

It involves the minimum number of group members required to make an official decision. It is a legal requirement for some states to involve the rules for reaching a quorum. Once done, they should be kept on file for at least several years. The company can use a board meeting minutes template to maintain consistency and provide uniformity. In case the organization gets involved in a lawsuit, the official record of actions will be necessary.Ĭorporations are required to take meeting minutes in most states. This is because those notes are considered legal documents. Failure to Understand Legal Standards and Internal Requirementsīoard secretaries should understand board meeting minutes and become familiar with the rules. In line with this, mention the presence of a quorum–with 2/3 of board members around.ħ Key Mistakes to Avoid in Board Minutes 1. If there are late arrivals or early departures, remember to note them. The agenda can help you create a template for the meeting minutes, including the company’s name, date, time, and meeting location. Along with relevant documents, they should be distributed to members in advance to help them prepare any questions if any.

First, there should be a clear agenda with all discussion topics for the board meeting. Best Practices for Board Meeting MinutesĪdhering to some best practices can keep meetings running smoothly. When statements in the minutes are taken out of context, it could harm an organization’s reputation or lessen credibility due to legal liability. Staying away from discussions and direct quotes by board members is a must as courts may misinterpret what they truly mean. Giving too much information in board minutes should be avoided as it could mean legal risks. The most crucial part of the minutes is accurately recording board members' actions during the meeting. Mentioning the approval of the previous minutes is a must. It should also document the presence of a quorum, if applicable. In addition, the president, directors, officers, and other attendees are also stated. What to Record in Board Minutes?īoard minutes contain a meeting overview, date, time, and location. Meeting minutes are also essential because they justify making certain decisions while legally protecting the organization. The board can check all objectives and goals mentioned for future reference–to understand and measure the progress in reaching them. They are important because they involve the board’s short and long-term goals. As a written transcript, you can also utilize it to inform team members who failed to attend or keep track of decisions and action items needed in the future. Meeting minutes serve as the written record of items discussed at the meeting, including decisions and recommendations.

Board meeting minutes are legal records you need to store safely, necessary should organization members ask for them. It is essential to keep records of every meeting to learn what the board has accomplished over time.
