Strata: Hypothetically Speaking

Last week I ran 2 hypotheticals at the SCA Victoria Principals Forum in Torquay.


They included a range of stakeholders, scenarios that raised challenges for each of them, and the opportunity to demonstrate the effect of different decisions and how the combined effect of decisions can lead to even more dilemmas.  Through the Strata Hypotheticals I was asking everyone to think - What if this happened to you ???


They got great responses, so, Im sharing them on this blog too.  But I'm doing that in stages by explaining the hypothetical scenario and then highlighting the issues and options that it creates.  In that way you can do more than just enjoy (and learn from) it ... you can participate as well. 


So, here's the simple Strata Hypothetical.

A Strata Meeting in Danger

• In this Strata Hypothetical you’re one of two characters 
• Jane, a junior strata manager at Everything Strata Management or  John, the principal of Everything Strata Management
• Your company manages an older run down building in the wrong part of Footscray that’s located at the end of a small dark lanewayA dispute has been brewing about the ground floor and basement lots
• You see, they’re leased from the owner by Rocco and Enzo who run a bar and nightclub
• Apart from the usual problems of noise, rubbish and damage to the building by rowdy patrons in the early morning hours, there’s also been a series of police raids and arrests for drug offences
• So, the chairperson has involved local council and they’re trying to shut down the bar and nightclub
• Rocco and Enzo are not too happy about this and have (allegedly) threatened the chairman over the dispute and interference
• Now a meeting has been called for 8.30 pm Monday night at the building to take legal action against Rocco and Enzo and to raise a levy to pay for it
• Rocco’s called Jane and said the meeting had better not approve legal action or there will be trouble.  He also said that it was not worth her while to get involved in this
• John also spoke to the chairperson who said that they had better attend the meeting and help him get the motions passed or they would lose the management of the building
• Jane doesn’t want to go to the meeting
• John doesn’t want to lose the management

What are the issues for John and Jane?
And, what would you say and do if you’re John and/or Jane?

I'll post about the issues and options later this week.

Francesco ...