Shareholder Engagement Outside of the Annual Meeting.

• Position: BOARDBOOK: WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA?

In its 2022 U.S. corporate governance survey, law firm Cooley LLP gathered information on shareholder engagement and annual meetings. In the area of shareholder engagement, the survey revealed:

* Over 75% of respondents are engaging in proactive shareholder outreach outside of the annual shareholders meeting.

* Of the companies that are engaging in shareholder outreach outside of the annual meeting, more than 50% do not work with a proxy solicitor.

When it comes to annual meetings, nearly 75% of respondents held their most recent annual meeting in virtual only fashion (a percentage that roughly matches what boards have stated they plan to do for their next annual meeting as well). The...