An independent or autonomous group of people meeting to determine, in full and free discussion, courses of action to be taken in the name of the entire group, usually of such size that a degree of formality is necessary in its proceedings. Members of a deliberative assembly are ordinarily free to act within the assembly according to their own judgment, and the opinion of each member present has equal weight, as expressed by vote, in the decisions made. Failure to concur in a decision of the body does not constitute withdrawal from the body. If there are absentee members, the members present at a regular or properly called meeting act for the entire membership, subject to such limitation as may be established by the body’s governing rules. (See Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, page I. )
Source: Implementing the Democratic Process in Girl Scouting (1999)
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