Removing officers
Can the board fire its own treasurer, or does that take a vote of the whole neighborhood?
In most associations, the board can remove an officer itself, by majority vote, because officers hold their position at the board's pleasure and answer to the board that appointed them. This is a lighter process than removing a director, which usually requires a vote of the membership instead of the board.
The board can usually remove its own officers
Officers, such as the president, treasurer, or secretary, are chosen by the board, not the membership. That is the whole reason the board can usually undo the choice: the body that appointed an officer generally has the authority to remove that officer too.
"...can be removed from their officer positions by majority vote of the board."
Source: HOA Board of Directors vs. Officers, NowackHoward
Some governing documents say officers serve "at the pleasure of the board," meaning the board can change officers at any time, with or without a reason. Whether your officers serve at the board's pleasure or a fixed term, and whether cause is required to remove one, is set by your bylaws and your state's nonprofit corporation statute, so check both before acting.
If your bylaws don't say how
Robert's Rules of Order only governs this at all if your bylaws have adopted it as the association's parliamentary authority. Confirm that first. Where it does apply and the bylaws are silent on removing an officer before their term ends, the default is not a quick board vote. It is the heaviest option available.
"...formal disciplinary proceedings, which involve the appointment of an investigating committee, preferral of charges, and the conduct of a formal trial."
Source: Robert's Rules of Order, Frequently Asked Questions, Robert's Rules Association
Where the bylaws do spell out an early-removal process, Robert's Rules' own framework describes options like a two-thirds vote, a majority vote with advance notice, or a vote of the entire membership. Which of these your association actually uses, and what vote and notice it requires, is a bylaws question, not a Robert's Rules question by default.
Officer removal is not director removal
It is easy to conflate the two, but they run on different tracks because officers and directors get their authority from different bodies.
| Removing an officer | Removing a director | |
|---|---|---|
| Who decides | The board | The membership |
| Typical vote | Majority of the board | Varies by state, check your bylaws |
A director's seat comes from an election by the homeowners, so taking it away generally requires the homeowners to vote again, not the other directors. See Removing directors for how that heavier process works.
Check yourself
Answer before you read the explanation, recalling it is what makes it stick.
Your bylaws say officers serve at the board's pleasure. Three directors want the treasurer replaced immediately. What can the board do?
The bylaws are silent on removing an officer before their term ends, and they adopt Robert's Rules of Order. What is the default process?
A director keeps missing meetings and other directors are frustrated. Can the board simply vote to remove that director the way it removes an officer?
Sources
- Robert's Rules of Order, Frequently Asked Questions, Robert's Rules Association
- Robert's Rules of Order, Official Interpretations, Robert's Rules Association
- HOA Board of Directors vs. Officers, NowackHoward
- Selecting & Changing Officers, FindHOALaw, Tinnelly Law Group, PC
Board Roles
Next, see how removing a director works differently, since it goes to the membership instead of the board.
Whether your officers serve at the board's pleasure or for a fixed term, whether cause is required to remove one, and whether Robert's Rules of Order even applies to your board are all set by your bylaws and your state's statute, not by this lesson.