EXHIBIT 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
AVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
A DELAWARE CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1
OFFICES
Section 1.1. Registered Office............................................1
Section 1.2. Other Offices................................................1
ARTICLE 2
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 2.1. Place of Meetings............................................1
Section 2.2. Annual Meeting...............................................1
Section 2.3. List of Stockholders.........................................1
Section 2.4. Special Meetings.............................................2
Section 2.5. Notice.......................................................2
Section 2.6. Quorum.......................................................2
Section 2.7. Voting.......................................................2
Section 2.8. Method of Voting.............................................2
Section 2.9. Record Date..................................................3
Section 2.10. Action by Consent............................................3
ARTICLE 3
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 3.1. Management...................................................3
Section 3.2. Qualification; Election; Term................................3
Section 3.3. Number.......................................................3
Section 3.4. Removal......................................................4
Section 3.5. Vacancies....................................................4
Section 3.6. Place of Meetings............................................4
Section 3.7. Annual Meeting...............................................4
Section 3.8. Regular Meetings.............................................4
Section 3.9. Special Meetings.............................................4
Section 3.10. Quorum.......................................................4
Section 3.11. Interested Directors.........................................5
Section 3.12. Committees...................................................5
Section 3.13. Action by Consent............................................5
Section 3.14. Compensation of Directors....................................5
ARTICLE 4
NOTICE
Section 4.1. Form of Notice...............................................6
Section 4.2. Waiver.......................................................6
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ARTICLE 5
OFFICERS AND AGENTS
Section 5.1. In General...................................................6
Section 5.2. Election.....................................................6
Section 5.3. Other Officers and Agents....................................6
Section 5.4. Compensation.................................................6
Section 5.5. Term of Office and Removal...................................6
Section 5.6. Employment and Other Contracts...............................7
Section 5.7. Chairman of the Board of Directors...........................7
Section 5.8. President....................................................7
Section 5.9. Vice Presidents..............................................7
Section 5.10. Secretary....................................................7
Section 5.11. Assistant Secretaries........................................8
Section 5.12. Treasurer....................................................8
Section 5.13. Assistant Treasurers.........................................8
Section 5.14. Bonding......................................................8
ARTICLE 6
CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING SHARES
Section 6.1. Form of Certificates.........................................8
Section 6.2. Lost Certificates............................................9
Section 6.3. Transfer of Shares...........................................9
Section 6.4. Registered Stockholders......................................9
ARTICLE 7
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 7.1. Actions, Suits or Proceedings Other Than by or in
the Right of the Corporation ................................9
Section 7.2. Actions or Suits by or in the Right of the Corporation......10
Section 7.3. Indemnification for Costs, Charges and Expenses of
Successful Party............................................10
Section 7.4. Determination of Right to Indemnification...................10
Section 7.5. Advance of Costs, Charges and Expenses......................10
Section 7.6. Procedure for Indemnification...............................11
Section 7.7. Other Rights; Continuation of Right to Indemnification......11
Section 7.8. Construction................................................12
Section 7.9. Savings Clause..............................................13
Section 7.10. Insurance...................................................13
ARTICLE 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 8.1. Dividends...................................................13
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Section 8.2. Reserves....................................................13
Section 8.3. Telephone and Similar Meetings..............................14
Section 8.4. Books and Records...........................................14
Section 8.5. Fiscal Year.................................................14
Section 8.6. Seal........................................................14
Section 8.7. Resignation.................................................14
Section 8.8. Amendment of Bylaws.........................................14
Section 8.9. Invalid Provisions..........................................14
Section 8.10. Relation to the Certificate of Incorporation................14
iii
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
AVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
ARTICLE 1
OFFICES
Section 1.1. REGISTERED OFFICE. The registered office and registered
agent of Avery Communications, Inc. (the "Corporation") will be as from time to
time set forth in the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation or in any
certificate filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and the
appropriate county Recorder or Recorders, as the case may be, to amend such
information.
Section 1.2. OTHER OFFICES. The Corporation may also have offices at
such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of
Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may
require.
ARTICLE 2
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 2.1. PLACE OF MEETINGS. All meetings of the stockholders for
the election of Directors will be held at such place, within or without the
State of Delaware, as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Meetings of stockholders for any other purpose may be held at such time and
place, within or without the State of Delaware, as may be stated in the notice
of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section 2.2. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of the stockholders will
be held at such time as may be determined by the Board of Directors, at which
meeting the stockholders will elect a Board of Directors, and transact such
other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.
