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I’m the president of a 170 unit HOA in Mesa, AZ. Everyone here knows where I live. I have homeowners stopping over to discuss HOA issues from 7am to 10pm daily. As every board member is a volunteer, what sort of expectation can I set as to “personal time” versus HOA Board time. I try to be open to input, but I’m retired and have a life. I can’t be available 24×7 (except for real emergencies). By the way, we have an web portal for submitting any sort of comment/question/request to the board.
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Excellent question and an issue many board members face. While you have a duty, as a volunteer, to act in the best interests of the community as a whole, I believe you cannot fulfill that duty if you are unwilling to listen to the community’s concerns. You also have an absolute right to privacy and a life outside community business. You are free to talk to anyone, but on your terms, not theirs. I have hundreds of homeowners who always want to speak with me directly by phone. My response to all of them is write me a note describing your issue in an email. I’ll review it and respond at my convenience. If we need to discuss the issue over the phone or in person, I’ll work out a time and place on my terms. Everyone believes that their issue is of utmost importance and urgency, but with 3 million homeowners in this state and only one of me, I have to manage my time.
Don’t shut out all communications, but request an email first that you can respond to at your convenience. If it’s an issue that involves a broad-based community concern, consider holding an informal town hall meeting at your convenience to address it with many people at once. You have a right to manage your time in your service to the community, and the homeowners must respect that right.
Dennis