The Vision website is showing the Board’s plan to hold the 2020 Estrella Vista HOA Annual Members Meeting using Zoom video teleconference technology.
This platform may be ideal for conducting a "Board" meeting, but seems inadequate for use during our "Members" meeting.
The Board and VCM appear over confident that all members have the understanding or have the ability to fully use this software. Both should realize not everyone is familiar with how to use video conferencing software nor has video and two-way audio capabilities on their computers. A smart phone would work in place of a computer, but not everyone has a smart phone.
But, putting the members’ understanding and capabilities aside, by not preparing the members beforehand on how this technology functions, the Board would be limiting the members’ participation in their own meeting. Especially since the Board has the meeting scheduled for only 30 minutes.
The Annual Members meeting is not just a venue for the Board members to have one way dialogue or a mere question and answer session with the members. This type of activity using the Zoom software platform would be better suited for a “Board” meeting.
By the rights granted in our own documents, the members have the right to make motions, have motions seconded, and have those motions discussed and voted on by the members present. It is unclear how Zoom’s software platform and the process the Board expects to have in place will permit the members to fulfill their rights or fully participate in the meeting…all within a span of 30 minutes. I’ll assume the Board met with the association lawyers to discuss what the term “present” or “in person” means when utilizing teleconferencing or video conferencing technology.
If this software technology does have the capabilities that would allow members to fully participate in the meeting, then the members need a clearer understanding of how this technology works, what additional hardware may be needed, how the Board will ensure the members’ rights are not suppressed, and a whole lot more than just 30 minutes dedicated for the meeting.
If this software technology or the process the Board expects to use during the Annual Members Meeting restricts the members’ rights in any manner, then the meeting and the election must be postponed until the members can meet in person or another software platform is found.
In the past, the members of this association have had their annual meetings and elections postponed for eight straight years without a valid reason. Postponing this year’s meeting and election for 30, 60, or 90 days for the worldwide crisis we’re now facing should not be an issue for this Board.
Note: This post is still relevant for 2021 and beyond. Currently, the Board is allowing only 30 minutes total time to hold an annual meeting via teleconference. This is not enough time for the members to hold “their meeting” to discuss issue with the association.
