On the Nature of Community - List of Questions

This was posted at the end of a long blog. Part one is at the following link; the original post was broken into two parts and the link will take you to the first part:

http://briarcliffelakes.blogspot.com/2009/05/on-nature-of-community.html

What follows is an excerpt from the original post; it is separated per a reader comment.

The original post was stimulated by recent events and by my observations during association meetings. That post was intended to delve into some of the aspects of being a neighbor in a condominium community, and in turn stimulate discussion. For me, this raised a series of questions about community and of being neighborly as a unit owner member of BLMH. In the original post, the following was stated:

I suppose this would occur for me as "What is an appropriate way for a unit owner to exist in this community?" which is to say, "How to be a responsible member of the community"? This question can be posed within the context of the long term plans for this community and rephrased is: "What am I, as a member of the community, doing to assist our community in reaching its goals and to achieve that which is expected of me"? This of course, requires knowledge of those goals and the expectations.

So in the spirit of discussion, what, I rhetorically ask, are the actions appropriate for and consistent with being a unit owner member of the community at BLMH? In an inquiry, both the questions and the answers are important. Together, they can reveal the nature of our community and our positions, expectations and personal biases regarding it. As you read the following questions and statements, see if you consider them to be relevant to a discussion on "community". Also consider why you would reject or accept each. That may tell you something about yourself, and your personal perspective into the nature of "being neighborly" and "community".

Please note that these questions do not necessarily reflect my personal view; some are derived from association documents, owner and board comments during meetings, or are based on observations written about other communities. Nor do I practice all of the following, and of those that I do practice, I am not always consistent. Consider that there may not be "right" answers. Here is a partial list of questions to think about:

Am I pleasant and courteous to my neighbors?

Do I observe the 20 MPH posted speed limit and do I slow down if I observe people walking in the street? Do I practice “safe driving” while in the complex? Am I watchful for children, pets and wildlife?

Do I observe the parking rules?

Do I drive the speed limit on the boulevard and observe the school speed zone?

Do I have a preference for a “block party”? If so, why? And if not, why not?

Do I have other ideas regarding “community” and if so, have I written the board about them, or presented them at board meetings? If not, why not?

When I receive the monthly association newsletter, do I read it, make note of rule changes, issues and meetings? If so, why? And if not, why not? Do I read the "Condo Advisor" column in the "House and Homes" section in the Sunday Chicago Tribune so as to get a better idea of how condominiums are run, and of the problems and issues which face condominium associations and owners? [Comment: The above was revised to correct the newspaper specifics.]

On trash pickup day, upon my return at the end of the day, do I reach out to my neighbor and retrieve their trash container, or do I simply bring my own into the garage? On Saturday morning, I observe that my “neighbor” has not yet retrieved his or her trash receptacle from the curb. Do I retrieve it for them or do I avoid it?

On trash pickup day, do I pick up old community newspapers from the foyer and recycle, or do I leave them for “someone else”?

Do I remove my trash from the garage each week, especially during hot weather and if it is emanating obnoxious odors, do I double bag to minimize the odors that escape and seep into the halls and into my neighbors unit?

I prefer to leave plastic bags on the curb during trash day. However, animals have been observed tearing into these overnight and spreading trash. Do I "change" my preference and use the covered plastic containers, or do I persist in doing it "my way"?

On leaving my unit, I sometimes observe trash in the street. Do I take a moment to pick it up and dispose of it properly, or do I simply drive or walk on by?

On entering the building, I track in leaves. Do I take the time to pick these up? Do I occasionally pick up in the hallway or do I wait for the cleaning service? (We are currently on a two week cleaning cycle). If so, why and if not, why not?

On walking to the entry, I step into the grass and to my dismay I sink into the soft, wet soil. Upon extricating my shoe, I observe it is covered with a thick coating of mud. Do I get my hands messy and remove the shoe outside the building, thereby walking barefooted on the sidewalk, or do I proceed to the foyer, stomp my feet a few times to dislodge the muck and then proceed to my unit?

