhaps you need to look at your team structure to see 
where a new team or new team expectation is in order.

As far as the maintenance stuff that truly needs immediate attention, such 
as backed up plumbing, it's a good idea to have someone with a title such 
as "one-time project manager" preferably someone who works at home, to call 
the plumber, electrician, etc. .....But I'm guessing you are not really 
asking about that piece of it.

Joani Blank
Oakland, CA


> Hello.
>
> This is my first time posting.  I moved into cohousing last September.  I
> am currently on the board of directors -- 5 people who are elected to
> staggered terms.  (and yes, the fact that I was asked to run for and was
> elected to the board so quickly after moving in is indicative of some
> problems with our community.)
>
> I am seeing a pattern that disturbs me, and I would like to get some input
> from others as the board prepares to discuss this issue.
>
> ---Individual members ot the board are called at home and expected to
> immediately step in and handle situations that arise over the course of
> the day.
>
> ---Issues that fall within the pervue of our teams are being sent directly
> to the board, rather than first to the relevant team, with a carbon copy
> to the board so that the board is aware of the issue but not immediately
> responsible for responding to it.  What's the point of having teams at all
> if everything goes straight to the board for action?
>
> As I think about this, I have realized that there seems to be an
> underlying assumption that members of the board are also 24/7 on-site
> property managers.
>
> If anyone else has experience or insight into this issue, I'd love to hear
> from you.
>
> --sue
>
> Sue Stigleman
> tangosue [at] earthlink.net

Joani Blank
510-834-7399
Cell: 510-387-1315
joani [at] swansway.com
www.joaniblank.com 

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