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Rules of Order

QUORUM. 1. A quorum is a sufficient number to legally transact business. A majority of the members of any association constitutes a natural quorum; but a smaller number is usually made a quorum by a provision to that effect in the constitution or by-laws, through motives of convenience.

2. If there be a quorum present at the hour named for the meeting, or within thirty minutes thereafter, the presiding officer takes the chair, and calls the association to order; if not, he waits a reasonable time, and from the chair announces that no quorum is present. Thereupon no further business is in order, except to adjourn for want of a quorum. But it will be in order to call the roll of members, and to make endeavor to obtain the presence of enough to form a quorum.

3. During the transaction of business, should it be observed that no quorum is present, the chair may announce the fact, or any member may call for a count. If, on counting, it be found that there is no quorum, business is suspended until a quorum be found. If not to be had, the meeting must be adjourned.

4. If, on calling the ayes and noes, or on division, a quorum be not found, the vote is null, and at the next meeting the unfinished business is in the exact state it was when the absence of a quorum was discovered, CALL.

1. On a call of the body, each member rises as he is called, and answers to his name, and the absentees are noted. In a small body it is not necessary to rise. MINUTES.

1. The presiding officer having taken the chair, and a quorum being present, the minutes are read. If there be any mistake in the record, these are amended, and then the minutes are adopted. If, under any circumstances requiring haste, or in the absence of the journal, the reading of the minutes be suspended, they may be either read and adopted at another stage of the proceedings, or at the next succeeding meeting. Nevertheless, the minutes being a record of facts, any error subsequently discovered may be amended at any time. This may be done by unanimous consent; or, if objections be made, then any member who voted in the affirmative on their adoption, can move a reconsideration of the motion to adopt. This last motion prevailing, the minutes are open to amendment; and after being amended, the motion on their adoption as amended is put.

2. The rule of record in ordinary associations is somewhat different from that in legislative bodies. The minutes of the former stand in lieu of the journals of the latter. The former never contain a question which is interrupted by a vote to adjourn, or to proceed to the order of the day; the latter always do. Even propositions withdrawn, or ruled out of order, may be entered, as so treated. The minutes are to be full and explicit, and a true record of all that was done, but not of all that was said, unless the latter be necessary to the clear understanding of the business. 3. Proceedings in committee of the whole are, of course, not entered on the minutes-the entry merely that the committee rose and reported thus, and so, and what was done thereon by the association.