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Email: Chapter 31E, Article 2

ARTICLE 2. INCORPORATION.

§31E-2-201. Incorporators.

One or more persons may act as the incorporator or incorporators of a corporation by delivering articles of incorporation to the Secretary of State for filing.

§31E-2-202. Articles of incorporation.

(a) The articles of incorporation must set forth:

(1) A corporate name for the corporation that satisfies the requirements of section four hundred one, article four of this chapter;

(2) A statement that the corporation is nonprofit and that the corporation may not have or issue shares of stock or make distributions;

(3) Whether the corporation is to have members and, if it is to have members, the provisions required by section six hundred one, article six of this chapter to be set forth in the certificate of incorporation;

(4) The mailing address of the corporation's initial registered office, if any, and the name of its initial registered agent at that office, if any;

(5) The name and address of each incorporator;

(6) The mailing address of the corporation's principal office; and

(7) An e-mail address where informational notices and reminders of annual filings may be sent, unless there is a technical inability to comply.

(b) The articles of incorporation may set forth:

(1) The names and addresses of the individuals who are to serve as the initial directors;

(2) Provisions not inconsistent with law regarding:

(A) Managing and regulating the affairs of the corporation; or

(B) Defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the corporation, its board of directors and members or any class of members;

(3) Any provision that under this chapter is required or permitted to be set forth in the bylaws;

(4) A provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its members for monetary damages for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director or member, except liability for: (A) The amount of a financial benefit received by a director or member to which he or she is not entitled; (B) an intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the members; (C) a violation of section eight hundred thirty-three, article eight of this chapter regarding unlawful distributions; or (D) an intentional violation of criminal law; and

(5) A provision permitting or making obligatory indemnification of a director for liability as that term is defined in section eight hundred fifty, article eight of this chapter to any person for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director, except liability for: (A) Receipt of a financial benefit to which he or she is not entitled; (B) an intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or its members; (C) a violation of section eight hundred thirty-three, article eight of this chapter for unlawful distributions; or (D) an intentional violation of criminal law.

(c) The articles of incorporation need not set forth any of the corporate powers enumerated in this chapter.

§31E-2-203. Incorporation.

(a) Unless a delayed effective date is specified, the corporate existence begins when the articles of incorporation are filed.

(b) The Secretary of State's filing of the articles of incorporation is conclusive proof that the incorporators satisfied all conditions precedent to incorporation except in a proceeding by the state to cancel or revoke the incorporation or involuntarily dissolve the corporation.

§31E-2-204. Organization of corporation.

(a) After incorporation:

(1) If initial directors are named in the articles of incorporation, the initial directors shall hold an organizational meeting, at the call of a majority of the directors, to complete the organization of the corporation by appointing officers, adopting bylaws, and carrying on any other business brought before the meeting; or

(2) If initial directors are not named in the articles, the incorporator or incorporators shall hold an organizational meeting at the call of a majority of the incorporators:

(A) To elect directors and complete the organization of the corporation; or

(B) To elect a board of directors who shall complete the organization of the corporation.

(b) Action required or permitted by this chapter to be taken by incorporators at an organizational meeting may be taken without a meeting if the action taken is evidenced by one or more written consents describing the action taken and signed by each incorporator.

(c) An organizational meeting may be held in or out of this state.

§31E-2-205. Bylaws.

(a) The incorporators or board of directors of a corporation shall adopt initial bylaws for the corporation.

(b) The bylaws of a corporation may contain any provision for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the corporation that is not inconsistent with law or the articles of incorporation.

§31E-2-206. Emergency bylaws.

(a) Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, the board of directors of a corporation may adopt bylaws to be effective only in an emergency defined in subsection (d) of this section. The emergency bylaws, which are subject to amendment or repeal by the members, may make all provisions necessary for managing the corporation during the emergency, including:

(1) Procedures for calling a meeting of the board of directors;

(2) Quorum requirements for the meeting; and

(3) Designation of additional or substitute directors.

(b) All provisions of the regular bylaws consistent with the emergency bylaws remain effective during the emergency. The emergency bylaws are not effective after the emergency ends.

(c) Corporate action taken in good faith in accordance with the emergency bylaws:

(1) Binds the corporation; and

(2) May not be used to impose liability on a corporate director, officer, employee, or agent.

(d) An emergency exists for purposes of this section if a quorum of the corporation's directors cannot readily be assembled because of some catastrophic event.