Flat Chat Strata Forum The Professionals Current Page

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  • #7841
    Gilgal1
    Flatchatter

      Are there any professional standards for the communication skills and obligations of strata managers?

      I've noticed a tendency to poorly written and sometimes barely readable communiques from SMs, who also seem to assume they have no responsibility to explain anything to anyone.

      Sorry to be cynical. There must be someone out there who sees themselves as having a role in EXPLAINING things to OCs and unit owners, rather than disciplining people.

      Meeting notices & proxy forms – Apparently owners are assumed to have read tiny print on the bottom of a proxy form (even if you're attending the meeting) that gives important info. At our last AGM, one keen EC member who could not attend gave me a proxy and told me he'd be happy to stay on the EC. None of us knew that if he wanted to stand again, he had to nominate in writing. The SM says it's the unit owners' problem if we don't read the ant writing on the proxy form.

      Notices to residents – I long since gave up on letting the SM prepare routine notices to residents, when I have the computer and writing skills to post up information relevant to residents. Our EC notices are written in a friendly tone, use colour and large print where needed. Sometimes I prepare letters to residents, which are slipped into their letterboxes. We always inform people when work is going on in the complex.

      However, our strata manager insisted late last year on sending out a badly written letter advising residents that some routine roof/gutter maintenance was about to be done. There was already a notice on the noticeboard, and this work is done every 6 months. We've never sent individual letters for this sort of thing before, but the SM insisted on sending her letter – saying it was routine. If it was work that might inconvenience people, I could understand. But even then, I'd love to give these people a lesson in writing in plain English – if you're going to write, you may as well ensure people understand what you're saying.

      Any ideas?

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    • #14511
      Gilgal1
      Flatchatter
      Chat-starter

        I'm still keen to hear people's views or experiences which might assist us.

        #14514
        Jimmy-T
        Keymaster

          Sounds to me like you need a new Strata Manager – maybe someone from the same firm would be more empathic.  Meanwhile, sit this one down and tell him you are going to handle all mail-outs – if there's any statutory obligations, he just needs to let you know what's required and you'll write it up and he can send it out.

          You can't create good communication skills in people but this guy doesn't even seem to have the good sense to let you get on with it. Check his contract then have a serious chat.

          The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
          #14520
          Gilgal1
          Flatchatter
          Chat-starter

            Sadly, Jimmy, this IS the new strata manager (appointed less than a year ago).

            I will be chatting with her very soon – including to reminder her that when the company concerned made a bid for our business, we discussed the need to be consultative. We also talked about the poor communication skills of her predecessors, who were experts in swatting even their own responsibilities back to owners.

            In my experience, you CAN teach communication skills, but it does take time – something I have very little of right now.

            A long time ago, I used to conduct workplace training programs about business writing in plain English. Perhaps the strata managers' professional association should be organising something like this for their membership.

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