What is a proxy vote?
A proxy is when one ATA member company provides notice to the ATA office that they are giving their voting power to another ATA member company. This allows the member receiving the proxy to act not only in their own best interest at a meeting but allows them to cast the vote of the company who lent their proxy. ARE THERE LIMITS TO HOW A PROXY CAN BE USED? Yes, but the company lending the proxy has to state the limits in their notice to the ATA office. First, a proxy usually is limited to a specific meeting on a specific date. Unless the date and time of the proxy are limited, the proxy does not expire for 11 months. Second, a proxy should be limited to specific issues and even specific positions on certain issues. IF I CANT MAKE A SPECIAL MEETING, THEN WHATS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE MY VOICE HEARD? The best way to make your voice heard is to vote in the annual election of the Board of Directors. Pick the best candidates who will serve the interests of your company by reviewing the candidat
Most shareholders are unable to attend the annual meetings of the companies in which they own stock. Instead they participate in absentia, by way of a proxy vote. Investors in mutual funds delegate their proxy voting rights to the mutual fund manager. Proxy ballots typically contain proposals from company management on issues of corporate governance, including capital structure, auditing, board composition, and executive compensation. They may also include shareholder resolutions. Proxy voting is the primary forum where management seeks affirmation of what its doing, and where shareowners weigh in on important issues. Every mutual fund has a fiduciary duty to vote proxies for the stocks in its portfolio in the best interests of its shareholders. Domini is committed to openness and transparency in proxy voting. Shareholders have an absolute right to know how their mutual fund is casting proxy votes on their behalf. We have published comprehensive voting guidelines regularly since 1992,
