Hi all,
The following is an extract from the Bylaws of UCO:
"All Officers of UCO must be members of UCO, and be domiciled and reside in Century Village, West Palm Beach, Florida, for a period of not less than nine (9) months of each year in which they serve."
I invite comments, on this item, in particular the bolded bit.
Dave Israel
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how would someone who does not reside here for the period stated attend meetings- online? video conference? etc yes that's great but sometimes you need to be present physically to survey a village problem firsthand ---many residents do not have computers/tech capability ---to communicate with officers in lieu of trotting to UCO bldg- on the other hand, international corps manage via technology ---apparently someone or several someones has brought up this issue? what's the origin?
ReplyDeleteHi Mag,
ReplyDeleteDecember 13, 2010 8:55 AM,
A Snowbird has opined that he feels disenfranchised by this Bylaw.
I am seeking opinions on the issue.
Dave Israel
I think it is important to have UCO officers live here at least 9 months per year. If a person was hired by a company to perform a job they would be required to be on the job 12 months per year less holiday time or the occasional sick days. Why would someone think that the work at UCO is any less demanding? You cannot perform your duties if you are not present to perform them. Why should someone else have double work to pick up the slack or should the work not get done?
ReplyDeleteYes Grace,I agree- it is unfair and inconvenient even at the assn level if all board members aren't on premises year round -and on top of that, to get year round people who are physically able to run for board - so many are extremely selfish about helping out on any level - I keep spouting - this is not an assisted living facility - you don't want to run for the board yet you want the board to do everything for you ---imagine if a board had all snowbirds! I know there are some assn w/snowbirds on bd and I guess if everyone co operative works fine ---but do we think that is the majority or minority? How many residents w/computers or computer access even bother to read much less post on the blog? so how much more important is it for the officers of UCO to be here----a thousand times more important.
ReplyDeleteOf our seven condo association directors, four live here year round and three are snowbirds, here for 4-6 months. When the three are not here, if there's something important to decide, we are in touch by e-mail or phone. It works well because all the board members are so cooperative; but if only two board members were here year-round, it would be much harder on them (and the residents) because of the many moment-by-moment decisions and tasks that must take place.
ReplyDeleteWith UCO officers I would think it even more important that there be "all hands on deck" to the extent possible. Like Mag and Grace, I think the rule is a good one. It isn't a matter of wanting to disenfranchise those who aren't here 9 months of the year; it's trying to be fair to those who by being on the scene will carry most of the burden and to make oneself available to the community. UCO officers are where they are mainly to serve the community, and only secondarily--if at all, in my opinion--to have their own interests represented at a "top level."
Below is an extract of last Sunday December 12th Palm Beach Post column of the Pollakoff, The Condo Consultant.
ReplyDelete'' the condo act allows meetings to be conducted telephonically ( through a conference call or video conference ), so there's really no reason that you would have to miss a meeting simply because yoy weren't in town. The board would simply need to set up a speakerphone during the meeting and allow you to call in.
Frankly, this is an extremely standard practice today, especialy in South Florida, where transient owners are common. We know of board members who never attend meetings in person, and do their jobs quite effectively.''
Andre
Hi Andre,
ReplyDeleteUCO is not as Association, but an organization,and is not subject to the meeting provisions found in the Condominium Act. The entire Village, whether the residents know it or not, benefit greatly from the full time efforts of UCO Officers. IMHO, there is no adequate substitute for their actual presence. Meetings of the Officers' Committee are but a small part of the many duties of our officers.
Randall, you are absolutely correct. immediacy is frequently of utmost importance ---
ReplyDeleteWHO IS BEING DISENFRANCHISED?
ReplyDeleteTHOSE THAT DISAPPEAR FOR 3 OR MORE
MONTHS? EXPECTING PERFECTION, UPON
THEIR RETURN?
UCO does not OPERATE in the same
fashion as THEIR ASSOCIATION, does.. LET'S MAKE THAT PERFECTLY
CLEAR...and in order to CAPTURE
THE ESSENCE of each and every
UCO OPEN MEETING, one MUST BE PRESENT.
I'd like to know the breakdown of full time resident vs the snowbird population. \if the latter exceeds the former then surely they should have direct representation.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob,
ReplyDeleteDecember 27, 2010 3:27 PM,
Census 2000 put the population of Century Village, WPB at 7616. Specific data for Census 2010 CDP Century Village, WPB is expected soon.
Keep in mind, that Snow Birds who officially reside in another state, are counted in that state.
So, our population is split almost in half with a slight bias to permanent non-Snowbird residents.
There is no question IMHO that as Unit Owners, the seasonal residents are discriminated against in many ways, including in UCO and Association Volunteer and Elected positions.
The question is how are these inequities to be rectified!
Dave Israel