Section 2.3. LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS. At least ten days before each
meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at
said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of and the number
of voting shares registered in the name of each, will be prepared by the officer
or agent having charge of the stock transfer books. Such list will be open to
the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting,
during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the
meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held,
which place will be specified in the notice of the meeting, or if not so
specified at the place where the meeting is to be held. Such list will be
produced and kept open at the time and place of the meeting during the whole
time thereof, and will be subject to the inspection of any stockholder who may
be present.
Section 2.4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the stockholders,
for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by law, the Certificate
of Incorporation or these Bylaws, may be called by the Chairman of the Board,
the President or the Board of Directors. Business transacted at all special
meetings will be confined to the purposes stated in the notice of the meeting
unless all stockholders entitled to vote are present and consent.
Section 2.5. NOTICE. Written or printed notice stating the place, day
and hour of any meeting of the stockholders and, in case of a special meeting,
the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, will be delivered not
less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting, either
personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the Chairman of the Board, the
President, the Secretary, or the officer or person calling the meeting, to each
stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If mailed, such notice
will be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail,
addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder's address as it appears on the
stock transfer books of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid.
Section 2.6. QUORUM. At all meetings of the stockholders, the presence
in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote will be necessary and sufficient to constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by law,
the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If, however, such quorum is
not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders
entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, will have
power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than
announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. If the
adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record
date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting will
be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. At such
adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may
be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally
notified.
Section 2.7. VOTING. When a quorum is present at any meeting of the
Corporation's stockholders, the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares
entitled to vote on, and voted for or against, any matter will decide any
questions brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which, by
express provision of law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a
different vote is required, in which case such express provision will govern and
control the decision of such question. The stockholders present in person or by
proxy at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until
adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less
than a quorum.
Section 2.8. METHOD OF VOTING. Each outstanding share of the
Corporation's capital stock, regardless of class, will be entitled to one vote
on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders, except to the
extent that the voting rights of the shares of any class or classes are limited
or denied by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time. At
any meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder having the right to vote will
be entitled to vote in person, or by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing
subscribed by such stockholder and bearing a date not more than three years
prior to such meeting, unless such instrument provides for a longer period. Each
proxy will be revocable unless expressly provided therein to be irrevocable and
if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in
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law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless
of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock
itself or an interest in the Corporation generally. Such proxy will be filed
with the Secretary of the Corporation prior to or at the time of the meeting.
Voting on any question or in any election, other than for directors, may be by
voice vote or show of hands unless the presiding officer orders, or any
stockholder demands, that voting be by written ballot.
Section 2.9. RECORD DATE. The Board of Directors may fix in advance a
record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or
to vote at a meeting of stockholders, which record date will not precede the
date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of
Directors, and which record date will not be less than ten nor more than sixty
days prior to such meeting. In the absence of any action by the Board of
Directors, the close of business on the date next preceding the day on which the
notice is given will be the record date, or, if notice is waived, the close of
business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held will be
the record date.
Section 2.10. ACTION BY CONSENT. Any action required or permitted by
law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws to be taken at a meeting
of the stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting if a
consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by
the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of
votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at
which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and will be
delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware,
its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having
custody of the minute book.
ARTICLE 3
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 3.1. MANAGEMENT. The business and affairs of the Corporation
will be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors who may
exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and
things as are not by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws
directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 3.2. QUALIFICATION; ELECTION; TERM. None of the Directors need
be a stockholder of the Corporation or a resident of the State of Delaware. The
Directors will be elected by plurality vote at the annual meeting of the
stockholders, except as hereinafter provided, and each Director elected shall
hold office until such Director's successor is elected and qualified or until
such Director's earlier resignation, removal or death.
