Governance
Quorum
Last updated: March 2026
The minimum number of members who must be present at a meeting for business to be legally conducted. Without a quorum, votes taken are generally invalid and non-binding.
Understanding Quorum
A quorum is the minimum number of members whose presence is required for the valid transaction of business. It serves as a safeguard to prevent a small minority from making decisions on behalf of the entire organization. The quorum requirement is typically specified in the organization's bylaws and is often set as a percentage of the total membership (such as one-third or a majority) or as a fixed number. Under Robert's Rules of Order, if no quorum is specified in the bylaws, the default quorum is a majority of the entire membership. If a quorum is not present, the only actions that can legally be taken are to fix the time for an adjournment, adjourn, recess, or take measures to obtain a quorum (such as contacting absent members). Any substantive decisions made without a quorum are subject to challenge and may be voided.Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a quorum is lost during a meeting?
If members leave and the quorum is lost during a meeting, business must stop. The remaining members can only take action to adjourn, recess, or attempt to restore the quorum by contacting absent members.
What is a typical quorum for a club?
A common quorum is one-third of the total membership or the number of members who regularly attend meetings. The specific number should be practical enough to allow meetings to proceed while large enough to represent the membership.
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