EXHIBIT 3(b)
CODE OF REGULATIONS
OF
PEOPLES BANCORP INC.
(Reflecting Amendments Through April 13, 2006)
ARTICLE ONE
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1.01. Annual Meetings.
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The annual meeting of the shareholders for the election of directors,
for the consideration of reports to be laid before such meeting and for the
transaction of such other business as may properly come before such meeting,
shall be held on the first Tuesday of April in each year or on such other date
as may be fixed from time to time by the directors.
Section 1.02. Calling of Meetings.
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Meetings of the shareholders may be called only by the chairman of the
board, the president, or, in case of the president's absence, death, or
disability, the vice president authorized to exercise the authority of the
president; the secretary; the directors by action at a meeting, or a majority of
the directors acting without a meeting; or the holders of at least a majority of
all shares outstanding and entitled to vote thereat.
Section 1.03. Place of Meetings.
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Meetings of shareholders may be held either within or outside the State
of Ohio. Meetings of shareholders may be held in any manner or place, if any,
determined by the directors and permitted by Ohio law. If authorized by the
directors, the shareholders and proxyholders who are not physically present at a
meeting of shareholders may attend a meeting of shareholders by use of
communications equipment as may be permitted by Ohio law.
Section 1.04. Notice of Meetings.
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(A) Written notice stating the time, place, if any, and purposes of a
meeting of the shareholders, and the means, if any, by which
shareholders can be present and vote at the meeting through the
use of communications equipment, and any other matters related to
the conduct of the meeting required by Ohio law to be specified
in such notice shall be given by personal delivery, by mail, by
overnight delivery service, or by any other means of
communication authorized by the shareholder to whom notice is
given. Any such notice shall be given not less than seven nor
more than sixty days before the date of the meeting,
(1) to every shareholder of record entitled to notice of the
meeting,
(2) by or at the direction of the president or the secretary.
If mailed or sent by an overnight delivery service, such notice
shall be sent to the shareholder at the shareholder's address as
it appears on the records of the corporation. If sent by another
means of communication authorized by the shareholder, such notice
shall be sent to the address furnished by the shareholder for
such transmissions. Notice of adjournment of a meeting need not
be given if the time and place, if any, to which it is adjourned
and the means, if any, by which shareholders can be present and
vote at the adjourned meeting through the use of communications
equipment are fixed and announced at the meeting. In the event of
a transfer of shares after the record date for determining the
shareholders who are entitled to receive notice of a meeting of
shareholders, it shall not be necessary to give notice to the
transferee. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the setting of
a record date in the manner provided by law, the Articles or the
Regulations for the determination of shareholders who are
entitled to receive notice of or to vote at any meeting of
shareholders or for any purpose required or permitted by law.
(B) Following receipt by the president or the secretary of a request
in writing, specifying the purpose or purposes for which the
persons properly making such request have called a meeting of the
shareholders, delivered either in person or by registered mail to
such officer by any persons entitled to call a meeting of
shareholders, such officer shall cause to be given to the
shareholders entitled thereto notice of a meeting to be held on a
date not less than seven nor more than sixty days after the
receipt of such request, as such officer may fix. If such notice
is not given within fifteen days after the receipt of such
request by the president or the secretary, then, and only then,
the persons properly calling the meeting may fix the time of
meeting and give notice thereof in accordance with the provisions
of the Regulations.
Section 1.05. Waiver of Notice.
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Notice of the time, place, if any, and purpose or purposes of any
meeting of shareholders may be waived in writing, either before or after the
holding of such meeting, by any shareholder, which writing shall be filed with
or entered upon the records of such meeting. The attendance of any shareholder,
in person, by proxy or by the use of communications equipment, at any such
meeting without protesting the lack of proper notice, prior to or at the
commencement of the meeting, shall be deemed to be a waiver by the shareholder
of notice of such meeting. A telegram, cablegram, electronic mail, or an
electronic or other transmission capable of authentication that appears to have
been sent by a shareholder and that contains a waiver by that shareholder is a
writing for purposes of this Section 1.05.
Section 1.06. Quorum.
