Volunteer board of directors wants to know how to get paid.

QWe are a small condo corporation and we, the board of directors, do a lot of the work to keep the corporation running smoothly. We feel we should be compensated for our efforts. Do we have to consult with the owners as to how much remuneration we could receive? Does the Condominium Act state a certain amount we can be paid?

AYou should read Section 56 (2) of the Condominium Act of Ontario. This section clearly indicates that the board must pass a bylaw relating to the remuneration of directors, which should include the amount and the period not exceeding three years for which it is paid.

The board would have to call a meeting of owners to have them approve a remuneration bylaw for the directors. This bylaw would not become effective unless 51 per cent of the unit owners vote in favour.

A c opy of t he bylaw would have to be registered in the land title division of the Land Registry Office. Owners would have to reconfirm this bylaw every three years in order for the directors to continue receiving remuneration.

Most board members work very hard on behalf of all owners. They take care of owner complaints, over- see building maintenance, budgeting, reserve fund investment, insurance matters, legal issues, contractors, status certificates, enforcement of rules and regulations etc.

Being a volunteer director can be a thankless job and in most cases directors do deserve some type of significant recognition.

If the owners appreciate all your hard work, I am confident they would have no problem passing a bylaw for director remuneration.