T’is the season and everyone, no matter what their religion or beliefs, a person has wants and wishes. What better way to start 2014 than with a Colonies Co-Owner Wish List:
1. A Complete Board of
Directors that actually work in the best interest of their fellow co-owners vs.
working their own agendas
·
Currently
The Colonies Board of Directors has 2 of 7 (28.57%) Board Members actually
making every attempt to fulfill their fiduciary duty as Board members and are
being fought tooth and nail by the remaining 5 members; 1 of those 5 members
does not always fight them and does question the Board on matters interest of
the co-owners
2. Transparency from the
Board of Directors to the Colonies Co-Owners to include full disclosure of
straightforward information vs. Board Members manipulating events to their
advantage
·
A
few Board Members and members of the Management team met with an outside
advisor during the Spring. Colonies financial information was shared with
this individual and the Board relayed that it was an information gathering
session; SHARE with the co-Owners what information was gathered by being
TRANSPARENT!!!!!
3. Make The Colonies Clubhouse Non-Smoking
Rental
income has been on the decline in recent years as per the following Audit
Figures:
o
2012: $15,113
o
2011: $16,990
·
The
resident beer drinker who raised an issue over his beer being stolen at the
recent Board Meeting will certainly have a problem
·
The
Colonies Clubhouse needs to be fumigated at the worst degree (smoke throughout
the years in the carpet and furniture needs no further comment)
·
Entails
amending Colonies Policy Resolution I-B-17 Smoking in the Common Elements
4. Make the Administration Building Non-Smoking
·
Feasibly
achievable after Friday, January 17, 2014 when General Manager Carlton retires
(Carlton will be serving in a Consultant/Advisor capacity after her retirement
date)
o
Should
be noted the Administration Building’s address, 7681 Provincial Drive, where
the offices are based, contain two 2-bedroom units owned by The Council of
Co-Owners that were converted to the offices
5. Cease the conflict of
interest that exists with an Officer of the Board of Directors working as a
Part-time employee in The Colonies office; Colonies co-owner Kelleher serving
on the Board of Directors as Treasurer working part-time in the Management
Office is inappropriate. Kelleher voted on the passing of the 2014 Budget
which would include a salary increase (2.8% increase over 2013’s budgeted
amount), a breach of Item 2 of Colonies Policy Resolution I-B-4 Code of Ethics
that states:
I agree not to use my position for
material gain and agree to avoid all personal considerations which might give
rise to actual or apparent conflict of interest. In cases where potential
conflicts of interest arise, I agree to abstain from discussion and/or vote.
By voting on the 2014 budget, Treasurer Kelleher violated the Code of Ethics item! Pick the Part-Time position on The Colonies payroll or serving as an Officer on the Board of Directors!
6. Have the Board of
Directors actually use resources within their own Board; Vice President of the
Board Pollak is a highly respected property management professional with many
years’ experience and Board Member Crane’s extensive litigation experience
particularly with contracts and proposals are an asset to the Board and
co-owners alike
7. A Board of Directors
where ALL members actually adhere to the following Colonies Policy Resolution
I-B-4 Code of Ethics items (not listed in any particular order of priority):
·
I
agree to keep co-owners informed as to The Colonies’ business and to counter
all attempts to mislead co-owners (Item 9)
·
I
agree to express my opinions responsibly after full consideration and
examination of the facts and recognition of the impact of my statements on The
Colonies’ reputation and/or property values (Item 5)
·
I
agree to promote constructive suggestions which benefit the community and to
avoid derogatory expressions of opinion unless warranted by facts (Item 6)
·
I
agree to enforce The Colonies Declaration', Bylaws, and Resolutions (Item 4)
·
I
agree to fulfill my fiduciary responsibilities to The Colonies by giving it my
loyalty, by acting at all times honestly and in good faith, by fair dealing in
all instances and by exercise of sound impartial business judgment (Item 1)
·
I
agree not to use my position for material gain and agree to avoid all personal
considerations which might give rise to actual or apparent conflict of
interest. In cases where potential conflicts of interest arise, I agree
to abstain from discussion and/or vote (Item 2)
8. Colonies Board of Directors and Management be open to new ideas and change
·
Explore
all options to include putting items/services out for bid to ensure co-owners
are getting best services at the best value
·
Solicit
more than 3 bids (multiple emails received talk of how vendors discussed at
Board Meetings are never more than 2 cited)
9. A Board that actually listens to co-owners and considers them as equals!
Any additional suggestions, feel free to email me at colonies.mclean@gmail.com.
Have a Happy and safe Holiday Season and let's hope for a better 2014!
this is so out of date.
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