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At any meeting of shareholders, the holders of a majority of the voting
shares of the corporation then outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present
in person, by proxy or by the use of communications equipment, shall constitute
a quorum for such meeting. The holders of a majority of the voting shares
represented at a meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, or the chairman of
the board, the president, or the officer of the corporation acting as chairman
of the meeting, may adjourn such meeting from time to time, and if a quorum is
present at such adjourned meeting any business may be transacted as if the
meeting had been held as originally called.
Section 1.07. Votes Required.
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At all elections of directors the candidates receiving the greatest
number of votes shall be elected. Any other matter submitted to the shareholders
for their vote shall be decided by the vote of such proportion of the shares, or
of any class of shares, or of each class, as is required by law, the Articles or
the Regulations.
Section 1.08. Order of Business.
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The order of business at any meeting of shareholders shall be
determined by the officer of the corporation acting as chairman of such meeting
unless otherwise determined by a vote of the holders of a majority of the voting
shares of the corporation then outstanding, present in person, by proxy or by
the use of communications equipment, and entitled to vote at such meeting.
Section 1.09. Shareholders Entitled to Vote.
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Each shareholder of record on the books of the corporation on the
record date for determining the shareholders who are entitled to vote at a
meeting of shareholders shall be entitled at such meeting to one vote for each
share of the corporation standing in his name on the books of the corporation on
such record date. The directors may fix a record date for the determination of
the shareholders who are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at a meeting
of shareholders, which record date shall not be a date earlier than the date on
which the record date is fixed and which record date may be a maximum of sixty
days preceding the date of the meeting of shareholders.
Section 1.10. Proxies.
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At meetings of the shareholders, any shareholder of record entitled to
vote thereat may be represented and may vote by a proxy or proxies appointed by
an instrument in writing signed by such shareholder or appointed in any other
manner permitted by Ohio law. Any such instrument in writing or record of any
such appointment shall be filed with or received by the secretary of the meeting
before the person holding such proxy shall be allowed to vote thereunder. No
appointment of a proxy is valid after the expiration of eleven months after it
is made, unless the writing or other communication which appoints such proxy
specifies the date on which it is to expire or the length of time it is to
continue in force.
Section 1.11. Inspectors of Election.
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In advance of any meeting of shareholders, the directors may appoint
inspectors of election to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof; if
inspectors are not so appointed, the officer of the corporation acting as
chairman of any such meeting may make such appointment. In case any person
appointed as inspector fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled only by
appointment made by the directors in advance of such meeting or, if not so
filled, at the meeting by the officer of the corporation acting as chairman of
such meeting. No other person or persons may appoint or require the appointment
of inspectors of election.
ARTICLE TWO
DIRECTORS
Section 2.01. Authority and Qualifications.
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Except where the law, the Articles or the Regulations otherwise
provide, all authority of the corporation shall be vested in and exercised by
its directors. Directors must be shareholders of the corporation.
No person shall be eligible to be elected as a director unless he shall
be in the position of chief executive officer or active leadership within his
business or professional interest which shall be located within the geographic
area in which the corporation or any of its subsidiaries operate or do business
or shall serve as an executive officer of the corporation or any of its
subsidiaries; except that this qualification shall not apply to a person elected
as an initial director of the corporation. Any person nominated by the directors
of the corporation for election as a director shall conclusively be deemed, for
all corporate purposes, to have all of the qualifications required by this
Section 2.01, other than the required ownership of shares of the corporation. A
director shall not be eligible for nomination and re-election as a director of
the corporation after five years after such person's executive or leadership
position within his business or professional interest which qualifies such
person as a director of the corporation terminates; provided, however, that such
five-year limitation shall not be applicable to a person who retires as chairman
of the board or chief executive officer of the corporation. When a person's
eligibility as a director of the corporation terminates, whether because of
change in share ownership, position or residency, such person shall submit his
resignation as a director effective at the pleasure of the board; provided,
however, that in no event shall such person be nominated and re-elected as a
director.
Section 2.02. Number of Directors and Term of Office.
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(A) Until changed in accordance with the provisions of the
Regulations, the number of directors of the corporation shall be
twelve (12).
(B) The number of directors may be fixed or changed in accordance
with the Articles of the corporation at a meeting of the
shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors at
which a quorum is present.
