Board members can be wonderful assets for your team and your organization, or they can be burdenous anchors, pulling you (and the rest of your team) down.
If your nonprofit becomes poisoned by a truly toxic board member — and you’ve tried using carrots to no avail (see the end of this post) — it’s probably time to cut ties.
Why Board Members Join Nonprofit Boards
Nonprofit leaders invite board members to join boards for many different reasons. These reasons include things like:
- professional expertise, such as marketing, accounting, finances, or law
- connections to certain leaders, communities, or individuals
- knowledge of the subject area
- diversity to add perspective in terms of race, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, ability, etc.
These distinctions mean not all board members need to play the same role or serve the same function. However, they all need to be beneficial and add something of value and to your organization.
When board members are helpful, celebrate!
But when board members are destructive, don’t ignore the bad behavior. They might be doing more damage to your organization than you realize.
3 Types of Toxic Board Member Behavior
The longer you put up with toxic (bad or destructive) behavior from a board member, the worse it’s likely to get. Trust me — I’ve seen this story play out at many organizations.
Let’s take a moment to define what I mean by “toxic” behavior, and how such behavior can damage your nonprofit.
1. Public Toxic Behavior
Board members who dominate the conversation or are confrontational in non-constructive ways are not serving your organization well. Others may feel uncomfortable or intimidated speaking up around these loud-mouthed bullies.
A good example of this is an outspoken board member that’s penny-wise and pound-foolish. In other words, they are regularly preventing you from making decisions that will help your nonprofit grow.
2. Behind-the-Scenes Toxic Behavior
Gossipers can do a lot of damage behind the scenes. Board members who continually whisper in the (virtual) parking lot or make calls to other members before and after meetings to badmouth others are eroding the trust and confidence among fellow board members and staff. You don’t want people like that undermining your organization.
3. Excessive Absence or Toxic Inactivity
If you have a board member who never attends meetings, events, or programs, why are they even serving on the board? Their actions (or inactions, in this case) speak louder than words — your cause is NOT a priority! And when others see that this lack of involvement is tolerated, they often follow suit.
YES, You CAN Fire Toxic Board Members — Here’s How
Unfortunately, firing a badly-behaving board member can be challenging, but it is possible. And in the case of the worst offenders, it’s absolutely necessary.
Start with a Board Member Agreement
Once each year, have all board members sign a Board Member Agreement that you prepare in advance. In this agreement, you’ll include language about being a good advocate and an active participant. You might also reiterate your expectations of each board member.
When you’re armed with such an agreement, if it comes time to fire a board member who’s not living up to their end of the bargain, you can fall back on the very document they signed.
How to Fire a Toxic Board Member in 5 Steps
To fire a toxic board member, follow these five steps:
- Check with others first. Make sure other leaders at your organization agree that the board member you are concerned with is a true detriment. Stick to the facts and try to leave emotions at the door.
- Record their poor behavior. Identify specific instances where they were disruptive or detrimental to your organization and keep notes with dates, just as you would with an employee.
- Recruit allies. Involve board members on the Executive Committee in the decision. Have two respected and confident board members speak with the offending board member together.
- Be honest and up-front. Be honest about why their service is no longer benefitting the organization. Offer an opportunity to step down voluntarily and provide a face-saving excuse… like family or work obligations.
- Acknowledge any contributions. If appropriate, honor the outgoing member for the contributions they’ve made during their time on the board.
Specific language you might use:
Whenever possible, don’t burn bridges. Use language like:
Unfortunately, it seems we are not on the same page as to the future direction of this organization. While the board values differences of opinion, it’s simply not working at this time.
Got a board member who refuses to leave?
If the board member doesn’t want to leave voluntarily, it may require a vote of no confidence. Take time to speak with other board members one-on-one to make sure the vote will pass.
Use Carrots BEFORE the Stick
Severing ties with a board member is always an appropriate response to toxic and unproductive behavior. But make sure you’ve exhausted your supply of “carrots” first.
There are many ways you can help lackluster board members to become more valuable — or at the very least, limit the damage they cause. I’ve written about many of them before:
- Set and manage board member expectations
- Facilitate board member cooperation
- Teach board members how to raise money
- Make assignments clear, short, and simple
- Employ board member term limits
When all else fails, there’s no reason to feel guilty or timid about asking a toxic board member to step down. Operating a nonprofit these days is hard enough — there’s no need to put up with bad actors making it even harder.
Got a horror story from when you had to let go of a toxic board member? Do tell in the comments.
Dissent. There is room for dissent among board members.
Descent is what happens when appropriate dissent is not permitted.
That’s embarrassing. Glad someone is actually reading what I write!
Thanks Amy for your insights and direct suggestions. Appreciate you!
