Help collecting money from former treasurer

[mamo]

I have some situation where I need some help as I know nothing about this subject.
We have had a community based mutual assistance association located in Dallas that was not strong or big enough to warrant application for 501(C) until recently. We had a by-law and leadership board that serves for one year each. About a couple of years ago, there was some disagreement between specific members and it led to some of the members to abandon the association. Sadly, the treasurer was one of them who left the association without handing over the money to the association. The association held several meetings and decided to have patience and wait for these people to return and felt the money is not that significant that these people would choose it more than the association. It also went ahead and had a couple of elections and continued to collect dues from members and finally got state and federal license to run under 501(C). Now we are thinking of taking the next step and collect our money from this treasurer and are wondering what approach we should take. The money is not significant but we want to send a message that we live in a country where we follow certain law. Any advice will be highly appreciated.
Best Regards

[AFFA]

I wish to inform you that association can send a demand notice whereby amount due and date by which payment must be made should be stated. If treasurer does not return money then a lawsuit can be filed for recovery of amount due. In court you will require evidence that there was money taken by treasurer.

AFF

[mamo]

Thank you AFFA for the response. Yes we did send the letter demanding the money to be returned and thought of a lawsuit but are contemplating the cost. We have more than satisfactory evidence including all the members of the association as witnesses. Wouldn't it be too expensive to go with a lawsuit specially when we know that this treasurer is financially unstable? What do you recommend?