BYLAWS, AS AMENDED
OF
RUBY TUESDAY, INC.
As in effect January 7, 2009
[Revised to reflect (i) the change in name of Ruby Tuesday (Georgia), Inc. to Ruby Tuesday, Inc. following and as a result of the merger of Ruby Tuesday, Inc., a Delaware corporation, into Ruby Tuesday (Georgia), Inc. effective March 9, 1996, (ii) the amendment to Article II.2, to allow Shareholder meetings to be held in either September or October, approved by the Board of Directors on June 30, 1998, (iii) the amendment to Article VII.1, to change the Company’s fiscal year end, approved by the Board of Directors on April 9, 2001, (iv) the amendment to Article II.5, to allow electronic transmissions of proxies, approved by the Board of Directors on April 9, 2001, (v) the amendment to Article II.6, to conform such section to Georgia Business Corporation Code Section 14-2-1021, approved by the Board of Directors on July 14, 2004, (vi) the amendment to Article VI to permit electronic (book-entry) ownership by shareholders, approved by the Board of Directors on October 10, 2007 (vii) the amendment to Article III.2 to provide for the election of Directors by a majority of the votes cast in any uncontested Director election, approved by the Board of Directors on January 7, 2009, and (viii) the addition of Article II.9 to provide for procedures requiring stockholders to notify the Corporation of any proposals the stockholder desires to address at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, approved by the Board of Directors on January 7, 2009.]
INDEX
| PAGE |
ARTICLE I OFFICES | 1 |
| |
ARTICLE II STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS | 1 |
2.1 | PLACE OF MEETINGS | 1 |
2.2 | ANNUAL MEETINGS | 1 |
2.3 | SPECIAL MEETINGS | 1 |
2.4 | MEETINGS WITHOUT NOTICE | 1 |
2.5 | VOTING | 1 |
2.6 | QUORUM. | 2 |
2.7 | LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS | 2 |
2.8 | ACTION WITHOUT MEETING | 2 |
2.9 | NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS | 2 |
| | |
ARTICLE III BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 4 |
3.1 | POWERS | 2 |
3.2 | NUMBER, QUALIFICATION AND TERM | 2 |
3.3 | COMPENSATION | 3 |
3.4 | MEETINGS AND QUORUM | 3 |
3.5 | EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE | 3 |
3.6 | OTHER COMMITTEES | 4 |
3.7 | CONFERENCE TELEPHONE MEETINGS | 4 |
3.8 | ACTION WITHOUT MEETING | 4 |
| | |
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS | 5 |
4.1 | TITLES AND ELECTION | 5 |
4.2 | DUTIES | 5 |
4.3 | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 6 |
4.4 | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER. | 6 |
4.5 | DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY | 6 |
4.6 | COMPENSATION | 7 |
| | |
ARTICLE V RESIGNATIONS, VACANCIES AND REMOVALS | 7 |
5.1 | RESIGNATIONS | 7 |
5.2 | VACANCIES | 7 |
5.3 | REMOVALS | 7 |
| | |
ARTICLE VI CAPITAL STOCK | 7 |
6.1 | CERTIFICATES OF STOCK | 7 |
6.2 | TRANSFER OF STOCK. | 8 |
6.3 | STOCK TRANSFER RECORDS | 8 |
6.4 | RECORD DATES | 8 |
6.5 | LOST CERTIFICATES | 8 |
| | |
ARTICLE VII FISCAL YEAR, BANK DEPOSITS, CHECKS, ETC | 8 |
7.1 | FISCAL YEAR. | 8 |
7.2 | BANK DEPOSITS, CHECK, ETC. | 8 |
| | |
ARTICLE VIII BOOKS AND RECORDS | 9 |
8.1 | PLACE OF KEEPING BOOKS | 9 |
8.2 | EXAMINATION OF BOOKS | 9 |
| | |
ARTICLE IX NOTICES | 9 |
9.1 | REQUIREMENTS OF NOTICE | 9 |
9.2 | WAIVERS | 9 |
| | | | |
-i-
ARTICLE X SEAL | 10 |
| | |
ARTICLE XI POWERS OF ATTORNEY | 10 |
| | |
ARTICLE XII INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND OTHER PERSONS | 10 |
12.1 | INDEMNIFIED ACTION | 10 |
12.2 | INDEMNIFICATION AGAINST EXPENSES OF SUCCESSFUL PART | 10 |
12.3 | ADVANCES OF EXPENSES | 10 |
12.4 | RIGHT OF AGENT TO INDEMNIFICATION UPON APPLICATION, PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION | 10 |
12.5 | OTHER RIGHTS AND REMEDIES | 10 |
12.6 | INSURANCE OF AGENTS | 11 |
12.7 | CERTAIN DEFINITIONS | 11 |
12.8 | INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE OF OTHER PERSON. | 11 |
12.9 | SURVIVAL OF INDEMNIFICATION. | 11 |
12.10 | SAVINGS CLAUSE | 11 |
| | |
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS | 11 |
| | | | |
RUBY TUESDAY, INC.
