LanceG1 (Georgia)
Posts: 97
Posts: 97
Posted:
If your having a open or closed board meeting what's the general consensus on members having drinks before or during the meeting?
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Alcohol at board meetings
Started by LanceG1 • 24 replies • 1144 views
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RoyalP
Posts: 1,104
Posts: 1,104
Posted:
At the meeting itself = absolutely not
At the meeting 'venue' immediately prior to the meeting = should not
Arriving inebriated or visibly under the influence = no admittance
PERIOD
END OF CASE
DONE DEAL
At the meeting 'venue' immediately prior to the meeting = should not
Arriving inebriated or visibly under the influence = no admittance
PERIOD
END OF CASE
DONE DEAL
MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459
Posts: 1,459
Posted:
After the Meeting - Mandatory
LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679
Posts: 2,679
Posted:
I concur with Pita
GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276
Posts: 4,276
Posted:
I concur with Mark.
GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276
Posts: 4,276
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By RoyalP on 03/23/2019 11:37 AM
Arriving inebriated or visibly under the influence = no admittance
Arriving inebriated or visibly under the influence = no admittance
We had that happen last year at one meeting. One woman (a homeowner in attendance, not a board member) stood up to argue about something and she was out to lunch. Slurred words, angry accusations, unsteady on her feet.
It would have been chaos if anyone had attempted to ask her to leave, or worse, prevented her entry into the clubhouse. How can anyone justify that - even though it would be desirable - without a calibrated breathalyzer? And who's going to administer the test?
I think "it was obvious" doesn't cut it as evidence (should the need for "evidence" arise).
LanceG1 (Georgia)
Posts: 97
Posts: 97
Posted:
After the meeting is obviously a different thing.....and depending on how it goes drinking might be in order for some 
.
So far it looks like the general trend is to say not to have it before or after.
What about board members drinking before or after? What about if it is an executive session meeting the it's just the board? Same answer?
. So far it looks like the general trend is to say not to have it before or after.
What about board members drinking before or after? What about if it is an executive session meeting the it's just the board? Same answer?
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
I don't think directors here have a drink before our evening board meetings, but I don't think it's my business to, what?, make a rule about it??
We serve wine during our annual meetings to encourage attendance and to sip while ballots are being counted. Usually most director have a glass of wine during the tabulations.
You know, Lance, you seem to ask a lot of questions about personal behavior. Is there something in particular that's bothering you about your HOA board? Or?
We serve wine during our annual meetings to encourage attendance and to sip while ballots are being counted. Usually most director have a glass of wine during the tabulations.
You know, Lance, you seem to ask a lot of questions about personal behavior. Is there something in particular that's bothering you about your HOA board? Or?
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Please?
Former HOA President
MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459
Posts: 1,459
Posted:
Geno,
The way I would handle the lady that appeared drunk would be to have the PM send a letter to her stating that board meetings are a professional environment and in order to retain order decorum must be maintained at all times. I am sure your PM could state it clearly and as it would go into her record as an incident at a Meeting. If it is not documented it did not happen and next time will be the first time.
The way I would handle the lady that appeared drunk would be to have the PM send a letter to her stating that board meetings are a professional environment and in order to retain order decorum must be maintained at all times. I am sure your PM could state it clearly and as it would go into her record as an incident at a Meeting. If it is not documented it did not happen and next time will be the first time.
GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276
Posts: 4,276
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By MarkM19 on 03/23/2019 2:07 PM
Geno,
The way I would handle the lady that appeared drunk would be to have the PM send a letter to her stating that board meetings are a professional environment and in order to retain order decorum must be maintained at all times. I am sure your PM could state it clearly and as it would go into her record as an incident at a Meeting. If it is not documented it did not happen and next time will be the first time.
Geno,
The way I would handle the lady that appeared drunk would be to have the PM send a letter to her stating that board meetings are a professional environment and in order to retain order decorum must be maintained at all times. I am sure your PM could state it clearly and as it would go into her record as an incident at a Meeting. If it is not documented it did not happen and next time will be the first time.
Last year we didn't have a PM so that wasn't an option. But it sounds like a very good way to handle it in the future since we do now have a PM. Thanks.
