SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary proxy statement
[X] Definitive proxy statement
[ ] Definitive additional materials
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transactions applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11. (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined.)
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing party:
(4) Date filed:
<PAGE>
[LOGO] GENERAL MILLS NOTICE OF
2000 ANNUAL MEETING
OF STOCKHOLDERS
AND PROXY STATEMENT
MEETING DATE:
Monday, September 25, 2000
at 11 a.m. (CDT)
MEETING PLACE:
Children's Theatre Company
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota
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GENERAL MILLS, INC.
P.O. Box 1113
Minneapolis, MN 55440
STEPHEN W. SANGER
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
[LOGO] GENERAL MILLS
August 18, 2000
Dear Stockholder:
It is my pleasure to invite you to General Mills' 2000 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. We will hold the meeting in the auditorium of the Children's
Theatre Company, 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Monday,
September 25, 2000, at 11 a.m. Central Daylight Time. During the meeting, we
will discuss each item of business described in this Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and Proxy Statement and give a current report on the Company's
business operations and our pending acquisition of The Pillsbury Company. There
also will be time for questions. We expect the meeting to adjourn at about 12:15
p.m.
This booklet includes the Notice of Annual Meeting as well as Proxy Statement,
which provides information about General Mills in addition to describing the
business we will conduct at the meeting.
WE HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. IF YOU NEED SPECIAL
ASSISTANCE AT THE MEETING BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY, PLEASE CONTACT THE COMPANY
SECRETARY AT THE ADDRESS ABOVE. WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND, PLEASE VOTE
YOUR PROXY BY TELEPHONE OR VIA THE INTERNET (SEE THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PROXY
CARD), OR SIGN AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE SO YOUR SHARES
WILL BE VOTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
Sincerely,
/s/ S.W. Sanger
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Notice of 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders............................... iv
Questions and Answers about the Annual Meeting and Voting................... 1
Proposals You May Vote On................................................... 5
Information about Nominees for the Board of Directors....................... 7
Corporate Governance at General Mills....................................... 10
Board Committees and Their Functions........................................ 11
Director Compensation....................................................... 13
Stock Ownership of General Mills Directors and Officers..................... 14
Description of the Amended and Restated General Mills, Inc., Executive
Incentive Plan............................................................. 15
Shareholder Proposal on Genetic Engineering in Food Products................ 17
Shareholder Proposal on Global Workers' Rights Standard..................... 18
Total Return to Stockholders................................................ 20
Report of Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation.................. 22
Executive Compensation...................................................... 25
Summary Compensation Table................................................ 25
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year......................................... 26
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End
Option Values............................................................ 27
Defined Benefit Retirement Plan........................................... 27
Change of Control Arrangements............................................ 28
Other Matters............................................................... 28
Section 16(a): Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.................. 28
Costs of Solicitation..................................................... 28
Annual Report............................................................. 28
Appendix.................................................................... A-1
iii
<PAGE>
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
P.O. Box 1113
Minneapolis, MN 55440
Siri S. Marshall
Secretary
[LOGO] GENERAL MILLS
NOTICE OF
2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
SEPTEMBER 25, 2000
August 18, 2000
Dear Stockholder:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of General Mills, Inc., will be held on
Monday, September 25, 2000, at 11 a.m., Central Daylight Time, in the auditorium
of the Children's Theatre Company, 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis,
Minnesota. The purpose of the meeting is to:
1. Elect 11 directors;
2. Approve KPMG LLP as General Mills' independent auditors for fiscal 2001;
3. Adopt an amended and restated General Mills, Inc., Executive Incentive
Plan;
4. Act on a stockholder proposal concerning genetically modified organisms, if
presented;
5. Act on a stockholder proposal concerning global workplace labor standards,
if presented; and
6. Act on any other proper business of the meeting.
The record date for the annual meeting is July 27, 2000. If you held General
Mills stock at the close of business on that date, or, on that date still held
shares of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. common stock that can be exchanged for General
Mills stock as a result of the acquisition of the Ralcorp branded cereal and
snack businesses by General Mills, you can vote at the annual meeting.
At the meeting, we also will report on General Mills' 2000 business results and
other matters of interest to stockholders, including our pending acquisition of
The Pillsbury Company. We are not requesting a proxy in connection with the
acquisition at this time. A separate proxy statement fully describing the
acquisition transaction and asking for your proxy vote on certain related items
will be mailed prior to the special stockholders meeting we will call in the
coming weeks.
Sincerely,
/s/ Siri S. Marshall
iv
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GENERAL MILLS, INC.,
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR 2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2000
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
Q: WHY DID I RECEIVE THIS PROXY STATEMENT?
A: Because you are a General Mills stockholder as of the record date and are
entitled to vote at the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Board of
Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the meeting.
This Proxy Statement summarizes the information you need to know to vote at
the annual meeting. You do not need to attend the annual meeting to vote
your shares. The Proxy Statement and proxy card were first mailed to
stockholders on or about August 18, 2000.
Q: WHAT AM I VOTING ON?
A: 1. The election of directors;
2. The approval of the appointment of our independent auditors for fiscal
2001; and
3. The amendment and restatement of the Executive Incentive Plan (EIP).
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES TO THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS, FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR
FISCAL 2001 AND FOR AMENDING AND RESTATING THE EIP.
4. A stockholder proposal concerning genetically modified organisms (if
presented); and
5. A stockholder proposal concerning global workplace labor standards (if
presented).
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST EACH OF THESE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS.
Q: WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE?
A: Record holders of General Mills common stock on July 27, 2000, and holders
of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. common stock eligible to be exchanged for General
Mills common stock may vote at the meeting. On July 27, 2000, 283,626,015
shares of common stock, including 26,964 shares of General Mills common
stock set aside for the exchange of 91,904 shares of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc.
common stock, were outstanding. The shares of common stock in the Company's
treasury on that date will not be voted.
Q: HOW DO I VOTE?
A: If you are a shareholder of record or hold stock through the General Mills
Savings Plan, you may vote using any of the following methods:
* Via the Internet, by going to the Web address
http://www.eproxy.com/gis/ and following the instructions for Internet
voting on the proxy card;
* By dialing 1-800-240-6326 and following the instructions for telephone
voting on the proxy card;
* By completing and mailing your proxy card; or
* By casting your vote in person at the meeting.
Telephone and Internet voting facilities for shareholders of record will
close at noon EDT on Sunday, September 24, 2000.
If you return your signed proxy card or use Internet or telephone voting
before the annual meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct. You have
three choices on each matter to be voted upon. For the election of
directors, you may vote for 1) all of the nominees, 2) none of the nominees
or 3) all of the nominees except those you designate. See Item No. 1 on
page 5 and Information About Nominees for the Board of Directors beginning
on page 7. For the other items, you may vote (or abstain) by choosing FOR,
AGAINST or ABSTAIN.
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If you do not specify on your returned proxy card or through Internet or
telephone prompts how you want to vote your shares, we will vote them for
the election of all director nominees, for approval of the auditors, for
the amendment and restatement of the EIP and against each of the
stockholder proposals.
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If your shares are held in a brokerage account in your broker's name (this
is called street name), you should follow the voting directions provided by
your broker or nominee. You may complete and mail a voting instruction card
to your broker or nominee or, in most cases, submit voting instructions by
telephone or the Internet. If you provide specific voting instructions by
mail, telephone or the Internet, your shares will be voted by your broker
or nominee as you have directed.
We will pass out written ballots to anyone who wants to vote at the
meeting. If you hold your shares in street name, you must request a legal
proxy from your stockbroker to vote at the meeting.
Q: WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND AFTER I VOTE MY SHARES?
A: You can revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the meeting by:
* Sending written notice of revocation to the Company Secretary;
* Submitting a new proper proxy by telephone, Internet or paper ballot
after the revoked proxy; or
* Attending the annual meeting and voting in person.
You also may be represented by another person at the meeting by executing a
proper proxy designating that person.
Q: HOW WILL MY DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND GENERAL MILLS SAVINGS PLAN SHARES BE
VOTED?
A: Shares of common stock held by participants in the Company's dividend
reinvestment plan (including employee payroll deduction) have been added to
the participants' other holdings on their proxy cards. If a stockholder has
common stock in the General Mills VIP Savings Plan, the proxy also serves
as voting instructions to the plan trustee. The plan trustee, Boston Safe
Deposit and Trust Company, votes allocated shares of common stock for which
it has not received direction, as well as shares not allocated to
individual participant accounts, in the same proportion as directed
shares are voted.
Q: WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD?
A: It means you have multiple accounts at the transfer agent and/or with banks
or stockbrokers. Please vote all of your shares.
Q: WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DO NOT VOTE MY SHARES?
A: If your shares are held in street name, your brokerage firm may vote your
shares in its discretion.
Q: HOW MANY SHARES MUST BE PRESENT TO HOLD THE MEETING?
A. At least half of General Mills' outstanding common shares (including those
shares set aside for the exchange of shares of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc.
common stock) as of the record date must be present at the meeting in order
to hold the meeting and conduct business. This is called a quorum. Your
shares are counted as present at the meeting if you:
* Are present and vote in person at the meeting; or
* Have properly submitted a proxy card or voted over the telephone or
the Internet.
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Q: HOW MANY VOTES ARE NEEDED TO APPROVE EACH ITEM?
A: The election of each director nominee, the appointment of the independent
auditors, the amendment and restatement of the EIP and each of the
stockholder proposals must be approved by the affirmative vote of a
majority of shares entitled to vote and represented at the meeting in
person or by proxy.
Q: HOW WILL VOTING ON ANY OTHER BUSINESS BE CONDUCTED?
A: We do not know of any business to be considered at the 2000 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders other than the proposals described in this Proxy Statement.
If any other business is presented at the annual meeting, your signed proxy
card gives authority to Stephen W. Sanger, James A. Lawrence and Raymond G.
Viault to vote on such matters in their discretion.
Q: HOW ARE VOTES COUNTED?
A: You are entitled to cast one vote for each share of common stock you own.
Although abstentions and proxies that withhold authority to vote on the
election of directors are counted as present or represented at the meeting
in order to determine whether there is a quorum, under the Company's bylaws
they are treated as shares not voted in determining the outcome of a
specific matter and therefore have no effect on the outcome of that matter.
If you hold your shares in street name and do not provide voting
instructions to your broker, your shares will not be voted on any proposal
on which your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. In this
situation, a broker nonvote occurs. Shares that constitute broker nonvotes
are not considered as entitled to vote on the proposal in question, thus
effectively reducing the number of shares needed to approve the proposal.
The Company has a policy of confidential voting; Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota
tabulates the votes received.
Q: WHO MAY ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING?
A: All General Mills stockholders as of the close of business on July 27,
2000, may attend.
Q: WHERE DO I FIND THE VOTING RESULTS OF THE MEETING?
A: In January 2001, we will send each stockholder a midyear report describing
the results of the meeting. We also will publish the voting results in our
Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2001, which we will file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in January 2001. Or, you can also
look at our Web site: www.generalmills.com.
Q: WHO ARE THE LARGEST STOCKHOLDERS?
A: For the quarter ended March 31, 2000, The Capital Research and Management
Group, 333 South Hope Street, 52nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071, filed a
Form 13F with the SEC indicating that it held approximately 25,175,500
shares of common stock (8.64% of the outstanding common stock). In its SEC
filings, The Capital Research and Management Group indicates that the
shares it holds are solely for investment purposes in the ordinary course
of business. The Company does not know of any other holder with more than 5
percent of the outstanding common stock.
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Q: HOW DO I SUBMIT A STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL?
A: If you wish to submit a proposal to be included in our next proxy
statement, it must be received by us on or before April 16, 2001. Please
address your proposal to: Secretary, General Mills, Inc., P.O. Box 1113,
Minneapolis, MN 55440.
Under our bylaws, if you wish to nominate a director or bring other
business before the stockholders at our 2001 annual meeting without having
your proposal included in our proxy statement:
* You must notify the Secretary of General Mills in writing between May
28, 2001, and June 27, 2001.
* Your notice must contain the specific information required in our
bylaws.
Please note that these two requirements relate only to matters you wish to
bring before the stockholders at an annual meeting. They do not apply to
proposals that you wish to have included in our proxy statement.
If you would like a copy of our bylaws, we will send you one without
charge. Please write to the Secretary of General Mills at the address shown
above.
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<PAGE>
PROPOSALS YOU MAY VOTE ON
ITEM NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Eleven directors are nominated for election to the Board of Directors at the
annual meeting. Detailed information on the nominees is provided on pages 7
through 9. Directors are elected for a one-year term and serve until the next
annual meeting where their successors are elected, or, if earlier, until their
resignation or removal. If unforeseen circumstances (such as death or
disability) make it necessary for the Board of Directors to substitute another
person for any of the nominees, we will vote your shares for that other person
unless you instruct us otherwise on your proxy card.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH DIRECTOR
NOMINEE.
ITEM NO. 2
APPROVAL OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors selects and hires independent
public accountants to audit the Company's books, subject to ratification by the
stockholders. The Audit Committee recommends KPMG LLP to audit the Company's
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year beginning May 29, 2000.
