Articles

Board Quorum May 23, 2016

In order for a common interest development to make a membership decision or board decision, “quorum” must first be attained. Quorum is a Latin word meaning...

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The Problem with Proxies May 09, 2016

Association election contests can be controversial, and proxies all too often add to the controversy.

What is a proxy?

A proxy is a document by which one association member...

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Reader Questions - Rules Apr 25, 2016

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Our board frequently adopts new rules, generally following the required process of providing 30-day notice prior to voting at an open meeting.

...

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Reader Questions - Are Closed Session Meetings OK? Apr 18, 2016

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Our board meetings consist of two parts. A closed meeting is convened with the board members and the manager discussing “sensitive”...

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Tips Toward Fairer Disciplinary Hearings Mar 28, 2016

In a perfect world, disciplinary hearings would be unnecessary because members all focused on being good neighbors to each other. However, disciplinary hearings are...

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Reader Questions - Board Proxy, Earthquake Insurance, and Replacing President Mar 21, 2016

Mr. Richardson,

I serve on my HOA board, and every year we meet to discuss the annual budget. I sit through this discussion without understanding much of anything. After...

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Reader Questions - Changing and Enforcing Rules Mar 07, 2016

Good Morning,

I am on the board of a community, and have seen many changes in procedures that govern all boards. Are there legal guidelines that we have to follow to...

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Reader Questions - Financial Reports, Are We a CID? Feb 22, 2016

Hi Mr. Richardson,

I am new to the HOA board and enjoy reading your weekly column in the [paper]. I don’t think you have discussed what to do if the property manager...

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Reader Questions - Is There Mandatory Education? Feb 15, 2016

Dear Kelly,

Why there are no educational requirements for board members and no requirements for either education, certification, background checks, etc. for managers?...

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Twenty Thoughts at the 200 Mark Jan 18, 2016

Dear Readers,

This marks the 200th column since it was revived in early 2012; may I share 20 thoughts with you on this milestone?

  1. Common interest communities involve...
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Reader Questions - Suspended Corporation, Quorum Jan 11, 2016

Dear Kelly,

I was elected HOA President shortly after we bought a unit in the complex. I was told that the HOA was an unincorporated association. After some digging, I...

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Reader Questions - Recalling Directors Jan 04, 2016

Dear Kelly,

I am a new director on (our HOA) board. Some of the new directors are very concerned about the condition of our association and possible malfeasance being...

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