Teamwork Articles
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An international team of divers and scientists has challenged that theory. Using sound waves to probe through the wreckage lying in mud some two and a half miles below the surface, they discovered that the damage was surprisingly small. Instead of a huge gash, they found six relatively narrow slits across six watertight holds.

Further, a salvage team recovered several of the rivets which secured the damaged hull. Analysis revealed the rivets were made of a low grade steel. This has led to the theory that the Titanic sank because of a poor quality rivets which caused massive steel bulkheads to fail. Had these rivets held, the ship may have survived the impact of the collision.

We, too, can be sunk by small omissions and compromises. Failures in our lives like greed, lack of caring, unforgiveness and prejudice have a way of doing visible damage. The longer left in place, the greater the weakness. Start replacing those rivets before your ship sinks.  BACK

Volunteer Spirit of 9-11
On September 11 (9-11), American complacency was shaken to its very core. Yet in a few blinding flashes of destruction, a spirit of volunteerism was galvanized into action. Some rose to leadership, some to more mundane but essential support tasks. But a course of action was called for, and the community responded.

The tragic wake-up call of 9-11 came wrapped in horrific suffering yet Ground Zero soon became Ground Hero as volunteers and support came pouring in. There was no glory in it and the work grim. But the lesson from this event is clear: We live in a community that relies on the kindness of strangers. It’s the essence of compassion to offer help and expect no reward.

As we extend a helping hand, we reaffirm what John Donne said 400 years ago, "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main....any man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

As America becomes more culturally diverse, the locals have become intimidated by immigrants who bring incomprehensible beliefs, language, dress and customs. Yet, we were all thus once...strangers in a strange land. As time passed, we’ve come to know the rewards of a free society and powerful economic system. Sadly, those rewards do not breed community.

We have been guilty of insulating ourselves from the Spirit of 9-11. We cold heartedly pursue self gratification and ignore those in need. Or , driven by fear and greed, we hide from others behind walls, fences and gates. "Loving my neighbor" is conditioned upon their following the rules, looking good and living large. Those that don’t qualify get ostracized or minimized.

Yet we now have an unforgettable example of selfless volunteerism. It’s seared into our psyche. Millions now realize daily life can be easily commandeered by petty events that steal precious time from serving others. We’ve learned that a servant doesn’t lower himself but elevates others. We’re reminded that life is unpredictable and that none can own it. Each of us is given time in varying amounts to use well or waste.

Homeowner associations across the country bemoan the lack of volunteers to assist in the business of community building. The call goes out and few respond. Yet, the Spirit of 9-11 shows that there is a volunteer place for each of us. Some have the time and talent to serve on a the board, some on the Social, Budget or Landscape Committees. Others can stand ready for special projects.

For those that can’t do any of these things, there is always just plain support for those that can or do. There is no place for those that snipe from the sidelines. Either step forward, give support or stay out of the way. There is no more important place than the community you live in and your positive impact on it.

The Spirit of 9-11 calls us all to action. It beckons us to join in and extends far beyond life and death scenarios. Volunteerism is not for the few but for each and every one of us. By helping others, we help ourselves to a better understanding of what really matters. 9-11 will never be forgotten but let’s remember the unity it sparked and let’s put that same spirit to work in our community.   BACK

Right There Beside Us
The 1992 Barcelona Olympics provided one of track and field’s most incredible moments. Britain’s Derek Redmond had dreamed all his life of winning a gold medal in the 400-meter race, and his dream was in sight as the gun sounded in the semifinals at Barcelona. He was running the race of his life and could see the finish line as he rounded the turn into the backstretch. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain up the back of his leg and he fell face first onto the track with a torn right hamstring.

As the medical attendants were approaching, Redmond fought to his feet. He set out hopping, in a crazed attempt to finish the race. When he reached the stretch, a large man in a T-shirt came out of the stands, hurled aside a security guard and ran to Redmond, embracing him. It was Derek’s father. "You don’t have to do this," he told his weeping son. "Yes, I do," said Derek. "Well, then," said Jim, "We’re going to finish this together."

And they did. The son’s head sometimes buried in his father’s shoulder, they stayed in Derek’s lane all the way to the end, as the crowd gaped, then rose, howled and wept.

