What Constitutes a Quorum?
[NAU students meeting in Flagstaff].
Retrieved July 13, 2013, from: (www.nau.edu)
A quorum is the minimum number of voting members who must be present of a “deliberative assembly necessary to conduct the business of that group” (Quorum, 2013). According to Robert’s Rule of Order, “the requirement for a quorum is protection against totally unrepresentative action in the name of the body by an unduly small number of person.”
The number of members that constitutes a quorum differs depending on the assembly and is usually provided for in that assembly’s governing documents. Robert's Rules provides that in such a case, a quorum in an assembly "whose real membership can be accurately determined at any time—that is, in a body having an enrolled membership composed only of persons who maintain their status as members in a prescribed manner—the quorum is a majority of the entire membership, by the common parliamentary law." (Quorum, 2013). A quorum is a majority of the members of the board or committee unless the bylaws, the rule of the parent organization, or the motion establishing the particular committee provide otherwise. According to Robert's Rules, "a board or committee does not have the power to determine its quorum unless the bylaws so provide.”
The number of members that constitutes a quorum differs depending on the assembly and is usually provided for in that assembly’s governing documents. Robert's Rules provides that in such a case, a quorum in an assembly "whose real membership can be accurately determined at any time—that is, in a body having an enrolled membership composed only of persons who maintain their status as members in a prescribed manner—the quorum is a majority of the entire membership, by the common parliamentary law." (Quorum, 2013). A quorum is a majority of the members of the board or committee unless the bylaws, the rule of the parent organization, or the motion establishing the particular committee provide otherwise. According to Robert's Rules, "a board or committee does not have the power to determine its quorum unless the bylaws so provide.”
Dealing with the Absence of a Quorum:
- The chair has the duty to declare the absences of a quorum if he notices a quorum is no longer present.
- Any member who notices the apparent absence of a quorum can make a point of order.
- Robert’s Rules provides that “in the absence of a quorum, any business transacted is null and void.”
- Adjourn
- Recess
- Take other measures to assemble a quorum
References:
Quorum. (2013, 5 13). Retrieved 7 11, 2013, from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quorum