How many members must be present?

Write down that you had it

Minutes usually record that a quorum was present, and how each motion was decided. Meetful writes the meeting down under the name of each person who spoke, so who was there and who moved what is on the record when it ends.

How it is worked out

“A majority” means more than half: with 12 members that is 7, and with 11 it is 6. “Half plus one” gives the wrong answer for odd numbers, which is why this tool counts “more than half” instead. Shares are rounded up, because you cannot have part of a person: one third of 10 members is 4. Votes to pass are counted on the votes cast — a majority is more than half of them, two thirds is at least twice as many for as against. Your own bylaws decide which rule applies; this tool does the arithmetic.

Questions

What is a quorum?

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 in the organisation’s bylaws or constitution.

Is a majority half plus one?

Not quite: it is more than half. With 11 members, more than half is 6, while half plus one would be six and a half. The tool counts more than half.

Does the vote count members present or votes cast?

This tool counts votes cast, which is the usual rule. Some bylaws count members present, or all members — check yours.