Wellington will host a symposium Wednesday, June 5 to provide local homeowners’ association and condominium boards with much-needed tools to manage and enhance their organizations.
The free event will be at 6:30 p.m. in the Wellington Community Center, featuring experts who will share information about the legal, managerial and financial aspects of dealing with an HOA or condo association.
“We have a panel of experts who specialize in HOAs and foreclosures,” Neighborhood Advocate Meridith Tuckwood said. “The goal is to provide educational tools that HOAs can use.”
The panel will be led by attorneys from Korte & Wortman and include representatives from A&G Management, RV Johnson Insurance and Hafer & Co. Certified Public Accountants, as well as the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Wellington’s code compliance staff.
“With foreclosures and a changing market, this HOA symposium will be geared toward the increase in rental units,” Tuckwood said. “We see all sorts of issues with [rental properties], and it’s important for HOAs to know how to protect themselves.”
Though the symposium is geared toward HOA board members, anyone interested is welcome to attend. Topics will include how to find the right property management company, how to effectively collect dues from residents, how to manage elections, what to do about nuisance problems and how to update HOA documents to reflect changing times, Tuckwood said.
“A lot of communities don’t have a way of regulating issues because it’s not in their bylaws,” she said. “We want to educate them, let them know what their rights are and what they can and can’t do.”
Another important topic will be dealing with foreclosures and initiating association lien foreclosures, she said.
Tuckwood noted that the Florida Supreme Court recently handed down a ruling regarding soliciting and HOAs, which will be discussed as well.
With hurricane season starting next week, HOA members will also get information on what type of coverage they need to protect themselves.
And representatives from the PBSO will share tips on how to deter crime in the neighborhoods. “People think that because they live in a gated community, they’re protected,” Tuckwood said.
Each panelist will cover his or her area of expertise, answering common questions, giving solutions to common issues and sharing advice. Then, attendees will have a chance to ask questions.
“Each attendee will get a packet of information so they can follow along, with room to write notes,” Tuckwood said. “It will be similar to our Foreclosure 911 seminars. We want to be sure we’re providing these groups with every opportunity to be successful.”
Attendees must register with Tuckwood by Friday, May 31. To register, call (561) 753-2476 or e-mail mtuckwood@wellingtonfl.gov.
“We are extremely excited about this opportunity for HOAs and encourage their participation in this extraordinary educational opportunity,” Tuckwood said.
ABOVE: The Wellington Community Center.
