Get comfortable with shareholder questions
We have heard lately about companies wondering if they can legally prevent shareholders from asking (difficult) questions at virtual shareholder meetings. The answer seems to be yes, as opposed to preventing them from voting on the proposals presented for their consideration. Our question is, are you (management) really going to deny shareholders at a shareholder meeting the right to ask questions, especially if the questions are appropriately limited in number, and duration, and subject matter? Would you do the same to your board members at board meetings – just tell them to vote yes or no on issues? Of course not. Good corporate governance calls for (no, DEMANDS) that shareholders be given ample opportunity to ask questions of management at THEIR meetings, virtual or not, just once a year. If they are not allowed to, shouldn’t management ask itself what it is afraid of?