(C) The directors may fix or change the number of directors by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the authorized number of
directors and may fill any director's office that is created by
an increase in the number of directors; provided, however, that
the directors may not increase the number of directors to more
than fifteen (15) nor reduce the number of directors to less than
nine (9).
(D) The board of directors shall be divided into three classes as
nearly equal in number as the then fixed number of directors
permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each year.
The election of each class of directors shall be a separate
election. At the first meeting of shareholders, directors of one
class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the
1994 annual meeting, directors of another class shall be elected
to hold office for a term expiring at the 1995 annual meeting and
directors of another class shall be elected to hold office for a
term expiring at the 1996 annual meeting. At the 1994 annual
meeting of shareholders and each succeeding annual meeting,
successors to the class of directors whose term then expires
shall be elected to hold office for a three-year term. A director
shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which
his term expires and until his successor is duly elected and
qualified, or until his earlier resignation, removal from office
or death. In the event of any increase in the number of directors
of the corporation, the additional directors shall be similarly
classified in such a manner that each class of directors shall be
as equal in number as possible. In the event of any decrease in
the number of directors of the corporation, such decrease shall
be effected in such a manner that each class of directors shall
be as equal in number as possible.
(E) No reduction in the number of directors shall of itself have the
effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director.
Section 2.03. Nomination and Election.
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(A) Any nominee for election as a director of the corporation may be
proposed only by or at the direction of the board of directors or
by any shareholder entitled to vote for the election of
directors. Nominations, other than those made by or at the
direction of the board of directors, shall be made in writing and
shall be delivered or mailed by first-class United States mail,
postage prepaid, to the secretary of the corporation not less
than fourteen days nor more than fifty days prior to any meeting
of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided,
however, that if less than twenty-one days' notice of the meeting
is given to the shareholders, such nomination shall be delivered
or mailed, as prescribed, to the secretary of the corporation not
later than the close of business on the seventh day following the
date on which the notice of meeting was mailed to the
shareholders. Such notification shall contain the following
information to the extent known by the notifying shareholder:
(1) the name, age, business address and residence address of
each proposed nominee;
(2) the principal occupation or employment of each proposed
nominee;
(3) the number of shares of capital stock of the corporation
which are beneficially owned by each proposed nominee and by
the notifying shareholder; and
(4) any other information required to be disclosed with respect
to a nominee for election as a director of the corporation
in proxy solicitations pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
successor statute, rule or provision.
Each such notification shall be accompanied by the written
consent of the proposed nominee to serve as a director of the
corporation if elected.
(B) If a shareholder shall attempt to nominate one or more persons
for election as a director at any meeting at which directors are
to be elected without having identified each such person in a
written notice given as contemplated by, and/or without having
provided therein the information specified in, division (A) of
this Section, each such attempted nomination shall be invalid and
shall be disregarded unless the person acting as chairman of the
meeting determines that the facts warrant the acceptance of such
nomination.
(C) The election of directors shall be by ballot whenever requested
by the presiding officer of the meeting or by the holders of a
majority of the voting shares outstanding, entitled to vote at
such meeting and present in person, by proxy or by the use of
communications equipment.
Section 2.04. Removal.
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A director or directors may be removed from office only by the vote of
the holders of shares entitling them to exercise not less than seventy-five
percent (75%) of the voting power of the corporation to elect directors in place
of those to be removed and only for cause. In case of any such removal, a new
director may be elected at the same meeting for the unexpired term of each
director removed. Failure to elect a director to fill the unexpired term of any
director removed shall be deemed to create a vacancy in the board.
Section 2.05. Vacancies.
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The remaining directors, though less than a majority of the whole
authorized number of directors, may, by the vote of a majority of their number,
fill any vacancy in the board for the unexpired term. A vacancy in the board
exists within the meaning of this Section 2.05 in case the shareholders increase
the authorized number of directors but fail at the meeting at which such
increase is authorized, or an adjournment thereof, to elect the additional
directors provided for, or in case the shareholders fail at any time to elect
the whole authorized number of directors.
Section 2.06. Meetings.
