EXHIBIT 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
LANDEC CORPORATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
LANDEC CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I - CORPORATE OFFICES..................................................................................1
1.1 PRINCIPAL OFFICE.............................................................................1
1.2 OTHER OFFICES................................................................................1
ARTICLE II - MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS..........................................................................1
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS............................................................................1
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING...............................................................................1
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING..............................................................................1
2.4 NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS.............................................................2
2.5 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE.................................................3
2.6 QUORUM.......................................................................................3
2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE....................................................................3
2.8 VOTING.......................................................................................4
2.9 CUMULATIVE VOTING............................................................................4
2.10 SHAREHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING......................................5
2.11 VALIDATION OF MEETINGS; WAIVER OF NOTICE; CONSENT............................................5
2.12 RECORD DATE FOR SHAREHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING...................................................5
2.13 PROXIES......................................................................................6
2.14 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION.......................................................................6
ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS........................................................................................7
3.1 POWERS.......................................................................................7
3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS..........................................................................7
3.3 ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS.....................................................8
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES....................................................................8
3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE....................................................10
3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS............................................................................10
3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE....................................................................10
3.8 QUORUM......................................................................................10
3.9 WAIVER OF NOTICE............................................................................11
3.10 ADJOURNMENT.................................................................................11
3.11 NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT.......................................................................11
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
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3.12 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING...........................................11
3.13 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS..........................................................12
3.14 APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS*..............................................................12
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES.......................................................................................12
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS.....................................................................12
4.2 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES...........................................................13
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS..........................................................................................13
5.1 OFFICERS....................................................................................13
5.2 ELECTION OF OFFICERS........................................................................14
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS........................................................................14
5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS.........................................................14
5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES........................................................................14
5.6 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.......................................................................14
5.7 PRESIDENT...................................................................................15
5.8 VICE PRESIDENTS.............................................................................15
5.9 SECRETARY...................................................................................15
5.10 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.....................................................................16
ARTICLE VI - INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND OTHER AGENTS..............................16
6.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS...................................................16
6.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS...................................................................16
6.3 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE..............................................................17
6.4 INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE.....................................................................17
6.5 INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION...................................................................17
6.6 CONFLICTS...................................................................................17
ARTICLE VII - RECORDS AND REPORTS.............................................................................18
7.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER................................................18
7.2 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS........................................................18
7.3 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER CORPORATE RECORDS.......................................19
7.4 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS.....................................................................19
7.5 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS; WAIVER.......................................................19
7.6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS........................................................................20
7.7 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS..............................................20
ARTICLE VIII - GENERAL MATTERS................................................................................21
8.1 RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING.......................................21
8.2 CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS...................................................21
8.3 CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS; HOW EXECUTED...........................................21
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
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8.4 CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES.....................................................................21
8.5 LOST CERTIFICATES...........................................................................22
8.6 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS...................................................................22
ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS.......................................................................................22
9.1 AMENDMENT BY SHAREHOLDERS...................................................................22
9.2 AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS......................................................................23
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AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
LANDEC CORPORATION
ARTICLE I
CORPORATE OFFICES
1.1 PRINCIPAL OFFICE
The board of directors shall fix the location of the principal
executive office of the corporation at any place within or outside the State of
California. If the principal executive office is located outside such state and
the corporation has one or more business offices in such state, then the board
of directors shall fix and designate a principal business office in the State of
California.
1.2 OTHER OFFICES
The board of directors may at any time establish branch or subordinate
offices at any place or places where the corporation is qualified to do
business.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS
Meetings of shareholders shall be held at any place within or outside
the State of California designated by the board of directors. In the absence of
any such designation, shareholders' meetings shall be held at the principal
executive office of the corporation.
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held each year on a date
and at a time designated by the board of directors. In the absence of such
designation, the annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on the third
Wednesday of March in each year at 10:00 a.m. However, if such day falls on a
legal holiday, then the meeting shall be held at the same time and place on the
next succeeding full business day. At the meeting, directors shall be elected,
and any other proper business may be transacted.
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of the shareholders may be called at any time by the
board of directors, or by the chairman of the board, or by the president, or by
one or more shareholders holding
shares in the aggregate entitled to cast not less than ten percent (10%) of the
votes at that meeting.
