Need some DU empathy................

[mrmpa]

I just came back from a Condominium Board meeting, I am one of 7 members all but 1 are female. The 84 year old male is president. Tonight, he interrupted 2 members 3 times each, not allowing them to ask a question or continue a question. He interrupted me twice, on the 3rd attempt, I raised my voice as loudly as possible, and told him he could not tell me to shut up (his exact words).

My question was simple "what time on Friday is he meeting with the building manager & employees?" According to him, it's none of my business. I told him he could not continue interrupting me or any other members. His answer was that it was his meeting and he could do whatever he wanted to.

Worst of all, he knows I'm a member of the Marine Corps League, and he denigrates the Marines every chance he has. I'm not walking off this board, because if I do, I don't see anyone else being able to stand up to him.

I'm done venting. There's more, but that's the gist of it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Sounds to me like it's time for him to be deposed.

There must be a procedure for that. He is bullying all of you, and getting away with it.

He must be stopped.

Good luck!

[mrmpa]

5. This is his 3rd month as President............

and I learned after the meeting, that a resident began a petition to recall him. We'll see how that goes. I really hate his behavior, because I have always liked him & his wife. I can differentiate the behavior from what I normally have seen from him, but it's ridiculous.

He's alienating the whole board, we're in trouble (financially & maintenance wise), but he won't give us particulars.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

2. Yep, that's condo boards...

They ought to make people take a personality Q-sort test in order to serve and curmudgeons should be banned.

[rug]

3. Wait him out.

[mrmpa]

6. Yep, I think he might stroke out.......

or have a heart attack or something, and that's unfortunate.

[hrmjustin]

4. Start a revolt!

[Lars39]

7. Vote him out!

No excuse for being rude or secretive.

[mrmpa]

8. I'm reading through my condo documents...and

have my Roberts Rules ready for perusing.

[Lars39]

9. Yep, do it by the book.

Make sure minutes reflect every interruption, too

[Baitball Blogger]

19. You might find that a small group of people can force a meeting to recall the president.

Or revote for officers.

[HERVEPA]

10. Del Boca Vista phase III?

[Separation]

11. Find a guy named Morty.

Run him behind the scenes like a puppet regime.

[HERVEPA]

12. Watch out for Jack Klompus though, he's still pissed about the astronaut pen.

[Separation]

13. Lol still one of my all time favorite shows

NEWMAN!!

Jerry

[mrmpa]

14. Please it's bad enough what I'm dealing with.............

without having to conceptualize myself in a Seinfeld episode. Thanks for the laugh.

[HERVEPA]

17. Just one more thought to calm you. SERENITY NOW!

[Locut0s]

15. What is it about condo boards that bring out the worst in people?...

We have lived in condos most of my life. Petty politics has been a main stay of the board meetings since day one. And it can get REALLY nasty at times.

[In_The_Wind]

16. Time for a change.

[Baitball Blogger]

18. Do you live in Florida?

Expect hijinks. Our government bodies will court the heads and cut off the bodies of our Associations. He's 84 and probably thinking of supplementing his fixed income. Do I sound callous? Read my journal and you'll understand why.

[mrmpa]

21. No to Florida................

and he's a retired CEO (there lies the problem). None of us are paid (by-laws don't allow it). As was stated in an earlier post, it's "bullying." Once I viewed it as this, I have come to the realization that he needs cut off at the knees.

Talked to another board member last night, and learned that the president has cut the treasurer out of the loop in regard to financial matters and that he is the only one making decisions.

[Separation]

23. Sounds like your on the right track

Beat way to beat a bully is to not back down. You say he is/was a CEO so I'm guessing he is used to getting his way when he wants it.

Best bet is to look through the by-laws for your condo association. Might be something in there to be able to hold a vote of no confidence and hold a new
Election.

One thing that I have done with bullies at work, whether they outrank me or not, is to try and get them on a one on one setting. Tell them what you think and why you think that what he is doing is wrong. He may not agree with you, but from my experience, he will at least respect you and the bullying aspect should go away.

[mrmpa]

24. Thank you............

I am planning on talking to him in the next week or so, and basically lay down the law, that he will let me and other board members talk, he does not tell us to shut up, just address his behavior.

A big one for me is that he will discontinue disrespecting the Marine Corps, he served in the Army so this is not an anti military stance on his part, but just a hate toward the Marines.

Semper Fi, I see your avatar.

[TexasTowelie]

27. When was the last time the financials books were audited?

I can't believe that a treasurer would risk the potential liability of not having access to the books. How will the condo be able to file a tax return next year without his approval?

[mrmpa]

28. The old board............

basically gave all power to the management company and did no oversight. The books haven't been audited for at least 5 years. We, the new board have just hired a firm to do an audit.

As for taxes, the management company asked for an extension of 2012 taxes. We have gotten rid of this management company and hired a new one, effective June 1. We have been having a big problem getting particulars about the money & the money from the old company.

As soon as the books are audited, we will look at the results, and I personally am in the mood to sue the old management company. They handed out 30% pay increases to employees, spent money for God knows what and basically fucked us as board members looked the other way.

[HappyMe]

20. Condo boards are breeding grounds

for petty arguments. My ex-fil was on the board for his place in WI. I used to type stuff up for him. He finally resigned over all the constant bickering and the board's inability to get anything done.

[RedCloud]

22. Bring some tomatoes and go "Tomatina" on him!

[TrogL]

25. Reminds me of a condo board I've been on

Insist the meeting be run by Roberts Rules of Order, then start calling him on it.

[mrmpa]

26. Funny thing is..........

he ordered Roberts Rules of Order for each of us. I realized earlier today, that the Secretary (his confidante) was not taking notes.