Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. Proxy Voting Policy Revised March 2012

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1 Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. Proxy Voting Policy Revised March 2012 Introduction Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. ( Westfield ) will offer to vote proxies for all client accounts. Westfield believes that the voting of proxies can be an important tool for investors to promote best practices in corporate governance and we seek to vote all proxies in the best interests of our clients as investors. We also recognize that the voting of proxies with respect to securities held in managed accounts is an investment responsibility having economic value. In accordance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the Act ), Westfield has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of our clients. Our authority to vote proxies for our clients is established by the investment advisory contract with each client or comparable documents. Clients can contact their Marketing representative or our Compliance Department (wcmcompliance@wcmgmt.com) for a report of how their account s securities were voted if Westfield has voting authority. Oversight of Proxy Voting Function Westfield s proxy voting function is managed by the firm s Compliance team. Westfield has engaged a third party service provider, Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (the vendor ), to assist with the proxy voting function. Westfield s Compliance Associate (the Associate ), is responsible for handling the day-to-day items that may arise from voting proxy ballots. These items include, but are not limited to: 1. overseeing the vendor; this includes performing periodic audits of the proxy votes and the vendor s reconciliation efforts, as well as tracking missing ballots; 2. ensuring required proxy records are retained according to applicable rules and regulations and internal policy; 3. preparing and distributing proxy reports for internal and external requests; 4. reviewing proxy policy and voting guidelines at least annually; 5. identifying and reporting any conflicts of interest to the other members of the Compliance team and if necessary to the Operating and Risk Management Committee; and 6. conducting vendor due diligence annually. 1

2 Proxy Voting Guidelines Westfield will utilize the ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines. We believe these guidelines have been developed in the best interest of shareholders. Therefore, Westfield will typically not accept client direction on proxy votes, nor will we notify clients of material proxy proposals prior to voting. Clients, however, may contact Westfield to inquire how a particular proposal will be voted. Clients who have designated proxy voting authority to Westfield may choose to vote in accordance with the vendor s standard guidelines (Exhibit A), the vendor s Taft-Hartley guidelines which are in full conformity with the AFL-CIO Proxy Voting Guidelines (Exhibit B), or the vendor s Socially Responsible Guidelines (Exhibit C). Clients who do not designate a specific set of voting guidelines will be assigned the standard guidelines (Exhibit A). As a general policy, information on Westfield s proxy voting decisions or status of votes will not be communicated or distributed to external solicitors. On occasion, Westfield may provide such information to solicitors if we believe a response will benefit our clients or a response is requested from the Westfield security analyst. Proxy Voting Process The vendor tracks proxy meetings and reconciles proxy ballots received for each meeting. Westfield will use our best efforts in obtaining any missing ballots; however, we vote only those proxy ballots our vendor has received. For any missing ballots, the vendor will contact custodians to locate such missing ballots. Since there can be many factors affecting proxy ballot retrieval, it is possible that Westfield will not receive a ballot in time to place a vote. Clients who participate in securities lending programs should be aware that Westfield will not call back any shares on loan for proxy voting purposes. For each meeting, the vendor reviews the agenda and applies a vote recommendation for each proposal based on the written guidelines assigned to the applicable accounts. The Associate monitors this process and conducts periodic reviews of the vendor to ensure votes are cast in-line with the established guidelines. Westfield will vote all proxies in accordance with the guidelines, with the following exceptions: 1. Provided that Westfield is a current holder, all contentious issues, especially special meeting agendas or contested meetings will be referred to the Westfield security analyst or portfolio manager who covers the security (the analyst or manager ). Similarly, if Westfield is a current holder and is among the Top 10 shareholders (based on the vendor s published research papers), the Associate will confirm the recommended votes with the analyst or manager. If an override to the guidelines is proposed, the analyst or manager will provide rationale on such decision. If the security is sold to zero before the date of the meeting, votes will be cast in accordance with the client s selected policy. 2. At any time, if an analyst or manager believes that following the guidelines in any specific case would not be in the clients best interests, he/she may request to override the guidelines. The request must be in writing and shall include an explanation of the rationale for doing so. Westfield will not override any of the voting positions in either the Taft-Hartley/AFL-CIO Guidelines or Socially Responsible Investing Guidelines ( SRI ); thus, the preceding exceptions will not apply to voting guidelines set forth in the Taft-Hartley/AFL-CIO or SRI policies. 2

3 Conflicts of Interest Working with Westfield s Operating & Risk Management Committee, the Compliance team is responsible for monitoring the potential conflicts of interest that could arise when voting proxy ballots on behalf of our clients. Since our business is solely focused on providing investment advisory services, it is unlikely that a conflict will arise in connection with proxy voting. Additionally, per Westfield s Code of Ethics, all employees are required to avoid situations where potential conflicts may exist. However, Westfield has put in place certain reviews to ensure proxies are voted solely on the investment merits of the proposal. To help us identify potential conflicts, Westfield will review many factors, including whether the issuer is a client or a vendor with a material relationship with Westfield. If an actual conflict of interest is identified, it is reviewed by the Compliance team. If Compliance determines that the conflict is material in nature, the conflict may be addressed with the Operating & Risk Management Committee and the analyst or portfolio manager. Rationale for the resolution is documented, typically via . Proxy Reports Westfield can provide account specific proxy reports to clients upon request or at scheduled time periods (e.g., quarterly). Client reporting requirements typically are established during the initial account set-up. The reports will contain at least the following information: Recordkeeping company name meeting agenda how the account voted on each agenda item whether the account vote was in-line or against management recommendation rationale for any votes against the established guidelines (rationale is not always provided for votes that are in-line with guidelines since these are set forth in the written guidelines) In accordance with Rule of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, proxy voting records will be maintained for at least five years. The following records will be retained by Westfield or the proxy vendor: 1. a copy of the Proxy Voting Polices and Guidelines and amendments that were in effect for the past five years; 2. electronic or paper copies of each proxy statement received by Westfield or the vendor with respect to securities in client accounts (Westfield may also rely on obtaining copies of proxy statements from the SEC s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system); 3. records of each vote cast for each client; 4. documents created by Westfield that were material to making a decision on how to vote proxies or memorializes the basis for such decision (basis for decisions voted in line with policy is provided in the written guidelines); 5. written reports to clients on proxy voting and all client requests for information and Westfield s response; 6. disclosure documentation to clients on how they may obtain information on how we voted their securities. 3

4 Exhibit A 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines December 20, 2011 Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. Copyright 2011 by ISS.

