Let’s be very honest: Volunteering to serve on the board of your community association may put a target on your back! The attacks may come from different sides: Unhappy neighbors, owners with private agendas, service providers who don’t want you disturbing the status quo, dictatorial board members who think you may know too much -- and about everybody who has a stake in the community or makes money “serving” the association.

It is just amazing how hostile the environment in many community associations really is.

There are many well-run communities here in Florida, but the number of associations where you see open hostility on a daily basis is just horrifying. And it is even more scary to see how certain attorneys and CAMs throw fuel on the fire creating serious financial issues for the association members instead of using the knowledge they are supposed to have to educate the owners.

Let’s face it: The homeowners’ association system has taken the words “peaceful” and “neighborly” out of the vocabulary of the communities. Some have really turned into battlefields where neighbors are fighting neighbors.

I know I repeat myself when saying: “In former times neighbors brought cookies and chicken soup to neighbors in need. Nowadays these neighbors in need are being served with lawsuits, liens and foreclosure notices.