Have you ever heard members say that sometimes the Board seems to be making it up as it goes along? That it doesn't always follow the co-op's by-laws/rules and policies? That it treats some members differently than others?

Applying the rules evenly and fairly is a key sign of good governance at any level. The same principle applies to housing co-ops. Good governance in a co-op means that the by-laws/rules and procedures are applied evenly and fairly, every time.

This is particularly important when dealing with members in breach of the co-op's by-laws/rules or policies. The board must make sure that the co-op's response is consistent and just. That includes the actions of managers in their direct dealings with the members.

Being even-handed means more than making sure that by-laws/ rules are applied fairly. It applies to the board's relationship with the members generally. Whatever rights or privileges one member has, all members should have, as long as the circumstances are the same in each case.

Here are signs that your board acts fairly:

• the board always checks the co-op's by-laws/rules and policies where they apply to board decisions
• when a matter that concerns individual households is under discussion, any director with a personal or family relationship to that household steps aside.