5 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines The policies contained herein are a sampling of select, key proxy voting guidelines and are not exhaustive. A full listing of ISS 2012 proxy voting guidelines can be found at Routine/Miscellaneous Auditor Ratification Vote FOR proposals to ratify auditors, unless any of the following apply: An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent; There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company s financial position; Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a serious level of concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures; or Fees for non-audit services ( Other fees) are excessive. Non-audit fees are excessive if: Non-audit ( other ) fees >audit fees + audit-related fees + tax compliance/preparation fees Board of Directors Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections Votes on director nominees should be determined CASE-BY-CASE. Four fundamental principles apply when determining votes on director nominees: 1. Board Accountability 2. Board Responsiveness 3. Director Independence 4. Director Competence 1. Board Accountability Vote AGAINST 1 or WITHHOLD from the entire board of directors (except new nominees 2, who should be considered CASE- BY-CASE) for the following: 1 In general, companies with a plurality vote standard use Withhold as the contrary vote option in director elections; companies with a majority vote standard use Against. However, it will vary by company and the proxy must be checked to determine the valid contrary vote option for the particular company. ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines - 2 -

6 Problematic Takeover Defenses: Classified Board Structure: 1.1. The board is classified, and a continuing director responsible for a problematic governance issue at the board/committee level that would warrant a withhold/against vote recommendation is not up for election -- any or all appropriate nominees (except new) may be held accountable; Director Performance Evaluation: 1.2. The board lacks accountability and oversight, coupled with sustained poor performance relative to peers. Sustained poor performance is measured by one- and three-year total shareholder returns in the bottom half of a company s four-digit GICS industry group (Russell 3000 companies only). Take into consideration the company s five-year total shareholder return and five-year operational metrics. Problematic provisions include but are not limited to: A classified board structure; A supermajority vote requirement; Either a plurality vote standard in uncontested director elections or a majority vote standard with no plurality carve-out for contested elections; The inability of shareholders to call special meetings; The inability of shareholders to act by written consent; A dual-class capital structure; and/or A non shareholder- approved poison pill. Poison Pills: 1.3. The company s poison pill has a dead-hand or modified dead-hand feature. Vote WITHOLD or AGAINST every year until this feature is removed; 1.4. The board adopts a poison pill with a term of more than 12 months ( long-term pill ), or renews any existing pill, including any short-term pill (12 months or less), without shareholder approval. A commitment or policy that puts a newly adopted pill to a binding shareholder vote may potentially offset an adverse vote recommendation. Review such companies with classified boards every year, and such companies with annually elected boards at least once every three years, and vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD votes from all nominees if the company still maintains a non-shareholder-approved poison pill. This policy applies to all companies adopting or renewing pills after the announcement of this policy (Nov. 19, 2009); or 1.5. The board makes a material adverse change to an existing poison pill without shareholder approval. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on all nominees if: 1.6. The board adopts a poison pill with a term of 12 months or less ( short-term pill ) without shareholder approval, taking into account the following factors: The date of the pill s adoption relative to the date of the next meeting of shareholders i.e. whether the company had time to put the pill on ballot for shareholder ratification given the circumstances; The issuer s rationale; The issuer's governance structure and practices; and The issuer's track record of accountability to shareholders. 2 A new nominee is any current nominee who has not already been elected by shareholders and who joined the board after the problematic action in question transpired. If ISS cannot determine whether the nominee joined the board before or after the problematic action transpired, the nominee will be considered a new nominee if he or she joined the board within the 12 months prior to the upcoming shareholder meeting. ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines - 3 -

7 Problematic Audit-Related Practices Generally vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the members of the Audit Committee if: 1.7. The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive (see discussion under Auditor Ratification ); 1.8. The company receives an adverse opinion on the company s financial statements from its auditor; or 1.9. There is persuasive evidence that the Audit Committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on members of the Audit Committee and potentially the full board if: Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a level of serious concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures. Examine the severity, breadth, chronological sequence and duration, as well as the company s efforts at remediation or corrective actions, in determining whether WITHHOLD/AGAINST votes are warranted. Problematic Compensation Practices/Pay for Performance Misalignment In the absence of an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation ballot item, or, in egregious situations, vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the members of the Compensation Committee and potentially the full board if: There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance); The company maintains significant problematic pay practices; The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders; The company fails to submit one-time transfers of stock options to a shareholder vote; or The company fails to fulfill the terms of a burn rate commitment made to shareholders. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on Compensation Committee members (or, in exceptional cases, the full board) and the Management Say-on-Pay proposal if: The company's previous say-on-pay proposal received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account: The company's response, including: o Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors regarding the issues that contributed to the low level of support; o Specific actions taken to address the issues that contributed to the low level of support; o Other recent compensation actions taken by the company; Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated; The company's ownership structure; and Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness. Governance Failures Under extraordinary circumstances, vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from directors individually, committee members, or the entire board, due to: Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight, or fiduciary responsibilities at the company; Failure to replace management as appropriate; or ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines - 4 -

8 1.19. Egregious actions related to a director s service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company. 2. Board Responsiveness Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the entire board of directors (except new nominees, who should be considered CASE-BY- CASE) if: 2.1. The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received the support of a majority of the shares outstanding the previous year; 2.2. The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received the support of a majority of shares cast in the last year and one of the two previous years; 2.3. The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of shares are tendered; 2.4. At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent withhold/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote; or 2.5. The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received the majority of votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on the entire board if: 2.6. The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received a plurality, but not a majority, of the votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency, taking into account: The board's rationale for selecting a frequency that is different from the frequency that received a plurality; The company's ownership structure and vote results; ISS' analysis of whether there are compensation concerns or a history of problematic compensation practices; and The previous year's support level on the company's say-on-pay proposal. 3. Director Independence Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from Inside Directors and Affiliated Outside Directors (per the Categorization of Directors) when: 3.1. The inside or affiliated outside director serves on any of the three key committees: audit, compensation, or nominating; 3.2. The company lacks an audit, compensation, or nominating committee so that the full board functions as that committee; 3.3. The company lacks a formal nominating committee, even if the board attests that the independent directors fulfill the functions of such a committee; or 3.4. Independent directors make up less than a majority of the directors. 4. Director Competence Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings: Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the entire board of directors (except new nominees, who should be considered CASE-BY- CASE) if: 4.1. The company s proxy indicates that not all directors attended 75 percent of the aggregate board and committee meetings, but fails to provide the required disclosure of the names of the director(s) involved. Generally vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from individual directors who: ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines - 5 -

9 4.2. Attend less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings (with the exception of new nominees). Acceptable reasons for director absences are generally limited to the following: Medical issues/illness; Family emergencies; and Missing only one meeting. These reasons for directors' absences will only be considered by ISS if disclosed in the proxy or another SEC filing. If the disclosure is insufficient to determine whether a director attended at least 75 percent of board and committee meetings in aggregate, vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the director. Overboarded Directors: Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from individual directors who: 4.3. Sit on more than six public company boards; or 4.4. Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies besides their own withhold only at their outside boards. Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections Vote CASE-BY-CASE on the election of directors in contested elections, considering the following factors: Long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry; Management s track record; Background to the proxy contest; Qualifications of director nominees (both slates); Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of critique against management; Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates); Stock ownership positions. Proxy Access ISS supports proxy access as an important shareholder right, one that is complementary to other best -practice corporate governance features. However, in the absence of a uniform standard, proposals to enact proxy access may vary widely; as such, ISS is not setting forth specific parameters at this time and will take a case-by-case approach in evaluating these proposals. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to enact proxy access, taking into account, among other factors: Company-specific factors; and Proposal-specific factors, including: o The ownership thresholds proposed in the resolution (i.e., percentage and duration); o The maximum proportion of directors that shareholders may nominate each year; and o The method of determining which nominations should appear on the ballot if multiple shareholders submit nominations. ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines - 6 -