Section 3.3. NUMBER. Until such date as the Corporation shall have more
than one stockholder of record, the number of Directors constituting the whole
Board of Directors of the Corporation will be at least one (1) and not more than
nine (9). The number of Directors constituting the whole Board of Directors of
the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in a
resolution adopted by vote of a majority of the then authorized number of
Directors, or if no such designation has been made, the number of Directors
constituting the whole Board of Directors shall be the same as the number of
Directors of the initial Board of Directors as set forth in the Corporation's
Certificate of Incorporation. Effective on such date as the Corporation shall
have more than one stockholder of record, the number of Directors constituting
the whole Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be not less than three (3)
nor more than nine (9), and the number of Directors constituting the whole Board
of Directors
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of the Corporation shall, within such range, be fixed from time to time by the
Board of Directors in a resolution adopted by vote of a majority of the then
authorized number of Directors.
Section 3.4. REMOVAL. Any Director may be removed either for or without
cause, at any special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of a
majority in number of shares of the stockholders present in person or
represented by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote for the election of
such Director; provided that notice of the intention to act upon such matter has
been given in the notice calling such meeting.
Section 3.5. VACANCIES. Newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of Directors and any vacancies occurring in
the Board of Directors caused by death, resignation, retirement,
disqualification or removal from office of any Directors or otherwise, may be
filled by the vote of a majority of the Directors then in office, though less
than a quorum, or a successor or successors may be chosen at a special meeting
of the stockholders called for that purpose, and each successor Director so
chosen will hold office until the next election of the class for which such
Director has been chosen or until such Director's successor is elected and
qualified or until such Director's earlier resignation, removal or death.
Section 3.6. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of the Board of Directors,
regular or special, may be held at such place within or without the State of
Delaware as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 3.7. ANNUAL MEETING. The first meeting of each newly elected
Board of Directors will be held without further notice immediately following the
annual meeting of stockholders and at the same place, unless by unanimous
consent, the Directors then elected and serving change such time or place.
Section 3.8. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board of
Directors may be held without notice at such time and place as is from time to
time determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 3.9. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of
Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board or the President on oral or
written notice to each Director, given either personally, by telephone, by
telegram or by mail; special meetings will be called by the Chairman of the
Board, President or Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written
request of at least two Directors. The purpose or purposes of any special
meeting will be specified in the notice relating thereto.
Section 3.10. QUORUM. At all meetings of the Board of Directors the
presence of a majority of the number of Directors fixed by these Bylaws will be
necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business,
and the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Directors present at any
meeting at which there is a quorum will be the act of the Board
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of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum is not present at any
meeting of the Board of Directors, the Directors present thereat may adjourn the
meeting from time to time without notice other than announcement at the meeting,
until a quorum is present.
Section 3.11. INTERESTED DIRECTORS. No contract or transaction between
the Corporation and one or more of its Directors or officers, or between the
Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association or other
organization in which one or more of the Corporation's Directors or officers are
directors or officers or have a financial interest, will be void or voidable
solely for this reason, solely because the Director or officer is present at or
participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof that
authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because the Director's or
Directors' votes are counted for such purpose, if: (i) the material facts as to
the relationship or interest of the Director or officer and as to the contract
or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the
committee, and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the
contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
disinterested Directors, even though the disinterested Directors be less than a
quorum, (ii) the material facts as to the relationship or interest of the
Director or officer and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are
known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or
transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders
or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the
time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the Board of Directors, a
committee thereof or the stockholders. Common or interested directors may be
counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of
Directors or of a committee that authorizes the contract or transaction.
Section 3.12. COMMITTEES. The Board of Directors may, by resolution
passed by a majority of the entire Board, designate committees, each committee
to consist of two or more Directors of the Corporation, which committees will
have such power and authority and will perform such functions as may be provided
in such resolution. Such committee or committees will have such name or names as
may be designated by the Board and will keep regular minutes of their
proceedings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.
Section 3.13. ACTION BY CONSENT. Any action required or permitted to be
taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of
Directors may be taken without such a meeting if a consent or consents in
writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by all the members of the
Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be.
Section 3.14. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. Directors will receive such
compensation for their services and reimbursement for their expenses as the
Board of Directors, by resolution, may establish; provided that nothing herein
contained will be construed to preclude any Director from serving the
Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
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ARTICLE 4
NOTICE
Section 4.1. FORM OF NOTICE. Whenever by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or of these Bylaws, notice is to be given to any Director or
stockholder, and no provision is made as to how such notice will be given, such
notice may be given in writing, by mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such
Director or stockholder at such address as appears on the books of the
Corporation. Any notice required or permitted to be given by mail will be deemed
to be given at the time the same is deposited in the United States mails.
