Capitalization question - please help!?

Question

Which is correct:

"Congratulations are due to our Board member Jane Smith..."

OR

"Congratulations are due to our board member Jane Smith..."

My boss keeps wanting to capitalize Board, but it's not a proper name, so I say no... Which way is correct?

Answer 1

If it is used as a proper noun you would probably capitalize it i.e. member of The Board.  But as it is used in your question I probably wouldn't capitalize.

Answer 2

I think you're correct unless stating the name of the board, in which case the name and board would be capitalized (e.g. Los Angeles School Board). I think.

Answer 3

Strictly speaking, you are right. But do you really care enough to fight your boss on this minor point? Why not save your capital with him or her for when you argue for a raise or promotion.

By the way, if you said "to Board Member Jane Smith" then it would be capitalized because it would be a title. Maybe that would be a good compromise.

Here are the rules: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/c...

Check out number 3