accepting resignation

[Guest Sherri]

We have a board member that sent in a letter of resignation but I called her and asked her to reconsider. She did. One of the members is now stating that if you send in a letter of resignation it should be accepted and that she did in fact resign. So is she still a board member if she reconsidered and took it back?

[George Mervosh]

See FAQ# 18 http://www.robertsrules.com/faq.html#18

[David A Foulkes]

We have a board member that sent in a letter of resignation but I called her and asked her to reconsider. She did. One of the members is now stating that if you send in a letter of resignation it should be accepted and that she did in fact resign. So is she still a board member if she reconsidered and took it back?

A resignation is a request to be excused from a duty, and, barring any bylaw or other applicable rule that makes it automatic, must be accepted by the body empowered to fill the vacancy. This is often the Board (as empowered by the bylaws to do so) but could be the membership.

Until such time as a vote is taken on it, the resignation may be withdrawn. It would probably be a good idea for this person to express that intention, perhaps in another letter.

[Rev Ed]

A letter of resignation is a request to be excused from duty. It only takes affect when it is accepted by the group empowered to accept it. Until it is accepted, the resignation can be withdrawn. Also, while in normal practice it is simpler to accept a resignation, it need not be accepted. Although a person should not be forced to stay.