If a special meeting is called by any person or persons other than the
board of directors or the president or the chairman of the board, then the
request shall be in writing, specifying the time of such meeting and the general
nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and shall be delivered
personally or sent by registered mail or by telegraphic or other facsimile
transmission to the chairman of the board, the president, any vice president or
the secretary of the corporation. The officer receiving the request shall cause
notice to be promptly given to the shareholders entitled to vote, in accordance
with the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of these bylaws, that a meeting will
be held at the time requested by the person or persons calling the meeting, so
long as that time is not less than thirty-five (35) nor more than sixty (60)
days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within twenty
(20) days after receipt of the request, then the person or persons requesting
the meeting may give the notice. Nothing contained in this paragraph of this
Section 2.3 shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a
meeting of shareholders called by action of the board of directors may be held.
2.4 NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS
All notices of meetings of shareholders shall be sent or otherwise
given in accordance with Section 2.5 of these bylaws not less than ten (10) (or,
if sent by third-class mail pursuant to Section 2.5 of these bylaws, thirty
(30)) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. The notice
shall specify the place, date, and hour of the meeting and (i) in the case of a
special meeting, the general nature of the business to be transacted (no
business other than that specified in the notice may be transacted) or (ii) in
the case of the annual meeting, those matters which the board of directors, at
the time of giving the notice, intends to present for action by the shareholders
(but subject to the provisions of the next paragraph of this Section 2.4 any
proper matter may be presented at the meeting for such action). The notice of
any meeting at which directors are to be elected shall include the name of any
nominee or nominees who, at the time of the notice, the board intends to present
for election.
If action is proposed to be taken at any meeting for approval of (i) a
contract or transaction in which a director has a direct or indirect financial
interest, pursuant to Section 310 of the Corporations Code of California (the
"Code"), (ii) an amendment of the articles of incorporation, pursuant to Section
902 of the Code, (iii) a reorganization of the corporation, pursuant to Section
1201 of the Code, (iv) a voluntary dissolution of the corporation, pursuant to
Section 1900 of the Code, or (v) a distribution in dissolution other than in
accordance with the rights of outstanding preferred shares, pursuant to Section
2007 of the Code, then the notice shall also state the general nature of that
proposal.
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2.5 MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE
Written notice of any meeting of shareholders shall be given either (i)
personally or (ii) by first-class mail or (iii) by third-class mail but only if
the corporation has outstanding shares held of record by five hundred (500) or
more persons (determined as provided in Section 605 of the Code) on the record
date for the shareholders' meeting, or (iv) by telegraphic or other written
communication. Notices not personally delivered shall be sent charges prepaid
and shall be addressed to the shareholder at the address of that shareholder
appearing on the books of the corporation or given by the shareholder to the
corporation for the purpose of notice. If no such address appears on the
corporation's books or is given, notice shall be deemed to have been given if
sent to that shareholder by mail or telegraphic or other written communication
to the corporation's principal executive office, or if published at least once
in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where that office is
located. Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered
personally or deposited in the mail or sent by telegram or other means of
written communication.
If any notice addressed to a shareholder at the address of that
shareholder appearing on the books of the corporation is returned to the
corporation by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the
United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice to the shareholder
at that address, then all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been
duly given without further mailing if the same shall be available to the
shareholder on written demand of the shareholder at the principal executive
office of the corporation for a period of one (1) year from the date of the
giving of the notice.
An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any
shareholders' meeting, executed by the secretary, assistant secretary or any
transfer agent of the corporation giving the notice, shall be prima facie
evidence of the giving of such notice.
2.6 QUORUM
The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the
shares entitled to vote thereat constitutes a quorum for the transaction of
business at all meetings of shareholders. The shareholders present at a duly
called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to do business
until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to
leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is
approved by at least a majority of the shares required to constitute a quorum.
2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE
Any shareholders' meeting, annual or special, whether or not a quorum
is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of the majority of
the shares represented at that meeting,
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either in person or by proxy. In the absence of a quorum, no other business may
be transacted at that meeting except as provided in Section 2.6 of these bylaws.
When any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special, is
adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned
meeting if the time and place are announced at the meeting at which the
adjournment is taken. However, if a new record date for the adjourned meeting is
fixed or if the adjournment is for more than forty-five (45) days from the date
set for the original meeting, then notice of the adjourned meeting shall be
given. Notice of any such adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder
of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting in accordance with the
provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of these bylaws. At any adjourned meeting the
corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the
original meeting.
2.8 VOTING
The shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders shall
be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 of these bylaws,
subject to the provisions of Sections 702 through 704 of the Code (relating to
voting shares held by a fiduciary, in the name of a corporation or in joint
ownership).
