Newcomers to shareholder resolutions should work with experienced shareholder activists and their networks in order to:
Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility - this alliance of religious shareholders has been leaders in shareholder activism for over 25 years. The group has sponsored hundreds of socially and environmentally progressive shareholder resolutions on issues such as human rights, labor rights, environment, women and minorities, militarism, global warming, chlorine, PVCs, international toxic standards, and genetically engineered food. (Each year ICCR publishes the "Proxy Resolution Book" which includes the text of all resolutions filed that year.) ICCR relies strictly on partnerships with public interest organizations to gather information about issues and compliment campaigns. The vast majority of ICCR activists are volunteers who have "day jobs" doing other things. ICCR members tend to stick with issues for several years. ICCR has partnered with socialfunds.com to provide up-to-date information on resolutions filed by ICCR members.
Socially responsible investment firms - One of the particularly active socially responsible investment firms is Trillium Asset Management. This asset manager has extensive experience in strategy, environmental and social issues, filing, soliciting, etc.
Non-Profit Foundations - One non-profit foundation that promotes shareholder advocacy among other non-profits, foundations, institutions, and socially responsible investment firms is As You Sow. They can provide shareholder dialogue and management services to the public interest, foundation and SRI communities.
Shareholder activist consultants - Con Hitchcock provides legal assistance to many socially-oriented shareholder activists. Bart Naylor, formerly head of the Teamsters Office of Corporate Affairs, also provides very helpful shareholder assistance and campaign support. Jonas Kron, and environmental attorney who assisted Maxxam shareholders with corporate governance resolutions, also can provide legal assistance with drafting and defending resolutions.
Secondary resources
Labor Unions - many labor unions such as the AFL-CIO, the Communication Workers of America, the United Steelworkers, etc. are huge institutional investors who have exercised their shareholder rights. Some unions file shareholder resolutions, most often on corporate governance issues. Also, a sizable union caucus is represented at the Council for Institutional Investors, an association of large investors such as public pension funds. Sometimes union and environmental groups' interests don't coincide, but forging more partnerships such as the 1999 labor-environmental alliance at Maxxam is a good way to build synergy.
Social Investment Forum – trade association of social investment funds and professionals. The SIF is a broad range of professionals and companies that operate SRI mutual funds or manage screened investments for institutional and individual investors. The SIF also includes state and national banks interested in community investment (community development financial institutions like SouthShore Bank), and researchers and financial planners specializing in social investing. The SRI community is increasing in shareholder advocacy activities; SIF's website links to many firms such as U.S. Trust Company, Domini, Citizens Trust, the Calvert Group, and Green Century Funds, that also perform shareholder activism.
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