Questions on Corporation Bylaws

By David Carnes

A set of corporate bylaws is like a constitution for your corporation. Effective bylaws outline the structure of a corporation and how it is to be run. Any issue that is not covered in the corporation's bylaws will be governed by state law default rules: rules that apply only if bylaws don't cover the issue. Although you don't have to file bylaws with state authorities, the corporation must keep a copy in its records.

How Do Bylaws Outline the Structure of the Corporation?

Bylaws set the size of the board of directors, and determine how directors are selected. They also create offices, such as the chief executive officer, and establish committees. Some matters are determined by state law, however. For example, state law may require a minimum number of directors.

Do Bylaws Address Meetings?

Bylaws should state when shareholders' and directors' meeting should be held, and how a special meeting can be called. State law requires corporations to hold at least one shareholders' meeting per year, however, no matter what the bylaws say. Bylaws should also set quorums: how many shareholders or directors must be present before a valid meeting can be held.

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Do the Bylaws Address the Rights, Powers and Responsibilities of the Shareholders?

Bylaws govern the authority, voting rights and responsibilities of the shareholders. Purchasers of certain classes of shares, for example, might not be entitled to vote. Bylaws determine how corporate profits are distributed to shareholders, subject to certain state law limitations. Bylaws should also outline the division of authority between shareholders and directors. Certain important corporate decisions, for example, might be reserved for shareholders only.

Why Should Bylaws Contain a Conflict of Interest Provision?

Bylaws need policies that prevent conflicts of interest to protect the corporation and the public from unscrupulous self-dealing. For example, a provision might prevent a director from voting on any corporate matter in which he has a personal stake. Conflict-of-interest provisions are particularly important for nonprofit corporations, because self-dealing can cause the IRS to retroactively revoke the corporation's tax-exempt status, resulting in back tax bills and penalties.

Should the Bylaws Set Forth Rules to Amend the Bylaws?

Business conditions change, and it may become necessary at some point to amend the bylaws. If the bylaws themselves do not specify a mechanism for amending them, the issue might end up in state court with unpredictable results. Most corporations allow only the shareholders to amend the bylaws.

Can the Bylaws Set Forth Rules That Are Particular to the Corporation?

Bylaws codify the corporation's private "law": rules that apply only to it. Although the content of corporate bylaws is limited by state law, the law allows corporations considerable flexibility in determining how it is to be run. Corporate bylaws may, for example, create an office that exists only in that particular corporation.

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California Non-Profit Bylaws



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What is the Format for Writing Bylaws?

Bylaws act as an organization’s governing rules, and they are appropriate for many types of organizations, including corporations and nonprofits. For example, a corporation’s bylaws could determine how the corporate voting process works and how many members sit on the organization’s board. Bylaws rarely have to meet a certain format, but there are some topics bylaws commonly address.

Delaware Corporation Shareholder Meeting Requirements

Although one person can file to incorporate a business, most corporations have multiple owners, otherwise known as shareholders. Requirements for the formation and operation of corporations are established by state law. However, if a Delaware corporation is publicly traded, federal securities laws kick in and require companies to supply shareholders with "sufficient and accurate information" to make informed voting decisions. Delaware's laws are designed to encourage businesses to incorporate in the state, whether or not they actually conduct business there. As a result, many of the biggest companies in the world incorporate in Delaware. The owners and directors of Delaware corporations are given plenty of flexibility to operate their businesses, and the rules for shareholder meetings are no exception..

Corporation vs. Officer vs. Owner

A business that operates as a corporation generally drafts bylaws – a document that governs all aspects of the company. Commonly, the bylaws will provide the limitations on the type of transactions the corporation can engage in, the rights of owners, the role of the board of directors and how the business will be managed by officers.

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