(as amended by Shareholders at meeting on 4/13/2006)
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A meeting of the directors shall be held immediately following the
adjournment of each annual meeting of shareholders at which directors are
elected, and notice of such meeting need not be given. The directors shall hold
such other meetings as may from time to time be called, and such other meetings
of directors may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Leadership
Director, the President, or any two directors. All meetings of directors shall
be held at the principal office of the corporation in Marietta or at such other
place within or without the State of Ohio as the directors may from time to time
determine by a resolution. Meetings of the directors may be held through any
communications equipment if all persons participating can hear each other and
participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision shall constitute presence
at such meeting.
Section 2.07. Notice of Meetings.
(as amended by Shareholders at meeting on 4/13/2006)
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Notice of the place, if any, and time of each meeting of directors for
which such notice is required by law, the Articles, the Regulations or the
By-Laws shall be given to each of the directors by at least one of the following
methods:
(A) In a writing mailed or sent by overnight delivery service, not
less than two days before such meeting and addressed to the
residence or usual place of business of a director, as such
address appears on the records of the corporation; or
(B) By personal delivery or by telegram, cablegram, telephone or
any other means of communication authorized by the director,
not later than the day before the date on which such meeting
is to be held.
Notice given to a director by any one of the methods specified in the
Regulations shall be sufficient, and the method of giving notice to all
directors need not be uniform. Notice of any meeting of directors may be given
only by the Chairman of the Board, the Leadership Director, the President or the
Secretary of the corporation. Any such notice need not specify the purpose or
purposes of the meeting. Notice of adjournment of a meeting of directors need
not be given if the time and place to which it is adjourned are fixed and
announced at such meeting.
Section 2.08. Waiver of Notice.
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Notice of any meeting of directors may be waived in writing, either
before or after the holding of such meeting, by any director, which writing
shall be filed with or entered upon the records of the meeting. The attendance
of any director at any meeting of directors without protesting, prior to or at
the commencement of the meeting, the lack of proper notice, shall be deemed to
be a waiver by such director of notice of such meeting. A telegram, cablegram,
electronic mail, or an electronic or other transmission capable of
authentication that appears to have been sent by the director and that contains
a waiver by such director, is a writing for purposes of this Section 2.08.
Section 2.09. Quorum.
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A majority of the directors then in office, but in any case not less
than one-third of the whole authorized number of directors, shall be necessary
to constitute a quorum for a meeting of directors. The act of a majority of the
directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present is the act of the
board, except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles or the Regulations.
Section 2.10. Executive and Other Committees of Directors.
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The directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the directors then
in office, may create an executive committee or any other committee of
directors, each to consist of one or more directors (subject to any other
requirements as to the number of directors serving on a committee that may be
imposed by law or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any other regulatory authority), and may authorize the delegation
to such executive committee or other committees, of any of the authority of the
directors, however conferred, other than that of filling vacancies among the
directors or in the executive committee or in any other committee of the
directors.
Such executive committee or any other committee of directors shall
serve at the pleasure of the directors, shall act only in the intervals between
meetings of the directors, and shall be subject to the control and direction of
the directors. Such executive committee or other committee of directors may act
by a majority of its members at a meeting or by a writing or writings signed by
all of its members. A telegram, cablegram, electronic mail, or an electronic or
other transmission capable of authentication that appears to have been sent by a
director and that contains an affirmative vote or approval of that director is a
signed writing for purposes of this Section 2.10. The date on which that
telegram, cablegram, electronic mail, or other electronic transmission is sent
is the date on which the writing is signed.
Any act or authorization of any act by the executive committee or any
other committee within the authority delegated to it shall be as effective for
all purposes as the act or authorization of the directors. No notice of a
meeting of the executive committee or of any other committee of directors shall
be required. A meeting of the executive committee or of any other committee of
directors may be called only by the president or by a member of such executive
or other committee of directors. Meetings of the executive committee or of any
other committee of directors may be held through any communications equipment if
all persons participating can hear each other and participation in such a
meeting shall constitute presence thereat.
Section 2.11. Compensation.
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Directors shall be entitled to receive as compensation for services
rendered and expenses incurred as directors, such amounts as the directors may
determine.
Section 2.12. By-Laws.
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The directors may adopt, and amend from time to time, By-Laws for their
own government, which By-Laws shall not be inconsistent with the law, the
Articles or the Regulations.
