Member Benefits

The Society is the go-to resource for anyone engaged in corporate governance.

Effective corporate governance is more important than ever before, and your role is likely more challenging than just a few years ago. The Society for Corporate Governance is the trusted resource to help you stay up to date on the latest developments, strengthen your organization’s governance, and advance your professional potential.

Become a Member  Member Experience Brochure

Who we are.

The Society is the world’s leading organization devoted to supporting governance professionals. Founded in 1946, the Society has over 3,700 members including corporate secretaries; chief legal officers; other senior in-house counsel and professionals focusing on disclosure, compliance, investor relations, risk and sustainability; as well as outside counsel, institutional investors; and a wide range of service providers. Our members span public, private, and non-profit corporations of every size and across all sectors.

What we offer.

Programming

Content

Benchmarking Surveys

Connections

Advocacy

Professional Development

What sets us apart.

The Society is much more than a professional association -- it is a unique community devoted to effective corporate governance. We provide a trusted and safe environment to address members’ priorities. We offer resources that are thought-provoking, highly practical and timely. Everything we do – in our programs, publications, surveys, and public policy advocacy – is designed to be objective, reliable and distinctive, in service to our members.

Programming.

Exclusive access to distinctive programming:

Delivered by experts who address your priorities. In-person and virtual programs where you can meet, learn, share information with your peers. 

National Conference. The premier annual in-person governance event in the U.S. for public, private, and non-profit corporations. Against the backdrop of broad challenges facing corporate America, the conference covers critical governance issues.

Essentials Conference. Covers the fundamentals of corporate governance in a single, three-day program for you to learn and network with like-minded professionals, covering key elements of effective governance with thought-provoking discussions with your peers.

Chapter Programs. Our 21 Chapters provide programming and networking opportunities at a local level, with 85% of programs held in person/hybrid. Programs include one- and part-day regional conferences, and events at breakfast, lunch, and early evening. The local Chapters develop and deliver programs that are tailored for their specific membership and provide invaluable opportunities to make local connections. As a Society member, you automatically become a chapter member based on your location.

Virtual programs. The Society provides dozens of virtual programs each year, covering core governance issues, disclosure practices, sustainability, regulatory developments, and more. These include Chatham House Rule Roundtables focusing on specific topics and Discussion Forums designed for different types of members, as well as symposia and webinars that reach broader audiences.

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Content.

Timely and relevant content: We cover everything governance.

Comprehensive, pertinent, and unique content that is easy to digest and ready to use.

Society Alert. Iconic weekly newsletter provides timely information and resources on core and trending topics affecting the role of governance professionals.

Directors Cut. A quarterly publication designed for corporate directors and C-suite executives, with content curated from the Society Alert.

Society Blog. Breaking news and select content from the Society Alert, as well as articles of interest to the governance community, updated daily.

Periodic Reports. Publications such as the Board Practices Quarterly, which provides insights on topics such as the board’s oversight of corporate culture, succession planning, and lines of board and management responsibilities.

Other Publications. Reports with exclusive content based on survey results, our programs, and the work of our members on topics such as board briefing materials, disclosure committees, and sustainability-related topics.

Takeaways. Summaries of programs including discussion highlights and practical tips to employ going forward. We take notes so you don’t have to.

Resource Center. A searchable collection covering topics ranging from “Annual Meetings” to “Whistleblowers” that governance professionals grapple with every day, including regulatory sources, templates, sample documents, primers, law firm and consultant guidance, and benchmarking surveys.

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Benchmarking Surveys.

Unique benchmarking surveys: Empowering informed decisions.

Access to the results of approximately 50 unique benchmarking surveys each year. Some are commissioned by the Society, but most are in response to specific requests from our members – offering a unique – tool for members to evaluate their practices and support their decision-making.

Quick Surveys. On your behalf, the Society will develop and distribute surveys to members, collect the data, analyze, summarize, and share the results, on topics such as board practices, disclosure, sustainability, regulations, and the corporate governance function.

Benchmarking Surveys. Initiated by the Society, surveys to benchmark practices and track trends. We also conduct surveys to identify member priorities and to inform the Society’s policy advocacy efforts.

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Connections.

Connect with peers: Form long-lasting bonds of trust.

With the Society, you’re never on your own. Through our programs, communities and committees, you can forge relationships with those who hold similar jobs at other organizations, while building bonds with those from other industries, geographies, types of organizations, and backgrounds.

Create connections at in-person programs such as the National Conference, Essentials or a chapter program.

Sign up for one of our “communities” for Private Companies, Small & Mid-Cap Companies, and Nonprofits. These communities hold informal, Chatham House Rule discussions, as well as online exchanges.

Participate on one of our three national “committees” focusing on subject areas including: Corporate Practices, Securities Law, and Sustainability.

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Advocacy.

Policy advocacy: A unique and effective voice for the governance community.

Since its inception, the Society has been committed to serving as a leading voice for the governance community with policymakers.

The Society actively monitors developments, informs our members, engages with policymakers and other stakeholders, and advocates on behalf of our members on key governance, securities law, and sustainability disclosure-related issues for U.S. public and private companies.

We address these issues with Congress, the SEC and other federal regulatory agencies, state legislative and regulatory bodies, federal and state courts, as well as international standard-setting entities, and proxy advisory firms.

The Society provides expert, non-partisan, and balanced advocacy that reflects our members’ practical experiences, including through more than 65 comment letters or amicus briefs filed since 2017.

Society members play a pivotal role in our advocacy efforts. Our policy agenda is informed by our members, through our National Committees, and via informal working groups, surveys, and the suggestions of individual members.

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Professional Development.

Valuable professional development: Enhance your skills and profile.

Invest in your future with dozens of opportunities to develop your skills, demonstrate your capabilities, and enhance your profile - whether you are beginning your career, considering a change, or are a seasoned governance leader.

Join one or more of our National Committees or Communities.

Volunteer to speak at one of our dozens of National and Chapter programs each year.

Share your knowledge by participating in our working groups that develop surveys, reports, public policy comment letters, and other initiatives.

Step up to help develop Chapter programs, to serve as a Chapter Officer, or to lead one of our National Committees or Communities.

Meet with corporate directors, executives, investors, policymakers, and service providers at Society programs to expand your network.

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Want a more personalized discussion to help you decide whether to join?

Reach out to us at membership@societycorpgov.org and we will put you in touch with a Society member to chat with.

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