AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
OMEGA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.
As of May 30, 2002
BYLAWS
OF
OMEGA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.
AS AMENDED AND RESTATED
THROUGH MAY 30, 2002
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation
shall be established and maintained at the office of THE CORPORATION TRUST
INCORPORATED, 32 South Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, and said THE
CORPORATION TRUST INCORPORATED be the registered agent of this corporation in
charge thereof.
Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation may establish such other offices,
within or without the State of Maryland, at such place or places as the Board of
Directors from time to time may designate, or which the business of the
corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Annual Meetings. Annual meetings of stockholders for the
election of Directors and for such other business as may be stated in the notice
of the meeting, shall be held on a date and at a time designated by the Board of
Directors at such place, within or without the State of Maryland, as the Board
of Directors by resolution shall determine, and as set forth in the notice of
the meeting.
If the date of the annual meeting shall fall on a legal holiday of the
state in which the meeting is to be held, the meeting shall be held on the next
succeeding business day.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any
purpose or purposes, may be called by the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer,
the President, or by a majority of the Board of Directors. A special meeting of
the stockholders may also be called by the Secretary of the corporation upon the
written request of the holders of not less than 50% of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote on the business proposed to be transacted thereat, delivered to
the Secretary of the corporation. Such request shall state the purpose or
purposes of the proposed meeting, including the information required by clause
(B) of Section 7(a)(ii) of this Article II. Within three days of the receipt of
such request, the Secretary shall inform such stockholders of the reasonably
estimated cost of preparing and mailing the Notice of Meeting (as defined in
Section 3 below) and, upon payment to the corporation of such costs, the
Secretary shall prepare the Notice of Meeting and give notice to each
stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting. Unless requested by stockholders
entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such
meeting, a special meeting need not be called to consider any matter which is
substantially the same as a matter voted on at any meeting of stockholders held
during the 12 months preceding such request. A special meeting may be called for
the purpose of removing a Director as provided in Article VI, Section 3.
Section 3. Notice of Meetings. By or at the direction of the Secretary, the
corporation shall cause written or printed notice of every meeting (a "Notice of
Meeting"), stating the place, date and time of the meeting, and, in the case of
a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by statute, the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is called, to be given to each stockholder
entitled to vote thereat at his address as it appears on the records of the
corporation, either personally or by United States mail, postage prepaid, not
less than ten (10) nor more than ninety (90) days before the date of the
meeting. If mailed, the Notice of Meeting shall be deemed to be given when
deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at his or her
post office address as it appears on the records of the corporation, with
postage thereon prepaid. Subject to Section 7 of this Article II, any business
of the corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders
without being specifically designated in the Notice of Meeting, except such
business as is required by statute to be stated in such Notice of Meeting. No
business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as
specifically designated in the Notice of Meeting, provided that if the Board has
determined that Directors may or shall be elected at such special meeting as set
forth in such Notice of Meeting, certain stockholder nominations of persons for
election to the Board may be considered, provided the requirements of clause (b)
Section 7 of this Article II are satisfied.
Section 4. Voting. At each annual meeting the stockholders entitled to vote
shall elect a Board of Directors, and they may transact such other corporate
business as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting. The vote for
Directors, and, upon the demand of any stockholder, the vote upon any question
before the meeting, shall be by ballot. Unless otherwise provided by the
Articles of Incorporation or by the laws of the State of Maryland, all elections
of Directors shall be by a plurality of the votes cast, and all substantive
questions shall be decided by a majority vote; all procedural questions shall be
decided by the Chairman or Parliamentarian of the meeting.
The Directors may fix a day not more than sixty (60) days prior to the
holding of any such meeting as the date as of which stockholders entitled to
notice of and to vote at such meeting shall be determined; and only stockholders
of record on such day shall be entitled to notice of or to vote at any such
meeting.
Each stockholder entitled to vote, in accordance with the terms of the
Articles of Incorporation and the provisions of these Bylaws, shall be entitled
to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of stock entitled to vote
held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted after eleven (11) months
from its date unless such proxy provides for a longer period. There shall be no
cumulative voting. In no case shall any proxy be given for a period in excess of
ten (10) years from the date of its execution.
Section 5. Quorum. Any number of stockholders together holding a majority
of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, who shall be
present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting duly called, shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If, at any meeting, less
than a quorum shall be present or represented, those present, either in person
or by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time to a
date more than 120 days after the original record date, without notice other
than announcement at the meeting, until the requisite amount of stock shall be
present, at which time any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.