KPMG has audited the books of the Company since 1928. During fiscal 2000,
General Mills paid KPMG $1,866,900 for audit and other services. Representatives
of the firm will be at the annual meeting, where they will have the opportunity
to make a statement and answer questions. If the stockholders were to fail to
ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP, the Audit Committee would reconsider its
selection.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF
KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL 2001.
ITEM NO. 3
ADOPTION OF AMENDED AND RESTATED GENERAL MILLS, INC., EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN
The Executive Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, is presented to the
stockholders for their approval. The EIP, which provides financial incentives of
cash bonuses and restricted stock units to key executives, was last approved by
the stockholders in 1996. The revised plan that stockholders are currently being
asked to approve is designed to ensure that awards made under the plan will be
fully tax-deductible while continuing to provide the Compensation Committee of
the Board the flexibility to effectively administer the plan. The amendments do
not change the types of awards that have been made under the plan or increase
the number of shares of General Mills common stock that may be awarded under the
plan. More detailed information about the revised plan can be found on pages 15
and 16.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION OF
THE AMENDED AND RESTATED GENERAL MILLS, INC., EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN.
ITEM NO. 4
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL ON GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
The Fund for Nonviolence, c/o Harrington Investments, and the Adrian Dominican
Sisters have made a proposal that the Board of Directors adopt certain policies
relating to genetic engineering in food products. More detailed information
about the proposal and the Board of Directors' response to it can be found on
pages 17 and 18.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSAL.
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ITEM NO. 5
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL CONCERNING GLOBAL WORKPLACE LABOR STANDARDS
The Comptroller of the City of New York, as custodian and/or trustee of the New
York City Employees Retirement System (NYCERS), the New York City Teachers
Retirement System, the New York City Fire Department Pension Fund and the New
York City Police Pension Fund have made a proposal concerning the Company's
adoption of global workplace human-rights standards. More detailed information
about the proposal and the Board of Directors' response to it can be found on
pages 18 and 19.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSAL.
IF YOU SIGN AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD, OR USE TELEPHONE OR INTERNET VOTING, BUT
DO NOT SPECIFY HOW YOU WANT TO VOTE YOUR SHARES ON ANY PARTICULAR MATTER, WE
WILL VOTE YOUR SHARES FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH DIRECTOR NOMINEE, FOR THE
APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN AND AGAINST THE STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS.
OTHER BUSINESS
We do not know of any other matters to be presented at the meeting. If any other
matter is properly presented for a vote at the meeting, your shares will be
voted by the holders of the proxies using their best judgment.
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INFORMATION ABOUT NOMINEES FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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[PHOTO] STEPHEN R. DEMERITT Director since 1999
Stephen R. Demeritt, age 56, is Vice Chairman of General Mills, with
responsibility for our worldwide cereal businesses, General Mills
Canada, Consumer Insights and Advertising. Mr. Demeritt joined General
Mills in 1969 and served in a variety of consumer food marketing
positions. He was president of International Foods from 1991 to 1993
and from 1993 to 1999 was Chief Executive Officer of Cereal Partners
Worldwide, our global cereal joint venture with Nestle.
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[PHOTO] LIVIO D. DESIMONE Director since 1989
Livio D. DeSimone, age 64, is Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M). He
joined 3M in 1957 and has served in various U.S. and international
capacities. Mr. DeSimone was elected an Executive Vice President in
1981 and named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1991. Mr.
DeSimone is a director of 3M, Cargill Incorporated, Target Corporation
and Vulcan Materials Company.
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[PHOTO] WILLIAM T. ESREY Director since 1989
William T. Esrey, age 60, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Sprint Corporation (telecommunications). Mr. Esrey has been Chairman
of Sprint since 1990 and Chief Executive Officer since 1985. He is a
director of Sprint, Duke Energy Corp., Exxon Mobil Corporation and
EarthLink.
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[PHOTO] RAYMOND V. GILMARTIN Director since 1998
Raymond V. Gilmartin, age 59, has been Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Merck & Company, Inc.
(pharmaceuticals) since November 1994. He previously served as
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Becton Dickinson
and Company. Mr. Gilmartin is a director of the Pharmaceutical
Research and Manufacturers of America, Public Service Enterprise
Group, and a member of The Business Council and The Business
Roundtable.
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[PHOTO] JUDITH RICHARDS HOPE Director since 1989
Judith Richards Hope, age 59, is a partner in the law firm of Paul,
Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, Los Angeles, California and
Washington, DC. Ms. Hope is a director of Union Pacific Corporation
and Zurich Holding Company of America, Inc. She also is Chairman of
the National Housing Partnership Foundation.
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[PHOTO] ROBERT L. JOHNSON Director since 1999
Robert L. Johnson, age 54, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
BET Holdings, Inc., a black-owned and operated media-entertainment
company that he founded in 1978. Mr. Johnson previously held positions
with the National Cable Television Association and the Corporation for
Public Broadcasting. He is a director of US Airways, the Hilton Hotels
Corporation and Gerald Stevens, Inc. He serves on the boards of the
United Negro College Fund, the National Cable Television Association's
Academy of Cable Programming and the American Film Institute. Mr.
Johnson also is a member of the Board of Governors for the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame.
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[PHOTO] HEIDI G. MILLER Director since 1999
Heidi G. Miller, age 47, is Senior Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of priceline.com, which owns a patented Internet
pricing system that enables consumers to achieve savings by naming
their own prices for goods and services. Before joining priceline.com
in March 2000, Ms. Miller was Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Citigroup Inc., which was formed in 1998 through
the merger of Citibank and Travelers Group. She joined Travelers Group
in 1992 as Vice President of Planning and Analysis and Assistant to
the President and was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer in 1995. Ms. Miller is a trustee of Princeton
University and is a director of Merck & Company, Inc., Mead & Co. and
the NYU School of Medicine Foundation.
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[PHOTO] STEPHEN W. SANGER Director since 1992
Stephen W. Sanger, age 54, has been Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of General Mills since 1995. Mr. Sanger joined the Company in
1974 and served as the head of several business units, including
Yoplait USA and Big G. He was elected a Senior Vice President in 1989,
an Executive Vice President in 1991, Vice Chairman in 1992 and
President in 1993. He is a director of Target Corporation and
Donaldson Company, Inc.
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[PHOTO] A. MICHAEL SPENCE Director since 1992
Dr. A. Michael Spence, age 56, is a professor at the Graduate School
of Business at Stanford University and served as its Dean from 1990 to
August 1999. Dr. Spence served on the faculty at Harvard University in
both the Business School and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences as
professor of economics and business administration from 1975 to 1990.
From 1984 to 1990, he served as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and
Sciences at Harvard. He is a director of Nike, Inc., Siebel Systems,
Inc., Torstar, eGain Communications Corp., Exult, Inc., and ITI
Education Corporation. Dr. Spence is a Fellow of the Econometric
Society and is former Chairman of the National Research Council Board
on Science, Technology and Economic Policy.
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[PHOTO] DOROTHY A. TERRELL Director since 1994
Dorothy A. Terrell, age 55, is Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales,
and President, Services Group, of Natural MicroSystems Corporation, a
producer of hardware and software component products for
telecommunications applications. Ms. Terrell joined the company in
1998. She previously served in various executive management capacities
at Sun Microsystems, Inc., from 1991 to 1997 and Digital Equipment
Corporation from 1976 to 1991. Ms. Terrell is a director of Sears
Roebuck and Company and Herman Miller, Inc., and is on the board of
the Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation and the National
Housing Partnership Foundation.
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[PHOTO] RAYMOND G. VIAULT Director since 1996
Raymond G. Viault, age 56, is Vice Chairman of General Mills with
responsibility for the Global Convenience Foods businesses (including
International Foods, Snacks, Yoplait-Colombo Yogurt and Refrigerated
Products). Mr. Viault also is responsible for Betty Crocker Meals,
General Mills Baking Products and New Ventures divisions, and Snack
Ventures Europe and will be responsible for leading the integration of
the Pillsbury businesses following the completion of the acquisition.
Mr. Viault came to the Company in 1996 from Philip Morris, where he
was based in Zurich, Switzerland, serving since 1990 as President of
Kraft Jacobs Suchard. Mr. Viault was with Kraft General Foods a total
of 20 years, serving in a variety of major marketing and general
management positions. He is a director of Willis Carroon plc. He
serves on the Board of Overseers for the Columbia Graduate School of
Business, the board of trustees for Lawrenceville School and the board
of directors of TechnoServe, The United Way of Minneapolis and the
Minnesota International Center.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AT GENERAL MILLS
General Mills has a long-standing commitment to good corporate governance
practices. These practices provide an important framework within which the
Board and management can pursue the strategic objectives of the Company and
ensure its long-term vitality for the benefit of shareholders. The corporate
governance principles and practices described below have evolved at General
Mills over many years, and they will continue to be changed and supplemented
as appropriate. Their unchanging, fundamental premise, however, is the
independent nature of the Board and its overarching fiduciary duty to the
Company's shareholders.
BOARD COMPOSITION AND INDEPENDENCE
* The Board believes that a substantial majority of its members should be
independent, nonemployee directors. Currently, 8 out of 11 directors are
independent outsiders.
* All Board committees except the Executive Committee are composed entirely
of independent, outside directors.
- Committee and committee chair assignments are reviewed regularly, and
assignments are rotated to ensure that each committee has an
appropriate mix of tenures and experience.
* All directors are elected annually.
* Overall Board composition guidelines require a breadth of experienced
perspectives from a variety of industries and from professional disciplines
such as finance, academia, law and government, along with a diversity of
gender, ethnicity, age and geographic location. Final approval of director
nominees is determined by the full Board, on recommendation of the
Nominating Committee.
* Well-defined selection criteria for individual directors stress
independence, integrity, experience and sound judgment in areas relevant to
the Company's businesses, a proven record of accomplishment, willingness to
speak one's mind and commit sufficient time to the Board, and the ability
to challenge and stimulate management.
* To ensure an appropriate balance between new perspectives and experienced
directors:
- Outside directors serve no more than 15 years and retire at age 70, or
five years after normal retirement from their principal organization,
whichever comes first.
- Outside directors are expected to offer their resignation whenever
their principal employment or affiliation changes after joining the
Board, and the Nominating Committee then decides whether the director
should continue to serve.
BOARD PERFORMANCE AND OPERATIONS
* Board meetings and background materials sent to directors focus on the
Company's key strategic, leadership and performance issues.
- Each year, the Board has formal reviews and discussions of the
Company's annual and longer-term strategic plans and the Company's
management development and succession plans.
- Focused discussions of individual businesses and key issues are held
throughout the year, and extended off-site sessions are held
periodically for in-depth reviews of key strategic themes. The Board
also regularly reviews the Company's performance compared to its
competitive peer companies.
- Committee responsibilities are detailed in their charters, and reports
of committee meetings are given to the full Board, which acts on their
recommendations, as appropriate.
* The agenda and content of Board and committee meetings are developed
through discussions between management and Board members.
* Executive sessions are held at each Board meeting, and at least once a
year, outside directors meet formally without the Chief Executive Officer
and other management directors. This session is led by the Chair of the
Compensation Committee and includes the CEO's annual performance and
compensation review and his performance objectives for the next fiscal
year. Additional meetings of outside directors may be held from time to
time, as appropriate.
* The Nominating Committee has responsibility for corporate governance and
Board organization and procedures. A formal evaluation of these areas is
conducted regularly, with a written
10
<PAGE>
evaluation from each Board member to enhance Board effectiveness.
Recommended changes are considered by the full Board.
ALIGNMENT WITH SHAREHOLDER INTERESTS
* Each director is expected to represent the interests of all shareholders,
and not those of any particular shareholder or any single interest group.
* A substantial portion of director compensation is linked to the Company's
stock performance, and directors can elect to receive their entire Board
remuneration in stock and stock-related compensation. Directors are
expected to keep all of the net shares they receive as compensation until
they own shares equal in market value to at least five times their annual
cash retainer.
* The Board supports and oversees employee compensation programs that are
closely linked to business performance and emphasize equity ownership,
including stock ownership targets, for key management employees. For more
details, see the Compensation Committee Report on pages 22 to 24.
* Senior management meets regularly with major institutional investors and
shareholders, and reports to the Board on analyst and shareholder views of
the Company.