10 Shareholder Rights & Defenses Exclusive Venue Vote CASE-BY-CASE on exclusive venue proposals, taking into account: Whether the company has been materially harmed by shareholder litigation outside its jurisdiction of incorporation, based on disclosure in the company s proxy statement; and Whether the company has the following good governance features: o An annually elected board; o A majority vote standard in uncontested director elections; and o The absence of a poison pill, unless the pill was approved by shareholders. Poison Pills- Management Proposals to Ratify Poison Pill Vote CASE-BY-CASE on management proposals on poison pill ratification, focusing on the features of the shareholder right s plan. Rights plans should contain the following attributes: No lower than a 20% trigger, flip-in or flip-over; A term of no more than three years; No dead-hand, slow-hand, no-hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill; Shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause); if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced, 10 percent of the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill. In addition, the rationale for adopting the pill should be thoroughly explained by the company. In examining the request for the pill, take into consideration the company s existing governance structure, including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, and any problematic governance concerns. Poison Pills- Management Proposals to Ratify a Pill to Preserve Net Operating Losses (NOLs) Vote AGAINST proposals to adopt a poison pill for the stated purpose of protecting a company's net operating losses ( NOLs ) if the term of the pill would exceed the shorter of three years and the exhaustion of the NOL. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on management proposals for poison pill ratification, considering the following factors, if the term of the pill would be the shorter of three years (or less) and the exhaustion of the NOL: The ownership threshold to transfer (NOL pills generally have a trigger slightly below 5 percent); The value of the NOLs; Shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision, or commitment to cause expiration of the pill upon exhaustion or expiration of NOLs); The company's existing governance structure including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, track record of responsiveness to shareholders, and any other problematic governance concerns; and Any other factors that may be applicable. Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent Generally vote AGAINST management and shareholder proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholders' ability to act by written consent. ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines - 7 -

11 Generally vote FOR management and shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to act by written consent, taking into account the following factors: Shareholders' current right to act by written consent; The consent threshold; The inclusion of exclusionary or prohibitive language; Investor ownership structure; and Shareholder support of, and management's response to, previous shareholder proposals. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals if, in addition to the considerations above, the company has the following governance and antitakeover provisions: An unfettered 3 right for shareholders to call special meetings at a 10 percent threshold; A majority vote standard in uncontested director elections; No non-shareholder-approved pill; and An annually elected board. CAPITAL/RESTRUCTURING Common Stock Authorization Vote FOR proposals to increase the number of authorized common shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with a transaction on the same ballot that warrants support. Vote AGAINST proposals at companies with more than one class of common stock to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of common stock that has superior voting rights. Vote AGAINST proposals to increase the number of authorized common shares if a vote for a reverse stock split on the same ballot is warranted despite the fact that the authorized shares would not be reduced proportionally. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on all other proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance. Take into account company-specific factors that include, at a minimum, the following: Past Board Performance: o The company's use of authorized shares during the last three years The Current Request: o Disclosure in the proxy statement of the specific purposes of the proposed increase; o Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific and severe risks to shareholders of not approving the request; and o The dilutive impact of the request as determined by an allowable increase calculated by ISS (typically 100 percent of existing authorized shares) that reflects the company's need for shares and total shareholder returns. 3 "Unfettered" means no restrictions on agenda items, no restrictions on the number of shareholders who can group together to reach the 10 percent threshold, and only reasonable limits on when a meeting can be called: no greater than 30 days after the last annual meeting and no greater than 90 prior to the next annual meeting. ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines - 8 -

12 Preferred Stock Authorization Vote FOR proposals to increase the number of authorized preferred shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with a transaction on the same ballot that warrants support. Vote AGAINST proposals at companies with more than one class or series of preferred stock to increase the number of authorized shares of the class or series of preferred stock that has superior voting rights. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on all other proposals to increase the number of shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance. Take into account company-specific factors that include, at a minimum, the following: Past Board Performance: o The company's use of authorized preferred shares during the last three years; The Current Request: o Disclosure in the proxy statement of the specific purposes for the proposed increase; o Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific and severe risks to shareholders of not approving the request; o In cases where the company has existing authorized preferred stock, the dilutive impact of the request as determined by an allowable increase calculated by ISS (typically 100 percent of existing authorized shares) that reflects the company's need for shares and total shareholder returns; and o Whether the shares requested are blank check preferred shares that can be used for antitakeover purposes. Dual Class Structure Generally vote AGAINST proposals to create a new class of common stock unless: The company discloses a compelling rationale for the dual-class capital structure, such as: o The company's auditor has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern; or o The new class of shares will be transitory; The new class is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders in both the short term and long term; and The new class is not designed to preserve or increase the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder. Mergers and Acquisitions Vote CASE BY- CASE on mergers and acquisitions. Review and evaluate the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including: Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, emphasis is placed on the offer premium, market reaction and strategic rationale. Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction should cause closer scrutiny of a deal. Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions. Negotiations and process - Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at arm's-length? Was the process fair and equitable? A fair process helps to ensure the best price for shareholders. Significant negotiation "wins" can also ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines - 9 -

13 signify the deal makers' competency. The comprehensiveness of the sales process (e.g., full auction, partial auction, no auction) can also affect shareholder value. Conflicts of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? As the result of potential conflicts, the directors and officers of the company may be more likely to vote to approve a merger than if they did not hold these interests. Consider whether these interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend the merger. The CIC figure presented in the "ISS Transaction Summary" section of this report is an aggregate figure that can in certain cases be a misleading indicator of the true value transfer from shareholders to insiders. Where such figure appears to be excessive, analyze the underlying assumptions to determine whether a potential conflict exists. Governance - Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance. COMPENSATION Executive Pay Evaluation Underlying all evaluations are five global principles that most investors expect corporations to adhere to in designing and administering executive and director compensation programs: 1. Maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment, with emphasis on long-term shareholder value: This principle encompasses overall executive pay practices, which must be designed to attract, retain, and appropriately motivate the key employees who drive shareholder value creation over the long term. It will take into consideration, among other factors, the link between pay and performance; the mix between fixed and variable pay; performance goals; and equity-based plan costs; 2. Avoid arrangements that risk pay for failure : This principle addresses the appropriateness of long or indefinite contracts, excessive severance packages, and guaranteed compensation; 3. Maintain an independent and effective compensation committee: This principle promotes oversight of executive pay programs by directors with appropriate skills, knowledge, experience, and a sound process for compensation decision-making (e.g., including access to independent expertise and advice when needed); 4. Provide shareholders with clear, comprehensive compensation disclosures: This principle underscores the importance of informative and timely disclosures that enable shareholders to evaluate executive pay practices fully and fairly; 5. Avoid inappropriate pay to non-executive directors: This principle recognizes the interests of shareholders in ensuring that compensation to outside directors does not compromise their independence and ability to make appropriate judgments in overseeing managers pay and performance. At the market level, it may incorporate a variety of generally accepted best practices. Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation- Management Proposals (Management Say-on-Pay) Vote CASE-BY-CASE on ballot items related to executive pay and practices, as well as certain aspects of outside director compensation. Vote AGAINST Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Management Say-on-Pay MSOP) if: There is a significant misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance); The company maintains significant problematic pay practices; The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders. ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines

14 Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the members of the Compensation Committee and potentially the full board if: There is no MSOP on the ballot, and an AGAINST vote on an MSOP is warranted due to pay for performance misalignment, problematic pay practices, or the lack of adequate responsiveness on compensation issues raised previously, or a combination thereof; The board fails to respond adequately to a previous MSOP proposal that received less than 70 percent support of votes cast; The company has recently practiced or approved problematic pay practices, including option repricing or option backdating; or The situation is egregious. Vote AGAINST an equity plan on the ballot if: A pay for performance misalignment is found, and a significant portion of the CEO s misaligned pay is attributed to non-performance-based equity awards, taking into consideration: o Magnitude of pay misalignment; o Contribution of non-performance-based equity grants to overall pay; and o The proportion of equity awards granted in the last three fiscal years concentrated at the named executive officer (NEO) level. Primary Evaluation Factors for Executive Pay Pay- for-performance Evaluation ISS annually conducts a pay-for-performance analysis to identify strong or satisfactory alignment between pay and performance over a sustained period. With respect to companies in the Russell 3000 index, this analysis considers the following: 1. Peer Group 4 Alignment: The degree of alignment between the company's TSR rank and the CEO's total pay rank within a peer group, as measured over one-year and three-year periods (weighted 40/60); The multiple of the CEO's total pay relative to the peer group median. 2. Absolute Alignment: The absolute alignment between the trend in CEO pay and company TSR over the prior five fiscal years i.e., the difference between the trend in annual pay changes and the trend in annualized TSR during the period. If the above analysis demonstrates significant unsatisfactory long-term pay-for-performance alignment or, in the case of non-russell 3000 index companies, misaligned pay and performance are otherwise suggested, analyze the following 4 The peer group is generally comprised of companies that are selected using market cap, revenue (or assets for financial firms), and GICS industry group, via a process designed to select peers that are closest to the subject company, and where the subject company is close to median in revenue/asset size. The relative alignment evaluation will consider the company s rank for both pay and TSR within the peer group (for one- and three-year periods) and the CEO s pay relative to the median pay level in the peer group. ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines

