Q: We recently moved from a house to a condominium. At the beginning of this month, management posted a notice encouraging residents to give to the employees through its “holiday fund”. The building hires a professional management company, which, in turn, assigns a manager to our 100-plus-unit building. The manager then hires maintenance men, a receptionist, security guards and a cleaning crew — with the condo board’s approval.

We gave US$400 to the fund, which we thought was to be split equally among the staff. We have since heard that the largest percentage is given to the manager, who is paid nearly $100,000 a year. The next highest amount goes to the maintenance men (also highly paid), then the receptionist and security guards (just above minimum wage) and finally, the cleaning crew. We were outraged the money was distributed that way — that the security staff, who is paid so little, would receive a pittance compared to the manager who doesn’t need the money. Could we demand the gift be divided to whom we want to receive it?

A: Your condo association has to abide by its contract with the management company. The distribution arrangement for the “holiday fund” may be dictated by that contract or by the board of directors.

Condominium buildings can be run similar to small businesses with some silent and some not-so-silent partners. You have a choice to be passive or active owners. If you want to take part in the operational decisions, run in the next condo board election.

If you don’t have time to donate to the job, attend the board meetings so you can voice your opinions. If you have opinions to share with the board only, write a confidential letter addressed only to the board members.

You now know how the board distributes the money. If they don’t agree with your suggestions for changing procedures next year, give your gifts directly to the people you want to receive them.

— Creators News Service