Legal Definitions - Plenary session

A plenary session refers to a meeting or gathering where all members of a particular group, organization, or body are expected and intended to be present. The purpose is often to discuss matters that concern the entire group, make decisions that require broad consensus, or provide information to everyone simultaneously, rather than just a subset or committee.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: A Professional Association's Annual Conference

  Imagine a national association for doctors holding its annual conference. While there might be many smaller breakout sessions focusing on specific medical specialties, the opening and closing remarks, along with major keynote speeches, are typically held in a large auditorium. These are plenary sessions because they are designed for all registered attendees of the conference to gather together, hear from prominent speakers, and receive updates relevant to the entire profession, rather than just a select few.

• Example 2: A University Faculty Meeting

  When a university's president calls a meeting of the entire faculty to discuss a new strategic plan or a significant change in academic policy, this constitutes a plenary session. All professors, lecturers, and instructors are invited and expected to attend, ensuring that everyone involved in teaching and research has the opportunity to hear the information directly, ask questions, and contribute to decisions that affect the entire academic community, not just individual departments or committees.

• Example 3: A Homeowners' Association Annual Meeting

  A Homeowners' Association (HOA) holds its annual meeting to discuss the budget, elect new board members, and address community-wide issues. This is a plenary session because every homeowner within the association is invited and has the right to attend, participate in discussions, and vote on proposals that impact the entire community. It ensures that all members, who collectively form the "group" of homeowners, have a voice in the governance of their shared living environment.