Exhibit 3.4
BYLAWS
OF
FORBES ENERGY CAPITAL INC.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I. | | OFFICES | | |
Section 1.1. | | Registered Office | | 1 |
Section 1.2. | | Other Offices | | 1 |
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ARTICLE II. | | MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS | | |
Section 2.1. | | Place of Meetings | | 1 |
Section 2.2. | | Annual Meeting | | 1 |
Section 2.3. | | Special Meetings | | 1 |
Section 2.4. | | Notice | | 1 |
Section 2.5. | | Voting List | | 2 |
Section 2.6. | | Quorum | | 2 |
Section 2.7. | | Required Vote; Withdrawal Of Quorum | | 2 |
Section 2.8. | | Method of Voting; Proxies. | | 3 |
Section 2.9. | | Record Date. | | 4 |
Section 2.10. | | Action Without Meeting. | | 5 |
Section 2.11. | | Inspectors of Elections | | 5 |
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ARTICLE III. | | DIRECTORS | | |
Section 3.1. | | Management | | 5 |
Section 3.2. | | Number; Election | | 6 |
Section 3.3. | | Change in Number | | 6 |
Section 3.4. | | Removal | | 6 |
Section 3.5. | | Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships | | 6 |
Section 3.6. | | Election of Directors; Cumulative Voting Prohibited | | 6 |
Section 3.7. | | Place of Meetings | | 6 |
Section 3.8. | | First Meetings | | 6 |
Section 3.9. | | Regular Meetings | | 7 |
Section 3.10. | | Special Meetings | | 7 |
Section 3.11. | | Quorum | | 7 |
Section 3.12. | | Action Without Meeting; Telephone Meetings | | 7 |
Section 3.13. | | Chairman of the Board | | 7 |
Section 3.14. | | Compensation | | 7 |
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ARTICLE IV. | | COMMITTEES | | |
Section 4.1. | | Designation | | 8 |
Section 4.2. | | Number; Qualification; Term | | 8 |
Section 4.3. | | Authority | | 8 |
Section 4.4. | | Committee Changes; Removal | | 8 |
Section 4.5. | | Alternate Members of Committees | | 8 |
Section 4.6. | | Regular Meetings | | 8 |
Section 4.7. | | Special Meetings | | 8 |
Section 4.8. | | Quorum; Majority Vote | | 8 |
Section 4.9. | | Minutes | | 9 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
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Section 4.10. | | Compensation | | 9 |
Section 4.11. | | Responsibility | | 9 |
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ARTICLE V. | | NOTICES | | |
Section 5.1. | | Method | | 9 |
Section 5.2. | | Waiver | | 9 |
Section 5.3. | | Exception to Notice Requirement | | 9 |
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ARTICLE VI. | | OFFICERS | | |
Section 6.1. | | Officers | | 10 |
Section 6.2. | | Election | | 10 |
Section 6.3. | | Compensation | | 10 |
Section 6.4. | | Removal and Vacancies | | 10 |
Section 6.5. | | President | | 10 |
Section 6.6. | | Vice Presidents | | 10 |
Section 6.7. | | Secretary | | 10 |
Section 6.8. | | Assistant Secretaries | | 11 |
Section 6.9. | | Treasurer | | 11 |
Section 6.10. | | Assistant Treasurers | | 11 |
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ARTICLE VII. | | CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING SHARES | | |
Section 7.1. | | Certificates | | 11 |
Section 7.2. | | Legends | | 11 |
Section 7.3. | | Lost Certificates | | 12 |
Section 7.4. | | Transfer of Shares | | 12 |
Section 7.5. | | Registered Stockholders | | 12 |
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ARTICLE VIII. | | GENERAL PROVISIONS | | |
Section 8.1. | | Dividends | | 12 |
Section 8.2. | | Reserves | | 12 |
Section 8.3. | | Checks | | 12 |
Section 8.4. | | Fiscal Year | | 13 |
Section 8.5. | | Seal | | 13 |
Section 8.6. | | Indemnification. | | 13 |
Section 8.7. | | Transactions with Directors and Officers | | 16 |
Section 8.8. | | Amendments | | 16 |
Section 8.9. | | Table of Contents; Headings | | 17 |
ii
BYLAWS
OF
FORBES ENERGY CAPITAL INC.