The shareholders' vote may be by voice vote or by ballot; provided,
however, that any election for directors must be by ballot if demanded by any
shareholder at the meeting and before the voting has begun.
Except as may be otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation,
each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on
each matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders. Any shareholder entitled to
vote on any matter may vote part of the shares in favor of the proposal and
refrain from voting the remaining shares or, except when the matter is the
election of directors, may vote them against the proposal; but, if the
shareholder fails to specify the number of shares which the shareholder is
voting affirmatively, it will be conclusively presumed that the shareholder's
approving vote is with respect to all shares which the shareholder is entitled
to vote.
If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the
shares represented and voting at a duly held meeting (which shares voting
affirmatively also constitute at least a majority of the required quorum) shall
be the act of the shareholders, unless the vote of a greater number or a vote by
classes is required by the Code or by the articles of incorporation.
2.9 CUMULATIVE VOTING
Shareholders shall not be entitled to cumulate votes for the election
of directors of this corporation.
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This Article shall become effective only when the corporation becomes,
and only for so long as the corporation remains, a listed corporation within the
meaning of Section 301.5 of the California Corporations Code.
2.10 SHAREHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
No action shall be taken by the shareholders of the corporation other
than at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders, upon due notice and in
accordance with the other provisions of these Bylaws.
2.11 VALIDATION OF MEETINGS; WAIVER OF NOTICE; CONSENT
The transactions of any meeting of shareholders, either annual or
special, however called and noticed, and wherever held, shall be as valid as
though they had been taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice,
if a quorum be present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or
after the meeting, each person entitled to vote, who was not present in person
or by proxy, signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of the
meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. The waiver of notice or consent
or approval need not specify either the business to be transacted or the purpose
of any annual or special meeting of shareholders, except that if action is taken
or proposed to be taken for approval of any of those matters specified in the
second paragraph of Section 2.4 of these bylaws, the waiver of notice or consent
or approval shall state the general nature of the proposal. All such waivers,
consents, and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part
of the minutes of the meeting.
Attendance by a person at a meeting shall also constitute a waiver of
notice of and presence at that meeting, except when the person objects at the
beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened. Attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of
any right to object to the consideration of matters required by the Code to be
included in the notice of the meeting but not so included, if that objection is
expressly made at the meeting.
2.12 RECORD DATE FOR SHAREHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING
For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of any
meeting or to vote thereat, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record
date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days
before the date of any such meeting, and in such event only shareholders of
record on the date so fixed are entitled to notice and to vote, notwithstanding
any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record
date, except as otherwise provided in the Code.
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If the board of directors does not so fix a record date the record date
for determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
shareholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next
preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close
of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is
held; and
The record date for any other purpose shall be as provided in Article
VIII of these bylaws.
2.13 PROXIES
Every person entitled to vote for directors, or on any other matter,
shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents
authorized by a written proxy signed by the person and filed with the secretary
of the corporation. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the shareholder's name is
placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic
transmission or otherwise) by the shareholder or the shareholder's
attorney-in-fact. A validly executed proxy which does not state that it is
irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless (i) the person who
executed the proxy revokes it prior to the time of voting by delivering a
writing to the corporation stating that the proxy is revoked or by executing a
subsequent proxy and presenting it to the meeting or by voting in person at the
meeting, or (ii) written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker of that
proxy is received by the corporation before the vote pursuant to that proxy is
counted; provided, however, that no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of
eleven (11) months from the date of the proxy, unless otherwise provided in the
proxy. The dates contained on the forms of proxy presumptively determine the
order of execution, regardless of the postmark dates on the envelopes in which
they are mailed. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is
irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 705(e) and 705(f) of
the Code.
2.14 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION
Before any meeting of shareholders, the board of directors may appoint
an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment.
If no inspector of election is so appointed, then the chairman of the meeting
may, and on the request of any shareholder or a shareholder's proxy shall,
appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting. The number
of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three (3). If inspectors are appointed
at a meeting pursuant to the request of one (1) or more shareholders or proxies,
then the holders of a majority of shares or their proxies present at the meeting
shall determine whether one (1) or three (3) inspectors are to be appointed. If
any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act,
then the chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request of any shareholder or
a shareholder's proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.
