Is he still a member?

[Guest Emala]

In one of our town committees, a member of the committee (3 year term) was on for a year, ran for council and was gone for a year, and now wants to return for the last year. Do they serve out the final year, or do they need to be voted in and sworn in again before resuming duties as part of the committee? Currently he only helps with research he started before he left. What's proper? The bylaws don't speak to this.

[Tim Wynn]

In one of our town committees, a member of the committee (3 year term) was on for a year, ran for council and was gone for a year, and now wants to return for the last year. Do they serve out the final year, or do they need to be voted in and sworn in again before resuming duties as part of the committee? Currently he only helps with research he started before he left. What's proper? The bylaws don't speak to this.

If he was never removed from the committee, he's still on the committee. Absence doesn't automatically remove a member from a committee. Check your governing documents for a specific rule on the subject.

If he was removed, he would have to be appointed to the committee again for him to be a member.

In general, all committee members can participate in committee business.

[hmtcastle]

What's proper?

Assuming his vacancy wasn't filled (and, if not, why not?) he could probably be appointed for the remainder of his original term. But so could someone else. So his return (if he ever left) is not automatic.

[Rev Ed]

Assuming his vacancy wasn't filled (and, if not, why not?) he could probably be appointed for the remainder of his original term. But so could someone else. So his return (if he ever left) is not automatic.

Yes, but unless he resigned or was removed from office he would still be a member. Like Tim said, absence does not automatically make the position vacant (unless the By-laws allow for it, and even then will likely do so only if the member cannot provide a reason for the absence.)

[Guest emala]

Assuming his vacancy wasn't filled (and, if not, why not?) he could probably be appointed for the remainder of his original term. But so could someone else. So his return (if he ever left) is not automatic.

The vacancy was not filled (to a full seven members) for a while because we can hardly get good volunteers the first time around, let alone have them come back for more. With him we'd be at eight (two people were sworn in last month) for the coming year.