When a Board member steps over the line

Dear EthicsTalk,

I’m on the board of directors of a condominium association with 300 units. One owner, Tina, fell behind in dues and signed an agreement with the association to catch up by paying an extra $350/month. Next month, everybody’s dues rise $100 a month. Tina says she can't afford the increase on top of her $350 a month catch-up payment. She wants to keep paying $350, of which $100 will be the increased fee, and $250 will be a reduced

catch-up payment.

I think this makes sense, since having Tina fall behind again helps no one. But some other board members will oppose any changes. Tina has asked me to draft a letter making her case that she can send to the board.

Should I write it for her?

Signed: Stuck in the Middle

Dear Stuck in the Middle:

Like Winnie the Pooh, you only get stuck by inserting yourself where you don’t belong. As a director, you must act and decide in the best interests of the association. Period. End of story.

Acting in the best interests of the association means not going behind the other directors’ backs — especially not ghost-writing a letter for Tina...click on link for full article