(the “Corporation”)
ARTICLE I.
OFFICES
Section 1.1.Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation shall be at 615 South DuPont Highway, City of Dover, County of Kent, Delaware 19901.
Section 1.2.Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II.
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 2.1.Place of Meetings. Meetings of stockholders for all purposes may be held at such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section 2.2.Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be held each calendar year on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting. At such meeting, the stockholders shall elect directors and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.
Section 2.3.Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, may be called by the President, the Board of Directors, or the holders of not less than ten percent (10%) of all shares entitled to vote at the meetings. Business transacted at all special meetings shall be confined to the purposes stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 2.4.Notice. Written or printed notice stating the place, date, and hour of each meeting of the stockholders and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the President, the Secretary, or the officer or person(s) calling the meeting, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If such notice is to be sent by mail, it shall be directed to
such stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, unless he shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a written request that notices to him be mailed to some other address, in which case it shall be directed to him at such other address. Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall not be required to be given to any stockholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy and shall not, at the beginning of such meeting, object to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, or who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a signed waiver of notice, in person or by proxy.
Section 2.5.Voting List. At least ten (10) days before each meeting of stockholders, the Secretary or other officer of the Corporation who has charge of the Corporation’s stock ledger, either directly or through another officer appointed by him or through a transfer agent appointed by the Board of Directors, shall prepare a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting or a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. Such list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting at all times during such meeting and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
Section 2.6.Quorum. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on a matter, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders, except as otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat who are present, in person or by proxy, or, if no stockholder entitled to vote is present, any officer of the Corporation, may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be present. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting had a quorum been present; provided that, if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting.
Section 2.7.Required Vote; Withdrawal Of Quorum. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall decide any question brought before the meeting, unless the question is one on which, by express provision of statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of the question. The stockholders present at a duly constituted meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
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Section 2.8.Method of Voting; Proxies.
(a) Each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders, except to the extent that the voting rights of the shares of any class or classes are limited, denied, increased or decreased by the Certificate of Incorporation.
(b) Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Each proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation prior to or at the time of the meeting.
(c) Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for him as proxy pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority:
(i) A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for him as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or by an authorized officer, director, employee or agent of the stockholder signing such writing or causing such stockholder’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.
(ii) A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for him as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. If it is determined that such telegrams, cablegrams or other electronic transmissions are valid, the inspectors or, if there are no inspectors, such other persons making that determination shall specify the information upon which they relied.
(d) Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to subsection (c) of this section may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.
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(e) A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power.
Section 2.9.Record Date.
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by statute or these Bylaws, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Such delivery shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by statute or these Bylaws, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
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Section 2.10.Action Without Meeting.
(a) Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Such consent or consents shall be delivered to the Corporation at its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of stockholders’ meetings are recorded. Such delivery shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.
(b) Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the written consent, and no consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this section to the Corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take action are delivered to the Corporation in the manner required by this section.
Section 2.11.Inspectors of Elections. The Board of Directors may, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof. If any of the inspectors so appointed shall fail to appear or act, the chairman of the meeting shall, or if inspectors shall not have been appointed, the chairman of the meeting may, appoint one or more inspectors. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The inspectors shall determine the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the validity and effect of proxies and shall receive votes, ballots, or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots, or consents, determine the results, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. On request of the chairman of the meeting, the inspectors shall make a report in writing of any challenge, request, or matter determined by them and shall execute a certificate of any fact found by them. No director or candidate for the office of director shall act as an inspector of an election of directors. Inspectors need not be stockholders.
ARTICLE III.
DIRECTORS
Section 3.1.Management. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors who may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do
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all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. The Board of Directors shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings.
Section 3.2.Number; Election. The Board of Directors shall consist of one (1) director, who need not be a stockholder or resident of the State of Delaware. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as hereinafter provided, and each director elected shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal.
Section 3.3.Change in Number. The number of directors may be increased or decreased from time to time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, but no decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director.
Section 3.4.Removal. Any director may be removed, with or without cause, at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote for the election of such director, if notice of the intention to act upon such matters shall have been given in the notice calling such meeting.