BOARD COMMITTEES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Members: Six nonemployee directors
A. Michael Spence (Chair), Livio D. DeSimone, Raymond V. Gilmartin,
Robert L. Johnson, Dorothy A. Terrell, C. Angus Wurtele
Number of Meetings in 2000: Three
Functions: * Oversees internal controls, audits, compliance program and
financial reporting
* Ensures the independence and evaluates the performance of the
independent auditors, and recommends independent auditors for the
annual audit, subject to shareholder approval
* Consults with the auditors and reviews the scope of their audit
* Reviews the Company's annual risk assessment process, use of
derivative instruments and policy compliance
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Members: Five nonemployee directors
Livio D. DeSimone (Chair), William T. Esrey, Raymond V. Gilmartin,
Michael D. Rose, A. Michael Spence
Number of Meetings in 2000: Three
Functions: * Reviews compensation policies of the Company to ensure they
provide appropriate motivation for corporate performance and
increased shareholder value; determines compensation policy for
executives
* Conducts performance review of the chairman; recommends
compensation of the Board members, including the chairman and the
management members of the Board, and approves compensation and
stock grants to other senior executives
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11
<PAGE>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Members: Eight
Stephen W. Sanger (Chair), Stephen R. Demeritt, Livio D. DeSimone,
William T. Esrey, Judith Richards Hope, Michael D. Rose, A. Michael
Spence, Raymond G. Viault
Number of Meetings in 2000: None
Functions: * May take all action that could be taken by full Board
* May meet between regular Board meetings to take action necessary
for the Company to operate efficiently
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Members: Six nonemployee directors
William T. Esrey (Chair), Judith Richards Hope, Heidi G. Miller,
Michael D. Rose, Dorothy A. Terrell, C. Angus Wurtele
Number of Meetings in 2000: One
Functions: * Reviews financial policies and performance objectives, including
dividend policy
* Reviews changes in the Company's capital structure, including
debt issuances, common stock sales, repurchases and stock splits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Members: Six nonemployee directors
Raymond V. Gilmartin (Chair), William T. Esrey, Judith Richards Hope,
Robert L. Johnson, Michael D. Rose, A. Michael Spence
Number of Meetings in 2000: One
Functions: * Recommends candidates for election to the Board
* Develops policy on composition, participation and size of Board
as well as tenure and retirement of directors
* Recommends changes in the organization and procedures of the
board, including corporate governance
The Nominating Committee considers director candidates proposed by stockholders.
Candidates must be highly qualified and exhibit both willingness and interest in
serving on the Board. Candidates should represent the interests of all
stockholders and not those of a special-interest group. A stockholder wishing to
nominate a candidate should forward the candidate's name and a detailed
background of the candidate's qualifications to the Secretary of the Company,
taking into consideration the criteria for new directors as described on page
10.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE
Members: Five nonemployee directors
Judith Richards Hope (Chair), Livio D. DeSimone, Heidi G. Miller,
Dorothy A. Terrell, C. Angus Wurtele
Number of Meetings in 2000: One
Functions: * Reviews public policy and social trends affecting the Company
* Monitors the Company's corporate citizenship activities
* Evaluates Company policies to ensure they meet ethical
obligations to employees, consumers and society
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the fiscal year ended May 28, 2000, the board of directors met six times,
and various committees of the Board met a total of nine times. Director
attendance at Board meetings and all committee meetings averaged 90 percent. Mr.
Esrey attended 73 percent and Ms. Terrell attended 60 percent of all Board
committee meetings.
12
<PAGE>
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
General Mills structures director compensation to attract and retain qualified
nonemployee directors and to further align the interests of directors with the
interests of stockholders by linking a portion of their compensation to stock
performance. Employee directors do not receive additional compensation for
serving on the Board. If they choose, outside directors can receive the entire
amount of their Board remuneration in stock and stock-related compensation.
Directors are expected to keep all of the net shares they receive as Board
compensation until they own shares equal in market value to at least five times
their annual cash retainer. The Company does not have a retirement plan for its
nonemployee directors.
In fiscal 2000, nonemployee directors each received an annual retainer of
$50,000. The Company does not pay separate fees for meeting attendance or
chairmanships.
Directors can elect to have annual retainer amounts paid quarterly in cash or
Company common stock of equal value, or they can defer payment until a later
date. If payment is deferred, the deferred amount earns interest based on the
directors' selection from a group of funds offered to employees participating in
the Company's deferred compensation plan. One of these funds tracks the return
on the Company's common stock.
In fiscal 2000, L. D. DeSimone and M. D. Rose elected to receive all of their
annual retainer in common stock; W. T. Esrey, J. R. Hope, R. L. Johnson and D.
A. Terrell received cash payments; H. G. Miller, A. M. Spence and C. A. Wurtele
deferred cash payments; and R. V. Gilmartin received 50 percent in common stock
and 50 percent in cash.
Each year they are elected to the Board, nonemployee directors receive 1,000
restricted stock units. This number was increased from 500 following our
two-for-one stock split in November 1999. Restricted stock units vest at the
next annual stockholders' meeting, and receipt of shares of common stock upon
vesting can be deferred until a later date. Restricted stock units earn amounts
equal to the dividend payments on the Company's common stock. These amounts can
be reinvested or paid to the director.
Nonemployee directors also receive options to purchase 10,000 shares of Company
common stock (increased from 5,000 in November 1999) each time they are elected
to the Board. The per-share price the director pays at exercise is the market
price of the common stock on the date of the grant. The option becomes
exercisable at the next annual meeting and expires 10 years after grant.
The Company also has a planned gift program for directors that is funded by life
insurance policies on all directors. Upon the death of a director, the Company
donates $1 million to a qualifying charity recommended by the director. The
Company is then reimbursed by life insurance proceeds. The cost of the program
is not material to the Company, and individual directors derive no financial
benefit from the program since the Company receives the entire charitable
deduction. The Company also pays the premiums on directors' and officers'
liability and travel accident insurance policies covering the directors.
13
<PAGE>
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF GENERAL MILLS
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The following table shows how much General Mills common stock was owned by each
director and those executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table on
June 30, 2000. Amounts reflect the November 1999 two-for-one stock split. No
director or executive officer owns more than .73 percent of the total
outstanding shares (including exercisable options). All directors and executive
officers as a group own 2.59 percent of the total outstanding shares (including
exercisable options).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFERRED STOCK EXERCISABLE
NAME SHARES(a) UNITS(b) TOTAL SHARES OPTIONS(c)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S. R. Demeritt (d) 81,738 63,532 145,270 440,316
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L. D. DeSimone 33,777 -- 33,777 15,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
W. T. Esrey 16,608 -- 16,608 21,076
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R. V. Gilmartin 6,522 -- 6,522 10,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J. R. Hope 17,825 -- 17,825 21,076
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R. L. Johnson 2,015 -- 2,015 5,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J. A. Lawrence 52,530 -- 52,530 10,600
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S. S. Marshall 58,568 -- 58,568 154,280
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H. G. Miller 1,215 -- 1,215 --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M. D. Rose (e) 20,144 -- 20,144 21,076
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S. W. Sanger 98,065 160,611 258,676 1,801,826
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. M. Spence 11,031 -- 11,031 21,076
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. A. Terrell 7,127 -- 7,127 21,076
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R. G. Viault 40,108 2,850 42,958 167,640
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. A. Wurtele (f) 43,486 3,317 46,803 21,076
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All directors and executive
officers as a group 1,515,591 5,965,464
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
(a) Amounts in this column include restricted stock and restricted stock units
as well as shares allocated to participant accounts under the Company VIP
401(k).
(b) Amounts for Mr. Wurtele and Mr. Viault are share equivalents held in a
deferred compensation account tracking the value of the Company's common
stock. Amounts for Mr. Demeritt and Mr. Sanger reflect the deferral of
common stock to be issued upon a stock-for-stock exercise of a stock option
and any reinvestment of dividend equivalents. These will be paid in common
stock.
(c) These amounts include options which become exercisable within 60 days of
June 30, 2000.
(d) Included in the shares for Mr. Demeritt are 1,840 shares owned by his
spouse, in which he disclaims any beneficial interest.
(e) Included in the shares for Mr. Rose are 1,200 shares owned by his former
spouse in custody for minor children, in which he disclaims any beneficial
interest.
(f) Included in the shares for Mr. Wurtele are 248 shares owned by his spouse,
in which he disclaims any beneficial interest.
14
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
GENERAL MILLS, INC., EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN
INTRODUCTION
Item No. 3 (see page 5) asks the stockholders to consider and approve a proposal
to adopt an amended and restated Executive Incentive Plan (EIP). The revised EIP
provides officers of the Company with financial incentives (cash and restricted
stock units) for superior performance. On June 26, 2000, the Board of Directors
approved the revised EIP and recommended it for stockholder approval. Upon
approval by the stockholders, the revised EIP will replace the EIP approved by
the stockholders in September 1996.
Under the revised EIP, the types of awards that may be made do not differ from
the types of awards that have been made under the predecessor plan, and there is
no change in the employees who are eligible to receive awards. There is also no
change in the number of shares of General Mills common stock that may be awarded
in connection with the plan since the revised EIP, like its predecessor plan, is
subject to the terms of a stockholder resolution most recently amended in 1968
(the "1968 resolution"), which authorizes the payment of annual incentive
awards.
The revised EIP imposes a limit on the size of an annual award that a
participant may receive and provides the Compensation Committee of the Board
(the "Committee") the necessary flexibility to structure cash bonus and
restricted stock unit awards so as to most effectively achieve the purpose of
the plan. The Committee's current expectation is that plan administration and
awards under the revised EIP will be substantially similar to those under the
predecessor plan. Stockholder approval of the revised EIP is being sought to
ensure that awards granted under the plan will be fully tax-deductible pursuant
to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
Awards to be received under the revised EIP are dependent upon performance and
are not currently determinable. Awards under the predecessor EIP during fiscal
2000 to General Mills' five most highly compensated executive officers are
reported in the Summary Compensation Table on page 25.
MATERIAL FEATURES OF THE REVISED EIP
The summary of the major features of the revised EIP that follows is subject to
the full text of the EIP contained in the Appendix to this Proxy Statement.
PURPOSE. The purpose of the EIP is to provide financial rewards to key
executives in recognition of their individual contributions to the success of
General Mills and to align their interests with the interests of General Mills'
stockholders.
ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS. All officers of General Mills and its subsidiaries
and affiliates, a group of approximately 75 persons, are eligible to receive
awards under the EIP. The Committee will determine which employees will receive
awards, but it is anticipated that award recipients will be employees holding
positions that most significantly affect operating results and provide the
greatest opportunity to contribute to current earnings and the future success of
General Mills.
AWARD TYPES. An annual award to a participant under the EIP may consist of
a cash bonus, restricted stock units or some combination of the two as
determined by the Committee, but the restricted stock unit portion may not
exceed 50 percent of the value of an award.
PERFORMANCE GOALS; LIMITS ON AWARDS. A participant in the EIP may receive
an annual award only if General Mills has positive net earnings during the
applicable performance period, and the value of any participant's award may not
exceed 0.5 percent of General Mills' net earnings for that performance period.
For these purposes, each restricted stock unit has a value equal to the fair
market value of a share of General Mills common stock on the date the unit is
considered to be earned and credited to the participant's account.
The aggregate value of annual incentive awards made in any fiscal year
under the EIP is subject to a maximum amount set by a formula specified in the
1968 resolution. The formula sets this maximum amount at the lesser of 1) 5
percent of General Mills' earnings before tax (excluding extraordinary
15
<PAGE>
items) for a fiscal year, after adding back any deductions for covered incentive
awards during such fiscal year, and 2) 10 percent of the amount by which such
earnings as adjusted exceed 10 percent of General Mills' total stockholders'
equity as of the beginning of such fiscal year.
VESTING OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS. Restricted stock units will vest on a
schedule determined by the Committee, but not earlier than 180 days after being
credited to a participant's account.
DEPOSITS OF SHARES. The Committee may require the deposit of General Mills
common stock owned by a participant as a condition to a grant of restricted
stock units.
TRANSFERABILITY. Restricted stock units and other rights of participants
are not transferable other than upon the participant's death by will or the laws
of descent and distribution.
ADJUSTMENTS. In the event of a stock dividend, recapitalization, stock
split, reorganization, merger, spin-off, repurchase or exchange of General Mills
common stock, or a similar event affecting the common stock, the Committee may,
in its discretion, adjust the number and kinds of shares represented by
outstanding restricted stock units to preserve (and prevent enlargement of) the
benefits of such awards.
CHANGE OF CONTROL. Restricted stock units granted under the EIP will
immediately vest, and the underlying shares of General Mills common stock will
be distributed upon the occurrence of a Change of Control as defined in Section
10 of the EIP.
TERMINATION, DEATH AND RETIREMENT. Unvested restricted stock units will be
forfeited if a participant resigns or is terminated for cause. If a participant
dies during the restricted period relating to an award of restricted stock
units, a pro-rata portion of the award, based on the number of full months of
employment completed during the restricted period prior to the date of death,
shall vest and be distributed to the participant's beneficiary. Upon retirement,
a participant shall fully vest in all restricted stock units as of the date of
retirement, subject to any limitations made by the Committee at the time of
grant. If a participant's employment terminates for any other reason, then
vesting will be based on the participant's years of service with the Company and
age at the time of termination as more fully described in section 11(b) of the
EIP.
ADMINISTRATION. The EIP will be administered by the Committee, or in
certain cases, its delegate, which shall determine, subject to the plan terms,
the amount of the annual cash awards, the number of restricted stock units
granted to each participant and any other provisions. The Committee may
interpret the EIP and establish, amend and rescind any rules relating to it.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The Committee or Board may amend, suspend or
terminate the EIP at any time, but any action to amend the limit on the size of
an award to a participant described previously, under the heading PERFORMANCE
GOALS; LIMITS ON AWARDS must be approved by General Mills stockholders. No
action to amend, suspend or terminate the EIP may adversely affect the rights of
a participant with an already outstanding award without the consent of the
participant.
