Recurring event

[Guest Maggie]

In 2007 there was a motion made, seconded, and approved at an annual membership meeting that the association would pay for an appreciation dinner for the directors. There has been no further motions or discussion regarding this annual dinner at subsequent yearly membership meetings. The board decides in a board meeting (that never has any attendance) when, where, etc. A director in 2010 made a motion at a board meeting to discontinue the dinner; but, the remaining directors keep referring to that 2007 motion. I reviewed the minutes of that 2007 membership meeting; and, there is no mention of it becoming an annual affair. This year the directors voted to exclude alcohol at their dinner.

Does a motion have to be made at the annual membership meeting for this to stop? What gives them the authority to continue this year after year? The expense gets buried in 'meals and entertainment' which also includes the association social events for the members. In fact, the directors budget for it.

[Rob Elsman]

If you feel the board has expended the society's money without authority, you can make a motion in a meeting of the general membership assembly to initiate a disciplinary action against the offending board members. The society can also obtain the advice of an attorney about steps to recover the money from the personal funds of the offending directors.

[Guest Maggie]

This same board has decided the only the 4 officers can decide whether any topic should be forwarded to the attorney. So, how does the society obtain the advice of an attorney if these 4 officers deem that they did nothing wrong.

[Rob Elsman]

This same board has decided the only the 4 officers can decide whether any topic should be forwarded to the attorney. So, how does the society obtain the advice of an attorney if these 4 officers deem that they did nothing wrong.

You can offer a main motion in a meeting of the general membership assembly to refer the question to a committee (a committee that is subordinate to the general membership assembly, not the board) with power to hire an attorney. The committee can make a recommendation to the assembly based on what the attorney advises.

[Guest Maggie]

Thanks for your advice. I was reading on CondoLawyer.com. There is a section on 'abusive boards'. Our board fits that description to a 'T'. I'm trying to get other members motivated (it's an older community) to rein in the directors. Lots of work to do.