Page 20 - New York Cooperator February 2019

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A Leader in Propetrty Management for 30 Years Since 1958, out clients have been assured of excellence in building management. Our experienced management team is commited to making certain that your building operates e ciently and seamlessly. We work diligently so that you have a very well run building. At Buchbinder & Warren, we understand your apartment is not just an investment...it’s a home. Please call us to learn more about our services. One Union Square West • New York, NY 10003 212.243.6722 DEDICATION www.buchbinderwarren.com communicate every detail of its settle- ment strategy to the unit owners for fear that it would undermine its bargaining position in the case.” “How much to disclose and when may, in those instances, be more of an art than a science,” Moriarty concludes, “but the default position for the board should be to disclose as much as it safely can and explain why it cannot disclose additional information. A board that explains where it is in negotiations with another party, how it got there, and what its goals are will then be able to say with some cred- ibility to the unit owners that certain in- formation must be withheld, if only so their position is not compromised. Own- ers will get it, and will likely be more appreciative and more confident in the board as a result.” n Mike Odenthal is a staff writer/reporter with The Cooperator. BOARD OPTICS continued from page 9 both by age and other demographics,” says Jordan. The seven buildings are governed by one board with seven members. He says the current board reflects the age diversity of the property. Two of the members are be- tween 30 and 40; two are between 40 and 50; one is between 60 and 70; and two are over 70. “There are also many subcommit- tees,” he says. “Almost everyone serves on a subcommittee before becoming a board member.” In Jordan’s experience – and he has served for many years – it wasn’t always that way. “Many years ago, the demographics were older for board members,” he recalls. “Committee involvement has gotten young- er people involved. Last election we had nine people running for three positions, and many candidates were younger people. “Older members,” he continues, “share institutional knowledge with younger members for better decision making. Usu- BOARD.. continued from page 11 ally we are not really far apart on things anyway. Differences of opinion tend to be about approach rather than age.” The main flashpoints tend to be about capital im- provements. “Older board members tend to be more conservative and cautious, but they are willing to listen.” Jordan also says that the board tries to spend money on things that don’t exclude people. So for instance, they have both indoor and outdoor play ar- eas for children where pizza nights are held weekly – but residents without young chil- dren aren’t excluded from the activity. They are also rewriting some house rules right now and seeking cross-age participation. Enza Guida is the secretary/treasurer of Bay Park Towers, a 254-unit condominium located in the Edgewater section of Miami. She has lived in the property for approxi- mately four years, and this is her first year on the board. The building has a five-mem- ber board. Guida explains that when she moved into the property, the board was dominated by older residents. During a renovation of the lobby, many residents felt that the board didn’t give them a say in the project and made decisions without input from the oth- er owners. People wanted change, and more of a voice – so they spoke with their bal- lots at the next board election and voted in several younger members. The result of the turnover is that four of the current board members are in their 40s or 50s. “Younger people bring ideas,” Guida says. “New board members pushed through the idea of redo- ing the floors, and the older members like the idea. There’s more listening going on than before. The new board wants to listen to opinions and voices.” Perhaps in the end, diversity by age adds to a board’s ability to govern fairly and ef- fectively. Younger people bring fresh ideas, and older people bring prudence and expe- rience. These two factors can balance gover- nance. “As an attorney for co-op and condo communities, I like a mixed board,” Hakim says. “You get both experience and energy.” n A J Sidransky is a staff writer/reporter for The Cooperator and a published novelist.