Respectfully Removing a Board Member

According to the PwC Directors Survey we covered last week, 40% of board members believe that at least one member of their board needs to be replaced. With boardrooms standards rising higher than ever, it’s no surprise that some board members just aren’t measuring up.
removing board member

Removing a board member, however, is an extremely sensitive process that few are willing to undertake. Here are our tips for proceeding with the utmost respect and consideration. (Keep in mind that the procedures for companies vs. nonprofits will vary slightly according to individual rules of governance.)

Review your bylaws and follow them

Before taking any action, determine whether the member in question truly isn’t meeting the standard for his or her outlined duties. Make sure that you collect fact-based evidence only. Look at the bylaws for your organization, and utilize the processes it will likely lay out for this sort of scenario.

According to Sam Ashe-Edmunds of Demand Media, “Your bylaws might require the board to justify any removal based on fraud, conflict of interest, personal conduct, lack of fitness to serve or failure to perform.” You’ll need to establish exactly which aspects of the role the board member has not fulfilled or why their presence is no longer productive for the board.
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