Section 3.5.Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Vacancies and newly-created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Each director so chosen shall hold office until the first annual meeting of stockholders held after his election and until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal. If at any time there are no directors in office, an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, when one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have the power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in these Bylaws with respect to the filling of other vacancies.
Section 3.6.Election of Directors; Cumulative Voting Prohibited. At every election of directors, each stockholder shall have the right to vote in person or by proxy the number of voting shares owned by him for as many persons as there are directors to be elected and for whose election he has a right to vote. Cumulative voting shall be prohibited.
Section 3.7.Place of Meetings. The directors of the Corporation may hold their meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware.
Section 3.8.First Meetings. The first meeting of each newly elected Board shall be held without further notice immediately following the annual meeting of stockholders, and at the same place, unless by unanimous consent of the directors then elected and serving, such time or place shall be changed.
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Section 3.9.Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 3.10.Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President on three (3) days’ notice to each director, either personally or by mail or by telegram. Special meetings may be called in like manner and on like notice on the written request of any one of the directors. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in a notice or waiver of notice.
Section 3.11.Quorum. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the presence of a majority of the directors shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, or the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section 3.12.Action Without Meeting; Telephone Meetings. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by all the members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote at a meeting. Subject to applicable notice provisions and unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in and hold a meeting by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in such meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a person’s participation is for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Section 3.13.Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors may elect a Chairman of the Board to preside at their meetings and to perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time assign to him.
Section 3.14.Compensation. Directors, as such, shall not receive any stated salary for their services, but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, may be allowed for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
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ARTICLE IV.
COMMITTEES
Section 4.1.Designation. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, designate one or more committees.
Section 4.2.Number; Qualification; Term. Each committee shall consist of one or more directors appointed by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board of Directors. The number of committee members may be increased or decreased from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Each committee member shall serve as such until the earliest of (i) the expiration of his term as director, (ii) his resignation as a committee member or as a director, or (iii) his removal as a committee member or as a director.
Section 4.3.Authority. Each committee, to the extent expressly provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation except to the extent expressly restricted by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section 4.4.Committee Changes; Removal. The Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, and to discharge any committee. The Board of Directors may remove any committee member, at any time, with or without cause.
Section 4.5.Alternate Members of Committees. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee. Any such alternate member may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.
Section 4.6.Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of any committee may be held without notice at such time and place as may be designated from time to time by the committee and communicated to all members thereof.
Section 4.7.Special Meetings. Special meetings of any committee may be held whenever called by any committee member. The committee member calling any special meeting shall cause notice of such special meeting, including therein the time and place of such special meeting, to be given to each committee member at least two (2) days before such special meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting of any committee need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of any special meeting.
Section 4.8.Quorum; Majority Vote. At meetings of any committee, a majority of the number of members designated by the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of any committee, a majority of the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance shall be the act of a committee, unless the act of a greater number is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
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Section 4.9.Minutes. Each committee shall cause minutes of its proceedings to be prepared and shall report the same to the Board of Directors upon the request of the Board of Directors. The minutes of the proceedings of each committee shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation for placement in the minute books of the Corporation.
Section 4.10.Compensation. Committee members may, by resolution of the Board of Directors, be allowed a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for attending any committee meetings or a stated salary.
Section 4.11.Responsibility. The designation of any committee and the delegation of authority to it shall not operate to relieve the Board of Directors or any director of any responsibility imposed upon it or such director by law.
ARTICLE V.
NOTICES
Section 5.1.Method. Whenever by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any committee member, director, or stockholder and no provision is made as to how such notice shall be given, personal notice shall not be required, and any such notice may be given (a) in writing, by mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such committee member, director, or stockholder at his address as it appears on the books or (in the case of a stockholder) the stock transfer records of the Corporation, or (b) by any other method permitted by law (including but not limited to overnight courier service, telegram, telex, or telefax). Any notice required or permitted to be given by mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail as aforesaid. Any notice required or permitted to be given by overnight courier service shall be deemed to be given at the time delivered to such service with all charges prepaid and addressed as aforesaid. Any notice required or permitted to be given by telegram, telex, or telefax shall be deemed to be delivered and given at the time transmitted with all charges prepaid and addressed as aforesaid.