16
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL ON GENETIC
ENGINEERING IN FOOD PRODUCTS
Item No. 4 (see page 5) asks the stockholders to consider a proposal of the Fund
for Nonviolence, c/o Harrington Investments, 1001 Second Street, Suite 325,
Napa, CA 94559, owners of 800 shares, and the Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257
East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI 49221-1793, owners of 200 shares, who have
notified the Company in writing that they intend to present the following
resolution at the annual meeting.
"WHEREAS:
International markets for genetically engineered (GE) foods are threatened
by extensive resistance;
* Several of Europe's largest food retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury
Group, Carrefour, and Rewe, have committed to removing GE ingredients
from their store-brand products, as have U.S. retailers Whole Foods
Market and Wild Oats Markets;
* In the UK, three fast-food giants -- McDonald's, Burger King, and
Kentucky Fried Chicken -- are eliminating GE soya and corn ingredients
from their menus;
* McCain Foods of Canada, the largest potato and frozen french fry
processor in the world, announced they would no longer accept Bt
potatoes for their brand-name products (11/99);
* Gerber Products Co. announced in July 1999 that they would not allow
GE corn or soybeans in any of their baby foods;
* Frito Lay, a division of Pepsico, asked its farmers from whom it
purchases corn for its chips to provide only non-genetically
engineered corn (January 2000);
* Once in effect, the Biosafety Protocol, approved by representatives of
more than 130 countries (January, 2000), will require that genetically
engineered organisms (GEOs) intended for food, feed and processing
must be labeled "may contain" GEOs and countries can decide whether to
import those commodities based on a scientific risk assessment.
There is scientific concern that genetically engineered agricultural
products may be harmful to humans, animals, or the environment;
* The U.S. Department of Agriculture has acknowledged (7/13/1999) the
need to develop a comprehensive approach to evaluating long-term and
secondary effects of GE products;
* Some GE crops have been engineered to have higher levels of toxins,
such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to make them insect-resistant;
* In 1998, research showed that Bt crops are building up Bt toxins in
the soil, thereby harming soil ecology and beneficial organisms and
insects;
* In 1999, the European Union proposed the suspension of approval of new
genetically engineered organisms until a new safety law for
genetically engineered organisms is implemented in 2002. This followed
a new study that showed Bt corn pollen may harm monarch butterflies.
In the U.S., we have a long tradition of citizens' "Right to Know"; an
expression of this includes the current laws requiring nutritional labeling
of foods;
* A January 1999 Time/CNN poll indicated that 81% of Americans said that
GE food should be labeled as such;
* GE crops may incorporate genes from animal species. Individuals can
not avoid them for religious or ethical reasons unless they are
labeled;
* The European Union required labeling of GE foods, and labeling has
been proposed by governmental authorities in Japan, New Zealand, and
Australia.
RESOLVED: Shareholders request the Board of Directors to adopt a policy of
removing genetically engineered crops, organisms, or products thereof from
all products sold or manufactured by the company, where feasible, until
long-term safety testing has shown that they are not harmful to humans,
animals, and the environment; with the interim step of labeling and
identifying these products that may contain these ingredients, and
reporting to the shareholders by August 2001."
17
<PAGE>
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSAL
ON GENETIC ENGINEERING IN FOOD PRODUCTS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
Modern biotechnology 1) is a safe, sustainable tool for producing new, improved
seeds for farmers, 2) is an important contributor to the future success of
agriculture in meeting the world's food needs and 3) holds the promise of
advancing the development of new food products to help keep people healthier.
It is a fundamental commitment of General Mills that every food product we make
and sell is safe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Department of
Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency have each determined that
food containing ingredients from biotechnologically improved crops is safe and
is no different in any meaningful way from other foods. A panel of the National
Academy of Science recently reached the same conclusion. The science supporting
the safety of these foods is overwhelming.
The Company actively monitors developments in agricultural biotechnology not
only to ensure the safety of our products but because we, along with many
scientists and others, believe that the use of biotechnology in foods will
provide our world with great benefits, including increased food production to
feed rapidly growing Third World populations, increased nutrients in food and
reduced use of pesticides. This technology could allow us, for example, to
remove allergens from peanuts and other foods that today pose potentially fatal
risks. New foods could help prevent osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and
manage diabetes without daily insulin shots. Scientists already have developed a
strain of rice that is rich in Vitamin A. In developing countries, where rice is
a dietary staple, 250,000 children a year go blind because of Vitamin A
deficiencies. Scientists also are working on how to add iron to rice. These are
but a few of the examples of biotechnology's promise.
The proposal asks the Company to "remove genetically engineered crops,
organisms, or products thereof" from all products sold or manufactured by
General Mills and to label all products that contain these ingredients. The
complex food supply chain in North America, from farmers to food companies, does
not have an established system that enables segregation of the various crops
grown in North America, many of which are used in making our products or are
contained in ingredients used in our products. With respect to labeling, as well
as other issues relating to biotechnology, we follow the lead of the FDA and
other regulatory authorities. We support the FDA's current effort to develop
guidelines for voluntary labeling that is accurate, fair and not misleading. We
also support the FDA's move to make mandatory its review of all bioengineered
ingredients. And we support the agency's initiatives to resolve issues uniformly
and take whatever steps are necessary to continue to assure that any new food
technology is safe for consumers and the environment based on a comprehensive,
balanced evaluation and sound science.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL ON GLOBAL
WORKERS' RIGHTS STANDARDS
Item No. 5 (see page 6) asks the stockholders to consider a proposal of the
Comptroller of the City of New York, as custodian and/or trustee of the New York
City Employees Retirement System (NYCERS), the New York City Teachers Retirement
System, the New York City Fire Department Pension Fund and the New York City
Police Pension Fund, 1 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007-2341, owner of 480,838
shares, who has notified the Company in writing that these funds intend to
present the following resolution at the annual meeting.
"Whereas, General Mills currently has extensive overseas operations, and
Whereas, reports of human rights abuses in the overseas subsidiaries and
suppliers of some U.S.-based corporations have led to an increased
public awareness of the problems of child labor, "sweatshop"
conditions, and the denial of labor rights in U.S. corporate overseas
operations, and
Whereas, corporate violations of human rights in these overseas operations
can lead to negative publicity, public protests, and a loss of
consumer confidence which can have a negative impact on shareholder
value, and
Whereas, a number of corporations have implemented independent monitoring
pilot programs with respected local human rights and religious
organizations to strengthen compliance with international human rights
norms in selected supplier factories, and
18
<PAGE>
Whereas, the Council on Economic Priorities has established a program of
independent monitoring known as the SA8000 Social Accountability
Standards, and
Whereas, these standards incorporate the conventions of the International
Labor Organization (ILO) on workplace human rights which include the
following principles:
1) All workers have the right to form and join trade unions and to
bargain collectively. (ILO Conventions 87 and 98)
2) Workers representatives shall not be the subject of
discrimination and shall have access to all workplaces necessary
to enable them to carry out their representation functions. (ILO
Convention 135)
3) There shall be no discrimination or intimidation in employment.
Equality of opportunity and treatment shall be provided
regardless of race, color, sex, religion, political opinion, age,
nationality, social origin, or other distinguishing
characteristics. (ILO Convention 100 and 111)
4) Employment shall be freely chosen. There shall be no use of
force, including bonded or prison labor. (ILO Conventions 29 and
105)
5) There shall be no use of child labor. (ILO Convention 138), and,
Whereas, independent monitoring of corporate adherence to these standards
is essential if consumer and investor confidence in our company's
commitment to human rights is to be maintained,
Therefore, be it resolved that the company commit itself to the full
implementation of the aforementioned human rights standards by its
international suppliers and in its own international production
facilities and commit to a program of outside, independent monitoring
of compliance with these standards."
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSAL
ON GLOBAL WORKERS' RIGHTS STANDARDS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
General Mills strongly supports human rights in the workplace, and for years our
corporate policies and practices have addressed the matters raised in this
proposal. These corporate policies make clear our commitment to ethical business
conduct and worker human rights: We support the right of employees to organize
in accordance with applicable labor laws; we oppose child and forced labor; we
strongly believe that no employer should discriminate against anyone or any
member of a group; and we are committed to operating within the spirit and
letter of all laws and regulations affecting our businesses and employees. We
regularly distribute our corporate policies to ensure that everyone who works
for us knows that these are our values, and we annually ask a wide range of
management and professional employees to certify their compliance with these
policies, to notify us of any breach or potential for breach, and to ensure that
the policies are discussed with the people who work for them.
General Mills has a long history of being recognized for our commitment to
corporate social responsibility, fairness and diversity. For example, this past
year we received the Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership, and FORTUNE
magazine named us one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America. In
addition, we have received the Council on Economic Priorities' Corporate
Conscience Award four times (1987, 1988, 1992 and 1998), including recognition
for our equal-employment practices.
With regard to the application of human-rights standards to suppliers of General
Mills, we obtain warranties in our supply contracts from vendors that they do
not permit the use of child or forced labor and that their operations comply
with all applicable laws and labor and equal-employment standards. We also
annually audit the facilities of our regular overseas suppliers for quality
assurance, safety and labor practices. These audits are ordinarily conducted by
third-party testing laboratories, although our own trained quality-assurance
employees handle some audits.
Because of our high ethical standards and ongoing efforts in these areas, we do
not believe that adoption of the standards suggested in this proposal is
necessary.
19
<PAGE>
TOTAL RETURN TO STOCKHOLDERS
These line graphs and tables compare the cumulative total stockholder return for
holders of General Mills common stock with the cumulative total return of the
Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and the Standard & Poor's Food Index for the
last one-year, five-year and 10-year periods. The graphs and tables assume the
investment of $100 in each of General Mills common stock and the specified
indexes at the beginning of the applicable period, and assume the reinvestment
of all dividends.
1 YEAR
[PLOT POINTS CHART]
MAY 99 MAY 00
------ ------
GENERAL MILLS 100 105
S&P Food 100 92
S&P 500 100 107
5 YEARS
[PLOT POINTS CHART]
MAY 95 MAY 96 MAY 97 MAY 98 MAY 99 MAY 00
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
GENERAL MILLS 100 121 138 151 183 192
S & P Food 100 124 163 218 192 178
S & P 500 100 133 169 221 268 287
20
<PAGE>
10 YEARS
[PLOT POINTS CHART]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MAY 90 MAY 91 MAY 92 MAY 93 MAY 94 MAY 95 MAY 96 MAY 97 MAY 98 MAY 99 MAY 00
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
GENERAL MILLS 100 153 171 181 156 179 216 247 270 328 344
S & P Food 100 128 136 142 141 172 213 281 375 331 306
S & P 500 100 110 125 140 146 172 228 291 380 460 493
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE>
REPORT OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
THE COMMITTEE'S RESPONSIBILITIES
The Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Committee") is responsible for
setting and administering the policies that govern executive compensation. The
Committee is composed entirely of independent, outside directors. Reports of the
Committee's actions and recommendations are presented to the full Board.
The purpose of this report is to summarize the philosophical principles,
specific program elements and other factors considered by the Committee in
making decisions about executive compensation.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
The Committee bases its compensation decisions on the following core principles.
* Pay is performance-based. Base salaries at General Mills are generally
lower than those at comparable companies in the food and consumer products
business sector, but they are coupled with an incentive system that pays
more with good performance and less for below-par performance.
* Stock ownership is emphasized. The Committee believes that broad and deep
employee stock ownership effectively aligns the interests of employees with
those of stockholders and provides a strong motivation to build shareholder
value. The Committee has established specific stock ownership objectives
for key management employees and has created programs that encourage all
employees to have an ownership interest in the Company.
* Compensation opportunities must be competitive to attract and retain
talented employees. Each year, the Committee evaluates Company performance,
actual compensation and share ownership, and compares them with data for
peer food and consumer product companies as well as a broader group of
leading industrial companies.
PROGRAM ELEMENTS
General Mills' executive compensation program comprises base salary, annual
incentive and long-term incentive compensation. We also have several innovative
programs to encourage long-term stock ownership.
BASE SALARY. Base salaries for officers are generally lower than at comparable
companies due to our emphasis on performance-oriented incentive compensation and
because our executives are eligible to participate in the Salary Replacement
Stock Option Plan (described on page 23). All salaried employees, including
executives, are eligible for an annual merit increase to their base salary based
primarily on performance of their job responsibilities and accomplishment of
predetermined performance objectives.
ANNUAL INCENTIVE. General Mills provides executives with an annual opportunity
to earn cash incentive awards through the Executive Incentive Plan (EIP). An
amended and restated EIP is being presented for approval at the 2000 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. Refer to pages 15 and 16 for detailed information.