Section 6. Action Without Meeting. Except for the election of Directors,
any action to be taken by the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, if,
prior to such action, all stockholders entitled to vote thereon shall consent in
writing to such action being taken, and such consent shall be treated for all
purposes as vote at a meeting.
Section 7. Notice of Stockholder Business.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
(i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal
of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual
meeting of stockholders (A) pursuant to the Notice of Meeting, (B) by or at
the direction of the Board or (C) by any stockholder of the corporation who
was a stockholder of record at the time of giving the notice provided for
in this Section 7(a), who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who
complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 7(a).
(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before
an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (C) of paragraph (i)
of this Section 7(a), the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof
in writing to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder's notice shall be
delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the
corporation not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first
anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting; provided, however, that
if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or
delayed by more than 60 days from such anniversary date or if the
corporation has not previously held an annual meeting, notice by the
stockholder to be timely must be so delivered (x) not more than 90 days
prior to such annual meeting nor less than 60 days prior to such annual
meeting or (y) if later, not later than the close of business on the tenth
day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such
meeting is first made by the corporation. Such stockholder's notice shall
set forth (A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate
for election or reelection as a Director, all information relating to such
person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for
election of Directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to
Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") (including such person's written consent to being named in
the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if elected),
(B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before
the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought
before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting
and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and of the
beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, and (C) as
to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on
whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (1) the name and address
of such stockholder, as they appear on the corporation's books, and of such
beneficial owner, (2) the class and number of shares of stock of the
corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder
and such beneficial owner and, (3) in the case of a nomination, (x) a
description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder
and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their
names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such
stockholder, (y) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear
in person or by proxy at the meeting, if there is a meeting, to nominate
the persons named in its notice and (z) 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 election of Directors pursuant to Section 14
of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph
(ii) of this Section 7(a) to the contrary, if the number of Directors to be
elected to the Board is increased and there is no public announcement
naming all of the nominees for Director or specifying the size of the
increased Board made by the corporation at least 70 days prior to the first
anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting, a stockholder's notice
required by this Section 7(a) shall also be considered timely, but only
with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if
it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices
of the corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day
following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the
corporation.
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted
at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the
meeting pursuant to the Notice of Meeting. Nominations of persons for election
to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which Directors
are to be elected (i) pursuant to the Notice of Meeting, (ii) by or at the
direction of the Board or (iii) provided that the Board has determined that
Directors shall or may be elected at such special meeting, by any stockholder of
the corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the
Section 7(b) Notice (as defined below), who is entitled to vote at the meeting
and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 7(b). If
the corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of
electing one or more Directors to the Board, any such stockholder may nominate a
person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position as
specified in the Notice of Meeting, if a stockholder's notice containing the
information required by clauses (A) and (C) of the second sentence of paragraph
(ii) of Section 7(a) (a "Section 7(b) Notice") shall be delivered to the
Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation (A) not more
than 90 days prior to such meeting nor less than 60 days prior to such meeting
or (B) not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day
on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting and of the
nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting is first made by
the corporation.
(c) General.
(i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 7 shall be eligible to serve as
Directors. Only such business shall be conducted at an annual meeting of
stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance
with the procedures set forth in Section 7(a). The presiding officer of the
meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or
any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 7 and, if any
proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Section 7,
to declare that such nomination or proposal be disregarded.
(ii) For purposes of this Section 7, "public announcement" shall mean
disclosure by the corporation in a press release by the corporation
reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable news
service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7, a
stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law
and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with
respect to the matters set forth in this Section 7. Nothing in this Section
7 shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion
of, nor any rights of the corporation to omit, proposals in the
corporation's proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange
Act.
Section 8. Voting of Shares by Certain Holders. Shares of stock registered
in the name of a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, if entitled to
be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, a general partner,
director or trustee thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of
the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to
vote such shares pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the board of directors
of such corporation or governing body of such other entity presents a certified
copy of such bylaw or resolution, in which case such person may vote such shares
of stock. Any trustee or other fiduciary may vote shares of stock registered in
his or her name as such fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.
Shares of the corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be
voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of
outstanding shares of stock entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they
are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and
shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any
given time.
The Board may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may
certify in writing to the corporation that any shares of stock registered in the
name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other
than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders
who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be
made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if
the certification is with respect to a record date or closing of the share
transfer books, the time after the record date or closing of the stock transfer
books within which the certification must be received by the corporation; and
any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board considers
necessary or desirable. On receipt of such certification, the person specified
in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the
certification, the stockholder of record of the specified shares in place of the
stockholder who makes the certification.
