What is Parliamentary Procedure?

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Written by Alexa Jackson

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Published: 11 June 2019

“Parliamentary procedure” refers to the rules that outline the structure of business meetings.  But why is it important and what does it entail?

Why is it important to follow Parliamentary Procedure during condo board meetings?

1. It drives efficient decision making
2. It prevents chaos by allowing attendees to raise concerns in a structured manner
3. It helps run large meetings effectively

What role does each board officer play in Parliamentary Procedure?

The President’s role is to:

1. Set an agenda
2. Ensure quorum is met
3. Direct an effective meeting that follows the agenda

The Secretary’s role is to:

1. Keep meeting minutes

An Attendee’s role is to:

1. Wait to be recognized by the chair before speaking, and address motions and comments to the chair.
2. Move through the meeting by making motions and seconding other motions
3. Speak first when making a motion, but keep what you have to say to 2 minutes
4. Vote on motions at the end of discussion

Understanding parliamentary procedure, and the role everyone plays in it, helps facilitate a well-managed meeting.

To read more, click here.

Register Now for Condo Owner Training Workshop Sat. June 8th

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Written by Alexa Jackson

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Published: 05 June 2019

This Saturday, June, 8, from 9:00-11:00 a.m., North Side Community Federal Credit Union will be hosting a free condo education homeowner training. The workshop is for condo owners in self-managed buildings. You’ll learn about:

1. The differences between owning a single-family home vs. a condominium
2. How to make sure your board is complaint
3. How to evaluate your building’s financial risk
4. How to plan for assessments and major repairs

Haus Financial Services’ own, Lauren Peddinghaus, will even be speaking about financial best practices.

The workshop will be held at the MLK Room (4750 N Sheridan Rd. Chicago, IL 60640). Breakfast and all materials will be provided.

Register here.

Questions about Parking?

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Written by Alexa Jackson

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Published: 28 May 2019

Within condominiums, there are always a lot of questions surrounding parking, but not a lot of answers. We are breaking down some frequently asked parking questions to make your life easier.

Q: Can a unit owner sell their parking spot?
A: No. An assigned parking space in an association cannot be sold. However, if the parking spot is deeded separately to the owner, meaning it has its own PIN (Property Identification Number) and is taxed separately, the spot can be sold. 

Q: Can associations sell unassigned spaces?
A: No. Parking spaces are common elements that cannot be sold.

Q: Can unit owners exchange assigned parking spaces?
A: It depends on the governing documents of the specific association. You will need to review your Declaration and Bylaws to determine how parking spaces are handled.

Q: Can a board force an owner to park in the unit’s assigned space?
A: Yes. The board should adopt parking policies that require owners to park in their assigned spaces.

Q: Can the board force owners to change their assigned spaces?
A: Sometimes. Some documents allow boards to switch owners’ parking spaces, but if the spaces are legally attached to a unit, they cannot.

To learn more about parking, click here. 

Condo Owners Can Influence Legislation with Witness Slips

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Written by Alexa Jackson

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Published: 14 May 2019

During each General Assembly session, Illinois lawmakers introduce thousands of pieces of legislation, and many impact community associations in some capacity.

The public can fill out witness slips to register support or opposition to a bill. The witness slips are then reviewed by the committee that the bill is assigned to at the beginning of each hearing. Lawmakers pay close attention to witness slips. Witness slips have many times made a difference in whether or not a bill becomes a law.

If you would like to engage in the legislative process, the Illinois General Assembly website offers tools to help you, such as “My Legislation,” which allows you to build a database of bills you are interested in and to track their progress 

In 2014, ChicagoCondoResource.com helped condo owners to fight a bill that would have limited the funds associations could recover from a foreclosed unit. Governor Quinn vetoed the bill due to the overwhelming amount of input received from condo owners.

Your voice does have an impact! To learn more about witness slips and the tools offered by the Illinois General Assembly, click here.