Confronting Companies Using Shareholder Power:
A Handbook on Socially-Oriented Shareholder Activism
 
This handbook is written for socially-conscious or mission-based investors who recognize their obligation to exercise ownership responsibility in the companies they hold. It is intended to assist investors who have long-term commitment to social issues and who are committed to using shareholder activism tools in a prudent and responsible manner.  This guide can also inform public interest groups, who often serve as technical experts for shareholder activists, on the shareholder resolution process.
 

Introduction to Shareholder Activism

Shareholder Activity as a Tool for Corporate Transparency and Democracy

The Impact of Shareholder Activism

Potential and Limitations of Shareholder Activism

 
Shareholder Activism in a Campaign Context

Characteristics of a Successful Shareholder Campaign

Shareholder Activism and Issue Campaigns

Shareholder Activism and Community Campaigns in the U.S.

Shareholder Activism and Community Campaigns Abroad

 
Shareholder Dialogues

Shareholder Dialogue: The Goal of Shareholder Resolutions

Monitoring Commitments Resulting from Shareholder Dialogues

 
How to Draft & Defend Shareholder Resolutions

Official SEC Rules Governing Shareholder Resolutions  

Tips on Drafting, Submitting, and Defending Resolutions

Proxy Fights: Two Case Studies of Companies versus Shareholder Proponents

Checklist for Shareholder Resolutions

 
Proxy Solicitation

How to Get Shareholders to Vote for Your Resolution

Influencing Proxy Voting Guidelines

 
Presenting the Resolution & Annual Meetings

Inside the Shareholders' Meeting

Activities Outside the Shareholders' Meeting

 
Resources & Links

Before You Start: Shareholder Activist Allies You Should Know

Links

Index of Documents

Acknowledgments & Sources
 

All supporting documents and attachments included in this handbook that were not produced by Friends of the Earth US have been left in their original form; they have not been edited for grammatical or other content.