Section 5.2.Waiver. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder, director, or committee member of the Corporation by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be equivalent to notice. Attendance of a stockholder, director, or committee member at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Section 5.3.Exception to Notice Requirement. The giving of any notice required under any provision of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall not be required to be given to any stockholder to whom (i) notice of two consecutive annual meetings, and all notices of meetings or of the taking of action by written consent without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (ii) all, and at least two, payments (if sent by first class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a twelve-month period, have been mailed
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addressed to such person at his address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth his then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated.
ARTICLE VI.
OFFICERS
Section 6.1.Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the directors and shall be a President and a Secretary. The Board of Directors may also choose a Chairman of the Board, additional Vice Presidents and one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.
Section 6.2.Election. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders shall elect the officers of the Corporation, none of whom need be a member of the Board, a stockholder or a resident of the State of Delaware. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary, who shall be appointed for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.3.Compensation. The compensation of all officers and agents of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.4.Removal and Vacancies. Each officer of the Corporation shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed either for or without cause by a majority of the directors represented at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is represented, whenever in the judgment of the Board of Directors the best interests of the Corporation will be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.5.President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. He shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors unless the Board of Directors shall elect a Chairman of the Board, in which event the President shall preside at Board meetings in the absence of the Chairman of the Board. The President shall have general and active management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect, and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors shall prescribe.
Section 6.6.Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall have only such powers and perform only such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe or as the President may from time to time delegate to him.
Section 6.7.Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all sessions of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for any committee
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when required. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or President, under whose supervision he shall be. He shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Corporation and, when authorized by the Board of Directors, affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and, when so affixed, it shall be attested by his signature or by the signature of the Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary.
Section 6.8.Assistant Secretaries. Each Assistant Secretary shall have only such powers and perform only such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe or as the President may from time to time delegate.
Section 6.9.Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements of the Corporation and shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors, or whenever they may require it, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation, and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe. If required by the Board of Directors, he shall give the Corporation a bond in such form, in such sum, and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money, and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.
Section 6.10.Assistant Treasurers. Each Assistant Treasurer shall have only such powers and perform only such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
ARTICLE VII.
CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING SHARES
Section 7.1.Certificates. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates in such form as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Such certificates shall be consecutively numbered and shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued. Each certificate shall state on the face thereof the holder’s name, the number and class of shares, and the par value of such shares or a statement that such shares are without par value. Each certificate shall be signed by the President or a Vice President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and may be sealed with the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof. Any or all of the signatures on a certificate may be facsimile.
Section 7.2.Legends. The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to provide that certificates representing shares of stock shall bear such legends, including, without limitation, such legends as the Board of Directors deems appropriate to assure that the Corporation does not become liable for violations of federal or state securities laws or other applicable law.
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Section 7.3.Lost Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate representing shares in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed. The Board of Directors, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, may require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such form, in such sum, and with such surety or sureties as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 7.4.Transfer of Shares. Shares of stock shall be transferable only on the books of the Corporation by the holder thereof in person or by his duly authorized attorney. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate representing shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
Section 7.5.Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof, and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.
ARTICLE VIII.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 8.1.Dividends. The directors, subject to any restrictions contained in the Certificate of Incorporation, may declare dividends upon the shares of the Corporation’s capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 8.2.Reserves. By resolution of the Board of Directors, the directors may set apart out of any of the funds of the Corporation such reserve or reserves as the directors from time to time, in their discretion, think proper to provide for contingencies, or to equalize dividends, or to repair or maintain any property of the Corporation, or for such other purposes as the directors shall think beneficial to the Corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
Section 8.3.Checks. All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
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Section 8.4.Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 8.5.Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation. Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
Section 8.6.Indemnification.
