The Brave, the Few, the Condo Association Leaders : Real estate: An expert preaches to property owners about the art and science of their leadership role.
They came from throughout the city, seeking enlightenment in handling the heavy burden of leadership that has been thrust upon them.
“It’s been like learning to swim by being pushed off a dock,” said one. “The enormity of the responsibility was frightening.”
Are they corporate presidents? Police officers? Air traffic controllers?
Actually, they are the leaders of a proliferating portion of American society: condominium associations. And they showed up at the Encino Woman’s Club this past week--paying $10 to $30 a head--to hear the wit and wisdom of Larry J. Pothast, who spoke on how to be a better board member.
“This is not the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts,” Pothast shouted at the 70-plus audience members who scribbled down his rapid-fire statements. “This is a job running a multimillion-dollar corporation.”
More and more people must bear such burdens as community associations grow throughout the country.
The number of homeowner, condominium and co-op associations has jumped from 45,000 to 150,000 in the past decade. By the year 2000, the associations will number more than 225,000, according to estimates by the national Community Assns. Institute. The institute’s Los Angeles chapter, which hosted the seminar, provides information and education to 500 member associations.
After all, many people are thrust into positions of power in their condo associations before they know even one of Robert’s Rules.
Joan Comer said she was overwhelmed in December when she became secretary of a new homeowners association that governs 211 Valencia townhouses.
Others said it was easy to make mistakes when assuming leadership in the associations.
Ray Axelrod said he overstepped his authority after he was first elected to the board of his Encino condominium complex when he saw visiting children in the pool and yelled at them.
Traditionally, association board members have no training at all and many people serving on boards fail to think of the association as a business, Pothast said.
“Oftentimes, there are no guideposts, so they make up things as they go along,” Pothast said. “Many people have never been on the board of directors. They’re not accustomed to being formal in their processes. The more formal the process, the more valuable the process and the better decisions will be.”
Pothast, a San Francisco banker who once managed condominiums, is nationally known in the condo crowd. He even has his own video. And he has his own style.
“What’s your job as a board member?” Pothast innocently asked the crowd.
“Future planning,” one said.
“Following the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions” governing condo management, another said with confidence.
“Keeping the peace,” another proclaimed.
Pothast quickly laid it on the line.
“Maintain and protect the value of the asset, and there isn’t anything else,” he said, gesturing wildly.
Pothast’s energetic presentation drew as much from his five years acting in drawing-room comedies as from the 12 years he managed condominiums. Spouting an impassioned, frenetic patter that can be described as a cross between Jesse Jackson and Robin Williams, Pothast led the audience in dialogues that sometimes followed the Socratic method, but more often seemed like a nightclub act.
“You’re a tramp, right?” he questioned one woman during a playful exchange a la Don Rickles. Another board member was labeled the “president from hell.” A third was told she had an attitude problem.
“Tough crowd. Tough crowd,” Pothast later said.
But beyond the shtick lay boardroom basics. Pothast instructed the group to use tape recorders for taking minutes, to limit comments on a subject to three minutes per person and to get all reports in writing at least three days before meetings.
He also stressed during his 2 1/2-hour harangue that meetings should be brief.
“Here’s a trick,” he told them, pacing up and down. “Every time you have the urge to talk about something, shut up.”
And did the audience members learn their lessons?
Some later chattered enthusiastically about timed agendas and public comment periods, saying they were now better prepared to tackle the demands of the condo world.
But, for at least one association president, the meeting was a more personal experience.
Joan Sheets, 51, said, “I would have to say I’ve become a Pothast groupie.”
