What is a quorum?

A quorum is defined as the minimum number of members required to be present at a meeting in order to conduct business. This concept is essential for ensuring that decisions made during meetings are representative of the organization’s membership as a whole. Having a quorum prevents a small, potentially unrepresentative group from making decisions that may impact the entire organization.

The significance of establishing a quorum is that it helps to ensure that the discussions and decisions made are valid and reflect the will of the broader group. If a meeting lacks a quorum, any business conducted may be deemed invalid or unofficial, which could lead to issues with accountability and decision-making later on.

In contrast, the other options refer to different aspects of meeting management but do not accurately define what a quorum is. For example, the maximum number of members allowed in a meeting pertains to organizational rules but does not define quorum. The total number of members in an organization simply indicates membership size, while the voting majority required to pass a motion focuses on decision-making rather than the necessary presence of members for legitimacy in conducting that business.