DEAR ABBY: I recently started volunteering at a wonderful organization and was asked to assist the board with a special project. At the initial meeting with two of the board members, everything was going well until the first board member excused himself and the other one immediately began to badmouth the person who had left the room.
I'm new to volunteering here. Neither board member knows me at all. It made me very uncomfortable and I didn't know how to respond. These two individuals have known each other for many years.
I don't want to get involved in this petty business, but I'll have to work closely with both of them in the coming months. Most of my interactions will be with the person who was spoken about poorly. At least three board members have recently quit because of this person. How should I proceed? -- NEW VOLUNTEER IN ILLINOIS
DEAR NEW VOLUNTEER: Proceed by not allowing yourself to get dragged into board politics. If one board member starts badmouthing another, excuse yourself.
If three people have quit, there are obviously problems with the governance of this organization. If you can do your job without getting involved in the dysfunction, stick with it. If you can't, then for your own sanity, find another place to donate your time and talents.