Though I don't agree about the "cut-throat" or lack of "compassion" perception, I wrote into our bylaws that to be an officer, a person had to be a parent/caregiver to a student in our schools. This applies to teachers as well. You need to see what your bylaws say as well as find out what the officer desires to do. And remember that to step down as an officer doesn't mean leaving the organization.
We had a president that had similiar problems one year. She opted to resign, but we tried to talk her into taking a leave of absence. I was VP at the time and would have gladly done that for her. Surely someone could pinch hit for this person until things get straightened out for her family.
She can simply resind from her duties until futher notice and ask the Board to hold her postion OR if she has someone that can fill her spot until she can come back.
Why would it be necessary to replace this person, who is dealing with a tragedy none of us want to imagine, if they still wanted to be involved. Why couldn't an alternate be designated until this unfortunate situation comes to a resolve. As far as bylaws are concerned, sure maybe you should if an officer misses, say a pre-determined number of meetings, but out of sheer compassion, why wouldn't you want to encourage this person and state, "Our hearts are with you during this trying time, but your position will be here when you are ready to return"
You are all parents first and the purpose of your group is for the children, well, one of your children is ill.
I think your executive board assumes they are CEO's of a company like say, Enron and not a parent group.
They sound pretty cut-throat to me. I would check your by-laws in regards to having a child enrolled in school or missing a certain number of meetings, just in case their hearts don't grow two sizes bigger that day, and you need your bylaws to back you up, but again, I STRESS, even with the bylaws in place, it's sheerly compassion and they either have it or they don't.
[ 09-20-2003, 02:00 AM: Message edited by: Michelle B ]
I would think that it would depend entirely upon the specifics of the situation.
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Child has Leukemia: Parents are forced to pull their child out of school during aggressive chemotherapy treatments because of suppressed immune system. The child is being schooled at home, using curriculum provided by their teacher, with the intention of returning to the classroom later in the year. Ask the parent if they honestly feel that they will have the time necessary to perform their duties. Considering the care issues they are facing, they may want to step down.</font>
Child has Mononucleosis: The child will be unable to attend school for a few weeks, until they are no longer contagious. After that, there will be a period of a few weeks when the child's school activities will be curtailed until they are fully recovered. While this may be a longer duration illness than typical, I don't see why an active parent should be expected to step down.</font>
Child has AIDS: Because of discriminatory treatment by staff and students, the parents have pulled the child out of the school. The parents would like their child to return to the neighborhood school, but until (and unless) an accord can be reached with administration the child is attending a private school. While the parents may intend for the absence to be temporary, the sad truth is that in such a situation the child is probably going to absent for a while. The reality is that the child may possibly never return to the school, and the parent probably needs to resign.</font>
Child has Tourettes Syndrome: A recent escalation in the exhibition of symptoms has made the child a classroom disruption. The parents have pulled their child out of school until new dosage levels of necessary medications can be determined. How long is it going to take? If we are talking a few weeks, resignation should not be necessary. If they may well not return until next year, then it probably is time to resign.</font>
Just a few ideas of situations you may be looking at, and each of them affects the determination of what is appropriate. The fact that there is pressure to ask her to resign would seem to imply that a long absence is expected (or perhaps that some folks believe [hope?] the child is never coming back).
We are a new school of 2yrs. With a new board in play we are having difficulties understanding and following all the rules. Our by laws are pretty standard, but we need some definition. We have an officer that had to withdrawl her child form the school due to medical reasons. This withdrawl is proposed to be temporary. However, we have been pushed by the executive board to ask her to resign. Is this backed by law or should we let it go????? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
