When it comes to communication, transparency is key to fostering a sense of trust and unity. The Board, however, has chosen to move in the opposite direction and censor your posts on BuildingLink. This new process has sparked concerns among residents about transparency and open communication and has left residents questioning the motives behind the approval process for posts on BuildingLink.
Exactly one week after the annual meeting and election, the Board sent this notice:
We couldn’t disagree more with this notice.
Upon closer examination, it was found that the restriction of posts to the General section of BuildingLink began in March 2023. Surprisingly, that change was not communicated to residents, and the reasoning behind it remains unclear. Some residents, in their quest for answers, have traced the origins of this shift back to the 2022 election process. According to a former Board member, the Board reportedly became displeased with the nature of the previous year’s election-related posts on BuildingLink.
This shift towards post approval is perceived by some as an attempt by the Board, or certain members thereof, to control the conversation within the community. The imposition of an approval process grants the Board the ability to censor resident posts and manage concerns individually rather than addressing them collectively with all residents.
By restricting posts and instituting an approval process, the Board arguably limits residents’ access to information and hampers their ability to hold the Board accountable. This decision raises questions about the true nature of the change and the motivation behind controlling the narrative within the community.
The June 19th notice above was the result of residents attempting to follow up on information from the 2023 annual meeting and the election results. They reportedly faced hurdles and ultimately their posts were not approved, despite their potentially informative nature. Some residents, in an effort to bypass the approval process, sought to post in alternative areas of BuildingLink, only to find their posts promptly removed by the Board. The Board responded by then requiring ALL BuildingLink posts to be subject to the approval process.
One of the core issues residents are grappling with is the lack of clarity on who is responsible for approving BuildingLink posts. While assumptions point to Allied representatives, the question of why non-residents have the authority to determine what residents can and can’t see remains unanswered. There are also concerns about the timeliness of posts that are approved. Approval times vary widely as can be seen in this tracking spreadsheet: https://theeastmore.com/timeliness-of-buildinglink-post-approvals/
These changes to BuildingLink have sparked concern and confusion. Residents deserve an open forum to discuss concerns as well as a clear understanding of the decision-making processes that impact the way information is shared within the community. As we navigate this uncharted territory, let us collectively strive for a transparent and inclusive communication environment that fosters trust and unity among all residents.