Who is Eligible to File a Shareholder Resolution?

Any group of shareholders owning $2,000 of a company's stock for a year or more can introduce a proposal. It's often best for individual investors to team up with investor coalitions or organizations.  

What happens after a resolution is filed?
Often, the first thing a company will do upon receiving a resolution is take it to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and ask for permission to exclude it from its annual proxy statement. Groups with experience introducing shareholder resolutions have the resources and legal backing to ensure that their proposals are written correctly and persuasively, and stand a better chance of making it onto the ballot.

An easier way to get involved in filing a proposal is to join an existing group of filers and be a co-filer, lending your shares to the coalition, being updated on its progress, and providing input on negotiations within the company.

If a resolution is not challenged by a company, the filers must present their resolution at the company's annual shareholder meeting.