There are hand prints on the foyer glass. Do I clean these and go about my business, or do I clean these and complain, or do I ignore these? Why did I choose the answer I chose?

Prior to leaving on a winter morning, do I take the time to shovel the snow which our service won’t plow, because it is less than the defined minimum of 2 inches? Do I shovel a path to the door for myself and my “neighbors” and sprinkle the salt provided on the walkway? Do I knock down the 24 inch icicles forming over my neighbors’ garage entry? Or not? And why did I choose to or not to?

When the association asks for assistance in sprinkling the lawn during a drought, do I take a few minutes to do so? Or not? Why?

When I use the water hose our association provides, upon completion do I coil it and check the spigot to assure that the water is off? Why?

Do I keep my area in the garage clean in accordance with the rules? Why?

If there is water flowing into the garage, do I alert the management office to the problem or do I wait for my neighbor to do it? During the spring thaw, do I assist in pushing the water out so it will not freeze and possibly interfere with the garage doors and seals? Why would this be a problem?

Do I pick up after my pet when we take a stroll? Why? or Why not?

Do I control my pet on a leash and keep it from tearing up the ground cover? Do I abstain from walking into the ground cover with my pet, even if in January it is the only green space in which it can “take a dump”? Why? or Why not?

Have I inspected the plumbing in my utility room and the condition of the hoses to the washer to assure they are in good condition and that there are no leaks? Is the floor drain in good order and not blocked? How old is my hot water heater? Is it in good condition or are there rust stains and other signs of eminent failure? Have I checked its drain valve to assure no seepage and that water will flow to the floor drain? Are my air conditioner and humidifier drain lines sufficiently clear and do they direct water to the floor drain? Is the utility room floor a continuous, impermeable waterproof sheet or are there hairline cracks which would allow water to enter my neighbors unit, situated below me? Why? or Why Not?

My HVAC compressor is sinking into the soil and tilted at a precarious angle. Or, it is rusting. Have I contacted the management company to see what my options are? Do I hire a "handyman" or HVAC contractor to reposition it? Do I have it sprayed with "rust-o-leum" paint to improve its appearance? If not, why not? If so, why?

Do I have a properly functioning carbon monoxide detector as required by law? Do I change the batteries during the recommended interval?

Do I know the procedures to use in a fire, so as to protect my personal property as well as that of my unit owner neighbors?

Do I have the insurance mandated for my unit and do I keep it current, thereby protecting my unit, my fellow unit owners and the association?

When I require the assistance of a “handyman” do I check to see that he or she is licensed, bonded and insured, so should there be an accident or damage to my unit, my neighbor's unit or the common areas, the “handyman” can cover the cost of repairs and can cover his or her medical bills, thereby protecting the association?

Do I respect my downstairs neighbor’s peace and quiet by abstaining from using my stair-climber or tread-master exercise equipment except during daylight hours and after 8:00am? Is my equipment properly adjusted to minimize vibration and noise? Do I have an impact absorbing pad under the equipment?

If my neighbor has complained about noise, what has been my response? And why?

As a unit owner who rents my unit, have I briefed the renters as to the expectations for residents here at BLMH, and that they go beyond those of most apartment occupants? Have I explained that their neighbors are unit owners and may have expectations greater than those of a fellow renter? If not, why not?

Do I attempt to abide by the requests of the association, and those made by our Board of Managers?

Am I courteous at association meetings? Those are my neighbors I am directing my criticism to and among whom I am seated. Do I have the capacity to respect the varying opinions and perspectives of unit owners who are my "neighbors"?

Am I willing to listen quietly during association meetings and allow the Board of Managers to go about their business as my elected representatives? Can I listen to my neighbors who are speaking during the homeowner portion of the association meeting? Am I willing not to be heard? Why? or Why not?

