Condo Media - January 2018 - 22

DENOMINATORS
... And know that if they do accept the
low bid, there is a cost to managing that
low bid. Accepting the lowest of qualified bidders can be a legitimate strategy
when the board acknowledges there will
be a cost to managing that low bid-be
it in their own time, staff time, or having
to have another contractor come in and
finish the job or clean up the mess.
n Great board members release personal agenda and move on for the
betterment of the community. Many
board members get elected on a narrow and emotional platform: "Lower
dues by 20%!" "Fire the management
company!" ad nauseam. When the
newly elected member finds out
the platform on which they ran was
based on misinformation, great board
members realize quickly things were
not as they thought, and then move
on to the truly pressing issues of the
community.
And great boards bring new board
members with contrary agendas into

the process fast and furious to avoid the
dreaded agenda-vacuum, immersing
them into the board process ASAP.
Why? Nothing fills that agenda-vacuum, focuses the new board member's
energy faster or gives them a look at
what it's really like behind the curtain
than being given a position of responsibility. It allows that member to save face
while becoming a part of something
productive, larger, and positive.
n Great Boards avoid the circular
firing squad. What sets Great Boards
apart is that they know there will
be disagreements, they know they
don't each think alike - yet, once the
votes are cast they move forward
together, speaking with one voice to
the membership. This is crucial for
any Board, but particularly those who
have seriously disgruntled folks in
their midst. Any chink in the armor of
the Board will be exploited by those
with agendas that are not within the
current Board's policies, goals and

objectives. Great Boards have each
others' back.
n Great boards are proactive about
information. They seek out information on all aspects of community
administration and maintenance as
it applies to them. Sometimes, it's information they don't want to hear, yet,
great board members listen anyway,
it's a part of their duty. Whether by
internet search, industry publications,
or attending workshops, forums and
networking events with other board
members, great boards know they do
their jobs best by being informed, and
they strive to stay that way.
n Great boards communicate
regularly and positively with their
residents. The importance of regular,
upbeat, professional-looking newsletters, updated websites, e-blasts and
other forms of communication is
never lost on great boards. This communication creates a sense of open-

Great boards must always be aware they are a deliberative body that makes decisions based on solid
input. That solid input should include their own experience, facts, data, standard of care and standard of
the industry, precedents set before them, and expert opinion.

CONDOMEDIA

Condo Media - January 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Condo Media - January 2018