Yes this can be a really touchy thing to pull off....

tell them that  they get  a large retirement celebration for all of the good
years of service either when they step down or when they are deceased.....
remind them that they can only enjoy the honors and  the great food when
they are still alive....

ed sharpe archivist for smecc
----- Original Message -----
From: "English, Susan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 8:33 AM
Subject: Elderly Board Member


> Our museum has an elderly board member (92 years old).  He was appointed
to
> the Board several years ago as a representative of the Historical Society
> which has just recently merged with our museum.  With the merger, there is
> no further reason to have him serving as a representative of the Society.
> We would like to change his slot on the board to a regular director
> position.  In the past year, this Board member's mental and physical
> condition has deteriorated sharply.  We would like to free up his slot on
> the board with another candidate, but do not want to hurt his feelings.
We
> were thinking of approaching him and explaining that the representative
> position was no longer needed and asking him to become either a Trustee
> Emeritus or Honorary Trustee who could attend board meetings but not have
a
> vote.
>
> Do any of you have honorary or emeritus positions for your retired Board
> members?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Susan English
> Executive Director
> Joliet Area Historical Museum
>
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