What is the final step of a meeting according to parliamentary procedure?

The final step of a meeting according to parliamentary procedure is to formally adjourn the meeting. This step signifies that all necessary discussions have been completed, and all agenda items have been addressed. By adjourning the meeting, the group concludes its proceedings and officially ends the session. This is important to maintain order and ensure that all members are aware that the meeting has concluded, providing a clear endpoint.

Other options may include various phases or components of a meeting, but they do not represent the conclusion of the meeting itself. For example, unfinished business involves items that were not resolved in previous meetings that need to be addressed before adjourning, while new business pertains to items that have not been discussed yet and should be brought up during the meeting. Approval of minutes refers to an earlier part of the meeting where the previous meeting's notes are confirmed and accepted, which also occurs before the meeting can be adjourned. Therefore, adjourning the meeting is the definitive final step, marking the completion of the scheduled session.