Parliamentary Procedure Q&A

Q: Regarding the quorum rules. Is it correct for a church to consider a quorum the number of members present at a regular or special called business meeting? (This church has a membership roll, an approved Constitution & Bylaws, and a state-approved charter of incorporation.) The bylaws state that meetings will be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, but there is no mention of what constitutes a quorum for regular or special-called business meetings. It is assumed currently that a majority vote is simply 51% of the members present, except for other special situations defined in the Constitution & Bylaws. - Anon., Jan. 26, 2000

A: If your membership roll is reliable, then a quorum in the absence of a bylaws specification is a majority of the membership; i.e., more than half of the membership.

RONR p. 340 does say that in organizations such as churches where the roll is not well-kept or is non-existent, "the quorum at any regular or properly called meeting consists of those who attend."


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