Dennis Greenstein Quoted in The Cooperator - The Co-op & Condo Monthly
"Seeing Through It All"

Dennis Greenstein was quoted in the October 2008 edition of The Cooperator - The Co-op & Condo Monthly in the article, "Seeing Through It All." The article discussed the need for an effective communications policy for any co-op or condo board, which should include the reasonable exchange of certain records detailing the community's financial status, legal proceedings, and correspondence between unit owners, the board, and the management company. Failure to do so could invite a lawsuit. According to Dennis, while shareholders should have access to the minutes of shareholders meetings, they usually won’t be allowed to see the minutes of board meetings. Dennis suggested that one way to avoid such difficulties is for board members to stay in close touch with their managing agent. The board and the manager have to speak with each other and be consistent in applying the board’s policies. He also explained that “People want to be informed” and that part of the board's job is to communicate the right messages to residents at the proper times. He continued, “It’s really important [for a board] to evaluate what should be said between annual meetings. It engenders more harmony in the building.” Still, board members must balance a need for openness with the ever-present need of tenants to maintain their privacy. One of the things that most concerns boards is wrongful disclosure of private information. He concluded that “Board members are in an elevated relationship, and they have a great sensitivity to the privacy of shareholders."