Participation Ensures Your Voice is Heard 1/11/2007 New owners of strata titled properties should plan to attend the annual general meeting of their building even through the next meeting may be many months away.
In some instances a purchase may have occurred shortly after the last meeting has been held, leaving a long wait until the next AGM.
Nevertheless, an eye should be kept and attendance planned says Mr Richard Tooker, director of one of the State’s largest strata management company’s, New South Wales Strata Management.
“Particularly in a smaller building or complex, there may be little need for the executive committee to hold any sessions until the next scheduled annual general meeting. But this does not mean the new owner should not plan ahead to be involved.
“Owners should receive information for meetings about two weeks ahead of time. When a building’s executive committee plans to meet, a notice, along with an agenda, will be posted on the building’s notice board 14 days in advance. In instances where the building houses more than 100 residential lots, the notice and agenda will be distributed to each residence.”
Mr Tooker, whose company is responsible for hundreds of strata management schemes, says it is very helpful for owners to attend and voice their opinions at annual general meetings, and, to perhaps also consider more active involvement in affairs.
Such meetings can address a wide range of issues, including the amount of funds set aside to pay for needed repairs and maintenance. These sums are called sinking funds and the rules stipulating their operation were adjusted only last year to more accurately reflect the longer term needs of a building.
Importantly, AGMs also provide the platform for owners to discuss by-laws, the set of rules that all people living in a strata scheme must follow.
Mr Tooker says the by-laws form the holy grail of strata living and the views expressed by new owners can provide valuable input, helping the assembled group obtain greater input from amongst as wide a base as possible.
He says that all members of the building’s executive committee have to renominate and stand for re-election each year.
“It is a fact that all committee positions fall vacant at the Annual General Meeting with the incumbent members being required to renominate. This provides the ideal opportunity for owners to not only voice their opinions but to actually throw their hat into the ring as well.”
Mr Tooker notes that the small group of governors, the executive committee members, who assist in the administration of a strata title buildings are often unsung heroes.
“Their time, energy and knowledge often go unrecognised.”
It is the role of the professional strata manager, he says, to provide professional oversight to this usually small group of people, ensuring that committees act in accordance with all aspects of the Strata Title Act.
“Because we are specialists in this field we can provide a carefully tailored service.”
New South Wales Strata Management (formerly Gilmour Strata Management) commenced business in early 1991, as a member of the highly respected J A Gilmour & Sons group of companies. Licensed solely and specialising only in strata management services, the company has steadily grown to become one of the largest such organisations in New South Wales.
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