ARTICLE THREE
OFFICERS
Section 3.01. Officers.
(as amended by Shareholders at meeting on 4/13/2006)
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The officers of the corporation to be elected by the directors shall be
a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, one or more
Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a
Treasurer, and such other officers and assistant officers as the directors may
from time to time elect. If the Chairman of the Board is the Chief Executive
Officer or the President of the corporation or otherwise does not qualify as an
independent director, the directors shall elect a Leadership Director. Any
person holding the office of Chairman of the Board, Leadership Director, Chief
Executive Officer or President must be a director of the corporation. The other
officers of the corporation may or may not be directors of the corporation.
Officers need not be shareholders of the corporation unless they are also
directors of the corporation, and may be paid such compensation as the board of
directors (or a committee thereof) may determine. Any two or more offices may be
held by the same person, but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any
instrument in more than one capacity if such instrument is required by law, the
Articles, the Regulations or the By-Laws to be executed, acknowledged or
verified by two or more officers.
Section 3.02. Tenure of Office.
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The officers of the corporation shall hold office at the pleasure of
the directors. Any officer of the corporation may be removed, either with or
without cause, at any time, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the
directors then in office; such removal, however, shall be without prejudice to
the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.
Section 3.03. Duties of the Chairman of the Board.
(as amended by Shareholders at meeting on 4/8/2004)
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The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the
Directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles, the Regulations or
Resolution of the Directors, the Chairman of the Board shall have the same power
as the President to sign all certificates evidencing shares of the Corporation.
The Chairman of the Board shall perform such other duties and exercise such
other powers as the Directors may, from time to time, assign to the Chairman of
the Board.
Section 3.04. Duties of Leadership Director.
(as amended by Shareholders at meeting on 4/13/2006)
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If the Chairman of the Board is the Chief Executive Officer or the
President of the corporation or otherwise does not qualify as an independent
director, the directors shall elect a Leadership Director. The Leadership
Director, if any shall be elected, shall preside at all executive sessions of
the independent directors of the corporation and, in the absence of the Chairman
of the Board, shall preside as chairman of meetings of the directors of the
corporation. The Leadership Director, if any shall be elected, shall serve as
Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee of the board of directors of
the corporation (or of the committee of the board of directors performing
similar functions). The Leadership Director, if any shall be elected, shall
perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as may be assigned,
from time to time, by the board of directors or the independent directors to the
Leadership Director.
Section 3.05. Duties of the Chief Executive Officer.
(as amended by Shareholders at meeting on 4/8/2004)
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The chief executive officer of the corporation shall have, subject to
the control of the directors, general supervision and management over the
business of the corporation and over its officers and employees. Except as
otherwise provided by law, the Articles, the Regulations or resolution of the
directors, the chief executive officer shall have the same power as the
president to sign all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, notes and other
instruments of the corporation. During the absence or disability of the
president, the chief executive officer shall exercise all of the powers and
perform all of the duties of the president except as otherwise provided by law.
The chief executive officer shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders.
The chief executive officer shall perform such other duties and exercise such
other powers as the directors may, from time to time, assign to the chief
executive officer.
Section 3.06. Duties of the President.
(as amended by Shareholders at meeting on 4/8/2004)
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The president of the corporation shall have, subject to the control of
the directors and, if there be one, the chief executive officer, general and
active supervision and management over the business of the corporation and over
its officers and employees. The president shall be the principal operating and
administrative officer of the corporation. If there is no chief executive
officer, the president shall exercise all of the powers and perform all of the
duties of the chief executive officer. Except as otherwise provided by law, the
Articles, the Regulations or resolution of the directors, the president shall
have the power to sign all certificates evidencing shares of the corporation and
all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, notes and other instruments of the
corporation. The president shall, in the absence of the chief executive officer,
preside at all meetings of the shareholders. The president shall perform such
other duties and exercise such other powers as the directors may, from time to
time, assign to the president.
Section 3.07. Duties of Executive Vice Presidents.
(as amended by Shareholders at meeting on 4/8/2004)
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The executive vice presidents shall perform such duties and exercise
such powers as the directors may, from time to time, assign to them.
Section 3.08. Duties of Vice Presidents.