Am I willing to function as a member of a community in which I am but one of 336 unit owners, where my will is not law? Or am I intent on having "my way" because it is the "right way", or as far as I am concerned, my way is the "only way"?

As a unit owner, have I read the bylaws and am I familiar with them? If I have any uncertainties or questions, have I attended an association meeting and have I asked for clarification?

Do I understand which building elements I am responsible for in “my” unit?

If I am cited for a “violation” do I check the rules and regulations to verify it and correct the problem? If I choose to ignore the notice and am fined, do I pay it? Or do I view the citation as an affront and an expression of “oppression” by the Board of Managers and then do everything possible to get even and undermine the association and the board? If I am in disagreement, do I attend an association meeting and politely ask for an explanation and clarification of the specific rules? Or do I bring friends and disrupt the meeting? Or if unable to attend, do I send a letter to the management office with my perspective and ask for an explanation?

When I make modifications to “my” unit, do I use reputable contractors who are licensed, bonded and insured? Do I check with the association to assure that what I am doing is structurally proper and meets various codes and rules? Do I take the time to write a letter requesting clarification and request a written response, e.g. my modification will not violate rules and regulations? Do I have a letter of response stating so before proceeding with construction or modifications? If not, why not?

Have I exchanged phone numbers with my neighbors in my building and do they know how to reach me when I am away and if there should be a problem in “my” unit? That might be as simple as providing a cell phone number and keeping the cell phone “on” while I am away. Do I notify any of my neighbors if I am leaving for an extended period of time? If not, why not?

When I leave for vacation what steps do I take to prevent problems from occurring? During the winter months how to I protect pipes from freezing in my unit? Have I discussed the procedures I use with the management to assure they are adequate? Have I checked the information published in our "greeting packet" and newsletters to see what the recommended procedures are? If not, why not?

When I leave for a winter vacation, what steps do I take to prevent water pipes from freezing in the event a winter storm takes down the power for more than a few hours; perhaps for days? Why should that be of concern to me? And why not?

If I have a disagreement with my neighbor, do I attempt to resolve it with them? If I am really angry or cannot speak civilly, do I send them a letter outlining my position as clearly as I can? If necessary with photos, etc. and with copy to the management office?

If I have a disagreement with my neighbor, do I attempt to resolve it with them before contacting the management company and the Board of Managers?

Do I understand the role of the Board of Managers? Do I understand the laws which govern them?

Do I budget for and promptly pay my association fees so that our community can properly function?

Am I saving for possible association fee increases or for possible future special assessments? Do I understand how our association saves and spends money for both daily operating expenses and future maintenance and repair of the buildings, streets and grounds? If not, why not?

Do I understand why our association has savings, which are called "reserves"? Am I aware that our buildings and grounds, including lighting, underground piping and streets and driveways are maintained by the association. Each of the components will age and will require repair or replacement. That will require large expenses each year and into the future, and the savings will pay them.

Am I saving for maintaining the common elements for which I am responsible? According to experts, aluminum casement windows last 15 to 30 years. Do I have a plan to replace these? If not, why not?

Am I saving for replacement of my hot water heater on a timely interval (natural gas water heaters have lifetimes of from 11 to 13 years, and electric have a lifetime of 14 years, according to experts). How old is the water heater in my unit? Why would this be included in a discussion about "community" and why not?

Am I saving for replacement of my HVAC system and furnace? Life expectancy is 15 to 25 years according to experts. How old is my furnace and HVAC system? Why would this be included in a discussion about "community" and why not?

I like to propose change. By that do I mean that I expect my neighbors to change or, I expect myself to change or, it means that we both must change? Why?

After reading this list, do I consider this to be nonsense? Do I have additional items that come to mind that the writer omitted? Why?

==============================

Note: The "experts" cited in stating the estimated lifetime of appliances and building elements are the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Residential Rehabilitation Inspection Guide and the National Association of Home Builders.