Such inspectors shall:
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(a) determine the number of shares outstanding and the
voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the
existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies;
(b) receive votes, ballots or consents;
(c) hear and determine all challenges and questions in any
way arising in connection with the right to vote;
(d) count and tabulate all votes or consents;
(e) determine when the polls shall close;
(f) determine the result; and
(g) do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the
election or vote with fairness to all shareholders.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
3.1 POWERS
Subject to the provisions of the Code and any limitations in the
articles of incorporation and these bylaws relating to actions required to be
approved by the shareholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and
affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be
exercised by or under the direction of the board of directors.
3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
The number of directors of the corporation shall be not less than four
(4) nor more than seven (7). The exact number of directors shall be seven (7)
until changed, within the limits specified above, by a bylaw amending this
Section 3.2, duly adopted by the board of directors or by the shareholders. The
indefinite number of directors may be changed, or a definite number may be fixed
without provision for an indefinite number, by a duly adopted amendment to the
articles of incorporation or by an amendment to this bylaw duly adopted by the
vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote; provided, however, that an amendment reducing the fixed number
or the minimum number of directors to a number less than five (5) cannot be
adopted if the votes cast against its adoption at a meeting, or the shares not
consenting in the case of an action by written consent, are equal to more than
sixteen and two-thirds percent (16-2/3%) of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote thereon. No
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amendment may change the stated maximum number of authorized directors to a
number greater than two (2) times the stated minimum number of directors minus
one (1).
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the
effect of removing any director before that director's term of office expires.
3.3 ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors shall be divided into two classes, as nearly
equal in number as possible. The term of office of the first class shall expire
at the 1997 annual meeting of shareholders or any special meeting in lieu
thereof and the term of office of the second class shall expire at the 1998
annual meeting of shareholders or any special meeting in lieu thereof. At each
annual meeting of shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof following such
initial classification, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms
expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the second succeeding
annual meeting of shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof after their
election and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The
foregoing provisions shall become effective only when the corporation becomes a
listed corporation within the meaning of Section 301.5 of the California
Corporations Code. Directors need not be shareholders unless so required by the
articles of incorporation or these bylaws, wherein other qualifications for
directors may be prescribed.
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES
Any director may resign effective on giving written notice to the
chairman of the board, the president, the secretary or the board of directors,
unless the notice specifies a later time for that resignation to become
effective. If the resignation of a director is effective at a future time, the
board of directors may elect a successor to take office when the resignation
becomes effective.
Vacancies in the board of directors may be filled by a majority of the
remaining directors, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining
director; however, a vacancy created by the removal of a director by the vote of
the shareholders or by court order may be filled only by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the shares represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which
a quorum is present (which shares voting affirmatively also constitute a
majority of the required quorum). Each director so elected shall hold office for
a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders at which the term of
office of the class to which they have been elected expires, if applicable, and
if no such classes shall have been established, at the next annual meeting of
the shareholders and until a successor has been elected and qualified.
A vacancy or vacancies in the board of directors shall be deemed to
exist (i) in the event of the death, resignation or removal of any director,
(ii) if the board of directors by resolution declares vacant the office of a
director who has been declared of unsound mind by an order of
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court or convicted of a felony, (iii) if the authorized number of directors is
increased, or (iv) if the shareholders fail, at any meeting of shareholders at
which any director or directors are elected, to elect the number of directors to
be elected at that meeting.
The shareholders may elect a director or directors at any time to fill
any vacancy or vacancies not filled by the directors, but any such election
other than to fill a vacancy created by
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removal shall require the consent of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon.
3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE
Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held at any place
within or outside the State of California that has been designated from time to
time by resolution of the board. In the absence of such a designation, regular
meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.
Special meetings of the board may be held at any place within or outside the
State of California that has been designated in the notice of the meeting or, if
not stated in the notice or if there is no notice, at the principal executive
office of the corporation.
Any meeting, regular or special, may be held by conference telephone or
similar communication equipment, so long as all directors participating in the
meeting can hear one another; and all such directors shall be deemed to be
present in person at the meeting.
3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice
if the times of such meetings are fixed by the board of directors.
3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE
Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes
may be called at any time by the chairman of the board, the president, any vice
president, the secretary or any two directors.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered
personally or by telephone to each director or sent by first-class mail or
telegram, charges prepaid, addressed to each director at that director's address
as it is shown on the records of the corporation. If the notice is mailed, it
shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the
time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is delivered personally or by
telephone or telegram, it shall be delivered personally or by telephone or to
the telegraph company at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the
holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be
communicated either to the director or to a person at the office of the director
who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate
it to the director. The notice need not specify the purpose or the place of the
meeting, if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the
corporation.
