Illegal Activity by a Board Member

[Guest Sherry]

Does Robert Rules address a board member caught committing an illegal activity while at a Foundation Event?

[Edgar Guest]

Unless we're talking about breaking a parliamentary law (e.g. the bylaws), that would seem to be a matter for the police.

 

But see FAQ #20 if you think the foundation would be better off without this board member.

[Richard Brown]

Does Robert Rules address a board member caught committing an illegal activity while at a Foundation Event?

 

Yes.  See Chapter XX (Disciplinary Procedures) generally and Section 61 (Discipline of Members and Guests) and Section 62 (Removal From Office and Other Remedies for Dereliction of Duty in Office or Misconduct) in particular.

 

RONR says this in Section 61 re discipline of Members and Guests: 

"In most societies it is understood that members are required to be of honorable character and reputation, and certain types of associations may have particular codes of ethics to enforce. Although ordinary societies seldom have occasion to discipline members, an organization or assembly has the ultimate right to make and enforce its own rules, and to require that its members refrain from conduct injurious to the organization or its purposes. No one should be allowed to remain a member if his retention will do this kind of harm.

Punishments that a society can impose generally fall under the headings of censure,* fine (if authorized in the bylaws), suspension, or expulsion. The extreme penalty that an organization or society can impose on a member is expulsion."

 

As Mr. Guest pointed out, Removal from Office as provided in Section 62 and discussed in FAQ # 20 is also an option.

 

Note:  Disciplinary procedures are very complex and I suggest you follow the provisions in Chapter XX carefully unless your organization has bylaw provisions setting up a different process. Your bylaws may well contain a provision re removal from office and/or expulsion from membership. 

[Guest Sherry]

Thank you both for you input. The by laws will be updated to include verbiage to deal with this swiftly in the future.