This member withholds crucial information that was given to her privately by staff or community members, since she has promised them secrecy.
Potential Damage
Withholding relevant information (gained privately under a promise to keep it secret) is very problematic and can place the organization at risk. For example, if a staff member complains secretly to a Board member about workplace harassment and the Board is not made aware of the complaint, it cannot address this serious issue in a decisive a timely manner.
Intervention
Establish with the Board that no promises of secrecy should be given to outside parties when the information they share is critical to Board decision making or points to organizational risk.