(a) To the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who (i) at any time is or was a director or officer of the Corporation and (ii) to the extent provided by resolution of the Board of Directors, any other employee or agent of the Corporation or any of its affiliates (each such person entitled to indemnification hereunder being referred to as a “Covered Person”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes), fines, settlements and reasonable expenses (including court costs and attorney’s fees) actually incurred by such Covered Person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, any appeal in such a claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding and any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such a claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding (any such claim, demand, action, suit, proceeding, appeal, inquiry or investigation being hereinafter referred to as a “Proceeding”), in which such Covered Person was, is or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent as a result of or based upon his or its status as a Covered Person or any action or omission taken by him or it in his or its capacity as such, regardless of whether any of said losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, penalties, fines, settlements or expenses resulted from the negligence or other fault of such Covered Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent required under the applicable provisions of the DGCL, no Covered Person shall be indemnified and held harmless unless a determination is made in accordance with paragraph (c) below that such Covered Person (i) conducted himself or itself in good faith, (ii) reasonably believed that his or its conduct was not adverse to the interests of the Company (in the case of conduct by a Covered Person in his or its official capacity) or at least not opposed to the best interests of the Company (in all other cases) and (iii) in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or its conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or on a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not of itself be determinative that a Covered Person did not meet the requirements set forth in this paragraph (a).
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) above, in the case of a Proceeding in which a Covered Person is found liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by the Covered Person, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken in his or its official capacity, or is found liable to the Company, the indemnification provided under such paragraph (i) shall be limited to reasonable expenses actually incurred by such Covered Person in connection with the Proceeding and (ii) shall not be made in respect of any Proceeding in which such Covered Person
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shall have been found liable for willful or intentional misconduct in the performance of his or its duty to the Company. A Covered Person shall be deemed to have been found liable in respect of any claim, issue or matter only after the Covered Person shall have been so adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom.
(c) A determination that the requirements for indemnification of a Covered Person pursuant to paragraph (a) above have been satisfied shall be made as follows:
(i) by a majority of a quorum of the Board of Directors consisting of directors who at the time of the vote are not named defendants or respondents in the Proceeding;
(ii) if such a quorum cannot be obtained, by a majority vote of a committee of the Board of Directors, designated to act in the matter by a majority vote of all directors, consisting solely of two or more directors who at the time of the vote are not named defendants or respondents in the Proceeding;
(iii) by special legal counsel selected by the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors by vote as set forth in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, or if such quorum cannot be obtained and such committee cannot be established, by a majority vote of all directors; or
(iv) by the stockholders in a vote that excludes the shares held by directors who are named defendants or respondents in the Proceeding.
(d) To the fullest extent permitted by law and without limiting any right granted to a Covered Person under this Section 8.6, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Covered Person from and against any and all reasonable expenses (including court costs and attorney’s fees) incurred by such Covered Person in connection with a Proceeding in which the Covered Person was a named defendant or respondent because of his or its status as such, if such Covered Person has been wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of such Proceeding.
(e) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company shall pay or reimburse, in advance of the final disposition of a Proceeding and without the determination specified in paragraph (c) above, reasonable expenses (including court costs and attorney’s fees) incurred by a Covered Person who was, is or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent in a Proceeding because of his or its status as a Covered Person, after the Company receives a written affirmation. by such Covered Person of his or its good faith belief that he or it has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification under the DGCL and a written undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person to repay the amount paid or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined that such Covered Person has not met such standard or if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of the Covered Person against expenses incurred in connection with the Proceeding is prohibited under paragraph (a) above. The written undertaking required by the preceding sentence must be an unlimited general obligation of the Covered Person but need not be secured. It may be accepted without reference to financial ability to make repayment.
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(f) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Section 8.6, the Company may pay or reimburse expenses incurred by a Covered Person in connection with his or its appearance as a witness or other participation in a Proceeding at a time when he or it is not a named defendant or respondent in such Proceeding.
(g) The Company may indemnify and advance expenses to Person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, or similar functionary of another foreign or domestic limited liability company or corporation, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise to the same extent that it may indemnify and advance expenses to Covered Persons under this Section 8.6.
(h) Any indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Section 8.6 shall be satisfied solely out of the property and assets of the Company. In no event may a Covered Person subject any stockholder to personal liability by reason of this Section 8.6.
(i) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for in this Section 8.6 shall be in addition to any other rights to which a Covered Person may be entitled pursuant to any contract or agreement or any approval of the Board of Directors or as a matter of law, whether with respect to an action of a Covered Person in his capacity as such or in any other capacity, and shall continue as to a Covered Person who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of a Covered Person.
