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This could be an offshoot of any one of the hell-inducing scenarios discussed in my book. Or, a member wielding significant power, influence, or money. It can be a single director or a subset of the board.
The wound is created during a specific meeting or series thereof, where a slight is perceived. It is further picked and festers in sidebar meetings where sub-teams grouse about their projected dissatisfaction. Whether the grievance is real or imagined, the board is subjected to passive-aggressive or coliseum like jousts between those angling for power.
Blood, blood everywhere, and not a mop in sight. Before anyone can inject sanity, the disgruntled members take their toys and go home. No more money or advocacy on the nonprofit’s behalf. Corporate records are returned months later out of spite. Letters to the Editor crop up to criticise or undermine the organisation or its leaders, and gossip is spread throughout the community to ensure the sandbox is no longer usable by anyone other than Baby Huey[1]. Those who know better will choose to make informed opinions, but others will jump on the bandwagon and fan the flames of toxic public opinion.
Time to take some deep breaths, look squarely in the mirror, and be a professional who provides sufficient notice along with transitional assistance to your successor.
--From "How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Nonprofit Hell"
[1] Baby Huey is a gigantic and naïve duckling cartoon character. He was created by Martin Taras for Paramount Pictures' Famous Studios, and became a Paramount cartoon star during the 1950s. Although created by Famous for its animated cartoons, Huey first appeared in comic-book form in an original story in Casper the Friendly Ghost #1 September 1949, as published by St. John Publications. Many animated shorts featuring Huey had recurring themes. Most common among them was him trying to be just like any other kid his age. He would see his peers playing, and would immediately get excited. Whenever he tried to involve himself in the activities of his peers (also anthropomorphic ducklings) he would often inadvertently cause more problems, and as a result they would drive him away through trickery (and into tears). (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Huey)