15 qualitative factors to determine how various pay elements may work to encourage or to undermine long-term value creation and alignment with shareholder interests: The ratio of performance- to time-based equity awards; The ratio of performance-based compensation to overall compensation; The completeness of disclosure and rigor of performance goals; The company's peer group benchmarking practices; Actual results of financial/operational metrics, such as growth in revenue, profit, cash flow, etc., both absolute and relative to peers; Special circumstances related to, for example, a new CEO in the prior fiscal year or anomalous equity grant practices (e.g., biennial awards); and Any other factors deemed relevant. Problematic Pay Practices The focus is on executive compensation practices that contravene the global pay principles, including: Problematic practices related to non-performance-based compensation elements; Incentives that may motivate excessive risk-taking; and Options Backdating. Problematic Pay Practices related to Non-Performance-Based Compensation Elements Pay elements that are not directly based on performance are generally evaluated CASE-BY-CASE considering the context of a company's overall pay program and demonstrated pay-for-performance philosophy. Please refer to ISS' Compensation FAQ document for detail on specific pay practices that have been identified as potentially problematic and may lead to negative recommendations if they are deemed to be inappropriate or unjustified relative to executive pay best practices. The list below highlights the problematic practices that carry significant weight in this overall consideration and may resul t in adverse vote recommendations: Repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/sars without prior shareholder approval (including cash buyouts and voluntary surrender of underwater options); Excessive perquisites or tax gross-ups, including any gross-up related to a secular trust or restricted stock vesting; New or extended agreements that provide for: o CIC payments exceeding 3 times base salary and average/target/most recent bonus; o CIC severance payments without involuntary job loss or substantial diminution of duties ("single" or "modified single" triggers); o CIC payments with excise tax gross-ups (including "modified" gross-ups). Incentives that may Motivate Excessive Risk-Taking Multi-year guaranteed bonuses; A single or common performance metric used for short- and long-term plans; Lucrative severance packages; High pay opportunities relative to industry peers; Disproportionate supplemental pensions; or Mega annual equity grants that provide unlimited upside with no downside risk. ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines

16 Factors that potentially mitigate the impact of risky incentives include rigorous claw-back provisions and robust stock ownership/holding guidelines. Options Backdating The following factors should be examined CASE-BY-CASE to allow for distinctions to be made between sloppy plan administration versus deliberate action or fraud: Reason and motive for the options backdating issue, such as inadvertent vs. deliberate grant date changes; Duration of options backdating; Size of restatement due to options backdating; Corrective actions taken by the board or compensation committee, such as canceling or re-pricing backdated options, the recouping of option gains on backdated grants; and Adoption of a grant policy that prohibits backdating, and creates a fixed grant schedule or window period for equity grants in the future. Board Communications and Responsiveness Consider the following factors CASE-BY-CASE when evaluating ballot items related to executive pay on the board s responsiveness to investor input and engagement on compensation issues: Failure to respond to majority-supported shareholder proposals on executive pay topics; or Failure to adequately respond to the company's previous say-on-pay proposal that received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account: o The company's response, including: Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors regarding the issues that contributed to the low level of support; Specific actions taken to address the issues that contributed to the low level of support; Other recent compensation actions taken by the company; o Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated; o The company's ownership structure; and o Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness. Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Management "Say on Pay") Vote FOR annual advisory votes on compensation, which provide the most consistent and clear communication channel for shareholder concerns about companies' executive pay programs. Voting on Golden Parachutes in an Acquisition, Merger, Consolidation, or Proposed Sale Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to approve the company's golden parachute compensation, consistent with ISS' policies on problematic pay practices related to severance packages. Features that may lead to a vote AGAINST include: ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines

17 Recently adopted or materially amended agreements that include excise tax gross-up provisions (since prior annual meeting); Recently adopted or materially amended agreements that include modified single triggers (since prior annual meeting); Single trigger payments that will happen immediately upon a change in control, including cash payment and such items as the acceleration of performance-based equity despite the failure to achieve performance measures; Single-trigger vesting of equity based on a definition of change in control that requires only shareholder approval of the transaction (rather than consummation); Potentially excessive severance payments; Recent amendments or other changes that may make packages so attractive as to influence merger agreements that may not be in the best interests of shareholders; In the case of a substantial gross-up from pre-existing/grandfathered contract: the element that triggered the gross-up (i.e., option mega-grants at low point in stock price, unusual or outsized payments in cash or equity made or negotiated prior to the merger); or The company's assertion that a proposed transaction is conditioned on shareholder approval of the golden parachute advisory vote. ISS would view this as problematic from a corporate governance perspective. In cases where the golden parachute vote is incorporated into a company's separate advisory vote on compensation ("management "say on pay"), ISS will evaluate the "say on pay" proposal in accordance with these guidelines, which may give higher weight to that component of the overall evaluation. Equity-Based and Other Incentive Plans Vote CASE-BY-CASE on equity-based compensation plans. Vote AGAINST the equity plan if any of the following factors apply: The total cost of the company s equity plans is unreasonable; The plan expressly permits repricing; A pay-for-performance misalignment is found; The company s three year burn rate exceeds the burn rate cap of its industry group; The plan has a liberal change-of-control definition; or The plan is a vehicle for problematic pay practices. Social/Environmental Issues Overall Approach When evaluating social and environmental shareholder proposals, ISS considers the following factors: Whether adoption of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value; Whether the information requested concerns business issues that relate to a meaningful percentage of the company's business as measured by sales, assets, and earnings; The degree to which the company's stated position on the issues raised in the proposal could affect its reputation or sales, or leave it vulnerable to a boycott or selective purchasing; Whether the issues presented are more appropriately/effectively dealt with through governmental or companyspecific action; ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines

