HPP Board 2014

[Rob Tucker]

Much better, mahalo.

Assume the best and ask questions.

Punaweb moderator

[Kenney]

Although I'm uncomfortably familiar with the goings on here in HPP, the last several posts here have been so long winded that I don't understand what the point is.
I think we need to forget about all the legal wrangling that's going on between some people (former employees, accused BOD Members, past and present, exiled members) and let them deal with it in the courts. Us even discussing ongoing legal cases is getting us nowhere.
What we CAN do is concentrate on what we as a membership can accomplish now and in the future if we work together for the best outcome for our association. We have a Membership meeting in February and if it doesn't get hijacked by one group that claims to represent us all, we SHOULD be able to voice our many concerns. Let's start making a list and work together to get this Board to listen to us or at least realize that we are not going to tolerate their ongoing disregard for our rights and the BiLaws!
Katrina, I liked the idea of the Board handing out reprimands to each other. I'd like to take it a step further, and see them fire each other.

[hppwatchdog]

Kenny, I really appreciate your input on this topic, but answer me this. Just what are we going to do with a board that self polices itself. Unless you are up to changing the bylaws there is nothing short of hiring our own lawyer at our cost and take them to court which will take at least a year.

[Kenney]

I wish I had the answers Watchdog. I don't think it's within my power to change the BiLaws, and why bother when the BOD isn't following the BiLaws we already have?

[mermaid53]

I think the point of some of the long winded poster's, speaking of myself, was to give explanation to why and how the Conduct Policy has worked for members and that it's inaccurate to say it only serves the board.

Expressing disgust on this thread about unethical and arrogant board members isn't going to solve anything. I don't think the board reads this thread very often and when they do they probably aren't affected anymore. I think the main culprits are beyond that as evident in their actions.

I think one way to get this board to take notice that members expect them to follow their oaths and respect our bylaws is to speak during owner input at board meetings and general meetings, in a civil manner, or risk not being heard. Be specific, ask pointed questions and WAIT for an answer. Be persistent and do it again next month, and the month after. We do have 4 new board members who may actually hear you.

The watch dogs were organized and on top of the problematic issues going on during the last board's tenure, and was effective in bringing hidden things to the surface for other members to see. This put a cease to some of the non transparency issues going on but be prepared to possibly be a target if you're on any committee or are asking to have your potholes fixed.

Some directors hope that you'll eventually go away, but don't! This board should be answering our questions at the time they're asked instead of a month later unless research is required to give an accurate answer. They are in those seats to work for us. And write letters to your district rep, or another rep if you're unhappy with the one you have. I believe Janice, Francis, Moani, Randi and Craig will listen.

A reminder that there is a bylaw committee at work. They are well aware of the issues going on and understand the frustration when bylaws are broken with no consequences. It's a long process but they are hard at work to tweak areas that haven't been working for the membership.

[Katarina]

