180.0141(2)(a)(a) A person shall give notice in writing, except as provided in par.
(b). For purposes of this section, notice by electronic transmission is written notice.
180.0141(2)(b)
(b) A person may give oral notice if oral notice is permitted by the articles of incorporation or bylaws and not otherwise prohibited by this chapter.
180.0141(3)
(3) Except as provided in s.
180.0721 (4) or unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, notice may be communicated in person; by mail or other method of delivery; by telephone, including voice mail, answering machine or answering service; or by any other electronic means. If these forms of personal notice are impracticable, notice may be communicated by a newspaper of general circulation in the area where published, or by radio, television or other form of public broadcast communication.
180.0141(4)
(4) Written notice to a domestic corporation or a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state may be addressed to its registered agent at its registered office or to the domestic corporation or foreign corporation at its principal office. With respect to a foreign corporation that has not yet filed an annual report under s.
180.1622, the address of the foreign corporation's principal office may be determined from its application for a certificate of authority.
180.0141(5)(a)2.
2. Five days after its deposit in the U.S. mail, if mailed postpaid and correctly addressed.
180.0141(5)(a)3.
3. On the date shown on the return receipt, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and the receipt is signed by or on behalf of the addressee.
180.0141(5)(a)4.
4. On the effective date specified in the articles of incorporation or bylaws.
180.0141(5)(b)
(b) Written notice by a domestic corporation or foreign corporation to its shareholder is effective under any of the following conditions:
180.0141(5)(b)1.
1. When mailed, but only if mailed postpaid and addressed to the shareholder's address shown in the domestic corporation's or foreign corporation's current record of shareholders.
180.0141(5)(b)2.
2. When electronically transmitted to the shareholder in a manner authorized by the shareholder.
180.0141 History
History: 1989 a. 303;
1999 a. 9.
180.0142
180.0142
Number of shareholders. 180.0142(1)(1)
For purposes of this chapter, any of the following constitute one shareholder if identified as a shareholder in a corporation's current record of shareholders:
180.0142(1)(c)
(c) The trustees, guardians, custodians or other fiduciaries of a single trust, estate or account.
180.0142(2)
(2) For purposes of this chapter, shareholdings registered in substantially similar names constitute one shareholder if it is reasonable to believe that the names represent the same person.
180.0142 History
History: 1989 a. 303.
INCORPORATION
180.0201(1)(1)
One or more persons may act as the incorporator or incorporators of a corporation.
180.0201(2)
(2) Following the incorporation of a corporation, a majority of the corporation's incorporators or their survivors may take any action permitted by this chapter to be taken by its incorporators.
180.0201 History
History: 1989 a. 303.
180.0202
180.0202
Articles of incorporation. 180.0202(1)(1)
The articles of incorporation shall include all of the following information:
180.0202(1)(a)
(a) A statement that the corporation is incorporated under this chapter.
180.0202(1)(c)
(c) The number of authorized shares, except that an investment company may declare an indefinite number of authorized shares.
180.0202(1)(d)
(d) If more than one class of shares is authorized, all of the following:
180.0202(1)(d)2.
2. The number of shares of each class that the corporation is authorized to issue, except that an investment company may declare that each class has an indefinite number of authorized shares.
180.0202(1)(d)3.
3. Before the issuance of shares of a class, a description of the preferences, limitations and relative rights of that class.
180.0202(1)(e)
(e) If one or more series of shares are created within a class of shares, all of the following before the issuance of shares of a series:
180.0202(1)(e)1.
1. The distinguishing designation of each series within a class.
180.0202(1)(e)2.
2. The number of shares of each series that the corporation is authorized to issue, except that an investment company may declare that each series has an indefinite number of authorized shares.
180.0202(1)(e)3.
3. The preferences, limitations and relative rights of that series.
180.0202(1)(g)
(g) Any provision granting or limiting preemptive rights.
