Theft of common property by board President

Our Board President stole all the library books, donated by members, from both clubhouses. She stated to a woman who confronted her that she was going to replace with new books! Can this be reported to the police? I am on the board and buying new library books has never come up. She does everything without input from the rest of the board.

And your question is...?

Whenever I hear people complain about their board president doing this or that without input from the board, I start with asking why the rest of the board sits there and let's him/her get away with it. So what's going on there?

You'll have to provide specifics on the book to file a police report - what date and time did this happen, how many books, any witnesses, etc. If you can provide that information and are willing to testify, go to the police station.

But before that, talk to another board member - are they aware of this? Perhaps it was discussed in a board meeting and a motion was made and approved to authorize the president to dispose of the books. Better yet, go to a board meeting and ask questions - and let's see the president explain this in front of everyone. Make sure you have your neighbors attend as well.

If you're on the board member, read your documents - you should already know how officers acome to their positions - usually the homeowners elect the board members and the board picks officers from among themselves. If that's your situation, you will need to call for an executive session to discuss this and persuade your colleagues to make a change. Someone (not necessarily the vice president) will have to be willing to step up and take over, so take a good at the person in the mirror and decide if you're willing to do it.

Of course you probably knew someone would tell you all this, so now that it's in writing the next move is yours. Good luck!

Joyce wrote re: the prez: "She does everything without input from the rest of the board." Why does the rest of the board allow her to do this??

Our Rules & Regs say no common area property may be removed by residents. Do yours? If so, call the prez to a hearing just like any other Owner and vote to have her cure her violation of the rules. Disciplin here just as you would any wonks who violates the rules.

How many are on the board, Joyce? why did you & the Board vote for her as president?

As Sheila & Tim point out, a board majority simply has to vote her out as president and elect a different director to replace her. This, in CA, must be in an open meeting, not executive session, but you can use secret ballots.

Btw, we have a book exchange area of probably 200 books all donated by residents. A volunteer owner keeps it in nice shape and culls books every so often and donates them. We get a very large number of donations, mainly hard cover fiction books. We all let this volunteer alone as he does a fine job.