Page 18 - New York Cooperator January 2019

BOARD OPERATIONS C o-op, condo and HOA boards are tasked with a great many respon- sibilities – including determining and promoting both the day-to-day and longer-term interests of their residents. That’s a tall order, and it’s largely achieved through the implementation of rules and regulations designed to serve those inter- ests while prohibiting activity that could be detrimental to the community. But what may be deemed ‘detrimental’ doesn’t always stay the same from year to year, or from one board administration to another. An association’s bylaws are superseded by the municipal, state and federal laws of the land, so sometimes forces outside of an association’s control will dictate changes that need be made to its policies. In other instances, changing culture, owner demographics, and other factors can push a board to adjust its community’s governing policies to reflect those evolving priorities. For example, a 14-building co-op in Queens several years ago lifted a ban on walking on the property’s grass. This may not sound like a particularly high-stakes move, but in New York City, space is at a premium, greenery is rare, and the ban had been in place since the property’s inception. But eventually, a younger de- mographic – many of whom had children and pets – overwhelmingly felt that the lawn was to be enjoyed, not just to be ob- served and maintained. So what motivates a board to revisit a long-standing rule? Conversely, why might it stand its ground? How frequent- ly do boards make the progressive choice over defending their conservative poli- cies? Amending Rules Updating Bylaws and House Rules to Fit Your Community BY MIKE ODENTHAL EMG INDUSTRIAL CHIMNEY INC. 230 Patton Avenue W. Babylon, New York 11704 Office: 212.779.1378 631.920.6630 Fax: 631.920.6625 elyse@emgindustrial.com Complete Chimney Installation and Maintenance Professionals Chimney Linings Chimney Extensions Chimney Replacements External Chimney Stacks Breeching Replacement Single/Double Wall Stacks Smoke & Pressure tests Interior Video Scans Code Violations Cleared Draft Fans Installed Certified Scaffold Installers Certified welders • OSHA & DOB Compliant NYC Lic.# 2021827DCA EMG Industrial Chimney Ad 5x6.25 FINAL_Layout 1 8/13/15 11:43 AM Page 1 18 THE COOPERATOR — JANUARY 2019 COOPERATOR.COM ISTOCKPHOTO.COM