IMAGES: SIMBITHI ECO ESTATE AND COUNTRY CLUB
to express their views and permitting each
nominee to have a representative observe the
vote-counting process.
6.Financial
transparency.
Share
critical
information and rationale with residents about
budgets, reserve funding, special levies and
other issues that could impact their financial
obligations to the association. Give members
an opportunity-before final decisions are madeto ask questions of a representative who is fully
familiar with these financial issues.
guidelines, uniformly, but only after seeking
compliance on a voluntary basis. Distribute
proposals for new rules and guidelines to all
homeowners and non-owner residents. Advise
them when the board will consider new rules
and encourage input. Once adopted, new rules
and effective dates should be distributed to
every owner and resident.
Note: Association boards should consult with
attorneys to ensure their association is governed
in accordance with all regulations.
7. Foreclosure. Initiate foreclosure proceedings
only as a last step in a well-defined debtcollection procedure-and only after other, lessdisruptive measures have failed to resolve a
serious delinquency issue in a specified period
of time.
RCC encourages the thoughtful consideration
of ethical standards for community leaders.
The model code is not meant to address every
potential ethical dilemma, but is offered as a
basic framework that can be modified and
adopted by any common-interest community.
8. Governance and the law. Govern and
manage the community in accordance with
all applicable laws and regulations. Conduct
reviews of governing documents to ensure
legal compliance and to determine whether
amendments are necessary.
RCC encourages Board members to:
1.Strive at all times to serve the best interests of
the association as a whole regardless of their
personal interests.
9. Grievances and appeals. Allow residents
to bring grievances before the board or a
board-appointed committee, and follow wellpublicised procedures that provide residents the
opportunity to correct violations, and to appeal
any fine or sanction that is imposed.
10.Records. Allow homeowners reasonable
access to appropriate community records,
including annual budgets and general meeting
minutes.
11.Reserve funding. Account for anticipated
long-term expenditures as part of the annual
budget-development process, commissioning
a reserve study when professional expertise is
warranted.
12.Rules. Enforce all rules, including architectural
52
2.Use sound judgment to make the best possible
business decisions for the association, taking
into consideration all available information,
circumstances and resources.
3. Act within the boundaries of their authority as
defined by law and the governing documents of
the association.
4.Provide opportunities for residents to comment
on decisions facing the association.
5.Perform their duties without bias for or against
any individual or group of owners or non-owner
residents.
6.Disclose personal or professional relationships
with any company or individual who has or is
seeking to have a business relationship with the
association.
7. Conduct open, fair and well-publicised
elections.
8. Always speak with one voice, supporting all
duly-adopted board decisions-even if the board
member was in the minority regarding actions
that may not have obtained unanimous consent.
RCC encourages Board members not to:
1.Reveal confidentia