What does the term "quorum" refer to in a meeting?

The term "quorum" specifically refers to the minimum number of members required to be present in order to conduct official business during a meeting. This is crucial because having a quorum ensures that decisions can be made that reflect the will of the group rather than a potentially unrepresentative subset of members. The defined minimum allows the organization to function effectively and to make decisions that are legitimate and binding.

In contrast, the other options describe different concepts. The majority of members present is a relevant metric but does not capture the essence of quorum, which is about the minimum threshold needed. The total number of members in an organization pertains to overall membership count rather than the immediate requirement for conducting business. Lastly, the number of votes needed to pass a motion relates to decision-making processes rather than the requirement for a meeting to be validly convened. Without understanding quorum, organizations risk making decisions without adequate representation.