

Committee Charters:

Audit Committee Charter

Nomination/Corporate Governance Committee

Compensation Committee Charter

Governance Documents:

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

SRS Labs' SEC Filings (NASDAQ.com) |
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Corporate Governance Guidelines
As Amended and Approved by the Board of Directors on September 25,
2006
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PDF Version (44k)
The following corporate governance guidelines (the “Guidelines”)
have been approved by the Board of Directors (the “Board”)
of SRS Labs, Inc. (the “Company”), and together with the charters
of the Board committees, provide the framework for the governance of the
Company. The Board recognizes that the public discussion of corporate
governance is on-going and evolving in a changing regulatory and judicial
environment; accordingly, it will review these guidelines and other aspects
of the Company’s governance annually or more often if deemed necessary.
Role of the Board and Management.
The Company’s business is conducted by its employees and officers
under the direction of the chief executive officer (the “CEO”)
and the oversight of the Board to enhance long-term corporate profitability
and to protect and enhance shareholder value. Both the Board and management
recognize that the long-term interests of the shareholders are advanced
by responsibly considering the concerns of the other stakeholders and
interested parties of the Company including employees, customers, suppliers,
creditors, local communities and the public at large. The Board expects
the Company’s directors, as well as officers and employees, to act
ethically at all times and to acknowledge their adherence to the policies
comprising the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Functions of the Board
Among the responsibilities of the Board, which are discharged by the Board
as a whole or through Board Committees established by the Board, are:
- Providing general oversight of the Company and delegating to management
the operation of the Company;
- Reviewing, approving and monitoring the Company’s business and
financial plans and strategies;
- Selecting, evaluating, compensating and, when necessary, replacing
the CEO and other senior management;
- Aligning executive compensation with shareholder value;
- Assessing the major risks facing the Company and reviewing options
to mitigate the risks;
- Reviewing and approving the Company’s financing plans and capital
budget;
- Reviewing and approving significant transactions, including debt and
equity financings and significant reorganizations, acquisitions and
dispositions;
- Approving and overseeing the succession plan for the CEO and the other
senior management; and
- Ensuring that processes are in place for maintaining (a) the integrity
of the Company; the integrity of the financial statements and other
financial reports; (b) compliance with laws and regulations and the
integrity of the Company’s relationships with customers, suppliers
and other stakeholders.
Strategic Oversight
- Board's Role in Strategy. The Board is constructively engaged
with management to ensure the appropriate development, execution and
modification of the Company's vision and strategy.
- Strategic Planning Meetings. As part of the annual calendar
of scheduled meetings of the Board, the Chairman of the Board will schedule
and develop the agenda for at least one strategic planning meeting of
the Board devoted to a review and update of the Company’s vision
or mission statement of the Company, the strategy to pursue the Company’s
vision and the actions necessary to implement the strategy. If the Chairman
does not qualify as an independent director, the Chairman of the Board
and the Lead Director (hereinafter defined under the heading “Board
Meetings, Selection and Duties of a Lead Director”) will schedule
and develop the agenda for the strategic planning meetings. These meetings
should commence at least four months prior to the end of the Company’s
fiscal year. As a result of this process, the CEO will propose for the
Board’s approval the Company’s business vision and strategy.
- Financial Planning Meetings. In addition to the Strategic Planning
Meetings, and as part of the annual calendar of scheduled meetings of
the Board, the Chairman of the Board will schedule and develop the agenda
for at least one meeting to discuss the annual financial plan for the
following year. If the Chairman does not qualify as an independent director,
the Chairman and the Lead Director will schedule and develop the agenda
for such meeting(s) to discuss the annual financial plan. The meeting(s)
to develop an annual financial plan will be scheduled after sufficient
work has been accomplish with respect to the above-referenced strategic
plan. As a result of this process, the CEO will propose for the Board’s
approval the Company’s financial plan for the following year.
- Monitoring the Execution, Results and Adjustment of the Strategy.
Management periodically updates the Board on the attainment of strategic
and financial goals and the changes in the external environment. The
Board monitors execution of the strategy, results and any adjustment
of the strategy in light of the changes in the external environment.
Board Composition and Director Qualifications
- Size. The number of directors that constitutes the Board is
fixed from time to time by a resolution adopted by a majority of the
Board, provided that there are at least 5 directors. The Board believes
that the board should be large enough to allow for diversity of experience
and perspectives, without being so large as to impede board discussion
or effectiveness. Currently, the Board is composed of 5 members, divided
into three classes.
- Independence. The majority of the Company’s directors
are required to qualify as independent directors in accordance with
the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“Nasdaq”). At
least annually, the Board will review the application of the independence
criteria to each director designated as an independent director to make
sure that the director continues to qualify as independent.
- Selection of Directors. At each annual meeting of shareholders,
the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that
