Proxy Definition – Investopedia
What Is a Proxy?
A proxy is an agent legally authorized to act on behalf of another party or a format that allows an investor to vote without being physically present at the meeting. Shareholders not attending a company’s annual general meeting (AGM) may vote their shares by proxy by allowing someone else to cast votes on their behalf, or they may vote by mail.
Key Takeaways
A proxy is an agent legally authorized to act on behalf of another proxy may also allow an investor to vote without being physically present at the annual shareholder’s nagement ensures ownership interests are fully represented by encouraging shareholders who are unable to attend annual meetings to vote by proxy. A Proxy Statement is a packet of documents containing information necessary to make informed votes on issues facing the company.
How Does a Proxy Work?
While proxy voting is often an option, management encourages shareholders to vote in person. If the shareholder cannot attend, voting by proxy is another option. For a person to act as a proxy for an individual, formal documentation may be required that outlines the extent to which the proxy can speak on the individual’s behalf. A formal power of attorney document may be required to provide the permissions to complete certain actions. The shareholder signs a power of attorney and extends official authorization to the designated individual to vote on behalf of the stated shareholder at the annual meeting.
A proxy cannot vote if the shareholder arrives late and decides to vote for their own self.
Proxy Statements
Before the annual shareholder meeting, all shareholders receive a packet of information containing the Proxy Statement. The proxy documents provide shareholders with the information necessary to make informed votes on issues important to the company’s performance. A Proxy statement offers shareholders and prospective investors insight into a company’s governance and management operations. The proxy discloses important information on agenda items for the annual meeting, lists the qualifications of management and board members, serves as a ballot for elections to the board of directors, lists the largest shareholders of a company’s stock, and provides detailed information about executive compensation. There are also proposals from management and shareholders.
Proxy statements must be filed with regulatory authorities, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States, on an annual basis before the company’s annual meeting.
When voting by proxy remotely, shareholders may be eligible to vote by mail, phone, or internet. Shareholders use the information in the proxy statements to aid in the decision-making process.
Anyone can look up a public company’s proxy statement via the SEC website under the name “DEF 14A. ”
Benefits of Proxy
Management ensures that ownership interests are fully represented by often encouraging shareholders that are unable to attend annual meetings to vote by proxy. Information presented during annual meetings often affects the future direction of the company, which can directly impact the value of a shareholder’s stake in the company.
Real World Example of a Proxy
Below is a portion of the proxy materials for the annual shareholders’ meeting of Corning Inc. in 2016.
The corporation’s assigned proxy is highlighted in blue showing that the shareholder’s vote can be cast by the noted in the bolded statement, if no choices are made, the nominated members of the board will be voted for by the proxy.
Example of Proxy for Corning Inc.
Investopedia
Proxy Card
Below is the Proxy Card showing the specific board members that were to be voted on as well as some of the proposals by management. If the shareholder wanted to vote, the proxy card could be mailed to the corporation.
Example of Proxy Card from Corning Inc. 2016 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting.
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Corning Inc. “Annual Meeting Proxy Card, ” Page 1&2. Accessed Aug. 26, 2020.
Proxy – Legal Dictionary
ProxyA representative; an agent; a document appointing a representative. A proxy is a person who is designated by another to represent that individual at a meeting or before a public body. It also refers to the written authorization allowing one person to act on behalf of another. In corporate law, a proxy is the authority to vote stock. This authority is generally provided by the charter and bylaws of a corporation or by a state statute. If authority is not provided, a stockholder cannot vote by proxy. The record owner of the stock whose name is registered on the corporate books is the only individual who can delegate the right to vote. In the absence of an express requirement, no particular form is necessary for a proxy. It must, however, be evidenced by a sufficient written grant of authority. A proxy is not invalid if minor errors or omissions appear on the document. Generally any power that a stockholder possesses at a corporate meeting can be delegated to a proxy. An ordinary proxy can vote on regular corporate business, such as the amendment of the bylaws. The proxy is not authorized to vote, however, on extraordinary corporate business, such as a merger, unless given special authority to do so. When a proxy acts within the scope of her authority, under agency principles, the stockholder is bound as if she acted in person. A proxy can be revoked at any time, unless it is coupled with an interest or made expressly irrevocable. The sale of a stockholder’s shares automatically revokes any proxies previously given to vote those shares. A proxy can also be revoked when the stockholder gives a subsequent proxy or attends the meeting in person. A stockholder can act as a proxy for another shareholder, but it is not necessary for a proxy to be a stockholder. West’s Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights 1) someone who is authorized to serve in one’s place at a meeting, particularly with the right to cast votes. 2) the written authority given to someone to act or vote in someone’s place. A proxy is commonly given to cast a stockholder’s votes at a meeting of shareholders, and by board members and convention pyright © 1981-2005 by Gerald N. Hill and Kathleen T. Hill. All Right 1 a person appointed by a company member to attend and vote in place of the member at a company meeting. 2 the instrument appointing a person to act as proxy. Collins Dictionary of Law © W. J. Stewart, 2006PROXY. A person, appointed in the place of another, to represent him.
