Chair Resigns Title, Reorg in 2 Mo's, New Chair Required?

[Guest Mark]

After a majority vote to move a budget to the public for vote, the Chair then resigned from the position effective immediately stating he heard rumors the budget would not pass as long as he was Chair. He then suggested the Board vote for a new Chair to present the budget at Town Meeting. We postponed action on it until the next meeting. We do have a Secretary/Clerk which is an officer of the Board. There are Board positions coming up for election so there will be a reorganization meeting in two months. The questions are; 1- Is the board required to elect a replacement Chair or may the Secretary/Clerk preside over the next few meetings and other typical Chair duties until the reorganization meeting in a couple months? 2- Is stepping down from Chair an event requiring a letter in writing? Thank you in advance for your assistance.

[Guest Edgar]

1- Is the board required to elect a replacement Chair or may the Secretary/Clerk preside over the next few meetings and other typical Chair duties until the reorganization meeting in a couple months? 2- Is stepping down from Chair an event requiring a letter in writing?

1. If the board is authorized to fill the vacancy it should make a good faith effort to do so (though, typically, the vice-chair, if there is one, would automatically become chair). Until a new chair is selected, the secretary calls the meetings to order and conducts a brief election for a chair pro tem (a temporary presiding officer).

2. A resignation is a request to be excused from a duty and, though it needn't be in writing, it must be formally accepted (or rejected) by the person or body authorized to do so in order to become effective.

[J. J.]

After a majority vote to move a budget to the public for vote, the Chair then resigned from the position effective immediately stating he heard rumors the budget would not pass as long as he was Chair. He then suggested the Board vote for a new Chair to present the budget at Town Meeting. We postponed action on it until the next meeting. We do have a Secretary/Clerk which is an officer of the Board. There are Board positions coming up for election so there will be a reorganization meeting in two months. The questions are; 1- Is the board required to elect a replacement Chair or may the Secretary/Clerk preside over the next few meetings and other typical Chair duties until the reorganization meeting in a couple months? 2- Is stepping down from Chair an event requiring a letter in writing? Thank you in advance for your assistance.

First, since you are a municipality, I would suggest you contact your solicitor on if you must appoint a chair. RONR would permit a chairman pro tem to be elected at each meeting where there was no chair.