18 Whether the company has already responded in some appropriate manner to the request embodied in the proposal; Whether the company's analysis and voting recommendation to shareholders are persuasive; What other companies have done in response to the issue addressed in the proposal; Whether the proposal itself is well framed and the cost of preparing the report is reasonable; Whether implementation of the proposal s request would achieve the proposal s objectives; Whether the subject of the proposal is best left to the discretion of the board; Whether the requested information is available to shareholders either from the company or from a publicly available source; and Whether providing this information would reveal proprietary or confidential information that would place the company at a competitive disadvantage. Political Spending & Lobbying Activities Generally vote AGAINST proposals asking the company to affirm political nonpartisanship in the workplace so long as: There are no recent, significant controversies, fines or litigation regarding the company s political contributions or trade association spending; and The company has procedures in place to ensure that employee contributions to company-sponsored political action committees (PACs) are strictly voluntary and prohibit coercion. Vote AGAINST proposals to publish in newspapers and other media the company's political contributions. Such publications could present significant cost to the company without providing commensurate value to shareholders. Generally vote FOR proposals requesting greater disclosure of a company's political contributions and trade association spending policies and activities. However, the following will be considered: The company's current disclosure of policies and oversight mechanisms related to its direct political contributions and payments to trade associations or other groups that may be used for political purposes, including information on the types of organizations supported and the business rationale for supporting these organizations; and Recent significant controversies, fines, or litigation related to the company's political contributions or political activities. Vote AGAINST proposals barring the company from making political contributions. Businesses are affected by legislation at the federal, state, and local level; barring political contributions can put the company at a competitive disadvantage. Vote AGAINST proposals asking for a list of company executives, directors, consultants, legal counsels, lobbyists, or investment bankers that have prior government service and whether such service had a bearing on the business of the company. Such a list would be burdensome to prepare without providing any meaningful information to shareholders. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals requesting information on a company's lobbying activities, including direct lobbying as well as grassroots lobbying activities, considering: The company's current disclosure of relevant policies and oversight mechanisms; Recent significant controversies, fines, or litigation related to the company's public policy activities; and The impact that the policy issues may have on the company's business operations. ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines

19 Hydraulic Fracturing Generally vote FOR proposals requesting greater disclosure of a company's (natural gas) hydraulic fracturing operations, including measures the company has taken to manage and mitigate the potential community and environmental impacts of those operations, considering: The company's current level of disclosure of relevant policies and oversight mechanisms; The company's current level of such disclosure relative to its industry peers; Potential relevant local, state, or national regulatory developments; and Controversies, fines, or litigation related to the company's hydraulic fracturing operations. Disclosure/Disclaimer This document and all of the information contained in it, including without limitation all text, data, graphs, and charts (collectively, the "Information") is the property of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), its subsidiaries, or, in some cases third party suppliers. The Information has not been submitted to, nor received approval from, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory body. None of the Information constitutes an offer to sell (or a solicitation of an offer to buy), or a promotion or recommendation of, any security, financial product or other investment vehicle or any trading strategy, and ISS does not endorse, approve, or otherwise express any opinion regarding any issuer, securities, financial products or instruments or trading strategies. The user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information. ISS MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE INFORMATION. Without limiting any of the foregoing and to the maximum extent permitted by law, in no event shall ISS have any liability regarding any of the Information for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential (including lost profits), or any other damages even if notified of the possibility of such damages. The foregoing shall not exclude or limit any liability that may not by applicable law be excluded or limited. ISS 2012 U.S. Proxy Voting Concise Guidelines

20 Exhibit B Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary January 2012 Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. Copyright 2011 by ISS

21 Introduction The proxy voting policy of ISS Taft-Hartley Advisory Services is based upon the AFL-CIO Proxy Voting Guidelines, which comply with all the fiduciary standards delineated by the U.S. Department of Labor. Taft-Hartley client accounts are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). ERISA sets forth the tenets under which pension fund assets must be managed and invested. Proxy voting rights have been declared by the Department of Labor to be valuable plan assets and therefore must be exercised in accordance with the fiduciary duties o f loyalty and prudence. The duty of loyalty requires that the voting fiduciary exercise proxy voting authority solely in the economic interest of participants and plan beneficiaries. The duty of prudence requires that decisions be made based on financial criteria and that a clear process exists for evaluating proxy issues. The Taft-Hartley Advisory Services voting policy was carefully crafted to meet those requirements by promoting long -term shareholder value, emphasizing the economic best interests of plan participants and beneficiaries. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services will assess the short-term and long-term impact of a vote and will promote a position that is consistent with the long-term economic best interests of plan members embodied in the principle of a worker-owner view of value. Our guidelines address a broad range of issues, including election of directors, executive compensation, proxy contests, auditor ratification, and tender offer defenses all significant voting items that affect long-term shareholder value. In addition, these guidelines delve deeper into workplace issues that may have an impact on corporate performance, including: Corporate policies that affect job security and wage levels; Corporate policies that affect local economic development and stability; Corporate responsibility to employees, communities and the environment; and Workplace safety and health issues. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services shall analyze each proxy on a case-by-case basis, informed by the guidelines outlined in the following pages. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services does not intend for these guidelines to be exhaustive. It is neither practical nor productive to fashion voting guidelines and policies which attempt to address every eventuality. Rather, Taft-Hartley Advisory Services guidelines are intended to cover the most significant and frequent proxy issues that arise. Issues not covered by the guidelines shall be voted in the interest of plan participants and beneficiaries of the plan based on a worker - owner view of long-term corporate value. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services shall revise its guidelines as events warrant and will remain in full conformity with the AFL-CIO proxy voting policy. Taft Hartley Advisory Services guidelines based on AFL-CIO proxy voting policy 2012 Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary - 2 -

22 I) Board of Directors Proposals Electing directors is the single most important stock ownership right that shareholders can exercise. The board of directors is responsible for holding management accountable to performance standards on behalf of the shareholders. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services holds directors to a high standard when voting on their election, qualifications, and compensation. Votes concerning the entire board of directors and members of key board committees are examined using the following factors: Board Independence: Without independence from management, the board and/or its committees may be unwilling or unable to effectively set company strategy and scrutinize performance or executive compensation. Lack of board and key board committee independence (fully independent audit, compensation, and nominating committees). Lack of a board that is at least two-thirds (67 percent) independent i.e. where the composition of nonindependent board members is in excess of 33 percent of the entire board; Lack of independence on key board committees (i.e. audit, compensation, and nominating committees); Failure to establish any key board committees (i.e. audit, compensation, or nominating). Board Competence: Companies should seek a diverse board of directors who can add value to the board through specific skills or expertise and who can devote sufficient time and commitment to serve effectively. While directors should not be constrained by arbitrary limits such as age or term limits, directors who are unable to attend board and committee meetings and/or who are overextended (i.e. serving on too many boards) raise concern on the director s ability to effectively serve in shareholders best interests. Attendance of director nominees at board meetings of less than 75 percent in one year without valid reason or explanation. Directors serving on an excessive number of other boards which could compromise their primary duties of care and loyalty. Board Accountability: Practices that promote accountability include; transparency into a company s governance practices, annual board elections, and providing shareholders the ability to remove problematic directors and to vote on takeover defenses or other charter/bylaw amendments. These practices help reduce the opportunity for management entrenchment. Problematic Takeover Defenses. Governance Failures. Problematic Compensation Practices Problematic Audit-Related Practices Board Responsiveness: Directors should be responsive to shareholders, particularly in regard to shareholder proposals that receive a majority vote and to tender offers where a majority of shares are tendered. Boards should also be sufficiently responsive to high withhold/against votes on directors. Furthermore, shareholders should expect directors to devote sufficient time and resources to oversight of the company. If at the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent withhold/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the underlying issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote; The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders tendered their shares. Taft Hartley Advisory Services guidelines based on AFL-CIO proxy voting policy 2012 Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary - 3 -

