Before putting things to paper, gather all band members to discuss the terms and conditions of your contract. Consider your band membership, profit and loss distribution, and how you’ll vote to make decisions.
After this process is complete, make sure to include the following information:
Include details like your band’s name and the band’s address. If the band doesn’t have a designated address, use the address of one of its members or the location of the band’s regular practices. You will also want to add the province or territory where the band operates and each member's full legal name and address.
Your document should also include how profits and losses are split between the band members. If your band has a leader, specify who that is in your agreement.
Voting may be on a one-vote-per-member basis or based on each member’s share of the profits. Specify who will be a designated tie-breaker in the event that votes are evenly split. You should also record who can bind the band in contracts.
Decide whether the band will record earnings on a cash or accrual basis:
- Cash basis accounting records when you receive payment
- Accrual basis accounting records when you make a sale, regardless of whether you receive or give payment on that date
Decide your band’s fiscal year-end date, which defines your band’s tax year. You can base it on the calendar year or choose another date that works best for your group.
Additionally, decide your band’s maximum single expense, meaning the maximum amount a member can spend on behalf of the band without explicit consent from other members.
Outline the rules for members joining or leaving the band. Decide whether choosing a new member requires everyone's agreement or the majority. Also, confirm how much notice a bandmate needs to give before leaving the band.
If the band decides to break up, state the percentage of votes needed for it to dissolve. You should also establish what happens to the band name after disbanding. If you have a band leader or crucial member, decide whether their departure will automatically dissolve the band.
Your contract should set clear terms for handling any possible disputes. Include details on whether conflicts go through a mediation process or directly to arbitration. If you want a mediator, a neutral party will sit in to help resolve the situation. If the dispute proceeds to arbitration, an unbiased arbitrator will decide on the outcome and settle the conflict.