March 2022
Condo living depends on volunteers. Directors serving on the board receive no financial compensation, are expected to effectively and efficiently manage the corporation, and deal with challenging owner expectations. Good directors can be expected to spend 20-30 hours per week on corporation business although less than ten hours per month may be more typical. Additional volunteers are needed to serve on committees and do other things desired by a community but not required of the board or management.
Successful communities find enough volunteers to fill these roles. Less than successful communities will find it difficult, perhaps impossible, to find dedicated individuals willing to assist.
If having difficulty finding volunteers for your community, consider what is being done to turn them away.
Standards of Conduct
Few want to participate on a board with conflict and poor standards of behaviour among residents. Healthy debate among residents should be encouraged in meetings and written communication. Hostility and animosity in any form should not be tolerated.
Meetings Management
Meetings should be comfortable gatherings where issues can be discussed without hostility among directors or residents. Most choose to avoid meetings where such feelings are prevalent and tolerated. Meetings that fail to start and end on time are disruptive to those with tight schedules and other commitments. Keep meetings civil, professional and on time.
Liability Threats
Volunteer directors should never be threatened with liability. They are expected to use their best judgement when making decisions. Liability threats are an unnecessary distraction and deterrent. Lawsuits against directors, regardless of success, will likely be paid through insurance resulting in higher owner-paid premiums.
Excessive Control
The overall tone of a condo board generally comes from the president. One failing to make others feel their views are important, or disrespectful to opposing views, is unlikely to be popular. The board is a body of individuals with each opinion holding equal weight. One overbearing individual controlling the board and left unchecked is the sign of a domineering boss rather than an effective condominium corporation president.
Communication
Boards suffer when owners have no idea what is going on in their community. Publication of meeting minutes is important. So are notices about goings-on in the building and details on future plans. A secretive board offers no confidence in their actions, is challenged with obtaining resident support, and discourages others from getting involved.