(as amended by Shareholders at meeting on 4/8/2004)
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The vice presidents shall perform such duties and exercise such powers
as the directors may, from time to time, assign to them.
Section 3.09. Duties of the Secretary.
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It shall be the duty of the secretary, or of an assistant secretary, if
any, in case of the absence or inability to act of the secretary, to keep
minutes of all the proceedings of the shareholders and the directors and to make
a proper record of the same; to perform such other duties as may be required by
law, the Articles or the Regulations; to perform such other and further duties
as may from time to time be assigned to him by the directors or the president;
and to deliver all books, paper and property of the corporation in his
possession to his successor, or to the president.
Section 3.10. Duties of the Treasurer.
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The treasurer, or an assistant treasurer, if any, in case of the
absence or inability to act of the treasurer, shall receive and safely keep in
charge all money, bills, notes, choses in action, securities and similar
property belonging to the corporation, and shall do with or disburse the same as
directed by the president or the directors; shall keep an accurate account of
the finances and business of the corporation, including accounts of its assets,
liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, stated capital and shares,
together with such other accounts as may be required and hold the same open for
inspection and examination by the directors; shall give bond in such sum with
such security as the directors may require for the faithful performance of his
duties; shall, upon the expiration of his term of office, deliver all money and
other property of the corporation in his possession or custody to his successor
or the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may
be assigned to him by the directors.
Section 3.11. Other Officers.
(as amended by Shareholders at meeting on 4/8/2004)
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Other elected officers shall perform such duties and exercise such
powers as the directors may, from time to time, assign to them under officer
titles designated.
Section 3.12. Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation.
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Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notices of meetings, consents
and other instruments relating to securities owned by the corporation may be
executed in the name and on behalf of the corporation by the president or by
such other officer of the corporation as shall be so authorized by the president
or the board of directors. Any such person may, in the name and on behalf of the
corporation, take all such action as he shall deem advisable to vote in person
or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the
corporation may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may
exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such
securities and which, as the owner thereof, the corporation might have exercised
and possessed if present.
ARTICLE FOUR
SHARES
Section 4.01. Certificates.
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Certificates evidencing ownership of shares of the corporation shall be
issued to those entitled to them. Each certificate evidencing shares of the
corporation shall bear a distinguishing number; the signatures of the chairman
of the board, the president, or a vice president, and of the secretary, an
assistant secretary, the treasurer or an assistant treasurer (except that when
any such certificate is countersigned by an incorporated transfer agent or
registrar, such signatures may be facsimile, engraved, stamped or printed); and
such recitals as may be required by law. Certificates evidencing shares of the
corporation shall be of such tenor and design as the directors may from time to
time adopt and may bear such recitals as are permitted by law.
Section 4.02. Transfers.
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Where a certificate evidencing a share or shares of the corporation is
presented to the corporation or its proper agents with a request to register
transfer, the transfer shall be registered as requested if:
(1) An appropriate person signs on each certificate so presented or
signs on a separate document an assignment or transfer of shares
evidenced by each such certificate, or signs a power to assign or
transfer such shares, or when the signature of an appropriate
person is written without more on the back of each such
certificate; and
(2) Reasonable assurance is given that the indorsement of each
appropriate person is genuine and effective; the corporation or
its agents may refuse to register a transfer of shares unless the
signature of each appropriate person is guaranteed by a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or a
correspondent in the City of New York or by a firm having
membership in the New York Stock Exchange; and
(3) All applicable laws relating to the collection of transfer or
other taxes have been complied with; and
(4) The corporation or its agents are not otherwise required or
permitted to refuse to register such transfer.
Section 4.03. Transfer Agents and Registrars.
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The directors may appoint one or more agents to transfer or to register
shares of the corporation, or both.
Section 4.04. Lost, Wrongfully Taken or Destroyed Certificates.
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Except as otherwise provided by law, where the owner of a certificate
evidencing shares of the corporation claims that such certificate has been lost,
destroyed or wrongfully taken, the directors must cause the corporation to issue
a new certificate in place of the original certificate if the owner:
(1) So requests before the corporation has notice that such original
certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser; and
(2) Files with the corporation, unless waived by the directors, an
indemnity bond, with surety or sureties satisfactory to the
corporation, in such sums as the directors may, in their
discretion, deem reasonably sufficient as indemnity against any
loss or liability that the corporation may incur by reason of the
issuance of each such new certificate; and
(3) Satisfies any other reasonable requirements which may be imposed
by the directors, in their discretion.
