Disruptive Owners

DISRUPTIVE OWNERS

QUESTION. In the past two months, a few owners have continually shouted and screamed in board meetings. Requests that the screamers sit down and act in a civil manner does no good, resulting in the meeting getting out of control. What can the board do?

ANSWER: Disruptive attendees who shout, use profanity, try to record meetings, or generally interfere with board meetings are difficult to control. Your remedies include:

imposing penalties after appropriate due process (the board should first adopt rules against such behavior, see sample agenda for rules)
ejecting them from the meeting (avoid physical contact or they may claim assault and battery)
calling the police if they refuse to leave
moving the meeting to a member's unit (if disruptive owners force their way into the unit, it would be trespassing)
obtaining a restraining order

Non-Members. Disruptive non-members may be excluded from meetings altogether.

Board Members. Disruptive board members may be censured and recalled.

Updated by ADAMS KESSLER 4/21/2008