BYLAWS, AS AMENDED
Article I
OFFICES
The Corporation shall at all times maintain a registered office in the State of Georgia and a registered agent at that address but may have other offices located in or outside of the State of Georgia as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
Article II
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
All meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place or places in or outside of the State of Georgia as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or as may be designated in the notice of meeting or waiver of notice thereof, subject to any provisions of the laws of the State of Georgia.
The annual meeting of Shareholders shall be held on such date in the month of September or October each year and at such time as shall be determined by the Board of Directors from time to time or with respect to any particular annual meeting for the purpose of electing directors and transacting such other business as may come properly before the meeting. Written notice of the date, time and place of the annual meeting shall be given by mail to each stockholder entitled to vote at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled date thereof, unless such notice is waived as provided by Article IX of these Bylaws.
A special meeting of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President. Written notice of the time, place and specific purposes of such meeting shall be given by mail to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled date thereof, unless such notice is waived as provided in Article IX of these Bylaws.
| II.4 | Meetings Without Notice. |
Meetings of the stockholders may be held at any time without notice when all the stockholders entitled to vote thereat are present in person or by proxy.
At all meetings of stockholders, each stockholder entitled to vote on the record date as determined under Article VI, Section 6.4 of these Bylaws, or if not so determined, as prescribed under the laws of the State of Georgia, shall be entitled to one vote for each share of common stock, or such other number of votes prescribed in the Articles of Incorporation for each share of stock other than common stock, standing of record in his name, subject to any restrictions or qualifications set forth in the Articles of Incorporation, and may vote either in person or by proxy.
A stockholder or his or her agent or attorney in fact may appoint a proxy to vote or otherwise act for the stockholder by signing an appointment form or by an electronic transmission. An electronic transmission must contain or be accompanied by information from which it can be determined that the stockholder, the stockholder’s agent or the stockholder’s attorney in fact authorized the electronic transmission.
At any meeting of stockholders, a majority of the number of shares of stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum, but a smaller interest may adjourn any meeting from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice, subject to such limitation as may be imposed under the laws of the State of Georgia. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the originally scheduled meeting.
If a quorum exists, action on a matter (other than the election of directors) by a voting group is approved, if the votes cast within the voting group favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action, unless the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, a Bylaw of the Company adopted by its shareholders under Georgia Code Section 14-2-1021, or other applicable Georgia law, requires a greater number of affirmative votes.
Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote in the election at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
| II.7 | List of Stockholders. |
At least one (1) day before every meeting, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder, shall be prepared by the Secretary or the transfer agent in charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation. Such list shall be open for examination by any stockholder at the time and place of the meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine such list or the books of the Corporation or to vote in person or by proxy at such meeting.
| II.8 | Action Without Meeting. |
Any action required by the laws of the State of Georgia or the Articles of Incorporation to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all the holders of outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote on such action.
| II.9 | Notice of Stockholder Proposals. |
(a) At any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, only such business shall be conducted, and only such proposals shall be acted upon, as shall have been properly brought before the meeting.
(b) To be properly brought before a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, nominations for the election of directors must be brought in accordance with the provisions contained in Article VII, Section (A)(4) of the Articles of Incorporation.
(c) To be properly brought before a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, business and proposals (other than the election of directors) must be:
(i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors;
(ii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or
(iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 9.
