Can you expel a dues paying member of a nonprofit organization

[Guest Kate]

Can you expel/kick out a dues paying member of a nonprofit organization? If so, how?

Our bylaws and standing rules do not say anything in that regard. Our parent organization's bylaws only mention how to impeach an officer, which this person is not.

Thanks in advance!

[jstackpo]

It ain't easy, but have a go at Chapter XX of RONR  --  be sure to use the 2011 edition as the chapter was greatly improved over previous editions.

[Richard Brown]

1 hour ago, Guest Kate said:

Can you expel/kick out a dues paying member of a nonprofit organization? If so, how?

Short answer, yes, you can. As Dr Stackpole said, the procedure is spelled out in chapter XX of RONR. It is very detailed and somewhat time consuming. You don't just "vote him out " at a meeting. You really need the book to do it correctly. It's too complicated to explain here.

Edited August 24, 2019 by Richard Brown
Typographical correction.

[Byron Baxter]

There are established standards for removal in nonprofit corporations published by the American Bar Association. A good source for that information is "Guidebook for Directors of Nonprofit Corporations." It is available in paperback, but fairly expensive.

Many of the behaviors that lead an organization to want to expel a member are listed in the book as having been litigated and lost.  The number of legally qualifying reasons for removal is quite small.

Keep in mind that the information is useful to have, but legal items go beyond the rules of order. If your nonprofit has a member attorney, you will be in good shape and this publication will arm the attorney with information on legal precedence. 

[BabbsJohnson]

If the organization has By-Laws, it might say there what is needed to remove a member of such an organization.