Under the EIP, fiscal 2000 incentive amounts were determined by the Committee at
the end of the year based upon corporate, business unit and individual
performance. For each of the five most highly compensated officers, including
the CEO, these incentive amounts were limited to a maximum amount established by
the Committee at the start of the year according to a schedule directly tied to
the Company's return on capital and earnings per share.
In fiscal 2000, the corporate performance rating was weighted 75 percent to the
Company's earnings-per-share performance and 25 percent to key strategic growth
and earnings-quality objectives. Earnings quality measurements included volume,
productivity improvements, economic profit and international earnings
contribution. Strategic growth measurements were tied to progress against key
longer-term growth initiatives.
Based on the Company's fiscal 2000 earnings per share, earnings quality and
progress toward its strategic growth goals, the Committee determined that the
corporate performance rating for fiscal 2000 should be 1.73.
Business unit ratings also were based 75 percent on financial performance and 25
percent on the quality of this financial performance and progress against
strategic growth priorities. Unit financial performance was measured by earnings
before interest and taxes (EBIT), volume, productivity improvements and/or
cost-per-case targets.
Individual performance ratings were based upon each executive's achievement of
specific annual financial objectives as well as other factors like
22
<PAGE>
the quality of the strategic plan, progress in organizational and management
development, and diversity.
For senior officers, cash incentive awards were determined by multiplying fiscal
year base salary by a target incentive rate (a percentage of salary that
increases with the level of responsibility), the individual performance rating
and the corporate performance rating. For officers in operating units, the
corporate rating was weighted with a business unit rating. The scale for
corporate and business unit ratings ranged from 0 to 1.80, with superior
performance resulting in ratings of 1.50 or higher. The scale for individual
ratings ranged from 0 to 1.50. Executives were permitted to defer receipt of
cash incentive awards earned under the EIP to a subsequent date.
Under the EIP, in fiscal 2000 executives were also eligible to receive a
supplemental restricted stock matching award equal to 25 percent of the cash EIP
award. To receive this award, the executive must place on deposit with the
Company personally owned shares equal in number to the number of shares awarded
as restricted stock. The restricted stock vests 50 percent after three years and
50 percent after six years, provided the owned shares remain on deposit with the
Company for the entire six-year period. Restricted shares granted under the EIP
are included in the Summary Compensation Table on page 25 under the Restricted
Stock Award(s) heading.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE. General Mills provides executives with a long-term
incentive compensation opportunity through the 1998 Senior Management Stock
Plan. Each December, stock options are granted to officers and other selected
employees based upon their level of responsibility, ability to impact results
and individual performance. The size of regular stock option grants to the
executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, is periodically
reviewed against option grants made by other large food and consumer products
companies to their CEO and other senior executives. Our targeted level of stock
option grants ranks above the median range of option grants made by the
comparative organizations.
The table on page 26 summarizes the options granted in fiscal 2000 to all
employees and to the five named officers.
Also, we have periodically provided special stock option grants to all employees
not receiving regular stock option grants. General Mills made such grants to
eligible employees in fiscal years 1994, 1996 and 2000. These broad-based option
awards are designed to expand employee stock ownership and provide further
motivation throughout the Company to achieve corporate performance objectives.
In special circumstances, we make limited special grants of restricted stock to
certain key employees.
STOCK OWNERSHIP GRANTS. We currently have two additional programs to encourage
share ownership: deposit stock options and salary replacement stock options.
The deposit stock option program, introduced in 1987, offers executives a
supplemental stock option opportunity equal to their most recent incentive award
divided by the current stock price. To receive this grant, the executive must
place on deposit with the Company one share of owned stock for every two option
shares granted and leave the shares on deposit for four years. A total of 286
employees participated in this program in fiscal 2000.
The Salary Replacement Stock Option Plan gives executives and selected employees
the choice of exchanging their merit-related base salary increase for a
supplemental stock option grant. The size of the option grant is determined by
calculating the estimated present value of the foregone salary increase
(including pay-related compensation and benefits, such as annual incentive,
savings plan match and pension accrual) and dividing it by the estimated present
value of a stock option, assuming an 8 percent annual growth rate in the common
stock price. A total of 1,051 employees participated in this program in fiscal
2000; the table on page 26 includes stock options granted under this program to
the five named officers.
PERFORMANCE UNITS
The Company discontinued grants of performance units in 1993. Performance units
were granted in conjunction with stock options and were valued based upon
three-year earnings per share and return on equity performance. Vested
performance units are payable in cash, and an optionee may withdraw them as an
alternative to the exercise of regular stock options. (As of August 1, 2000,
however, the value of the related options exceeded the value of the performance
units.) All remaining performance units will expire by 2002.
23
<PAGE>
CEO COMPENSATION AND PERFORMANCE
The compensation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer for fiscal 2000
consisted of base salary, annual incentive and stock options. The Committee
determined the level for each of these elements using methods consistent with
those used for other senior executives. When determining the CEO's merit
increase to base salary, individual incentive award and annual stock option
grant, the Committee evaluates his performance and reports on that evaluation to
the independent directors of the Board.
In determining Mr. Sanger's 2000 incentive amount, the Committee determined that
return-on-capital and earnings-per-share targets had been met. Then the
Committee considered, in addition to the corporate performance rating, Mr.
Sanger's personal performance against pre-established objectives in numerous
areas, including Company financial performance, growth, innovation, productivity
improvement, new ventures, organizational development, diversity, and customer
and shareholder relations.
DEDUCTIBILITY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Internal Revenue Code requires that the Company meet specific criteria,
including shareholder approval of certain stock and incentive plans, in order to
deduct, for federal income tax purposes, compensation over $1 million paid to
the five officers named in the Proxy Statement. The Company expects to meet the
requirements of the Code and receive a deduction for all compensation paid to
those executive officers in fiscal 2000.
CONCLUSION
The Committee is satisfied that the compensation and long-term incentive plans
provided to the officers of the Company are structured and operated to create
strong alignment with the long-term best interests of the Company and its
stockholders.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:
Livio D. DeSimone, Chair
William T. Esrey
Raymond V. Gilmartin
Michael D. Rose
A. Michael Spence
24
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
RESTRICTED
OTHER ANNUAL STOCK ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION AWARD(S) COMPENSATION
POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($) ($)(a) OPTIONS(#) ($)(b)
----------------------------- ---- -------- --------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
S. W. SANGER 2000 696,150 1,264,600 -- 316,138 735,958 104,659
Chairman of the Board and 1999 687,863 1,052,400 -- 263,104 499,676 61,386
Chief Executive Officer 1998 655,500 960,400 -- 240,082 416,008 48,989
R. G. VIAULT 2000 533,334 753,825 -- --(d) 239,000 61,088
Vice Chairman 1999 500,000 603,800 -- 150,988 207,212 41,477
1998 500,000 586,100 -- 146,503 195,096 35,913
S. R. DEMERITT 2000 459,569 646,500 342,124(c) 161,557 208,418 135,614
Vice Chairman 1999 376,552 348,100 -- 87,059 148,832 153,875
1998 373,931 345,600 -- 86,413 121,992 149,303
J. A. LAWRENCE (e) 2000 425,000 478,800 -- 119,730 158,392 37,291
Executive Vice President 1999 247,917 276,700 -- 767,667(f) 300,000 12,396
and Chief Financial Officer 1998 -- -- -- -- -- --
S. S. MARSHALL 2000 315,522 307,000 -- 913,351(g) 107,304 33,934
Senior Vice President 1999 282,009 273,300 -- 68,266 78,200 28,379
Corporate Affairs and 1998 271,125 255,000 -- 63,811 64,672 17,939
General Counsel
</TABLE>
-------------------------
(a) The amounts in this column reflect the value of the restricted stock or
restricted stock units awarded annually under the EIP, except as described
in notes (f) and (g). Recipients must deposit with the Company one
personally owned share of common stock for each share of restricted stock
awarded. The restricted shares vest 50% at three years and 50% at six
years, provided the participant's shares remain on deposit until the end of
the restricted period. Regular dividends are paid on the restricted shares.
Restricted stock under the EIP vests in the event of a change in control.
At the end of fiscal 2000, the number and value of the aggregate restricted
stockholdings for the named officers were:
S. W. Sanger 21,374 shares $ 864,311
R. G. Viault 13,370 540,649
S. R. Demeritt 9,068 366,687
J. A. Lawrence 21,724 878,464
S. S. Marshall 26,532 1,072,888
(b) The amounts for all officers, other than Mr. Demeritt, are the Company's
contributions or allocations relating to defined contribution (savings)
plans (tax-qualified and supplemental) or the deferred compensation plan on
behalf of the named officers. The amounts for Mr. Demeritt include $92,249
in 2000, $117,243 in 1999 and $119,771 in 1998 relating to his foreign
assignment in Cereal Partners Worldwide.
(c) This amount represents reimbursements made to Mr. Demeritt for incremental
taxes resulting from his foreign assignment.
(d) Because Mr. Viault's age exceeds 55, he may elect to receive, in lieu of
his restricted stock award, an additional cash amount equal to 15% of his
annual cash bonus. His additional cash amount is reflected in the Bonus
column.
(e) Mr. Lawrence became an employee of the Company effective October 19, 1998.
(f) This amount includes the value of a restricted stock grant made to Mr.
Lawrence as a hiring bonus and to offset forfeitures or other losses
incurred as a result of leaving his prior employer. Regular dividends are
paid on shares of restricted stock.
(g) This amount includes the value of a special restricted stock grant made to
Ms. Marshall. Regular dividends are paid on shares of restricted stock.
25
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS(a) FOR OPTION TERM($)(b)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
% OF TOTAL
OPTIONS
OPTIONS GRANTED TO EXERCISE
GRANTED EMPLOYEES IN PRICE EXPIRATION 0%
NAME (#) FISCAL YEAR ($/SHARE) DATE ($)(c) 5%($) 10%($)
---------------- ---------- ------------ --------- ---------- ------ ------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sanger 500,000(d) 3.66% 34.56 01/13/2010 0 10,977,379 27,882,919
209,750(e) 1.54% 41.50 09/01/2009 0 5,529,743 14,045,738
26,208(f) 0.19% 40.11 07/28/2009 0 667,792 1,696,216
Viault 150,000(d) 1.10% 34.56 01/13/2010 0 3,293,214 8,364,876
89,000(e) 0.65% 41.50 09/01/2009 0 2,346,351 5,959,813
15,036(f) 0.11% 40.11 07/28/2009 0 383,124 973,149
Demeritt 150,000(d) 1.10% 34.56 01/13/2010 0 3,293,214 8,364,876
49,750(e) 0.36% 41.50 09/01/2009 0 1,311,584 3,331,468
8,668(f) 0.06% 40.11 07/28/2009 0 220,865 561,004
Lawrence 125,000(d) 0.92% 34.56 01/13/2010 0 2,744,345 6,970,730
26,500(e) 0.19% 41.50 09/01/2009 0 698,633 1,774,551
6,892(f) 0.05% 40.11 07/28/2009 0 175,611 446,059
Marshall 75,000(d) 0.55% 34.56 01/13/2010 0 1,646,607 4,182,438
25,500(e) 0.19% 41.50 09/01/2009 0 672,269 1,707,587
6,804(f) 0.05% 40.11 07/28/2009 0 173,369 440,364
All Stockholders NA NA NA NA 0 6,814,328,795(g) 17,308,629,199(g)
All Optionees 11,444,741 100% 37.49(h) (h) 0 272,568,912 692,334,398
As of % of All
Stockholders'
Gain NA NA NA NA NA 4.0% 4.0%
</TABLE>
-----------------------------
(a) All options are granted at the fair market value of the common stock on the
grant date and generally expire 10 years and one month from the grant date.
All options become fully exercisable for a period of one year after a
change of control. Options include the right to pay the exercise price in
cash or previously acquired common stock and the right to have shares
withheld by the Company to pay withholding tax obligations due in
conjunction with the exercise.
(b) These assumed values result from certain prescribed rates of stock price
appreciation. The actual value of these option grants is dependent on
future performance of the common stock and overall stock market conditions.
There is no assurance that the values reflected in this table will be
achieved. The Company did not use an alternative formula for a grant date
valuation, as it is not aware of any formula that will determine with
reasonable accuracy a present value based on future unknown or volatile
factors.
(c) No gain to the optionees is possible without stock price appreciation,
which will benefit all stockholders commensurately. Zero percent stock
price appreciation will result in zero dollars for the optionee.
(d) This stock option grant under the 1998 Senior Management Stock Plan becomes
exercisable on December 13, 2003.
(e) This option, granted under the 1995 Salary Replacement Stock Option Plan,
benefits the Company by reducing the cash compensation paid to executives,
with corresponding reductions in cash bonuses, lower pension accruals and
similar effects on other benefits which are tied to base salary. It further
increases the percentage of key employee compensation and benefits tied to
stock ownership, in keeping with the Company's philosophy to closely align
stockholder and employee interests. This option becomes exercisable over a
four-year period, beginning on the grant date.
(f) To encourage retention of common stock, this deposit stock option grant
under the 1998 Senior Management Stock Plan (which becomes exercisable four
years from the grant date) requires the deposit of one share of owned
common stock for every two option shares granted. The number of option
shares granted is equal to the executive's prior year cash incentive
payment divided by the stock price on June 1, 1999.
