Felt’s Parliamentary Procedure/Quorum

by Orson B. Felt

Layout 2

QUORUM.

45. A quorum is that number of the members of a society necessary to transact business legally, and in the absence of a rule adopted by the organization, or fixed by law, consists of a majority of the members. The society may (unless it is an assembly whose quorum is fixed by law) adopt any number, even a small part of its membership. In many societies having a large membership, a majority of the members is seldom, if ever, present: therefore, in such societies a rule requiring that a majority must be present to constitute a quorum would be decidedly unwise. For this reason, every society should adopt a rule fixing the quorum.

The quorum of a committee, however, is a majority of the committee, unless the superior body has otherwise directed. In a temporary meeting the question of quorum does not arise, since those present constitute the competent number.

In ascertaining if a quorum is present, it is not necessary that all vote or had voted on a question. The fact that a sufficient number is present renders the assembly competent to transact business, as those who refrain from voting are regarded as consenting to the result.

46. The chair or any member may raise the question of quorum. When it is raised the chair should count the members, to ascertain if a quorum is present. Members present, but not voting, count in determining a quorum; but in nothing else. If a quorum is present, business proceeds as before. If the number is less than the required quorum, the assembly adjourned. If, however, no time or place has been fixed for the next meeting, those present (even if there be less than a quorum) may, by reason of the necessity and urgency of the case, fix the time or place for the next meeting to adjourn to that time or place. Otherwise, the assembly might be dissolved by less than a quorum. Business transacted without a quorum is legal until the question of quorum is raised.