Work closely with your board leadership so you are all on the same page. You should have a provision in your bylaws or board policy manual stating that directors are dismissed from the board for missing a certain number of meetings in a year's time. You may have to invoke this policy and advise him of the rules. If no such attendance policy exists, have the board president contact him personally to state the board's concern over his absences. Give him the choice of actively attending meetings in the future, or resigning due to his inability to serve. While you risk offending the board member if he has an ego or is influential, your inaction may anger the remainder of your board and cause you to lose their confidence which is an even greater risk.

Your board needs to adopt a conflict of interest policy immediately if one is not contained in your bylaws or board policies. The IRS is demanding a greater separation between nonprofit volunteers and service providers. No board member or board family member can profit from activities performed on behalf of your nonprofit. Not only is the IRS enforcing this ruling by asking on your 990 tax form if such a policy is in place, giving work to siblings or other board relatives is bad business as that person gains a certain autonomy as they are protected by their board member relative. Should you become dissatisfied with their performance, it is difficult to fire or reprimand that individual. Stay away from working with board relatives or close friends at all costs!! Contact us to receive a free copy of a conflict-of-interest policy template you can use.