It was my building's AGM last night. Neighbour HH and I attended together. When the meeting reached two and a half hours, I made my apologies and left. As usual, people went on and on, raising ridiculous concerns and failing to acknowledge the building is 27 years old and money must continue to be spent, and with a capital works sum banked of AU$1.9 million, I want money spent, while I am still alive and I can receive the benefit.
There are a couple of people within the building who put so much effort into the building management and projects, with no financial reward. At least one of people who kept going on and on about trivial matters was a last minute and accepted nomination for the building management committee. His wife was even worse, an architect as she pointed out to all, but I'm not qualified to work in Australia. I am pleased that my involvement ended in about 2009. I would have ended up punching him on the nose.
Anyhow, my social and mental capacities are exhausted. 6.30 to 9.00 without food or wine is too much. Bye for now.
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If I had been chairing that meeting it would have been far more business-like with a clear agenda that I would have pushed through in about ninety minutes or so. Two and a half hours and still droning on suggests that the chairperson should have been more ruthless. Gobs on legs should not be allowed to dominate proceedings.
ReplyDeleteYP, ninety minutes would have been a reasonable time. I have to keep in mind that the AGM is the only time people can openly give their opinions, but still... It's only ever one or two people who are problems at such meetings.
DeleteOur building management meetings tend to last about 5 minutes and usually end in a stand-off.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it does JayCee, lol.
DeleteI hate community meetings like that - no matter what the community is. I hope you had a big glass of wine later, Andrew.
ReplyDeletePat, it required a visit from the Scottish doctor.
DeleteThere's always a couple of people doing all the thankless work and the endless talkers who drag it out. I rarely attend HOA meetings and when I do the board knows it. I do give credit where due but I will not allow them to interrupt or talk over me. They know me now! And I don't accept feeble reasons for board proposals.
ReplyDeleteBoud, that is so true about thankless. Fortunately many people are prepared to work thankless tasks.
DeleteWith that amount in your capital works fund I hope that any necessary work is done quickly - before it winds up costing that and more.
ReplyDeleteThere is always at least one person who views those meetings as a personal talk fest. Hiss and spit.
I hope your belated dinner and wine were both excellent.
EC, I expect you have plenty of experience at meetings. I believe if people have to stand up, they tend to be shorter.
DeleteGreat that you are leading an active lifestyle
ReplyDeleteRoentare, yes I am, and I am not so old yet to need the care of old age doctor.
DeleteI have never lived in a multi residence building so this all sounds strange. Did you know about AGMs and management committees before you moved in?
ReplyDeleteHels, vaguely I knew from 1979 to 1982 when Ray owned the Elwood flat where we lived when we met.
DeleteThey didn't serve wine????? Bastards!
ReplyDeleteBob, it may have gone on much longer if wine was served.
DeleteOh how I haaaate meetings that drag. Do they limit a speaker's time? Having a time limit tends to make speakers a lot more concise.
ReplyDeleteDebby, aside from the committee manager, there weren't speakers, but just individual apartment owners who wanted a say. Some wanted way too much to say.
DeleteSounds like a lively meeting.
ReplyDeleteIt did my head in, Kirk.
DeleteThat sounds like hell. I can't do meetings. I fall asleep instantly. A meeting a sleep drug to me. I would have had a good long nap at that one.
ReplyDeleteStrayer, I really wish I had fallen asleep, quickly.
DeleteToo long, boring and frustrating.
ReplyDeleteFun60, yes, yes, and yes.
Delete6.30 to 9.00 is only two and a half hours! That's not so long to be without food or drink.
ReplyDeleteRiver, I have two glasses of wine before dinner at 7.00ish. I had neither. It was poor planning on my part in that regard but I don't like eating early, and the last AGM I attended was much shorter.
DeleteWere there many new tenants/owners trying to get their voices heard or just the usual PITAs being voted back in again
ReplyDeleteAnd having just reread your post I see the answer. A new PITA!
Cathy, the architect and her husband are new, but I think they have lived here for a while. The committee is pretty good now. It was the residents who caused the issues.
DeleteSounds a boring time with not much achieved.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, a couple of resolutions went through before I left. I think most would have passed.
DeleteHi.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with your point: if there's money in the bank, it should be put to good use while residents can still enjoy the improvements.
Hats off to those who volunteer their time without pay and they deserve more appreciation. You absolutely earned some rest, food, and maybe even a glass of wine after that
Thanks Asep.
DeleteDo you have an agenda for such meetings? They give a loose outline, at least.
ReplyDeleteThere was an agenda JB and it was followed, but some people had so many questions. It is good to question, but some were just so silly and stupid.
DeleteWhere I live there are four towers, a little over 1,000 apartments, and blessedly professional managers and an elected board. The annual budget is around $10-milion, the reserve for major works is about $6-million and we spend about $2-million a year on replacing infrastructure. One of the things that attracted me to the community, was how well maintained it is. High Rise buildings are expensive to maintain, but I love living here.
ReplyDeleteTP, they are expensive to maintain, but my view is, cheaper to maintain than a freestanding house. You pay the set amount, and everything outside your apartment is done. I too love living in a high rise.
DeleteI have a condo as well, which I'm trying to sell. I am not a fan of boards or rules. No bird feeders was one that I didn't like. And the meetings were as you said, endless.
ReplyDeletePixie, it is amazing anything ever happens with so many differing opinions and lifestyles. The bird feeder is a classic. I can see your point and I can see other people's points.
DeleteI went to one and walked out as it dragged on and on. It's always the same ones that go on and on. We have a good board. We have a lot more young singles and families in the building now. I don't think they bother with the meetings. Our building is also old and we have a good slush fund. There is always something that needs doing.
ReplyDeleteJackie, I like the idea of lots of residents' involvement, but sometimes the board or committee just need to do things without consultation.
DeleteI recall attending church board meetings with my mother when I was too young to stay home alone. I thought it meant bored instead of board. lol One memory I have is of being thirsty and she gave me a piece of hard candy. Why I didn't get to go to the hallway water fountain is beyond me. Then again, I'm aging and my memory isn't so great. ~rolls eyes~ Be well!
ReplyDeleteIt's a funny memory Darla. Life could be very boring for children at times. I think our generation were better at making our own fun. Now, just give the child an electronic device, and they will be happy. But I am not sure that is a good thing.
DeleteSounds like you needed to bring some wine to the meeting!
ReplyDeleteI was on the board of my co-op in New York for several years and it really is a thankless and miserable job.
I have put in enough hours at public meetings that go nowhere but exhaust me. I feel like I've done my duty. Fortunately, our high-rise is well run by good experienced people and I enjoy leaving it to them. Gosh, a meeting such as you describe would put me in bed for days
ReplyDelete!