Common Expenses

Our B.O.D. feels that it's alright to use condo fees to purchase gift cards, flowers, etc. as a way of saying 'thank you' to departing board members and committee chairs. PM says it's done all the time. I think it's an inappropriate use of funds and if board members feel compelled to gift they should reach into their own pockets. Some board members feel that they already contribute enough of their time to the community without compensation and shouldn't be expected to further shell out cash. They see this as way for the entire membership to say thank you(entire membership doesn't even know).
Do I need to lighten up here?! How do the rest of you handle something like this?

Helene:

Everyone is entitled to their opinions I will share mine with you, knowing full well some of those who beleive in following the law to the letter might see differently.

People serving on the Board serve the community, the entire community, you included. Now if you have someone who has served and served well and for whatever reason might be leaving I see no reason to be against a "token" gift to serve as a gesture of thanks.

All to often in todays's world I see a complete lack of appreciation for people and what they do for others. And I would feel comfortable with making a reasonable "gift" to a retiring Board member as a way of saying thanks.

I look at it this way. In total your property is worth $__________. For some time this person has volunteered their time to manage and oversee that investment. To present them with a gift card or flowers IMO would be fine and in order.

Now to suggest the volunteer Board members pay out of their pockets to show appreciation for the services provided to the entire community makes no sense. The prooperty benefitted from their effrots not just the Board.

WE make gifts to several service providers on our property. Small $$$$ gifts to show our appreciation for their efforts. Maintenance, garbage men, post office lady, etc.

Perhaps you can see fit to allow this practice because in the end not really a huge deal.

We have a line item in our budget for our community morale/social activities. It is not a large line item, but it is one, nonetheless. If you have one of those and that's where the money's coming from, then sure. If it's money that really probably ought to go to the landscapers, then no.

I would like to believe that when it's all said and done that homeowners think that the two (at least) years that we spend at their beck and call is worth a gift card to Applebee's. Not that I'm expecting one, but really it is a small token of appreciation, and whoever said those are lacking these days was right on.

NO ONE 'DESERVES' THANKS FOR DOING THEIR JOB

EVERYONE MERITS ADEQUATE SALARY FOR DOING THEIR JOB

IF ONE HAS VOLUNTEERED, A JOB WELL DONE IS THANKS ENOUGH

THERE ARE, IN FACT, PLACES WHERE TIPPING IS 'VERBOTEN'

Unless there is a line item in the member approved budget 'tipping' would consitute theft of funds bordering upon embezzelment (depending on $$$$ state law)

I am the treasurer for my hoa ~ if someone offered me a gift i would be insulted.

Our HOA does hold an annual catered (in house) 'volunteer dinner' which is a dedicated and voted on line item in our budget.

I agree with Heather.

Well, I THANK them. . . .

John much of what you said means little.

So just to be sure if you volunteer your time and do your job to benefit everyone you "deserve" no thanks?

If you are not paid and have no salary what sesne does you next comment make? None.

Tips are "verboten" some places. What does that have to do with anything?
Are your documents writen in German???? Do they speak to gifts? Of course they don't.

"bordering upon embezzelment" That line has to be a joke right. If not you have no idea of what constitutes a violation of the criminal code.

And lastly, a simple gift is a possible crime but having your meal paid by the property is just fine.

If required then add a line item to the budget for petty cash or whatever name you wish to call it and then you could avoid being jailed!

Its possible to be nice and give thanks without spending HOA money. If you are truly thankful, cook them a homemade meal, invite them to a bbq, offer to help them with something. If all you care about is giving them a gift card, or flowers with a card from your HOA, your "thank you" effort is faceless and meaningless.

Thankfully each Board can address this issue as they see fit.

And Laura perhaps you now might see just how minor, minimal issues can become sticking points with some people.

Reminds of the time I planned to purchase door mats for our property. In my mind common sesne to protect the carpeting and reduce the need for clean up. Fairly cut and dry in my mind. Not so. Some on the Board needed to nail down the cost. Exactly to the penny. Now I don't know off hand the cost of doormats. $15 or so maybe but a visit to Home Depot and this purchase certainly was not needing debate. Then one idiot needed to question TAX how much tax would be added to each mat? You've got o be kidding??? No they were not.

So she made a motion to authorize a certain amount but IF the mats exceeded that amount I would need to come back the following month to seek Board approval in case the price was .10 more.

I made a motion I would buy the mats, put them in the hallways and tell them what they cost next month. For some people rather simple actions become a real challenge.

Yes people who serve your community in whatever capacity deserve little.
Even when they volunteer their time. Any wonder why people come to he point when they have had enough?

But what amazes me most is the logic behind the beliefs. Tipping is "verboten" someplaces. That supports your view? People don't "deserve" thanks for doing their job. So in an HOA the UNPAID Board member is just doing THEIR job protecting your property and the owners need not appreciate that in any way shape or form.

Just what are we talking about a $25 or so expense? And the one that really was priceless to me was the comment there might be possible tax
ramifications to the HOA because they are non-profit. WHAT????? Just what are you talking about??? Obviously, you don't have a reasonable argument so now we might have a tax problem.

How about finding a way to say thanks to someone for doing something you benefitted from and that they were not required to do????

Or how about those words of wisdom when this now might be a criminal act??? Simply pure nonsense.

Yes if a gift were offered I would be insulted but having the property cover the ocst of a meal for me that's fine. And in the mind's of some there is a difference?

In my life it is important to establish perosnal relationships with people. In doing so appreciation goes a long way. Whether it be the lady who delivers the mail, the men who haul away the garbage. They don't haul away just MY garbage, the Board members just don't protect my property. Ahnd although it may be lost on most people the ocst of a gif card or some flowers IS a small price o pay IMO for someone acting in your best interest and that of the entire property.

I wonder as Board members (for those who actually now serve) when was the last time someone thanked you for what you did?

Of course my governing docs do not speak directly of gifts, do yours?
By that logic one can spent on anything not mentioned as opposed to only spending on what is AUTHORIZED.

Well then WHY did you feel the need to mention about in someplaces tipping is "verboten". What did that have to do wih anything?

(my docs permit 'outside' spending provided there is a line item in the proposed annual budget to be voted in/out by a super-majority of the members)

If the governing docs do not authorize an expenditure ... the expenditure is not authorized (regardless of 'membership wishes').

If the budget requires a membership vote @ the annual meeting and does not contain a 'line' for an expenditure ... the expenditure is not authorized.

The willful expenditure (unless a critical emergency situation) of unauthorized funds would be called ?

Embezzlement???? NO.

A simple unauthorized gift to you of my neighbor's money which he entrusted to me for safe-keeping would be called ?

How about MURDER??? Am I geting close???? ARSON? Battery, or is it a crime just in John's world???

What part of Fiduciary Duty do you not understand?

What I understand is this John. Setting aside your personal dislike for signs of appreciation of any kind. Your argument based on what your documents require does not apply to all properties. Including that of the OP. Nor does your suggestion the presenation of a gift card to a retiring Board member now can be seen as "embezzlement". And I find it "interesting" somehow, some way your property holds an annual dinner which it pays for and satisfies the requirments you say exist. And sitting there at the table willing to ACCEPT this appreciation that you certainly don't "deserve" would be YOU. Not insulted, not fearing criminal charges and able to overcome your views that people "deserve" nothing for doing their job. Just how do you see YOUR way clear in accepting and signing off on this "abhorant" event? Thanking people and all???

ps. I find the very concept of tipping to be abhorant!