Section 4.2. WAIVER. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any
stockholder or Director of the Corporation as required by law, the Certificate
of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the
person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time
stated in such notice, will be equivalent to the giving of such notice.
Attendance of a stockholder or Director at a meeting will constitute a waiver of
notice of such meeting, except where such stockholder or Director attends for
the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the
transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully
called or convened.
ARTICLE 5
OFFICERS AND AGENTS
Section 5.1. IN GENERAL. The officers of the Corporation shall consist
of a President, one or more Vice Presidents (who shall have such additional
titles or designations, if any, as may be determined by the Board of Directors),
a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also elect a Chairman of
the Board, Assistant Vice Presidents and one or more Assistant Secretaries and
Assistant Treasurers. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. In
its discretion, the Board of Directors may leave unfilled any office except
those of President and Secretary.
Section 5.2. ELECTION. The Board of Directors shall elect the officers
of the Corporation, none of whom need be a member of the Board of Directors.
Section 5.3. OTHER OFFICERS AND AGENTS. The Board of Directors may also
elect and appoint such other officers and agents as it deems necessary, who will
be elected and appointed for such terms and will exercise such powers and
perform such duties as may be determined from time to time by the Board.
Section 5.4. COMPENSATION. The compensation of all officers and agents
of the Corporation will be fixed by the Board of Directors or any committee of
the Board, if so authorized by the Board.
Section 5.5. TERM OF OFFICE AND REMOVAL. Each officer of the
Corporation shall hold such person's office until such person's successor is
elected and qualified or until such person's earlier resignation, removal or
death. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may
be removed at any time, for or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the entire Board of Directors, but such removal will not prejudice
the contract rights,
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if any, of the person so removed. If the office of any officer becomes vacant
for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.6. EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER CONTRACTS. The Board of Directors may
authorize any officer or officers or agent or agents to enter into any contract
or execute and deliver any instrument in the name or on behalf of the
Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific
instances. The Board of Directors may, when it believes the interest of the
Corporation will best be served thereby, authorize executive employment
contracts that will have terms no longer than ten years and contain such other
terms and conditions as the Board of Directors deems appropriate. Nothing herein
will limit the authority of the Board of Directors to authorize employment
contracts for shorter terms.
Section 5.7. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. If the Board of
Directors has elected a Chairman of the Board, the Chairman of the Board will
preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The
Chairman of the Board will have such other powers and perform such other duties
as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
Section 5.8. PRESIDENT. The President will be the chief executive
officer of the Corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of
Directors, will supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the
Corporation. The President will, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board and
the Chief Executive Officer, preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the
Board of Directors. The President will have all powers and perform all duties
incident to the office of President and will have such other powers and perform
such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
Section 5.9. VICE PRESIDENTS. Vice Presidents may be designated as
"Executive," "Senior" or as otherwise prescribed by the Board of Directors or
any committee thereof. Each Vice President will have the usual and customary
powers and perform the usual and customary duties incident to the office of Vice
President, and will have such other powers and perform such other duties as the
Board of Directors or any committee thereof may from time to time prescribe or
as the President may from time to time delegate to him. In the absence or
disability of the President and the Chairman of the Board, a Vice President
designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation the
Vice Presidents in the order of their seniority in office, will exercise the
powers and perform the duties of the President.
Section 5.10. SECRETARY. The Secretary will attend all meetings of the
stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book
to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary will perform like duties for the
Board of Directors and committees thereof when required. The Secretary will
give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and
special meetings of the Board of Directors. The Secretary will keep in safe
custody the seal of the Corporation. The Secretary will be under the supervision
of the President. The Secretary will have such other powers and perform such
other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe or as the
President may from time to time delegate to the Secretary.
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Section 5.11. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES. The Assistant Secretaries in the
order of their seniority in office, unless otherwise determined by the Board of
Directors, will, in the absence or disability of the Secretary, exercise the
powers and perform the duties of the Secretary. They will have such
other powers
and perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time
prescribe or as the President may from time to time delegate to them.
Section 5.12. TREASURER. The Treasurer will have responsibility for the
receipt and disbursement of all corporate funds and securities, will keep full
and accurate accounts of such receipts and disbursements, and will deposit or
cause to be deposited all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to
the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the
Board of Directors. The Treasurer will render to the Directors whenever they may
require it an account of the operating results and financial condition of the
Corporation, and will have such other powers and perform such other duties as
the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe or as the President may
from time to time delegate to the Treasurer.
