Four Common Misconceptions: Quorum

Just in case you forgot; a quorum is defined as “the minimum number of members who must be present at the meetings of a deliberative assembly for business to be validly transacted….” [RONR (11th ed.), p. 21, ll. 2-5].

1. The number of members needed to have a quorum is the same for every organization
1. The size of a quorum is unique to every organization. The number of members required in order to have a quorum should be defined in the bylaws of the organization. Members can refer to “Article V: Meetings” in their organization's bylaws to find out what the quorum is for their organization.
2. The quorum should always be defined as a majority of all the members in the organization
1. The quorum should be defined in your organization's bylaws and is different from organization to organization.Typically the quorum of an organization (especially a voluntary organization) should be less than the majority of the membership. This is because, if you make the quorum too large then you will have issues with getting that many members to show up and productivity within the organization would be reduced.
3. We checked our bylaws and the quorum is not defined. So, that means it doesn’t matter how many member show up we can always conduct business.
1. “In any other deliberative assembly with enrolled membership whose bylaws do not specify a quorum, the quorum is a majority of all the members” [RONR (11th ed.), p.346, ll. 11-13].
4. When we fail to obtain a quorum for a regularly or properly called meeting we cannot conduct any business at all.
1. “Even in the absence of a quorum, the assembly may fix the time to which to adjourn, adjourn, recess, or take measures to obtain a quorum” [RONR (11th ed.), p. 347, ll. 30-32].

Here's one last cartoon! You might have to think about this one a little more to understand it!