Part Five: Directors Flashcards
What is the general role of directors?
Directors are responsible for the management of the business and affairs of the corporation.
Do directors need to be SH’s or residents of any particular state?
Absent a provision in articles or bylaws, no.
What is the minimum number of directors?
1
What is the maximum number of directors?
The articles or bylaws may require as many directors as desired, without limitation.
How are directors chosen?
Absent any provision to the contrary in articles, they are elected at the ANNUAL SH’s meeting.
When are staggered terms allowed?
If there are at least 9 directors, they may be divided into 2 or 3 equal classes, with terms of office expiring in staggered years from 1 -3
How are board vacancies filled?
Board vacancies may generally be filled by the SH’s or the directors.
What are the rules for removal of directors?
Directors may be removed by the SHAREHOLDERS with or WITHOUT CAUSE.
HOWEVER –> director elected by cumulative voting cannot be removed if the votes cast against removal would be sufficient to elect her if cumulatively voted at an election of directors.
ALSO –> a director elected by a voting group of shares can only be removed by that class.
What are the two types of directors meetings?
There are two types of directors meetings:
- Regular Meetings;
- Special Meetings
What are the rules for notice of a regular director meeting?
Regular meetings may be held without notice.
What are the rules for notice of a special director meeting?
Special meetings require 2 days written notice of the date, time, and place of meeting.
What are the rules regarding waiver of notice with regards to director’s meetings.
Attendance constitutes waiver of any required notice UNLESS attendance is made for the specific purpose of protesting notice.
What is the general rule with regards to QUORUM of a directors meeting?
Quorum = a majority of the board of directors UNLESS a higher or lower number is required by the articles or bylaws.
HOWEVER –> a quorum can be no fewer than 1/3 of the board
Can directors break QUORUM by withdrawing from a meeting?
Yes.
Unlike SH’s, directors can break quorum by withdrawing from a meeting.
When is a director resolution deemed approved?
At a regular or special meeting, if a quorum is present, a resolution is deemed approved if it is approved by a MAJORITY of directors present.
How can a director resolution be deemed approved if there is a no meeting?
Absent a director meeting, a director action is approved if made by unanimous written consent.
What are the rules regarding delegation of authority by the board of directors?
Unless the articles or bylaws provide otherwise, the board can create one or more committees , with two or more members, and appoint board members to sit on them.
- The committees may act for the board, but the board must supervise them.
- the board may also delegate to officers
What is the directors right to inspect?
The directors can inspect the corporate books?
What is the rule regarding limitation of director’s personal liability for money damages?
The articles MAY limit or eliminate directors PERSONAL LIABILITY for month damages to the corporation or SH’s for actions taken OR for failure to take action.
HOWEVER –> the articles MAY NOT limit or eliminate liability for:
- financial benefits recieved by director to which he is not entitled,
- an intentionally inflicted harm on the corporation or its SH’s,
- unlawful corporate distributions, or
- an intentional violation of criminal law.
What is the directors “duty of care”?
Directors have the duty to manage:
- in good faith; AND
- with care of reasonably prudent person; AND
- in a manner the director reasonably believes is in the best interest of the corporation.
What is the “business judgment rule”?
The business judgment rule is a presumption that directors who discharge their duty in good faith, with care of reasonably prudent person, and in a manner they reasonably believe is in the best interests of the corporation will not be liable for poor corporate decisions.
What is the EFFECT of the “business judgment rule”?
The effect is that the challenger will have the burden of proving that the statutory standard was not met.
To what extent can director rely on information?
They can rely on information from employees, lawyers accountants they reasonably believe are competent.
What is the director’s “duty to disclose”?
The director has a duty to disclose material corporate information to other members of the board.