Definitely consult a lawyer, and make sure you cover if you can tip her off.

mrsconn23

Dear Prudence,

I’m a board member at a nonprofit. Recently, I and other board members started receiving emails about an employee. She has been here for almost five years and her performance is exemplary. The emails are from her parents and claim she is involved in drug dealing and has gang ties in her home state. I don’t know much about her family life, but she’s active in the community here in a way that would make it very difficult to hide illegal activity. These accusations seem ridiculous and untrue to me. I’ve unfortunately experienced comparable antics in my own family and in my opinion, these accusations are not credible. Because of the type or work we do, we regularly run background checks on employees and her record is completely clean so far.

However, other board members have taken a lot of interest in this and want to invite her to a meeting, surprise her with the emails, and ask her to explain them. I think this is inappropriate, humiliating, and potentially illegal. What should I do? Should I warn her? We’re too small to have an HR department. I feel like we’re going to drive away a valuable staff member. I wish they’d show this much enthusiasm toward board business!

—Not on Board

banana468

If you're a nonprofit you likely need to have plenty of filings of legal documents.  Find an employment attorney so you are also covering the organization.
Maybe just maybe this employee's family doesn't like the organization or your child and is hoping to take both of you down? 

VarunaTT

This isn't board business.  The ED should be stepping up to speak to an attorney about what to do, to make sure to cover any liability issues, employment issues, and whatever else might need to covered.  The ED can report to the board about that, since it has to do with the good/mission of the organization and what actions, if any, has been recommended.  Once that is achieved, the ED needs to take whatever action is necessary to protect the organization and the employee.  

The board members are being a bunch of gossipy wenches and it's disgusting.  I feel sad for the employee.

Without too many details, I had a situation similar to this come up.  I had a horrible ED, so I spoke to the attorney and got the advice I needed.  I approached the person we received the emails about with compassion.  They were so embarrassed about me receiving these emails,  I could've cried for them, and did later.  It was a horrible situation, had nothing to do with this person except their family was out to get them, and were attacking them in every facet they could reach.