May 2016
Term Limits Discourage Creation of Effective Condo Boards
Volunteer-run organizations often struggle to find enough people prepared to provide service. The same is true for condo corporations.
The problem is not apathy. Condo residents are concerned about how much they pay in fees and the quality of what they receive.
The job of serving on a condo board is hard. Decisions made by a board nearly always result in some unhappy owners.
The number of highly motivated people for this job is low and the time commitment is high. Volunteers generally want to limit their time commitment so may avoid volunteering for a condo board. Some condo board members choose to serve because they want change. Satisfied owners feel the job is being done well and are less likely to serve as volunteers.
Good condo boards make good decisions in the long term interest of a majority. Poor condo boards give up and make decisions based on convenience, personal interests or path of least resistance.
Despite the challenges at finding qualified volunteers for condo board positions, some condo corporations intentionally discourage participation of more active members by establishing arbitrary term limits. Term limits are counterproductive to finding and keeping volunteers with good skills and a willingness to help.
Many of the best condo boards are those which have worked together to effect change over long periods of time. Term-limits on condo board involvement discourage such capable volunteers. Long term and capable volunteers are less likely to participate knowing they will be forced to “retire” regardless of their effectiveness.
Tips for effective condo board management and volunteer participation:
- Recognize that condo boards set direction – leave management to management
- Focus on strategic issues
- Schedule board meetings well in advance and at times conducive to those who are not retired
- Do not reschedule or cancel meetings
- Keep board meetings on topic and on time
- Make board meetings and activities transparent
- Encourage committees, recognize their efforts and adopt their reasonable recommendations
- Get volunteers involved on committees as a path to future board participation
- Be transparent and provide good communication in the form of regular meetings and written updates
- Be open to new ideas, perspectives and ways of doing things
