Should association/society boards have term limits for board members?

Here are two examples of industry associations that have term limits (sort of) for board members. The first allows board members to serve seven consecutive years on the board and then the board member cannot be renewed for another term immediately. They must come off the board for one board meeting and then can serve another seven consecutive years.

The second example is similar but the term limit is one three year term and then the member must be off the board for one year before returning to serve another three year term. There is an exception here.  Should a board member be elected to hold a position as an officer on the executive committee, the three year limit is waived. The executive committee is comprised of six members.  In essence, if a board member serves three years, is then elected as an officer and then elected to move to the next position each year, that person will have served on the board for nine years.

In both associations, term limits are modified and the ease of returning to the board after one year depends on the method by which the board members are nominated and elected. In either case, it does not appear either association really wants to have term limits.  On the one hand, this enables you to keep sincere hard working board members engaged in the leadership of your organization. On the other hand, well you know.

I have served on boards where there are no term limits. Good or bad, board members expect to be reappointed at the end of their term whether they are making a positive contribution to the organization or not.  Having had that experience, I support term limits.  This not only enables you to have a mechanism for removing board members with honor, it provides you with an opportunity to recruit board members that might bring some energy and innovation to the organization.

What are your thoughts?