Welcome to A Boardside View—a blog dedicated to the real-world challenges, triumphs, and sometimes eyebrow-raising moments of board-led organizations. Whether you’re navigating condo board politics, tackling nonprofit governance, or just trying to figure out who does what, you’ll find practical advice, personal stories, and a few laughs along the way.
Written by Pat Crosscombe, past condo board president and founder of BoardSpace, this blog offers a fresh perspective on board life—always professional, never stuffy.
It’s Pat. I’m still here at the 50th celebration of The Horizon—its new name—and I’m here with Jean Smith. Jean, tell me a little bit about your history with The Horizon. Listen to the podcast or read the transcript. Early plan vs. asbestos grant (1988) — canceled...
I'm here with James Corkery, the vice president of CCC Number One. CCC Number One is celebrating their 50th anniversary. How cool is that? Here is what we talked about. The 50th Anniversary of CCC #1 How He Got Involved with the Board The Importance of a “Working...
Hi, I’m Pat Crosscombe, Founder and CEO of BoardSpace. You’re listening to my podcast, the Sidelight: a series that explores the knowledge, history, and a little bit of the magic behind condo and not-for-profit boards. Hi, it's Pat. I'm still at the CCC number one...
Hi, I’m Pat Crosscombe, Founder and CEO of BoardSpace. You’re listening to my podcast, the Sidelight: a series that explores the knowledge, history, and a little bit of the magic behind condo and not-for-profit boards. So, hi, it's Pat again. I'm here with Adam...
When I first joined my condo board, I flat-out refused to be the secretary. I knew taking minutes would be a headache, so I ran for president instead. During my time as president, I worked with recording secretaries whose performance ranged from excellent to barely...
Are you confused about the roles of the Property Manager and the Board of Directors? Many people in a condominium community often find it challenging to understand the differences between these two roles. For most residents, the Condo or HOA Manager is the primary...
Many board meetings get sidetracked by routine updates and items that don’t need discussion. If your meetings are running long and losing focus, there’s a simple solution: the consent agenda. Used correctly, a consent agenda can help your board save time, stay on...
An effective board meeting starts with a solid agenda. Whether you’re leading a nonprofit, condo board, or association, the agenda sets the tone, keeps discussions on track, and ensures meetings are focused and productive. Here’s how to build a board meeting agenda...
Condo #1: Building Harmony in High-Rise Living Hi, I’m Pat Crosscombe, Founder and CEO of BoardSpace. You’re listening to my very first podcast—a series that will explore the knowledge, history, and a little bit of the magic behind condo and not-for-profit boards. I...
Are your board meetings effective? If not, you're not alone. Many organizations struggle with poorly attended, lengthy, unproductive meetings that lack clear purpose and outcomes. It's time to transform your board meetings into effective sessions that drive results...