The Joy of an HOA President

Here we are again.  Time for the annual meeting.  I thought I would be helpful with taking on a task that nobody else wanted.  I have come to realize why this job is so thankless and why nobody wants it.  I have been honestly doing my best to communicate with the residents in my HOA, but I am only human and I only have so much time to devote to everything.  I started a Facebook page to try and open communication up.  For the most part it has been successful.  People that choose to are getting additional information and know when meetings are every month and what topics we are discussing.  Of course though, there has to be a bad seed in every group.  A majority of these home owners do not actually know who I am because they have never attended an HOA meeting.  They do not understand how an HOA works or the struggles that our particular HOA has had in the last 4 years.  Below is a message that I received through Facebook.  It is nothing short of just being plain crappy of someone who wants to take out their anger on someone they don't know.  They did send this through the messages for only the board to see, but I posted it in a Note for all to see on what is not acceptable to be sending.  I have to be honest and say that I have been steaming about this since I got this message.  Those who know me, know how I am and exactly the words that I wanted to say. The also know its probably not a good idea to get on my bad side. I was planning on having a discussion or two and some "words" with this particular person if they did choose to show up at our annual meeting next week. I actually had it all planned out with a little research on what would be brought up in front of everyone.  However something this weekend changed that.   See below the messages on what changed my mind.

Uncalled for Message from Home Owner

by Centennial Farms Hoa Milliken on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 10:28am

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Erin  February 8 at 3:34pm 

So first of all, I think the person who invented HOAs should shot, drug through hell, and then be resurrected and shot again. I have yet to see where HOAs serve any other useful purposes than to allow power hungry control freaks an outlet to tell everyone else what to do. Maybe you can enlighten me as to the purpose of an HOA? (and I don't want to hear any BS excuse about how HOAs protect property value. I've lived in neighborhoods before where there was no HOA, and this may come as a shock to you, but people actually took care of their properties. ) 

Moving into this neighborhood has been one of the biggest regrets of my life, and I can't wait until the day when I can move. This HOA is a disgrace, and a complete and total waste of time and money. 

By the way, if you want my Christmas lights (which haven't been on since the beginning of January) down, you can come get on my roof in the snow and ice and take them down yourself. I don't how you sleep at night. What this HOA does is nothing short of stealing and nothing short of socialism.

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Please remember that the reason this site was created was to have open communication between the HOA Board Members and the residents in Centennial Farms.  Vulgarity and Threats are not acceptable to send as messages.

The Board is always open to discussing issues and concerns and a majority of the time home owners find out that the board has the same concerns.  The board is always open to ideas.  Our main focus at this time is the budget and paying for the Landscaping, Property Management Company, and the Park Lease.  

Thank you for your continuation of making our community a nice place with nice neighbors to live in.

The board members would be happy to discuss any issues at our annual meeting if you are current on your dues.

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Something in the last couple of weeks has been urging me go to church.  It has been awhile.  I decided this last weekend that I would make time.  Come to find out exactly why I was meant to go and had to go this last weekend.  Everything they talked about during church felt as if it pertained exactly to me and what I am going to be coming up against at the annual HOA meeting and all the feelings that I have been having towards some of the residents.  I honestly want nothing more than to rip into some of these people and I know that it is not pleasant to be on the other end of my tyrants, very unpleasant, because as nice as I can be, I can be doubly mean and I'm good at it (sad to say, but its the truth). 

Here is a piece from the church bulletin that is now posted on my fridge.

Catholic Corner

It is natural human response to want revenge when we have been wronged.   When we are hurt, we want to strike back.  However, Jesus was very clear that this is not the way to behave.  We are to treat everyone with love, respect, and compassion - even our enemies!  Do you tend to bear grudges, rejoice in the bad fortune of those you despise?  Do you think there should be exceptions to what Jesus has told us?  We may not always be able to control our feelings; but, we can choose how to act.  What choices are you making?

Take no revenge and cherish no grudge...

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Leviticus 19:18

So there you have it.  My mind will continue to replay this and read it each morning and hope for the best on my actions.  I will be letting them know that since this is my 3rd year as HOA President that I will not go for another term of 3 years and my position will be open next year.