|
To download PDF version, click here.
To read more details, click on "plus" icons next to section titles, or expand all | collapse all
COMPOSITION
The Board shall annually appoint a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
comprised of at least three Directors, all of whom shall meet the independence
requirements of the New York Stock Exchange. One of the members of the Committee
shall be appointed by the Board to serve as Chairman. Committee members may
be removed and replaced by the Board.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- The Committee shall provide advice and counsel to the Board on Board composition matters and in this context:
- Will recommend to the Board the general criteria for selection of proposed
nominees for election as Directors and the slate of individuals who will
constitute the nominees of the Board for election as Directors at each Annual
Meeting of Shareholders;
- Will recommend to the Board individuals to fill vacancies on the Board
if and when such vacancies occur and to fill vacancies relating to any newly
created directorships resulting from any future increase in the number of
Directors on the Board;
- Will on a continuing basis evaluate possible candidates to serve on
the Board either in connection with selecting the slate of nominees under
subparagraph (a) above or in connection with filling vacancies under subparagraph
(b) above;
- Will consider recommendations of nominees by a shareholder if the shareholder
submits the nomination in compliance with the advance notice, informational
and other requirements set forth in the Corporation's By-Laws.
- The Committee shall provide advice and counsel to the Board on Board compensation
matters and in this context:
- Will recommend to the Board appropriate compensation to be paid to
the Directors; and
- Will administer the Director Deferred Stock Ownership Plan.
Compensation levels shall be reviewed by the Committee by reference to
third-party consultant surveys of corporations including the Corporation's
peer group in the publishing, information and media industries. The Committee
will consider that Directors' independence may be jeopardized if Director
compensation and perquisites exceed customary levels, if the Corporation
makes substantial charitable contributions to organizations with which a
Director is affiliated, or if the Corporation enters into consulting contracts
with (or provides other indirect forms of compensation to) a Director or
an organization with which the Director is affiliated. Changes in Board
compensation, if any, will be made by the full Board based upon a formal
recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee.
- The Committee shall provide advice and counsel to the Board on Board governance
matters and in this context:
- Will determine whether any material relationship exists between a non-management
Director and the Corporation that might affect the independent status of
the Director;
- Will, after consultation with the Chairman of the Board and after giving
due consideration to the desires of individual Board members, recommend
to the Board the assignment of Board members to various Committees and the
selection of Committee Chairmen;
- Will develop and recommend to the Board of Directors a set of corporate
governance principles applicable to the Corporation and will recommend,
from time to time, any proposed changes therein to the Board for approval;
- Will regularly monitor and oversee the evaluation of the Board's and
management's performance. In preparing Board performance evaluations, the
Committee will develop and circulate to all Directors on an annual basis
a self-evaluation questionnaire for each Director to fill out and return
to the Committee. The Committee's performance evaluation of the Board should
assess the Board's contribution as a whole as well as the contribution of
each Board Committee and should specifically review areas in which the Board
and/or management believes a better contribution could be made;
- Will evaluate with the assistance of the Committee Chair as necessary,
the performance of individual Directors at such time as the Director's term
is expiring and the Director is being considered by the Committee for inclusion
in a class of Directors to be recommended for election by the Corporation's
shareholders for a new term; and
- Will review periodically the responsibilities of each Board Committee
as set forth in the Committee Charters and the responsibilities and procedures
set forth in the Board's Corporate Governance Guidelines.
- In accordance with the Board’s Corporate Governance Guidelines (Section 7.B.), the Committee shall review with the Chief Executive Officer, on an annual basis, the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations concerning an emergency succession plan for the Chief Executive Officer in the event of the death or disability of the Chief Executive Officer, as well as succession planning in general for the Chief Executive Officer and the direct reports to the Chief Executive Officer.
- The Committee shall have sole authority to retain and terminate any search
firms used to identify Director candidates and shall have sole authority to
approve the fees and other retention terms of any such firms.
- The Committee shall undertake any other responsibilities which the Board
or the Committee shall determine are necessary and proper.
- The Committee shall regularly report to the Board of Directors on the
Committee's activities and any and all matters which should appropriately
be brought to the Board's attention.
- The Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees when appropriate.
- The Committee shall review and assess the adequacy of this Charter annually
and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
- The Committee shall annually review its own performance.
PROCEDURES
- The Committee shall hold at least three regular meetings each calendar
year.
- The Committee shall have sole authority to retain and terminate any external advisors, and to commission any special surveys or analyses, as it deems necessary to fulfill its responsibilities and functions or to assist it in evaluating Director compensation. The Committee shall have sole authority to approve the fees and other retention terms of any such consultants. In the event that the consultant also performs work on behalf of a company for whom the Committee Chair serves as CEO, the Committee shall designate another member to review and approve the scope of the work of the consultant and invoices for work performed on behalf of the Committee.
- The Committee Secretary shall be a member of management recommended by
the Chairman of the Board and approved by the Board. The Secretary shall prepare
minutes of each Committee meeting, which minutes will be distributed to members
of the Committee. The Chairman of the Committee shall report to the Board
on its activities as appropriate.
October 28, 2011
|