I appreciate the suggestion to Mermaid to change the way she posted Rob! It was confusing and looked like she was putting words in my mouth there.. And, thanks Mermaid for the edit. Your posts are generally quite long and your comments took over my post.
As I stated before, I never imagined I would make a post on Puna Web, but when I continually saw and heard people posting and saying total untruths I hit my limit.
It appears I lumped the whole board together. I do not know the new members nor do I now how they have obtained their information to base any decisions they have made. I am hoping that they are willing and able to stand firm and look at all sides and decipher the truth. My comments were about the remaining board members. The 4 or 5 out of the original 9. Since Frances didn't attend almost all the meetings last term and wasn't around much at the beginning and Roseann's board membership has been a revolving door and we have no clue how she got back on the board when her position was posted. So logically, it would appear that most of the decisions have been made by 3 members. Not good odds for ALL of us homeowners.
A grave concern of mine is that the treasurer is doing the financial work. That is a serious violation. It is unethical. She has no one checking her work. I can not imagine even contemplating putting myself in this position nor would any ethical, moral person. It is just so wrong in so many ways. Also... does anyone have the police report # for the alleged missing items that a board members husband was making and filing? As he stated, there wasn't an inventory list, he was the only one in the shop but he knew items were missing. Another breach in the conduct code and any career police officer would know better than to taint evidence. Isn't that Crime scene 101? And the generator that was in the shop; it was at a board members home instead of helping us all out after Iselle.
Just a few examples of these remainder board members arrogance at our expense.
Previous boards have made many mistakes. We should have learned from them so they wouldn't be repeated, not used them as an excuse or cop out for future violations. Where does this get us? Calling names, accusing other home owners of doing all kinds of things with no proof? I can answer that. NOWHERE. 2 wrongs don't make a right and you can't pick and choose the rules you want to follow when you want to. (At least that is how I was raised.)These board members have not suffered any consequences for their violations so why would they stop? They must not have a moral compass or they would want to follow the by-laws and codes of conduct and represent us all well. This board(not the new members) is run a muck. They have shown more than a dozen times they have no intentions of following the by-laws. And I restate...Thank goodness for the brave souls who went through all the work and effort to pull together the "Special Members Meeting" . We all owe them our gratitude for seeing what was happening right away and trying to inform the members. The meeting was ligit. It was factual but they were treated so disrespectfully by a handful of antagonists and the board (the real minutes have never been posted)If more had actually listened maybe something could have been done before things got so out of hand.

[janet]

In the spirit of fairness (since we are all critical when the Board messes up):

Check the HPPOA website. There is an announcement of a Special BoD meeting on January 14, which will open as a public meeting and immediately break into Executive Session to consider personnel matters. Proper procedure, proper notification (7 days). It is even planned for 6.00 pm.

Of course, this leads to the question of what happened to the invalid meeting planned for December. Was it ever held?

[kalakoa]

immediately break into Executive Session

Would seem to defeat the purpose of a "public" meeting, then.

[shockwave rider]

That is standard procedure for executive sessions, the board has to convene an open meeting to then have a motion and second to go into executive session, then reconvene afterwards. Usually the minutes show when the board goes into and comes out of executive session and what motions were made and carried, but not the discussions that took place. If the HPPOA is hiring a new GM this would be the proper way to do it. If they hire one of their own for that position any qualified person who was not hired could have a case that the process was not fair, and that the person hired had access to insider information not available to all the candidates, especially if that person had been involved with either the hiring committee or drawing up the job description.

Executive sessions are only allowed for very limited reasons, usually personnel issues which would be a violation of the employee's privacy to discuss in open meetings, or sometimes when discussing bids for contracts if proprietary information is involved. This is why various board members getting up there at the general membership meeting and detailing their version of why people were fired put the entire organization at risk of a lawsuit. You can fire people for just about any reason, or no reason, in Hawaii, but you still have to obey the law on employee confidentiality and due process, or be liable for damages.

[mermaid53]

Katarina, please read my post again. I did not put words in your mouth. Your posts are also difficult to read and long winded BTW.

Yes Janet the meeting was held.

The Special Mtg in September was a travesty. Neighbor turned against neighbor. Half the membership left early because it was so negative and volatile. It pushed members away who washed their hands of it all and won't be back to another meeting. How can this be considered a good thing??? In hind sight June admitted it seemed like a good idea at the time.

I understand the concerns with our monies. HPP's fortunate to have a volunteer Treasurer who is trustworthy and has extensive acctg experience. Ask anyone who has worked with her on the board or on a committee. She has welcomed those with knowledge and experience and shows a willingness to learn from them. She didn't want June or Bruce to resign and valued their experience. I believe she's not "in the loop" always with board goings on because of this. Same o same o.

I agree that this board has been managing HPP on their own way too long. I don't understand why it's taking more than 6 mos to fill the majority of those vacant positions. I think the bylaws need to be changed that interim anything should be less than 6 mos. Now that we've lived it, we know it doesn't work.

If you read our bylaws, it states that what's been discussed in executive session should be reported later at a board meeting. Hiring, firing, salary changes, BUT no details if it's personal info. Not all our board minutes states when an executive session has taken place. I agree with the discussion about the GM situation and conflict of interest on the HRC. I've put myself out there for the HRC to fix this matter to no avail.