Sunday, May 18, 2008

Sick CEO: ill, disabled, incapacitated

Having just survived a horrible bout of food poisoning (never had it before - never want it again), a few thoughts on the sick CEO:

1. Sick: Found another reason to hate flying - fairly stuck if food poisoning strikes while in flight. Makes sense to check into a hotel next door to the airport when impossible to drive and impossible to wait. Didn't want to be "remembered" by getting into a car of an association officer with that particular illness.

2. Disabled: A colleague who attended the DC conference continues to improve from injuries in a car accident, and used a scooter to move between rooms and two hotels where conference held. His wife posted this comment: "(Name) is talking about the limitations people in wheelchairs and on scooters experience. Both hotels comply with the ADA, yet ramps, room entrances, and elevator access have really frustrated (name). Handicap access areas are tucked away and hard to find. The blue handicap signs are very small and not easy to locate or see. As you would expect, (name) says he is going to write the (hotels) and outline how they can improve their hotel experience for their handicap guests." When our members with disabilities attend meetings in our office or off-site conferences, do we check in with them, or follow up to learn if there are ways to improve?

3. Incapacitated: That same colleague suggested association execs think about what their association would do in the event the CEO is incapacitated - such as by an unexpected car accident or illness. An employment contract may spell out when incapacitation results in termination; but in an interim period or if that clause is not exercised, the CEO should decide and recommend how to proceed in the event the situation happens. Such as, if the CEO has right to make all staff decisions, then the CEO should decide who will be interim CEO in the event of incapacitation, as well as ensure there's legal ability for an officer (President and/or Treasurer, for example) and/or alternate staff who can sign certain legal documents and checks. When incapacitated, it's often not possible to make legal or staff decisions.

An earlier post addressed disaster planning when the CEO dies. Anything you'd suggest that's not mentioned?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

One of the things I was thinking about was a travel policy - when traveling home, I noticed we had a lot of staff on the same plane. What if something happened to that plane? Eep!

Anonymous said...

Hope you're OK, Cindy. You must have really felt on the verge...