meeting shall be elected by the shareholders. The Board proposes a slate
of nominees to the shareholders for election to the Board after receiving
a report and recommendation from the Nomination and Corporate Governance
Committee. The Company’s Bylaws also sets forth procedures relating
to the nomination of directors at the annual meeting and no person will
be eligible for election as a director unless nominated in accordance
with such provisions. Between annual shareholder meetings, the Board
may elect directors to fill vacancies on the Board or to elect a person(s)
to fill newly created directorship(s) resulting from any increase in
the number of directors. The Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee
is responsible for screening and recommending candidates for consideration
by the Board. The invitation to join the Board shall be extended by
the entire Board. Shareholders may propose director nominees for consideration
by the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee by submitting the
name and the supporting information to: Secretary, SRS Labs, Inc., 2909
Daimler Street, Santa Ana, California 92705.
- Qualifications. Directors should possess the highest personal
and professional ethics, integrity and values, and be committed to representing
the long-term interests of the shareholders. Among the factors that
the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board will
take into account in recommending and selecting Board candidates are
the prospective candidate’s character, judgment, business experience
or professional background, knowledge of the Company’s business,
community involvement and availability and commitment to carrying out
his or her responsibilities as a director.
Directors
must be willing to devote sufficient time to carrying out their duties
and responsibilities effectively, and should be committed to serve on
the Board for an extended period of time. Directors should offer their
resignation in the event of any significant change in their personal
circumstances, including a change in their principal job responsibilities.
The Company
does not limit the number of public company boards on which members
of the Board are permitted to serve; however, all directors are required
to advise the Chairman of the Board in advance of accepting an invitation
to serve on the Board of another public company and are expected not
to accept the invitation if it would materially interfere with the director’s
responsibilities as a member of the Board.
- The Company does not have term limits for its directors and does not
believe that directors should expect to be renominated when their term
expires. The Board self-evaluation process conducted by the Nomination
and Corporate Governance Committee, described below, will be an important
consideration for Board tenure. As a general rule, directors will not
be nominated for election to the Board after their 70th birthday; however,
the full Board may nominate candidates 70 years old and over for special
circumstances.
Board Committees
- Establishment of Committees. While the general policy of the
Company is that the Board as a whole is responsible for all major decisions,
business circumstances or legal requirements make it necessary or desirable
to carry out certain Board responsibilities through committees. The
Board has established the following three standing committees:
- Audit Committee;
- Compensation Committee;and
- Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee.
The Board may, from time to time, establish any other standing or special
committees that it determines are necessary or desirable to carry out
its responsibilities, and subsequently may disband any committee so established.
- Independence of Committee Members. The members of each committee,
and the committee chairman, are appointed annually by the Board in consultation
with the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of the
members of the three standing committees is required to qualify as an
independent director in accordance with the criteria established by
Nasdaq and to meet any other requirements imposed by law.
- Committee Charters. Each of the standing committees has a charter
that is approved by the Board. The charter sets forth the duties and
responsibilities of the committee, including those duties and responsibilities
imposed by applicable regulatory requirements and Nasdaq. At least annually,
the Board will review the adequacy of the charters of each standing
committee of the Board and make changes as deemed necessary.
Board Meetings
- Frequency and Attendance and Subject Matter. Board and committee
meetings are held with such frequency as the business of the Company
requires. It is the current practice of the Company to hold not less
than four regular meetings, two strategic planning meetings and at least
one meeting to discuss the annual financial plan every year. Special
meetings, including meetings held by telephone conference call, may
be held between regular meetings as circumstances may require. The Chairman
of the Board sets for the Board and the chair of each committee sets
for each respective committee, the annual calendar of Board or committee
meetings throughout the year. If the Chairman does not qualify as an
independent director, the Chairman and the Lead Director shall set for
the Board the annual calendar of Board meetings. A report of all actions
taken by each committee is presented at the next regular Board meeting,
and the minutes of all committee meetings are circulated to the entire
Board.
- Attendance. Each director is expected to attend in person all
regularly scheduled meetings and special meetings of the Board and of
each committee on which the director serves, and to spend the time necessary
to prepare for meetings. Telephonic participation in Board meetings
is permitted only in special or extenuating circumstances.
- Agenda. The Chairman and CEO are responsible for establishing
and circulating the agenda for each Board meeting. If the Chairman does
not qualify as an independent director, then the Chairman, the Lead
Director and the CEO will be responsible for establishing and circulating
the agenda for each Board meeting. Directors are urged to make suggestions
for agenda items, or pre-meeting materials, to the Chairman, the Lead
