By Dr. Lynell Tippen Wright
District Six Facilitator, Parliamentary Education

You arrive at a regularly scheduled meeting ready to conduct business. The assembly is set for success: The presiding officer and secretary are present (RONR (12th ed.) 3:6). The diligent recording secretary previously disseminated the order of business along with the minutes from last month’s meeting. Prior to calling the meeting to order, the presiding officer recognizes that there is an absence of a quorum. You are ready and set; yet wait. It is a No Go! There is an absence of a quorum in this regular meeting. What does one do?

Quorum: The Quantity Qualifier

A quorum is a minimum number of members who must be present in order that business be validly transacted (40:1).  The quorum requirement can vary from one organization to another. Most societies outline their quorum requirements in their bylaws. The quorum requirement is prohibited from being waived even by unanimous consent. Furthermore, in the absence of a quorum, notice cannot be properly given (10:44-51). Conducting business in the absence of a quorum does not guarantee that the assembly will agree with the decision made. The assembly can later ratify those decisions; however, it is not compelled to do so.

How does an assembly proceed in the absence of a quorum?

  1. Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn. This is the highest rank of the thirteen ranked motions. This privileged motion permits an assembly to set the time and sometimes the place for another meeting to continue business of the current session (22:1).

 

  1. Adjourn. The adoption of the privileged motion to adjourn closes the meeting immediately (21:1).

 

  1. Recess. A member may make a motion to recess. This brief intermission gives those members who are delayed time to arrive. If adopted, the privileged motion to recess begins immediately and may be adopted while another question is pending (20:2).

 

  1. Take measures to obtain a quorum. A member can make a motion to obtain a quorum. This motion requires a majority vote; must be seconded, is out of order when another has the floor; is debatable except when privileged, amendable; and can be reconsidered. This motion is a main motion when no business is pending or is a privileged motion that takes precedence of a motion to recess (40:8).

Quorum requirements are an important consideration in conducting business because the presence of a quorum protects the assembly from actions by a minority of members.