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TRIBAL LEADERS INSTITUTEA service of Spirit Lake Consulting, Inc. |
Electronic Filing Cabinet: Documents for Board Actions
Warning letter to board member regarding problem behavior - if you have much experience on boards you have seen problem board members who threaten, intimidate and abuse fellow board members and staff. They may also fail to perform their duties, skip meetings, talk on their cell phones throughout discussions or simply be unable to follow the conversation.
Letter of explanation for removal from a board position - after you have shown the courage to remove an individual from a board position, you may be called upon to defend that decision. This letter can be used as a template for responding objectively.
Response to community member complaint - this letter is a specific example of a response to a complaint from a community member regarding the removal of an individual from a position.
Response to a board member complaint - once you make an ethical stand expect complaints, on all sorts of grounds. A favorite is procedural, e.g., "I was never notified of the meeting." This letter gives an example of such a complaint.
Rules for public comment - the right of the public to be present at board meetings is not the same as the right to speak. The right to comment at meetings can be reserved for board members, or the chair may decide to limit the time and number of members of the public that can speak. If your board meetings seem to turn in to public griping sessions, you might want to consider including some rules for public comment.
Letters to Tribal Council
Letter of complaint to tribal council chair - There are a number of circumstances in which ethical tribal members may find themselves impelled to write a letter to the tribal council complaining of board action. Here is an example of a letter where the tribal council reversed a board decision to remove an employee for cause.
Letter from board chair declining to attend General Assembly - Why would a board member refuse a tribal council member request to attend a meeting? Perseverance is necessary in ethical and courageours leaders because unethical opponents persevere also. If the board has made a decision that is not popular with certain members of the community, they may find themselves under pressure to discuss it again and again. It may be appropriate for the baord chair to state that the division was made and the board members are not willing to be publicly berated for it.