LanceG1 (Georgia)
Posts: 97
Posts: 97
Posted:
I have such mixed emotions on the decorum argument because I've seen it abused. Obviously if someone is yelling, being abusive etc. or is visibly intoxicated that is one thing. But, I've seen people who professionally ask respectful, but pointed questions get accused of violating that as well because the person in power didn't like the questions.
OK, now on to the alcohol question.
On one hand when I read about fiduciary duty, I see a lot of verbiage about a higher standard of doing business etc.. From a liability standpoint, even with directors insurance it also opens you up to more issues. While I personally enjoy drinking when I'm not involved in critical business activities I generally don't consume any alcohol when I am. IE: I would not have a glass of wine while closing on a house, while working through a complex legal issue with my lawyer on the clock etc. because I want to not have any form of impairment. Some articles I have read and stated that if you have consumed any alcohol while doing so it opens up the door for any decisions to be challenged on the grounds of someone arguing that the board was impaired.
Yet, at the first (and only) executive session I was at for our board the president brought a bottle of wine and opened it at the beginning. It caught me off guard, so I had some. That said after researching it and hearing some of the views here in the future I think I'm going to personally abstain from partaking in that to be safe. That said I wanted to understand if that is a common thing (the board drinking during a meeting) or a good idea in general.
OK, now on to the alcohol question.
On one hand when I read about fiduciary duty, I see a lot of verbiage about a higher standard of doing business etc.. From a liability standpoint, even with directors insurance it also opens you up to more issues. While I personally enjoy drinking when I'm not involved in critical business activities I generally don't consume any alcohol when I am. IE: I would not have a glass of wine while closing on a house, while working through a complex legal issue with my lawyer on the clock etc. because I want to not have any form of impairment. Some articles I have read and stated that if you have consumed any alcohol while doing so it opens up the door for any decisions to be challenged on the grounds of someone arguing that the board was impaired.
Yet, at the first (and only) executive session I was at for our board the president brought a bottle of wine and opened it at the beginning. It caught me off guard, so I had some. That said after researching it and hearing some of the views here in the future I think I'm going to personally abstain from partaking in that to be safe. That said I wanted to understand if that is a common thing (the board drinking during a meeting) or a good idea in general.
MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459
Posts: 1,459
Posted:
Lance,
I promise I probably drink more than most. I would never think it was okay during a Executive Session or Board meeting. It sounded like this meeting you mentioned could have been called a board workshop since it appears like it was at the Presidents home. I would view that slightly different because not much chance of anyone other than the board spreading the rumors of the board members get drunk and makes dumb decisions. People say silly stuff like this already so no need to load their guns for them.
I promise I probably drink more than most. I would never think it was okay during a Executive Session or Board meeting. It sounded like this meeting you mentioned could have been called a board workshop since it appears like it was at the Presidents home. I would view that slightly different because not much chance of anyone other than the board spreading the rumors of the board members get drunk and makes dumb decisions. People say silly stuff like this already so no need to load their guns for them.
LanceG1 (Georgia)
Posts: 97
Posts: 97
Posted:
It wasn't an open meeting to the public, but it was one of our required board meetings as per the CCR's. That said, when you refer to a board workshop vs executive session or official board meeting what are you referring to with that?
I'm still learning the in's and out's of things and want to make sure I'm not missing something etc..
I'm still learning the in's and out's of things and want to make sure I'm not missing something etc..
GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808
Posts: 3,808
Posted:
Was on a board for many years ... we almost always had wine. No one ever abused, nor was it ever an issue.
Not our job to tell people what they can and can’t drink ... unless it is in the CCRs.
Not our job to tell people what they can and can’t drink ... unless it is in the CCRs.
MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459
Posts: 1,459
Posted:
Board Workshop would be when the board gets together as a group for training or possible long term planning. At the start of every new board year I would always ask my boards members what they hoped we could accomplish this upcoming year. Goal setting and even wish lists. We had no agenda and no votes were taken. It was just our time to brainstorm. You have to call it something.
Executive Session is on for the 4 types of Business. Legal Actions, Violations, Payment plans and foreclosures.
Regular meeting is open to the Homeowners
Annual Meeting is a Meeting of the Homeowners to Elect officers.
