Quorum definition Members or authorized

[cah001]

Robert’s Rule of Order: Newly Revised offers the definition and rationale behind the quorum.

“The minimum number of members who must be present at the meetings of a deliberative

assembly for business to be legally transacted is the quorum of the assembly. The

requirement of a quorum is a protection against totally unrepresentative action in the name

of the body by an unduly small number of persons.” [§3, p. 20, lines 6-10]

I am questioning the definition of the quorum of the Assembly in this statement above....

The question is, our board has 13 members. Of those 13, 4 have resigned, and we have not had the opportunity to replace the missing board members. Is our majority quorum now based on the 13 or the 9 remaining members.

The definition given above seems to indicate thte assembly is the number originally authorized.

Please clarify.

Thanks

[George Mervosh]

9, because you have 9 members.

Your Board has 13 positions, not 13 members and a quorum isn't based upon positions unless the bylaws say so.

[David A Foulkes]

Please clarify.

Thanks

If you keep reading your cited section down to - and especially focusing on - line 25, you'll have your answer as noted in RONR. Or.... you could just go with George's answer. The both will do you fine.

[Gary Novosielski]

Robert’s Rule of Order: Newly Revised offers the definition and rationale behind the quorum.

“The minimum number of members who must be present at the meetings of a deliberative

assembly for business to be legally transacted is the quorum of the assembly. The

requirement of a quorum is a protection against totally unrepresentative action in the name

of the body by an unduly small number of persons.” [§3, p. 20, lines 6-10]

I am questioning the definition of the quorum of the Assembly in this statement above....

The question is, our board has 13 members. Of those 13, 4 have resigned, and we have not had the opportunity to replace the missing board members. Is our majority quorum now based on the 13 or the 9 remaining members.

The definition given above seems to indicate thte assembly is the number originally authorized.

Please clarify.

Thanks

The definition you quoted is merely the definition of the word "quorum" and does not specify a number at all.

If your bylaws are silent, RONR says (further down) that the default quorum is a majority of the members. Not the maximum number authorized, but the actual number of members. Members must be living, breathing, humans or they are not members. Seats that are unoccupied are not members.

But any rules regarding quorum in your bylaws will supersede the rules in RONR.