Legal Question in Business Law in California

Re: Non Profit Board Meetings

Not unless the Board wants them to be.

Re: Non Profit Board Meetings

No. There is a law requiring most portions of most meetings of the governing boards of governments and public (governmental) agencies to be open to the public. However, this law does not extend to the meetings of boards of directors of private corporations, whether for-profit or non-profit. The directors are free to admit or exclude non-boardmembers. Corporations Code section 5211 is a typical statutory provision covering calling and conducting board meetings of non-profit corporations. Note the absence of any provision calling for notification of the membership as to the time or place of the meeting.

In addition to board meetings, however, in general, corporations must also hold annual meetings of their shareholders or membership, as the case may be. See, for example, Corporations Code section 5510.

The articles of incorporation or bylaws of a corporation may expand the rights of members or shareholders to participate in meetings beyond the rights provided by law.