Glossary
What does “Quorum” mean?
The smallest number of members who must be present for a meeting to make decisions that count.
What it means
The smallest number of members who must be present for a meeting to make decisions that count. The number, or the rule for working it out, is usually set in an organisation’s bylaws or constitution.
An example
A club of 40 members whose bylaws set a quorum of one third needs 14 members present before it can vote on anything; with 12 there, it can talk but not decide.
Not to be confused with: Majority
A quorum is how many must be present for the meeting to act at all; a majority is how many of the votes cast are needed to pass a particular decision. A meeting can have a quorum and still fail to reach a majority.
Where you will see it
In board, committee, council and association meetings, in the opening of formal minutes (“a quorum being present…”), and in company and charity rules.
Questions
What happens if there is no quorum?
The meeting usually cannot make binding decisions; it can often only adjourn, set a new date, or discuss without voting — check your rules.
How do you work out a quorum?
Apply the rule in your bylaws — a fixed number, a fraction such as a majority or a third of members — rounding up to a whole person.
Other meeting words
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