26
<PAGE>
(g) All Stockholders value is calculated from $37.49, the weighted average
exercise price for all options awarded in fiscal 2000, based on the
outstanding shares of common stock on May 26, 2000.
(h) Exercise price shown is a weighted average of all options awarded in fiscal
2000. Options expire on various dates through the year 2010.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END
OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE OPTIONS AT 5/26/00(#) OPTIONS AT 5/26/00($)(a)
ON EXERCISE REALIZED ---------------------------- ----------------------------
NAME (#) ($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- --------------- --------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sanger 20,633 1,233,313 1,335,116 2,441,744 20,384,620 16,958,015
Viault 0 0 124,240 914,140 915,542 6,770,187
Demeritt 29,636 1,529,332 381,240 605,580 5,261,629 3,867,285
Lawrence 0 0 5,300 453,092 0 2,172,814
Marshall 0 0 97,020 397,648 1,429,074 2,819,096
</TABLE>
-----------------------
(a) Value of unexercised options equals fair market value of the shares
underlying in-the-money options at May 26, 2000 ($40.4375), less the
exercise price, times the number of in-the-money options outstanding.
DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINAL AVERAGE EARNINGS 10 YEARS OF 15 YEARS OF 20 YEARS OF 25 YEARS OF 30 OR MORE YEARS
(AS DEFINED) SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE OF SERVICE*
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 300,000 $ 50,000 $ 75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $ 150,000
500,000 83,333 125,000 166,666 208,333 250,000
600,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000
700,000 116,666 175,000 233,333 291,666 350,000
800,000 133,333 200,000 266,666 333,333 400,000
900,000 150,000 225,000 300,000 375,000 450,000
1,000,000 166,666 250,000 333,333 416,666 500,000
1,100,000 183,333 275,000 366,666 458,333 550,000
1,200,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 600,000
1,300,000 216,666 325,000 433,333 541,666 650,000
1,400,000 233,333 350,000 466,666 583,333 700,000
1,500,000 250,000 375,000 500,000 625,000 750,000
1,600,000 266,666 400,000 533,333 666,666 800,000
1,700,000 283,333 425,000 566,666 708,333 850,000
1,800,000 300,000 450,000 600,000 750,000 900,000
1,900,000 316,666 475,000 633,333 791,666 950,000
2,000,000 333,333 500,000 666,666 833,333 1,000,000
2,100,000 350,000 525,000 700,000 875,000 1,050,000
</TABLE>
----------------------
*No additional benefits accrue after 30 years of service.
The preceding table sets forth the pension benefits payable under the Company's
tax-qualified Retirement Income Plan (the "RIP") and Supplemental Retirement
Plan to the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table (see page 25),
showing the estimated annual aggregate benefits payable at normal retirement
(age 65) for various classifications of earnings and years of benefit service.
Because federal law limits the benefits that may be paid from a tax-qualified
retirement plan like the RIP, the Supplemental Retirement Plan provides for the
payment of additional amounts to certain executive officers (including the
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table) so that they will receive, in
the aggregate, the benefits they would have been entitled to receive had federal
law not imposed maximum limitations. This table is based on the maximum benefit
under the RIP of 50 percent of Final Average Earnings for a participant with 30
years of benefit service, less 50 percent of the employee's projected Social
Security benefit. Final Average Earnings is the average of the employee's five
highest years' remuneration. Such remuneration generally equals the salary and
bonus reported in the Summary Compensation Table plus the value of vested common
stock granted under the EIP. The effects of
27
<PAGE>
integration with Social Security benefits have been excluded from the table,
because the amount of the reduction in benefits due to integration varies
depending on the participant's age at the time of retirement and changes in the
Social Security laws.
The officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table are credited,
respectively, with the following full years of benefit service under the RIP: S.
W. Sanger, 26 years; R. G. Viault, 4 years; S. R. Demeritt, 30 years; J. A.
Lawrence, 1 year; and S. S. Marshall, 5 years.
In addition, the Company has agreed to provide supplemental retirement benefits
to R. G. Viault to compensate for the difference, if any, between the pension
benefit he would have received from his previous employer's retirement plan and
the benefit he receives from the combination of his previous employer's plan and
the Company's plans.
CHANGE OF CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has agreements with some of its executive officers providing for
guaranteed severance payments equal to three times the annual compensation of
the officer (salary plus cash incentive award) and continuation of health and
similar benefits for a three-year period if the officer is terminated within two
years after a change of control. These agreements also provide for a cash
payment of the amount necessary to insure that the foregoing payments are not
subject to reduction due to the imposition of excise taxes payable under Code
Section 4999 or any similar tax.
The Company has two nominally funded trusts to provide for payments under its
nonqualified deferred compensation plans, including the directors' compensation
plan, the EIP, the management continuity agreements and the Supplemental Savings
and Retirement Plans. Full funding is required in the event of a change of
control.
OTHER MATTERS
SECTION 16(a): BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Based on a review of reports filed with the SEC by General Mills directors and
executive officers regarding their ownership of and transactions in General
Mills equity securities, and written representations from those officers and
directors, General Mills believes that each has filed timely and complete
reports under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with two
exceptions. Due to administrative error, a Form 4 filed by Stephen W. Sanger in
October 1999 that reported his gift of 920 shares to his children failed to
include his continuing indirect ownership of those shares in his end of period
shareholdings. This oversight has been corrected in subsequent filings. In July
1998, there was an inadvertent failure to report on Form 5 a gift of 480 shares
by Marc Belton to an unrelated charity. This transaction was subsequently
reported on a Form 4 covering other transactions.
COSTS OF SOLICITATION
The Company will pay for preparation, printing and mailing this Proxy Statement.
We have engaged Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc. to help us solicit
proxies from stockholders for a fee of $10,500 plus their out-of-pocket
expenses. Proxies may also be solicited personally or by telephone by regular
employees of the Company without additional compensation as well as by employees
of Georgeson. The Company will reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries for their costs of sending the proxy materials to our
beneficial owners.
ANNUAL REPORT
The 2000 Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes the consolidated
financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2000, was
mailed on or about August 14, 2000, to all stockholders entitled to vote at the
annual meeting. If you have not received the annual report, please call
1-800-245-5703, and a copy will be sent to you.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Please vote by phone, via the Internet or sign and promptly return your proxy
card in the enclosed envelope.
28
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2000
<PAGE>
(This page has been left blank intentionally.)
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
AMENDED AND RESTATED
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN
1. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
The purpose of the General Mills, Inc., Executive Incentive Plan (the
"Plan") is to provide financial rewards to key executives of General Mills,
Inc. ("General Mills"), its subsidiaries and affiliates (defined as
entities in which General Mills, Inc., has a significant equity or other
interest) (collectively with General Mills, the "Company"), in recognition
of their contributions to the success of the Company, and to align the
interests of such executives with the interests of the stockholders of the
Company.
2. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Plan, as amended and restated herein, shall become effective as of
September 25, 2000, subject to the approval of the stockholders of General
Mills at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on that date. The Plan is a
successor to and replaces the Executive Incentive Plan, amended and
approved by stockholders on September 30, 1996. Definitions used in the
Plan can be found in Section 16.
3. ELIGIBLE PERSONS
All officers of the Company shall be "Participants" eligible to receive
Awards under the Plan.
4. AWARD TYPE
Under this Plan, the Committee may award Participants Cash Bonuses and
Restricted Stock Units, each of which is referred to as an "Award."
5. AWARDS OF CASH BONUSES AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
(a) Performance Goal. In order for any Participant to receive an Award for
a Performance Period, the Net Earnings of the Company must be greater
than zero.
(b) Grants. At the end of the Performance Period, if the Committee
certifies that the requirement of Section 5(a) has been met, each
Participant shall be deemed to have earned Awards equal in value to
the Maximum Amount, or such lesser amount as the Committee shall
determine in its discretion to be appropriate. Such Awards shall
consist of Cash Bonuses or Restricted Stock Units or a combination
thereof, as determined by the Committee, subject to the limitation
that Restricted Stock Units may not constitute more than 50 percent of
each Participant's Award. The Committee, in its discretion, may
require, as a condition to the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the
purchase and deposit of Common Stock owned by the Participant
receiving such grant and the forfeiture of such grant if such deposit
is not made or maintained during a required holding period. Such
shares of deposited Common Stock may not be otherwise sold or disposed
of during the applicable holding period. For purpose of computing the
value of Awards, each Restricted Stock Unit shall be deemed to have a
value equivalent to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock
on the Restricted Stock Units Grant Date.
(c) Delivery of Awards. As soon as practicable following the end of the
Performance Period, the Company shall cause all Restricted Stock Units
that are earned by a Participant to be credited to a Restricted Stock
Units Account for the Participant's benefit and shall pay each
Participant all Cash Bonuses earned by the Participant, except to the
extent the Participant elects to defer receipt of such Cash Bonuses
pursuant to the General Mills, Inc., Deferred Compensation Plan.
(d) Maximum Amount. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, in
no event shall the total Awards value earned by any Participant for
any one Performance Period exceed 0.5 percent of the Company's Net
Earnings for that Performance Period (such amount, the "Maximum
Amount").
(e) Profit Sharing Resolution. All awards under this Plan shall be subject
to General Mills' 1933 Shareholder Resolution on Profit Sharing, as
amended.
A-1
<PAGE>
6. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
(a) Vesting. Subject to the provisions of Sections 10 and 11, the Vesting
Date for Restricted Stock Units shall be a date set forth in the
applicable Restricted Stock Units Grant Agreement but not earlier than
180 days after the applicable Restricted Stock Units Grant Date. The
period between the applicable Restricted Stock Units Grant Date and
the Vesting Date is referred to as the "Restricted Period."
(b) Redemption. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Vesting Date
for a Restricted Stock Units Grant, General Mills shall issue to the
Participant a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of
Restricted Stock Units that vested on such Vesting Date, except to the
extent the Participant has elected to defer receipt of the Common
Stock pursuant to the General Mills, Inc., Deferred Compensation Plan.
(c) Cash Dividend Equivalents. A Participant who is credited with
Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights as a stockholder with
respect to such Restricted Stock Units until such time as share
certificates for Common Stock are issued to the Participant. During
the Restricted Period, however, the Company shall pay to the
Participant, on a quarterly basis, an amount (the "Cash Dividend
Equivalent") equal to the sum of all cash dividends declared by
General Mills with record dates during the prior quarter with respect
to that number of shares of Common Stock equivalent to the number of
Restricted Stock Units credited to the Participant's Restricted Stock
Units Account as of the applicable record date.
(d) Restricted Stock Units Grant Agreement. Each Restricted Stock Units
Grant shall be confirmed by, and be subject to, the terms of an
applicable Restricted Stock Units Grant Agreement.
7. COMMON STOCK
(a) Adjustments for Corporate Transactions. The Committee may determine
that a corporate transaction has occurred affecting the Common Stock
such that an adjustment or adjustments to outstanding Restricted Stock
Unit Grants is required to preserve (or prevent enlargement of) the
benefits or potential benefits intended at the time of grant. For this
purpose, a corporate transaction includes, but is not limited to, any
noncash dividend or other noncash distribution (whether in the form of
Common Stock, securities of a subsidiary of the Company, other
securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse
stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up,
spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Common Stock or other
securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to
purchase Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or any other
similar corporate transaction. In the event of such a corporate
transaction, the Committee may, in such manner as it deems equitable,
adjust the number and kinds of shares represented by outstanding
Restricted Stock Units.
(b) Limits on Distribution. Notwithstanding any other provision of the
Plan, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver any shares of
Common Stock under the Plan unless all of the following conditions
have been fulfilled:
(i) Listing or approval for listing upon notice of issuance, of such
shares on The New York Stock Exchange; or such other securities
exchange as may at the time be the principal market for the
Common Stock, if applicable;
(ii) Any registration or other qualification of such shares of
General Mills under any state or federal law or regulation, or
the maintaining in effect of any such registration or other
qualification that the Committee shall, in its absolute
discretion upon the advice of counsel, deem necessary or
advisable; and
(iii) Obtaining any other consent, approval or permit from any state,
federal or foreign governmental agency that the Committee shall,
in its absolute discretion after receiving the advice of
counsel, determine to be necessary or advisable.
(c) Noncertificated Issuance of Shares. To the extent that the Plan
provides for issuance of stock certificates to reflect the issuance of
shares of Common Stock, the issuance may be effected on
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<PAGE>
a noncertificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable
law or the applicable rules of any stock exchange.
8. TRANSFERABILITY OF GRANTS
Except as otherwise provided by rules of the Committee, Restricted Stock
Units and other rights of Participants under this Plan shall not be
transferable by a Participant otherwise than by (i) the Participant's last
will and testament or (ii) the applicable laws of descent and distribution.
