Board member of 15 years+
We have a board member of a small nonprofit that I’m the ED of (6 years today!) who has been on the board for 5 consecutive 3 year terms. It is most likely even longer but I only have board minutes going back that far. I’ll admit, this board member drives me CRAZY, but I’ve learned to deal. They are head of governance and had changed the bylaws (which were approved), so this is all allowed. He’s up for re-election and *finally* some board members are over the awkward “we don’t want to hurt your feelings” stage, and he will not be reelected. Lots of reasons while people feel this way- he holds things up, makes it hard to recruit new board members etc. Of 11 board members, I’d say 4 want him to stay on. In the end, the vote needed to be unanimous and it wasn’t so his term will not be extended, however, this board member & the several others keep referencing that it’s great when a board member stays on for many terms.
I guess my impression from several nonprofit classes & lectures I’ve attended is that board turnover is important, especially to help a nonprofit grow (which is definitely happening for us!). His role was absolutely important at the start of the organization, but now give someone else a turn. New ideas, new connections, new perspectives.
I guess I’m just looking for some thoughts on this? It’s caused quite the stir among the board and almost like family fighting, I hate to see it.