By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published July 15, 2013

            Each week on Monday mornings at 9:00 a.m. this column is sent to thousands of you by e-mail.  It's something that so many of you have simply gotten used to and something that I have gotten used to as well.  After a few weeks, it becomes second nature.  I expect to write it, and you expect to receive it, each and every Monday morning.

            Wouldn't it be great if the relationship between the association and its unit owners worked the same way?  Suppose the Board and/or manager decided that on the 1st and 15th of the month, an e-mail would be sent to everyone in the community advising of the events over the past two weeks?  After a while, it too would become second nature.  I'm  not saying that such an e-mail would need to detail every check that was written in the past two weeks, but it could include copies of the latest minutes of any Board meetings, copies of any new contracts that were entered into by the association, an update on the receivables, the status of repair projects and heavens forbid maybe even a section devoted to wishing the owners who have birthdays or anniversaries that month some good luck.  There are communities that actually do this, and my guess is there's less suspicion of the Board, better communication and more peace and harmony in the community.

            A website for your association is really a no brainer too.  Why not put the official records on the website so that all of the unit owners can see them with a click of their mouse?  Think of the time that this would free up for your manager.  Arbitration cases for failure to turn over records would become a thing of the past.  Copies of the declaration, bylaws and rules can be posted as well.

            I have even seen some communities have their own Facebook page.  If used productively, it could be a great place for owners to voice concerns and have debate by and between members of the community regarding any association issue.  If your association has such a page, let us know how it's working out.

            In the summer months, many owners reside outside of Florida .  Why not have summer Board meetings, or any Board meetings,  broadcast over a free conference call line, where owners can call in and listen to the meeting even if they're thousands of miles away?  What's the harm? 

            Technology is advancing every day.  This year we were successful in getting The Florida Legislature to allow owners to use their cell phones or cameras to photograph the association's official records.  That's a good start.  It just seems however that any technology that allows greater communication between the board and the owners and allows for more involvement by the community members should be followed through whenever possible.  Any other ideas for bringing technology into our associations to make things better?  Let us know.