After the Open Forum part at the start of the meeting, our Board immediately leaves the room and goes into Executive Session. Several hours later they return and the meeting is adjourned.  Many of our neighbors feel that, for some reason, our Board wants to keep everything secret!

Boards that I served on were more "user friendly."  We seldom felt the need for an "executive session" and openly discussed items with any resident interested enough to attend our meetings.  We felt it was important to keep everyone informed -- after all, it was their money we were spending.

I enjoy reading your column -- you provide a great service to HOA.  So, how do we solve this problem?

E.A., Newport Beach

In addition to being illegal, the overuse of executive session discourages members, as you have experienced yourself, and destroys trust and confidence in the board.  As volunteer directors, preserving your neighbors' trust in your should be paramount.

Association business, except for executive session topics, should be conducted in the open, with members watching -- quietly.

If the Board works in closed session due to fear of interruptions, then adopt and enforce reasonable meeting conduct rules.  Meetings should be open.

The answer is to educate the community on proper common interest development practices.  Hopefully your Board will also read this column, and learn more about the proper use of executive session.

Best regards,

Kelly G. Richardson, Esq.

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