Federation of Greater Baton Rouge Civic Associations

Residents Often Have Similar Complaints About Associations, Boards and Managers

By: Leanne Phillips, PCAM
The Country Club of Louisiana Property Owners Association, Administrator
The Federation of Greater Baton Rouge Civic Association, 1^st Vice-President

I have had the opportunity to network with other managers across the nation and no matter where you live residents voice the same complaints about their boards, associations and managers.   

A random group of homeowners, board members and managers were asked about the most commonly heard complaints.   According to Common Ground magazine, some of those gripes included:

• Boards do not share financial information

-When the board is silent, it raises suspicion.   Although the suspicion may be unwarranted, it doesn’t stop people from thinking the worst.   Post your financial data everywhere you can-in the newsletter, mailing, website.   Communication is the key!

• Residents do not know the rules

-Homeowners often have copies of the restrictions but don’t understand the rules.   The key is not just to make the information available, but communicate the rules in a friendly manner.  

• Why doesn’t the association do anything about the neighbors that are too noisy or drive too fast?

-Often it is because either the association restrictions do not allow the board to address such matters, or it is very difficult to enforce.   This is when the board should turn to their municipal government.  When neighbors break the law, it is not the association’s job to provide enforcement.  

• Rules are not enforced consistently

-When a homeowner receives a letter regarding a violation, often their response is to point out another neighbor with the same violation.   Proper documentation, assuring residents that fair and just enforcement is being applied is the answer.   Check your restrictions, many of them detail how the board is to enforce the rules.  

• Residents do not like it when you do not let them vote on important association business

-Residents fail to understand that they do not get to vote on everything.   It is the duty of their Board.   The answer is to educate the community.   Encourage residents to get involved in committees.   They may not have the final vote, but will be a part of the decision-making process.  

• The board meets behind closed doors

-People do not like it when the board meets in private to discuss their money, property and quality of life.   Board members should conduct meetings in the open.   Meetings should be well planned and allow a certain amount of time for open session.  
 

• When a board member runs for the board because of a personal issue

-If not handled properly by a strong board president, a director’s agenda can affect hard-working, well-intentioned board members.   Predetermine the meeting agenda, adopt and use Robert’s Rules of Order.  

Residents can be a board or association’s worst critics, but also their best supporters.    Listen and learn from complaints and remember, “Whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.”

At the Federation of Greater Baton Rouge Civic Association meetings, we try to offer solutions to our shared concerns.   We invite you to join us at any of our monthly meetings, held the second Thursday of the month, at 7 p.m., at the BREC center on Independence Blvd.