I have lived in an association managed by Whitehal...

I have lived in an association managed by Whitehall for six years. I was never previously involved in my association and just paid my dues. When we received a significant increase in our dues I noticed a lot of neighbors getting angry and I was as well. I complained and tried to avoid paying the increase and went to board meetings and the annual meeting for the first time.

What a shock..... Not in a bad way but in a good way.... The presentation material was thorough. At the time I did not know if our board put together the material or if Whitehall did. I showed it to my friend who is on a board at another association not managed by Whitehall. This friend was the one who encouraged me to go to the meeting to begin with. My friend said they get one piece of paper and no information ever.

The following year I went to the meeting again and I ran for the board. I did not get elected but did get put on the board when someone who was on the board moved. Since then it has been an eye opening experience. The amount of work that they do for the fee we pay is amazing. They help prepare the materials for board meetings and our annual meetings and I can't say enough about their knowledge and experience.

Now that I am on the board I realize a management company takes a lot of abuse from owners who just don't want to pay, or follow the rules. The management company can't make decisions without the approval or direction from the board so holding them responsible because you get a late charge isn't their fault, pay your dues on time and this won't happen.

If you get a violation, correct the violation and there won't be any issue. Don't blame the management company for your own bad behavior.

When I started on this endeavor I blamed them for increases or when things didn't get done. That way my stupidity. Now that I have become involved I find them to be a valuable resource to our community.