ARTICLE FIVE
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
Section 5.01. Mandatory Indemnification.
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The corporation shall indemnify any officer or director of the
corporation 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 or investigative (including, without limitation, any
action threatened or instituted by or in the right of the corporation), by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation (domestic
or foreign, nonprofit or for profit), partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees,
filing fees, court reporters' fees and transcript costs), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner
he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. A person claiming
indemnification under this Section 5.01 shall be presumed, in respect of any act
or omission giving rise to such claim for indemnification, to have acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal matter, to have
had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, and the termination
of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction,
or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, rebut
such presumption.
Section 5.02. Court-Approved Indemnification.
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Anything contained in the Regulations or elsewhere to the contrary
notwithstanding:
(A) the corporation shall not indemnify any officer or director of
the corporation who was a party to any completed action or suit
instituted by or in the right of the corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or
was serving at the request of the corporation as a director,
trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation
(domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit), partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, in respect of any
claim, issue or matter asserted in such action or suit as to
which he shall have been adjudged to be liable for acting with
reckless disregard for the best interests of the corporation or
misconduct (other than negligence) in the performance of his duty
to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court
of Common Pleas of Washington County, Ohio or the court in which
such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application
that, despite such adjudication of liability, and in view of all
the circumstances of the case, he is fairly and reasonably
entitled to such indemnity as such Court of Common Pleas or such
other court shall deem proper; and
(B) the corporation shall promptly make any such unpaid
indemnification as is determined by a court to be proper as
contemplated by this Section 5.02.
Section 5.03. Indemnification for Expenses.
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Anything contained in the Regulations or elsewhere to the contrary
notwithstanding, to the extent that an officer or director of the corporation
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in Section 5.01, or in defense of any claim, issue or
matter therein, he shall be promptly indemnified by the corporation against
expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, filing fees, court
reporters' fees and transcript costs) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.
Section 5.04. Determination Required.
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Any indemnification required under Section 5.01 and not precluded under
Section 5.02 shall be made by the corporation only upon a determination that
such indemnification of the officer or director is proper in the circumstances
because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 5.01.
Such determination may be made only (A) by a majority vote of a quorum
consisting of directors of the corporation who were not and are not parties to,
or threatened with, any such action, suit or proceeding, or (B) if such a quorum
is not obtainable or if a majority of a quorum of disinterested directors so
directs, in a written opinion by independent legal counsel other than an
attorney, or a firm having associated with it an attorney, who has been retained
by or who has performed services for the corporation, or any person to be
indemnified, within the past five years, or (C) by the shareholders, or (D) by
the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Ohio or (if the corporation is a
party thereto) the court in which such action, suit or proceeding was brought,
if any; any such determination may be made by a court under division (D) of this
Section 5.04 at any time [including, without limitation, any time before, during
or after the time when any such determination may be requested of, be under
consideration by or have been denied or disregarded by the disinterested
directors under division (A) or by independent legal counsel under division (B)
or by the shareholders under division (C) of this Section 5.04]; and no failure
for any reason to make any such determination, and no decision for any reason to
deny any such determination, by the disinterested directors under division (A)
or by independent legal counsel under division (B) or by shareholders under
division (C) of this Section 5.04 shall be evidence in rebuttal of the
presumption recited in Section 5.01. Any determination made by the disinterested
directors under division (A) or by independent legal counsel under division (B)
of this Section 5.04 to make indemnification in respect of any claim, issue or
matter asserted in an action or suit threatened or brought by or in the right of
the corporation shall be promptly communicated to the person who threatened or
brought such action or suit, and within ten (10) days after receipt of such
notification such person shall have the right to petition the Court of Common
Pleas of Washington County, Ohio or the court in which such action or suit was
brought, if any, to review the reasonableness of such determination.
Section 5.05. Advances for Expenses.