9. TAXES
Whenever General Mills issues Common Stock under the Plan, the Company may
require the recipient to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to
satisfy any federal, state or local tax- withholding requirements prior to
the delivery of such Common Stock, or, in the discretion of the Committee,
upon the election of the Participant, the Company may withhold from the
cash payments and shares to be delivered cash and shares, respectively,
sufficient to satisfy all or a portion of such tax-withholding
requirements.
10. CHANGE OF CONTROL
(a) Upon a Change of Control:
(i) All Restricted Stock Units shall immediately vest and be
distributed to Participants, effective as of the date of the
Change of Control and
(ii) The Committee may make such additional adjustments and/or
settlements of outstanding Grants for the Performance Period
within which the Change of Control occurs as it deems
appropriate and consistent with the Plan's purposes.
(b) "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following
events:
(i) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act), (a
"Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule
13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act) of voting securities of
General Mills where such acquisition causes such Person to own
20 percent or more of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of General Mills entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Voting
Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes of this
subsection (i), the following acquisitions shall not be deemed
to result in a Change of Control: (w) any acquisition directly
from General Mills, (x) any acquisition by the Company, (y) any
acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
sponsored or maintained by General Mills or any corporation
controlled by General Mills or (z) any acquisition by any
corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses
(x), (y) and (z) of subsection (iii) below; and provided,
further, that if any Person's beneficial ownership of the
Outstanding Voting Securities reaches or exceeds 20 percent as a
result of a transaction described in clause (w) or (x) above,
and such Person subsequently acquires beneficial ownership of
additional voting securities of General Mills, such subsequent
acquisition shall be treated as an acquisition that causes such
Person to own 20 percent or more of the Outstanding Voting
Securities; or
(ii) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
(the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at
least a majority of the Board, provided, however, that any
individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof
whose election, or nomination for election by the shareholders
of General Mills, was approved by a vote of at least a majority
of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be
considered as though such individual were a member of the
Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such
individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result
of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the
election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person
other than the Board; or
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(iii) The approval by the shareholders of General Mills of a
reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of General
Mills ("Business Combination") or, if consummation of such
Business Combination is subject, at the time of such approval by
stockholders, to the consent of any government or governmental
agency, the obtaining of such consent (either explicitly or
implicitly by consummation); excluding, however, such a Business
Combination pursuant to which (x) all or substantially all of
the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of
the Outstanding Voting Securities immediately prior to such
Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
more than 60 percent of, respectively, the then outstanding
shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination (including, without
limitation, a corporation that as a result of such transaction
owns General Mills or all or substantially all of the assets of
General Mills either directly or through one or more
subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the
Outstanding Voting Securities, (y) no Person (excluding any
employee benefit plan, or related trust, of General Mills or
such corporation resulting from such Business Combination)
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20 percent or more
of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of
the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities
of such corporation, except to the extent that such ownership
existed prior to the Business Combination and (z) at least a
majority of the members of the board of directors of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination were
members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of
the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing
for such Business Combination; or
(iv) Approval by the stockholders of General Mills of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of General Mills.
11. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
The following rules regarding the effect of a Participant's termination of
employment on his or her Restricted Stock Units shall apply unless
otherwise determined by the Committee.
(a) If the Participant's employment by the Company is terminated by
either:
(i) the voluntary resignation of the Participant or
(ii) a Company discharge due to Participant's illegal activities,
poor work performance, misconduct or violation of the Company's
policies or practices,
the Participant's Restricted Stock Units, which are unvested on the
date of termination, shall be forfeited.
(b) If the Participant's employment by the Company is terminated for any
reason other than specified in Section 11(a), (c), (d) or (e), the
following rules shall apply:
(i) In the event that, at the time of such termination, the sum of
Participant's age and service with the Company equals or exceeds
70, the Participant's Restricted Stock Units shall continue to
vest according to the schedule established at the time of grant,
unless otherwise provided in the Restricted Stock Agreement.
(ii) In the event that, at the time of termination, the sum of
Participant's age and service with the Company is less than 70,
Restricted Stock Units shall vest in a pro-rata amount based on
full months of employment completed during the Restricted Period
from the date of grant to termination, and the Participant's
remaining Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited; except if
the Participant is an executive officer of the Company, all
Restricted Stock Units shall fully vest as of the date of
termination.
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<PAGE>
(c) Death. A Participant who dies during the Restricted Period for any
Restricted Stock Units shall vest in a proportionate number of such
Restricted Stock Units, effective as of the date of death. Such
proportionate vesting shall be prorata, based on the number of full
months of employment completed during the Restricted Period prior to
the date of death, as a percentage of the applicable Restricted
Period.
(d) Retirement. The Committee shall determine, at the time of a Restricted
Stock Units Grant, the treatment of the Restricted Stock Units upon
the retirement of the Participant during the Restricted Period for
such Restricted Stock Units. Unless other terms are specified in the
original Grant or the Restricted Stock Units Grant Agreement, if the
termination of employment is due to a Participant's retirement on or
after age 55, the Participant shall fully vest in all Restricted Stock
Units effective as of the date of retirement.
(e) Spin-offs. If the termination of employment during the Restricted
Period for any Restricted Stock Units is due to the cessation,
transfer or spin-off of a complete line of business of the Company,
the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the treatment
of such Restricted Stock Units.
12. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
(a) Administration. The authority to control and manage the operations and
administration of the Plan shall be vested in the Committee in
accordance with this Section 12, subject to the following:
(i) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have
the authority and discretion to select from among the eligible
Company employees those persons who shall receive Grants, to
determine the time or times of receipt, to determine the types
of Grants and the Target Amounts covered by the grants, to
establish the terms, conditions, restrictions and other
provisions of such Grants, and (subject to the restrictions
imposed by Section 13) to cancel or suspend Grants. In making
such determinations, the Committee may take into account the
nature of services rendered by the individual, the individual's
present and potential contribution to the Company's success and
such other factors as the Committee deems relevant.
(ii) The Committee shall have the authority and discretion to
establish terms and conditions of Awards as the Committee
determines to be necessary or appropriate to conform to
applicable requirements or practices of jurisdictions outside
the United States.
(iii) The Committee shall have the authority and discretion to
interpret the Plan, to establish, amend and rescind any rules
and regulations relating to the Plan, to determine the terms and
provisions of any agreements made pursuant to the Plan, and to
make all other determinations that may be necessary or advisable
for the administration of the Plan.
(iv) Any interpretation of the Plan by the Committee and any decision
made by it under the Plan shall be final and binding.
(b) Delegation by Committee. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable
law or the applicable rules of a stock exchange, the Committee may
delegate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any
one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its
responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it.
Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at
any time.
13. AMENDMENTS OF THE PLAN
The Committee may from time to time prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Plan. Subject to the approval of the Board,
where required, the Committee may at any time terminate, amend or suspend
the operation of the Plan, provided that no action shall be taken by the
Board or the Committee without the approval of the stockholders of General
Mills, which would amend the Maximum Amount, set forth in Section 5(d),
that may be granted to any single Participant. No termination,
modification, suspension or amendment of the Plan shall alter or
A-5
<PAGE>
impair the rights of any Participant pursuant to an outstanding Grant
without the consent of the Participant. There is no obligation for
uniformity of treatment of Participants under the Plan.
14. FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS
The Committee may adopt, amend and terminate such arrangements, not
inconsistent with the intent of the Plan, as it may deem necessary or
desirable to make available tax or other benefits of the laws of any
foreign jurisdiction, to employees of the Company who are subject to such
laws and who receive Grants under the Plan.
15. NOTICE
All notices to the Company regarding the Plan shall be in writing,
effective as of actual receipt by the Company, and shall be sent to:
General Mills, Inc.
Number One General Mills Boulevard
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55426
Attention: Corporate Compensation
16. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below.
"1934 ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
"AWARD" is defined in Section 4.
"BOARD" means the Board of Directors of General Mills.
"BUSINESS COMBINATION" is defined in Section 10(b)(iii).
"CASH DIVIDENT EQUIVALENTS" is defined in Section 6(c).
"CHANGE OF CONTROL" is defined in Section 10(b).
"COMMITTEE" means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or such other
committee as the Board may from time to time select, provided that the
Committee must at all times be composed of two or more members of the
Board, each of whom qualifies as an "outside director" within the meaning
of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"CASH BONUSES" means cash payments to Participants under this Plan.
"COMMOM STOCK" means the common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of
General Mills.
"COMPANY" is defined in Section 1.
"FAIR MARKET VALUE" of a share of Common Stock as of any given date means
except as otherwise determined by the Committee, the mean of the highest
and lowest reported sales prices during regular trading hours on that date
(or, if there are no such reported sales on that date, on the last date
prior to such date on which there were such sales) of the Common Stock on
The New York Stock Exchange.
"GENERAL MILLS" is defined in Section 1.
"GRANT" means a grant to an eligible employee of the opportunity to earn
Awards under this Plan for any Performance Period pursuant to Section 5(b).
"INCUMBENT BOARD" is defined in Section 10(b)(ii).
"MAXIMUM AMOUNT" is defined in Section 5(d).
"NET EARNINGS" means the Company's earnings from continuing operations
before unusual items and after taxes.
"OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES" is defined in Section 10(b)(i).
"PARTICIPANT" is defined in Section 3.
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"PERFORMANCE PERIOD" means a fiscal year of the Company, or such other
period as the Committee may from time to time establish.
"PERSON" is defined in Section 10(b)(i).
"PLAN" is defined in Section 1.
"RESTRICTED PERIOD" is defined in Section 6(a).
"RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT" is defined in Section 5(b).
"RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS ACCOUNT" means an account established pursuant to
Section 5(c).
"RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS GRANT" means the crediting of Restricted Stock
Units to a Restricted Stock Units Account, pursuant to Section 5(b).
"RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS GRANT AGREEMENT" is defined in Section 6(d).
"RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS GRANT DATE" is the first business day after the end
of the applicable Performance Period.
"VESTING DATE" means the date on which Restricted Stock Units vest,
pursuant to sections 6, 10, and 11.
Effective September 25, 2000
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<PAGE>
NOTICE OF 2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
AND
PROXY STATEMENT
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
<PAGE>
[LOGO]
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2000
11:00 A.M. (CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME)
THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY
2400 THIRD AVENUE SOUTH
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
[LOGO] THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROXY
2000
I appoint Stephen W. Sanger, James A. Lawrence and Raymond G. Viault, together
and separately, as proxies to vote all shares of common stock which I have power
to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on September 25, 2000
at Minneapolis, Minnesota, and at any adjournment thereof, in accordance with
the instructions on the reverse side of this card and with the same effect as
though I were present in person and voting such shares. The proxies are
authorized in their discretion to vote upon such other business as may properly
come before the meeting and they may name others to take their place.
(CONTINUED, AND TO BE SIGNED AND DATED ON REVERSE SIDE)
<PAGE>
-----------------------
COMPANY #
CONTROL #
-----------------------
THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO VOTE YOUR PROXY
VOTE BY PHONE
1-800-240-6326
Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. Have your proxy card in hand when you call. You will be prompted to
enter your 3-digit company number and a 7-digit control number, which are
located above, and then follow the simple instructions.
VOTE VIA INTERNET
http://www.eproxy.com/gis/
Use the Internet to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have
your proxy card in hand when you access the web site. You will be prompted
to enter your 3-digit company number and a 7-digit control number, which
are located above, to create an electronic ballot.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid
envelope we have provided.
Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares
in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned the proxy card. The
deadline for telephone or Internet voting is noon EDT, Sunday, September 24,
2000.
IF YOU VOTE BY PHONE OR INTERNET, PLEASE DO NOT MAIL YOUR PROXY CARD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE "FOR" ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1. ELECTION OF 01 Stephen R. Demeritt 02 Livio D. DeSimone [ ] FOR all listed [ ] WITHHOLD
DIRECTORS: 03 William T. Esrey 04 Raymond V. Gilmartin nominees AUTHORITY
05 Judith R. Hope 06 Robert L. Johnson to vote for all listed
07 Heidi G. Miller 08 Stephen W. Sanger nominees
09 A. Michael Spence 10 Dorothy A. Terrell
11 Raymond G. Viault
[ARROW] PLEASE FOLD HERE [ARROW]
________________________________________________
(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any individual | |
nominee, write the number(s) in the box provided to the right.) |________________________________________________|
2. APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS. [ ] For [ ] Against [ ] Abstain
3. APPROVAL OF GENERAL MILLS, INC. EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED
AND RESTATED. [ ] For [ ] Against [ ] Abstain
THE DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE "AGAINST" ITEMS 4 AND 5.
4. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL CONCERNING GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS. [ ] For [ ] Against [ ] Abstain
5. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL CONCERNING GLOBAL WORKPLACE LABOR STANDARDS. [ ] For [ ] Against [ ] Abstain
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, IT WILL BE VOTED "FOR" ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3 AND "AGAINST" ITEMS
4 AND 5.
Address Change? Mark Box [ ]
Indicate changes below: Dated ______________________________________
________________________________________________
| |
| |
|________________________________________________|
Signature(s) of Stockholder(s) in Box
PLEASE SIGN exactly as name appears at left. Joint
owners should each sign. Executors, administrators,
trustees, etc. should so indicate when signing. If
signer is a corporation, please sign full name by
duly authorized officer.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
[LOGO]
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROXY
2000
I appoint Stephen W. Sanger, James A. Lawrence and Raymond G. Viault, together
and separately, as proxies to vote all shares of common stock which I have power
to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on September 25, 2000
at Minneapolis, Minnesota, and at any adjournment thereof, in accordance with
the instructions on the reverse side of this card and with the same effect as
though I were present in person and voting such shares. The proxies are
authorized in their discretion to vote upon such other business as may properly
come before the meeting and they may name others to take their place.
