Corporate Governance

Tips on Conducting an Annual Meeting

By Fei-Lu Qian

After interviewing more than 30 representatives of various funds including public, corporate and union, the Council of Institutional Investors has identified seven ways public companies can organize their annual meetings ?for the mutual benefit of the company and its shareholders.?  Here are the seven smart practice tips for companies:

1.    Talk to your shareholders long before the big day.
2.    Make sure the meeting is reasonably accessible.
3.    Set fair policies for admission, disclose them clearly and enforce them consistently.
4.    Broaden participation without sacrificing the in-person meeting.
5.    Promote a substantive Q&A period.
6.    Treat presenters of shareholder resolutions with professionalism.
7.    Ensure the integrity of the vote.

Likewise, shareholders should also take note of these best practices and demand them at every meeting.

Full post as published by PomTalk on October 14, 2010 (boomark / email).