When you’re unhappy with a product or service, you typically have a few avenues for recourse, some of which are passive — you simply stop doing business with the company in question — others, like making your complaints public, are more direct.
For shareholders, the best time to get an understanding of the companies in which they’re invested, and raise any questions or concerns, is at the annual general meeting, or AGM. Also known simply as general meetings, these are gatherings of companies’ interested shareholders — a time for them to:
- Hear directly from senior leadership on company performance and strategy
- Get clarity on actions/positions
- Vote
In short, the purpose of the AGM is for shareholders to express their opinions — typically on topics such as potential new board members and executive compensation.
What’s the big deal?
As a shareholder yourself, you may recall receiving notices of general meetings. If you deleted these notifications, you’re not alone. Many people think they don’t own enough shares to have an impact — and why waste the time? Increasingly though, the power of the vote is being recognized — you need to be aware of the mechanisms in place for staying informed, including the process for voting by proxy.
If you ignore the notice for an annual general meeting, your vote is counted as an abstention — neither for nor against.
How Civex can Help
Corporations can have a big role in shaping society, that’s why it’s important to stay informed on the issues and actions being considered. That’s where Civex comes in. By connecting you with up-to-date information, you’ll become empowered to ensure your investments align with your values. Have you signed up for the Civex newsletter? Sign up below to get insights delivered right to your inbox.
