Terminology Question +

[Guest Lynne Veazie]

The situation: The president of an organization needs to step down for a few months, bu intends to return to office once their circumstances permit..

 

1 – Is the person temporarily filling in for the President (the Vice President, according to the organization’s By Laws) identified as the ‘President Pro Tempore’ or simply the ‘President’?

 

2 - Is there a term used to identify the president who temporarily stepped down? Is it correct to consider the president who temporarily stepped down simply a member of the organization until s/he returns to their duties?

[Guest Edgar]

1. The Vice-President is still the Vice-President and the President is still the President. There is no provision in RONR for "stepping down". But, yes, whoever is presiding at the meeting in the absence of the President is the president pro tem. But only at the meeting.

 

2. The term for an officer who is not doing his job? Derelict? Delinquent? Your choice.

[Josh Martin]

The situation: The president of an organization needs to step down for a few months, bu intends to return to office once their circumstances permit..

 

1 – Is the person temporarily filling in for the President (the Vice President, according to the organization’s By Laws) identified as the ‘President Pro Tempore’ or simply the ‘President’?

 

He's referred to as "President" when presiding during meetings in the President's absence. At other times, I'd refer to him as the Vice President.

 

There is no procedure in RONR for a President to "step down for a few months." Unless your bylaws provide otherwise, the VP only takes over the duties of presiding in the President's absence - not any other duties your bylaws assign to the office of President.

 

2 - Is there a term used to identify the president who temporarily stepped down? Is it correct to consider the president who temporarily stepped down simply a member of the organization until s/he returns to their duties?

 

No. He's still the President.

 

1. The Vice-President is still the Vice-President and the President is still the President. There is no provision in RONR for "stepping down". But, yes, whoever is presiding at the meeting in the absence of the President is the president pro tem. But only at the meeting.

 

The Vice President is referred to as "President" while presiding in the President's absence. Someone else would be the Chairman Pro Tempore. RONR does not use the term "President Pro Tempore."

[Guest Edgar]

The Vice President is referred to as "President" while presiding in the President's absence.

 

Well, he's addressed as "'Mr. or Madam President' (unless confusion might result)". And in this instance I'd say that confusion might result. "In which case the form 'Mr. or Madam Vice-president' should be used".

[Josh Martin]

Well, he's addressed as "'Mr. or Madam President' (unless confusion might result)". And in this instance I'd say that confusion might result. "In which case the form 'Mr. or Madam Vice-president' should be used".

 

I believe the text clarifies that the "unless confusion might result" language is primarily referring to a situation where the Vice President is presiding while the President is present.

[Guest Guest]

My thanks to all for the input.