Boy, I know you said she is a pain, but we can't get people to even come to meetings much less stay on a board for that long! I would be happy to keep her on, guess I need to know more details about her being a pain.

**She probably doesn't know she's a pain in the neck and would be very hurt by actions taken to freeze her out. **

What you could do prior to the elections is to take her aside for a private one-on-one discussion and explain that steps need to be taken to ensure that the Board doesn't become "entrenched" with the same members serving year after year. State that it's crucial to encourage as many parents to participate as possible and that the "fresh blood" keeps the organization healthy and vibrant. Therefore, for those reasons, you are going to encourage parents new to the board to fill as many open positions for the next term as possible and that you want experienced board members, such as herself, to take a secondary role instead. Then, you could ask her to consider participating on one of the committees (not as a chair necessarily, but just as a worker bee).

Even if she argues or disagrees with the strategy, she then can't say that she was blindsided by the election results. You forewarned her and gave her another option, which is all anyone could expect.

I agree with Jewel. If other candidates are interested, vote them in.

I suspect, though, that this could cause trouble. She probably doesn't know she's a pain in the neck and would be very hurt by actions taken to freeze her out. Unless she's doing real harm, take a gradual approach by giving her a less active role before replacing her altogether.

Also consider adding a clause to your bylaws addressing total time on the board, such as:

No officer may be eligible for the same position for more than three consecutive years. No person may serve as an officer on the Board for more than five consecutive years.

Yes. Prior to your next election, make certain that you have at least one other candidate for every position that this board member could want next term. Then, vote the other candidates into office. If the other board members are as tired of working with this person as you indicate, shutting her out during elections should be easy to accomplish.

Our Board has 2 year term limits for an office-but what about having a member jump from position to position evry 2 years? We have 1 member who has been on the board forever just jumping from different positions. She is a real pain and no one wants to work with her. Is there any way to prevent thi from happening?