In parliamentary procedure, what is a "quorum"?

A quorum refers to the minimum number of members that must be present at a meeting for it to be considered valid and for business to be conducted. This concept is fundamental in parliamentary procedure as it ensures that enough members are present to represent the interests of the group and to make decisions collectively. Without a quorum, any decisions made could be questioned due to a lack of sufficient participation.

This concept helps prevent a small number of members from making decisions on behalf of the entire group, thus promoting fairness and accountability in the decision-making process. The idea is that a quorum ensures that decisions reflect the consensus of a larger body rather than just a few individuals.