Section 9. Inspectors. At any meeting of stockholders, the presiding
officer of the meeting may, and upon the request of any stockholder shall,
appoint one or more persons as inspectors for such meeting. Such inspectors
shall ascertain and report the number of shares of stock represented at the
meeting based on their determination of the validity and effect of proxies,
count all votes, report the results and perform such other acts as are proper to
conduct the election and voting with impartiality and fairness to all the
stockholders.
Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by him or by a
majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If
there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report
of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of
shares of stock represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall
be prima facie evidence thereof.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Number and Term. The number of Directors constituting the full
Board of Directors shall be not less than five (5) nor more than thirteen (13)
until changed by amendment of these Bylaws, subject, at all times, to the rights
of the holders of any class of the Corporation's preferred stock to elect
directors in certain circumstances pursuant to the express terms of such
preferred stock. The exact number of Directors within such range shall be fixed
from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors or the stockholders.
The Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders, and each
Director shall be elected to serve until his successor shall be elected and
shall have qualified. In no case shall the number of Directors be less than five
(5), unless changed by an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation.
The Board of Directors of this corporation shall be classified into three
groups, with two Directors in Group 1, three Directors in Group II, and two
Directors in Group III. Each Director in Group I initially shall serve for a
term ending at the annual meeting of stockholders in 1993; each Director in
Group II shall serve for an initial term ending at the annual meeting of
stockholders in 1994; and each Director in Group III shall serve for an initial
term ending at the annual meeting of stockholders in 1995. After the respective
initial terms of the groups indicated, each such group of Directors shall be
elected for successive terms ending at the annual meeting of stockholders the
third year after election.
Directors need not be stockholders.
Section 2. Quorum. A majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business. If, at any meeting of the Board, there shall be
less than a quorum present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting,
from time to time, until a quorum is obtained, and no further notice thereof
need be given other than by announcement at said meeting which shall be so
adjourned.
Section 3. First Meeting. The newly elected Directors may hold their first
meeting for the purpose of organization and the transaction of business, if a
quorum is present, immediately after the annual meeting of stockholders or the
time and place of such meeting may be fixed by written consent of the entire
Board.
Section 4. Election of Officers. At the first meeting, or at any subsequent
meeting called for that purpose, the Directors shall elect the officers of the
corporation, as more specifically set forth in Article V of these Bylaws. Such
officers shall hold office until the next annual election of officers, or until
their successors are elected and shall have qualified.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors
shall be held, without notice, at such places and times as shall be determined,
from time to time, by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may
be called by the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or by the
Secretary on four (4) days' notice to each Director. In case such notice is
delivered personally, or by telephone, facsimile or telegram, it shall be
delivered at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time of the holding of
the meeting.
Section 7. Place of Meetings. The Directors may hold their meetings, and
have one or more offices, and keep the books of the corporation outside the
State of Maryland at any office or offices of the corporation, or at any other
place as they from time to time by resolution may determine.
Section 8. Dispensing With Notice. The transactions of any meeting of the
Board of Directors, however called and noticed or wherever held, shall be as
valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice if a
quorum be present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the
Directors not present signs a written waiver of notice, a consent to holding the
meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. The waiver of notice or consent
need not specify the purpose of the meeting. All such waivers, consents and
approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the
minutes of the meeting. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Director
who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its
commencement, the lack of notice to such Director.
Section 9. Action Without Meeting. 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, prior to such action, a written consent thereto is
signed by all members of the Board or of such committee, as the case may be, and
such written consent is filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board
of Directors or committee.
Section 10. Telephonic Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board of Directors, or
any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting
of the Board of Directors, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or
similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in
the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall
constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 11. General Powers of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have
the management of the business of the corporation, and, subject to the
restrictions imposed by law exercise all the powers of the corporation. Each
Director shall be entitled to rely upon the books and records of the
corporation, and upon information, opinions, reports, or statements, including
financial statements and other financial data, prepared or presented by officers
or employees of the corporation believed to be reliable and competent in the
matters presented, or by counsel, independent accountants, or other persons as
to matters which the Board of Directors believes to be within such person's
professional or expert competence.
Section 12. Specific Powers of Directors. Without prejudice to such general
powers, it hereby is expressly declared that the Directors shall have the
following powers:
(1) To make and change regulations, not inconsistent with these Bylaws,
for the management of the business and affairs of the corporation.
