Thanks for your answers.

I'd have a tough time supporting that clause. People resign for many reasons, not all of them detrimental to the organization and often for reasons over which they have no control.

Would it be better for them to HOLD onto the job and just not do it or do it poorly?

If someone resigns and leaves the group in the lurch, that fact can be brought up as an argument against them if they choose to run again.

Over the years and various organizations, we've had people resign for:

• health reasons (ill health, spouse, problem pregnancy)
• employment (lost a job, promoted and more travel, husband deployed)
• family situations (ill parent; family member died)

Plus more, including some who did leave us holding the bag. Those who were dedicated usually came back into PTO service when the situation was resolved.

Last summer our volunteer coordinator for swim team, a 501(c)(4) had to resign because her husband was transferred for a one year executive internship. She did everything possible to make the transition smooth. And she's moving back this summer, eager to help again.

Would you want to penalize someone like her with such a clause?

Yes, this question comes up often on the Robert's Rules forum board. It stands to reason that if a board member resigns mid-term that there ought to be some penality for leaving the rest of the board in a lurch. So, by-laws absolutely can include this type of rule. Many times, by-laws also state that board members cannot hold the same position for more than "x" number of terms, board members have to take a break for "x" number of terms between positions held, and so on.

However, to state that a board member unequivocally cannot run again if having resigned mid-term seems a bit harsh and should not be such an absolute so that circumstances can be taken into consideration. Besides, how long is "cannot run again"? Never? Until all the current board members have rotated off the board? Until........?

Your best bet is to either campaign to block this amendment entirely or word-smith it to death to ensure that there are lots of loopholes.

Has anyone heard of bylaws stating that if an officer has resigned they can not run again? It seems our current president is trying to write this into the bylaws.

thanks