Stockholders may act by providing their written consent rather than at a meeting. Taking action by written consent rather than at a formal meeting may be preferrable in corporations, like start-up companies, where the number of stockholders is relatively small and easily identifiable.
Written consent allows directors and executives to push forth an action via writing or electronic transmission for informed decisions.
A Stockholder Consent is the authorization of stockholders to carry out a specific corporate action. For example, a Stockholder Consent is used to elect or remove a member of the Board of Directors, approve a merger, and implement a Stock Incentive Plan (SIP).
Shareholder action taken by written consent is universally recognized as a valid approval by shareholders and this is expressly confirmed by California statute. The 10-day waiting period acts to delay the effectiveness of the action, which hinders a corporation's ability to act with speed and efficiency when necessary.
Examples of changes that may require stockholder approval include increasing or decreasing the number of authorized shares, changing voting requirements or altering dividend policies.
A Directors' Consent in Lieu of Meeting is a written consent for a corporation's specific action without having to arrange a board meeting. If they have previously agreed on passing a particular resolution, then using a written consent is a simple shortcut serving this purpose.
“Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting” is a legal mechanism that allows the board of directors, shareholders, or members of an organization to make a decision or approve a resolution without actually convening a physical or virtual meeting.
A Shareholders' Consent to Action Without Meeting, or a consent resolution, is a written statement that describes and validates a course of action taken by the shareholders of a particular corporation without a meeting having to take place between directors and/or shareholders.
A resolution in lieu of a meeting is a written resolution (signed by all shareholders who are entitled to vote at the meeting) that deals with all matters that need to be addressed at a shareholders' meeting. This resolution is just as valid as it would be if passed at a meeting of shareholders.
In lieu of is a preposition that means instead of or in place of. It is often used to describe a substitution or replacement for something else. For example, if someone is unable to attend an event, they might send a gift in lieu of their attendance.