What is a quorum?

A quorum refers to the minimum number of members required to be present at a meeting in order to conduct official business. This concept is fundamental in parliamentary procedures as it ensures that decisions are made by a sufficient representative group of the membership, rather than potentially by a small subset of members.

Establishing a quorum is essential because it protects the integrity of the decision-making process; it prevents a situation where a handful of members could impose decisions on the entire group without adequate representation. Therefore, the definition encompasses the concept of collective participation and authority within the organization.

While the other options relate to procedural components, they do not accurately define the term "quorum." For example, the total number of votes needed for a decision does not address the need for member presence, and the idea that a member must attend a certain number of meetings does not pertain to the concept of quorum. Similarly, a majority of members may imply a decision-making dynamic, but it does not encapsulate the concept of the minimum presence required to carry out business legally and effectively.