Is it Possible for a Board Member to Have a Happy New Year?

As we look at the start of a new year, one can only wonder what life has in store. Nobody has been demonstrably successful at predicting the future but of one thing you can be sure…things will change. There will be some good changes coming and some bad changes coming and how you adapt to them will reflect in how successful you will be in whatever endeavor you are pursuing.

If you are a condo board member, you will be facing some changes that will not only affect you but all of the association members who have chosen you to be their fearless leader. With this in mind, I would venture to guess that some of the changes are going to require you to make decisions that you’d just rather not have responsibility for. You know that some of the residents are not going to be happy and will be wondering “What was the Board thinking?”

Well, I’ve heard said that the key to success is making more correct decisions than wrong ones. The problem is how can you be sure, that in the end, you meet this criterion? One way is to consult with your other board members but if none of you has ever been faced with this particular problem before; your decision might as well be the flip of a coin.

Luckily this is one of those times when an experienced management company can save the day. There are only so many things that can happen in a condo association and if you are looking to solve a problem, there is little doubt that sometime, somewhere, that same problem presented itself to a different association before now. So, consult with your management company, present the problem and listen to what your manager has to say. The manager is not going to make the decision for you because that’s your job but he or she can offer advice based on experiences that you and the other board members haven’t had.

Dowling Properties has been serving condo associations in the Near-West Suburbs for over 25 years. If you are thinking about using a management company or considering a change, let our experience be your guide. Call us at 708-771-0880 and let one of our management specialists assist you and your board with those tough decisions you will no doubt be facing this coming New Year.