I quit!
This is the letter of resignation I sent in today. I talked with my boss after our staff meeting, and he said he was “sad, but not surprised.” I’ll be phasing out my time at work over the next 1-2 months to train my (yet-to-be-hired) successor. I’m super terrified and excited (lots more to come on that) and apologize for not having written much lately. This is a big part of why.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
[Dear boss]
It is with regret that I submit this letter of resignation for the position of General Manager, even though I look forward to the opportunities ahead. My time at [work] has not been without its ups and downs, but I have learned an unspeakable amount and found much more pleasure working at [work] than frustration.
Ultimately, I am leaving to pursue my own artistic passions. Working at [work] full time while attempting to give myself the artistic room and focus I need has been extremely difficult. In the end, it has been unsustainable, forcing me to choose between an organization and a community about which I care deeply, and creating work of my own.
It has not been an easy decision to come to, and I can only hope it is the right one.
In resigning as the General Manager, I want to make two things clear. First, that I hold no hard feelings concerning [work]’s need for a full time General Manager. I sincerely want [work] to flourish and grow, and am eager to see where [work] is three years down the road, and five, and ten.
Second, that I want my departure from [work] to be as smooth and amicable as possible.
To that end, I have some flexibility in my schedule for leaving [work] and have more of a proposal for my departure than a firm end-date. Specifically, I imagine staying on as General Manager until Friday, August 6, the last day of camp, either in my current 25 hr/week schedule or, as needed, returning to my previous 35 hr/week schedule. Should my assistance be necessary beyond August 6, I would be happy to stay on in a more part-time capacity. In addition, I would like to offer my technical support skills to [work] for as long as necessary, either on an hourly basis or a monthly retainer. Please feel no obligation to take me up on that offer but, again, I want to make sure that I am not abandoning [work] in any way.
Finally, I hope that I will be leaving [work] in a stronger place than it was when I joined, two and a half years ago. The [building where work is] has been my home for fifteen years – just about as long as it has been [work]’s – and I have no intention of walking away. Expect to see me at classes, benefits, and shows for many years to come, because as much as I will no longer be [work]’s General Manager, I certainly hope to still be part of its family.
In light of this letter, I was imagining our scheduled employee evaluation for this Thursday, July 22, could function both as an evaluation and as a brainstorming session for how to make my departure as smooth as possible for all parties.
Thanks for everything,
Rebecca
CC: [other boss]
CC: [board president]
Themocracy
Good luck and to quote Obi Won
“May the force be with you”
Good luck, and wishing fortune’s smile upon you, Rebecca.
(It sure takes guts to quit in this economy!)
Good luck! I hope things go smoothly.
Thanks, everyone
If only everyone handled separations with such poise, respect, grace and articulate… umm.. ness? (Not articulate, me) Well, general awesomeness.
Aww! Thanks Helen.