RAPID CITY, SD – The Executive Director and Co-Founder of a Rapid City youth transitional housing center in Rapid City is refusing to step down after admitting to a sexually explicit Facebook Messenger relationship with a client, sparking a fierce governance battle with the organization’s board of directors.

Joe Barb, who helped establish The Circle in 2019, was placed on administrative leave March 20 after a 20-year-old former client presented the board with information on the messages with Barb. The client, who wishes to remain anonymous, first notified the board on March 18th and came with evidence of explicit Facebook messages between themselves and Barb. The board reported the client’s  interactions to law enforcement. Police determined no illegal activity occurred because the former client is a consenting adult.

Despite the lack of criminal charges, the board of the 501(c)(3) charity moved to investigate. According to an email sent to Barb on the morning of March 20th  he was placed on paid leave, instructed to have no contact with the former client, and asked to surrender digital communications.

During a meeting later that evening, notes signed by Barb indicated he would be “stepping down for personal reasons,” wanted to take accountability, and wanted “the right thing for the organization.” This was him stepping down as Executive Director and was still technically the president of the board and the corporation. 

However, on March 23, Barb reversed his decision. In an email to the board, he admitted fault but refused to resign, citing a corporate governance loophole. 

“I hold myself deeply accountable for my behavior-more than words can truly convey-and I am committed to taking every step necessary to ensure that something like this will never happen again,” Barb wrote. “People make grave mistakes and never repeat them when there is a willingness and commitment to do the right thing.”

In the same email, Barb asserted that his status as an “Initial Incorporator” of the nonprofit shields him from expulsion. According to the organization’s bylaws, an Initial Incorporator cannot be expelled from membership or removed as a director by the board. “Any Member may be expelled from Membership, except an Initial Incorporator”.

Leveraging this clause, Barb demanded a meeting on March 24 and threatened retaliation against the board. An agenda sent by Barb “Please be advised that any board member who fails to attend, participate, or respond to this meeting notice after reasonable efforts will be presumed by members Joseph Barb and Lambert Miller to have resigned or declined to continue to serving on the board of directors… If any board member votes against continuing Joesph D. Barb in leadership roles, Members Joseph Barb and Lambert Miller will move to remove those Board members immediately, pursuant to relevant bylaws.”

The board refused to attend the meeting. A conflict in The Circle exists in that Barb and Miller are married.

The board maintains that Barb’s employment contract supersedes the bylaws regarding his role as an employee. The contract states the employer has the right to terminate his services for cause, specifically citing conduct or behavior “which would tend to undermine the reputation of Employer.”

The standoff has left the board paralyzed and staff deeply concerned for the clients they serve in Rapid City.

“He refuses to step back as Executive Director, and he refuses to let us make any decisions on the board, and he just decided he’s going to have a meeting and he’s going to fire the board”,” a source that wishes to remain anonymous said in an interview. “I can’t allow youth to continue being served there when I know that he’s preying on them. We’ve told him, leave the building and he was like, no, thank you.”

A second outside source involved with the circle confirmed the timeline and series of events. 

On March 31, The Circle published a statement on its Facebook page addressing the crisis publicly for the first time. The board stated that the executive director was placed on administrative leave pending an independent investigation and is to have no contact with clients or staff.

“The Board of Directors of the Family Connections Center has recently been made aware of allegations of improper conduct involving written communications between Executive Director and a former client of the Center.

Upon learning of these allegations, the Board immediately placed the executive director on administrative leave pending the outcome of an independent investigation. During this period, he will have no contact with clients or staff of the Center. The executve director is cooperating with the investigation.

At this time, the Board has found no indication that any other staff members were involved in or aware of any misconduct related to the allegations. The independent investigation remains ongoing, and the Board is committed to ensuring it is thorough, impartial, and transparent. The Board has met with Family Connections Center staff, who are understandably deeply affected by this situation. The Board recognizes the emotional toll this is taking and is working to ensure that both clients and staff have access to appropriate mental health support. The Board is also committed to ensuring that Family Connections Center staff have the resources and stability needed to continue providing care and services without interruption.

We know moments like this can be difficult and can shake trust. We want to be clear that the Board is committed to upholding the values of this organization and to doing what is right—especially now.

We understand that many are looking for answers, and we will share updates as soon as we are able to do so responsibly.

The Board remains dedicated to serving the community and maintaining the trust that has been placed in this organization.

In the meantime, our dedicated staff continue to manage daily operations to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of care and services to our clients. The Board sincerely appreciates the professionalism and commitment of our team and the continued support of our community as we work through this challenging matter.”

A board member commented with The Rapid City Post that the staff is dedicated to their mission of supporting the youth and the board continues to meet to support this cause without Barb.

The Rapid City Post has made numerous attempts to contact Joe Barb via phone call and text, as of this publication, without answer.