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Expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, filing fees,
court reporters' fees and transcript costs) incurred in defending any action,
suit or proceeding referred to in Section 5.01 shall be paid by the corporation
in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding to or on
behalf of the officer or director promptly as such expenses are incurred by him,
but only if such officer or director shall first agree, in writing, to repay all
amounts so paid in respect of any claim, issue or other matter asserted in such
action, suit or proceeding in defense of which he shall not have been successful
on the merits or otherwise:
(A) if it shall ultimately be determined as provided in Section 5.04
that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as
provided under Section 5.01; or
(B) if, in respect of any claim, issue or other matter asserted by or
in the right of the corporation in such action or suit, he shall
have been adjudged to be liable for acting with reckless
disregard for the best interests of the corporation or misconduct
(other than negligence) in the performance of his duty to the
corporation, unless and only to the extent that the Court of
Common Pleas of Washington County, Ohio or the court in which
such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application
that, despite such adjudication of liability, and in view of all
the circumstances, he is fairly and reasonably entitled to all or
part of such indemnification.
Section 5.06. Article Five Not Exclusive.
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The indemnification provided by this Article Five shall not be
exclusive of, and shall be in addition to, any other rights to which any person
seeking indemnification may be entitled under the Articles or the Regulations or
any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise,
both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity
while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to
be an officer or director of the corporation and shall inure to the benefit of
the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.
Section 5.07. Insurance.
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The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar
protection, including but not limited to trust funds, letters of credit, or
self-insurance, on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of another
corporation (domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit), partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, 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 obligation or the power to
indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article Five.
Insurance may be purchased from or maintained with a person in which the
corporation has a financial interest.
Section 5.08. Certain Definitions.
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For purposes of this Article Five, and as examples and not by way of
limitation:
(A) A person claiming indemnification under this Article Five shall
be deemed to have been successful on the merits or otherwise in
defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section
5.01, or in defense of any claim, issue or other matter therein,
if such action, suit or proceeding shall be terminated as to such
person, with or without prejudice, without the entry of a
judgment or order against him, without a conviction of him,
without the imposition of a fine upon him and without his payment
or agreement to pay any amount in settlement thereof (whether or
not any such termination is based upon a judicial or other
determination of the lack of merit of the claims made against him
or otherwise results in a vindication of him); and
(B) References to an "other enterprise" shall include employee
benefit plans; references to a "fine" shall include any excise
taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit
plan; and references to "serving at the request of the
corporation" shall include any service as a director, officer,
employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or
involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent
with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or
beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the
participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall
be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation" within the meaning of that term as
used in this Article Five.
Section 5.09. Venue.
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Any action, suit or proceeding to determine a claim for indemnification
under this Article Five may be maintained by the person claiming such
indemnification, or by the corporation, in the Court of Common Pleas of
Washington County, Ohio. The corporation and (by claiming such indemnification)
each such person consent to the exercise of jurisdiction over its or his person
by the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Ohio in any such action, suit
or proceeding.
ARTICLE SIX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 6.01. Amendments.
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The Regulations may be amended, or new regulations may be adopted, at a
meeting of shareholders held for such purpose in accordance with the Articles of
the corporation, or without a meeting by the written consent of the holders of
shares entitling them to exercise not less than all of the voting power of the
corporation on such proposal.
Section 6.02. Action by Shareholders or Directors Without a Meeting.
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Anything contained in the Regulations to the contrary notwithstanding, except as
provided in Section 6.01, any action which may be authorized or taken at a
meeting of the shareholders or of the directors or of a committee of the
directors, as the case may be, may be authorized or taken without a meeting with
the affirmative vote or approval of, and in a writing or writings signed by, all
the shareholders who would be entitled to notice of a meeting of the
shareholders held for such purpose, or all the directors, or all the members of
such committee of the directors, respectively, which writings shall be filed
with or entered upon the records of the corporation. A telegram, cablegram,
electronic mail, or an electronic or other transmission capable of
authentication that appears to have been sent by a person described in this
Section 6.02 and that contains an affirmative vote or approval of that person is
a signed writing for the purposes of this Section 6.02. The date on which that
telegram, cablegram, electronic mail, or electronic or other transmission is
sent is the date on which the writing is signed.