2. In the ecclesiastical law, a judicial proctor, or one who is
appointed to manage another man’s law concerns, is called a proxy. Ayl.
Parerg.
3. The instrument by which a person is appointed so to act, is likewise
called a proxy.
4. Proxies are also annual payments made by the parochial clergy to the
bishop, &c., on visitations. Tom. Law Dictionary, h. t. Vide Rutherf. Inst.
253; Hall’s Pr. 14.
5. The right of voting at an election of an incorporated company by
proxy is not a general right, and the party claiming it must show a special
authority for that purpose. Ang. on Corp. 67-69; 1 Paige’s Ch. Rep. 590; 5
Day’s Rep. 329; 5 Cowen, Rep. 426. A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States. By John Bouvier. Published 1856.
Proxy | The Slender Man Wiki
The Collective, a large organization of Proxies
Proxy (plural: Proxies) is the term given to those who serve The Slender Man. The theory behind the name is that Proxies are entities or people who are under the influence or control of the Slender Man (or the same force that influences Slender Man), and act based on its wants and needs- hence, Proxies serve as an in-between (i. e. a proxy) for Slender Man.
It is suspected that Proxies do the actual, physical work for Slender Man, such as creating and manipulating objects, destroying and leaving evidence, creating videos and responding on Twitter (in ARGs), and influencing victims as needed.
1 Characteristics
1. 1 Ranks
2 Initial Influence and Origins
3 Symbols and Markings
4 List of Proxies
4. 1 Known (Canon) Proxies
4. 2 Possible Proxies
4. 3 Other Proxies
5 Not Proxies
6 Gallery
Characteristics
Despite popular belief, proxies are essentially little more than slaves. They are simply mind-controlled humans, who do not gain any unnatural properties other than their behavior. Most proxies are completely unaware of their nature, as their memories are suppressed by Slender Man, and those who do find out they are proxies are often horrified to learn of the mind control that had occurred.
Very few proxies retain any of their personality while in forced servitude, as most adopt a separate personality altogether, sometimes nearly opposite of their real personality. This may be a method in which Slender Man helps prevent them from remembering their actions, or figure out what they really are. This alternate personality can range from sadistic to completely emotionless.
Many proxies seem to figuratively (or sometimes literally) worship Slender Man while under his control; whether this is as a means of keeping them obedient or a result of an inflated ego is unknown, although the former may be more likely.
Some stories report proxies who have either failed or who outlive their usefulness later being destroyed to prevent them from becoming a problem.
In somewhat rare cases, fans will report Slender Man possessing a proxy completely, taking full control of the individual to the point they become nothing more than a vessel for Slender Man’s own mind.
Ranks
The Blogosphere in its story eventually fleshed out a system of ranks for its proxies. While other sources traditionally only had one or two proxies, the blogosphere went through a period where runners would be hunted by large packs of proxies. This lead to criticisms claiming that the proxies took the focus away from the Slender Man itself, and that the proxy hordes made the stories too much resemble a zombie apocalypse fiction. Some blogs made efforts to retcon proxy hordes away as hallucinations.
The ranking system is as follows:
Hallowed – Mindless puppets created by Slender Man for the harassment of runners, with no other purpose.
Berserkers – Most closely resembling the traditional perception of proxies, slaves to the Slender Man, but with enough of their own will left to have superior problem solving and tactics.
Sleepers – Have their original personalities kept intact, and are left unaware of their status of proxies.
Agents – Not proxies in the traditional sense; Agents appear to be the blogosphere’s interpretation of cultists.
Revenants – Proxies with super-strength and regenerative abilities granted to them by Slender Man. Eventually became unpopular with bloggers and were retconned away as hallucinations.
Initial Influence and Origins
Proxies most likely got their start from early Slenderman works’ usage of mental influence of Slenderman. Early creepypasta indicated that Slenderman was able to telepathically communicate or influence his victims or those he wished to do his bidding. The most common early evidence for this was the usage of telepathic communication to speak to children who he would lead outdoors and then into the forest. He also used the telepathy to control his victims without their knowing and bring them into his domain. Several stories in particular focus on the strength and usage of this power. The idea behind proxies may be derived from the idea that he could not only influence his victims, but also influence individuals to do as he wishes to get to his victims. Proxies are considered the primary or secondary antagonists of most Slenderman based ARG’s.
See: Abilities of the Slender Man
Symbols and Markings
Notorious Proxy from TribeTwelve; the Observer, is theorized to use their symbol in order to watch Noah, keeping a tab on his every movement. Though, it could be nothing but scare tactics.
The Operator Symbol has been seen in many Slenderman ARGs. Including, but not limited to TribeTwelve, DarkHarvest00, and even wildshadows57. It has been accepted as the primary pop culture symbol for Slender Man and Proxies.
