Sample Organizational Minutes for a Rhode Island Professional Service Corporation

Prepare corporate minutes. Notes kept at each shareholder and board meeting held by a corporation provide a written record of what occurred at the meeting. Approve corporate minutes. File the minutes with internal corporate records. In limited circumstances, file the corporate minutes with the state.

Note the subject of the discussion. Include the name of the person who led the discussion. Include motions. Note voting outcomes. Include any decisions made.

A corporation's organizational meeting is meant to be the initial meeting of the owners of the corporation and management. Typically, the items on the meeting agenda include: The appointment of corporate officers. The acquisition of a minute book to record meeting minutes and actions. The approval of Corporate Bylaws.

Date, time, and location of the meeting. Who attended and who was absent from the meeting. Meeting agenda items with a brief description of each. Details about what was discussed during the meeting.

Meeting Requirements for Corporations. State laws and a corporation's bylaws will dictate specific meeting requirements for corporations. In general, however, most corporations are required to have at least one shareholders' meeting per year. Corporations are also required to prepare and retain minutes of these meeting

Taking Meeting Notes. Type Meeting Notes - Type up a full version of the meeting minutes. Circulate a Draft - Follow your corporation's policy about who must review the draft notes. Distribute Minutes to Board - Usually in advance of the next meeting.

Meeting name and place. Date and time of the meeting. List of meeting participants. Purpose of the meeting. For each agenda items: decisions, action items, and next steps. Next meeting date and place. Documents to be included in the meeting report.

Use a template. Check off attendees as they arrive. Do introductions or circulate an attendance list. Record motions, actions, and decisions as they occur. Ask for clarification as necessary. Write clear, brief notes-not full sentences or verbatim wording.