Discussing salaries of board members

[Guest Laura]

Our church board needs to discuss salary cuts for the staff members. The staff are members of the board, but we would like to dismiss them for that part of the meeting so we can talk freely.

1. Is there a type of executive session that would exclude the staff members?

2. What if a staff member refuses to leave the meeting? What recourse do we have?

Thank you!!

[J. J.]

Our church board needs to discuss salary cuts for the staff members. The staff are members of the board, but we would like to dismiss them for that part of the meeting so we can talk freely.

1. Is there a type of executive session that would exclude the staff members?

2. What if a staff member refuses to leave the meeting? What recourse do we have?

Thank you!!

If they are voting members of the board, they cannot be excluded (p. 625).

[Kim Goldsworthy]

Our church board needs to discuss salary cuts for the staff members.

The staff are members of the board,

but we would like to dismiss them for that part of the meeting so we can talk freely.

There's your problem.

There is NO WAY to exclude them from the meeting.

You can ask. They can say "No."

[J. J.]

If you wish to "talk freely," do it outside the meeting. Just invite the people you want to talk to over for dinner.

[Josh Martin]

1. Is there a type of executive session that would exclude the staff members?

No.

2. What if a staff member refuses to leave the meeting?

Then you will have to discuss their salaries with the staff members present.

What recourse do we have?

In the short term, none. In the long run, you should seek to amend the Bylaws so the staff members are not members of the board.

[tctheatc]

The rules still allow you to speak freely, to speak your mind with them there. Doing it behind their backs won't make the outcome any more palatable to them. Speak up, and discuss issues, not personalities, just as RONR says.