Page 16 - New York Cooperator February 2019

BOARD RELATIONSHIPS I n a community association, it falls on the board to put out any fi res that ig- nite among the property’s residents. But ity to agree to disagree,” says Tina Straits, what happens when that blaze springs up Vice President and General Manager of between the board members themselves? Those who volunteer to serve on their Illinois. “Any one group of people is not community association or co-op board going to reach a consensus on every issue. are likely to bring strong convictions – Where there is disagreement, it is vitally and personalities – to the table. As in any important that board members listen re- decision-making body, there is likely to spectfully to each other and understand be difference of opinion. And if the stakes that having a difference of opinion is and tempers rise high enough, it can oc- casionally escalate into a war of words. At worst, it can lead to knock-down, drag- out fisticuffs. Preventing any and all conflict is im- possible. But minimizing and mitigat- ing the problem is essential in order for members as to the regulation and opera- a board to do its job. Board members tion of the association and the function should actively anticipate arguments of the board, which can be due to the in- among their ranks, and have a strategy experience of some of the directors,” ex- on hand to ease tensions and reach an ac- ceptable compromise – before things get with Florida-based law firm Siegfried, out of hand. Talk It Out One way to keep things copacetic management company with the ability among board members is to identify to effectively communicate with a board which attributes most contribute to a regarding the needs of the association is board’s functionality, and reach for those important. as a baseline when things start to drift apart. “I think that the key to harmony on a board is that its members have the abil- Baum Property Management in Aurora, nothing to take personally.” Communication – and the ability to calmly articulate why one board member may disagree with one or other persons – is critical. “Some disputes are caused by a lack of understanding among board plains Elizabeth A. Bowen, a shareholder Rivera, Hyman, Lerner, De La Torre, Mars & Sobel, P.A. “To this end, a good “Truth be told,” Bowen continues, “some board members assume their po- Managing Board Conflict How to Maintain Harmony BY MIKE ODENTHAL 16 THE COOPERATOR — FEBRUARY 2019 COOPERATOR.COM ISTOCKPHOTO.COM YOU DON’T NEED TO BE A STORAGE ROOM EXPERT YOU JUST NEED TO CALL ONE. CALL BARGOLD TODAY! And we’ll make it all seem so easy. • For secure, state-of-the-art storage facility. • For from start to finish. • For service. • We’ll FREE we’ll turn your wasted space into a clean, FREE we’ll handle the entire renovation process, FREE we’ll handle resident billing and customer PAY YOU monthly. (718) 247-7000 sales@bargold.com WWW.BARGOLD.COM