This makes me laugh... It looks like one passive aggressive secretary. I think her behaviour is manipulative and it seems to me she either wants to pisš people off or she wants to get an expensive present herself. Is her bday coming up, by any chance?

Why does not anyone approach her and tell her that maybe people have their own ideas about good-bye presents, like getting together for a couple of drinks instead? I would be angry, pushed into heafty chippin' in and not because of the cash (well, that too, it's a load of moneys) but because of that crappy tricks she has been pullin'.

I think the only polite way is to be faster than her and have that descrete "chip in whatever you think is appropriate" envelope circulating before she starts another of her speculations. If somebody just gave me a card if I was leaving or had a baby shower, that would be totally enough.