3.8 QUORUM
A majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided in Section
3.10 of these bylaws. Every act
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or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a duly held
meeting at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the board
of directors, subject to the provisions of Section 310 of the Code (as to
approval of contracts or transactions in which a director has a direct or
indirect material financial interest), Section 311 of the Code (as to
appointment of committees), Section 317(e) of the Code (as to indemnification of
directors), the articles of incorporation, and other applicable law.
A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to
transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action
taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that
meeting.
3.9 WAIVER OF NOTICE
Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director (i) who signs a
waiver of notice or a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the
minutes thereof, whether before or after the meeting, or (ii) who attends the
meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of
notice to such director. All such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be
filed with the corporate records or made part of the minutes of the meeting. A
waiver of notice need not specify the purpose of any regular or special meeting
of the board of directors.
3.10 ADJOURNMENT
A majority of the directors present, whether or not constituting a
quorum, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.
3.11 NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT
Notice of the time and place of holding an adjourned meeting need not
be given unless the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours.
If the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours, then notice of
the time and place of the adjourned meeting shall be given before the adjourned
meeting takes place, in the manner specified in Section 3.7 of these bylaws, to
the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment.
3.12 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the board of directors
may be taken without a meeting, provided that all members of the board
individually or collectively consent in writing to that action. Such action by
written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the
board of directors. Such written consent and any counterparts thereof shall be
filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board.
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3.13 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors and members of committees may receive such compensation, if
any, for their services and such reimbursement of expenses as may be fixed or
determined by resolution of the board of directors. This Section 3.13 shall not
be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other
capacity as an officer, agent, employee or otherwise and receiving compensation
for those services.
3.14 APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS**
The corporation may, upon the approval of the board of directors alone,
make loans of money or property to, or guarantee the obligations of, any officer
of the corporation or its parent or subsidiary, whether or not a director, or
adopt an employee benefit plan or plans authorizing such loans or guaranties
provided that (i) the board of directors determines that such a loan or guaranty
or plan may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation, (ii) the
corporation has outstanding shares held of record by 100 or more persons
(determined as provided in Section 605 of the Code) on the date of approval by
the board of directors, and (iii) the approval of the board of directors is by a
vote sufficient without counting the vote of any interested director or
directors.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the
authorized number of directors, designate one (1) or more committees, each
consisting of two or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the board. The
board may designate one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any
committee, who may replace any absent member at any meeting of the committee.
The appointment of members or alternate members of a committee requires the vote
of a majority of the authorized number of directors. Any committee, to the
extent provided in the resolution of the board, shall have all the authority of
the board, except with respect to:
(a) the approval of any action which, under the Code, also
requires shareholders' approval or approval of the outstanding shares;
(b) the filling of vacancies on the board of directors or in
any committee;
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* This section is effective only if it has been approved by the shareholders
in accordance with Sections 315(b) and 152 of the Code.
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(c) the fixing of compensation of the directors for serving
on the board or any committee;
(d) the amendment or repeal of these bylaws or the adoption
of new bylaws;
(e) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the board
of directors which by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable;
(f) a distribution to the shareholders of the corporation,
except at a rate or in a periodic amount or within a price range determined by
the board of directors; or
(g) the appointment of any other committees of the board of
directors or the members of such committees.
4.2 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES
Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and
taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these bylaws, Section
3.5 (place of meetings), Section 3.6 (regular meetings), Section 3.7 (special
meetings and notice), Section 3.8 (quorum), Section 3.9 (waiver of notice),
Section 3.10 (adjournment), Section 3.11 (notice of adjournment), and Section
3.12 (action without meeting), with such changes in the context of those bylaws
as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the board of
directors and its members; provided, however, that the time of regular meetings
of committees may be determined either by resolution of the board of directors
or by resolution of the committee, that special meetings of committees may also
be called by resolution of the board of directors, and that notice of special
meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall
have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of directors
may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the
provisions of these bylaws.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
5.1 OFFICERS
The officers of the corporation shall be a president, a secretary, and
a chief financial officer. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of
the board of directors, a chairman of the board, one or more vice presidents,
one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, and such
other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section
5.3 of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
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5.2 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The officers of the corporation, except such officers as may be
appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 or Section 5.5 of
these bylaws, shall be chosen by the board, subject to the rights, if any, of an
officer under any contract of employment. Any contract of employment with an
officer shall be unenforceable unless in writing and specifically authorized by
the board of directors.