Director or the CEO, or appropriate committee chair at any time. Any
director, or any member of a committee, as the case may be, may add
a matter to the agenda of any Board meeting, or committee meeting, respectively,
any matter that the director reasonably believes should be on such agenda.
The Chairman of the Board prepares annually for the Board, and the chair
of each committee prepares annually for the respective committees, a
list of regular items to be on the board agenda or the respective committee
agenda throughout the year, designating the meeting at which they will
be addressed. If the Chairman does not qualify as an independent director,
then the Chairman and the Lead Director will prepare annually the list
of regular items to be on the board agenda throughout the year, designating
the meeting at which they will be addressed. Special items are placed
on the agenda throughout the year as required or needed. The Chairman,
the Lead Director and the CEO or committee chair, as appropriate, shall
determine the nature and extent of information that is to be provided
regularly to the directors before each scheduled board or committee
meeting.
- Advance Review of Meeting Materials. Background materials relating
to matters to be considered at a Board or committee meeting will be
circulated to directors by the Chairman of the Board or the committee,
as appropriate, at least three business days in advance of the meeting.
Directors are expected to review these materials in advance of the meeting.
In situations where the subject matter is time-sensitive or highly confidential,
the Chairman may elect to communicate information in advance of the
meeting by telephone.
- Board Presentations by Management. The Board encourages the
participation of management officials, in addition to the CEO, in Board
meetings for the purpose of (a) making presentations; (b) responding
to director questions; (c) providing information on matters within their
areas of expertise; and (d) allowing them to gain Board exposure.
- Meetings of Independent Directors. The Company’s independent
directors meet regularly without the presence of any of the management
directors for the consideration of any matters concerning the Company
that they deem appropriate. These meetings are presided over by the
Chairman of the Board or, if the Chairman does not qualify as an independent
director, by the Lead Director. Any independent director may request
a meeting of the independent directors by contacting the Chairman of
the Board or, if the Chairman does not qualify as an independent director,
the Lead Director. Formal decisions concerning the business and affairs
of the Company occur only at regular or special meetings of the Board.
- Selection of Chairman. The Board shall select one of its members
as Chairman.
- Selection and Duties of a Lead Director. If the Chairman of
the Board does not qualify as an independent director, the independent
directors of the Board shall select one of the independent directors
to be the “Lead Director.” Such selection shall be ratified
by the Board of Directors. The Lead Director shall have the following
duties and responsibilities: (a) acting as Chair of the meetings of
the independent directors; (b) serving as a conduit of information between
the independent directors and the Chairman of the Board, the CEO and
other members of management; (c) together with the Chairman of the Board,
scheduling and developing the agenda for at least two strategic planning
meetings of the Board and at least one meeting to develop the annual
financial plan; (d) together with the Chairman of the Board, setting
the annual calendar of Board meetings throughout the year, preparing
the list of regular items to be included in board agendas throughout
the year and establishing and circulating the board agendas for each
board meeting; and (e) such other responsibilities and duties as the
Board of Directors shall designate.
Board Compensation
- Compensation Standards. The Board as a whole is responsible
for approving all compensation arrangements for directors. The Board
believes that, in order to attract experienced directors of a high caliber,
the compensation paid to non-employee directors should be comparable
to that paid by competing companies of a similar size. To align director
compensation with corporate performance, a portion of a director’s
compensation should be paid in Company stock or options to acquire Company
stock. A director who is an employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries
is not entitled to receive any additional compensation for services
as a director.
- Periodic Compensation Review. The Compensation Committee is
responsible for periodically conducting a review of non-employee director
compensation and reporting its evaluation and any recommended changes
to the Board.
- Charitable Contributions. Any charitable contribution made
by the Company on behalf of any director or to any organization with
which a director is affiliated must be approved in advance by the Board.
Board Relationship to Senior Management
- Chief Executive Officer Evaluation. The Compensation Committee,
with the assistance of the other independent directors of the Board,
reviews the performance of the CEO at least annually. The evaluation
is based on objective and subjective criteria, including the business
and financial performance of the business, the establishment and accomplishment
of strategic objectives, vision and leadership and the development of
management. The CEO makes an annual report (or more frequent report
if circumstances dictate) on his job performance to the Compensation
Committee at a meeting which the other independent members of the Board
are asked to attend.
- Chairman of the Board Evaluation. The Compensation Committee,
with the assistance of the other independent directors, reviews the
performance of the Chairman at least annually. When the CEO is also
the Chairman, the CEO/Chairman will be evaluated in performance separately
for each of these two roles.
- Management Succession. The Nomination and Corporate Governance
Committee oversees the development of executive succession plans. The
CEO makes an annual report (or more frequent report if circumstances