Derek didn’t walk away with the gold medal, but he walked away with an incredible memory of a father who, when he saw his son in pain, left his seat in the stands to help him finish the race. That’s what God does for us. When we’re struggling to finish the race, we have a loving Father who won’t let us do it alone. "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (The Bible-Matthew 28:20).   BACK

Devil’s in the Details
Carelessness and lack of attention to details can often mean the difference between success and failure. Consider the legend of England’s King Richard III. In an epic battle for the rule of England, Richard faced the forces of Henry, Duke of Richmond.

When preparing his horse for battle, the King’s blacksmith didn't have enough nails for the last horseshoe. Impatiently, Richard's guard asked the blacksmith, "Will the shoe hold?" The blacksmith replied, "I'm not sure. It lacks the final nail." "Well," said the guard, "it will have to do."

The King charged into battle and soon the two forces clashed on the battlefield. King Richard was in the thick of things, fighting and encouraging his men. He then noticed some of his men were retreating. The king galloped forth to steady them when the missing nail did its mischief. The horseshoe came off, the horse tripped, and the king fell. Before he could recover, the horse fled in fright. His men saw him fall and lost courage. As Henry's men closed in around him, Richard cried out: "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" But it was too late. His army fled, and he was killed. Perhaps all was lost for the lack of a simple horseshoe nail.

Small details have a way of driving huge consequences. In homeowner associations, lack of attention to details can cause deferred maintenance, much higher costs and outraged owners. Failing to adhere to the details of consistent rule and design enforcement creates chaos and a scofflaw attitude. Failing to collect money on time creates financial hardship on the entire community.

The devil is in the details. One thing leads to another. When your board plans its business, remember, "For lack of a nail, the shoe was lost. For lack of a shoe, the horse was lost. For lack of a horse, the rider was lost. For lack of the rider, the battle was lost."   BACK

Essence of Leadership
President George W. Bush made a speech to a gathering of Federal employees. The essence of that speech points directly to duties and attitudes that every HOA Board should practice. The President’s thoughts have been adapted for the Board:

"A few words about important values we must demonstrate while all of us serve...

First, we must always maintain the highest ethical standards. We must always ask ourselves not only what is legal, but what is right. There is no goal worth accomplishing if it cannot be accomplished with integrity. 

Second, set an example of humility. There is no excuse for arrogance, and there's never a reason to show disrespect for others. Your tone must begin with decency and fairness. Everyone must be known for these values.

Third, we must confront the tough problems, not avoid them and leave them for others. This is never easy, but it's what conscience demands and what leadership requires. We must keep the long view, and remind ourselves that we're here to serve long-term interests.

Fourth, I hope you'll never take the honor of service for granted. Some of us will serve for a season; others will serve longer. But all of us should dedicate ourselves to great goals: We are not here to mark time, but to make progress, to achieve results, and to leave a record of excellence.

Fifth, we should never forget that we're part of the same team. The owners have high expectations and together we will meet those expectations.

And sixth, we should always remember, every dollar we spend should be spent wisely, and reluctantly. That will take discipline and creative leadership, and I urge all of us to show that kind of leadership."   BACK

Wooing Volunteers
Homeowner associations are notoriously bad about raising volunteers for the board and committees.  But not for lack of trying. The call goes out and too often, no one answers. It’s often blamed on apathy. Nobody really cares. But they do care, at least some of them. It’s not that they don’t want to volunteer. The reasons for doing so are often just, well, too vague or uninspiring. While "serving the community" and "protecting your own interests" may seem motivation enough, where’s the excitement, where’s the glory in it all? Isn’t it time to "punch up" the job?

Raising volunteers takes planning and the "vision" thing. As far as planning, board candidates should be sought out months before election time. The goal is to find people with the experience and ability to serve. Many good candidates fail to step forward because the job is not explained to them properly. There is a natural fear of the unknown; not "fear" fear but fear of being trapped in an open ended commitment that’s going nowhere. A huge part of wooing volunteers is defining it in terms that make it clear it’s something to look forward to, not endless drudgery. Painting a "vision" is everything. So what kinds of things will help set that vision?

Scheduled Meetings Far in Advance. For successful people, knowing what the future holds is exciting. There is no reason that all meetings can’t be scheduled a year in advance. Scheduling meetings far in advance sets deadlines for accomplishment. It identifies points in time when decisions are going to be made. It allows decision making to be focused at predictable intervals rather than on the fly. And planning far in advance eliminates the excuse that someone is already booked. It also produces a subtle calming effect on the other owners who sense that someone really is steering the association ship.

