HOA ethics: the end justifies the means

Depending on what side of the fence you’re sitting on in a controversial issue, you may be arguing that the end justifies the means, Yes or NO. It is a moral and ethical decision and raises the question as to when and how.  In a culture where its values have been deteriorating over the years to, what’s in it for me, greed is good, and I want it now, a valid and acceptable “means” has consequently also deteriorated.

In general, this end-means assertion is introduced as a defensive justification for some course of action being challenged by others. It usually involves a discretionary decision by some authority entity, like a town council, board of directors, management, etc.  Not surprisingly, we find this defensive reaction in many HOA-Land situations; I discuss one such incident based on real events.

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Management Case Study #1 – update1

Events at the HOA featured in this study continue to unfold. The board has been silent since the Dec. 16 email from the president. A question was addressed to the Executive Administrator of CAM asking whether or not she was in charge. The general manager (GM) had quit and there was no announcement whatsoever as to the status of CAM. She was listed on the staff of CAM, without any statement regarding the status of the GM.

In 2 days of this writing, Dec. 30, the SCG will hold a planned Q & A session where members can ask the BOD questions, sort of a townhall meeting. Would you advise the BOD to hold the meeting? If so, how should it deal with hard questions concerning its past performance?

January 2022 will see the campaign and election of board directors, and the right of members to write-in names of members not approved or subject to the SCG election and voting process. The BOD controls and approves the selection of “candidates” and regulates their campaign procedures — can they speak at clubs, what can be said, failure to attend a meeting disqualifies a potential candidate, etc.

A majority of the directors will be elected at this time, as a result of resignations, permitting an organized membership to gain control of the board. As in the case of our national politics, should the old BOD deny the results — as it seems to be the posture it is taking — or accept the reality of the vote?

Management Case Study #1 — BOD good faith conduct

George K. Staropoli

December 22, 2021

“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain”

(Wizard of OZ)

As applied to HOA-Land, the “man” is the BOD manipulating and controlling the images, propaganda, and marketing designed to placate the wants and desires of the members.

The task

For this case study, you have been engaged to advise the BOD as to its conduct in deciding these difficult and controversial  issues, and are free to comment on any or all aspects of the problem situation. What will you advise?  The  value of your recommendations lies in the quality of your supporting arguments.

Put your management/BD skills to work and join the study. It is very important for the learning process to share your recommendations with others here, and to accept their constructive criticism. You can reject, modify, or remove your recommendations. This approach sharpens your thinking and helps you make a more solid case for HOA reforms.