Counting president in committee quorum – December 2011

According to the bylaws, the president is “ex-officio a member of all standing committees.” At a crucial meeting of the legislative committee, there were seven present, counting the president; six were absent. Was there a quorum?

Opinion: No. The president would not be counted in determining the quorum. An ex-officio member who has the right, but not the obligation, to participate in the proceedings of the committee is not counted in the quorum.