In the absence of a provision in the bylaws, what is the quorum for an organized society?

In the context of parliamentary procedure, when there is no specific provision in the bylaws regarding what constitutes a quorum for an organized society, the standard practice is to require a majority of the entire membership. This approach ensures that decisions made reflect the wishes of a significant portion of the organization, rather than a potentially unrepresentative subset.

A majority of the entire membership signifies that more than half of all members must be present to legitimately conduct business, fostering fairness and democratic participation. This principle helps prevent a small group from making decisions that affect the whole organization without a broader consensus.

The other options present alternative interpretations of quorum but do not align with the established norms or practices in parliamentary procedure. For example, a majority of those answering roll call could lead to situations where only a small, possibly unrepresentative group is making important decisions. Similarly, referencing the number of members present at the last meeting or the largest number expected to attend does not ensure that the decisions made are endorsed by a majority of active membership, which is essential for maintaining a healthy democratic process within the organization.