Are your board meetings effective?
By Salvatore Sciacca, Chicago Property Services
So you serve on the board of directors of a condo, townhome or community association? Or perhaps you are a homeowner at a condo association? You probably have a full time job and perhaps are married and have a family. If not, you probably have some hobbies or have season tickets to the Cubs games. Right? Well then the last thing you are probably thinking about is heading over to the board meeting next Monday. I would know. I used to own a condo AND I served on the board as the Secretary. And I will admit that I reluctantly fulfilled my duties.
Well now that I am on the management side, I have come to realize the utmost importance of having a HIGHLY effective board meeting. In fact, the board meeting is the most important event that takes place within the association, second only to the annual meeting since that is where the key decision makers (otherwise known as the board members) are elected by the homeowners. This is where “the rubber hits the road,” where the tough decisions are made, assessments are increased, special assessments are passed and even where fists go flying when tempers flare in certain circumstances.
So what are the elements of a highly successful board meeting?
Community Togetherness
Experience the Benefits
Highly effective board meetings help make communities better. Better meetings mean more action is taking place, more improvements are happening and people feel like their assessments are actually well spent. Take some time going forward and make sure your board meetings are highly effective and you will experience the benefits of doing so. And what are the benefits you might ask? Well after attending a board meeting, you can go home, open up a can of cold beer, and comfortably watch a DVR recorded game of the CUBS winning yet another game in 2016 knowing you just knocked the ball out of the park during your associations’ board meeting.
About the Author
Salvatore J. Sciacca aka “Condoboss” is one of the nation’s leading experts in the community property management industry and is also recognized for his stress relieving blogs and insight on personal and organizational transformation. He is also the President and Founder of Chicago Property Services, Chicago’s #1 community property management company specializing in management and operations of condos/townhomes/HOA’s of 100 units and under. Salvatore is also the founder of managmycommunity.com (MMC), which is a state-of-the-art online support portal for community associations.
With over 20 years of industry experience, Salvatore is recognized for his extensive knowledge of capital planning, preventative maintenance, cost-saving measures and community building techniques. He holds industry stature as a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA), the designation of Association Management Specialist (AMS) and is fully licensed as a manager (License #: 261.001386) through the State of IL.
Salvatore has also traveled extensively around the world and has meditated with Buddhist monks in Nepal and met the world’s happiest man, Matthieu Ricard. He’s passions include cooking, traveling, meditating and hiking. He is also the founder and executive director of the Chicagoland Italian American Professionals organization.
Salvatore can be reached at: 312.455.0107 x102 or at ssciacca@chicagopropertyservices.com.