Resignation from a Volunteer fire department

[Guest Sam]

We recently had a member of our volunteer department hand in his written resignation effective immediately.  4 weeks later he wants to rescind his resignation because we did not have our general business meeting before he rescinded and states that the resignation was not valid until our general monthly meeting.

We want to know if this is in fact the case.

His resignation was read to the membership when he handed it in.

[Rob Elsman]

Until the body authorized to accept resignations has met and taken up the matter, the submitter may unilaterally withdraw the resignation without permission.

A resignation from a voluntary position is usually treated perfunctorily.  The chair reads the resignation letter at a business meeting and announces that the resignation is accepted.  Since this had not happened before the submitter withdrew the letter, the letter of resignation was not in effect.

[Gary Novosielski]

On 6/20/2023 at 11:00 AM, Guest Sam said:

We recently had a member of our volunteer department hand in his written resignation effective immediately.  4 weeks later he wants to rescind his resignation because we did not have our general business meeting before he rescinded and states that the resignation was not valid until our general monthly meeting.

We want to know if this is in fact the case.

His resignation was read to the membership when he handed it in.

Well, if nobody moved to accepted it, then it really doesn't matter who would have had the power to accept it.  It wasn't done, so the member may withdraw the resignation.

[puzzling]

I would like to know how resignations were handled previously.

If before  resignations were just read out and not debated  and accepted by a motion. I do think the resignation stand, but the resignation could be overturned by an point of order. (Or appeal after that)

[Josh Martin]

On 6/20/2023 at 10:00 AM, Guest Sam said:

We recently had a member of our volunteer department hand in his written resignation effective immediately.  4 weeks later he wants to rescind his resignation because we did not have our general business meeting before he rescinded and states that the resignation was not valid until our general monthly meeting.

We want to know if this is in fact the case.

His resignation was read to the membership when he handed it in.

Could you clarify further in what manner the resignation was "read to the membership?" Was this a regular or properly called meeting of the membership?

On 6/21/2023 at 7:39 AM, puzzling said:

I would like to know how resignations were handled previously.

If before  resignations were just read out and not debated  and accepted by a motion. I do think the resignation stand, but the resignation could be overturned by an point of order. (Or appeal after that)

I do not agree. The fact that a resignation has been read, in and of itself, is not sufficient to accept the resignation, notwithstanding the society's erroneous custom to the contrary. Simply reading the resignation is not a declaration by the chair that the resignation is accepted.

Even to the extent one views this as proper until objected to, it seems plainly obvious that it will be objected to by the member who submitted the resignation.

There is also the matter that it's not entirely clear what body was meeting when the resignation was submitted or whether that body had the authority to accept the resignation.

On 6/20/2023 at 10:00 AM, Guest Sam said:

We recently had a member of our volunteer department hand in his written resignation effective immediately.  4 weeks later he wants to rescind his resignation because we did not have our general business meeting before he rescinded and states that the resignation was not valid until our general monthly meeting.

We want to know if this is in fact the case.

His resignation was read to the membership when he handed it in.

So far as the rules in RONR are concerned, a resignation is not valid until it has been accepted. It's not entirely clear to me what body was meeting when the resignation was submitted. Based upon the facts presented, the member is free to withdraw the resignation.

Edited June 22, 2023 at 03:21 PM by Josh Martin

[Gary Novosielski]

On 6/21/2023 at 8:39 AM, puzzling said:

I would like to know how resignations were handled previously.

If before  resignations were just read out and not debated  and accepted by a motion. I do think the resignation stand, but the resignation could be overturned by an point of order. (Or appeal after that)

Well, RONR disagrees, so there's that.