23 Independent Directors Taft-Hartley Advisory Services believes that a board independent of management is of critical value to safeguard a company and its shareholders. Board independence helps ensure that directors carry out their duties in an objective manner and without manager interference to select, monitor, and compensate management. We will cast votes in a manner consistent with supporting and reinforcing this philosophy. Independence is evaluated upon factors including: past or current employment with the company or its subsidiaries; the provision of consulting services; familial relationships; board interlocks; and service with a non-profit that receives contributions from the company. We vote FOR proposals that request that the board comprise of a two-thirds majority of independent directors, and/or its audit, compensation, and nominating committees be comprised wholly of independent directors. We vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from non-independent director nominees on boards that are not at least two-thirds (67 percent) independent. Non-independent Chairman A principal function of the board is to monitor management, and a fundamental responsibility of the chairman is to monitor the company s CEO. This duty is obviously compromised when the chairman is the CEO. Many investors, including Taft- Hartley fiduciaries, believe that a CEO should not run the board. As executive compensation is heavily correlated to the managerial power relationship in the boardroom, the separation of the CEO and chairman positions also represents a critical step in curtailing excessive pay. Indeed, a number of academic studies have demonstrated that executive compensation is higher if the CEO is also the chairman of the board. We vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from nonindependent directors who serve as board chairs, and vote FOR proposals calling for non-executive directors who are not former CEOs or senior-level executives to serve as chairman. Board Structure Taft-Hartley Advisory Services supports the principle that all directors should be accountable to shareholder vote on an annual basis. A classified board is a board divided into separate classes (typically three), with only one class of nominees coming up to vote at the annual meeting each year. As a result, shareholders are only able to vote a single director approximately once every three years. A classified board makes it difficult to change control of the board through a proxy contest because typically only one-third of the seats will be at stake. Classified boards can also reduce director accountability by insulating directors, at least for a certain period of time, from the consequences of their actions. Continuing directors who are responsible for a problematic governance issue at the board/committee level would avoid shareholders reactions to their actions because they would not be up for election in that year. In these cases, the full board should be responsible for the actions of its directors. The ultimate result is that classified boards can entrench management and preclude most takeover bids or proxy contests, as well as shield directors from being accountable to shareholders on an annual basis. Good corporate governance practice supports annually elected boards. We vote AGAINST classified boards when the issue comes up for vote. With the exception of new nominees, we will also vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from any or all of the nominees up for election if the company has a classified board and a continuing director is responsible for a problematic governance issue at the board/committee level that would warrant a withhold/against vote - in addition to potential future withhold/against votes on that director. Taft Hartley Advisory Services guidelines based on AFL-CIO proxy voting policy 2012 Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary - 4 -

24 Board and Committee Size While there is no hard and fast rule among institutional investors as to what may be an optimal size board, Taft-Hartley Advisory Services believes there is an acceptable range which companies should strive to meet and not exceed. A board that is too large may function inefficiently. Conversely, a board that is too small may allow the CEO to exert disproportionate influence or may stretch the time requirements of individual directors too thin. Given that the preponderance of boards in the U.S. range between five and fifteen directors, we believe this is a useful benchmark for evaluating such proposals. We vote AGAINST any proposal seeking to amend the company s board size to fewer than five seats or more than fifteen seats. On a CASE-BY-CASE basis, we consider votes AGAINST, WITHHOLDS or other action at companies that have fewer than five directors and more than 15 directors on their board. Performance/Governance Evaluation for Directors Taft-Hartley Advisory Services believes that long-term financial performance and the appropriateness of governance practices should be taken into consideration when determining votes with regard to directors in uncontested elections. When evaluating whether to vote against or withhold votes from director nominees, we will evaluate underperforming companies that exhibit sustained poor performance as measured by one- and three-year total shareholder returns in the bottom half of a company s four-digit GICS industry group (Russell 3000 companies only). For companies outside the Russell 3000 universe, a company will be considered to have exhibited sustained poor performance if it underperforms its peers or index on the basis of both one-year and three-year total shareholder returns. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services will assess the company s response to the ongoing performance issues, and consider recent board and management changes, board independence, overall governance practices, and other factors that may have an impact on shareholders. Proposals on Board Inclusiveness Taft-Hartley Advisory Services votes FOR shareholder proposals asking a company to make efforts to seek more women and minority group members for service on the board. A more diverse group of directors benefits shareholders and the company. Majority Threshold Voting Requirement for Director Elections Taft-Hartley fiduciaries believe shareholders should have a greater voice in regard to the election of directors and view majority threshold voting as a viable alternative to the current deficiencies of the plurality system in the U.S. Shareholders have expressed strong support for resolutions on majority threshold voting. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services supports proposals calling for directors to be elected with an affirmative majority of votes cast and/or the elimination of the plurality standard for electing directors, provided the proposal includes a carve-out for a plurality voting standard in contested director elections. Cumulative Voting Under a cumulative voting scheme, shareholders are permitted to have one vote per share for each director to be elected and may apportion these votes among the director candidates in any manner they wish. This voting method allows minority shareholders to influence the outcome of director contests by cumulating their votes for one nominee, thereby creating a measure of independence from management control. Taft Hartley Advisory Services guidelines based on AFL-CIO proxy voting policy 2012 Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary - 5 -

25 With the advent and prevalence of majority voting for director elections, shareholders now have greater flexibility in supporting candidates for a company s board of directors. Cumulative voting and majority voting can work together operationally, with companies electing to use majority voting for uncontested elections and cumulative voting for contested elections to increase accountability and ensure minority representation on the board. In contested elections, similar to cumulative voting, proxy access allows shareholder access to the ballot without a veto from the nominating committee, but unlike cumulative voting, it also requires majority support to elect such directors. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services votes AGAINST proposals to eliminate cumulative voting, and votes FOR proposals to allow cumulative voting unless: 1) The company has adopted a majority vote standard, with a carve-out for plurality voting in contested board elections, and a director resignation policy to address failed elections; and 2) company has proxy access thereby allowing shareholders to nominate directors to the company s ballot. Poison Pills Shareholder rights plans, more commonly known as poison pills, are warrants issued to shareholders allowing them to purchase shares from the company at a price far below market value when a certain ownership threshold has been reached, thereby effectively preventing a takeover. Poison pills can entrench management and give the board veto power over takeover bids, thereby altering the balance of power between shareholders and management. While we evaluate poison pills on a case-by-case basis depending on a company s particular set of circumstances, Taft-Hartley Advisory Services generally votes FOR proposals to submit a company s poison pill to shareholder vote and/or eliminate or redeem poison pills. We vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from boards where a dead-hand poison pill provision is in place. From a shareholder perspective, there is no justification for a dead-hand provision. Majority Supported Shareholder Proposals Taft-Hartley Advisory Services generally votes AGAINST or WITHHOLDS from all director nominees at a company that has ignored a shareholder proposal that was approved by a majority of the votes cast at the last annual meeting. Taft Hartley Advisory Services guidelines based on AFL-CIO proxy voting policy 2012 Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary - 6 -

