Sometimes a director is faced with the issue of objecting to a majority decision to have the organization do something that he or she feels is wrong or risky or with which he or she just strongly disagrees.  In such a case an abstention (refusal to vote) is not enough to avoid liability for the board’s action.  The dissenting director must make sure that his or her dissent appears in the written minutes of the board meeting.  If the dissent is not recorded in the written minutes of the church then the director is presumed to have assented to the action (even if he or she later resigns from the board).

The Church Law Group has released a Guide to Board Training (with forms) that includes the above tip among many others and that is now available for purchase.  Email churchlawgroup@amlawteam.com or call 972-444-8777 if you have any questions about your church’s board of directors or are interested in the Church Law Group Guide to Board Training.

admin Governance board meeting, board of directors, church, Church Law Group, minutes, vote