I noticed that, too–guess that English major/degree can come in handy sometimes! (spell check helps, but it can’t catch everything)
Alas, most boards I’ve been on or worked with are very indifferent to getting rid of toxic board members. A case of “if we don’t acknowledge a problem exists, then we don’t have to deal with it.” I’ve worked for organizations where the boards are so toxic, they wreck the place–firing long-time employees, so they can install their own (also toxic) choices that further the damage. The whole board model needs serious reform. I don’t know what should replace it, but I do know that it is a highly flawed model.
Hi, I live in a condo and we have four members in our board. They’ve been on the board for more than 15 years I feel they should be replaced. How do I go about it? They have been rude and mean to unit owners, and as I feel is inappropriate. It’s gotten worse this past year. They won’t give us a meeting to discuss these issues. The reply I got was I won’t have a meeting because it will be a shit show. I’ve been here 20 years and never got a meeting. We only have budget meetings and no questions can be asked. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Clearly the majority of residents are ok with things, if the board is 15 yrs old. Boards are elected annually. Time for others (you maybe) to volunteer to run for elections and replace those you are talking about.
Great article, Amy! I intend to share widely 🙂
Hello
Not sure this applies but in our booster club the president is a gossiping about the students in the program. I feel this is not ok but not sure how to handle this situation.
Our booster club is lucrative. I was on the board as a voting member but I resigned officially when the booster president and vp spoke ill and gossipied bout my child. My husband and I did not do anything however much it hurt. I wanted to walk away with grace.
But now I understand the president is gossiping about other students, not sure of the vp, but will guess yes.
We have another whole year in the program AND I’m not sure I can handle the current executive board.
To be honest I might be in the minority in the way I feel but not for sure.
The organization as a whole did well this year but it wasn’t with a lot of drama and gossip, full disclosure.
I would like to stay anonymous. I just want some guidance and support.
Thanks for your response.
Most boards have a code of conduct in place. They often contain language that speaks to honorable and/or respectful behavior while serving as a representative of the organization. Gossiip and slander of a student, especially a minor should NEVER be tolerated.
If you or others have been a witness to such behavior by any board member, pleaes consider filing a complaint. If no code of conduct exists, then you can petition that one be added by their governance committee. Remind them that the organization is a beneficiary of the generosity of those they serve. How they conduct themselves during open AND closed meetings is everyone’s business.
File a complaint with who? The entire board has threatened and used intimidation to scare members from signing petitions. And the threat is real.
I noticed that, too–guess that English major/degree can come in handy sometimes! (spell check helps, but it can’t catch everything)
Alas, most boards I’ve been on or worked with are very indifferent to getting rid of toxic board members. A case of “if we don’t acknowledge a problem exists, then we don’t have to deal with it.” I’ve worked for organizations where the boards are so toxic, they wreck the place–firing long-time employees, so they can install their own (also toxic) choices that further the damage. The whole board model needs serious reform. I don’t know what should replace it, but I do know that it is a highly flawed model.
Hi Amy
We are a HOA in Hallandale Beach, we have 1 board member (only a director) who is spreading false information to the association, and now is threatening to call a locksmith to break into the boards office if we do not give him a key!!, this member has been removed twice already by votes from the Association. He only gets back on the board because of 1 other owner who owns 6 units of our 66 unit association, we are at a loss on what to do with him this time.
Sounds like it’s time to engage a lawyer. Sorry to hear you’re going through this.
Shouldn’t at least one Board Member speak fluent English? I have owned and lived for 30 years in a small condo and currently Board Members do not speak English. Maybe few words. How can a person communicate with these people. I have sued them twice in the past (different Board) and won in Court. I do not want to have to do this again. One of them is very nosey and is constantly watching who goes in and out in a normal fashion. Obviously, the person has no life at all to do this. I am a very active senior and not home much, but when I am I dislike this person constantly watching. Other residents have noticed it too. Any comments?
I need some advice …..I have board member who has become an alcoholic and making alot of mistakes. I have spoken to this person and she swears the drinking has been not an issue. We deal with the public every Sat. I have found alcoholic beverage cans in the trash, she is forgetting g things and not doing proper paperwork. Unfortunately this person and her husband and myself are on the board, we are awaiting new members. What should I do as this I really bad
Thankyou, Stacy
I agree, it sounds like a problem. Are you the only one who notices or are others concerned too? Speak with the other members of the board and review your board policies to determine the best way to proceed. You maybe able to enforce a “no alcohol on property” rule if she’s bringing alcohol to your events. If you need to ask her to step off the board, do so in the nicest way possible, including honoring her for what she’s done for the organization to date.
A non-profit had five Directors; one resigned. Before resigning, the Director incorporated the organization, and wrote and filed by-laws without the knowledge of the others. Are these by-laws valid?
The board needs to vote to approve bylaws.
