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.
The minutes are a factual record of business. Do not include: Opinions or judgments: Leave out statements like "a well done report" or "a heated discussion." Criticism or accolades: Criticism of members, good or bad, should not be included unless it takes the form of an official motion.
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.
Finalized board meeting minutes must be distributed to all directors and shareholders, regardless of their attendance at the meeting. The board chairman must approve the minutes before distribution, ensuring the document reflects an accurate and concise record of the meeting.
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.
Minutes of general meetings are usually made available to all members and, in the case of a charitable company, they must be. The following terms are frequently used in minutes. It is important that they are used consistently, and everyone involved understands their meaning.
They are legally required to include these details: Date, time, and location of the meeting. Record of notice of board meeting provision and acknowledgment. Names of attendees and absentees, including guests. Approval of previous meeting minutes.
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.
Instead, board minutes, or portions of board minutes, can be privileged under US law when they capture legal advice rendered either by in-house lawyers or external lawyers or discussions of ongoing litigation. Board participants should be aware of the potential for a waiver of the privilege.
Minutes, papers, agendas should be public and meetings should have a portion of the session for confidential matters e.g. financial, HR, crisis management etc., to be discussed in private, either before or after the open session. Confidential matters and papers are still confidential.