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October 10, 2005
Politics, (not so) pure and simple
California has become the most recent state to enact legislation that is going to be a burden to associations. Yes, its also going to mean more work for the professionals that service the industry, but they generally get paid for more work, if they don't, that's their problem. Colorado and Florida also added to the board's burden. This is only the tip of the iceberg. The people who want to destroy associations' ability to govern, or the associations themselves, will be back, now that they have a taste of victory and have learned how to play the system. States that haven't faced this situation have something to look forward to, and hopefully will learn.
Community association boards and professionals have no real clout when it comes to state politics. They aren't large donors to candidates' campaigns, they won't vote as a bloc so they don't pose a threat at re-election, and they don't know how to frame issues in a way that attracts favorable media attention. Basically they don't know how or care enough to be a political force. It's time to start changing that.
You start by letting boards and owners know what is going on and what it costs them. Costs for implementing new legislation should be broken out as a separate line item "State-mandated costs" (or in California you could call it the "Ducheny Assessment". If your management and legal costs go up, show it in the budget and on the books as a "Surcharge for state requirements".
Those who can frame the message usually win the batle. The news items coming out of states where association issues were being considered focused around "homeowner rights" and "freedom from tyranny". What I didn't see was any headlines like: "Ducheny bill to raise housing costs for 8 million Californians" or "SB100 to place onerous burden on Colorado volunteers". I think management companies and attorneys ought to start taking reporters to lunch with board presidents. Somebody has got to point out that there is a cost to all of this.
Its time to go "Karl Rove" on the dissidents. Love him or hate him, he knows how to spin a message. I'd like to see board members talking about "personal responsibility" and "democracy" and "spirit of volunteerism" when a reporter confronts them about a problem, rather than the "no comment" which seems to be the only thing they can mumble.
Its time to start kicking in contributions for the campaigns of legislators that chair important committees so that you can make sure that you at least get your foot in the door. Realtors and mortgage bankers have kept full disclosure (the one thing sure to reduce community association problems) off of most state agendas for years and it sure wasn't because legislators thought it was a bad idea.
Its also time to start using the internet, both web sites and blogs, to fight back. If you have something to say, it doesn't do any good to mutter it in the confines of your office.
Posted by joewest at October 10, 2005 11:37 PM