In parliamentary procedure, a member may be required to abstain in the case of a real or perceived conflict of interest. Abstentions do not count in tallying the vote negatively or positively; when members abstain, they are in effect attending only to contribute to a quorum.

Is a vote unanimous If someone abstains?

In Robert's Rules of Order, a "unanimous vote" is not specifically defined, although an abstention is not counted as a vote regardless of the voting threshold. ... In contrast, a United Nations Security Council resolution is not considered "unanimous" if a member abstains.

When can a board member abstain from voting?

The law in a nutshell says board members are permitted to abstain only when there's a conflict of interest, which they must announce. "Abstentions aren't valid to avoid offending a person or group," he says.