You'll need to register with the California Employment Development Department Opens in a new window (EDD). Choose a name for your business. Designate a Registered Agent in California. File Your Articles of Incorporation in California. Create your Corporate Bylaws. Appoint your Corporate Directors.
To take effective meeting minutes, the secretary should include: Date of the meeting. Time the meeting was called to order. Names of the meeting participants and absentees. Corrections and amendments to previous meeting minutes. Additions to the current agenda. Whether a quorum is present. Motions taken or rejected.
How do you start a corporation? Select a business name. Ensure the corporate name you plan to register is not already in use. Designate a board of directors. File articles of incorporation. Draft corporate bylaws. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Issue stock.
Corporate meeting minutes typically include: The meeting's date, time and location. A list of attendees and absentees, including any present board members or officers. Agenda items. Summaries of all discussion points. Details of all activities completed or agreed upon. Results of any votes or motions.
Minutes do not need to be filed with the state but should be kept with other corporate records, such as articles of organization for an LLC, articles of incorporation, bylaws, and resolutions. Experts advise that, like other business documents, minutes should be kept on hand for at least seven years.
This document needs to be signed by: or another person who is authorized to take minutes and/or record official corporate action. There is no requirement that the signature be witnessed or notarized.
Information captured in an LLC's annual meeting minutes usually includes: The meeting's date, time, and location. Who wrote the minutes. The names of the members in attendance. Brief description of the meeting agenda. Details about what the members discussed. Decisions made or voting actions taken.
The first board meeting addresses crucial decisions such as appointing the chairman, confirming incorporation documents, approving key officeholders, adopting the common seal, appointing auditors, and authorizing banking arrangements. These decisions lay the groundwork for the company's operations.
This meeting provides an opportunity for the directors to make suggestions, raise concerns, discuss strategies, consider various management options, confirm statutory reporting and filing requirements, and discuss the company's finances and accounting requirements.
Your First Meeting Allow ample time for introductions. Facilitate as much discussion as possible around key strategic issues. Remember that directors need a clear overview and strong understanding of your business before they can help you. Don't be afraid to say, “I need help!”