Transparency key in revision of HOA laws

Re Dec. 6 story “Residents want financial reporting, personal liability from HOA Boards”:

Good to see that the S.C. Legislature will be addressing our HOA concerns. Most important, transparency is the key to any organization that is spending other people's money. It is the board's duty to open all meetings (SC HOA Code sec. 27-52-150) and to provide photocopies of minutes, work orders, receipts, etc. when requested. (Sec. 27-52-160).

Information should be given freely and without fear of retaliation, nasty letters and name-calling or the other passive-aggressive approach, no response at all. These negative responses are counter-productive to the education process and have no place in the board room. A common (sarcastic) response to questions of concern is “everyone has an opinion.”

That is exactly correct and is the basic principle of Robert's Rules of Order: the majority will rule but the minority will be heard. Board directors must remember that they are elected to represent all the association members and to validate all opinions and incorporate them in their issue debates.

A frequent problem in HOAs is “Group Think,” where directors “go along to get along.”

And finally; many people purchase homes in communities in neighborhoods that do not have special amenities like clubhouses, tennis, pickle ball, bocce, and the list can go on. Please address the rights of those owners versus special interest groups who petition to create additional facilities (capital improvements), should there not be a required majority vote in order to allocate funds for these projects. I hope The Sun News will create a special HOA column and keep the public informed of the legislation going on in Columbia.

The writer lives in Murrells Inlet.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 8:28 AM with the headline "Transparency key in revision of HOA laws."