Founder and Board Clash

Angel Flight of New England is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to fly sick patients to medical appointments for free. The 14 year old organization flies out of a Lawrence, Massachusetts airport and has over 900 volunteers who fly patients with serious illnesses to medical facilities for treatment. The organization has made more than 32,000 trips since its founding. Some of organization's biggest benefactors are its volunteer pilots who raised more than $1.3 million since 2007. A conflict arose between the board and its founder/president Lawrence Camerlin when he gave his daughter a position in the organization. In 2007, she was paid, according to the Boston Globe, $87,840...a 50% increase from what she was paid in 2004. When a board member complained, he was let go. When the rest of the board complained about the board member being fired, Camerlin and his wife fired them. One wonders whether the Attorney General's office is reviewing the article of incorporation and by-laws of the organization. Are you thinking of joining a nonprofit board? Be sure to read the articles of incorporation, the financial reports, the by-laws, and the minutes of 12 of the most recent meetings before you do. Make sure there is a conflict of interest policy in the by-laws. One other thing, order and read Cardinal Principles of Governance before you attend your first board meeting. The book is available from Barnes and Noble as well as Amazon.