(2) To purchase or otherwise acquire for the corporation any property,
rights or privileges which the corporation is authorized to acquire.
(3) To pay for any property purchased for the corporation, either wholly
or partly in money, stock, bonds, debentures or other securities of
the corporation.
(4) To borrow money and make and issue notes, bonds and other negotiable
and transferable instruments, mortgages, deeds of trust and trust
agreements, and to do every act and thing necessary to effectuate the
same.
(5) To remove any officer for cause, or any officer summarily, without
cause, and, in their discretion, from time to time to devolve the
powers and duties of any officer upon any other person for the time
being.
(6) To appoint and remove or suspend subordinate officers or agents as
they may deem necessary, and to determine their duties, and to fix and
from time to time to change their salaries or remuneration, and to
require security as and when they think fit.
(7) To confer upon any officer of the corporation the power to appoint,
remove and suspend subordinate officers and agents.
(8) To determine who shall be authorized, on behalf of the corporation, to
make and sign bills, notes, acceptances, endorsements, contracts and
other instruments.
(9) To determine who shall be entitled, in the name and on behalf of the
corporation, to vote upon or to assign and transfer any shares of
stock, bonds or other securities of other corporations held by this
corporation.
(10) To delegate any of the powers of the Board, in relation to the
ordinary business of the corporation, to any standing or special
committee, or to any officer or agent (with power to sub-delegate),
upon such terms as they deem fit.
(11) To call special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or
purposes.
(12) To appoint the accountants and attorneys for the corporation.
Section 13. Compensation. Directors shall receive a stated salary for their
services as Directors and, by resolution of the Board, a fixed fee and expenses
of attendance for attendance at each meeting. Directors may participate in
retirement plans, stock option and restricted stock plans and other employee
benefit plans of the Company which specifically permit participation by
directors.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Director from
serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, or
otherwise.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
Section 1. Appointments and Powers. The Board of Directors may, by
resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one
or more committees. The Board of Directors may designate one or more Directors
as alternate members of a committee who may replace any absent or disqualified
member at any meeting of the committee. Such alternate members shall, for
purposes of determining a quorum, be counted in the place of the absent or
disqualified member. The committee, to the extent provided in said resolution or
resolutions or in these Bylaws, shall have and may exercise the powers of the
Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the
corporation. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may
be stated in these Bylaws or as may be determined from time to time by
resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. For so long as Section 3.1 of the
Stockholders Agreement dated July 14, 2000 by and between the Company and
Explorer Holdings L.P. ("Explorer") shall remain in effect, each committee of
the Board of Directors will be comprised of that number of directors who were
designated to the Board of Directors (the "Explorer Directors") by Explorer
pursuant to the terms of the Investment Agreement dated as of May 11, 2000, by
and between the Company and Explorer, equal to the product (rounded to the
nearest whole number in accordance with established mathematical convention) of
the number of directors on such committee multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of Explorer Designees and the denominator of
which is the aggregate number of directors on the entire Board of Directors;
provided, however, that the number of Explorer Designees shall not constitute a
majority of the members of any committee unless the Explorer Designees also
constitute a majority of the members of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Minutes. Committees shall keep regular minutes of their
proceedings, and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.
Section 3. Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall select and engage in
behalf of the corporation, and fix the compensation of, a firm of certified
public accountants whose duty it shall be to audit the books and accounts of the
corporation and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year in which they are
appointed, and who shall report to such Committee. The Audit Committee shall
confer with the auditors and shall determine, and from time to time shall report
to the Board of Directors upon the scope of the auditing of the books and
accounts of the corporation and its subsidiaries. The Audit Committee shall also
be responsible for determining that the business practices and conduct of
employees and other representatives of the corporation and its subsidiaries
comply with the policies and procedures of the corporation. None of the members
of the Audit Committee shall be officers or employees of the corporation.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers. The officers shall be elected at the first meeting of
the Board of Directors after each annual meeting of stockholders. The Directors
shall elect a Chairman, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Secretary and
a Treasurer and one or more Vice Presidents as they may deem proper. Any person
may hold two or more offices.
The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it may
deem advisable, who shall hold office for such terms and shall exercise such
powers and perform such duties as shall from time to time be determined by the
Board of Directors.
Section 2. Chairman. The Chairman, if one be elected, shall preside at all
meetings of the Board of Directors and stockholders, and he shall have and
perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the
Board of Directors.
