Condo Media - January 2025 - 35

they are doing. " " Well, " I say, " have you
thought about running for the board? "
Silence. Usually, the ones complaining
have never served on the board and
are completely unwilling to do so.
Not always, but usually.
Serving on the board is an owner's
chance to not only contribute to their
community, but also to make their
mark by providing the board with
whatever experience and expertise
they bring to the table. Each of us has
a unique perspective based on our
own experiences, education, and work
history. Therefore, each person brings
something diff erent and valuable to the
board. You don't want a board of fi ve
people who agree on everything; you
want a board of diff ering viewpoints
who can productively debate issues
and arrive at the best possible solution.
Note the word " productively " -
you don't want a board of yellers!
CONTRIBUTIONS,
LEADERSHIP, AND REWARDS
At the end of the day, board service is
about giving back to the community
and pitching in so that the ship stays
on course. A condo cannot accomplish
anything without a board, and it cannot
accomplish anything good without a
dedicated group of trustees. Leadership
in a community association isn't just
about being president of the board.
It's about being willing to be a member
of the board or of a committee. It's about
showing up to meetings so that a quorum
is in place and elections can occur. It's
about being involved, not idly sitting by.
If you live in a condo and want to complain
about the way your condo is run,
stop for a moment and consider running
for the board and making changes from
within. It's easy to make judgment calls
from your couch or from behind a computer
screen without full knowledge of
the facts and circumstances behind the
board's decision. It's far harder to schedule
meetings with vendors, consider
various opinions, and make decisions
that will directly aff ect you and your
fellow neighbors. Board members must
balance the fi nancial constraints of the
January 2025 CONDOMEDIA 35
ownership versus the needs of the condominium.
Owners with a leaky roof
just want the roof replaced sooner than
later, and the board is the one that needs
to make the hard decision to obtain a
loan and assess their neighbors - and
themselves - even though some will
struggle to aff ord it.
Being on the board can be diffi cult and
it can wear on its members. But equally,
if not more so, being on the board can be
rewarding. The rewards will rarely be
pats on the back or kind emails expressing
happiness, but the reward is knowing
that you've given back to the community,
and you've done your part to help your
community thrive.
There is ultimately no other way
than for owners to volunteer and
donate their time, talent, and energy
to their condo. Inaction is not an
option and is only a recipe for disaster.
By the time you read this, it's likely
your 2024 annual meeting has recently
occurred, but I encourage you to at
least consider running for the board
next year.
■ DEAN LENNON, ESQ., IS A
PARTNER IN THE LAW FIRM MARCUS,
ERRICO, EMMER & BROOKS, P.C.
Condo Media - January 2025

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