Ethics Scenario #48: Alliance for Progress in Harristown

48. Oliver is the board chair of the Alliance for Progress in Harristown, a 501(c)(3), nonprofit tax-exempt organization. His nemesis on the board for the past several years has been Manachim, an Orthodox Jew who has been a constant irritant to Oliver, who he feels is purposely being oppositional to much of Oliver’s vision for the organization. Oliver has a list of important projects he wants the board to approve, and he knows that Manachim will likely skewer Oliver’s plans. Manachim often comes up with justifications for thwarting what Oliver wants to do, and those justifications tend to sway a majority of the board. Manachim Oliver comes up with a bright idea--schedule the next board meeting for Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. That way, Manachim will not be able to attend and do his mischief.

a. Is Oliver being ethical by scheduling the board meeting on a Jewish holiday?