Form with which the board of directors of a corporation records the contents of its first meeting.
Form with which the board of directors of a corporation records the contents of its first meeting.
There is no general requirement that board minutes be public – though some countries have laws that they must be available to members. However, not-for-profit organisations earn trust by being open about how they handle the public trust that has been granted to them.
A concise summary of the action taken by the board. The names of the persons making and seconding motions. A summary of votes, indicating when motions were adopted by unanimous votes or the breakdown in yeas and nays and abstentions.
Board meeting minutes are an objective record of what took place during a board meeting. The minutes are typically used for internal purposes like record-keeping and for posterity. Minutes can serve to inform future meetings and recall what was discussed, agreed upon or dismissed by a company's board members.
Board minutes often contain information that is subject to the attorney-client privilege and that directors may prefer to keep confidential. However, most jurisdictions allow stockholders to inspect corporate books and records, including board minutes.
In most cases, the meeting secretary will sign the approved copy of the minutes, while some boards require all present board members to sign the approved minutes.
What information do board meeting minutes contain? Meeting date, time and location. Type of meeting. Names and titles of attendees and guests. Any absent board directors. Quorum. Notes about directors who left early or re-entered the meeting. Board approvals, resolutions and acceptance of reports. Overview of discussions.
Appropriate board minutes should contain the following: The names of those members who are present and who are absent. The time the board meeting begins and ends. The existence or absence of a quorum. A concise summary of the action taken by the board. The names of the persons making and seconding motions.
Here are some important tips to bear in mind when taking non-profit meeting minutes. Prepare in advance. Use a standard template. Record attendance. Summarise key discussions. Document decisions and votes. List action items. How detailed should the minutes be?
There is no general requirement that board minutes be public – though some countries have laws that they must be available to members.