Last week’s surprise news that the entire staff at the Wendell Chamber of Commerce had quit their posts was disappointing to say the least.

But more bothersome, in our eyes is what led to those decisions.

In an effort to follow up on complaints the board of directors held a meeting at the business of chamber president Scott Hicks, apparently without letting the chamber staff know about it.

Now, it’s the chamber board’s right to meet without its staff, but it seems like a professional courtesy to at least advise them that the meeting is taking place.

In the case of Wendell’s chamber, now former executive director Ula Mae Life holds a seat on the board of directors, so it’s fair to say that not all the board members were even made aware of the meeting.

Poor communication has ruined more than one relationship. Any organization – from a business to a family to a married couple – will from time to time face challenges which must be overcome to continue functioning.

That there were issues at the chamber, or complaints about the way the organization was operated on a day-to-day basis, shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Any group that does any thing is likely to generate complaints or concerns because it is literally impossible to please everyone all the time.

The board’s reaction to these complaints has cost them a strong executive director who, despite limited resources and low pay, has always focused on what was best for Wendell.

Now that there is a void to be filled, board members must figure out how they are going to convince a quality candidate that they won’t retreat behind closed doors secretly to hear complaints about that person as well.