2.1) Quorum is defined as the combination of the Chair of the meeting plus five voting members. No question may be decided unless there is a quorum. If quorum is not satisfied for fifteen minutes, the meeting may be canceled.
2.2) Voting members must be present (physically or virtually) in order to cast a vote. All votes must be synchronously cast. No absentee or proxy votes are allowed (meaning, members cannot cast a vote on behalf of a voting member that is not present in the meeting).
2.2.1) In the event that the governing board needs to vote on a matter outside of governing board meetings, an executive officer may make a motion via email to the governing board. After the motion is seconded via email, voting members have 2 full business days to reply by emailto the Chair (only the Chair) to cast their votes. If a majority vote is reached before 2 full business days, the Chair may close the vote early. At the close of the voting period, the Chair will announce to the board that the voting has closed and whether the motion passed or failed on the stipulation that at least 5 votes have been cast. If after 2 days, there are not at least 5 votes, then the vote is tabled.
2.3) A question may be decided in one of three ways: white ballot, simple majority, or two-thirds majority. The Chair chooses which method will be used to decide each question when the method is not already determined by this Constitution or its Bylaws and Amendments. The GSCGB may override the Chair’s choice by a simple majority decision.
2.3.1) Each voting member may cast one of three possible votes to decide a given question: an Aye vote, a Nay vote, and an Abstention.
2.3.2) A question decided by white ballot automatically passes unless there is a single Nay vote, in which case, the question must be decided in one of the other ways. Decision by white ballot is typically used for inconsequential or uncontroversial issues such as approval of the minutes, changes to the agenda, or approval of the agenda.
2.3.3) A question decided by simple majority passes if the number of Yea votes is greater than the number of Nay votes. If the number of Yea votes is equal to the number of Nay votes, the Chair must cast a vote to break the tie; the Chair cannot cast an Abstention. Decision by simple majority is often used for most GSCGB business of consequence.
2.3.4) A question decided by two-thirds majority passes if the number of Yea votes is at least as large as twice the number of Nay votes cast. Decision by two-thirds majority is typically used for important issues with long-lasting or far-reaching impact.
2.4) A major question must be decided by two-thirds majority and must be announced at least two weeks in advance of the meeting in which the question is to be decided.