Board termination

I live in Georgia, I was dismissed from my community BOD as the CFO, reason, dues was about a month behind, the economy came upon my home, I was unemployed and so was my husband for a short period of time he is working now (Thank God I am about to start work in September)
This is what has happen "as I stated I got behind in my dues and this has not been the first time because of work not being steady, the other Board members had a discussion without me being present and decided at that time to have me terminated this comversation took place in there car on the way to a meeting. I received a phone call between 8:00 and 8:30 the night before this meeting was to take place with me. I informed the person who called me that I would not be there, first of all I was not given enought notice, a few days later I received a email informing me of my termination, which I believe this should have been official notice (postal) and not a email, point one what if I had not received the email.
Also being the CFO and with my background in finance, I created a financial report and had it stored on a flash drive for convience, now when I received the information it was being kept very unprofessional, I did give them a printed report of all the home owners and the amount paid into our petty cash, which was all I received when I took this position.
Since this is my hard work (I was not being paid anything for this endeavor of getting these books in order)I refused to return the flash drive but gave them what I received, legally can they insist on receivng this flash drive?

Ivy,

I understand that you are hurt by their decision.

I do believe that it was proper for the Board to remove you from serving as treasurer. Not because you were behind in paying assessments but because of the possible perception of that fact by others. I think that it's fair to say that individuals would be concerned if someone who is going through financial difficulties had access to their money. It's not that you would actually take someone elses money it's the fact that you may be tempted.

I'm reminded of a story about Abraham Lincoln I heard in school. A lobbyist had approached Mr. Lincoln and kept offering him money for a favor. Lincoln tossed him out of his office. Before he left, the lobbyist asked Lincoln why. Lincoln responded that every man has his price and the lobbyist got close to his.

Personally, I would give them the flash drive.
Ask yourself if you wouldn't have liked to have had the drive when you took over.

BTW - were you removed from serving as Director, as Treasurer or both?

If Both, do your governing documents allow the Board to do this?

Even though you have fallen on hard times, and been excused from your position because of nonpayment of dues, which I agree with, don't you want your HOA to be successful? If your HOA is a mess.... the HOA that you live in..... and your HOA could benefit from your files, I don't see why you wouldn't do it. A successful HOA is good for you, regardless of your hurt feelings.

PS. Not to be mean, but to be to be frank ..... If you're such a great financial wiz, how come you didn't have a personal emergency fund to handle crucial bills such as hoa dues? I wouldn't want someone handling my HOA finances who can't pay his own bills, regardless of the circumstance.