21/07/2026
The Trustee ā how we love to hate themā¦!
I would like to pose a different view this morning; I ask that you just consider this for a moment the next time there is a contentious issue in your Community.
As with everything in life there is good and bad, some of the bad is intentional and some of it is not necessarily bad, it is a result of not knowing what you donāt know.
I think this is the same with Trustees as well, yes there are some bad Trustees out there, they act either through self-interest or self-importance and make questionable decisions. The other side of the coin is there are persons that volunteer (or are brow beaten) into being Trustees and they are really trying hard to fulfil this responsibility with diligence. The management of a sectional title scheme, and an HOA for that matter, is not as simple as it seems. The governance and compliance responsibilities are increasing year on year and when a volunteer Trustee or Director is faced with the pressures of life, plus the added responsibility of navigating the intricacies of property management, then things can get very complicated.
When difficult decisions must be made, when levies are increased to bring the reserve fund in line with legislation, or when special levies are required to address years of neglect (due to inadequate levy increases), then someone must answer, someone has not been doing ātheir jobā and owners and residents demand answers.
My request today is that, before you write that mail in anger, you consider the responsibility that these persons have taken on, the time that they are spending to manage the community scheme. There are a myriad of competing priorities and in many cases, there is no right answer. The issue may have built up over the years and the Trustee that is currently there is not responsible and also should not bear the brunt of the collective anger.
I am not saying that one should abide by wrongdoing ā I am asking that you consider that there might be a good reason for a difficult decision, and the Trustee made the decision that they believe would have the least impact on all concerned.
Letās focus on improving communication, understanding the context, and engaging with respect.
Coral ā we are all about Community.