Clause (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to submit business and
proposals (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and included in the Corporation’s notice of meeting) before a meeting of the stockholders.
(d) For business or proposals to be properly brought before a meeting by a stockholder, a stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Corporate Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than (i) with respect to any election to be held at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, 90 days in advance of such meeting, and (ii) with respect to any election to be held at a Special Meeting of the Stockholders, the close of business on the seventh (7th) day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to stockholders.
(e) A stockholder’s notice to the Corporate Secretary shall set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting:
(i) a brief description of the business or proposal desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business or considering such proposal at the meeting;
(ii) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder;
| (iii) | all of the following: |
(A) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation over which it has voting power which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholder;
(B) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation (a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder;
(C) any proxy, contract, arrangement or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation;
(D) any short interest in any security of the Corporation (for purposes of this Bylaw, a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if such person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement or relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security);
(E) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation;
(F) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner; and
(G) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of the shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice;
| (iv) | any financial or other material interest of the stockholder in such business |
or proposal;
(v) any agreements the stockholder may have with other stockholders or entities in connection with, or relating to, such business or proposal; and
(vi)any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the proposal.
(f) No business shall be conducted and no proposal shall be considered at a meeting of the stockholders unless proposed in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 9. The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that any business or proposal was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures and such business or proposal shall not be transacted or considered.
(g) To the extent (but only to the extent) this Article II, Section 9 shall be deemed by the Board of Directors or the Securities and Exchange Commission, or finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, to be inconsistent with the right of stockholders to request inclusion of a proposal in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, such determination shall prevail.
Article III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be carried on by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, which shall have all the powers authorized by the laws of the State of Georgia, subject to such limitations as may be provided by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
| III.2 | Number, Qualification and Term. |
The number of directors shall be not less than three (3) and not more than twelve (12), the exact number within such minimum and maximum limits to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the Board of Directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, as provided in the Articles of Incorporation.
Directors shall be of full age, and no person shall be nominated for the Board of Directors who shall have attained the age of seventy (70) on or before the annual meeting of stockholders at which directors are elected, provided, however, under special conditions in the best interests of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors or the shareholders, a person may be nominated for the Board of Directors who has attained the age of seventy (70) before such meeting. Directors need not be residents of the State of Georgia.
A nominee for director shall be elected to the Board of Directors if the votes cast for such nominee's election exceed the votes cast against such nominee's election; provided, however, that directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting of stockholders for which (i) the Secretary of the Corporation receives a notice that a stockholder has nominated, in accordance with the Corporation’s policy, a person for election to the Board of Directors in compliance with the advance notice requirements for stockholder nominees for director set forth in Article VIII, Section (A)(4) of the Articles of Incorporation and (ii) such nomination has not been withdrawn by such stockholder on or before the tenth day before the Corporation first mails its notice of meeting for such meeting to the stockholders. If directors are to be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, stockholders shall not be permitted to vote against a nominee.
Each director shall serve until the election and qualification of his successor or until his earlier death, resignation or removal as provided in the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws. In case of an increase in the number of directors between elections by the stockholders, the additional directorships shall be considered vacancies and shall be filled in the manner prescribed in Article V of these Bylaws.
The Board of Directors may, by majority vote, elect a Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman shall be a member of the Board and shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe from time to time.
The Board of Directors, or a committee thereof, may from time to time by resolution authorize the payment of fees or other compensation to the directors for services as such to the Corporation, including, but not limited to, fees for attendance at all meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, and determine the amount of such fees and compensation. Directors shall in any event be paid their traveling expenses for attendance at all meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor in amounts authorized or otherwise approved from time to time by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.
| III.4 | Meetings and Quorum. |
Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held either in or outside of the State of Georgia. A quorum shall be one-third (1/3) of the number of directors then fixed in the manner provided in Section 3.2 of this Article but not less than two (2) directors. The act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If a quorum is not present at any meeting, the Directors who are present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is obtained, subject to such limitation as may be imposed under the laws of the State of Georgia.
The Board of Directors shall, at the close of each annual meeting of stockholders and without further notice other than these Bylaws, if a quorum of directors is then present or as soon thereafter as may be convenient, hold a regular meeting for the election of officers and the transaction of any other business.