26 II) Capital Structure Increase Authorized Common Stock Corporations seek shareholder approval to increase their supply of common stock for a variety of business reasons. We vote FOR proposals to increase authorized common stock when management has provided a specific justification for the increase, evaluating proposals on a case-by-case basis. We believe that an increase of up to 50 percent is enough to allow a company to meet its capital needs. We vote AGAINST proposals to increase an authorization by more than 50 percent unless management provides compelling reasons for the increase. Dual Class Structures Taft-Hartley Advisory Services does not support dual share class structures. Incumbent management can use a dual class structure to gain unequal voting rights. A separate class of shares with superior voting rights can allow management to concentrate its power and insulate itself from the majority of its shareholders. An additional drawback is the added cost and complication of maintaining the two class system. We will vote FOR a one share, one vote capital structure, and vote AGAINST the creation or continuation of dual class structures. III) Auditor Ratification Ratifying auditors is no longer a routine procedure. The wave of accounting scandals at companies in the over the past decade underscore the need to ensure auditor independence in the face of selling consulting services to audit clients. The ratio of non-audit services to total revenues at the large accounting firms grew significantly leading up to the accounting scandals. We believe the ratio of non-audit fees should make up no more than one-quarter of all fees paid to the auditor so as to properly discourage even the appearance of any undue influence upon an auditor s objectivity Auditors are the backbone upon which a company s financial health is measured, and auditor independence is essential for rendering objective opinions upon which investors then rely. When an auditor is paid more in consulting fees than for auditing, its relationship with the company is left open to conflicts of interest. Because accounting scandals evaporate shareholder value, any proposal to ratify auditors is examined for potential conflicts of interest, with particular attention to the fees paid to the auditor, as well as whether the ratification of auditors has been put up for shareholder vote. Failure b y a company to present its selection of auditors for shareholder ratification should be discouraged as it undermines good governance and disenfranchises shareholders. We vote AGAINST ratification of a company s auditor if it receives more than one-quarter of its total fees for consulting and vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from Audit Committee members when auditor ratification is not included on the proxy ballot and/or when consulting fees exceed audit fees. We support shareholder proposals to ensure auditor independence and effect mandatory auditor ratification. Taft Hartley Advisory Services guidelines based on AFL-CIO proxy voting policy 2012 Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary - 7 -

27 IV) Mergers, Acquisitions, and Transactions Taft-Hartley Advisory Services votes for corporate transactions that take the high road to competitiveness and company growth. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services believes that structuring merging companies to build long-term relationships with a stable and quality work force and preserving good jobs creates long-term company value. We oppose corporate transactions which indiscriminately layoff workers and shed valuable competitive resources. Votes on mergers and acquisitions are considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, taking into account the following factors: Impact on shareholder value; Changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights; Fairness opinion (or lack thereof); Offer price (cost vs. premium); Form and mix of payment (i.e. stock, cash, debt, etc.); Change-in-control payments to executive officers; Perspective of ownership (target vs. acquirer) in the deal; Fundamental value drivers behind the deal; Anticipated financial and operating benefits realizable through combined synergies; Financial viability of the combined companies as a single entity; What are the potential legal or environmental liability risks associated with the target firm?; Impact on community stakeholders and employees in both workforces; How will the merger adversely affect employee benefits like pensions and health care? Reincorporation Taft-Hartley Advisory Services reviews proposals to change a company s state of incorporation on a case-by-case basis. We vote FOR proposals to reincorporate in another state when the company has provided satisfactory business reasons and there is no significant reduction in shareholder rights. We vote AGAINST proposals to reincorporate that reduce shareholder rights. In cases of offshore reincorporations to tax havens, among other factors, we evaluate the effect upon any and all legal recourse of shareholders in a new jurisdiction, potential harm to company brands and image, and any actual, qualified economic benefit. While a firm s country of incorporation will remain the primary basis for evaluating companies, Taft-Hartley Advisory Services will generally apply U.S. policies to the extent possible with respect to issuers that file DEF 14As, 10-K annual reports, and 10-Q quarterly reports, and are thus considered domestic issuers by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Corporations that have reincorporated outside the U.S. have found themselves subject to a combination of governance regulations and best practice standards that may not be entirely compatible with an evaluation framework based solely on country of incorporation. Taft Hartley Advisory Services guidelines based on AFL-CIO proxy voting policy 2012 Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary - 8 -

28 V) Executive Compensation Stock Option Plans Taft-Hartley Advisory Services supports compensating executives at a reasonable rate and believes that executive compensation should be strongly correlated to sustained performance. Stock options and other forms of equity compensation should be performance-based with an eye toward improving shareholder value. Well-designed stock option plans align the interests of executives and shareholders by providing that executives benefit when stock prices rise as the company and shareholders prosper together. Poorly designed equity award programs can encourage excessive risktaking behavior and incentivize executives to pursue corporate strategies that promote short-term stock price to the ultimate detriment of long-term shareholder value. Many plans sponsored by management provide goals so easily attained that executives can realize massive rewards even though shareholder value is not necessarily created. Stock options that are awarded selectively and excessively can dilute shareholders share value and voting power. In general, Taft-Hartley Advisory Services supports plans that are offered at fair terms to executives who satisfy well-defined performance goals. We evaluate option plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, taking into consideration factors including: offer price, dilution to outstanding share value, dilution to share voting power, annua l burn rate, executive concentration ratios, pay-for-performance and the presence of any repricing provisions. We support plans that retain tax deductibility through the use of performance goals and oppose plans whose award size exceeds the tax deduction limit. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services votes FOR option plans that provide legitimately challenging performance targets that truly motivate executives in the pursuit of excellent performance. Likewise, we vote AGAINST plans that offer unreasonable benefits to executives that are not available to other employees. Problematic Compensation Practices Poor disclosure, the absence or non-transparency of disclosure and poor plan design of compensation payouts lead to excessive executive compensation practices that are detrimental to shareholders. Poorly designed plans or those lacking in transparency can be reflective of a poorly performing compensation committee or board. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services will generally vote AGAINST management "Say on Pay" (MSOP) proposals and consider voting AGAINST or WITHHOLDING from compensation committee members and/or the CEO on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the company has problematic compensation practices. In addition, we may consider a vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the entire board if the whole board was involved in and contributed to egregious compensation practices. Proposals to Limit Executive and Director Pay Taft-Hartley Advisory Services votes FOR shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive and director pay information. We vote FOR shareholder proposals that seek to eliminate outside directors retirement benefits. We review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis all other shareholder proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay. This includes shareholder proposals that seek to link executive compensation to customer, employee, or stakeholder satisfaction. Taft Hartley Advisory Services guidelines based on AFL-CIO proxy voting policy 2012 Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary - 9 -

29 Golden Parachutes Golden parachutes are designed to protect the senior level employees of a corporation in the event of a change-in-control. Under most golden parachute agreements, senior level management employees receive a lump sum pay-out triggered by a change-in-control at usually two to three times base salary. These severance agreements can grant extremely generous benefits to well-paid executives and most often offer no value to shareholders. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services votes FOR shareholder proposals to have all golden parachute agreements submitted for shareholder ratification, and generally opposes proposals to ratify golden parachutes if certain considerations are not met. Options Backdating Options backdating has serious implications and has resulted in financial restatements, delisting of companies, and/or the termination of executives or directors. When options backdating has taken place, Taft-Hartley Advisory Services may consider voting AGAINST or WITHHOLDING votes from the compensation committee, depending on the severity of the practices and the subsequent corrective actions taken by the board. We adopt a CASE-BY-CASE approach to the options backdating issue to differentiate companies that had sloppy administration vs. those that had committed fraud, as well as those companies that have since taken corrective action. Instances in which companies have committed fraud are more disconcerting, and Taft- Hartley Advisory Services will look to them to adopt formal policies to ensure that such practices will not re-occur in the future. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) Taft-Hartley Advisory Services generally votes FOR ESOPs which allow a company s employees to acquire stock in the company at a slight discount. Such plans help link employees self-interest to the interests of the shareholders, thereby benefiting the company, its customers, and shareholders and creating long-term company value. Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation Management Say-on-Pay Proposals Taft-Hartley Advisory Services evaluates executive pay and practices, as well as certain aspects of outside director compensation on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Vote AGAINST management say on pay (MSOP) proposals if there is a misalignment between CEO pay and company performance, the company maintains problematic pay practices, and the board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders. Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the members of the Compensation Committee and potentially the full board if: There is no MSOP on the ballot, and an AGAINST vote on an MSOP is warranted due to pay for performance misalignment, problematic pay practices, or the lack of adequate responsiveness on compensation issues raised previously, or a combination thereof; The board fails to respond adequately to a previous MSOP proposal that received less than 70 percent support of votes cast; The company has recently practiced or approved problematic pay practices, including option repricing or option backdating; or The situation is egregious. Taft Hartley Advisory Services guidelines based on AFL-CIO proxy voting policy 2012 Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary

