Sending Holiday Card to Owners

NpB (Arizona)
Posts: 605

Posted:

What do you all think of an individual Board member NOT running for re-election in a month, sending a holiday card to specific non-active owners with a generic message like "Haven't seen you a while, hope all is well with you and wishing you a happy holiday season?" Your neighbor NpB.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

At the individual Board members own expense (card, postage, etc.), no issue.

If you want the Association to pay for it, it becomes an issue.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Oh, the Holiday card should have the board members return address and not the Associations.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

What Tim said. Anyone who would kvetch over this is petty.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

NpB (Arizona)
Posts: 605

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By TimB4 on 12/13/2022 4:10 AM
At the individual Board members own expense (card, postage, etc.), no issue.

If you want the Association to pay for it, it becomes an issue.

Of course, it would be at each individual Board member's expense and completely voluntary.

ND (PA)
Posts: 792

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By NpB on 12/12/2022 11:31 PM
What do you all think of an individual Board member NOT running for re-election in a month, sending a holiday card to specific non-active owners with a generic message like "Haven't seen you a while, hope all is well with you and wishing you a happy holiday season?" Your neighbor NpB.

Why exactly would you want to do this? And what exactly is a "non-active owner"?

CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299

Posted:

Board members retain all of their rights as homeowners, and homeowners can send stuff to whomever they want. As long as the board member makes it clear that it's from them personally and they pay for cards and postage, there's no issue.

NpB (Arizona)
Posts: 605

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By ND on 12/13/2022 7:13 AM

Posted By NpB on 12/12/2022 11:31 PM
What do you all think of an individual Board member NOT running for re-election in a month, sending a holiday card to specific non-active owners with a generic message like "Haven't seen you a while, hope all is well with you and wishing you a happy holiday season?" Your neighbor NpB.

Why exactly would you want to do this? And what exactly is a "non-active owner"?

To introduce myself.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Go for it as long as you pay for everything and not associate it with the HOA directly. You can limit it to saying fellow member of the HOA. However, I think saying "howdy neighbor" would read better. Not everyone loves a board member or potential one unless the potential one leaves them alone...

Former HOA President

MichaelT21 (Arkansas)
Posts: 462

Posted:

There's really nothing wrong with doing this using HOA funds as long as your community doesn't object.

Heck, for years, we decorated the streets with Christmas-style lights, except obnoxiously done in just two colors (blue and green) to support our professional football team. They were butt-ugly and the HOA paid thousands a year for them. The HOA president was a big fan of the professional football team, and even selected playground equipment colors in the same color scheme to support the football team.

Some, like me, complained, but not enough did and this went on for many years.

ND (PA)
Posts: 792

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By NpB on 12/13/2022 7:51 AM

Posted By ND on 12/13/2022 7:13 AM

Posted By NpB on 12/12/2022 11:31 PM
What do you all think of an individual Board member NOT running for re-election in a month, sending a holiday card to specific non-active owners with a generic message like "Haven't seen you a while, hope all is well with you and wishing you a happy holiday season?" Your neighbor NpB.

Why exactly would you want to do this? And what exactly is a "non-active owner"?

To introduce myself.

I don't get it.
Your original post/question was phrased so specifically and strangely that you appear to have ulterior motives here that are beyond just introducing yourself.
If I received that card from you, I'd wonder who TF this person is and why are they sending me this random, bizarre christmas card?
But if it jingles your bells to send a card, then go right ahead.

ND (PA)
Posts: 792

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MichaelT21 on 12/13/2022 8:56 AM
There's really nothing wrong with doing this using HOA funds as long as your community doesn't object.
...

WRONG.
The absence of objection from the community does not mean a decision is right, good, or has community support.

Imagine some Board Member installs a swimming pool in their own backyard and pays for it with HOA money that they swiped from the Operating Account . . . the community didn't know and didn't object, so everyone must be good with it!! Haha.

JohnT38 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,631

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MichaelT21 on 12/13/2022 8:56 AM
There's really nothing wrong with doing this using HOA funds as long as your community doesn't object.

Heck, for years, we decorated the streets with Christmas-style lights, except obnoxiously done in just two colors (blue and green) to support our professional football team. They were butt-ugly and the HOA paid thousands a year for them. The HOA president was a big fan of the professional football team, and even selected playground equipment colors in the same color scheme to support the football team.

Some, like me, complained, but not enough did and this went on for many years.

Absolutely brilliant logic.

NpB (Arizona)
Posts: 605

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By ND on 12/13/2022 8:56 AM

Posted By NpB on 12/13/2022 7:51 AM

Posted By ND on 12/13/2022 7:13 AM

Posted By NpB on 12/12/2022 11:31 PM
What do you all think of an individual Board member NOT running for re-election in a month, sending a holiday card to specific non-active owners with a generic message like "Haven't seen you a while, hope all is well with you and wishing you a happy holiday season?" Your neighbor NpB.

Why exactly would you want to do this? And what exactly is a "non-active owner"?

To introduce myself.

I don't get it.
Your original post/question was phrased so specifically and strangely that you appear to have ulterior motives here that are beyond just introducing yourself.
If I received that card from you, I'd wonder who TF this person is and why are they sending me this random, bizarre christmas card?
But if it jingles your bells to send a card, then go right ahead.

If you read my original post, I specifically mentioned that I am NOT running for re-election in a month, so it is not tied to any election or campaigning. No ulterior motive other than to be friendly.

MichaelT21 (Arkansas)
Posts: 462

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By ND on 12/13/2022 9:07 AM

Posted By MichaelT21 on 12/13/2022 8:56 AM
There's really nothing wrong with doing this using HOA funds as long as your community doesn't object.
...

