Board meeting minutes are far more than just a formal requirement; they are a building block of effective board management and a testament to organisational transparency and accountability.
In this article, we explore the top eight frequently asked questions about meeting minutes.
Board meeting minutes are more than a general account of board discussions; they serve as an official and legal record of the meeting of the Board of Directors. Minutes are used in a variety of ways including tracking progress, detailing future plans, and serving as a reference point.
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Board minutes are required for both legal and practical reasons.
For example, in New Zealand, every organisation (company and not-for-profit) is required to take minutes of all proceedings of its directors, which must then be retained for seven years from the date of the meeting. Other countries have their own requirements. Aside from the legal requirement to do so, there are good practical reasons for having board minutes including:
Yes. The board should assume the minutes are confidential and, in most cases, they will remain so. They should also realise that, sooner or later, the minutes may be available as part of a legal case. In short, they should include everything necessary to show that the directors are doing their duty.
The organisation's secretary typically takes meeting minutes. In some cases and in smaller companies, the CEO will find themselves charged with taking the minutes. In New Zealand the Companies Act requires that the board confirm meeting minutes. There is no direct stipulation for the minutes to be physically or digitally signed. Other countries have their own requirements, so seek advice as to the right course of action in your jurisdiction.
Although there is no set format for board minutes, the following should be included as a minimum:
If required in your jurisdiction, the board minutes can be signed by any of the directors, but are most commonly signed by the board chairperson. Subject to any specific requirements in a company’s articles of association, board minutes can be kept in (a) hard copy or (b) electronic form so long as the paper copy can be produced.
There is no general requirement that board minutes be public – though some countries have laws that they must be available to members. However, not-for-profit organisations earn trust by being open about how they handle the public trust that has been granted to them.
Unless the laws or bylaws indicate differently, not-for-profit board meetings are usually closed. In fact, not-for-profit boards tend to operate like their company counterparts with respect to their meetings in general. While certain situations suggest that not-for-profit boards should seek outside, third-party expertise, they often don’t pursue it.
Organisational bylaws usually indicate whether board meetings are open or closed, and whether they can share board meeting minutes with their members or members of the public. If this issue isn’t clear in the existing bylaws, boards should put it on their agenda for discussion. Some funders may require open meetings, so they can gain assurance that their donations are being used for their specified purpose. This is a tender issue for some not-for-profit board members who believe that whatever goes on in the boardroom, should stay in the boardroom.
Board meeting minutes are more than mere records; they are a testament to an organisation's integrity and commitment to proper governance. Understanding their significance, composition, and the legalities surrounding them is crucial for anyone involved in corporate or non-profit board management.
NOTE: The information in this article is not legal advice. We strongly suggest you take advice in your jurisdiction to ensure your organisation is compliant when it comes to board meeting minutes.