[ranchlandsselling]

That sucks.

Best thing and also the worst thing is to be on the board. You know what's going on, you know why, and you'll also understand that the board is generally working in the average owners best interests. Downside is (as long as you actually participate) a lot of work, being taken advantage of, and then whether you participate or not a lot of abuse, blamed for residents problems, and generally disliked. Since the board is almost always made up of like minded residents it means they're usually in the same position as the average owner.

Much too often residents take up a adversarial position against the board and see them as this mean/evil entity that's out there to charge money/condo fees/force bylaws upon you and special assess. Well, sadly they're also special assessing themselves, charging themselves condo fees and following the bylaws. Except on top of all that they're managing your property, worrying about your property for you, maintaining your property for you and all on a volunteer basis. Additionally chances are they're on a board of which a few do all the work and the rest are just there to have the inside scoop and make yay or nay comments. As well, too often residents forget that there's so much more work being on the board than newsletters and monthly coffee meetings. Residents complain about lack of communication but are the most passive, apathetic bunch.


That said, it doesn't make a massive special assessment any more palatable. But I do urge everyone who owns a condo to either volunteer for their board, show up to AGM's and otherwise try to participate. It's a real eye opener to see how much hard work goes into managing a condo project (for free).

Signed a condo board president and board member for 6 years.