To be slightly uncomfortable about this?

[PurpleSteak]

I belong to a sports club - all adult members.

In common, I think, with most clubs, the committee work hard, believe in what they do and do a great job, but they're trying to please lots of people and balance that with their own lives, people can be horrible demanding so there is sometimes critism too.

The chair is a very well meaning man, who works very hard but he's also a control freak, doesn't want to release any control/accept help, but also complains that no one does anything (they do and they'd be willing to do more if he wasn't so controlling about it) and feels criticism quite keenly.

In an attempt to show he is appreciated (which he is despite the criticisms) a member has organised a collection to buy him a gift. It has raised almost £700!!

I'm uncomfortable for two main reasons. 1. He's only been chair for a short period, there have been other long serving chairs who've done just as much and there remain other very long serving volunteers. 2. It's such a large amount of money, that whilst I'm sure he'll appreciate the acknowledgement, I think it might actually make him uncomfortable.

What would you think as either him or one of the other volunteers?

I agree with you. I don’t think there should have been a collection in the first place. Only for a thank you present after he goes. Whoever organised it should decide what’s next. If you are collecting for every future Chairman, this should be an agreed policy. If the rules say the job is not remunerated, then it is an issue. What do the club rules say?

yanbu

we’ve had a couple of collections for staff gifts at work recently that raised silly amounts of money. It’s ridiculous and is awkward for the recipient and everyone else. Giving that much cash would be weird, so people end up spending an exorbitant amount of money on crap that the recipient might not even want.

Better to get one nice smaller gift (approx £30) and donate the rest to the club for new equipment or similar.

I guess it's down to each individual what they donate,

He does lots of work with other charities and I suggested finding out if one of those could buy something in his name, which gives the acknowledgement and I think he would like (he's not someone short of cash), but that went down like a lead balloon. They plan to spend it on restaurant and theatre vouchers.

Difficult if the money was raised for him explicitly. I'd be annoyed if my £10 was used for something else!

Another reason not to get involved with clubs!

Oh my god I'm sorry but I really think that's far too much money for this situation!
I'm a bit open mouthed really

It is a lot of money but if people have willingly given that amount, that was their choice and it can't subsequently be changed to a collection for something else so it should be given to the intended recipient. I think if I received that kind of sum, I would donate back into the club.

There are about 300 members so no individual has given loads, I don't think anyone really expected there to be such a big participation.

Yes I think he'd have done some good with it if he was given it in cash, but they're not doing that.

Without knowing the intended recipient, its hard to say.

Presumably the other members of the club know him well enough and you've been outvoted. In these circumstances i wouldn't give it another thought.