Guest Elizabeth Posted June 14, 2011 at 03:27 PM Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 at 03:27 PM This is a NFP board that seats 13 individuals. There is a board member who does not agree with decisions that have been passed by the the board. As a result this board member sends emails containing his opinion and infamatorty accusations toward other board members, along with certain staff AND has included non-board members in emails that are forwarded to board members. The board president has met with this person and with the current situation it has become increasingly difficult for the president, and the board as a whole, to conduct business.These actions are taking a difficult situation, making it public, and causing an unbelievable amount of drama. This person's passion as to what s/he thinks is correct is stronger than adhereing to the role as a board member. Suggestions as to how to address this situation with the board member so that the process can continue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted June 14, 2011 at 03:44 PM Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 at 03:44 PM See FAQ #20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rev Ed Posted June 14, 2011 at 04:54 PM Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 at 04:54 PM It also depends on the information being discussed by this person. If it's information that shouldn't be part of the "public record" then yes I agree with Chris H. Otherwise, try to understand where this person is coming from and maybe try to listen. The person may have a legitimate reason to complain - yes majority rules but if the minority is ignored, then that is not correct either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Goldsworthy Posted June 15, 2011 at 01:06 AM Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 at 01:06 AM Suggestions as to how to address this situation with the board member so that the process can continue?To cover the other side of the coin . . .• A board member is under no obligation to remain silent about his disagreement/dissent with the board.• A board member is free to talk to members about the (poor? unwise? insane?) board policies.• A board member is free to caucus, to lobby, to canvass, and to cavort and consort with members of the organization and plan to alter or abolish whatever policies and practices need it.I assume you have no adopted rule, no adopted motion, saying otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted June 15, 2011 at 10:19 PM Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 at 10:19 PM There is a board member who does not agree with decisions that have been passed by the the board. What's wrong with that?As a result this board member sends emails containing his opinion and infamatorty accusations toward other board members, along with certain staff AND has included non-board members in emails that are forwarded to board members. Has the member revealed information that was discussed in Executive Session? Or is this just information that some people wish was not known, but is not actually protected?The board president has met with this person and with the current situation it has become increasingly difficult for the president, and the board as a whole, to conduct business.Can you elaborate on why it is difficult to conduct business? If you follow proper parliamentary procedure, it would not be possible for this person to actually disrupt meetings, and get away with it.These actions are taking a difficult situation, making it public, and causing an unbelievable amount of drama. Well, you need to be sure that the drama isn't actually coming from the rest of the board at the unfamiliar prospect of being challenged.This person's passion as to what s/he thinks is correct is stronger than adhereing to the role as a board member. It's not clear what you believe the role of a board member to be in this case. If you believe that adhering to the role requires agreement with board decisions, you're incorrect.Suggestions as to how to address this situation with the board member so that the process can continue?It is not easy to tell from your message exactly what it is that is preventing the "process" from continuing. Worst case, the member votes no and loses, or proposes motions which do not pass. Exactly how is this interfering with "the process"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted June 16, 2011 at 02:52 AM Report Share Posted June 16, 2011 at 02:52 AM Has the member revealed information that was discussed in Executive Session? Or is this just information that some people wish was not known, but is not actually protected?The way this is worded sounds like these are the only two options, which would suggest that all information discussed outside of a meeting context would be fair game. I'm sure this is not what you meant.It is not easy to tell from your message exactly what it is that is preventing the "process" from continuing. Worst case, the member votes no and loses, or proposes motions which do not pass. Exactly how is this interfering with "the process"?I think a lot of this hinges on the nature of the "infamatory" (presumably the poster means either "defamatory" or "inflammatory") accusations the board member is making against other members of the board and staff mmbers and the nature of the information the board member is disclosing. Either action could very well be inappropriate and could create a hostile environment which can hinder the conduct of business. I agree that there is nothing inappropriate about the board member disagreeing with the board or expressing his opinions via e-mail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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