To bring order to a meeting, what action does the president take?

The president of a meeting typically raps the gavel once to bring order to the proceedings. This action signifies the start of the meeting or indicates that the attention of the attendees is required. Rapping the gavel once is a widely recognized and formal method to command attention and signal that the president is about to address the group or introduce the next item on the agenda.

By rapping the gavel once, the president effectively establishes authority and ensures that all members are focused and ready to proceed. This method is simple yet effective in a formal meeting setting, where maintaining order is crucial for productive discussions. The other choices present actions that may not carry the same level of formality or clarity in signaling the need for attention, making the option of rapping the gavel once the most appropriate choice for bringing order to a meeting.