How to Ask a Board Member to Resign

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When it comes to your organization, your board of directors is your backbone. A healthy, functioning, unified board supports your mission and helps you take intentional steps to reach your goals.

Unfortunately, your board members also hold the power to let your organization crumble if they aren’t working as a unit. Whether you’re dealing with a toxic board member or just one who isn’t helping take the organization where it needs to go, asking a board member to resign can be challenging.

Here are a few tips to help ease tensions when asking a board member to resign.

Create a Plan 

Prepare to Fill the Position 

Before you enter a conversation with a board member about resignation, it’s essential to have a plan to fill their seat. Succession planning should be your first step.

Succession planning is the process and strategy for a successful leadership role change, in this case, replacing the board member you’re asking to resign. During the process of succession planning, you’ll need to identify a new prospective board member and plan a transition.

Start by identifying any individuals that may be a good fit for your organization and create a plan to begin the transition.

It’s important to note these transitions should usually be in the works behind the scenes rather than in public.

Consult the Board Member Termination Policy

Prior to meeting with a board member to discuss resignation, you should refer to your membership policy for an outline of the organization’s termination procedures. This will highlight the grounds for termination and how the process should be executed.

Take Action 

Thank Them  

Begin your conversation by thanking the member for serving. At the end of the day, being a member of a board of directors is a volunteer position. Members are not paid to be there, and opening with a thank you lets them know their time is appreciated. This sets a positive tone for the conversation to follow.

Ask Them to Resign 

Include Leadership

The discussion should include the chairman of the board and at least one member of the executive committee. It’s always a good idea to keep meetings as small and private as possible when discussing membership issues.

Highlight Specific Things

When asking a board member to resign, you must articulate specific instances that make them unfit to continue in their role (i.e., missing meetings, conflict with another member, etc.)

Explain the Positive Impact for the Organization

Most members join the board because they care about the organization’s mission. Be sure to highlight the positive impact their resignation will have on the organization and how that can better support the mission.

Refer to Member Policies

Your organization should have a board membership policy that outlines the responsibilities of board members.

During the discussion, it’s crucial to refer to specific policy violations as a reason for asking the member to resign.

Work with Them on an Exit Plan 

Although a succession plan has already been worked on, once the board member is aware of the issues and has been asked to resign, the organization should include the board member in the discussion of an exit plan. This gives the board member a voice and allows them to leave gracefully.

This could entail things like placing the board member on a leave of absence until their term is up or expressing to the rest of the board that their resignation was due to home/work obligations.

What’s Next 

Once the board member has stepped down, it’s time to transition the new incoming board member into their seat, following the steps outlined in your previously developed succession plan.

Get Started

Successfully asking a Board Member to resign can be challenging to tackle. Our business advisory experts are ready to help you get started. Contact Us.