Board exempt from monthly fees?

During a recent discussion with a resident of a neighboring property I was told the Board had voted themselves exempt from paying monthly common charges, maintenance fees or membership fees whatever you might call them.

Have you ever heard of such a thing? Can't imagine how they justified this vote.

Here's the real kicker, when a Board member leaves the Board for each year of Board service they recieve another year of exemption!

Do you wonder why the folks on this Board serve?

Qs:

1. Was your Membership notified about this?
2. If so, did they raise a stink?
3. Do your docs allow payments to the BOD?
4. Do you have a PM or are you self-managed?

"During a recent discussion with a resident of a neighboring property"

This is not on my property. A former resident from my property now lives there and commented to me about this situation. Seems the grass was not as green as he thought when he moved.

I want to start by stating that I would not condone this sort of thing. But Jon's comment here did get me to thinking - with all the apathy that many of us see in our neighborhoods, something like this could be a way to get people to get involved.

On the other hand, since that involvement might include pitch-forks and torches...

D

In 27 years I have never heard of compensation for serving in a volunteer position. Of course with the exception of paper, ink jets, or other noted receipts given for the expenditure of doing HOA business.

If your governing documents read that a board member may be compensated, I going with Donna to serve on your board too! Hey perhaps we can take a vacation too, just kidding.

Even our city/county councils, our state legislators, and members of Congress are paid for serving in "voluntary" positions.

George, you are a very agrumentive person, I beg to differ with you. Your above statement some are elected officials and are compenstated for the duties and roles they are elected to.

My statement was in regard to HOA boards (only) and that most documents read that they are not compenstated for that role.

If Jon's CCR's and Master Deed reads in New York that board members may be compenstated, so be it!

You have your opinion and I have mine. My right to speak my mind is still my right! PS Congress is not a voluntary position.

I know of a Board in Maryland that did this for a while but stopped when the homeowners found out. Most Maryland documents do not allow Board compensation.

DJ, after reading the OP's clarification on his original post, this is the first thing that popped into my mind, too.

Possibly third- or fourth-hand information.

Who really knows what the real story is.

In THEORY, this is a bad idea. HYPOTHETICALLY I do believe their "compensation" could well-be considered taxable.

But since this is all speculation. . . .

Thanks George - I like my crow BBQ'ed!