Simplified Rules of Order. Before a meeting can conduct business it requires a quorum--the minimum number of members who must be present at the meeting before business can be legally transacted. The requirement of a quorum is a protection against unrepresentative action in the name of the association by an unduly small number of people.
Extra credit: Sandburg volunteered for the U.S. Army and served in Puerto Rico (but did not see combat) during the Spanish-American War of 1898... Sandburg was married to Lillian Steichen, sister to the photographer Edward Steichen, from 1908 until his death in 1967...
Their son was born in 1903, but died shortly after his birth. In 1908 Elsa was divorced from her husband and went with her two daughters to Berlin to Haberlandstrasse 5. In Berlin began her relationship with Albert Einstein about 1912. In June 1919 Elsa married her cousin Albertle. Ilse and Margot, now Albert Einsteins stepdaughters, lived with them.