I am a Community Association Manager and some people think that means that I am a
murderer. Let me caution you, that
yes, trees were harmed in the telling of this story, but all care and
consideration was taking to make their end, as humane as possible.
Maintaining
the character of the community which a developer created and allowing that
sense of community to evolve is a delicate balancing act for a community
association manager. Landscape is
always a very touchy subject and to make changes to the landscaping in a
community must be taken on with a great amount of care and communications. Our Board of Directors welcomes the input and
suggestions of homeowners, but at the end of the discussion, it is the Board’s
fiduciary responsibility to do what they think is in the best interest of the
whole community.
Although the need for changes to the
landscape in the common area were quite apparent because of the infestation of
insects in the trees, making the decision to take out the old trees before
the pest infected the rest of our forested community was difficult. However, to explain that to some of our
homeowners was even more difficult…
“I can’t believe you are killing the
trees!”
“We work with our landscaper and an only
take out those trees they have identified as infested and are 50% dead and
declining.”
“But you are killing them, they are not
dead yet.”
Rule # 2: Use words
that draw people into the
conversation - Remember that you will always find more
cooperation if you use the inclusive words like “and” instead of exclusive
words like “but” …
“And”, I say with the greatest amount of
empathy, “if those trees stay the bugs that are eating the life out of those
trees will move to the healthily trees nearby.”
With tears in her voice, “Well you need to
do something else!”
That wild and wacky right brain of mine,
was struggling to take control of my mouth - “I am open to taking your
suggestions to the Board, what can we do so that more trees are not harmed by
these rogue bugs that are wrecking havoc with our trees are mercilessly put to
death .” ~ BAD BUGS! BAD BAD BUGS!
~ Is there an “insect rights” activist
who lives in my community, will I hear from them? Am I “opening a can of worms.” Oh my, what if
it is a can of web worms. - Wait a minute isn’t this the homeowner that
called praising us for our support of the boy scouts recycle Christmas tree
program…. Think quickly, the board can’t
chip the trees for the use as mulch, because the bugs will still be present….
Rule #3: Engage the homeowner to become a part of the solution - whenever possible ask them what solution they
would like the Board consider.
The logical left brain of mine, wins the
battle for control of my mouth – “The Board is open to reasonable
suggestions, if you have any idea I
would be more than happy to share your thoughts with the Board.”
Composing herself through the sniffles –
“You have to dig holes for the new trees right?”
“ Yes!” – the left brain is triumphantly
pumping his arms in the air – we have engaged her in the process of finding a
solution!
“Well I think you need to take the sick
trees out and put them in the big boxes that you brought the new ones in and
then you can take the sick trees to that area in the community that isn’t built
on, and then those trees can live out their lives in peace and harmony like a
retirement village for trees.”
As the wacky right brain in my head beats
the logical left brain to a quivering
mass…. I stoically say, “Oh thank you
for that suggestion, I will pass it on to the Board”.
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