(j) To the fullest extent permitted by law, a Covered Person shall not be denied indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Section 8.6 solely on the grounds that such Covered Person had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction is one otherwise permitted to be carried out by the terms of this Agreement.
(k) Any indemnification of or advancement of expenses to a Covered Person in accordance with this Section 8.6 shall be reported in writing to the Board of Directors with or before the notice or waiver of notice of the next meeting of the Board of Directors or with or before the next submission to Board of Directors of a consent to action without a meeting and, in any case, within the 12 month period immediately following the date of the indemnification or advancement.
(l) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, purchase and maintain insurance or another arrangement on behalf of any Covered Person or any Person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, or similar functionary of another foreign or domestic limited liability company or corporation, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him or it and incurred by him or it in such a capacity or arising out of his or its status as such, whether
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or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him or it against that liability under this Section 8.6. If the insurance or other arrangement is with a Person that is not regularly engaged in the business of providing insurance coverage, the insurance or arrangement may provide for payment of a liability with respect to which the Company would not have the power to indemnify the Person only if including coverage for the additional liability has been approved by the Board of Directors. Without limiting the power of the Company to procure or maintain any kind of insurance or other arrangement, the Company may, for the benefit of Persons indemnified by the Company, (i) create a trust fund, (ii) establish any form of self insurance, (iii) secure its indemnity obligation by grant of a security interest or other lien on the assets of the Company or (iv) establish a letter of credit, guaranty, or surety arrangement. The insurance or other arrangement may be procured, maintained, or established within the Company or with any insurer or other person deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors regardless of whether all or part of the stock or other securities of the insurer or other person are owned in whole or part by the Company. In the absence of fraud, the judgment of the Board of Directors as to the terms and conditions of the insurance or other arrangement and the identity of the insurer or other Person participating in an arrangement shall be conclusive and the insurance or arrangement shall not be voidable and shall not subject the directors approving the insurance or arrangement to liability, on any ground, regardless of whether the directors participating in the approval are beneficiaries of the insurance or arrangement.
(m) The agreements contained in this Section 8.6 shall survive any dissolution or termination of the Company.
Section 8.7.Transactions with Directors and Officers. No contract or other transaction between the Corporation and any other corporation and no other act of the Corporation shall, in the absence of fraud, be invalidated or in any way affected by the fact that any of the directors of the Corporation are pecuniarily or otherwise interested in such contract, transaction or other act, or are directors or officers of such other corporation. Any director of the Corporation, individually, or any firm or corporation of which any such director may be a member, may be a party to, or may be pecuniarily or otherwise interested in, any contract or transaction of the Corporation;provided,however, that the fact that the director, individually, or the firm or corporation is so interested shall be disclosed or shall have been known to the Board of Directors or a majority of such members thereof as shall be present at any annual meeting or at any special meeting, called for that purpose, of the Board of Directors at which action upon any contract or transaction shall be taken. Any director of the Corporation who is so interested may be counted in determining the existence of a quorum at any such annual or special meeting of the Board of Directors which authorizes such contract or transaction, and may vote thereat to authorize such contract or transaction with like force and effect as if he were not such director or officer of such other corporation or not so interested. Every director of the Corporation is hereby relieved from any disability which might otherwise prevent him from carrying out transactions with or contracting with the Corporation for the benefit of himself or any firm, corporation, trust or organization in which or with which he may be in anywise interested or connected.
Section 8.8.Amendments. These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed or new bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors at any regular meeting
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of the stockholders or the Board of Directors, at any special meeting of the stockholders or the Board of Directors if notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal, or adoption of new bylaws be contained in the notice of such special meeting, or by written consent of the Board of Directors or the stockholders without a meeting.
Section 8.9.Table of Contents; Headings. The Table of Contents and headings used in these Bylaws have been inserted for convenience only and do not constitute matters to be construed in interpretation.
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CERTIFICATE BY SECRETARY
The undersigned, being the secretary of the Corporation, hereby certifies that the foregoing Bylaws were duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation effective on January 1, 2008.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this certification effective as of the 1st day of January, 2008.
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/s/ L. Melvin Cooper |
L. Melvin Cooper, Secretary |
Certificate by Secretary – Bylaws of Forbes Energy Capital Inc.