Getting Business Done Serious volunteers want to know that real business will take place, not just cheap talk. All meetings should have a well defined "action" agenda. An Action Agenda calls for, as the title implies, decisions. Instead of "Discuss Landscape Contract", try "Approve Landscape Contract" which implies decision making. Use the same concept for all agenda items when possible.

Distribute Agenda in Advance. Many meetings waste time defining what the agenda items are. Rather than show up and take on anything that comes up, narrow the field before the meeting so business can actually get accomplished. This means eliminating or deferring less important items. The well defined agenda should include supporting information and recommendation for decisions. In other words, "The committee recommends that the plan be adopted as presented." This approach points to decisions, not discussion. All of this should be distributed at least three days in advance (a week if the topics are complex). Keep the supporting information as brief and to the point as possible. No one wants to wade through piles of files.

Time Limit Your Meetings Most would be volunteers have full lives and endless meetings are a real turn-off. They usually happen because there is no agenda to begin with and discussion is allowed to meander aimlessly. Agree that meetings will not last longer than two hours and that all agenda items need to be covered during that time. Keep your promise. It’s up to the Chair to move things along. Bring a food timer along if necessary that "dings!" when the preset time limit has run out on each agenda item.

Follow Meeting Protocol. Roberts Rules came about for a very good reason: Unstructured meetings will often deteriorate into chaos if there are no rules to guide the discussion and decision making. An abbreviated version of Roberts Rules will generally suffice at HOA board meetings. Follow this Cardinal Rule: If at least two people aren’t interested in discussing a topic, move on. If two do, one makes a motion to discuss and the other seconds the motion. Discussion should follow an alternating pro and con argument. When the pros and cons start to repeat, vote on the motion and be done with it

Open Meetings. To eliminate suspicion and rumors, board and committee meetings should be open to all owners for the purpose of auditing (that means "to listen", not participate.) Allow for an owner forum preceding the meeting to answer their questions or allow them to make statements. Once the meeting starts, they should be welcome to stay but not interrupt business. To make that clear, have them sit away from the board meeting table. Guests, of course, should be allowed to speak to specific meeting agenda items that involve them or they asked to be put there.

The value of maintaining open meetings is to eliminate the "us and them" (owners vs. board members) mentality that can crop up when meetings are closed. Few neighbors want to be at odds with other neighbors. It’s important not to create an illusion of pecking order. If non-board member owners are welcome to the meetings, they’ll get a taste of what happens and could become potential volunteers.

Keep a Sense of Humor To attract and hold volunteers, it’s very important to keep business from becoming ponderous or confrontational. There are few topics in HOAs that are life or death. If someone gets overwrought or agitated, it’s time to ratchet up the Mirthometer. If a particular owner or board member makes a habit of being obnoxious, insist in private that they either leave it at home, not attend the meeting or step down off the board, as it applies.

Serious volunteers want to know that their time will be well spent. Woo them with a well defined mission, limit the time to get it done and protect the good mood of the woo-ees. A good thought for Valentines Day as well.   BACK

Not So Average Joe
Every now and then, I am honored to receive a note from a thankful reader. It keeps me motivated to continue. The following letter, originally handwritten, raised the bar in many ways. Rich Thompson - The HOA Expert

Dear Sir:

First off, I want to say that we are a small association of 12 units. It’s tough but we’re doing okay. Second, on my behalf and the rest of the board, we say many thanks for The Regenesis Report. We find it very interesting and educational. The Q&A section provides answers to many questions. After I go through the Report, I pass it on to the board, so they all can review it.

Now, the main reason (of my letter). I will be leaving the association. I am forced to sell. Hopefully it will close by the end of the month. Please continue sending the Report to our treasurer starting next month.

PS Please excuse my writing. I am only 98 years old. Still pretty active but slowing down pretty fast. My wife has dementia and is in a home. I am forced to be in assisted living but still active in the association. A new president will be elected soon.

Joe (President)

What a remarkable letter! Consider the valuable messages it points to:

Maintain a positive outlook. Life can be tough. But there is sunshine just above the clouds trying to break through. And given time, break through it will.

Have a plan. HOA boards sometime simply react to crisis after crisis like a fire fighter. This is not only stressful, it’s expensive since things always break after hours and on holidays. Fund your budget adequately and have a proactive plan to maintain the valuable assets under your care.

The next time you’re feeling down or need inspiration, think about this not so average Joe. If he can stay committed, enthusiastic and effective at his age, anyone can. Even you! And, by the way, The Regenesis Report is available for free. Just email rich@regenesis.net And don’t forget to share with someone you love.   BACK