WRONG.
The absence of objection from the community does not mean a decision is right, good, or has community support.

Imagine some Board Member installs a swimming pool in their own backyard and pays for it with HOA money that they swiped from the Operating Account . . . the community didn't know and didn't object, so everyone must be good with it!! Haha.

I was responding to sending out holiday cards, not installing a pool.

The cards should reference the HOA on them, but it'd be fine to include the names of the Board members.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

MichaelT21 are you misunderstanding the question? Why would my dues go toward anyone mailing out Christmas cards? I mean anyone? That is not HOA business. I do not want my dues paying for that no matter the name on it .

Former HOA President

MichaelT21 (Arkansas)
Posts: 462

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 12/13/2022 11:14 AM
MichaelT21 are you misunderstanding the question? Why would my dues go toward anyone mailing out Christmas cards? I mean anyone? That is not HOA business. I do not want my dues paying for that no matter the name on it .

I'm saying that if the homeowners are okay with it, it's fine. In our community they would not be and would thus complain. We don't and won't do that.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

I know of no community that would be okay with their board spending money on Christmas cards. That costs money out of the HOA budget that is not an operation expense. My HOA operates great not getting a card in the mail...

Former HOA President

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By ND on 12/13/2022 8:56 AM

Posted By NpB on 12/13/2022 7:51 AM

Posted By ND on 12/13/2022 7:13 AM

Posted By NpB on 12/12/2022 11:31 PM
What do you all think of an individual Board member NOT running for re-election in a month, sending a holiday card to specific non-active owners with a generic message like "Haven't seen you a while, hope all is well with you and wishing you a happy holiday season?" Your neighbor NpB.

Why exactly would you want to do this? And what exactly is a "non-active owner"?

To introduce myself.

I don't get it.
Your original post/question was phrased so specifically and strangely that you appear to have ulterior motives here that are beyond just introducing yourself.
If I received that card from you, I'd wonder who TF this person is and why are they sending me this random, bizarre christmas card?
But if it jingles your bells to send a card, then go right ahead.

I agree. Wierd.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Maybe NpB has been a director for one year, and wants Owners to know him a little bit better. What's weird about that? I'd say weirdness depends on what he writes on them. "haven't seen you in a while," must mean that Owner isn't showing up for open board meetings," but it's a little vague and could seem weird to the recipient.

DavidG45 (Delaware)
Posts: 994

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MichaelT21 on 12/13/2022 8:56 AM
There's really nothing wrong with doing this using HOA funds as long as your community doesn't object.

Heck, for years, we decorated the streets with Christmas-style lights, except obnoxiously done in just two colors (blue and green) to support our professional football team. They were butt-ugly and the HOA paid thousands a year for them. The HOA president was a big fan of the professional football team, and even selected playground equipment colors in the same color scheme to support the football team.

Some, like me, complained, but not enough did and this went on for many years.

There is a big difference between “you can get away with it” and “there is nothing wrong with it.”

You are proposing the OP use HOA funds to send a PRIVATE Christmas card. That is flat wrong.

NpB (Arizona)
Posts: 605

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By KerryL1 on 12/13/2022 2:34 PM
Maybe NpB has been a director for one year, and wants Owners to know him a little bit better. What's weird about that? I'd say weirdness depends on what he writes on them. "haven't seen you in a while," must mean that Owner isn't showing up for open board meetings," but it's a little vague and could seem weird to the recipient.

What message would you suggest I write in the card in order to introduce myself?

To make one thing clear once and for all. These cards would be purchased with my own money and be a completely independent undertaking. I am not representing the Board or HOA, just myself who happens to be a Board member.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Think you just hit the nail on the head... You introduce YOU. Take it back to being a "neighbor". That is what you are acting as in this situation. Nothing wrong with saying "Happy Holidays from your neighbor". (Insert name). Don't associate it with the HOA. They will recognize the name and know you live there. That is all needed to win any future election or be qualified.

Former HOA President

MichaelT21 (Arkansas)
Posts: 462

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By DavidG45 on 12/13/2022 4:21 PM

Posted By MichaelT21 on 12/13/2022 8:56 AM
There's really nothing wrong with doing this using HOA funds as long as your community doesn't object.

Heck, for years, we decorated the streets with Christmas-style lights, except obnoxiously done in just two colors (blue and green) to support our professional football team. They were butt-ugly and the HOA paid thousands a year for them. The HOA president was a big fan of the professional football team, and even selected playground equipment colors in the same color scheme to support the football team.

Some, like me, complained, but not enough did and this went on for many years.

There is a big difference between “you can get away with it” and “there is nothing wrong with it.”

You are proposing the OP use HOA funds to send a PRIVATE Christmas card. That is flat wrong.

Agreed that one cannot use HOA funds to send a PRVIATE card. If a card was sent using HOA funds, it has to come from the HOA and not a private individual.

NpB (Arizona)
Posts: 605

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 12/14/2022 4:35 AM
Think you just hit the nail on the head... You introduce YOU. Take it back to being a "neighbor". That is what you are acting as in this situation. Nothing wrong with saying "Happy Holidays from your neighbor". (Insert name). Don't associate it with the HOA. They will recognize the name and know you live there. That is all needed to win any future election or be qualified.

Thank you. So for someone who I have met but haven't seen in a very long time, just write "Haven't seen you in a while. Hope all is well. Wishing you happy holidays and a prosperous New Year.

What would suggest for someone who I have never met (either due to being part-time owner or them leading a very busy life)?