quorum

Does Robert’s Rules support quorum busting?

By Ann Macfarlane / November 27, 2023 / Comments Off on Does Robert’s Rules support quorum busting?
A group of businessmen in a meeting room, with one person replaced by a dinosaur. Caption reads: "If anyone can get us out of our rut, it’s Ole Dinosaur here. Any questions about Robert's Rules?" Chart showing declining profits in background.

Dear Dinosaur: Recently, two board members walked out during a roll call vote knowing that they were going to lose on the vote.  Their departure ended the meeting because there was no longer a quorum. At the next meeting, they cited “Roberts Rules” that said they had a “right” to walk out as a filibuster and…

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Why bylaws?

By Ann Macfarlane / March 15, 2022 /
A hand holds a white card with "WHY?" written in blue marker. A blue marker lies on a wooden surface next to a container of colorful pens, as if pondering the complexities in bylaws in Robert's Rules of Order.

Guest article by Ted Weisgal Are bylaws the be-all and end-all of organizational development? If you create good ones will a flourishing organization be the natural outcome? Probably not. Good bylaws are critically important, but you should also have: A mission that resonates with people, Orderly meetings, Members who are reliable, Agendas that justify people’s…

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What Is a Quorum FAQs

By Ann Macfarlane / September 13, 2021 / Comments Off on What Is a Quorum FAQs
Wooden figurines stand in a line beside a large green check mark inside a wooden square box, symbolizing unity and decision-making power. This setup illustrates the concept of what is a quorum against a gray background.

Quorum questions are the most common searches on the Jurassic Parliament website. Here are the contents of our new article, “What Is a Quorum FAQs.” Join our list and get your free copy. This article is based on Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th edition. Read about quorum in Chapter XI, Section 40. As…

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Only one vote – does the motion pass?

By Ann Macfarlane / January 29, 2021 / Comments Off on Only one vote – does the motion pass?
A group of businessmen in a meeting room, with one person replaced by a dinosaur. Caption reads: "If anyone can get us out of our rut, it’s Ole Dinosaur here. Any questions about Robert's Rules?" Chart showing declining profits in background.

Dear Dinosaur:  A motion was made by one board member. After discussion, the other board members did not feel adequately informed about the issue at hand to cast an educated vote. The board member who made the motion insisted on a vote. The vote was taken and resulted in one yes vote with 4 abstaining…

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When COVID-19 cancels your meeting

By Ann Macfarlane / March 23, 2020 /
A large red button with the word "Emergency" written in white letters, reminiscent of the urgency felt when COVID-19-cancels-meeting notices disrupt our plans.

  Updated 5/11/2020   We’re having to adjust to a different world right now. In general, it’s always best to have an in-person meeting on matters of great importance. This provides the fullest opportunity to discuss, debate, consider alternatives, and come to agreement. When that’s impossible, you have to look at alternatives. This article lays out…

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Conflict of interest can be complicated

By Ann Macfarlane / February 14, 2020 / Comments Off on Conflict of interest can be complicated
A yellow road sign with icons of two cyclists and arrows pointing in opposite directions, indicating a two-way bike lane, helps avoid the conflict of interest between riders going different ways.

The basic principle underlying conflict of interest is easy to state but applying it in real-life cases can be complicated. In a nutshell, when you accept a position on a local government body or a nonprofit board, you are obliged to put the interests of the organization above your own personal interest, and you can’t…

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When is a quorum not enough?

By Ann Macfarlane / September 28, 2018 /
A red keyboard key with the word "OOPS!" written on it is seen among white keys, standing out like an error in correct meeting minutes.

It seems that confusion is rampant about the “quorum” and related voting issues. Read on:

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What to include in meeting minutes?

By Ann Macfarlane / August 2, 2016 / Comments Off on What to include in meeting minutes?
A woman with long blond hair, wearing glasses and a pink blouse, types on a typewriter while ensuring to include in meeting minutes everything important from the discussion.

Updated November 20, 2022 Readers sometimes ask us what exactly to include in meeting minutes. This is our best understanding of the content according to our experience and Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 12th edition. The name of the body that is meeting and the type of meeting (regular, special, annual, continued, study session,…

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What is a quorum and why does it matter?

By Ann Macfarlane / March 16, 2016 /
cartoon about quorum

A friend recently described a board meeting when 20 members, who had driven or flown in from distant parts, sat around waiting because they couldn’t take action – they didn’t have a quorum. Eventually one straggler arrived and the meeting could begin. What is a quorum? A quorum is the minimum number of voting members…

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