Shareholders and directors have two completely different roles in a company. The shareholders (also called members) own the company by owning its shares and the directors manage it. Unless the articles say so (and most do not) a director does not need to be a shareholder and a shareholder has no right to be a director.
Becoming a member of a board of directors requires a combination of relevant experience, a nomination and election process, and adherence to the organization's governance policies. Networking and demonstrating expertise in relevant areas can also enhance one's chances of being considered for a board position.
Every public company must have a board of directors. Many private companies and nonprofit organizations will have a board of directors, often called a board of trustees, as well.
How to gain an appointment to a board of directors Select the type of board to serve. Search for openings. Select the right company. Familiarize yourself with the directors. Conduct in-depth research on the board and company. Network at special events. Request an appointment. Craft a high-quality resume or CV for an interview.
For a smaller board, the process often involves being interviewed, whereas larger organizations tend to have a more formalized review before nominating someone for a seat. In publicly traded companies, board members are approved by shareholders at the recommendation of management.
Typically, a director is (or should be) a shareholder in the company. Directors are appointed, i.e. voted into office, by the shareholders of a company at a properly convened meeting of shareholders.
The steps include: Build Relevant Experience. Develop a Strong Professional Network. Develop a Value Proposition. Identify Open Positions. Participate in the Selection Process.
Some actions only require a majority vote of shareholders. The corporate actions include amending the articles of incorporation, removing directors, approving director compensation, ratifying contracts with officers/directors, and approving mergers or dissolution.
This article discusses the various actions that stockholders in a startup generally need to approve, including changes to the company's articles of incorporation and bylaws, issuance of new shares, major transactions, changes in the board of directors, changes to capital structure, employee stock option plans, ...