The purpose of corporate bylaws is to establish an internal decision-making structure and clarify the relationships between key stakeholders in a company. These parties include: Shareholders who own the corporation. Directors responsible for the overall direction of the company.
Documents to create when forming a business include articles of incorporation and bylaws. While both are crucial, they serve different purposes. One establishes the organization as a legal business entity, while the other acts as a guiding document for the board of directors and leadership team.
This governing document is not filed with the state, but it is a requirement for Washington corporations. Bylaws generally cover areas of internal management, including the roles of directors and officers and the holding of shareholders' and directors' meetings.
Topics to Include in Your Corporate Bylaws. Shareholders' Meetings. Corporate Officers: Positions, Duties, and Appointment. Board of Directors: Number, Term, and Elections. Board of Directors Meetings. Corporate Records and Reports. Shares and Stock Certificates.
Corporate bylaws are legally required in Washington State. Usually the board of directors will adopt initial bylaws at the first organizational meeting.
Corporate bylaws are a company's foundational governing document. They lay out how things should run day-to-day and the processes for making important decisions. They serve as a legal contract between the corporation and its shareholders, directors, and officers and set the protocol for how the organization operates.
Illinois bylaws are documents that state the rules and organizational structure your corporation will follow. They establish your policies for appointing directors and officers, holding board and shareholder meetings, making amendments, handling emergency situations, and other important issues.
The Delaware corporate code covers most of the topics normally addressed in the Bylaws. Therefore, if the Certificate of Incorporation sets forth the authorized number of directors there is no legal requirement that a corporation have bylaws.
How to Form a Corporation in Washington Choose a Corporate Name. Choose Directors to serve on the Board of Directors. Prepare and file the Articles of Incorporation. Apply for a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) Write Corporate Bylaws. Create a Shareholder Agreement. Elect S Corporation status if desired.