Parliamentary Procedure Q&A

Q: When are the minutes of the previous meeting supposed to be read and approved? Is the election of officers supposed to be under new business, following old business? (The election was supposedly the only thing on the agenda). Is there supposed to be a majority (present) vote to elect new officers? These questions apply to a youth baseball organization and not a business type board of directors. - C.R., Oct. 6, 1998

A: Minutes approval is one of the first things, usually right after any opening ceremonies (e.g., pledge of allegiance, welcome).

The election of officers is normally right before Unfinished Business. (The term "old business" shouldn't be used because people infer it's for business that's already been disposed of. Unfinished Business is for undisposed business held over from the previous meeting because the meeting adjourned. There is seldom any.)

Check your bylaws to see what number or percentage of the membership must be present to conduct business. Look for the term "quorum." If it's not in your bylaws, then a majority (more than half) of the membership constitutes a quorum.

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