There is no reference to having an executive director in our bylaws. Our executive director is an independent contractor. Can she sign any legal documents on behalf of the corporation? Should legal counsel be sending her any legal documents for the corporation?

Our small 501(c)(3) nonprofit rural food bank has always opened our board meetings with prayer. At the last meeting our executive director (an appointed volunteer position) said we were in violation of our tax-exempt status by doing that. She also stated that we could no longer provide any religious guidance to our clientele on food issue days. Is she right?

Our Gem & Mineral Club initiated a president-elect position in 2008. The membership approved it and for two administrations all was fine. This last election a group of "unhappy members" presented a floor nomination for president. On the day of the election it was explained that there could not be a vote for president because he was voted in the previous year. This group is crying foul, saying that "they didn't know what president-elect meant" and the election was skewed because the definition wasn't given at the time of the nomination. Is there any merit to the complaint and is ignorance of the rules valid?

If my 501(c)(3) charitable organization has had a close working relationship with another nonprofit for a number of years, but now finds out that they have a history of theft and embezzlement, is it best for my group to cut all ties with the other group? Can the "affiliation" have bad legal repercussions on my group if we don't?