Explain the Psychology

Alex -

I'm not sure exactly what type of response you're looking for, but I do detect a presumption on your part about how common this behavior actually is.

No doubt you've seen it happen - and perhaps more than just once or twice - but I'm at a loss to think that this could actually be a very frequent occurence.

In clinical medicine, one of the most powerful molders of opinion is first hand anecdotal observation!

In fact, a somewhat jocular saying (that often actually is truer than most scientists would admit) is:

"One half-cocked observation by myself is worth more than 10 double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized trials."

Just saying .. .. ..

simple. as you point out, when they are not on the board, they are concerned about the money being spent foolishly, ie, on things not important to them.

when they get on the board, they have a chance to spend the money on things that ARE important to them.

there's no change in psychology... they are the same person. they always wanted to spend money, just not on what YOU think is important.

I kind of, sort of know the type of person you're talking about. We had a board member who wanted to up the maintenance fees so we could have more "things". Every time we asked what the "things" are we got no response.

When we've tried to get new "things" in the past they were always voted down by the membership. "Things" like planting a privacy hedge and erecting a flag pole. We need 66 2/3% of the membership to approve any new "things".

This former board member also wanted to "upgrade" things already in place. Which is not always a bad thing, BUT she kept insisting all the (expensive) things be paid for out of our Reserves. Thank goodness that last year, here in Florida, they passed laws which prohibit the using of the Reserves for items other than what they are intended. It can't be used as a slush fund. Only the membership can vote (and pass) the approval to touch the Reserve funds for other expenses...the Board can't make that approval alone.

So if your new board member wants to spend, spend, spend, then you have to have the money in the operating account or levy a special assessment or up the maintenance fees to pay for these things.

While my opinion is likely somewhat tainted by a recent bad incident from my own community, I feel compelled to agree with most of the other posters and would encourage you to try to understand why the money is being spent before you object and attribute it to one individual.

Have you attended the regular board meetings to gain an understanding for the discussions and decisions? Or, are you jumping to conclusions about the spending and it's intent and purpose. Perhaps there is some long-term objective you are not aware of? Have the other board members voiced their opposition? How is it that just one board member has the authority to spend, spend, spend?

In my community, and I believe most to some degree, expenses are authorized by board resolution or consensus. If this is not happening, the procedural problem would be the first issue to address. Rarely, does a properly functioning board have any one person that is responsible for ruining the community. Otherwise, if the board is acting with proper authorization and you don't like it ... looks like you should consider getting on the board next go around.

I didn't get the impression Alex was complaining about money being spent by the board. He was just asking why a person changes their outlook once they get on the board. In other words, when a non-board member they complain about money being spent but once they get on the board all they want to do is spend money.

I echo Robert. On both sentiments.

The psychology is simple. You would rather stand on the outside bitching about those who volunteer to help than to actually volunteer yourself. How's that for an explanation.

Spend on what? You tell us, you should have a financial statement showing actual versus budget.

Do you have a single example of something that is "totally" unrequired?

Right on MaryA1: Yes, money is important... very important in these financial times butit is going out to spend JUST FOR THE SAKE OF SPENDING.. and on items costing $100,000 or more just for the sake of spending.