Quorum, Notice & Orders of Business Flashcards

Under RONR, in the absence of a bylaw provision, what constitutes a quorum for a membership organization?

Answer: A majority of the members enrolled

RONR specifies that without a bylaw provision, a quorum is a majority of all members unless the organization's rules provide otherwise.

If a quorum is lost during the course of a meeting, which of the following actions is PERMITTED?

Answer: Adjourn, recess, or take steps to obtain a quorum

When quorum is lost, the assembly may only adopt a motion to adjourn, recess, fix the time to which to adjourn, or take measures to obtain a quorum.

What is the parliamentary status of business transacted without a quorum present?

Answer: Null and void unless ratified by the full membership

Business transacted without a quorum is null and void and has no legal effect unless the full membership ratifies it at a subsequent meeting with a quorum present.

Under RONR, who bears primary responsibility for determining whether a quorum is present at the opening of a meeting?

Answer: The chair (presiding officer)

The chair (presiding officer) is responsible for determining whether a quorum is present before calling the meeting to order and proceeding with business.

If an organization's bylaws specify a quorum of 25 members, can a meeting with 24 members present lower the quorum requirement by a majority vote?

Answer: No, quorum requirements can only be changed by amending the bylaws

Quorum requirements are fixed in the bylaws and cannot be altered by any vote taken at a meeting; they can only be changed through the formal process of amending the bylaws.

For a board of directors, what is the quorum when the bylaws make no provision?

Answer: A majority of the entire board

RONR provides that without a specific bylaw provision, the quorum for a board of directors is a majority of the entire membership of the board.

A member raises a point of order that a quorum is not present. The chair counts and finds 19 members are present; the quorum is 20. What should the chair do?

Answer: Declare the point well taken and announce no business can be transacted

The chair must declare the point well taken and announce that no business can be transacted, limiting further action to adjourning, recessing, or taking steps to obtain a quorum.