Community living continues to evolve as laws and regulations change, residents’ cultural backgrounds intermingle, and personal preferences and safety requirements converge, resulting in an association in constant flux, managed by a board of directors.
Diversity helps make communities vibrant and ever-changing. But diversity also brings challenges in navigating divergent points of view. The board of directors faces an ongoing challenge in respecting, representing, and including all members of their community when making decisions for the greater good.
Open discussion during board meetings helps facilitate clear communication and better group decision-making. Robert’s Rules of Order is an established method for expressing one’s opinions and respecting others. Having served as a past president of Toastmasters International, I appreciate the structure that Robert’s Rules of Order gives board members a workable tool for hearing one another without undue stress or disruption.
It isn’t necessary to understand all the intricacies of Robert’s Rules of Order, but board members should take the time to understand the basic process for allowing one to speak uninterrupted and how to move toward a cohesive decision.
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