Firing of community manager

Typically the contract would describe the duties and/or expectations.
Since the community manager was an independent contractor and not an employee, the manager should have had a written agreement identifying what they would and would not do. If the manager had no contract - I would have doubts about the manager.

Bottom line is:
Community managers work for the Board.
If the contract allows dismissing without cause then that is allowed.
If the end of the contract came and wasn't renewed, the Board doesn't have to give a reason other then they chose not to renew the contract.

If you are not on the Board - there may be reasons you are unaware of.

Well, being done in executive session (i.e. behind closed doors) would be proper. If there was no written contract, then it's considered a month to month contract.

Was your community manager licensed as required under VA § 54.1-2346?

If not, this could be the reason.

Was a new manager or management company hired?

If not, perhaps the Association wanted to save money and become self managed.

I could go on guessing reasons. However I wasn't involved in the process so it would be nothing but guessing. I am of the expectation that you are a friend of the individual who was dismissed and I know that you want to support that friend. Have you considered that their was a reason but the friend doesn't want to repeat the reason why due to embarrassment? Perhaps this is why the Association is being silent about the issue as well.

No matter what the reason was (or if there was no reason) you can still support your friend by being there for them. When they are ready to talk, they will. It's also possible that they never will talk about it and you will never know the real reason.

Your option, as I see it, is to gather support and get yourself and other like minded people elected to the Board. Then if you want to rehire this individual - you will be in a position to do so.

Tim

Well, if someone had a "personal agenda" that person convinced other board members that the manager should be let go.

Perhaps they wanted to hire someone more professional.

Anyone who would take a position like that without a contract can't be too business savvy.

Was he fired or was he asked to resign? Was there an arrangement to pay him through to a specific time? Will the BOD give him a positive reference if asked to do so?

Stuff like this happens all the time.

I guess the question is... Was there an employment contract. Virginia is an "At Will" "right to work" state with an exception of Implied Contract. Under the implied contract exception, an employer may not fire an employee "when an implied contract is formed between an employer and employee, even though no express, written instrument regarding the employment relationship exists." Proving the terms of an implied contract is often difficult, and the burden of proof is on the fired employee. Implied employment contracts are most often found when an employer's personnel policies or handbooks indicate that an employee will not be fired except for good cause or specify a process for firing. If the employer fires the employee in violation of an implied employment contract, the employer may be found liable for breach of contract.