Moral Obligation of President to Resign

[Guest Vijay Klein]

Hi, a question that arose that I didn't know the answer to is: in a regularly meeting deliberative assembly, if the chairman constantly proposes motions but is overwhelmingly rejected each and every time he does so, does he have a moral obligation to resign? (I am not a member of this assembly so I do not know a great deal of details, but I do know there is discontent brewing.)

[Hieu H. Huynh]

Perhaps the chairman shouldn't be constantly proposing motions (see FAQ #1).

[Joshua Katz]

I see no obligation to resign.  I also don't know why the chairman is constantly proposing motions.  That those motions are voted down seems irrelevant, though.  Maybe he should resign if he wants to constantly propose motions - unless it's a small board.  

[Richard Brown]

Your friends might also consider suspending the right of the chairman to preside at one or more meetings.  See Official Interpretation 2006-2:  http://robertsrules.com/interp_list.html#2006_2

For actually removing the president from office, you might see FAQ # 20 for starters:  http://robertsrules.com/faq.html#20

I agree with Hieu Huynh and Godelfan that perhaps the chairman should not be proposing so many motions or taking such an active partisan role in the proceedings.  His job is to preside and remain impartial. He should not be making motions or participating in debate unless it falls within one of the exceptions in RONR (such as a small board of no more than about 12 members which can be subject to different rules).

Edited to add:  Giving the chairman a copy of RONR or RONR in Brief might help him to understand what the proper role of a presiding officer is.