ACSI annually creates a list of engagement priority companies with specifically defined concerns and objectives for each company. Objectives are meaningful changes in company behaviour. ACSI also sets objectives for the proportion of all priority companies where objectives are met (for example, ACSI may aim for over 50% of all priority companies’ objectives to be met).
Monitoring and evaluation is done through semiannual progress reports, itemized company by company and in aggregate, which are delivered to member funds.
Inbound engagements with companies that are not on the priority list also involve specific objectives, though typically less material. Monitoring of these is done through annual evaluation by ACSI’s Member Council, and a range of internal reports. The results of these engagement meetings are also included in ACSI’s proxy voting reports and surveys involving all companies in ACSI’s universe (called “longitudinal” research projects).