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS
The board of directors may appoint, or may empower the president to
appoint, such other officers as the business of the corporation may require,
each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform
such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the board of directors may
from time to time determine.
5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS
Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of
employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the
board of directors at any regular or special meeting of the board or, except in
case of an officer chosen by the board of directors, by any officer upon whom
such power of removal may be conferred by the board of directors.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of
that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise
specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the
rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a
party.
5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES
A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal,
disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in
these bylaws for regular appointments to that office.
5.6 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The chairman of the board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if
present, preside at meetings of the board of directors and exercise and perform
such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the
board of directors or as may be prescribed by these bylaws. If there is no
president, then the chairman of the board shall also be the chief executive
officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in
Section 5.7 of these bylaws.
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5.7 PRESIDENT
Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the
board of directors to the chairman of the board, if there be such an officer,
the president shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall,
subject to the control of the board of directors, have general supervision,
direction, and control of the business and the officers of the corporation. He
shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and, in the absence or
nonexistence of a chairman of the board, at all meetings of the board of
directors. He shall have the general powers and duties of management usually
vested in the office of president of a corporation, and shall have such other
powers and duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or these
bylaws.
5.8 VICE PRESIDENTS
In the absence or disability of the president, the vice presidents, if
any, in order of their rank as fixed by the board of directors or, if not
ranked, a vice president designated by the board of directors, shall perform all
the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and
be subject to all the restrictions upon, the president. The vice presidents
shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time
may be prescribed for them respectively by the board of directors, these bylaws,
the president or the chairman of the board.
5.9 SECRETARY
The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal
executive office of the corporation or such other place as the board of
directors may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of
directors, committees of directors and shareholders. The minutes shall show the
time and place of each meeting, whether regular or special (and, if special, how
authorized and the notice given), the names of those present at directors'
meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at
shareholders' meetings, and the proceedings thereof.
The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal
executive office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation's
transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the board of
directors, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of
all shareholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by
each, the number and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number
and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings
of the shareholders and of the board of directors required to be given by law or
by these bylaws. He shall keep the seal of the corporation, if one be adopted,
in safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties
as may be prescribed by the board of directors or by these bylaws.
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5.10 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The chief financial officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be
kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the
properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of
its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital,
retained earnings, and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable
times be open to inspection by any director.
The chief financial officer shall deposit all money and other valuables
in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositories as may
be designated by the board of directors. He shall disburse the funds of the
corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, shall render to the
president and directors, whenever they request it, an account of all of his
transactions as chief financial officer and of the financial condition of the
corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as
may be prescribed by the board of directors or these bylaws.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES,
AND OTHER AGENTS
6.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner
permitted by the Code, indemnify each of its directors and officers against
expenses (as defined in Section 317(a) of the Code), judgments, fines,
settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection
with any proceeding (as defined in Section 317(a) of the Code), arising by
reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the corporation. For
purposes of this Article VI, a "director" or "officer" of the corporation
includes any person (i) who is or was a director or officer of the corporation,
(ii) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or
officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, or (iii) who was a director or officer of a corporation which was a
predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the
request of such predecessor corporation.
6.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS
The corporation shall have the power, to the extent and in the manner
permitted by the Code, to indemnify each of its employees and agents (other than
directors and officers) against expenses (as defined in Section 317(a) of the
Code), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably
incurred in connection with any proceeding (as defined in Section 317(a) of the
Code), arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the
corporation. For purposes of this Article VI, an "employee" or "agent" of the
corporation
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(other than a director or officer) includes any person (i) who is or was an
employee or agent of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request
of the corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was an employee or agent
of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of
another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.
6.3 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE
Expenses incurred in defending any civil or criminal action or
proceeding for which indemnification is required pursuant to Section 6.1 or for
which indemnification is permitted pursuant to Section 6.2 following
authorization thereof by the Board of Directors shall be paid by the corporation
in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon receipt of
an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified party to repay such amount if
it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnified party is not entitled to
be indemnified as authorized in this Article VI.
6.4 INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE
The indemnification provided by this Article VI shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be
entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in an official capacity and as to
action in another capacity while holding such office, to the extent that such
additional rights to indemnification are authorized in the articles of
incorporation.
6.5 INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION
The corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance
on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation against any liability asserted against or incurred by such
person in such capacity or arising out of such person's status as such, whether
or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such
liability under the provisions of this Article VI.
