Corporate Secretary Role Resources
As former corporate secretaries and in-house lawyers responsible for corporate governance and the corporate secretary function for large public companies and as board advisors to client companies, we appreciate the challenges of the role of the corporate secretary and also the satisfaction that comes from doing the job well. One of the best resources available to corporate secretaries and other governance professionals is the Society for Corporate Governance. We are long-time members and regularly speak on corporate governance topics at Society events and are active in the local chapter.
“At the core, a corporate secretary is generally thought of as an individual responsible for documentation and retention of documents related to the corporation's existence and the operation of its board of directors. However the actual role of most corporate secretaries, particularly those working for large public companies, extends far beyond these basic duties. Corporate secretaries typically have significant responsibility for keeping boards operating efficiently, and for providing needed support in meeting various legal and regulatory requirements applicable to corporate entities (particularly public companies), boards, and management. As the focus on corporate governance has increased, the role of the secretary in helping to assure effective governance practices has also increased, with the secretary often assuming the role of chief governance officer.”
“Corporate governance has become a highly specialized field in recent years and. . . the role of the corporate secretary has expanded to include assisting boards and management in understanding and implementing sound governance practices. This requires not only knowledge of the area, but an appreciation for how governance ideas and trends may need to be tailored to be practicable and workable within the culture of the organization.”
From The Role of the Corporate Secretary: Facilitating Corporate Governance and the Work of Corporate Boards, Kristina Veaco and Cheryl Sorokin 96 Corporate Practice Series (BNA)
“At the core, a corporate secretary is generally thought of as an individual responsible for documentation and retention of documents related to the corporation's existence and the operation of its board of directors. However the actual role of most corporate secretaries, particularly those working for large public companies, extends far beyond these basic duties. Corporate secretaries typically have significant responsibility for keeping boards operating efficiently, and for providing needed support in meeting various legal and regulatory requirements applicable to corporate entities (particularly public companies), boards, and management. As the focus on corporate governance has increased, the role of the secretary in helping to assure effective governance practices has also increased, with the secretary often assuming the role of chief governance officer.”
“Corporate governance has become a highly specialized field in recent years and. . . the role of the corporate secretary has expanded to include assisting boards and management in understanding and implementing sound governance practices. This requires not only knowledge of the area, but an appreciation for how governance ideas and trends may need to be tailored to be practicable and workable within the culture of the organization.”
From The Role of the Corporate Secretary: Facilitating Corporate Governance and the Work of Corporate Boards, Kristina Veaco and Cheryl Sorokin 96 Corporate Practice Series (BNA)
Helpful Links
Below are some resources related to the role of the corporate secretary. Call us at 415.731.3111 with any questions on this topic.
|