Best use of technology

Modern technology can be very supportive of boards in performing their HOA duties. Cellphones, digital phones with video and camera, the internet with email and Skype, and pdf files and jpg or jpeg files. These are all examples of the tools that have replaced some earlier technologies and may today be essential for modern HOA operations.

These provide improved communications with management and contractors, as well as owners or residents. However, open meeting legal restrictions does place some limitations on boards. One must always be cognizant of avoiding or skirting open meetings, even via the internet or email, that might undermine owners rights or the law.

Resistance to change does prevent full use of these technologies. Some board members may be threatened. Power can be lost through improved communications which makes us all inclusive, rather than exclusive. Some board members may feel that having the undivided attention of individuals is the way to go. That does require meeting at a specific time and place. Email permits measured responses at the time and choosing of the individual. It does also allow one to avoid a response. I prefer to think of time as money. Each manager or contractor has only 480 minutes in a normal work day. If I choose to use email that allows them to pick the time of their choosing to respond, even if it is after normal work hours.

It is important to realize the technology should be use to empower ourselves and others. That may be difficult for the entrenched, arrogant, threatened or political. It should be used to improve communications. It has been said that everything can be resolved via communications.

The challenges can be met and even the unempowerable can be empowered. Yet. it isn't all about the tools. It is all about how the tools and gifts we are given are used.

Recently, I was far distant and yet I was able to assist our Vice-President in completing the newsletter. Using cellphones, email, word processors, spreadsheets, printing in pdf formats, digital cameras or smart phone cameras have all become normal as a means to accomplish this.

There really are no excuses.  We can do newsletters and maintain communications from anywhere. Of course, this does pose one problem. We can be contacted  anywhere, which is why I no longer carry a cellphone published for owners to complain or harangue. Some took advantage and so I now direct owners to attend the HOA meetings so they can direct their issues to the entire board, which makes all of the decisions.

Here's a photo of me working on my portion of the newsletter more than 1,000 miles from the HOA location. Yes, we can get wi-fi internet connectivity anywhere and if the local campground isn't good I carry a Verizon jetpack hot spot as a backup.

BTW, this post was published from my HOA condo, although Comcast internet was down. I used my Verizon jetpack hot spot. Love modern tech. A word to the wise "resistance is futile."