Tool Category: Model Policies
Inform Staff How to Avoid Discovery Hazards
Emails are the bulk of electronically stored information in a management office. Ask your association’s attorney about adapting these email retention rules to help your staff understand the legal guidelines associated with email use. Have your employees sign and acknowledge that they understand the policy and encourage them to come to you with any questions…
Put Safeguards Against Defamation in Employee Reference Policy
The following policy requires former employees to sign a release authorizing the disclosure of information on employment dates, job titles, and salary. Some managers get a release only when their references go beyond that limited information. Review the policy with your attorney and decide which approach works best for you.
Member Comment During Board Meetings
Member Comment Period. Following the recital of specific topics of business to be discussed, each regular meeting of the Board will include a member comment period ("Comment Period") during which any member in good standing who wishes to speak will have the opportunity to do so, time permitting.
Inform Members About Internet Usage Rules
This Internet usage policy will help members understand how they should use association-provided Internet access and the consequences of improper usage. Show the policy to your association’s attorney before adopting it.
Set Clear-Cut Collection Policy for Delinquent Members
Ask your board to consider including the following language, drafted by attorney P. Michael Nagle, in your collections policy. It specifies how collections will be handled by management and when the case will be turned over to an attorney. Following this policy can help you avoid liability for violating the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.…
Get Right to Accelerate Monthly Assessments if Member Is Delinquent
An acceleration policy can be very effective for cutting assessment delinquencies, but it should be drafted carefully. Keep in mind that your governing documents and state law will influence what you can and can’t put in your policy. Ask your attorney about adapting this policy for use at your community
Distribute Policy for Revealing Information about Former Employees
The following policy was written with the help of attorney Robert Nobile. The policy requires former employees to sign a release authorizing the disclosure of information on employment dates, job titles, and salary. Some managers get a release only when their references go beyond that limited information. Review the policy with your attorney and decide…
Use Tough Acceleration Policy to Keep Members Current
An acceleration policy can be very effective for cutting assessment delinquencies, but it should be drafted carefully. Keep in mind that your governing documents and state law will influence what you can and can’t put in your policy. Ask your attorney about adapting this policy for use at your community.
Email Usage and Retention Policy for Management Staff
Emails are the bulk of electronically stored information in a management office. Our Model Policy establishes email retention rules that you can adapt and use to help your staff understand the legal guidelines associated with email use. Have your employees sign and acknowledge that they understand the policy. Also, consult your attorney about adopting this…
Require Information Sharing Between Old and New Board Members
Board members are only as good as the information they’re given, so it’s important to set a policy that facilitates information sharing between old and new members. Your policy should require the first official meeting of the new board to be a “transition” meeting between the old and new board members. It should require outgoing…