III. Meetings and Procedures
The Compensation Committee shall meet prior to meetings of the Board of Directors and may hold additional meetings as it deems appropriate to fulfill its responsibilities
The Committee Chairman shall have overall responsibility for developing meeting agendas, scheduling meetings and functioning of the Compensation Committee.
Attendance at the meetings may be in person, by telephone or other means of communication. Two members of the Compensation Committee shall constitute a quorum. Any action required to be taken at a meeting of the Compensation Committee will be deemed the action of the Compensation Committee if before the action is taken it is approved by (i) the unanimous vote of the members at a meeting in which a quorum is present or (ii) in lieu of a meeting, by unanimous written consent of all the members of the Compensation Committee.
The Secretary of the Company shall be the Secretary of the Compensation Committee and be responsible for circulating meeting agendas and materials to the members, and for recording accurate minutes of all meetings and distributing them to the Board members. The Secretary shall circulate the agenda and materials to be discussed at a meeting at least two days before the meeting.
The President of the Company shall act as management liaison to the Compensation Committee and shall work with the Compensation Committee Chairman to appoint advisors and arrange meetings with the Company’s external legal and accounting advisors. The Compensation Committee will make final decisions on the appointment of advisors specializing in executive and director compensation.
IV. Responsibilities of Compensation Committee
1. Review of Charter
The Compensation Committee shall review this Charter at least once a year to assess its adequacy to meet the Company’s overall goals and objectives and to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and other applicable laws and regulations, and submit any proposed amendments to the Board for approval.
2. Compensation Philosophy
Periodically review the Company’s compensation philosophy and programs taking into consideration the Company’s business strategy and objectives, and recommend to the Board amendments to the Company’s compensation philosophy and programs.
3. Annual Report on Executive Compensation
Review and approve the report on executive compensation in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders or on annual report on Form 10-K.
4. Compensation of Directors and Committee Members
Annually review and recommend to the Board compensation for non-employee directors, committees of the Board, and Chairman of the Board, including awards under compensation plans and equity-based plans.
5. Incentive-Compensation Plans and Equity- Based Plans
Review and recommend to the Board grant of stock options and restricted stock awards of the Company's stock.
6. Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer
Review and recommend to the Board the compensation of the CEO taking into consideration the CEO’s performance in context of the goals and objectives previously set for the CEO by the Board and market data compiled by professional advisors.
7. Compensation of the Officers of the Company
Review and approve the recommendations of the CEO with regard to the compensation of all officers of the Company other than the CEO.
V. General
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee may establish and delegate authority to one or more subcommittees consisting of one or more of its members. The Compensation Committee shall be entitled to rely upon advice and information that it receives from management. The Compensation Committee shall have the right to obtain advice and assistance from professional advisors specializing in executive and director compensation matters. The Compensation Committee shall have sole authority to approve any such advisor’s fees. The Compensation Committee shall also be entitled to obtain advice from the Company’s external legal and accounting advisors, and auditors.
The Committee will conduct an annual performance evaluation of its performance and at each Board meeting will report to the Board on its activities and recommendations.
Adoption by the Board of ERHC
The forgoing Compensation Committee Charter was adopted by the Board of Directors of ERHC Energy Inc on the 12th day of August 2007