Meetings of shareholders.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-1.2-701
in effect7-1.2-701. Meetings of shareholders.
(a) Meetings of shareholders may be held at any place, either within or without this state,
that may be stated in or fixed in accordance with the bylaws. If no other place is
stated or fixed, all meetings will be held at the registered office of the corporation.
An annual meeting of shareholders may be held at any time that is stated or fixed
in accordance with the bylaws. Failure to hold the annual meeting at the designated
time does not work a forfeiture or dissolution of the corporation. If the annual meeting
is not held within any thirteen (13) month period the superior court may, in its discretion,
on the application of any shareholder, summarily order a meeting to be held.
(b) Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors, or by
a person or persons that may be authorized by the articles of incorporation or by
the bylaws.
(c) Notice of any meeting of shareholders must be delivered not less than ten (10) nor
more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each shareholder entitled
to vote at the meeting in the manner prescribed by § 7-1.2-702.
(d) Unless the bylaws require otherwise, if an annual or special shareholders’ meeting
is adjourned to a different date, time or place, notice need not be given of the new
date, time or place if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before
adjournment. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is or must be fixed pursuant
to the articles of incorporation, the bylaws or otherwise, however, notice of the
adjourned meeting must be given under this section to persons who are shareholders
as of the new record date.
(e) A shareholder’s attendance at a meeting:
(1) Waives objection to lack of notice or defective notice of the meeting, unless the
shareholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting
business at the meeting; and
(2) Waives objection to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not
within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice, unless the shareholder
objects to considering the matter when it is presented.
(f) Upon the application of any shareholder, director or person aggrieved, the superior
court for the county where the principal office of the corporation is located, shall
immediately hear and determine the petition of the aggrieved with respect to the following:
(1) The validity of any election or appointment of any director or officer of a corporation
and the right of any person to hold the office;
(2) If any office is claimed by more than one individual, the individual entitled to the
office;
(3) The voting and other rights of persons claiming rights in respect of the contested
election or appointment; or
(4) Failure of the corporation to hold an annual meeting within any thirteen (13) month
period. The superior court may confirm the election or appointment, order a new election,
or direct any other relief that may be just and proper.
(g) If authorized by the board of directors in its sole discretion or by the bylaws, and
subject to such guidelines and procedures as the board of directors may adopt or the
bylaws may prescribe, shareholders and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting
of shareholders may, by means of remote communication:
(1) Participate in a meeting of shareholders; and
(2) Be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of shareholders whether such meeting
is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided
that:
(i) The corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed
present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a
shareholder or proxy holder;
(ii) The corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such shareholders and
proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on
matters submitted to the shareholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the
proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings; and
(iii) If any shareholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means
of remote communication, the corporation shall maintain a record of that vote or other
action.
P.L. 2004, ch. 216, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 274, § 2; P.L. 2005, ch. 120, § 1; P.L. 2005,
ch. 130, § 1.
Source: State of Rhode Island General Assembly (rilegislature.gov)URL: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE7/7-1.2/7-7/7-1.2-701.htmFetched: 10/20/2026
