Do you sit on an HOA board?

I do, and if you do, are you faced with open hostility for things that are not within the control of the board?

What is your strategy for dealing with meetings that are nothing more that gripe and moan sessions?

 

Prayer. Get God's perspective and His suggestions for dealing with the issues.

 

Perhaps the answer is to try and understand why the meetings are gripes are moan sessions. If people are making an effort to complain at the HOA meetings, there must be a reason.

 

I sell real estate and I've yet to come across someone that likes their HOA. There always seems to be someone on the board who is on a power trip. Not all are bad but there's always one.

 

We only have four units. So every owner is also on the board.
I still don't like the board meetings. If I had the money I would buy a house. But they cost a lot where I live (San Diego.)

 

I was once upon a time and became the president by default. Everyone wanted something but they didn't get it. In 3 years I reroofed the place and fixed the parking lot. No hot tub, even though some of the residents wanted one. They just didn't want to pay for it. I was glad to be done with it. I will never live anywhere with covenants, restrictions or an HOA again. My house is my business not any one else's.

 

Well, unfortunately all that comes with being a HOA board member. I believe @Erik Redd is correct. Find out why they are griping. Many have legitimate gripes, that are the responsibility of the HOA to fix. If so, fix it. If it isn't a HOA matter, be nice and explain the proper channels they need go, to get the problem fixed. Some people just plain show up to gripe about anything and everything. Learn how to handle these people, and learn how to limit their gripes, to possibly two gripes per meeting, the rest to be done in writing.
I have had good HOA' s and bad. Put yourself in the place of the person doing the griping, and see how you would want things to be handled.

 

My strategy in all conflicts...

Dazzle with brilliance

-or-

Baffle with BS

 

Serious reply:

Ignorance of the game can keep people unhappy. Sometimes helping people truly understand their own concerns, as well as any remedies can diffuse this stuff.

 

Move 10 miles outside the city limits and buy at least 5 acres. Now exactly what is a HOA

 

Hey man....a cat with as many blades as you have shouldn't evah have to worry about dealing with hostility for anything! Whether it's in or out of your control....