The Board of Directors may from time to time provide for the holding of regular meetings with or without notice and may fix the times and places at which such meetings are to be held. Meetings other than regular meetings may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President and must be called by the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary upon the request of at least three (3) directors.
Notice of each meeting, other than a regular meeting (unless required by the Board of Directors), shall be given to each director by mailing the same to each director at his residence or business address at least two (2) days before the meeting or by delivering the same to him personally or by telephone, facsimile transmission or telegraph at least one (1) day before the meeting unless, in case of exigency, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, as the case may be, shall prescribe a shorter notice to be given personally or by telephone, telegraph, cable or facsimile transmission to all or any one or more of the directors at their respective residences or places of business. Notice will be deemed to have been given at the time it is mailed, postage-prepaid, or sent by telegraph, cable or facsimile transmission, or given by telephone, as the case may be.
Notice of any meeting shall state the time and place of such meeting, but need not state the purposes thereof unless otherwise required by the laws of the State of Georgia, the Articles of Incorporation or the Board of Directors.
| III.5 | Executive Committee. |
The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the number of directors then fixed in the manner provided in Section 3.2 of this Article, may provide for an Executive Committee of three (3) or more directors and shall elect the members thereof to serve during the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee shall elect its own chairman, unless a chairman has been designated by the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the chairman of the committee or by the Board of Directors, and notice of meetings of the Executive Committee shall be given by the chairman of the committee or by the Secretary, in the manner provided in Section 3.4 of this Article for notice of meetings of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may at any time change the membership of the Executive Committee, fill vacancies in it, designate alternate members to replace any absent or disqualified members at any meeting of the Executive Committee, or dissolve it.
During the intervals between the meetings of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee shall possess and may exercise any or all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management or direction of the business and affairs of the Corporation to the extent authorized by resolution adopted by a majority of the number of directors then fixed in the manner provided in Section 3.2 of this Article, subject to such limitations as may be imposed by the laws of the State of Georgia.
Except as inconsistent with these Bylaws or the resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time, the Executive Committee may determine its rules of procedure and the notice to be given of its meeting, and it may appoint such sub-committees as it shall from time to time deem necessary. A majority of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Executive Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings and shall report the same to the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may by resolution provide for such other committees as it deems desirable and may discontinue the same at its pleasure. Each such committee shall have the powers and perform such duties, not inconsistent with law, as may be assigned to it by the Board of Directors.
Each such committee shall elect its own chairman, unless a chairman has been designated by the Board of Directors.
Except as inconsistent with these Bylaws or the resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time, each such committee may determine its rules of procedure and the notice to be given of its meeting, and it may appoint such committees as it shall from time to time deem necessary. Special meetings of any such committee may be called by the chairman of that committee or by the Board of Directors, and notice of any meeting of any such committee shall be given by the chairman of that committee or by the Secretary in the manner provided in Section 3.4 of this Article for notice of meetings of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of any such committee then in office shall constitute a quorum. Each such committee shall keep minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors.
| III.7 | Conference Telephone Meetings. |
Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communication equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
| III.8 | Action Without Meeting. |
To the extent authorized by Georgia law, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Director or committee.
Article IV
OFFICERS
The officers of the Corporation shall be the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, one or more Vice Presidents, the Secretary and the Treasurer, who shall have such authority and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or as otherwise provided in these Bylaws.
The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may also at any time elect or appoint such other officers as it may deem advisable, each of whom shall have such authority and shall perform such duties as may be prescribed or determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or, if not prescribed or determined by the Board of Directors, as the Chairman of the Board, the President or the then senior executive officer may prescribe or determine.
The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles and duties to one or more of the officers as it shall deem appropriate.
Any person may hold more than one office if the duties can be consistently performed by the same person.
The officers of the Corporation shall initially be elected as soon as convenient by the Board of Directors and thereafter, in the absence of earlier deaths, resignations or removals, shall be elected at the first meeting of the Board of Directors following each annual meeting of stockholders. Each officer shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors except as may otherwise be approved by the Board of Directors, or until his earlier resignation, removal or other termination of his employment.
