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For the good of VOCA ...


Dave Benore

VOCA Board President
6/29/2012 1:29:00 PM

 “For the good of VOCA.” What does that mean? It means for the good of the members of VOCA, our lot owners. Why write about this? HOAs sometimes have a spotty reputation. It happens when a board of directors have members who have a personal agenda to push, or are just on a power trip. Do we have that problem? I would say no.

I was on the Board from 1999 to 2002, and am again from 2009 to 2013. In between, I watched the Boards at work. I am very happy to report that in this year, as in the last three years, I have been working with as fine a group of people as I have ever met. I mean that in the sense of they have the good of the organization at heart, and they have a great deal of competence, as a Board, in managing VOCA.

The Board members have good management experience with a healthy dose of common sense. We don’t always agree, and that is good. Various viewpoints must be considered. But even in disagreement, all are courteous and civil with each other. And when a decision is made, all support it. This makes for a Board that really works for its members. Comparing 1999-2002 to today, I see a continual improvement in professionalism and effectiveness.

So why does VOCA occasionally get bad press? Usually it happens because of misunderstandings. I am continually amazed how some people leap to suspicions that they are being unfairly treated. Running afoul of the CC&Rs is most frequently the cause of the misunderstandings.

Someone does not understand why the CC&Rs should apply to them and tell their neighbors. The neighbors tell others and the rumor mill takes off. When this happens we all should take a breath and ask for the facts.

The people that operate the Restrictions Committee are just as committed to being fair as the Board members. They work hard to keep VOCA looking good and it sometimes appears a thankless task when an owner does not understand why he cannot paint his home pink!

So, if you get a letter from VOCA about a CC&R issue, please come in to the office and get clarification if you don’t understand what is happening.

Occasionally, the board takes an action that is not understood and the rumors start flying. A few people “invent” facts that support their suspicions the Board has acted erroneously. Please know that I have never seen Board action that was taken without getting all the facts required, and then acting as fair as they could in solving a particular problem.

The Board does realize that they must be fair to all the owners, including those who follow the rules. They must be fair to all of VOCA.

I find that serving on the Board is rewarding. I just wish more people with management skills would feel that giving something back to the community, such as Board or committee service, is really worth doing. And if a Board or committee action seems questionable to you, please remember that we are all working “for the good of VOCA."


 

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