Social Club operates independent of HOA

I'm a new member and have spent hours reading the various topics and opinions. There are a lot smart people out there.
My post involves our HOA Social "Club". We were formed in 1992 from an existing "trailer park" and have had hot and cold involvement over the years in the social committee operation. Recently we elected 3 new members to the HOA Board. One new officer was elected (by the board) to be President. He was a 40 year banker and many felt that would be beneficial to the Community in general, and it has. However, he's "new school" in that he has decided to perform his duties as required by our CC&R's. This has caused him some problems and is now unpopular to some resident, members & non-members. For example, he continues to support our new Manager which the majority of the board wants to fire. (He threatened to resign, so the matter is on hold. He is a fair and just man. He is low key compared to a couple of tyrants we've had in the past.
Sorry, now the issue! He "discovered" that there is no accounting of the money spent or made by the members who facilitate our "Tuesday Morning Coffee & Doughnut" event. When he inquired, he was told that the "Social Club" was a stand-alone entity. The group has their own bank account. Just last night I was given a copy of their By-laws and Rules and Regulations!! They've appointed their own Executive Committee with a President, V.P., Secretary, and Treasure. I can find no supporting documents in our CC&R's. When questioned by the President of the Board he was told (heatedly w/spittle) by another Board member (VP)that the club was here long before he was and it will stay that way. Now he's frustrated! He has other issues that need fixed but make him unpopular. I've ask him not to resign because Board control would then go back to the folks who in my opinion, will not conduct business per our CC&R's. How can we resolve this quagmire? I'm not a board member. Do we need to pay a lawyer for resolution? (That's funny because the majority of the HOA Board would vote down spending the $$$) I await your opinions.

Are they using HOA money? If they aren't they aren't accountable to the HOA. All residents can use the common areas so I don't see that as a factor unless they try to exclude people. If they are using common areas for a commercial venture that would be different, but not if they just charge for the coffee and donuts.

I am sure I would look at this a little differently than some people. We have over 100 condo events a year. Some participate some don't. They used to use HOA money for Thanksgiving dinner and our Christmas party but I put a stop to that. For our cookouts and pizza nights and most other things we just put out a can for donations. There is no accounting to the HOA for any of our events.

Geno, thank you for your response. We are an "all age" Manufactured home community with 378 available lots. 138 lots are owned by members (Shareholders) and 131 lots have homes that are rented. That leaves 109 unoccupied lots. We have a large clubhouse which contains an office area (for Manager and 2 clerks/secretaries), a recreation area, laundry, and kitchen. There is a recreation building which includes a conference room, exercise room, and library. We have a storage yard that is used for residents boat & RV storage, and a maintenance building. There is a fenced dog park. We have a large pool, 2 shuffleboard courts, a basketball court, a bocce ball court and a children's playground. There's an asphalt parking adjacent to the clubhouse with 76 parking spaces. All of these areas are common property. Our park sits on 79 acres.
The social club organizes and oversees all of the usual holiday and other events like most other HOA communities. The Social Club pays little or no heed to the HOA Board as there has been "bad blood" over time between the two factions. I take issue with the club being a stand-alone group that dictates to the park, through the Manager, what and when events will be held. I was told by one club officer that they interact with the Board only when they need additional money. There is no mention of the Social Club in any of our documents. At some point, interested members decided to form the club and it upsets me (I'm not sure why) that the group refuses to be a Board appointed committee. Just tonight the HOA President informed me that he'll no longer pursue righting that wrong as the majority of the Board voted not to change anything concerning the club. My corporate trained mind is unable to consider the matter closed as I know our CC&R's do in fact require all committees to be Board approved with the appropriate documentation. I'm rambling so I'll quit for tonight.

It sounds like our HOA in MD. We have a social committee and the budget that allowed about $500 a year. At first glance this seems like a great idea and for only 85 members no big deal for a year's budget. Then the fun part, the first ice cream social they had forms and a sign up ( they needed 12 signatures or 5% of membership) to ask for an audit. They got their needed signatures, the audit was completed and the standing board members all quit. A new board was formed and the community is now so split into the north and and south demilitarize zone or the Redneck RDMZ.

Be careful what seems like nothing more than community involvement if it has any relations to the HOA can turn in a flash. The audit showed that the previous board had good bookkeeping skills and paid the bills and accounting for a balance checking account. It cost the community more than the $4000 we spend for the audit by the new RDMZ zones established. As another reader here on HOA TALK said, we have a apathy board now and a apathy membership watching.

Just sharing

Most likely the people that wanted an audit had a sign and forms at the ice cream social because that is where the people were. It saved them time from going door to door. The ice cream social did not cause the audit. In my experience the more social the HOA the less problems you have. People see me and ask questions. They discuss things with neighbors. When they make friends with their neighbors that ugly decoration they have doesn't seem as important. I feel only good comes from socializing.

I agree.

Many Boards feel the same way.

They never see the member at meetings.
They never hear from the member when comments are asked for.

The first interaction is after they have violated a covenant (design change, personal property left out, late assessments, etc.) and a letter is sent to them.

Worse: sometimes, even after that letter is sent, the Board never hear from the member.

I agree with your approach Talk, Discuss and Listen Friendships can mend fences with good communications