The Board of Directors may require any officer or other employee or agent to give bond for the faithful performance of his duties in such form and with such sureties as the Board may require.
Subject to such extension, limitations, and other provisions as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe or determine, the following officers shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be a director and, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe from time to time.
(b) Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be a director and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe from time to time.
(c) President. The President shall exercise the powers and authority and perform all of the duties commonly incident to his office and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors shall specify from time to time. In the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, the President shall perform those duties of the Chairman of the Board not assigned to the Vice-Chairman of the Board, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors.
(d) Vice President. The Vice President or Vice Presidents shall perform such duties and have such powers as may be assigned to them from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President. Any Vice President may have the title of Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Assistant Vice President or such other title deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors from time to time.
In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice Presidents in order of seniority may, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board, exercise the powers and perform the duties pertaining to the office of the President.
(e) Secretary. The Secretary, or in his absence an Assistant Secretary, shall keep the minutes of all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof, cause all notices to be duly given to and served on the stockholders and directors, attend to such correspondence as may be assigned to him, keep or cause to be kept in safe custody the seal and corporate records of the Corporation and affix such seal to all such instruments properly executed as may require it, have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation and shall in general perform
all duties incident to his office, and shall have such other duties and powers as may be prescribed or determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.
In the absence or disability of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, or if there he more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors, or if no such determination has been made, in the order of their election, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary. Each Assistant Secretary also shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.
(f) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of and be responsible for the monies, funds, securities, financial records and other valuable papers of the Corporation (other than his own bond, if any, which shall be in the custody of the President); shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements and shall render account thereof whenever required by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President; shall have and perform, under the supervision of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board and the President all the powers and duties commonly incident to his office; shall deposit or cause to be deposited all funds of the Corporation in such bank or banks, trust company or trust companies, or with such firm or firms doing a banking business as may be designated by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President; may endorse for deposit or collection all checks, notes, and similar instruments payable to the Corporation or to its order; and shall have such other duties as may be prescribed or determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.
In the absence or disability of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, or if there be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors, or if no such determination has been made, in the order of their election, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.
| IV.3 | Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer. |
In its discretion, the Board of Directors may designate either the Chairman of the Board or the President to serve as the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Operating Officer, or both, of the Corporation.
The Chief Executive Officer shall, subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the Corporation and have the powers and duties otherwise customary to the office.
The Chief Operating Officer shall, subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, management and control of the operations and personnel of the Corporation and the powers and duties otherwise customary to the office.
| IV.4 | Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. |
In its discretion, the Board of Directors may at any time designate any officer as the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, or both, of the Corporation.
| IV.5 | Delegation of Authority. |
The Board of Directors may at any time delegate the powers and duties of any officer for the time being to any other officer, director or employee.
The compensation of the officers shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof and the fact that any officer is a director shall not preclude him from receiving compensation or from voting upon the resolution providing the same.
Article V
RESIGNATIONS, VACANCIES AND REMOVALS
Any director or officer may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time be not specified, upon receipt thereof; and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of any resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
(a) Directors. Any vacancy in the Board of Directors caused by reason of death, incapacity, resignation, removal, increase in the authorized number of directors or otherwise may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors though less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director.
Any director so elected by the Board of Directors shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders at which directors of the class in which such director serves are to be elected and until the election and qualification of his successor or until his earlier death, resignation or removal as provided in the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. The Board of Directors also may reduce their authorized number by the number of vacancies in the Board, provided such reduction does not reduce the Board to less than the minimum authorized by the laws of the State of Georgia or the Articles of Incorporation, or to less than the number of directors then in office.
(b) Officers. The Board of Directors may at any time or from time to time fill any vacancy among the officers of the Corporation.
(a) Directors. The entire Board of Directors, or any individual member thereof, may be removed only as provided in the Articles of Incorporation.
(b) Officers. Subject to the provisions of any validly existing agreement, the Board of Directors may at any meeting remove from office any officer, with or without cause, and may elect or appoint a successor.