Section 3. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have
the general powers and duties of supervision and management usually vested in
the office of Chief Executive Officer of a corporation. He shall have general
supervision, direction and control of the business of the corporation. Except as
the Board of Directors shall authorize the execution thereof in some other
manner, he shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts on behalf of the
corporation.
Section 4. President. The President shall have the general powers and
duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of President
of a corporation. He shall have general supervision, direction and control of
the business of the corporation. Except as the Board of Directors shall
authorize the execution thereof in some other manner, he shall execute bonds,
mortgages and other contracts on behalf of the corporation.
Section 5. Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall have such powers and
shall perform such duties as are usually vested in the office of Vice President
of a corporation. Except as the Board of Directors shall authorize the execution
thereof in some other manner, he shall execute bonds, mortgages and other
contracts on behalf of the corporation.
Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given,
notice of all meetings of stockholders and Directors, and all other notices
required by law or by these Bylaws, and, in case of his absence or refusal or
neglect so to do, any such notice may be given by any person thereunto directed
by the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Board of
Directors, or the stockholders, upon whose requisition the meeting is called as
provided in these Bylaws. He shall record all proceedings of meetings of the
stockholders and of the Board of Directors in a book to be kept for that
purpose, and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the
Directors or the President.
Section 7. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate
funds and securities, and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and
disbursements in books belonging to the corporation. He shall deposit all monies
and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such
depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered
by the Board of Directors or the President, taking proper vouchers for such
disbursements. He shall render to the President and the Board of Directors, at
the regular meetings of the Board, or whenever they may request it, an
accounting of all his transactions as Treasurer, and of the financial condition
of the corporation.
If required by the Board of Directors, he shall give the corporation a bond
for the faithful discharge of his duties, in such amount and with such surety as
the Board shall prescribe.
Section 8. Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. Assistant
Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, if any, shall be appointed by the Board of
Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or Vice President and
shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to
them, respectively, by the Secretary and by the Treasurer.
Section 9. General Powers. In addition to the rights and duties set forth
in this Article V, the Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary or any
other officer of the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to take such
actions and to execute such documents on behalf of the corporation as may, from
time to time, be required.
ARTICLE VI
RESIGNATIONS; FILLING OF VACANCIES;
INCREASE IN NUMBER OF DIRECTORS;
REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
Section 1. Resignations. Any Director, member of a committee, or other
officer may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing, and
shall take effect at the time specified therein, and, if no time be specified,
at the time of its receipt by the Board of Directors, the President or the
Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it
effective.
Section 2. Filling of Vacancies. If the office of any officer, Director or
member of a committee becomes vacant (other than, in the case of a Director, as
a result of an increase in the number of Directors or the removal of a
Director), the remaining Directors in office, whether or not sufficient to
constitute a quorum, may appoint, by a majority vote of such remaining
Directors, any qualified person to fill such vacancy. Any vacancy occurring by
reason of an increase in the number of Directors may be filled by action of a
majority of the entire Board.
A Director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy pursuant to
this Section 2 serves until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until
his or her successor is elected and qualifies. An officer or member of a
committee elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy pursuant to this
Section 2 serves for the balance of the term of such officer or committee
member.
Section 3. Removal From Office. At a meeting of stockholders expressly
called for such purpose, any or all members of the Board of Directors may be
removed for cause by a vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of
the issued and outstanding capital stock entitled to vote thereon and said
stockholders may elect a successor or successors to fill any resulting
vacancies, for the unexpired terms of the removed Directors.
Any officer or agent, or member of a committee elected or appointed by the
Board of Directors, may be removed by said Board whenever, in its judgment, the
best interests of the corporation shall be served thereby.
ARTICLE VII
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 1. Certificates of Stock. Certificates of stock, numbered, and
signed by a member of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President or a Vice President, and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or
the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, shall be issued to each stockholder,
certifying to the number of shares owned by him in the corporation. Whenever any
certificate is countersigned, or otherwise authenticated by a transfer agent or
registrar, the signatures of such Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President,
Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer
may be facsimiles.
In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been
placed upon such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before such
certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect
as if he were such officer at the date of its issue.
Section 2. Lost Certificates. A new certificate of stock may be issued in
place of any certificate theretofore issued by the corporation and alleged to
have been lost or destroyed, and the Directors may, at their discretion, request
the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to
give the corporation a bond, in such sum as they may direct, but not exceeding
double the value of the stock, to indemnify the corporation against any claim
that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss of any such
certificate.
Section 3. Transfer of Shares. Subject to the restrictions that may be
contained in the Articles of Incorporation, the shares of stock of the
corporation shall be transferable only upon its books by the holders thereof in
person or by their duly authorized representatives.