Section 5.13. ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The Assistant Treasurers in the
order of their seniority in office, unless otherwise determined by the Board of
Directors, will, in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, exercise the
powers and perform the duties of the Treasurer. They will have such other powers
and perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time
prescribe or as the President may from time to time delegate to them.
Section 5.14. BONDING. The Corporation may secure a bond to protect the
Corporation from loss in the event of defalcation by any of the officers, which
bond may be in such form and amount and with such surety as the Board of
Directors may deem appropriate.
ARTICLE 6
CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING SHARES
Section 6.1. FORM OF CERTIFICATES. Certificates, in such form as may be
determined by the Board of Directors, representing shares to which stockholders
are entitled will be delivered to each stockholder. Such certificates will be
consecutively numbered and will be entered in the stock book of the Corporation
as they are issued. Each certificate will state on the face thereof the holder's
name, the number, class of shares, and the par value of such shares or a
statement that such shares are without par value. They will be signed by the
President or a Vice President and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and
may be sealed with the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof. If any
certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent, or an assistant transfer agent
or registered by a registrar, either of which is other than the Corporation or
an employee of the Corporation, the signatures of the Corporation's officers may
be facsimiles. In case any officer or officers who have signed, or whose
facsimile signature or signatures have been used on such certificate or
certificates, ceases to be such officer or officers of the Corporation, whether
because of death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or
certificates have been delivered by the Corporation or its agents, such
certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the Corporation and
be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed such
certificate or certificates or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been
used thereon had not ceased to be such officer or officers of the Corporation.
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Section 6.2. LOST CERTIFICATES. The Board of Directors may direct that
a new certificate be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by
the Corporation alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the making of an
affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost or
destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the Board of
Directors, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance
thereof, may require the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate, or such
owner's legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it may
require and/or to give the Corporation a bond, in such form, in such sum, and
with such surety or sureties as it may direct as indemnity against any claim
that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged
to have been lost or destroyed. When a certificate has been lost, apparently
destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the holder of record fails to notify the
Corporation within a reasonable time after such holder has notice of it, and the
Corporation registers a transfer of the shares represented by the certificate
before receiving such notification, the holder of record is precluded from
making any claim against the Corporation for the transfer of a new certificate.
Section 6.3. TRANSFER OF SHARES. Shares of stock will be transferable
only on the books of the Corporation by the holder thereof in person or by such
holder's duly authorized attorney. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the
transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate representing shares duly
endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or
authority to transfer, it will be the duty of the Corporation or the transfer
agent of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled
thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
Section 6.4. REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS. The Corporation will be entitled
to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in
fact thereof and, accordingly, will not be bound to recognize any equitable or
other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other
person, whether or not it has express or other notice thereof, except as
otherwise provided by law.
ARTICLE 7
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 7.1. ACTIONS, SUITS OR PROCEEDINGS OTHER THAN BY OR IN THE
RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION. The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or
is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by
reason of the fact that such person is or was or has agreed to become a
Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving or
has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a Director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or
omitted in such capacity, against costs, charges, expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by such person or on such person's behalf in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if such person acted in
good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person's
conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by
judgment,
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order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not
meet the standards of conduct set forth in this Section 7.1.
Section 7.2. ACTIONS OR SUITS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION.
The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that such person is or was or has agreed to become a
Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving or
has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a Director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or
omitted in such capacity, against costs, charges and expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person or on such
person's behalf in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or
suit and any appeal therefrom, if such person acted in good faith and in a
manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been
adjudged to be liable for gross negligence or misconduct in the performance of
such person's duty to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the
Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was
brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of such
liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such costs, charges and expenses
which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Section 7.3. INDEMNIFICATION FOR COSTS, CHARGES AND EXPENSES OF
SUCCESSFUL PARTY. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article 7, to
the extent that a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation has
been successful on the merits or otherwise, including, without limitation, the
dismissal of an action without prejudice, in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 of this Article 7, or in the
defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified
against all costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by such person or on such person's behalf in connection
therewith.
