In Parliamentary Law, what is a quorum?

In Parliamentary Law, a quorum is defined as the minimum number of members who must be present for the assembly to conduct its business and make decisions. This concept ensures that enough members are engaged in the decision-making process, providing legitimacy to the proceedings.

While the answer "enough to vote on items" captures the essence of having a sufficient number of members present, it does not articulate the specific requirement of a numeric threshold that constitutes the quorum. A quorum is often determined by a majority of the group, or it can be a specific number set forth in the organization’s bylaws.

This understanding is crucial because it assures that decisions made reflect a consensus or at least a sufficient level of participation among the members, preventing decisions from being made by a small, potentially unrepresentative portion of the group. The importance of having a quorum underscores the democratic principles of the organization, ensuring that all members have the opportunity to engage in discussions and decisions.