6.6 CONFLICTS
No indemnification or advance shall be made under this Article VI,
except where such indemnification or advance is mandated by law or the order,
judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, in any circumstance
where it appears:
(1) That it would be inconsistent with a provision of the
articles of incorporation, these bylaws, a resolution of the shareholders or an
agreement in effect at the time of the accrual of the alleged cause of the
action asserted in the proceeding in which the expenses were incurred or other
amounts were paid, which prohibits or otherwise limits indemnification; or
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(2) That it would be inconsistent with any condition
expressly imposed by a court in approving a settlement.
ARTICLE VII
RECORDS AND REPORTS
7.1 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER
The corporation shall keep either at its principal executive office or
at the office of its transfer agent or registrar (if either be appointed), as
determined by resolution of the board of directors, a record of its shareholders
listing the names and addresses of all shareholders and the number and class of
shares held by each shareholder.
A shareholder or shareholders of the corporation who holds at least
five percent (5%) in the aggregate of the outstanding voting shares of the
corporation or who holds at least one percent (1%) of such voting shares and has
filed a Schedule 14B with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the
election of directors, may (i) inspect and copy the records of shareholders'
names, addresses, and shareholdings during usual business hours on five (5)
days' prior written demand on the corporation, (ii) obtain from the transfer
agent of the corporation, on written demand and on the tender of such transfer
agent's usual charges for such list, a list of the names and addresses of the
shareholders who are entitled to vote for the election of directors, and their
shareholdings, as of the most recent record date for which that list has been
compiled or as of a date specified by the shareholder after the date of demand.
Such list shall be made available to any such shareholder by the transfer agent
on or before the later of five (5) days after the demand is received or five (5)
days after the date specified in the demand as the date as of which the list is
to be compiled.
The record of shareholders shall also be open to inspection on the
written demand of any shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate, at
any time during usual business hours, for a purpose reasonably related to the
holder's interests as a shareholder or as the holder of a voting trust
certificate.
Any inspection and copying under this Section 7.1 may be made in person
or by an agent or attorney of the shareholder or holder of a voting trust
certificate making the demand.
7.2 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS
The corporation shall keep at its principal executive office or, if its
principal executive office is not in the State of California, at its principal
business office in California the original or a copy of these bylaws as amended
to date, which bylaws shall be open to inspection by the shareholders at all
reasonable times during office hours. If the principal executive office of the
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corporation is outside the State of California and the corporation has no
principal business office in such state, then the secretary shall, upon the
written request of any shareholder, furnish to that shareholder a copy of these
bylaws as amended to date.
7.3 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER CORPORATE RECORDS
The accounting books and records and the minutes of proceedings of the
shareholders, of the board of directors, and of any committee or committees of
the board of directors shall be kept at such place or places as are designated
by the board of directors or, in absence of such designation, at the principal
executive office of the corporation. The minutes shall be kept in written form,
and the accounting books and records shall be kept either in written form or in
any other form capable of being converted into written form.
The minutes and accounting books and records shall be open to
inspection upon the written demand of any shareholder or holder of a voting
trust certificate, at any reasonable time during usual business hours, for a
purpose reasonably related to the holder's interests as a shareholder or as the
holder of a voting trust certificate. The inspection may be made in person or by
an agent or attorney and shall include the right to copy and make extracts. Such
rights of inspection shall extend to the records of each subsidiary corporation
of the corporation.
7.4 INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS
Every director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to
inspect all books, records, and documents of every kind as well as the physical
properties of the corporation and each of its subsidiary corporations. Such
inspection by a director may be made in person or by an agent or attorney. The
right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts of documents.
7.5 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS; WAIVER
The board of directors shall cause an annual report to be sent to the
shareholders not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of the
fiscal year adopted by the corporation. Such report shall be sent at least
fifteen (15) days (or, if sent by third-class mail, thirty-five (35) days)
before the annual meeting of shareholders to be held during the next fiscal year
and in the manner specified in Section 2.5 of these bylaws for giving notice to
shareholders of the corporation.
The annual report shall contain (i) a balance sheet as of the end of
the fiscal year, (ii) an income statement, (iii) a statement of changes in
financial position for the fiscal year, and (iv) any report of independent
accountants or, if there is no such report, the certificate of an authorized
officer of the corporation that the statements were prepared without audit from
the books and records of the corporation.
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The foregoing requirement of an annual report shall be waived so long
as the shares of the corporation are held by fewer than one hundred (100)
holders of record.
