Strata Words, Minutes, Poetry & Prose

I've haven't thought much about the poetry or prose of the written strata word, since my focus has been on technical accuracy and legal compliance. But, nowadays I believe that we can do all that and still make it a more enjoyable read.

After all, even if we just focus on strata meeting minutes, you'd have to admit that there's been a lot of words and pages written by a lot of people that no-one would choose to read unless they absolutely had to (and even then probably not read all of it).

So, why not make them easier to read, more informative and enjoyable (even just a bit)?

This recent post on HOA Brief by Robert M. DeNichilo called What Makes For a Good Set of Meeting Minutes is a good start.  Whilst it's US focused, the general guidelines about what should go and what should stay out are of universal value.

Next comes the formal requirements that apply to in your part of Strataland since you need to make sure the box tickers and strata auditors can't fault the records.  I'm assuming that you're already doing that by using templates and checklists.

And, finally how about a bit of wordsmanship?  Partly that's good grammar, modern expressions, first person voice and the present tense.  And, partly that's imaginative expression, story telling and creating a mood.  If you paid attention during all those creative writing classes you'd know what I mean.

I like to imagine Shakespeare writing the minutes of his strata meeting and the other owners eagerly waiting to read them.  Perhaps they'd read something like this -

A quorum once achieved, shortly after the half hour, the meeting thus began
No proxy was valid, but all men and women were appropriately financial for the day
The last minutes, after debate, were agreed by all present
And insurances were approved, but with two objectors
Yet considerable consternation ensued with the expenditures
Leading two objectors to propose amendments reducing the numbers
The amendments defeated, but there ensued a vote by poll demanded by the pair
Resulting, after time spent in scrupulously counting, in approval of new expenditures
2 score in favour and, but 3 opposed
So, fellow owners will pay, four times in the year 
On each eve of January, April, July and October
$100 dollars for each entitlement they hold
No more to discuss, the meeting then ended on the next hour
And all thee present returned to the bosom of those they love

My apologies to the old bard for this.

But seriously, I'm sure with just a bit of effort we could make our strata writing a lot better for everyone.

Francesco ...