Corporate Governance Guidelines
As of April 24, 2008 C. Board Meetings
1. Frequency of Meetings
The Board holds regular meetings typically during the months of January, February, May, August, October and December, and special meetings are held when necessary. The May meeting follows the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is the organizational meeting at which officers and members and chairs of Board committees are elected. 2. Strategic Plan Review
The Board meets at an offsite location for several days each year to review the Company’s strategic plan. 3. Attendance at Meetings
Directors are expected to prepare themselves for and to attend all Board meetings, the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the meetings of the Committees on which they serve, with the understanding that on occasion a director may be unable to attend a meeting. 4. Information Flow and Distribution of Meeting Materials
Various materials are distributed to the Board on a continuing basis throughout the year and reports and presentations are made at Board and Committee meetings to keep the Board informed on an ongoing basis of the performance of the Company and its businesses, their future plans (including acquisitions, divestitures and capital expenditures), the various issues that they face, and new developments. The materials for each Board meeting are distributed in advance of the meetings to give directors an opportunity to review such materials prior to the meeting in order to facilitate active and informed discussion at the meeting. 5. Agendas
The Chairman determines the agenda for each meeting of the Board in consultation with the Presiding Director and taking into account suggestions from other members of the Board. 6. Access to Management and Independent Advisors
Board members have unrestricted access to management. The Board and each Committee of the Board have the authority to retain independent legal, accounting and other experts and consultants to advise the Board and the Committees as they may deem appropriate. 7. Executive Sessions
Non-management directors meet in executive session at each Board meeting without any members of management being present. At least once each year, the Board will hold an executive session at which only those directors who meet the independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange are present. The Presiding Director presides over the executive sessions. Previous | Next
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