Someone at one of our previous AGM's suggested that we get an EC mobile phone (cheap prepaid number). One with limited numbers that can be dialled (eg the SM, plumber, electrician, other EC members only). Then the phone could be rotated between EC members eg whichever member did not have friends over, a family crisis, away on holidays or working could have the phone (with each member being required to take their turn at a weekend shift).
All residents would have one number only to ring (besides the SM). Residents would know someone would be available on weekends when SM wasn't there and that this person would have all the other EC members contact details on hand in case of an emergency. EC members could feel secure that their personal mobiles/home phones would be for their personal use only and that even if an irate resident left an angry message, with it being on a communal phone rather than a personal one, then it would take some of that intrusive feeling out of the situation.
This was considered a bad idea by those owners who never put their hand up for EC stating they don't have time (who does) and who, when the EC tries to organise someone to come and look at their problem say they can't let anyone in because they are busy! And yet they want the EC to not only have unlimited time but to be available!
My mobile phone bill has gone down by about $30 a month. This was racked up from retrieving messages (just messages left by the SM – imagine if I had to retrieve messages from all residents!) and making phone calls whilst away from home on behalf of the EC. I received phone calls/messages whilst overseas and interstate asking me to meet a tradesman on site or investigate an issue on site, right now! Wouldn't it have been easier to have this one phone, one number and know that the person on the other end was here in the complex (or not far away). According to those who “don't have time” in this complex, no it isn't.