COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER
Organization
There shall be a committee of the board of directors known
as the Compensation Committee.
Composition
The board of directors shall annually, or more frequently
as necessary to fill vacancies or to replace members in the
interim, appoint, upon the recommendation of the Nominating
Committee, no less than three directors to the Compensation
Committee each of whom shall be "independent" as
defined by Rule 4200(a)(15) of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc
and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) promulgated under Section 10A(m)(3) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The board shall designate one of the Committee members to
act as Chairperson.
The Committee may appoint a subcommittee(s) of one or two
of its members and may delegate to any such subcommittee full
authority to address any of the Committee's responsibilities.
Statement of Policy
The Compensation Committee shall provide assistance to the
board of directors in fulfilling their responsibilities to
the company's shareholders and the investment community relating
to:
- compensation of the company's executives
- review and discuss with and recommend to the board for
inclusion in the company's Proxy Statement, Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
- overseeing and advising the board of directors regarding
the adoption of policies that govern the company's compensation
programs, including stock and other benefit plans
To accomplish this mission, the Compensation Committee will
maintain open communication between itself, the board and
management.
Duties and Responsibilities
- review the competitiveness of the company's executive
compensation programs to ensure
- the attraction and retention of qualified and experienced
corporate officers
- the motivation of corporate officers to achieve the
company's business objectives
- to align the interest of key leadership with the
long-term interests of the company's shareholders
- have the sole authority to retain and terminate a consulting
firm to assist in the evaluation and structure of Chairman,
CEO and senior executive compensation; this authority includes
approval of such consultant's fees and other retention terms
- review trends in management compensation, oversee the
development of new compensation plans and, when necessary,
approve the revision of existing plans
- review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant
to the compensation of Chairman, CEO and senior executives
of the company and evaluate their respective performance
in light of these goals and objectives
- annually review and recommend to the board of directors,
for the Chairman, CEO and senior executives of the company:
- the annual base salary level
- the annual incentive opportunity level
- the long-term incentive opportunity level
- employment agreements
- severance or similar termination arrangements and
change in control provisions
- special or supplemental benefits
- consider and make recommendations to the board of directors
concerning perquisites and similar remuneration for the
Chairman, CEO and senior executives
- review and approve compensation packages for new corporate
officers and termination packages for corporate officers
as requested by management
- review and approve the awards made under any executive
officer bonus plan, and provide an appropriate report to
the board
- review and discuss with the board and senior officers
plans for officer development and corporate succession plans
for the CEO and other senior officers
- review and make recommendations to the board concerning
long-term incentive compensation plans, including the use
of stock options and other equity-based plans, and how these
compare to peer companies; except as otherwise delegated
by the board, the Committee will act on behalf of the board
to administer equity-based and employee benefit plans, including
making and authorizing grants, in accordance with the terms
of those plans
- approve issuances under, or any material amendment of,
any tax qualified non-discriminatory employee benefit plan
or parallel non-qualified plan pursuant to which a director,
officer, employee or consultant will acquire equity or options
- produce report of the Compensation Committee on Compensation
Discussion and Analysis for the company's annual Proxy Statement
in compliance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission
rules and regulations and those of the relevant listing
authority
- review and make recommendations to the board of directors
with respect to the compensation of directors
- perform other functions as requested by the board of
directors
The Compensation Committee will be funded by the company
to effect its duties and responsibilities, including, but
not limited to, administrative fees and expenses and retaining
independent counsel, accountants, or others to assist it in
its duties and responsibilities.
Communications between the Committee and legal counsel in
the course of obtaining legal advice will be considered privileged
communications of the company and the Committee, and the Committee
will take all necessary steps to protect the privileged nature
of those communications.
Administrative
- create an agenda for the upcoming year
- review and update this Charter periodically, at last
annually, as conditions dictate
- maintain minutes and other records of meetings and activities
of the Compensation Committee
- review the powers of the Compensation Committee, and
report and make recommendations to the board of directors
on its responsibilities
- conduct or authorize investigations into any matters within
the Compensation Committee's scope of responsibilities
- perform such other functions as assigned by law, the
company's certificate of incorporation or by-laws, or the
board of directors
Meetings
The Compensation Committee shall meet at least twice annually,
or more frequently as circumstances dictate. The Committee
may ask members of management or others to attend Committee
meetings and provide pertinent information when needed.
Members of the Compensation Committee may participate in
a meeting of the Committee by means of a conference call or
similar communications equipment by means of which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other.
The Compensation Committee shall report to the full board
of directors with respect to its meetings.
The majority of the members of the Compensation Committee
shall constitute a quorum, with a majority of votes of those
Committee members present at a meeting in which a quorum has
been established being sufficient to adopt a resolution or
otherwise take action.
Last revised: February 29, 2008
JaffeL/CompensationCommitteeCharter
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