Section 4. Dividends. Subject to the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation and the laws of the State of Maryland, the Board of Directors may,
at any regular or special meeting, declare dividends upon the capital stock of
the corporation, as and when they may deem expedient.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall end on the
31st day of December of each calendar year.
Section 2. Checks, Drafts, Notes. All checks, drafts, or other orders for
the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the
name of the corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or
agents of the corporation, and in such manner as from time to time shall be
determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Corporate Records. The corporation shall keep correct and
complete books of account and minutes of the proceedings of its stockholders and
Directors.
The corporation shall keep and maintain at its principal offices a
certified copy of its Articles of Incorporation and all amendments thereto, a
certified copy of its Bylaws and all amendments thereto, a stock ledger or
duplicate stock ledger, revised annually, containing the names, alphabetically,
arranged, of all stockholders, their residence addresses, and the number of
shares held by them, respectively. In lieu of the stock ledger or duplicate
stock ledger, a statement may be filed in the principal office stating the name
of the custodian of the stock ledger or duplicate stock ledger, and the present
and complete post office address (including street and number, if any) where
such stock ledger or duplicate stock ledger is kept.
The Directors shall take all reasonable steps to assure that a full and
correct annual statement of the affairs of the corporation is prepared annually,
including a balance sheet and a financial statement of operations for the
preceding fiscal year which shall be certified by independent certified public
accountants, and distributed to stockholders within 120 days after the close of
the corporation's fiscal year and a reasonable period of time prior to the
annual meeting of stockholders. The Directors shall also be responsible for
scheduling the annual meeting of stockholders.
Section 4. Notice and Waiver of Notice. Whenever, pursuant to the laws of
the State of Maryland or these Bylaws, any notice is required to be given,
personal notice is not meant unless expressly so stated, and any notice so
required shall be deemed to be sufficient if given by depositing the same in the
United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the person entitled thereto at
his address as it appears on the records of the corporation, and such notice
shall be deemed to have been given on the day of such mailing. Stockholders not
entitled to vote shall not be entitled to receive notice of any meetings except
as otherwise provided by statute.
Any notice required to be given may be waived, in writing, by the person or
persons entitled thereto, whether before or after the time stated therein.
Section 5. Inspectors. The Board of Directors may, in advance of any
meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at such meeting
or any adjournment thereof. If the inspectors shall not be so appointed or if
any of them shall fail to appear or act, the chairman of the meeting may, and on
the request of any stockholder entitled to vote thereat shall, appoint
inspectors. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties,
shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector at
such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability.
The inspectors shall determine the number of shares represented at the meeting,
the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive
votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions
arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes,
ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to
conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. On request of
the chairman of the meeting or any stockholder entitled to vote thereat, the
inspectors shall make a report in writing of any challenge, request or matter
determined by them and shall execute a certificate of any fact found by them. No
Director or candidate for the office of Director shall act as inspector of an
election of Directors. Inspectors need not be stockholders.
Section 6. Transactions with Officers and Directors. The corporation shall
not engage in any purchase, sale or lease of property or other business
transaction in which an officer or director of the corporation has a direct or
indirect material interest without the approval by resolution of a majority of
those directors who do not have an interest in such transaction.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
Section 1. Amendment by Stockholders. New Bylaws may be adopted or these
Bylaws may be amended or repealed by the vote or written consent of holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, provided, however, that any
provision of these Bylaws requiring a vote of greater than a majority may be
amended, repealed or modified only by a vote satisfying such higher voting
requirements.
Section 2. Amendment by Directors. Subject to the right of the stockholders
as provided in Section 1 of this Article IX to adopt, amend, or repeal Bylaws,
Bylaws may be adopted, amended, or repealed by the Board of Directors; provided,
however, that the Board of Directors may adopt an amendment of a Bylaw changing
the authorized number of directors only within the limits specified in the
Articles of Incorporation or in Section 1 of Article III of these Bylaws.
ARTICLE X
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 1. Indemnification. The corporation shall indemnify and hold
harmless, and shall pay expenses incurred by or satisfy a judgment or fine
levied against, each officer, director and other person, in the manner and to
the full extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of
Maryland.
Section 2. Provisions Not Exclusive. This Article shall not be construed as
a limitation upon the power of the corporation to enter into contracts or
undertakings of indemnity with a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, nor shall it be construed as a limitation upon any other rights to
which a person seeking indemnification may be entitled under any agreement, vote
of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to actions in
his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office.