Notes on the Sample Charter:
Keep your Charter formal and include nothing that would look "weird" to a banker or government official. Article I: The name must include ", Inc." Article II, A: The purpose must include words required by the IRS for a tax-exempt organization. Article III, A: It's good to claim affiliations as far back as you can justify. Article III, B: The Registered Agent is someone who keeps office hours and who will not throw away a subpoena when served. Article IV, A: Place extra membership requirements in the Bylaws to avoid more frequent Charter amendments. Article IV, B, C: The membership words are required by the IRS. Article V, A: A Florida not-for-profit corporation must have at least three board members. It looks better to the IRS to have six, thus demonstrating that control is more spread out. Article V, B: Officers may also be board members and it is typical to include them on the board. Article VI: Place meeting rules and requirements in the Bylaws to make amendments less frequent. Article VII: Make your Charter difficult to amend. We are entering into questions of governance here. Article VIII: make your Bylaws difficult to amend but easier than a Charter amendment. We are entering into questions of governance here. Article IX: The IRS keeps expanding their rules for tax-exempt status. Article X: The IRS has rules for your dissolution.