How responsible is a board to the original mission under which we were granted the 501(c)(3) ?

I have been working (non board) for about 7 years with an organization which seems to have drifted from their original mission. The board has evolved over the past decade or so. For years now they have focused all of their time and resources on a local project which is only tangentially related. The new strategic plan (from the new CEO) lays out a 5 year plan for the new direction and specifically excludes activities on the original mission for at least 3 of those years. With this plan the organization will have given little more than mere "lip service" to their true mission for over a decade.

The original mission is to build and operate a replica of an important maritime heritage and performing arts space from the early 1900's. 2014 will be the centennial of the launch of the original. With the current strategic plan we will miss much of the opportunity to leverage that centennial celebration.

Can a board decide to ignore the original charter like this ?

Are we in any danger of losing our charter and thereby our 501(c)(3) status ?

posted October 1, 2010 in Nonprofit Management | Closed