Members have the right to speak in open forum, a valuable part of board meetings that healthy HOAs embrace
We have a dispute with our HOA board and tried to inform those present during open meeting time and were not allowed to speak. We were told this was not on the agenda and this is private. Is it not our right to disclose what we do not want kept private?Last night I attended a board meeting and wanted to speak at open forum. I was denied as I was told I had not signed up in advance to speak. This was never the policy when I was on the board. If you showed up and wanted to speak, we listened.
If you wanted to use your open forum time to discuss your dispute with the association you should be free to do so, within the time limit. Sign-in sheets help alert the board if many people wish to speak, but it should not be an absolute requirement because it is arguably an illegal impediment to open forum remarks. Only members have the right to speak in open forum, a valuable part of board meetings that healthy HOAs embrace.Our board was not elected by homeowners.
Richardson, Esq. is a fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers and partner of Richardson Ober LLP, a California law firm known for community association advice. Submit column questions to [email protected]. Past columns at
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