(CONTINUED, AND TO BE SIGNED AND DATED ON REVERSE SIDE)
<PAGE>
THE DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE "FOR" ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1. ELECTION OF 01 Stephen R. Demeritt 02 Livio D. DeSimone [ ] FOR all listed [ ] WITHHOLD
DIRECTORS: 03 William T. Esrey 04 Raymond V. Gilmartin nominees AUTHORITY
05 Judith R. Hope 06 Robert L. Johnson to vote for all listed
07 Heidi G. Miller 08 Stephen W. Sanger nominees
09 A. Michael Spence 10 Dorothy A. Terrell
11 Raymond G. Viault
</TABLE>
(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write
the number(s) in the box provided to the right.)
-------------------------
| |
-------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
2. APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS. [ ]For [ ] Against [ ] Abstain
3. APPROVAL OF GENERAL MILLS, INC. EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED [ ]For [ ] Against [ ] Abstain
AND RESTATED.
THE DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE "AGAINST" ITEMS 4 AND 5.
4. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL CONCERNING GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS. [ ]For [ ] Against [ ] Abstain
5. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL CONCERNING GLOBAL WORKPLACE LABOR STANDARDS. [ ]For [ ] Against [ ] Abstain
</TABLE>
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, IT WILL BE VOTED
"FOR" ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3 AND "AGAINST" ITEMS 4 AND 5.
Dated _________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
Signature(s) of Stockholder(s)
PLEASE SIGN exactly as name
appears at left. Joint owners
should each sign. Executors,
administrators, trustees, etc.
should so indicate when signing.
If signer is a corporation,
please sign full name by duly
authorized officer.
<PAGE>
[LOGO] General Mills
GENERAL MILLS, INC.'S ELECTRONIC VOTING
Please enter and submit the 3 digit company number and the 7 digit control
number from the top of the card you received by mail along with the Proxy
Statement.
company number (3 digits):
/------------------------/
control number (7 digits):
/------------------------/
Submit
------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT GENERAL MILLS, INC. IS AVAILABLE AT OUR CORPORATE
PAGE.
If you encounter difficulties in voting electronically, please complete the card
you received with the Proxy Statement and mail it in the envelope provided to
you.
<PAGE>
[LOGO] General Mills
The control number or the company number that you entered was not recognized.
Please refer to your card and try again.
Return to the login page.
------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT GENERAL MILLS, INC. IS AVAILABLE AT OUR CORPORATE
PAGE.
If you encounter difficulties in voting electronically, please complete the card
you received with the Proxy Statement and mail it in the envelope provided to
you.
<PAGE>
[LOGO] General Mills
GENERAL MILLS, INC.'S ELECTRONIC PROXY
Your identification number was recognized. Your name, address, and the number of
shares you owned as of the record date on the records of Wells Fargo Shareowner
Services, General Mills, Inc.'s transfer agent, appear below. If you own shares
in street name or through a broker, they will not appear in this listing.
------------------------------ ------------------------- -----------------------
Stockholder Source of Shares Number of Shares
------------------------------ ------------------------- -----------------------
Test Person COM 8,000
Somewhere Nice
Anywhere, Anystate 11111 RS 22.222
VIP 33.333
------------------------------ ------------------------- -----------------------
The following online proxy card allows you to electronically authorize the
voting of these shares. Your vote will not be authorized until you have clicked
the SUBMIT PROXY button. Voting is explained in the General Mills Proxy
Statement which you received by mail.
CONTINUE TO THE PROXY CARD.
------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT GENERAL MILLS, INC. IS AVAILABLE AT OUR CORPORATE
PAGE.
If you encounter difficulties in voting electronically, please complete the card
you received with the Proxy Statement and mail it in the envelope provided to
you.
<PAGE>
[LOGO] General Mills
The following online proxy card allows you to electronically authorize the
voting of your shares. Your vote will not be authorized until you have clicked
the SUBMIT PROXY button. The items to be voted are explained in the Proxy
Statement which you received by mail.
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Monday, September 25, 2000
11:00 a.m. (Central Daylight time)
The Children's Theatre Company
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I appoint Stephen W. Sanger, James A. Lawrence and Raymond G. Viault, together
and separately, as proxies to vote all shares of common stock which I have power
to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on September 25, 2000
at Minneapolis, Minnesota, and at any adjournment thereof, in accordance with
the instructions below on this card and with the same effect as though I were
present in person and voting such shares. The proxies are authorized in their
discretion to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the
meeting and they may name others to take their place.
If you click on the "Submit Proxy" button without direction on any matter, the
proxy will be voted "FOR" Items 1, 2 and 3 and "Against" Items 4 and 5.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE "FOR" ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3.
1. Election of directors:
/ / FOR all nominees (except those marked below).
/ / WITHHOLD authority to vote for all nominees listed below.
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, click
on the box next to the nominee's name below.)
<PAGE>
/ / Stephen R. Demeritt
/ / Livio D. DeSimone
/ / William T. Esrey
/ / Raymond V. Gilmartin
/ / Judith R. Hope
/ / Robert L. Johnson
/ / Heidi G. Miller
/ / Stephen W. Sanger
/ / A. Michael Spence
/ / Dorothy A. Terrell
/ / Raymond G. Viault
2. APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
/ / FOR
/ / AGAINST
/ / ABSTAIN
3. APPROVAL OF GENERAL MILLS, INC. EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED AND
RESTATED.
/ / FOR
/ / AGAINST
/ / ABSTAIN
THE DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE "AGAINST" ITEMS 4 AND 5.
4. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL CONCERNING GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS.
/ / FOR
/ / AGAINST
/ / ABSTAIN
5. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL CONCERNING GLOBAL WORKPLACE LABOR STANDARDS.
/ / FOR
/ / AGAINST
/ / ABSTAIN
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, IT WILL BE VOTED
"FOR" ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3 AND "AGAINST" ITEMS 4 AND 5.
If you are a joint owner of the shares being voted, by clicking the SUBMIT PROXY
button, you attest that all owners of such shares have consented to the
authorization of this proxy.
<PAGE>
If you are holding the shares being voted as an executor, administrator,
trustee, guardian, or attorney-in-fact, or if you are an officer of a corporate
stockholder, by clicking the SUBMIT PROXY button, you attest that you have the
authority to authorize this proxy.
TO AUTHORIZE YOUR VOTE, CLICK THE "SUBMIT PROXY" BUTTON.
Submit Proxy
------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT GENERAL MILLS, INC. IS AVAILABLE AT OUR CORPORATE
PAGE.
If you encounter difficulties in voting electronically, please complete the card
you received with the Proxy Statement and mail it in the envelope provided to
you.
<PAGE>
[LOGO] General Mills
GENERAL MILLS, INC.'S ELECTRONIC PROXY
The submission of your electronic proxy is now complete, and is summarized
below.
ON ITEM 1 "ELECTION OF DIRECTORS" YOUR VOTE WAS:
FOR all nominees.
ON ITEM 2 "APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS." YOUR
VOTE WAS:
FOR.
ON ITEM 3 "APPROVAL OF GENERAL MILLS, INC. EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED
AND RESTATED." YOUR VOTE WAS:
FOR.
ON ITEM 4 "STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL CONCERNING GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS." YOUR
VOTE WAS:
AGAINST.
ON ITEM 5 "STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL CONCERNING GLOBAL WORKPLACE LABOR STANDARDS."
YOUR VOTE WAS:
AGAINST.
If this IS NOT how you intended to vote, please use the back function of your
browser to return to the card and correct your vote.
If this IS how you intended to vote, your vote has been recorded and there is no
need to return your paper proxy card.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
General Mills, Inc.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT GENERAL MILLS, INC. IS AVAILABLE AT OUR CORPORATE
PAGE.
<PAGE>
PHONE VOTING SCRIPT
PROPOSAL BY PROPOSAL
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
SPEECH 1 Welcome. Please enter your three digit company
number located in the box in the upper right hand
corner of the proxy card.
IF NOT ENTERING AFTER THREE PROMPTS,
I'm sorry. You are experiencing problems. Please
call again later or sign your proxy card and return
it in the postage-paid envelope.
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
SPEECH 2 Please enter your seven digit NUMERIC Control Number
that is located in the box, directly under your
company number.
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
SPEECH 2A IF INCORRECT CONTROL NUMBER HAS BEEN ENTERED,
I'm sorry. That was an incorrect control number.
Please reenter the seven digit numeric control
number now.
IF INCORRECTLY ENTERED THREE TIMES,
I'm sorry. The control numbers you entered were
invalid. Please call again later or sign your proxy
card and return it in the postage-paid envelope.
IF NOT ENTERING AFTER THREE PROMPTS,
I'm sorry. You are experiencing problems. Please
call again later or sign your proxy card and return
it in the postage-paid envelope.
WHEN CORRECTLY ENTERED, SYSTEM GOES TO SPEECH 3.
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
SPEECH 3 To vote as the NAME OF COMPANY Board recommends on
ALL proposals - Press 1 now. To vote on each
proposal separately, Press 0 now.
IF 1 IS PRESSED, SYSTEM GOES TO CLOSING A. IF 0 IS
PRESSED, SYSTEM GOES TO SPEECH 4.
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
SPEECH 4 Proposal 1:
To vote for ALL Nominees, Press 1; to Withhold from
all Nominees, Press 9; To withhold from an
individual nominee, Press 0.
Make your selection now.
IF 1 IS PRESSED, SYSTEM GOES TO SPEECH 6. IF 9 IS
PRESSED, SYSTEM GOES TO SPEECH 6. IF 0 IS PRESSED,
SYSTEM GOES TO SPEECH 5.
<PAGE>
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
SPEECH 5 Enter the two digit number that appears next to the
nominee you DO NOT wish to vote for.
Press 1 to withhold from another Nominee or Press 0
if you have completed voting on Directors.
SUBSET: IF 1 - REPEAT SUBSET - "ENTER THE TWO....."
IF 0 - GO TO PROPOSAL 2, SPEECH 6.
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
SPEECH 6 Proposal 2:
To vote FOR, Press 1; AGAINST, Press 9; Abstain,
Press 0.
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
SPEECH 7 Proposal 3:
To vote FOR, Press 1; AGAINST, Press 9; Abstain,
Press 0.
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
System AND SO FORTH FOR EACH PROPOSAL - AFTER COMPLETION -
GO TO CLOSING B
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
CLOSING A You have voted as the Board recommended. If this is
correct, Press 1; if incorrect, Press 0.
IF 1 IS PRESSED, GO TO SPEECH 8. IF 0 IS PRESSED, GO
TO SPEECH 9.
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
CLOSING B Your votes have been cast as follows:
Proposal 1 - For All - Withhold All - Withhold
Nominee number___
Proposal 2 - For, Against, Abstain
AND SO ON.
If this is correct, Press 1; if incorrect, Press 0.
IF 1 IS PRESSED, GO TO SPEECH 9. IF 0 IS PRESSED, GO
TO SPEECH 8.
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
SPEECH 8 Your votes have been canceled. Please call again, or
mark, sign, date and return your proxy card in the
envelope provided. Good bye.
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
SPEECH 9 Thank you for voting.
--------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
GENERAL MILLS, INC. o EXECUTIVE OFFICES
Number One General Mills Boulevard o Minneapolis, Minnesota
ELIZABETH L. WITTENBERG
Assistant General Counsel
Assistant Secretary
Telephone: (763) 764-2167
Facsimile: (763) 764-5011
August 18, 2000
Dear Stockholder:
On January 31, 1997, General Mills purchased the branded cereal and snack
food businesses of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. and you, as a Ralcorp shareholder,
became entitled to receive General Mills common stock in exchange for your old
Ralcorp stock.
Our records show that you have not yet exchanged your Ralcorp shares (these are
the green certificates) for General Mills shares. Until that exchange is made,
we cannot pay General Mills dividends to you. Since the Ralcorp acquisition, we
have paid $6.735 in dividends per General Mills share. Your dividends are being
held for you and will be paid at the time you exchange your shares.
We encourage you to exchange your Ralcorp shares. If no exchange is made, we
will be required by law to turn over a portion of the shares and related
dividends to the states of last known address as unclaimed property on November
1, 2000 and each year thereafter. If you have questions about how to exchange
your shares or have lost your letter of transmittal, please call Wells Fargo
Shareowner Services (formerly Norwest) at 1-800-380-1372. We look forward to
serving your needs as a General Mills stockholder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Elizabeth Wittenberg
Elizabeth Wittenberg
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1113, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