dictate) to the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee at a meeting
which the other independent members of the Board are asked to attend
on the development and succession planning of the Company’s senior
management. During this meeting(s), the independent directors and the
CEO shall discuss the prospect of at least one individual who could
assume the CEO position if the CEO unexpectedly should be unavailable
for service. The Board shall approve and maintain a succession plan
for the CEO and senior management.
- Compensation of the CEO and Other Senior Executives. Based
on the annual performance review of the CEO, the Compensation Committee
recommends to the full Board for determination the compensation, including
incentive pay, of the CEO and the Board determines such compensation
by a vote which shall include the affirmative vote of a majority of
the independent directors of the Company. With respect to the other
senior officers of the Company, based upon their annual reviews, the
Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation, including
incentive pay, for the Company’s other senior officers. If the
CEO is also the Chairman, he will be evaluated in performance separately
for each of these two roles.
- Board and Management Responsibilities for Communication with Company
Constituencies and the Public. The Board believes that the Company’s
management speaks for the Company. Accordingly, all discussions with
and communications to the press, business partners, shareholders and
the general public relating to the Company made by the management and
all inquiries made to individual directors should be referred to the
CEO or other appropriate company officer. If requested by the CEO, an
individual Board member may meet or communicate with any of the Company’s
constituencies or the public.
Board Access to Senior Management and Advisors
Each non-employee director has full access to management of the Company.
Directors are expected to exercise their best judgment to ensure that
such contacts are not disruptive of the business operations of the Company
and, to the extent appropriate, to either arrange for such contacts and
access through the CEO, or notify the CEO in advance of such efforts.
The Board and its committees each shall have the authority at any time
to hire, at the expense of the Company, outside consultants and advisors,
including legal and accounting advisors, to assist it in the discharge
of its duties. In such cases, the Chairman of the Board or the Chairman
of the respective committee engaging such consultant(s) or advisor(s)
shall notify the Chief Executive Officer of the Company of such engagement.
Shareholder Communications with the Board
The Board provides a process for stockholders to send communications
to the Board or any of the Directors. Stockholders may send written communications
to the Board or any of the Directors care of the Secretary of the Corporation,
SRS Labs, Inc., 2909 Daimler Street, Santa Ana, California 92705. All
communications will be compiled by the Secretary of the Corporation and
submitted to the Board or the individual Directors on a periodic basis.
Each Director is expected to attend in person all annual and special meetings
of the stockholders.
Ethics and Conflicts of Interest
The Board expects the Company’s directors, as well as officers
and employees, to act ethically at all times and to acknowledge their
adherence to the policies comprising the Company’s Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics. The Board will not permit any waiver of any ethics
policy for any director or executive officer. If an actual or potential
conflict of interest arises for a director, the director shall promptly
inform the CEO and the Chairman of the Nomination and Corporate Governance
Committee. If a significant conflict exists and cannot be resolved, the
director should resign. All directors will recuse themselves from any
discussion or decision affecting their personal, business or professional
interests. The Board shall resolve any conflict of interest question involving
the CEO, a vice chairman or an officer of the Company. The CEO shall resolve
any conflict of interest issue involving any other employee of the Company.
Performance Review of the Board and the Committees of the Board
- Review of Board Effectiveness. Following the end of each fiscal
year, the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee coordinates
a process of self-assessment by all members of the Board on the performance
of the Board during the preceding year and reports to the Board the
findings and recommendations to improve Board effectiveness. This evaluation
includes a review of the delineation of Board and management powers
and the effectiveness of the interaction between the Board and management.
- Review of Committee Effectiveness. The Nomination and Corporate
Governance Committee reviews the committee structure and the membership
of each committee at least annually and makes recommendations on any
changes that it believes are appropriate. In addition, following the
end of each fiscal year, the Board, based on criteria and procedures
developed by the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee, coordinates
a process of self-assessment by members of each standing Board committee
on the performance of the committee during the preceding year and reports
to the Board the findings and any recommendations to improve committee
effectiveness.
Director Orientation and Continuing Education
The CEO shall be responsible for ensuring that an effective orientation
for new directors occur within the first six months of election to the
Board. Such orientation shall include personal briefings by senior management
relating to the Company’s strategic plans, its financial statements
and its key policies and procedures, including the Company’s Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics. In addition, from time to time, the Company
will provide materials and arrange briefing sessions for all directors
that address business, legal and other matters of importance that would
assist them in discharging their duties. The Company also supports attendance
of its directors at continuing education conferences for directors of
public companies.
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