It is important to note that characters from MarbleHornets or EverymanHYBRID are never termed as Proxies, as the two series have never adopted nor stated the term, and otherwise have no connection to the term whatsoever.
List of Proxies
Known (Canon) Proxies
The Observer (TribeTwelve)
Firebrand (TribeTwelve, formerly)
DeadHead (TribeTwelve)
Cursor (TribeTwelve)
Swain (TribeTwelve)
Persolus (TribeTwelve)
(TribeTwelve, formerly)
Vince (Proxy)
Kate (Slender: The Arrival)
Unknown Proxy (DarkHarvest00)
Charlie Matheson Jr. (Slender: The Arrival)
Xakk (5Zer02)
Victor (MyDarkJournal)
New Jersey Chapter Overseer (DarkHarvest00)
Hallowed (EverymanHYBRID)
Stan (Stan Frederick, formerly)
Possible Proxies
HABIT (EverymanHYBRID)
It is also possible that Michael Andersen from MLAndersen0 could possibly be a Proxy, as hinted at by one of his videos called, “Going Away Present. ”
Other Proxies
Amateur writers and film artists have claimed to be stalked by a wide variety of proxies, be proxies themselves, or house proxy identities in their subconscious mind. None of which have been properly identified. Such amateur creations include The Tan Suit Man, The Studded Man, or the Faceless Follower.
The fan-creations of amateur writers can be found on the connection wiki.
Controversy of Ticci-Toby
(Minimally edited to censor curses, Original blog link above, can be read uncensored on Deviantart)
In response, Kastoway also posted the following under the username “Bonejags” on the comment section of this article (Link to uncensored comment):
I cannot believe the bulls— that I am seeing in these comments. I cannot believe that there is an actual debate over whether or not Ticci-Toby is real. I made this account to announce that no, he is not real. How do I know? Because I’m the one who made him the hell up. I’m Kastoway from deviantart, the one that’s credited in the wiki for writing the story. If you don’t believe me here’s a link to a journal about this subject that’s on my account So, once again, I’m going to say it. Ticci-Toby is 100% FICTIONAL. As in he is NOT REAL. So no, to those saying that they’ve seen him with their own eyes, you haven’t, there’s nothing to see because he doesn’t exist. He’s not based on a real person nor an urban legend, he is a character I made up because I wanted to write a scary story for my own entertainment. I had no clue that it would get this amount of attention, and that’s why handling the subject has been so rough for me.
I apologize if I sound harsh but I have no tolerance for this bulls—. The amount of people who think that he’s real is absolutely obscene, and I can’t bare to think that another incident similar to the Slenderman Stabbings is possible because of something I created for fun. Please do not let that happen and take this seriously. It’s one thing to enjoy a horror story, it’s another thing to get joy from thinking that fictional psychopaths are real and that you’re able to interact with them. They’re fake and quite frankly I don’t care how hearing that affects you, if you’re heartbroken to hear that a crazy f—ing murderer isn’t real then there is something wrong with and what you need is help and a taste of reality.
(Edited minimally to censor curses. Original unedited comment link above, and will remain unedited for record).
Since then, all comments regarding worshiping Toby or trying to imply he is real have been either heavily edited or deleted entirely. Kastoway himself does not wish to speak about Ticci-Toby further.
Not Proxies
Characters commonly mistaken for proxies who are not:
Anyone from MarbleHornets – One of the Big 5 ARG’s, Marble Hornets is one of the only series that the term “Proxy” cannot be identified with. Since it was one of the first ones, and the crew of MH has specifically stated they have no connection with the other ARG’s, the term can only be unofficially applied, but is not appropriate to use to describe any of the characters in the series such as Masky or Hoody.
KindVonDerRitter – KindVonDerRitter is not a Proxy. A Proxy does the direct bidding of Slender Man, whereas KindVonDerRitter only worships him as a God, and only works towards goals that are speculated to be Slender Man’s goals without any real contact with Slender Man. In essence, KindVonDerRitter tries to be a Proxy, but was never chosen by Slender Man himself.
Gallery
Symbol of Severance, used by The Observer, TribeTwelve’s Main ProxyThe ObserverDeadheadThe ChaserCharlie Matheson adhead
Frequently Asked Questions about how to be a proxy
How do you become a proxy?
For a person to act as a proxy for an individual, formal documentation may be required that outlines the extent to which the proxy can speak on the individual’s behalf. A formal power of attorney document may be required to provide the permissions to complete certain actions.
Who can be a proxy?
A member of a company is entitled to appoint another person as his proxy to exercise all or any of his rights to attend, speak and vote at a meeting of the company. A member can appoint any other person to act as his proxy; it does not have to be another shareholder of the company.
Can a person be a proxy?
A proxy is a person who is designated by another to represent that individual at a meeting or before a public body. … It also refers to the written authorization allowing one person to act on behalf of another. In corporate law, a proxy is the authority to vote stock.