Which officer has the duty to determine if a quorum is present before calling the meeting to order?

The presiding officer is responsible for determining if a quorum is present before calling a meeting to order, as this is crucial for ensuring that the meeting can proceed and that any decisions made are valid. A quorum is the minimum number of members that must be present to conduct business effectively, and it ensures that decisions are representative of the group.

In many organizational settings, the presiding officer takes on the role of leading the meeting and is responsible for the procedural aspects, including verification of quorum. This position is typically held by someone such as the president or chairperson of the group, making it their duty to confirm membership presence according to the established rules or bylaws.

Other officer roles, such as the secretary, treasurer, and vice president, support the organization in various ways but do not generally hold the responsibility for confirming quorum prior to commencing a meeting. They may assist during the meeting or take notes, manage funds, or stand in for the presiding officer if necessary, but the authority to declare the meeting's readiness lies with the presiding officer.