The other day, reading news feeds off the Internet I came across an article about a Home Owners Association in Texas that was filling a lawsuit against one of their Homeowners for violating the rules of the association. The rule in question was one that prohibited residents from displaying any type of decal advertising on their vehicles. The vehicle was the residents private car. The decal that was deemed offensive was the Marine Corps logo of which the homeowner was a retired member. A disabled retired member; someone who fought for their country. When word got out to the media as to what the HOA wanted to do they pulled back and offered a compromise; cover up the stickers with magnetic panels whenever he is in the association, or at home for that matter. I could go on and on with other stories from all over the country about overzealous Home Owner Associations and the crazy rules they try or do enact. How about the HOA in Louisiana that forced a home into foreclosure because they were $800 behind on their dues because they were serving in Iraq! Google HOA horror stories and you will find hundreds of articles on this subject, some of them funny, others sad, but all of them a lesson in management.
The difference between a manager and a leader is simple, a manager manages, usually by a set of rules or a policy. A leader leads and that includes the use of discretion and a bigger vision of what is the right thing to do, not just what the book or bylaws tell me I have to do. I was at a neighborhood party recently and one of the residents asked me if we, the board, were going to make any changes to the bylaws and start adding rules here and there etc. I was a little surprised since none of us volunteered for the position because we needed something else to do much less change rules and bylaws because we can. In fact, we can't make any changes without homeowner by-in and a vote. We need a quorum to implement any changes to the by-laws and frankly I am not sure what additional rules we would even want to put into place. Hans Hagen did a pretty good job of including the basic common sense and logic rules like keep up the exterior of your home, not having 15 cars in your driveway etc. And, for the most part everyone within the Preserve East has been very good about respecting the rules in place. So, with all that said, we as your board have no plans on adding rules or regulations. Our responsibility is to the common areas of the Preserve and upholding the by-laws in place, other than that, we are not going to get power hungry and start changing things around to suit our needs, beliefs or ideas.
Finally, as you all have seen, the first bill of 2012 was mailed out last week and we have made some changes to the statement that allows you to see your billing history as well as any outstanding dues from prior years. I want to thank those of you who have already either paid the bill or have informed us that you will be paying it soon. We appreciate every ones willingness to take responsibility for our neighborhood and do their part. We the board, are just here to administer; we as homeowners, all of us, are here to raise our families and create or preserve a safe, healthy and fun place to live.
As service disabled combat Veteran (AF 2004) living in the East Preserve, I can appreciate this post. I too have decals on my vehicle.
ReplyDeleteI echo the comments about managers vs leaders. Managers can be in charge without followers but people follow a true leader regardless of title, position or status.
More rules, policies and regulation always means less Freedom and I would like to thank you for keeping it simple. I can say that because I have literally witnessed life without Freedom (Bosnia & Afghanistan) and I can tell you we need to appreciate what we have.
Thank you for being leaders.