180.0202(1)(h)
(h) The street address of the corporation's initial registered office and the name of its initial registered agent at that office.
180.0202(2)
(2) The articles of incorporation may set forth other information, including but not limited to any of the following:
180.0202(2)(a)
(a) The names and addresses of the natural persons who will serve as the initial directors.
180.0202(2)(b)1.
1. The purpose or purposes for which the corporation is organized.
180.0202(2)(b)2.
2. Managing the business and regulating the affairs of the corporation.
180.0202(2)(b)3.
3. Defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the corporation, its board of directors and its shareholders.
180.0202(2)(b)4.
4. A par value for authorized shares or classes or series of shares.
180.0202(2)(c)
(c) Any provision that, under this chapter, is required or permitted to be set forth in the bylaws.
180.0202(3)
(3) The articles of incorporation need not set forth any of the corporate powers enumerated in this chapter.
180.0202(4)
(4) If a provision of the articles of incorporation is inconsistent with a bylaw, the provision of the articles of incorporation controls.
180.0203(1)(1)
The corporate existence begins when the articles of incorporation become effective under s.
180.0123.
180.0203(2)
(2) The department's filing of the articles of incorporation is conclusive proof that the corporation is incorporated under this chapter, except in a proceeding by the state to cancel or revoke the incorporation or involuntarily dissolve the corporation.
180.0203 History
History: 1989 a. 303;
1995 a. 27.
180.0203 Annotation
Chapter 180 does not preclude a corporation incorporated under ch. 180 from being organized as a nonprofit. De La Trinidad v. Capitol Indemnity Corporation,
2009 WI 8,
315 Wis. 2d 324,
759 N.W.2d 586,
07-0045.
180.0205
180.0205
Organization of corporation. 180.0205(1)(1)
After incorporation, 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 and carrying on any other business brought before the meeting.
180.0205(2)(a)(a) After incorporation, if initial directors are not named in the articles of incorporation, the incorporator or incorporators shall hold an organizational meeting, at the call of a majority of the incorporators, to do any of the following:
180.0205(2)(a)1.
1. Elect directors and complete the organization of the corporation.
180.0205(2)(a)2.
2. Elect directors who will complete the organization of the corporation.
180.0205(2)(b)
(b) Action required or permitted by this chapter 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.
180.0205(3)
(3) An organizational meeting may be held in or outside this state.
180.0205 History
History: 1989 a. 303.
180.0206(1)(1)
The incorporators, board of directors or shareholders of a corporation may adopt initial bylaws for the corporation.
180.0206(2)
(2) 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 its articles of incorporation or with the laws of this state.
180.0206 History
History: 1989 a. 303.
180.0207(1)(1)
In this section, “emergency" means a catastrophic event that prevents a quorum of the corporation's directors from being readily assembled.
180.0207(2)
(2) Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, the board of directors of a corporation may adopt bylaws that are effective only in an emergency. The emergency bylaws may make all provisions necessary for managing the corporation during the emergency, including but not limited to the following:
180.0207(2)(a)
(a) Procedures for calling a meeting of the board of directors.
180.0207(3)
(3) Provisions of the regular bylaws that are consistent with the emergency bylaws remain effective during the emergency. The emergency bylaws are not effective after the emergency ends.
180.0207(4)
(4) Notwithstanding ss.
180.0828,
180.0831 and
180.0833, corporate action taken in good faith in accordance with the emergency bylaws binds the corporation and may not be used to impose liability on a corporate director, officer, employee or agent.
180.0207 History
History: 1989 a. 303.
PURPOSES AND POWERS
180.0301(1)(1)
A corporation incorporated under this chapter has the purpose of engaging in any lawful business unless a more limited purpose is set forth in its articles of incorporation.
180.0301(2)
(2) A corporation engaging in a business that is subject to regulation under another statute of this state may incorporate under this chapter only if not prohibited by, and subject to all limitations of, the other statute.
180.0301 History
History: 1989 a. 303.
