CP Quorum, Notice & Orders of Business

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A majority of the members enrolled

Answer

Two-thirds of the members present

Answer

Any number of members who attend

Answer

The number specified by state law

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Adjourn, recess, or take steps to obtain a quorum

Answer

Vote to ratify all prior business conducted during the meeting

Answer

Adopt a main motion by unanimous consent of those remaining

Answer

Continue transacting routine business until the end of the hour

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Null and void unless ratified by the full membership

Answer

Valid if approved by a two-thirds vote at the next meeting

Answer

Provisionally valid until challenged within 30 days

Answer

Binding only on members who were present

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

The chair (presiding officer)

Answer

The secretary, by counting attendance cards

Answer

The parliamentarian

Answer

A quorum committee appointed for that purpose

Question 5

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Yes, if the reduction is temporary and for that meeting only

Answer

Yes, if a two-thirds vote approves the reduction

Answer

No, unless the bylaws include a dispensation clause

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

A majority of the entire board

Answer

One-third of the board members

Answer

Any three board members

Answer

A majority of those board members present

Question 7

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Declare the point well taken, but allow business to continue for 15 minutes

Answer

Declare the point not well taken since business was already underway

Answer

Take a recess automatically for one hour to allow members to arrive