Question. I am in california and a friend just started a non profit. At this time it is my friend and only one other board member. Friend has funded all and the other person demanded to be president . Now this person is non compliant stealing gossiping, sharing personal emails to any and all who will read. She has been asked kindly to resign but will not . It is becoming harassing to the founder very toxic. It’s like this person used friend to get the organization and she is trying to take it over. How do we fire a 2 member board member. It’s one against the other.
Also this is an animal non profit and this is to rescue and remove animals. This person has become almost a horders situation. So there are precious lives involved. Animal control has been made aware and next step is police. Isn’t there any emergency laws to protect when animals are involved.?
Shelley – I think these are two separate issues. First, you may need a strongly worded letter from a lawyer to encourage the board president step down. It’s clearly time to recruit more board members, although your friend may have a hard time getting them past the president. The second issue it sounds like you’re dealing with through the proper authorities. Good luck!
I believe the IRS reauires a minimum of 3 Board members for 501(c)3 organizations. That might be the leverage to get a third board member – then rewrite your bylaws!!!
I found the article helpfully giving options and guidance. However, I did Not think it addressed adequately the first option. What is in the bylaws and the policy of The nonprofit about dismissing or firing a board member. It would seem to me, but you first referred to an agreement the bylaws, the contract, the policy, manual, etc. to see if they are in breach.
Hi Amy,
Does an executive board have a responsibility to announce the removal of a board member to the organization’s membership?
Terrific article – I could not have read it at a better time (unfortunately). We have a 3 member board 2/3 is granddaughter-President; Grandmother-Treasurer and myself Secretary. This resulted due to becoming self-managed as a proposed management company (the majority) felt would be assessing a too high condo fee. The President & Treasurer (& her husband non board member) are allowing non-owners to remove landscaping without full board approval. The husband is doing work in common areas without the approval of all board members as is the Treasurer wife. When we had our first meeting it was agreed there would be full transparency, all bills would be approved by 2 people before payment – that has failed to occur. Additionally, the President & Treasurer have ignored the condo rules & regulations, has not changed the name from previous management on legal condo documents, allows non owners to do revisions in common areas. When brought to their attention they have screamed & yelled at me telling me I was negative because I was trying to follow the condo rules as well as telling me I was a liar. Not one time have they called, emailed or knocked on my door to ask to get together to discuss repairs or landscaping. One resident informed me that the Treasurer & her husband accused me of not doing anything to help outside when, in fact, I have pruned ornamental trees, trimmed rose bushes, raked and discarded yard waste in common areas and instead try to accuse others of not doing anything. These 2 often do things in common areas on the spur of the moment without telling anyone then accuse the others of not helping out because they didn’t jump to their command. I have also asked about annual furnace maintenance (previously told condo funds were low) and told they will be done. Again, asked and Treasurer’s husband (not on board) yelled at me, “I’ll worry about that and pay for it out of my own pocket if necessary”. The Treasurer & her husband let one non owner resident do whatever she wants (remove shrubs, mulch, etc.), allows her to obtain estimates for new mulching, allows her to have a say when condo rules specifically state unit owners shall be presented with estimates, proposals, costs and then voted on. As the Secretary I have not been provided with copies of vendor contracts to maintain on file, am not told of anything what’s being done (often noticing things removed in common areas after the fact and then yelled at when asking why). The non owner has also yelled at me for telling her something I never told her which I believe she is just siding with the ones who are ignoring the rules. Handicap parking is ignored – a fully abled non-owner resident has a handicap tag when it is clear she is fully able (cutting brush, loading up pickup with brush daily, shoveling & removing dirt & mulch, walking several miles each day). The Treasurer & husband totally ignore this violation. Certainly it is very disheartening and makes for an uncomfortable living situation.
As a board member who wants to follow the rules/regulations I am inclined to believed they will attempt to remove me. On the other hand, I have seriously considered resigning as secretary due the ongoing rule/regulation violations,, favoritism towards non owner residents, failure to be fully transparent. It has become a condo run by bullies.
We have a HOA, board that never responds to emails or enforces the community bylaws. One board member constantly battles the members to do something about issues and believes they don’t enforce the rules because some board members break those rules. So, now the BOARD has developed a lie about him harassing homeowners and receiving anonymous calls complaining about that BOARD member. It has all been made up and are asking him to resign the board, because he confronts them and is always looking out for the interest of the community. The other members are friends and don’t like him confronting them on issues. Can they actually get rid a member using false accusations?
Our HOA Board consist of five. Every election in the past whoever has the most votes chooses their position first. This time around they want to follow the by laws and the board wants to vote amongst themselves to assign positions. I have been the President for the last 5 years. This time around I received the most votes but a huge amount. They want to vote me out and step down from my position. Due to a personal agenda they have agains me. I’m gonna stand my ground. But any advice on guidance on how to dispute this as I feel it’s not fair.