Parting gifts for board members.

Recently our board voted on giving a board member a gift not to exceed 250.00 for serving on the board for two years, she left the board because she had a new baby. When I was on the board this was not the practice, however we did send flowers for special circumstances with a cap of 50.00 on the flowers. I was wondering if this could start a new president, and get out of hand.

NancyM2

I agree that cash is not appropriate because it can be construed as compensation, even if it is meant as a gesture of appreciation. I believe flowers would be appropriate because it is gift as a show of appreciation and not money.

However, I personally believe that flowers in this case, since they will die in a few days, is not as good a gesture as a nice plaque that one can hang on the wall as long as they choose.

We give plaques to our members

Very inappropriate. That means that every dues paying member contributed to that gift without any input. And will each of them expect the same when they "retire?" This board should be reminded about their fiduciary duty to handle the member's funds properly.
If they want to honor someone or bestow flowers they should do what our board does - take up a collection among themselves. You soon see how unnecessary something becomes when it's their own money they are spending. Harold

I agree William. It is a class act, which is commonly accepted, to recognized the dedicated service of volunteers.

That is a good question. It's up to each board to determine if they are going to issue plaques and what the policy is.

They may elect to give each board member a plaque as the board turns over each year.

They may elect to give plaques to those who stay for their full elected term.

Or any other policy.

I would not, as a board member, try to distinguish between the "good" guys and the "bad" guys. That could be too prejudicial.

If there are so called "bad" guys, then they probably will not stay for their full term. A policy to give a plaque to those who serve their full terms could eliminate those who serve a few months, or a year and leave.

If board members have served their full terms, and especially if they serve longer, then they certainly deserve recognition, even if one or more board members designate them as "bad" guys. They are still putting in their time and doing work for the community.

We are starting to give plaques, but haven't developed a full policy. The first plaques are being given to people who have left the board already, but had served for around 10 years. One of those could be called a "bad" guy. However, he did serve for many years and although he was not the best board member, he did put in his time. And at times his input and help was very good.

So I would give more thought to rewarding those people who have served, and not worry about putting a tag of "good" or "bad" on any of them.

All great replys....At our Annual Meeting we just politely thank the BOd for their service= they recieve a nice round of applause and then it's business as usual....Around the Holidays we do accept donations for the EMPLOYEES to be given a "cash" bonus from the Members... I bake cookies for their party and everyone is happy.....Parting gifts to BOD Members in my opinion are unecessary..If anything when an HOA has had to endure a year of torture from a contol freak bod we should be given the paring gifts..Just some weekend humor...One week togo till our elections and the natives are getting restless......As some Members state this will be an election of historic significance.....Have greta weekend folks Linda C

Ditto to Dana's comment! I would get them a gift certificate to a nice area restaurant that you know they like and drop it at that.

Of course I just got voted off so maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part! At least I managed to take two of the three real trouble makers with me! Yeah! Sure made my wife happy though!