Quorum facts for kids
A quorum is the smallest number of people who must be at a meeting for any decisions made to be official and count. Think of it like a rule that makes sure enough people are present before important choices can be made. This word is often used for meetings in governments, big companies, or clubs where official decisions happen.
The rules of an organization, often called its by-laws or constitution, usually state exactly how many members are needed for a quorum. This number can be a fixed amount, like "10 people," or a percentage, like "half of all members."
The person leading the meeting, called the chairperson, is usually in charge of checking if there's a quorum. If there aren't enough people present, the group usually can't make any big decisions. They might only be able to talk about how to get more people there or decide to end the meeting and try again later.
The word "quorum" comes from Latin. It means "of whom."
What is Quorum-Busting?
Sometimes, members of a group might use a trick called "quorum-busting." This happens when they know they are going to lose a vote on something important. To stop the vote from happening, enough members simply don't show up for the meeting. If there isn't a quorum, the vote can't take place. It's a way to delay or even stop a decision they don't agree with, hoping that if the vote is put off long enough, it might not happen at all.
See also
In Spanish: Cuórum para niños