Article VI
CAPITAL STOCK
| VI.1 | Certificates of Stock. |
Shares of the Corporation’s stock may be certified or uncertificated, as provided under Georgia law. Any certificates shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. If and to the extent permitted by Georgia law, any or all of such signatures may be in facsimile if the certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent or registered by a registrar other than the Corporation itself or an employee of the Corporation. The transfer agent or registrar may sign either manually or by facsimile. Shares of the Corporation’s stock may also be evidenced by registration in the holder’s name in uncertificated, book-entry form on the books of the Corporation in accordance with a direct registration system approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission and by the New York Stock Exchange or any securities exchange on which the stock of the Corporation may from time to time be traded.
In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before
the certificate has been issued, such certificate may nevertheless be issued and delivered by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be transferable upon the books of the Corporation upon (i) the surrender of the certificate or certificates properly assigned and endorsed for transfer, or (ii) after receipt of a request with proper evidence of succession, assignment, or authority to transfer by the record holder of such stock, or by an attorney lawfully constituted in writing.
The Board of Directors may appoint a transfer agent and one or more co-transfer agents and a registrar and one or more co-registrars and may make or authorize such agents to make all such rules and regulations deemed expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of shares of stock. If the Corporation has a transfer agent or registrar acting on its behalf, the signature of any officer or representative thereof may be in facsimile.
| VI.3 | Stock Transfer Records. |
Unless the Corporation has a stock transfer agent to keep such records, the Secretary shall keep a stock book or books containing the names, alphabetically arranged, with the address of every stockholder showing the number of shares of each kind, class or series of stock held of record.
The person in whose name shares of stock stand on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed by the Corporation to be the owner thereof for all purposes.
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, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or 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 shall fix in advance a record date which, in the case of a meeting, shall not be less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled date of such meeting and which, in the case of any other action, shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to any such action permitted by the laws of the State of Georgia.
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.
In case of loss, mutilation or destruction of a stock certificate, a duplicate certificate (or uncertificated shares in lieu of a new certificate) may be issued upon such terms as may be determined or authorized by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.
Article VII
FISCAL YEAR, BANK DEPOSITS, CHECKS, ETC.
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the first Tuesday following May 30 each year, unless otherwise fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors..
| VII.2 | Bank Deposits, Checks, Etc. |
The funds of the Corporation shall be deposited in the name of the Corporation or of any division thereof in such banks or trust companies in the United States or elsewhere as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, or by such officer or officers as the Board of Directors may authorize to make such designations.
All checks, drafts or other orders for the withdrawal of funds from any bank account shall be signed by such person or persons as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. The signatures on checks, drafts or other orders for the withdrawal of funds may be in facsimile if authorized in the designation.
Article VIII
BOOKS AND RECORDS
| VIII.1 | Place of Keeping Books. |
The books and records of the Corporation may be kept in or outside of the State of Georgia, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
| VIII.2 | Examination of Books. |
Except as may otherwise be provided by the laws of the State of Georgia, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have power to determine from time to time whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions any of the accounts, records and books of the Corporation are to be open to the inspection of any stockholder. No stockholder shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Corporation except as prescribed by law or authorized by express resolution of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors.
Article IX
NOTICES
| IX.1 | Requirements of Notice. |
Whenever notice is required to be given by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, it shall not mean personal notice unless so specified, but such notice may be given in writing by depositing the same in a post office, letter box, or mail chute postage prepaid and addressed to the person to whom such notice is directed at the address of such person on the records of the Corporation, and such notice shall be deemed given at the time when the same shall be thus mailed.
Any stockholder, director or officer may, in writing delivered via first class mail, hand-delivery or facsimile transmission or by telegram or cable, at any time waive any notice or other formality required by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. Such waiver of notice, whether given before or after any meeting or action, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Presence of a stockholder either in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders and presence of any director at any meeting of the Board of Directors shall constitute a waiver of such notice as may be required by any statute, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Article X
SEAL
The corporate seal of the Corporation shall be in such form as the Board of Directors shall determine from time to time and may consist of a facsimile thereof or the words "Corporate Seal" or "Seal" enclosed in parentheses.
In the absence of the Secretary, any other officer of the Corporation may affix and attest the seal of the Corporation to any instrument requiring it, unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Article XI
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
The Board of Directors may authorize one or more of the officers of the Corporation to execute powers of attorney delegating to named representatives or agents power to represent or act on behalf of the Corporation, with or without power of substitution.
