02-15-2014, 01:19 PM
quote:
Originally posted by KeaauRich
I agree 4dog...makes me crazy to hear my neighbors complainign about the Board, or the conditions of the roads, or any other Orchidland issue, but when I say "do you go to the meetings?" they say "nah, I don't have the time." If you have time to complain, you have time to attend the meetings. One of the reasons we've had so many problems in the past is that the people with a personal agenda attend meetings and vote, while the "silent majority" sits at home and wonders why nothing ever changes.
"Silence = consent". Robert's Rules of Order.
Complaint driven organizations are doomed to failure.
What you say is absolutely true, particularly at membership mtgs.
Those attending, dictate what goes out to the membership for vote. Then it becomes a choice of what THEY want rather than what the membership wants. Given that about 10% of lot owners actually bother to vote, this "democracy" that so many speak of is in reality a plutocracy.
Year after year, "special interest groups" show up at meetings and kill reasonable motions, then pass motions that favor their agenda. The membership is left with options that hit the ballot while perhaps the best option is left for dead.
Such is life and is why Wes quit.
In fact, the members at the last GM mtg. HAD NO IDEA WHAT THEY JUST VOTED FOR and is why that vote is being rescinded and voted on again at the special mtg. March 1st.
It had NOTHING to do with the CS fund, and everything to do with what he alone was pushing for the 2014/2015 fee structure.
There is nothing wrong with having an "agenda", we ALL have one. The fault lies in apathy and contempt (very alive and well in OL), both of which prevents participation and productive discussion.
My hope is that the leadership/management is strong enough to create policy that is wise enough, and fair enough to serve the community as a whole. The membership MUST get engaged NOW, to shape the future of OL.