Maintaining Control: To React Or Not To React

Every Association strives for constructive owner participation; however, sometimes what started as a pleasant member or Board meeting turns into a yelling or screaming match. How should you deal with a meeting that gets out of hand?

One important thing to remember is to keep a cool head. Try to figure out why the owner or other board member is upset. Often it is a misunder-standing, or the person feels that their opinion or concern is falling on deaf ears. If you can determine what the root of the problem is, the solution is often easier to come.

Board members need to realize and accept that they may not always get along and they may vehemently disagree, but, ultimately their job is to do what is in the best interests of the Association and work together toward that common goal.

When dealing with a member that becomes difficult at a meeting, it is important to not completely silence the dissenter. Doing so causes more harm than good. The solution is to allow the member to state his or her opinion provided they act appropriately. Give them a time slot at the meeting to “state their piece.” Often the hostility comes from the feeling that the Board is unwilling to listen.

If a member refuses to stop talking or otherwise continues to be disruptive, it is best to give them a warning that if they continue, the meeting will be adjourned, the police will be called, or they will be asked to leave.

If this warning does not have the desired effect, then call a brief recess to the meeting and speak to the member privately reiterating the warning. At this point, if you still cannot get cooperation the Board has the ability to ask the person to leave, to adjourn the entire meeting or to call the police to remove the individual.

Keep perspective that the rantings of one individual has a negative impact on that person, and reacting in an extreme manner may lend some credibility where there should be none. It is important, despite your individual feelings, to maintain your composure. It is likely the person is trying to get a reaction out of the Board. The Board cannot control the actions of an individual owner, but it can control how it responds and it can control the presentation of a united Board.

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