Why would anyone ever volunteer to be on their Executive Committee? Think about it: you spend hours fixing other people’s problems, get dog’s abuse if you can’t give them the answer they want or something goes wrong, and get no thanks when things run smoothly.
The whole issue has been debated hotly on the Flat Chat Forum recently with one issue being whether or not EC members should provide their phone numbers.
“When I was on our EC I did not want my email address, phone number given out,” said Struggler. “I have had people knocking on my door and then abusing me for not making decisions for them on the spot. What would they do if they had my phone number? Calls in the middle of the night?”
CBF agreed: “Residents do knock on your door at all hours about the most mundane issues … for some reason residents believe the Secretary runs the building, and the EC should be dealing with their issues 24/7.”
But Unexpected Leigh sees it differently: “I wonder why Executive Committee members put their hands up if they’re not ready to accept a certain amount of responsibility, including helping their strata constituents as the need arises?”
Suffice it to say that the debate really kicked off from there, with more than a few horror stories; check out the ‘Faceless Executive Committee‘ topic.
One of the expectations owners often, quite reasonably, have of their Executive Committee members is that they should know what they’re doing? But do they? And where do you go to learn?
Many strata management firms run seminars but, between work and family commitments, who has the time? Well, now you don’t even have to leave home: Strata Community Australia (the strata managers’ professional body) has a free online training course which you can access HERE at nsw.stratacommunity.org.au.
And that website is also where you’ll find information about next weekend’s Lot Owners’ Forum, as part of the SCA (NSW) conference at Homebush. Hear a swathe of strata experts and talk to other owners – and it’s only $44, including lunch. Bargain! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO