It is not fair for an organization to be bound by the decisions taken by an unrepresentatively small number of members who might attend a meeting. This is prevented by a quorum–a minimum number of members who must be present for a meeting to conduct substantive business. Many times a quorum is simply a majority of the members, meaning more than half.
According the the VFW National Bylaws the minimum for a quorum is:
- Posts: 5 comrades
- Districts: 1 delegate from 50% of Posts in the District (example: 50% of 16 posts is 8 delegates from 8 different posts, minimum)
- Departments: 1 delegate from 10 Posts in the Department
- COA: majority of Council members
- National: delegates from a majority of all Departments
No Quorum: No Business
When a quorum is not reached, what business can be conducted? Not much!
According to Robert’s Rules of Order: In Brief, “when no quorum is present the meeting can do only a very limited number of things, such as set the time and place for another meeting and then adjourn immediately. Any substantive action taken in the absence of a quorum is invalid” (as in null and void). Additionally, the assembly cannot waive the prohibition against transacting business in the absence of a quorum or ignore the absence of a quorum (as in the parliamentary fallacy of the presumed or unchallenged quorum from Demeter’s Manual–the VFW uses Robert’s from July 2017).
The assembly may:
- fix the time to which to adjourn
- adjourn
- recess
- or take measures to obtain a quorum (call comrades, electronic attendance counts)
The assembly may not transact any business; however, there is some Robert’s daylight so everyone’s time is not totally wasted. The assembly can:
- put out information
- take action informally in the absence of a quorum (at their own risk) (40:9), that is subsequently “ratified” (10:54-57)
To “ratify” (also called approve or confirm) “is an incidental main motion that is used to confirm or make valid an action already taken that cannot become valid until approved by the assembly” (RONR 10:54). This includes “action improperly taken at a regular or properly called meeting at which no quorum was present.” But be careful, a motion to ratify can also be amended by substituting a motion of censure.
VFW National Bylaw Sections
Article II – Posts, Sec. 203 – Regular, Special and Committee Meetings; Quorum; Authorized Attendees. Quorum. The Post Bylaws may specify the minimum number of members required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a regular or special meeting, provided that in no case shall the quorum be less than five (5) members.
Article II – Posts, Sec. 212 – Defunct Posts. Any Post with less than ten (10) members, or, while under suspension the Post fails to establish a meeting quorum or elect the required officers, its charter shall be revoked and declared defunct with the issuance of a special order by the Commander-in-Chief.
Article IV – Districts, Sec. 403 – Regular, Special and Committee Meetings; Quorum; Authorized Attendees. Quorum. The minimum number of delegates required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at District meetings and Conventions shall not be less than one (1) delegate each from fifty (50) percent of Posts in the District.
Article V – Departments, Sec. 503 – Regular, Special and Committee Meetings; Quorum; Authorized Attendees. Quorum. The minimum number of delegates required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a Department Convention shall be not less than one delegate each from ten Posts in the Department unless the Department Bylaws may prescribe a different number of delegates required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Article V – Departments, Sec. 522 – Council of Administration—Composition, Powers and Duties. (i) Quorum. A majority of the members of the Council of Administration shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Article VI – National, Sec. 603 – Convention; Quorum; Authorized Attendees. The minimum number of delegates required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business shall be accredited delegates from a majority of all Departments.
Article VI – National, Sec. 622 – National Council of Administration-Composition, Powers and Duties. (10) Quorum: A majority of the members of the National Council of Administration shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
WORKS CITED
2025 Podium Edition: Congressional Charter, Bylaws, Manual of Procedure, Ritual. Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, 28 Aug. 2024.
Robert Henry M et al. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised. 12th edition. Public Affairs 2020.
Robert, Henry M et al. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised: In Brief. 3rd edition. Public Affairs 2020.
