Quorum

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Quorum refers to the minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly necessary to conduct the business of that group. According to Robert's Rules 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 persons.

Definition

The term "quorum" is derived from Latin, meaning "of whom". In the context of governance, it is the minimum number of members of an organization or assembly who must be present at any of its meetings to make the proceedings of that meeting valid.

Requirements

The quorum required for a meeting to be considered valid varies by organization. In many bodies, such as legislative assemblies or corporate meetings, the quorum is typically a majority of the members. However, the specific number may be set by law, rule, or bylaw. For example, in the United States Congress, a quorum in the House of Representatives is a majority of its members (218 out of 435), while in the Senate, a quorum is 51 members.

Quorum in Different Contexts

1. 1. 1. Legislative Bodies

In legislative bodies, the quorum is often a majority of the elected members. A notable exception is the United States Senate, where the quorum for conducting business is set at a simple majority but requires 60 members to end debate on most topics (a process known as cloture).

1. 1. 1. Corporate Meetings

In the context of corporate meetings, the quorum is usually defined in the corporation's bylaws. It often ranges from a simple majority to a supermajority of the shareholders or directors present in person or by proxy.

1. 1. 1. Other Organizations

For other types of organizations, such as non-profits or clubs, the quorum is typically defined in the organization's bylaws and can vary greatly depending on the organization's size, purpose, and governance structure.

Implications of Not Meeting Quorum

Failure to meet the required quorum often results in the inability to conduct official business. Decisions made in a meeting without a quorum may be considered invalid and unenforceable. This rule ensures that decisions are made by a representative group of members.

Controversies and Challenges

The requirement for a quorum can sometimes lead to controversies, especially in legislative bodies. Tactics such as quorum busting, where members abstain from attending sessions to prevent the assembly from reaching a quorum, have been used as a political strategy.

See Also

• Robert's Rules of Order
• Legislative Assembly
• Corporate Governance
• Cloture
• Quorum Busting

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