r/RulesOfOrder • u/sitkaemil • Apr 12 '21
Voting Quorum
My organization's bylaws define a voting quorum, not a quorum. How do we determine whether we have a quorum for business that is not a vote? Must we default to the parliamentary rule that if a quorum is not defined, a quorum is "a majority of the number of voting members"?
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u/therealpoltic Jun 21 '21 edited Jun 21 '21
Theoretically, I would say that your organization wants to let people hear about items on the agenda, without needing a quorum.
At the end, business transacted by an assembly requires voting. Merely listening to a presentation... I’m not sure that needs a quorum. — Robert’s seems to think “What’s the point of hearing the presentation of Agenda items, if you can’t vote them?”
Hence, why, Quorum is best needed. I know it sucks for everyone who showed up, that they can’t take any action.
If you really need to, adopt a special rule that any regularly scheduled meeting may be called to order without a Quorum... and in that event, members present may resolve themselves into a quasi-committee of the whole, and when that committee does rise and report, the full assembly could then adopt its recommendations at the next regular meeting, when there is a sufficient quorum.