30 Vote AGAINST an equity plan on the ballot if: A pay for performance misalignment exists, and a significant portion of the CEO s misaligned pay is attributed to nonperformance-based equity awards, taking into consideration: a) magnitude of pay misalignment; b) contribution of non-performance-based equity grants to overall pay; and c) the proportion of equity awards granted in the last three fiscal years concentrated at the named executive officer (NEO) level. Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation Management Say on Pay Taft-Hartley Advisory Services supports annual advisory votes on compensation, which provide the most consistent and clear communication channel for shareholder concerns about companies' executive pay programs. VI) Social and Environmental Issues Increasingly, shareholders are presenting proposals related to company environmental practices, workplace practices, social issues and sustainability goals. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services provides specific narrative explanations for votes on these types of shareholder proposals. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services evaluates shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis to determine if they are in the best economic interests of the plan participants and beneficiaries. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services clients select investment strategies and criteria for their portfolios. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services views its responsibility to protect plan beneficiary economic interests through the use of the proxy. To meet this obligation, Taft - Hartley Advisory Services votes consistent with the economic best interests of the participants and beneficiaries to create high road shareholder and economic value. In most cases, Taft-Hartley Advisory Services supports proposals that request management to report to shareholders information and practices that would help in evaluating the company s operations and risk exposures. In order to be able to intelligently monitor their investments, shareholders often need information best provided by the company itself. Taft - Hartley Advisory Services supports proposals that seek management compliance with shareholder interests to ensure that shareholders are fully informed about actions harmful to society with special attention to the company s legal and ethical obligations, impact on company profitability, and the potential negative publicity for disreputable practices. CERES Principles The CERES Principles, formulated by the Coalition of Environmentally Responsible Economies, require signing companies to address environmental issues, including protection of the biosphere, sustainable use of natural resources, reduction and disposal of wastes, energy conservation, and employee and community risk reduction. Evidence suggests that environmentally conscious companies may realize long-term savings by implementing programs to pollute less and conserve resources while realizing good public relations and new marketing opportunities. Moreover, the reports that are required of signing companies provide shareholders with more information concerning topics they may deem relevant to their company s financial well-being. Many companies have voluntarily adopted these principles and proven that environmental sensitivity makes good business sense. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services supports proposals that improve a company s public image, reduce exposure to liabilities, and establish standards so that environmentally responsible companies and markets are not at a competitive financial disadvantage. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services votes FOR the adoption of the CERES Principles and FOR reporting to shareholders on environmental issues. Taft Hartley Advisory Services guidelines based on AFL-CIO proxy voting policy 2012 Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary

31 Corporate Conduct, Human Rights, and Labor Codes Taft-Hartley Advisory Services generally supports proposals that call for the adoption and/or enforcement of clear principles or codes of conduct relating to countries in which there are systematic violations of human rights. These conditions include the use of slave, child, or prison labor, undemocratically elected governments, widespread reports by human rights advocates, fervent pro-democracy protests, and/or economic sanctions and boycotts. Many proposals refer to the seven core conventions, commonly referred to as the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights At Work, ratified by the International Labor Organization (ILO). The seven conventions fall under four broad categories: i) Right to organize and bargain collectively; ii) Non-discrimination in employment; iii) Abolition of forced labor; and iv) End of child labor. Each of the 180 member nations of the ILO body are bound to respect and promote these rights to the best of their abilities. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services supports the principles and codes of conduct relating to company investment in countries with patterns of human rights abuses (Northern Ireland, Columbia, Burma, former Soviet Union, and China). Taft-Hartley Advisory Services votes FOR proposals to implement and report on ILO codes of conduct. Political Contributions Reporting & Disclosure Changes in legislation that governs corporate political giving have, rather than limiting such contributions, increased the complexity of tracking how much money corporations contribute to the political process and where that money ultimately ends up. A company s involvement in the political process could impact shareholder value if such activities are not properly overseen and managed. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services; Supports reporting of political and political action committee (PAC) contributions; Supports establishment of corporate political contributions guidelines and internal reporting provisions or controls; Votes AGAINST shareholder proposals asking to publish in newspapers and public media the company s political contributions as such publications could present significant cost to the company without providing commensurate value to shareholders. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Shareholder proposals asking a company to issue a report to shareholders at reasonable cost and omitting proprietary information on greenhouse gas emissions ask that the report include descriptions of efforts within companies to reduce emissions, their financial exposure and potential liability from operations that contribute to global warming, and their direct or indirect efforts to promote the view that global warming is not a threat. Proponents argue that there is scientific proof that the burning of fossil fuels causes global warming, that future legislation may make companies financially liable for their contributions to global warming, and that a report on the company s role in global warming can be assembled at reasonable cost. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services generally supports greater disclosure on climate change-related proposals. Sustainability Reporting and Planning The concept of sustainability is commonly understood as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Indeed, the term sustainability is complex and poses significant challenges for companies on many levels. Many in the investment community have termed this broader responsibility the triple bottom line, referring to the triad of performance goals related to economic prosperity, social Taft Hartley Advisory Services guidelines based on AFL-CIO proxy voting policy 2012 Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary

32 responsibility and environmental quality. In essence, the concept requires companies to balance the needs and interests of their various stakeholders while operating in a manner that sustains business growth for the long-term, supports local communities and protects the environment and natural capital for future generations. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services generally supports shareholder proposals seeking greater disclosure on the company s environmental practices, and/or environmental risks and liabilities. Hydraulic Fracturing Shareholder proponents have elevated concerns on the use of hydraulic fracturing, an increasingly controversial process in which water, sand, and a mix of chemicals is blasted horizontally into tight layers of shale rock to extract natural gas. As this practice has gained more widespread use, environmentalists have raised concerns that the chemicals mixed with sand and water to aid the fracturing process can contaminate ground water supplies. Proponents of resolutions at companies that employ hydraulic fracturing are also concerned that wastewater produced by the process could overload the waste treatment plants to which it is shipped. Shareholders have asked companies that utilize hydraulic fracturing to report on the environmental impact of the practice and to disclose policies aimed at reducing hazards from the process. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services generally supports shareholder requests seeking greater transparency on the practice of hydraulic fracturing and its associated risks. Water Use Shareholders may ask for a company to prepare a report evaluating the business risks linked to water use and impacts on the company s supply chain, including subsidiaries and bottling partners. Such proposals also ask companies to disclose current policies and procedures for mitigating the impact of operations on local communities in areas of water scarcity. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services generally votes for shareholder proposals seeking the preparation of a report on a company s risks linked to water use. Workplace Safety In light of recent fatal accidents at oil refineries (Tesoro Anacortes refinery, April 2010; and BP Texas City refinery, March 2005), the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico, and the explosion at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine in 2010, shareholders have sought greater transparency and accountability regarding workplace safety by filing resolutions at a number of corporations. Taft-Hartley Advisory Services supports shareholder proposals requesting requests for workplace safety reports, including reports on accident risk reduction efforts. Taft Hartley Advisory Services guidelines based on AFL-CIO proxy voting policy 2012 Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary

33 Exhibit C SRI Proxy Voting Guidelines Executive Summary January 2012 Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. Copyright 2012 by ISS