7.6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
If no annual report for the fiscal year has been sent to shareholders,
then the corporation shall, upon the written request of any shareholder made
more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of such fiscal year,
deliver or mail to the person making the request, within thirty (30) days
thereafter, a copy of a balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year and an
income statement and statement of changes in financial position for such fiscal
year.
If a shareholder or shareholders holding at least five percent (5%) of
the outstanding shares of any class of stock of the corporation makes a written
request to the corporation for an income statement of the corporation for the
three-month, six-month or nine-month period of the then current fiscal year
ended more than thirty (30) days before the date of the request, and for a
balance sheet of the corporation as of the end of that period, then the chief
financial officer shall cause that statement to be prepared, if not already
prepared, and shall deliver personally or mail that statement or statements to
the person making the request within thirty (30) days after the receipt of the
request. If the corporation has not sent to the shareholders its annual report
for the last fiscal year, the statements referred to in the first paragraph of
this Section 7.6 shall likewise be delivered or mailed to the shareholder or
shareholders within thirty (30) days after the request.
The quarterly income statements and balance sheets referred to in this
section shall be accompanied by the report, if any, of any independent
accountants engaged by the corporation or by the certificate of an authorized
officer of the corporation that the financial statements were prepared without
audit from the books and records of the corporation.
7.7 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS
The chairman of the board, the president, any vice president, the chief
financial officer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this corporation, or
any other person authorized by the board of directors or the president or a vice
president, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this
corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation
or corporations standing in the name of this corporation. The authority herein
granted may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person
authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person
having the authority.
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ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL MATTERS
8.1 RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING
For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to receive
payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the
shareholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful
action (other than action by shareholders by written consent without a meeting),
the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be
more than sixty (60) days before any such action. In that case, only
shareholders of record at the close of business on the date so fixed are
entitled to receive the dividend, distribution or allotment of rights, or to
exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any
shares on the books of the corporation after the record date so fixed, except as
otherwise provided in the Code.
If the board of directors does not so fix a record date, then the
record date for determining shareholders for any such purpose shall be at the
close of business on the day on which the board adopts the applicable resolution
or the sixtieth (60th) day before the date of that action, whichever is later.
8.2 CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS
From time to time, the board of directors shall determine by resolution
which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for
payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in
the name of or payable to the corporation, and only the persons so authorized
shall sign or endorse those instruments.
8.3 CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS; HOW EXECUTED
The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws,
may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any
contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the
corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency
power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or
authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its
credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
8.4 CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES
A certificate or certificates for shares of the corporation shall be
issued to each shareholder when any of such shares are fully paid. The board of
directors may authorize the issuance of certificates for shares partly paid
provided that these certificates shall state the total
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amount of the consideration to be paid for them and the amount actually paid.
All certificates shall be signed in the name of the corporation by the chairman
of the board or the vice chairman of the board or the president or a vice
president and by the chief financial officer or an assistant treasurer or the
secretary or an assistant secretary, certifying the number of shares and the
class or series of shares owned by the shareholder. Any or all of the signatures
on the certificate may be facsimile.
In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or
whose facsimile signature has been placed on a certificate ceases to be that
officer, transfer agent or registrar before that certificate is issued, it may
be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if that person were an
officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
8.5 LOST CERTIFICATES
Except as provided in this Section 8.5, no new certificates for shares
shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is
surrendered to the corporation and canceled at the same time. The board of
directors may, in case any share certificate or certificate for any other
security is lost, stolen or destroyed, authorize the issuance of replacement
certificates on such terms and conditions as the board may require; the board
may require indemnification of the corporation secured by a bond or other
adequate security sufficient to protect the corporation against any claim that
may be made against it, including any expense or liability, on account of the
alleged loss, theft or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of the
replacement certificate.
8.6 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS
Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of
construction, and definitions in the Code shall govern the construction of these
bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number
includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term
"person" includes both a corporation and a natural person.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
9.1 AMENDMENT BY SHAREHOLDERS
New bylaws may be adopted or these bylaws may be amended or repealed by
the vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote;
provided, however, that if the articles of incorporation of the corporation set
forth the number of authorized directors of the corporation, then the authorized
number of directors may be changed only by an amendment of the articles of
incorporation.
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9.2 AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS
Subject to the rights of the shareholders as provided in Section 9.1 of
these bylaws, bylaws, other than a bylaw or an amendment of a bylaw changing the
authorized number of directors (except to fix the authorized number of directors
pursuant to a bylaw providing for a variable number of directors), may be
adopted, amended or repealed by the board of directors.
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