How to Resign from a Board (of Directors) (4 steps). Such resignation is effective when the notice is delivered.1. Prepare for board resignations in advance. There are a couple of ways to resign from a nonprofit board of directors. Your resignation letter provides the board with formal notice of your departure. You should be a little bit more detailed and polite too in the resignation letter! When asking a board member to resign, you must articulate specific instances that make them unfit to continue in their role (i.e. Follow up your verbal resignation with a formal resignation letter, addressed to the board president. Be truthful and succinct, stating only the facts. It has been a pleasure being a part of the Art Foundation board.