Condo Association Management Blog

Check your bylaws.

If your bylaws state that the board can throw a Xmas party with Association money it should also state the percentage of money that can be spent for Xmas party.  
 
How many condos are in your association? How long has this practice been going on? Are there other pressing issues that occur that need to be done but the board ignores? 
 
I don't know what state your in nor do I know all state laws. I don't know how all bylaws are structured but I personally feel throwing a Xmas party on association money would be against the rules.  
 
Vic

We spent $1200 last year. That comes down to $12 per unit or 0.4% of the annual budget. I would have liked to half it for this year, but was out voted. We should just do pot luck, but since it is after the annual meeting, perhaps it helps attendence and it does let folks meet each other.

I doubt that any condominium bylaws specifically address the "christmas party". In my 458 unit condominium in Maryland we have a spring party in conjunction with the annual opening of our pool and the cost is a line item in our budget. We also sedrve refreshments to atendees at our annual budget meeting and at our annual meeting. Basically parties can be justified as a force uniting the community or as an means to attract attendence at important meetings. In any event-it's a Board decision.

This expenditure for a party is definitely NOT a reserves expenses item.  
 
If you believe there is a good social cohesion reason to organize an association-wide Christmas party, budget to pay for it from your yearly budget.  
 
If not everyone will attend , I'd suggest the association does not budget for the entire amount but for only a subsidised amount,like,say, 50% of the full cost. Happy Holidays.

unless you did a summer function and it was off the books to pay for this, by no means should it come out of the association reserves. 
 
HUM! Why not use the reserves for everyone to get new carpet for their homes? Sounds stupid, well this is just as dumb for an association to even think of doing this. Nope! THUMBS down! SORRY!

We have an Events Committee that coordinates 6 events throughout the year including an Holiday event with an annual budget of $7000.

if my board attempted to spend anything even close to 10% i would have them arrested. are you kidding us ??

Whom would you call to have them arrested. As a Board they have the authroity to fund a party if thso vote.

The board is self-dealing, that is putting their own needs ahead of the association. Using association funds for their private board party is stealing people's money. My board did this a few years ago and when i said I want to see the invoice and want this disclosed at a public meeting they replied are you sh****** me, it was only $125.  
 
If you use association $ it should be for all who live and pay maintenance within the community. I agree with Brian who  
said he would have them arrested. Next time I will!