Retaining power
“It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those
who wield it.”
—Aung San Suu Kyi

The first priority for the vast majority of elected politicians is to retain their positions. Condo board members are no different. There is a large selection of tools that a board can use to stay in office.

Owner apathy
In far too many condos, it is hard to find anyone who is interested in being a board member. The owners are too busy and are not interested in getting involved with a volunteer position that requires work and diligence but gives little but headaches in return.

In these condos the incumbents may stay in office, unopposed, for years and challengers looking to being elected to the board are almost unheard of.

In other condominiums, the opposite is true and up to a dozen or more candidates may run for the two open positions. In these condos, politics can be played hard and dirty.

Challenging the incumbents
It can be very difficult for challengers to defeat board members as the incumbents use their offices in many different ways to curry favour with the owners and to make it difficult for their opponents.

Code of silence
“Secrecy, once accepted, becomes an addiction.
—Edward Teller

Some condominium by-laws contain a provision that states that all newly elected directors must sign a confidentiality agreement and that any violation of the agreement is grounds for immediate removal.

One entrenched condo board, that was opposed by an organized group of owners, went so far as to demand that a new director report back to the board everything that she told any of the owners and everything the owners asked her about the board.

It appears that any dissident board member is expected to resign and then may run against the existing board members at the next AGM. However, they may receive a warning to keep all board activities they witnessed a secret or face possible legal action for violating the confidentiality agreement.

Natural advantages
A board may prepare a welcoming package for new residents. Along with a reminder of various condo rules it could contain a letter introducing the board members and all the work they do to help the owners. Some discount coupons from local merchants and literature from the local city councilor may also be included.

Quarterly newsletters, monthly e-mails and a condo website while giving information to the residents provide effective advertising vehicles for the board members. Along with the normal reminders about the window washing and the poop and scoop rules, they can write about the work the board is doing to keep the fees low and what improvements they are providing.

Social events such as an annual barbecue or running a monthly movie night, euchre nights or bingos build relationships between the board and the owners.

A board member may accept courier packages for an owner who is on vacation or will take care of their cat.


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