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.
The answer to this question is both yes and no. While every board member is a shareholder, not every shareholder is automatically a board member. Shareholders who own a certain percentage of the company's shares (usually 10 percent or more) are eligible to serve on the board.
Unless the corporation's Articles of Incorporation provide otherwise, a director is not required to be a shareholder of the corporation. In addition, certain jurisdictions require a director to be a Canadian resident - see below. Majority of directors must be Canadian residents.
In conclusion, a director does not have to hold shares in a company in order to be its director. Rather, a director can choose to become a shareholder. However, this is dependent on the company's constitution.
If your business is a corporation, then you are required by law to have a board of directors. Depending on your particular corporate structure and your state, one or two directors may be all that's legally required.
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.
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.
While you can become a board member without having a wealth of experience, a tangible track record gives organizations confidence that you understand the requirements of the job and can contribute to their overall mission.
Ownership rules for S Corporations There's a maximum of 100 shareholders. If you are the only shareholder, this isn't an issue, but it's good to know if you plan to expand.