Who has authority to write checks

Your documents don't say who is supposed to sign the checks.

The bank wants you on it.

You don't want to.

The VP would do it, but he's the bookkeeper's husband.

Right away I would rule that out. Not because I know either of them, but because it's not a good thing to put them both in the position where there can be even a perception of impropriety.

If there ever is a mistake, even accidental, it could ruin their lives.

It's unfortunate that you don't "want" to be on the account, but if you're going to remain as president and there is no other officer able to do it (don't you have a treasurer?), then it really is your obligation.

If you can't do it, then you really should step down.

Not trying to be mean, but you can't have your cake and eat it, too.

You either step up to the plate, or you pass the plate on to someone else.

If there is no one else, then there is no one else.

Actually, I've never been on the books to sign checks. This is all new. Never having been a Board member anywhere before, I had to pretty much wing it, following the declarations, By-Laws and Cov., of course. But, experience seems to be the key. I have a lot more of it now. In the past, BMs didn't seem to always follow the CCRs and let one person get away with murder while making someone else tow the line. It's such an effort to make the board members do what they're supposed to that it's just easier to do it myself. The vice pres that we have now has been here since the building was built and is great. I don't know what I'd do without her on board. I'm sure I was supposed to be on the check signing, but wasn't. And since it didn't really say anything in our ancient CCRs, I didn't care until now. We're moving our books on-site and and need an extra signature. I guess I'll have to do it. It probably won't come up that often anyway. Just when the bookkeeper is on vacation. They always had a bookkeeper do the books/write the checks. The secretary pretty much just does the meeting notes. Not much going on with a 10 unit complex.

Thanks for everyone's input. I think what I'll do is try to get someone to "groom" for my position. I'll try to recruit someone to come on board to learn from the board members. We're FAR from perfect, and we're still learning too, but this seems like a good way to show somone the mistakes we have made and why the rules are so important to follow.

Judie,

Have you taken a close look at your bylaws under the article entitled "Officers, Duties"? Normally the Treasurer shall have the resp. of signing all checks. Frankly, I don't know why the bank is even naming a preference. But even so, this is a matter for the BOD to decide not the bank! The Treas and the Pres should be signatories on all assn. accounts meaning both would have authority to sign checks. However, the Pres need only sign the checks if the Treas is not available. It's not a good idea to only have one name and I don't believe the PM's name should be on the accounts.

The VP and the bookkeeper are husband and wife.

But even though a bank may "require" 2 signatures and meeting minutes to set the account up or make changes to it, they don't kick checks back if there are not 2 signatures.

I know this from experience with at least 4 different banks in our area.

In fact, they all told us they don't look at signatures at all. It's only an issue when and if someone questions a check after the fact.

Robert,

I agree with you..apathy abounds UNTIL it hits them in the pocketbook. This year we found nobody in our 101 townhome association who wanted to be on the board. We explained if there is no board we would have to hire a receiver with huge costs. Guess what? We now have 5 board members.