In the absence of any action by the Board of Directors, any officer of the Corporation may execute for and on behalf of the Corporation waivers of notice of meetings of stockholders and proxies for such meetings of any company in which the Corporation may hold voting securities.
Article XII
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND OTHER PERSONS
| XII.1 | Indemnified Actions. |
The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, and whether external or internal to the Corporation (including a judicial action or suit brought by or in the right of the Corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (all such persons being referred to hereafter as an "Agent"), against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged liable to the Corporation or subjected to injunctive relief in favor of the Corporation: (a) for any appropriation, in violation of his duties, of any business opportunity of the Corporation; (b) for acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (c) for unlawful distributions pursuant to Section 14-2-832 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code; or (d) for any transaction from which he received an improper personal benefit.
| XII.2 | Indemnification Against Expenses of Successful Party. |
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article XII, to the extent that an Agent has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such Agent shall be indemnified against all expenses incurred in connection therewith.
| XII.3 | Advances of Expenses. |
Expenses incurred in defending or investigating any action, suit, proceeding or investigation shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such matter, if the Agent shall provide the Corporation with (i) a written affirmation of his good faith belief that his conduct does not constitute behavior of the kind described in any of the clauses (a) through (d) of Section 12.1, and (ii) a written undertaking, executed personally or on his behalf, to repay any advances if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under Section 12.1.
| XII.4 | Right of Agent to Indemnification Upon Application; Procedure Upon Application. |
Any indemnification under Sections 12.1 and 12.2 hereof or advance under Section 12.3 hereof shall be made promptly and in any event within forty-five (45) days after receipt of the written request of the Agent, unless the Agent is not entitled to such indemnification or advance pursuant to the terms of such sections. The right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article XII shall be enforceable by the Agent in any court of competent jurisdiction if the Corporation denies the claim, in whole or in part, or if no disposition of such claim is made within forty-five (45) days of the Agent's request. The Agent's expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such proceeding shall also be indemnified by the Corporation.
| XII.5 | Other Rights and Remedies. |
The indemnification provided by this Article XII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which an Agent seeking indemnification may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, court order or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. It is the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of Agents shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law. All rights to indemnification under this Article XII shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the
Corporation and the Agent who serves in such capacity at any time while these Bylaws and other relevant provisions of the Georgia Business Corporation Code and other applicable law, if any, are in effect. Any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing.
| XII.6 | Insurance of Agents. |
To the extent permitted by Georgia law, the Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was an Agent against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article XII.
| XII.7 | Certain Definitions. |
For purposes of this Article XII, references to the "Corporation" shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power to indemnify its directors, officers and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Article XII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued; references to "other enterprise" shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at the request of the Corporation" shall include any service as a director or officer of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries.
| XII.8 | Indemnification and Insurance of Other Persons. |
The provisions of this Article XII shall not be deemed to preclude the Corporation from either indemnifying or purchasing and maintaining insurance on behalf of, or both, any person who is not an Agent but whom the Corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify or insure under the provisions of the Georgia Business Corporation Code or otherwise. The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, indemnify or insure, or both, an employee, trustee or other agent as permitted by the Georgia Business Corporation Code. The Corporation shall indemnify or insure any employee, trustee or other agent where required by law.
| XII.9 | Survival of Indemnification. |
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article XII shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be an Agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such Agent.
If this Article XII or any portion thereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each Agent against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether internal or external, including a grand jury proceeding and an action or suit brought by or in the right of the Corporation, to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article XII that shall not have been invalidated or by any other applicable law.
Article XIII
AMENDMENTS
Unless otherwise provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or another provision of these Bylaws, these Bylaws may be amended or repealed either:
(a) at any meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present by vote of the holders of a majority of the number of shares of stock entitled to vote present in person or by proxy at such meeting as provided in Article II, Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of these Bylaws, or
(b) at any meeting of the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the directors then in office; provided the notice of such meeting of stockholders or directors or waiver of notice thereof contains a statement of the substance of the proposed amendment or repeal.
