Should residents of adjacent communities be allowed to participate in BHCA?
Recently someone from Naples created a "Restoration committee" on our website - focus being a central place to find resources related to home restoration. This person also asked if this was appropriate for them to create such a group. My initial reaction was yes,,, but I can also see potential drawbacks. At any rate, I feel this is a better left as a group decision and would appreciate your vote on the topic (as well as any comments you may have).
Comments
Background on non-resident participation in BHCA
Should residents of adjacent communities be allowed to participate in BHCA?
Recently someone from Naples created a "Restoration committee" on our website - focus being a central place to find resources related to home restoration. This person also asked if this was appropriate for them to create such a group. My initial reaction was yes,,, but I can also see potential drawbacks. At any rate, I feel this is a better left as a group decision and would appreciate your vote on the topic (as well as any comments you may have).
BHCA liability
My comment is regarding the following posting on the BHCA website:
"I actually have a home in Naples - a Spanish Revival style and I need resources for wrought iron work. Homeowners in Belmont Heights could be very instrumental in providing names of iron workers who perform quality restoration work or quality replication of period style iron design. Thank you for your help!"
What is the liability for a Belmont Heights home owner that recommends an iron worker who subsequently destroys the Naples home mentioned in the aforementioned "Restoration Committee" posting? Is BHCA exposed to any litigation whether warranted or frivilous?
BHCA liability for restoration committee posting
There is little chance of liability on the part of the recommending homeowner or BHCA which hosts the restoration committee. Frivolous lawsuits are always a possibility but not likely here.
I'm in favor of this type of activity/group
I'm inclined to believe BHCA liability is minimal and I'd encourage this type of activity on our website. I feel it it the point of the website - to network with our neighbors. I think we've provided a good tool for this, but that's all it is. A tool. BHCA cannot be held accountable for how its used by others, other than try to encourage good lawfull use and citizenship. We've attempted to do that in our Terms of Use (TOU) which have always easily been found on our website (a link at the footer of every page). Please read them!
There's a lot of legal sounding mumbo-jumbo, but they're still very clear. In essense they remind the user to use good judgement about any content they read, that BHCA does not monitor the content that is posted - and is not in any way responsible for it, the author is - and try to identify how to be a good author of content. Blah blah blah. There's other stuff too, and its better and more clear if you read them.
BHCA simply has no control over how others act. We have provided a service similar to other social networking websites, focussed on our neighborhood, and ultimately all we can try to do is be responsive to any user concerns.
participation of non-residents
I voted to approve attending meetings but no other involvement. With that said, using the website as a forum for finding information/resources by non-residents is fine by me as long as they work within the guidelines established for using the website.
Non-resident participation
I welcome all non residents to attend our meetings. As far as using our website to be a forum that is perfectly OK as well, with the limitation being placed of not counting non-residents participation in the surveys.
That said, using the website as a resource to find info. or communicate is great for everyone. Maybe a link with the neighboring community websites might also be useful.
I do however think that limitations would be placed on non-residents in regards to serving on committees. By definition, they just aren't going to have the same level of vested interest.
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