Executive Session is on for the 4 types of Business. Legal Actions, Violations, Payment plans and foreclosures.
Regular meeting is open to the Homeowners
Annual Meeting is a Meeting of the Homeowners to Elect officers.
DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046
Posts: 2,046
Posted:
The association board can be thought of a a quasi-government. While not a true government, they do perform some similar functions to your city or county commission. If you attended a city or county commission meeting, would you think it appropriate for them to be passing a bottle around? I wouldn't.
When I joined the board a few years back after being off for many years, there were a couple of other new members too. One of them hosted the first board meeting at their house. Wine and beer were put out and offered to all. I didn't say anything, but I think the rest of the board picked up on the fact that I didn't think it was a good idea and it never happened again. I agree with other posters that a drink can be helpful after some board meetings.
When I joined the board a few years back after being off for many years, there were a couple of other new members too. One of them hosted the first board meeting at their house. Wine and beer were put out and offered to all. I didn't say anything, but I think the rest of the board picked up on the fact that I didn't think it was a good idea and it never happened again. I agree with other posters that a drink can be helpful after some board meetings.
Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By GeorgeS21 on 03/23/2019 8:32 PM
Was on a board for many years ... we almost always had wine. No one ever abused, nor was it ever an issue.
Not our job to tell people what they can and can’t drink ... unless it is in the CCRs.
Was on a board for many years ... we almost always had wine. No one ever abused, nor was it ever an issue.
Not our job to tell people what they can and can’t drink ... unless it is in the CCRs.
I will drink to that.
GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808
Posts: 3,808
Posted:
Douglas,
I understand an individual may not like something ... however, if you had a problem with our board re there being wine or beer, we would probably giggle and move on with the part of the agenda.
I understand an individual may not like something ... however, if you had a problem with our board re there being wine or beer, we would probably giggle and move on with the part of the agenda.
DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046
Posts: 2,046
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By GeorgeS21 on 03/24/2019 4:34 PM
Douglas,
I understand an individual may not like something ... however, if you had a problem with our board re there being wine or beer, we would probably giggle and move on with the part of the agenda.
Douglas,
I understand an individual may not like something ... however, if you had a problem with our board re there being wine or beer, we would probably giggle and move on with the part of the agenda.
We've had board meetings get contentious. I'm not sure that alcohol would improve matters.
Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.
ND (PA)
Posts: 792
Posts: 792
Posted:
This is silly . . . lets be realistic and use a little common sense.
Situation A: Board members doing keg stands, shotgunning beers, lining up shots of Fireball . . . getting intoxicated . . . obviously not ok.
Situation B: Board members sipping a glass of wine during a meeting . . . being responsible . . . nothing wrong with that.
Best situation is to just enjoy a beer or glass of wine any other evening of the week and not partake during the meeting, but you're talking about people who are volunteers and already devoting their own personal time to assist with the association. If the situation begins to transition from B to A, then definitely speak up. If not, then lighten up a bit and just don't partake if that's you're preference.
Situation A: Board members doing keg stands, shotgunning beers, lining up shots of Fireball . . . getting intoxicated . . . obviously not ok.
Situation B: Board members sipping a glass of wine during a meeting . . . being responsible . . . nothing wrong with that.
Best situation is to just enjoy a beer or glass of wine any other evening of the week and not partake during the meeting, but you're talking about people who are volunteers and already devoting their own personal time to assist with the association. If the situation begins to transition from B to A, then definitely speak up. If not, then lighten up a bit and just don't partake if that's you're preference.
CjC
Posts: 210
Posts: 210
Posted:
We serve alcohol as well as food at our annual meeting to encourage attendance. Only once was there ever a scene and it was someone who was nominated for a board position and she was clearly drunk while giving her speech on why she should be elected. Needless to say, she was not voted on to the board.
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
I've never known alcohol to make anyone smarter. Board meetings are business meetings, just as for any other corporation, and board members should bring their "A" game. If everyone wants to go out for a drink after the meeting, that's a whole different matter.
MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459
Posts: 1,459
Posted:
Cathy,
I would say you can now Drop the mike. Well said is better than twice said.
I would say you can now Drop the mike. Well said is better than twice said.
RoyalP
Posts: 1,104
Posts: 1,104
Posted:
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