Take the most direct and compassionate approach when removing problematic board members

Nonprofit leaders with extensive experience can tell you, a key part of the job entails taking steps to effectuate the removal of a board member from their position. Working with board leadership—typically the board chair and/or governance committee chair—executive directors (EDs) sometimes have a role to play in the termination of a board member who, in one way or another, has become problematic for the organization. The reasons for this can vary, but often it's because of a board member's failure to fulfil their commitments to the organization in terms of time, energy and finances. Other times, it's due to personality conflicts or a board member's insistence on imposing their will on the executive director and/or staff—board overreach into areas beyond their purview.