Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals

Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals. The organization was founded in 1946 by a group of corporate secretaries from prominent companies such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and IBM. The Society's early years were marked by close relationships with other professional organizations, including the American Bar Association and the National Association of Secretaries of State. As the role of corporate secretaries evolved, the Society expanded its membership to include governance professionals from companies like Microsoft, Apple Inc., and Johnson & Johnson.

● History

The Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals has a rich history dating back to 1946, when it was founded by a group of corporate secretaries from companies like General Electric, DuPont, and Procter & Gamble. The organization's early years were influenced by the post-World War II economic boom and the growth of large corporations like Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Walmart. The Society's first president, Ralph Ward, played a key role in shaping the organization's mission and goals, which were closely aligned with those of other professional organizations, including the Institute of Internal Auditors and the National Investor Relations Institute. Over the years, the Society has been led by prominent figures like Sarah Johnson, who served as president during the Sarbanes-Oxley Act era, and Mark Roellig, who played a key role in shaping the organization's response to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

● Organization

The Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals is headquartered in New York City, with a staff of experienced professionals who support the organization's mission and goals. The Society's leadership team includes a president, Laurie Brlas, who has held senior roles at companies like 3M and UnitedHealth Group, and a Board of Directors composed of governance professionals from companies like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup. The Society also has a number of committees, including the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee, which are responsible for overseeing various aspects of the organization's operations and governance. The Society's work is closely aligned with that of other organizations, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

● Membership

The Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals has a diverse membership of over 3,000 governance professionals from companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook. Members come from a range of industries, including finance, healthcare, and technology, and hold senior roles such as corporate secretary, general counsel, and chief compliance officer. The Society's membership includes professionals from companies like Visa Inc., Mastercard, and American Express, as well as from non-profit organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Ford Foundation. Members have access to a range of benefits, including professional development opportunities, networking events, and access to publications like the Wall Street Journal and Forbes.

● Governance

The Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals is governed by a Board of Directors composed of experienced governance professionals from companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips. The Board is responsible for overseeing the organization's operations, setting its strategic direction, and ensuring that it is governed in accordance with its bylaws and applicable laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The Society also has a number of committees, including the Nominating and Governance Committee, which is responsible for identifying and nominating candidates for the Board, and the Audit Committee, which oversees the organization's financial reporting and auditing processes, in accordance with standards set by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

● Education_and_Resources

The Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals offers a range of educational resources and professional development opportunities to its members, including conferences, webinars, and online courses. The Society's education programs are designed to help governance professionals stay up-to-date on the latest developments in corporate governance, including topics like executive compensation, board diversity, and cybersecurity, and are often presented in partnership with other organizations, such as the National Association of Corporate Directors and the Institute of Internal Auditors. The Society also publishes a range of resources, including the Corporate Governance Quarterly and the Governance Professional, which provide insights and analysis on key governance issues, and are often cited by publications like the New York Times and Bloomberg.

● Advocacy_and_Outreach

The Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals is actively engaged in advocacy and outreach efforts, working to promote good governance practices and to influence public policy on issues like corporate governance reform, shareholder activism, and regulatory compliance. The Society's advocacy efforts are often undertaken in partnership with other organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, and the National Investor Relations Institute. The Society also engages in outreach efforts, providing educational resources and support to governance professionals in companies like Tesla, Inc., Netflix, and Salesforce, and working to promote diversity and inclusion in the governance profession, in partnership with organizations like the National Association of Women Lawyers and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association.