Board of Directors

A group of people comprising the governing body of a corporation.

The shareholders of a corporation hold an election to choose people who have been nominated to direct or manage the corporation as a board. In the past nearly all states required that at least three directors run a corporation. The laws have changed, however, since many corporations have only one or two shareholders and therefore require only one or two directors to serve on the board.

Directors are elected at the first annual meeting of shareholders and at each successive annual meeting for one-year terms, unless they are divided into classes. In a corporation that divides its directors into classes, called a classified board, conditions are often imposed concerning the minimum size of the board, the minimum number of directors to be elected annually, and the maximum number of classes or maximum terms. The purpose of a classified board, which is expressly permitted by most statutes, is to make takeover attempts more difficult by staggering the terms of the directors.

Removal of a director during the course of his or her term may occur for cause by shareholders or by the board itself if there is a provision in the bylaws or articles of incorporation that confers such power upon them. The removal of a director for cause is reviewable by a court. Many jurisdictions have put into effect statutes that concern the removal of directors with or without cause.

The functions of directors involve a fiduciary duty to the corporation. Directors are in control of others' property and their powers are derived primarily from statute.

Directors are responsible for determining and executing corporate policy. For example, they make decisions regarding supervision of the entire enterprise and regarding products and services.

Liabilities of directors extend to both their individual and joint actions. A director who commits a tort against his or her corporation can be held personally liable.

Directors are bound by certain duties such as the duty to act within the scope of their authority and to exercise due care in the performance of their corporate tasks.

board of directors

n. the policy managers of a corporation or organization elected by the shareholders or members. The Board in turn chooses the officers of the corporation, sets basic policy, and is responsible to the shareholders. In small corporations there are usually only three directors. In larger corporations board members provide illustrious names, but the company is often run by the officers and middle-management who have the expertise. (See: corporation)

board of directors

Board of Directors

Individuals elected by the shareholders of a corporation who carry out certain tasks established in the charter.

Board of Directors

A body elected to govern a corporation on behalf of shareholders. Generally chosen to represent both management and shareholder interests, it establishes general policies for the organization, including dividend policies, and hires/fires major executives. It is answerable to shareholders for its decisions. A publicly traded company must have a board of directors.

board of directors

The group of people responsible for supervising the affairs of a corporation. The board of directors generally sets broad corporate policy rather than participating in day-to-day managerial decisions, although selection of the chief executive officer is the board's responsibility. Members are elected by the firm's stockholders and may or may not be stockholders themselves. See also chairman, classified board, inside director, interlocking directorates, outside director, staggered terms.

board of directors

the group responsible to the SHAREHOLDERS for running a JOINT-STOCK COMPANY. Often boards of directors are composed of full-time, salaried company executives (the executive directors) and part-time, nonexecutive directors. The board of directors meets periodically under the company chairman to decide on major policy matters within the company and the appointment of key managers. DIRECTORS are elected annually at the company ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

In recent years the responsibilities of British directors have been increased under the terms of the Insolvency Act and they may be held personally liable for company debts incurred if they knowingly and recklessly trade after the company is insolvent (see INSOLVENCY).

In certain European countries, like Germany, there are two-tier boards of directors with a supervisory board composed of representatives of shareholders, employees, etc., which appoints a management board to deal with the detailed management of the company. See CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

board of directors

the group responsible to the SHAREHOLDERS for running a JOINT-STOCK COMPANY. Often, boards of directors are made up of full-time salaried company executives (the executive directors) and part-time, nonexecutive directors. The board of directors meets periodically under the company chairman to decide on major policy matters within the company and the appointment of key managers. Directors are elected by rotation at the company ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. See TWO-TIER BOARD, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

board of directors

The governing body of an organization,charged with establishing policy and with taking steps to see that the policies are implemented.Except in small corporations or associations, the board typically does not involve itself in day-to-day business activities, those being more properly the role of the president.Many corporations have executive boards with true legal responsibilities,and advisory boards of largely ceremonial function designed to reward contributors,create strategic alliances,or gain expert insights into limited areas on an as-needed basis.

• In the real estate context, a director who acts as a broker in real estate transactions involv- ing corporate property cannot accept a commission unless the board specifically authorizes it, even if the president previously granted the approval and would otherwise have had such authority to hire a third party.

• Lenders have legal limitations on the sizes of loans they can extend to their own directors. Large developers should consider this before accepting board positions.

• The board of directors in a cooperative apartment enjoys tremendous power in the approval of new members and in decisions to evict current members.

• The board of directors of a condominium association is charged with making sure the community always has adequate insurance. Because of the shared nature of ownership in the common areas, inadequate insurance could result in the imposition of liability on individual unit owners for an accident in a common area. Failure to maintain the proper level of insurance could subject board members to liability.

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Board of Directors

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Synonyms for board of directors

noun a group of persons chosen to govern the affairs of a corporation or other large institution

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