1
Enter the company's legal name and the notice date
Use the company's full registered legal name β not a trade name or abbreviation. Enter today's date as the notice date, which is the date the notice will be dispatched to directors.
π‘ Cross-check the legal name against your certificate of incorporation to avoid discrepancies that could be raised in a governance dispute.
2
List every director by full name
Address the notice to each director individually by their full legal name. If a director has resigned or a new director has been appointed since the last meeting, update the list before sending.
π‘ Maintain a standing director list in your corporate records and review it before every notice β it takes 30 seconds and prevents an omission that can invalidate a resolution.
3
Set the meeting date, time, and time zone
Enter the full calendar date, start time, and the specific time zone (e.g., ET, PT, GMT). For boards spanning multiple time zones, consider adding a secondary time zone in parentheses.
π‘ Check your bylaws for the minimum notice period β commonly 2 to 10 days β and confirm the notice date gives directors at least that much advance notice.
4
Add the location or virtual meeting details
For in-person meetings, include the full street address and room name. For virtual meetings, include the platform name, URL, meeting ID, and passcode. For hybrid meetings, include both.
π‘ Test the virtual meeting link before sending the notice β a broken link requires a correction notice and delays preparation.
5
Build the agenda in the order business will be conducted
Number each agenda item and list them in the sequence they will be addressed. Standard items β call to order, quorum confirmation, approval of prior minutes, adjournment β bookend the substantive business items in the middle.
π‘ Reserve 'any other business' for minor administrative items only. Material resolutions should always appear as named agenda items so directors can prepare properly.
6
State the quorum requirement
Enter the exact number of directors required for quorum, referencing the specific bylaw article or statutory provision that sets it. If quorum is a fraction (e.g., majority of directors in office), express it as both a fraction and the current number.
π‘ If you expect attendance to be borderline, note in the notice whether directors may participate by phone or video to count toward quorum.
7
Attach and reference supporting materials
List each attached document by title in the supporting materials clause. Attach them in the order listed. If materials are being distributed separately (e.g., a large board package by courier), state when directors should expect to receive them.
π‘ Send the board package at least 48 hours before the meeting even if the notice itself meets the minimum notice period β directors need time to read and prepare questions.