A quorum is the minimum number of members of a group or organization that must be present at a meeting in order to conduct official business and make valid decisions. Without a quorum, the meeting cannot legally proceed to make binding decisions or take official action. In more detail:
- It ensures that decisions are made by a representative portion of the group rather than by a small minority.
- The specific number or percentage that constitutes a quorum is usually defined in the group's governing documents such as bylaws or charter.
- In many organizations, a quorum is typically a majority or a specified minimum number of voting members.
- If a quorum is not present, the meeting may only adjourn or reschedule to try to achieve quorum later.
- The concept applies to legislative bodies, corporate boards, committees, and other groups that require collective decision-making.
The term itself comes from the Latin word "quorum," meaning "of whom," originally referring to a commission issued to justices of the peace. In summary, quorum is a crucial procedural rule to ensure fair, valid, and representative decision-making in meetings. Without it, decisions could be made improperly by too few members or without proper authority. This definition and explanation align with parliamentary procedure rules like Robert's Rules of Order and is applied broadly across government, business, and organizational meetings.