Episode 3 of “As the Association Turns”: It’s Ethics Awareness Month!

Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC

Author’s note: I serve on the ASAE Ethics Committee and as part of our work for Ethics Awareness Month in March, I created a five-part soap opera series for promotion of the Committee’s work. You can find the series in the ASAE Ethics Collaborate community. 

Episode 3: The Conflicted Chief Staff Executive (CSE)

Anastasia Anderson, SOAP’s Chief Staff Executive (CSE), hung up the phone and sighed deeply. Her ear actually ached from all the screaming that Max Mayhem did during their conversation which had lasted for over 20 minutes. This was typical behavior for Max, always screaming that he was wronged in one or another. Despite being on the Board of Directors he does not think that any rules apply to him. 

As the owner of one of the largest companies within SOAP, Perfect Pants for People (PPP), he often threatened to cancel the membership for all his employees and withdraw sponsorship money if he did not get his way. One of his favorite lines is, “If you don’t listen to me, I’ll take my money elsewhere.”

Anastasia was starting to think that all the money Max brought to the organization was not worth it. Between the stress on herself and the entire staff, the wasted time and energy, and the derailment of almost every Board meeting, she realized that it was time to take action. 

She gazed out the window and thought about what her next steps should be. Anastasia could call the Chair of the Board of Directors, Marie Middleton, but Marie is easily intimidated and had actually told her once that Max scared her. Anastasia sighed again. Fear was actually what Max wanted from Marie; that way he could bully her and move the Board in the direction he wanted to go. 

The Chair-Elect, Sally Brown, was savvy and self-assured but made it clear she would not step on Marie’s toes. During her term as Chair, Marie is the leader, said Sally. I’m here to support her. But, thought Anastasia, isn’t that what she is doing by running interference with Max? Maybe Sally could talk to Marie about the “Max Problem” and help her find the confidence to manage it. 

As the CSE, it is Anastasia’s number one responsibility to protect the association. A bullying Board member that brings in a large portion of annual revenue is a blessing and a curse. Had the scales tipped now? Was Max more of a detriment than a benefit? 

And then there was Sarah Sincere’s situation to consider. Sarah had come to her that morning expressing her doubts about who the Ethics Compliance Committee should actually investigate. As the Committee liaison, she was great at maintaining relationships with the Committee members and helping them with investigations. Despite knowing many of the members, this was the first time Sarah had come to Anastasia expressing her concerns about a complaint. 

Anastasia decided to reach out to her peer network to get advice. She knew she was too close to the situation to see it clearly. 

Will Anastasia fire Sarah? Can she convince Marie to stand up to Max? Will Anastasia ask her network to help her find a new job?? Will she block Max’s number?

What would you do in Anastasia’s place? 

Tune in next week for Episode 4: The Anxious Accountant