August 2016
One perspective is that condo board meetings should be private. Owners should not be allowed to attend except by invitation of the board to address a specific issue. This allows condo boards to discuss, debate and disagree in private. Disagreements are part of the decision making process that should not be open to condo owners.
Another perspective is that private board meetings are an invitation for poor decision making. Board members without a building-wide perspective can hide behind a vote that does not explain their own potentially selfish views. Difficult board members are not known to those who vote for them.
An honest board should be capable of discussing matters in an open and public forum.
Having an open board meeting does not mean that anyone can participate. It means that anyone can observe without interrupting. Those who disrupt a board meeting should be asked to leave. If disruptions continue, private board meetings can be scheduled accordingly. Matters that require privacy can be conducted before or after an open session.
It is good for condo owners to see how their condo board interacts. There is nothing wrong with condo owners seeing that board members do not always agree while supporting a majority decision
then moving on to other matters. This gives owners confidence that matters are adequately considered prior to making a decision.
It is important that condo owners see and be aware of how decisions are made. It prevents board members from abusing their position and misrepresenting what took place.
