board member bullies and badgers

Started by JC3 • 6 replies • 1809 views

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JC3
Posts: 290

Posted:

A board member is not happy with a decision made by another board member. The decision is supported by the president and other board members.
The unhappy one is carping and complaining about several issues, and won't let them go. None are being handled to her satisfaction, which is basically a direct result of her own behavior and attitude and that of a couple of other people.

At any rate, the bullying and badgering continue, though the other person and the president have told her to step back. Our next meeting is a few days away, and it's safe to say she will continue this unabated and even through the meeting.
What recourse do we have? How do we stop her from talking? Telling her actaully may do no good.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

JC3,
I don't know what State you are in and therefore are you required to post an agenda. If you do post an agenda, then she should not be allowed to leave the constraints of that agenda. It is the Presidents duty to control the meeting and not to allow unwanted dialog from anyone, including other Board members. Stick to a plan and avoid the rants. Does she not understand that whatever it is that she objects to, was voted to be accepted.

DonN (Michigan)
Posts: 357

Posted:

JC3

This is not an uncommon problem in groups. Owners association board are not immune. I suggest a Google search on ["organizational development" group dominating] to get the advice of experts.

Often the person can be calmed down by making sure that she is being listened to. Give her the floor at the next board meeting and ask her to state her concerns. Then make sure that all the other board members say they have heard her concerns, and that her concerns have been considered.

What this does is show a willingness to listen. If that doesn't work, then let the chair of the meeting keep the meeting on the published agenda, and that any diversion to other subjects is out of order. But be polite.

Don Nordeen
Governance of Property Owners Associations

JC3
Posts: 290

Posted:

Thank you. I found one site, http://www.answers.com/topic/meeting
because of which I immediately made one decision, and will read it more carefully for more. That is a very helpful site.

I will use your search terms over the next few days searaching for more valuable information.

And thank you too for your suggestion: "Often the person can be calmed down by making sure that she is being listened to. Give her the floor at the next board meeting and ask her to state her concerns. Then make sure that all the other board members say they have heard her concerns, and that her concerns have been considered."

We will use that.

JC3
Posts: 290

Posted:

I was also able to find these:

at Roberts Rules http://www.rulesonline.com/start.html#rror--00.htm
40. Dilatory, Absurd, or Frivolous Motions
72. The Right of a Deliberative Assembly to Punish its Members
73. Right of an Assembly to Eject any one from its Place of Meeting

Rules of Order for Association Boards
http://condolawyers.com/articles/rules-of-order.htm#discipline
by: Jeffrey A. Goldberg
edition 1.1

BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535

Posted:

JC3,
I feel sorry for you. The fact of the matter is that when a majority of the board decides something, that's what the decision is, and it's time to move on.

Although I am a great proponent of Robert's Rules, they're not always easy to apply, especially when you are dealing with someone like this. They're not likely to follow any rules whatever; only they're own. Besides, you need to know what you are doing. Certainly, the president can call a person out of order whenever that person makes a motion that the president deems dilatory (obstructing the work of the assembly), but then, if the person knows parliamentary law, the person can appeal that ruling of the president. I can see this kind of scenario going on for hours without anything being accomplished.

If you can't reach the person by listening to them and getting them to realize that they have to abide by the decision of the majority, even though they may disagree with it, then maybe you have to take more drastic action. Document each instance where the person becomes disruptive and see if you can build a case for having the person removed from the board. You would have to get the votes of a number of homeowners to accopmplish this, but your bylaws probably give you a procedure for doing it. Remember, though, do document your case with facts. Do not, in any case, make any statements that could be considered slanderous or libelous.

JC3
Posts: 290

Posted:

Thank you. Your words are well taken.
We, all the other board members are in agreement.
After one meeeting and 2 weeks this is untenable.

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