What is the annual fee for the Board Education Program and what does it cover?
The Board Education Program fee entitles a company’s directors, general counsel, and corporate secretary to attend any of the Corporate Board Member board-focused conferences, peer exchanges, and webinars without paying an additional registration fee. The annual fee is based on the number directors serving on the board. Call the Board Education Program Coordinator at 615-309-3203 for pricing information for your board.
Is there a limit on how many board members from one company can attend any event?
No, once a company signs up to participate in the Board Education Program, any board member or corporate secretary can attend designated Corporate Board Member board-related function.
How do we know which educational events are available?
An updated list of events is available on www.boardmember.com/educationevents.aspx. We will add new events throughout the year to bolster options available to program participants. Additionally, corporate secretaries, chairmen, and directors will receive periodic updates on events and offerings.
Is the Board Education Program a formalized continuing education or certification program?
No, the Board Education Program is a voluntary program to provide corporate secretaries, general counsel, and board leadership a convenient and effective tool to becoming better informed in these transparent times. Companies will be responsible for their own recordkeeping, but there is no requirement or certification program associated with the Board Education Program.
Is the Board Education Program affiliated in any way with Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) or any other proxy advisory or investor group?
No, this is a voluntary program developed by NYSE Euronext and Corporate Board Member.
One of the benefits listed in the brochure states “Ability to proactively state that the board participates in a high-caliber, structured program.” How exactly would companies take advantage of that benefit?
Participation in the NYSE Board Education Program provides an opportunity for your company to make a proactive statement in the annual proxy under the SEC-mandated Director Qualification and Experience section that explains your board’s ongoing educational efforts, without putting pressure on individual directors to meet certification guidelines.
Does the Board Education Program have any recommended language for such a proxy statement?
NYSE Euronext and Corporate Board Member are currently working on providing acceptable proxy language for the company’s qualifications and experiences section of the proxy for those companies that participate in the Board Education Program.
An example might be “Our company participates in the NYSE Board Education Program, which offers multiple continuing education opportunities to our board members around corporate governance, key boardroom issues, committee duties, and board leadership.” If all board members participated in at least some form of education throughout the year, an additional statement to lend greater weight could be added: “In 2011 every board member participated in at least one of the continuing education events.”
What if a director retires or a company adds board seats during the year?
The Board Education Program allows for adjustments to be made throughout the year. The company’s corporate secretary will need to notify Corporate Board Member of any directors who should be added or removed from participation in the program. Adjustments in fees may be made at renewal time if a board’s director count exceeds 12 directors.
What if my company is small and doesn’t have a separate corporate secretary position?
The person in the company who assumes the corporate secretary’s duties will be entitled to attend program events.
Can my company be a part of the Board Education Program if traded on NASDAQ or other exchange?
Yes, any company, private, public and regardless of exchange, is eligible to participate.
If our board participates in the Board Education Program, do directors have to attend an event? What if my company has directors who are opposed or have scheduling difficulty attending any “educational” event?
While we encourage and support board education, and offer many resources to promote that objective, there is no requirement for attendance at Board Education Program events.
Is our company in any way prohibited from attending or participating in other educational events offered by other providers?
No, companies can utilize the Board Education Program open-content platform to best meet individual director and board needs to enhance their board’s ongoing educational efforts.
If my company chooses not to participate in the registration fee Board Education Program, can I continue to attend any of the events as an individual director?
Yes, any director may attend Corporate Board Member events by simply paying the published individual registration fee. However, the Board Education Program offers additional benefits including exclusive access to white papers and regulatory update webinars.
How do I register my company for the Board Education Program?
To register for the program, simply fill out a request for information or send an email to education@boardmember.com.