What Is a Quorum FAQs

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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, 12^th edition. Read about quorum in Chapter XI, Section 40. As always, nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. Consult a qualified authority for information about your specific issues.

Table of Contents

Quorum Basics

1. What is a quorum?
2. How is “quorum” different from “votes cast”?
3. Who or what defines the quorum?
4. How large should a quorum be?
5. Who announces the quorum?
6. When do you need a quorum?
7. Can you suspend the quorum requirement?
8. What does it mean to say “majority of the quorum”?
9. What is the origin of the word “quorum”?

Losing the Quorum

10. If we don’t have a quorum at the start of the meeting, what actions can we take?
11. If we have a quorum at the start of the meeting, does it continue regardless?
12. Can someone leave to break the quorum?
13. If you’re in the room and say nothing, are you still part of the quorum?
14. What if nobody says anything about losing the quorum?
15. If you abstain, does that affect the quorum?

Quorum Problems

16. What if state law says something different about quorum?
17. What is a “walking quorum,” “rolling quorum, ”or “serial meeting”?
18. What is the IRS position on quorums?
19. What if my nonprofit board has gathered but we’re short of a quorum?
20. What if we can’t obtain a quorum to amend our bylaws?

See also these posts about quorum:

What is a quorum and why does it matter?

When is a quorum not enough?

Does Robert’s Rules support quorum busting?

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