Condo bylaws difficult to amend -- is this common? fixable?

[Scuba_Ben]

With last week’s thread on a Robert’s Rules of Order question and my condo association annual meeting coming up this week, I dug out the condo bylaws. I found this tidbit:

10.8. Amendment. (T)hese Bylaws may be amended … pursuant to a resolution recommending a proposed amendment adopted by the Board of Directors. Such resolution must be approved by Unit Owners to which at least two-thirds of the Votes which Unit Oners present at such meeting in person or by proxy are entitled to cast.

I read this as saying (1) that a bylaw amendment may be proposed at the owners’ meeting only if the Board of Directors allows the amendment; and (2) that the amendment requires a 2/3 vote of votes present to pass.

Item (2) is a very standard rule on bylaw amendments, so I’m not concerned about it.

Item (1) on the other hand I find highly worrisome. A quick read through the condo bylaws suggests that the BoD has practically all power, and the association as a whole has minimal power. IMO, the rule that bylaw amendments require the board’s approval means that there’s minimal check on the board’s actions.

First question: Have I correctly interpreted the bylaw?

Second question, veering more towards a poll: Is such a provision common in American condo associations?

Third question: Is there any way that this bylaw can be changed to shift some power to the owners, that doesn’t involve the board voting to limit its own power?

[Bricker]

I think provisions like that are reasonably common.

And all it means is that you have to unseat enough directors to get the message across that you’re interested in change. If you believe your proposal would pass with 2/3 majority of the owners, surely you can elect directors - which typically requires a plurality of votes cast.