354 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



KULES OF OKDER 



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 endeavour to obtain the 

 presence of enough to form the 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 a 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 neces- 

 sary to rise. 



MINUTES. 



1. The presiding officer having taken the chair, and a quorum being 

 present, the minutes are read. If there be any mistakes in the record, 

 these are amended, and then the minutes are adopted. If, under any cir- 

 cumstances requiring haste, or in the absence of the journal, the reading of 

 the minutes be suspended, they may be either read and adoptea at ano- 

 ther stage of the proceedings, or at the next succeeding meeting. Never- 

 theless, the minutes being a record of facts, any error subsequently dis- 

 covered may be amended at any time. This may be done by unanimous 

 consent ; or, if objection be made, then any member who voted in the 

 affirmative on their adoption, can move a reconsideration of the motion to 