Section 7.4. DETERMINATION OF RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. Any
indemnification under Sections 7.1 and 7.2 of this Article 7 (unless ordered by
a court) shall be paid by the Corporation unless a determination is made (i) by
the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Directors
who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) if such a
quorum is not obtainable, or even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested
Directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or
(iii) by the stockholders, that indemnification of the Director, officer,
employee or agent is not proper in the circumstances because such person has not
met the applicable standards of conduct set forth in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 of
this Article 7.
Section 7.5. ADVANCE OF COSTS, CHARGES AND EXPENSES. Costs, charges and
expenses (including attorneys, fees) incurred by a person referred to in
Sections 7.1 and 7.2 of this Article 7 in defending a civil or criminal action,
suit or proceeding (including investigations by any government agency and all
costs, charges and expenses incurred in preparing for any
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threatened action, suit or proceeding) shall be paid by the Corporation in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding; provided,
however, that the payment of such costs, charges and expenses incurred by a
Director or officer in such person's capacity as a Director or officer (and not
in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a
Director or officer) in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or
proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
the Director or officer to repay all amounts so advanced in the event that it
shall ultimately be determined that such Director or officer is not entitled to
be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article 7. No security
shall be required for such undertaking and such undertaking shall be accepted
without reference to the recipient's financial ability to make repayment. The
repayment of such charges and expenses incurred by other employees and agents of
the Corporation which are paid by the Corporation in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as permitted by this Section may
be required upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors
deems appropriate. The Board of Directors may, in the manner set forth above,
and subject to the approval of such Director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation, authorize the Corporation's counsel to represent such person, in
any action, suit or proceeding, whether or not the Corporation is a party to
such action, suit or proceeding.
Section 7.6. PROCEDURE FOR INDEMNIFICATION. Any indemnification under
Sections 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3 or advance of costs, charges and expenses under Section
7.5 of this Article 7 shall be made promptly, and in any event within 30 days,
upon the written request of the Director, officer, employee or agent directed to
the Secretary of the Corporation. The right to indemnification or advances as
granted by this Article 7 shall be enforceable by the Director, officer,
employee or agent in any court of competent jurisdiction if the Corporation
denies such request, in whole or in part, or if no disposition thereof is made
within 30 days. Such person's costs and expenses incurred in connection with
successfully establishing such person's right to indemnification or advances, in
whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the
Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action
brought to enforce a claim for the advance of costs, charges and expenses under
Section 7.5 of this Article 7 where the required undertaking, if any, has been
received by the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standard of
conduct set forth in Sections 7.1 or 7.2 of this Article 7, but the burden of
proving that such standard of conduct has not been met shall be on the
Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of
Directors, its independent legal counsel, and its stockholders) to have made a
determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of
the claimant is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 of this Article
7, nor the fact that there has been an actual determination by the Corporation
(including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel, and its
stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct,
shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has
not met the applicable standard of conduct.
Section 7.7. OTHER RIGHTS; CONTINUATION OF RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION.
The indemnification provided by this Article 7 shall not be deemed exclusive of
any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification may be entitled under
any law (common or statutory), agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
Directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person's official capacity and
as to action in another capacity while holding office or while employed by or
acting as agent for the Corporation, and shall continue as to a person who has
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ceased to be a Director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the
benefit of the estate, heirs, executors and administrators of such person. All
rights to indemnification under this Article 7 shall be deemed to be a contract
between the Corporation and each Director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this Article
7 is in effect. No amendment or repeal of this Article 7 or of any relevant
provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law or any other applicable laws
shall adversely affect or deny to any Director, officer, employee or agent any
rights to indemnification which such person may have, or change or release any
obligations of the Corporation, under this Article 7 with respect to any costs,
charges, expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, and amounts
paid in settlement which arise out of an action, suit or proceeding based in
whole or substantial part on any act or failure to act, actual or alleged, which
takes place before or while this Article 7 is in effect. The provisions of this
Section7.7 shall apply to any such action, suit or proceeding whenever
commenced, including any such action, suit or proceeding commenced after any
amendment or repeal of this Article 7.
Section 7.8. CONSTRUCTION. For purposes of this Article 7:
(i) "the Corporation" shall include any constituent
corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a
consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued,
would have had power and authority to indemnify its Directors,
officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a
Director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation,
or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as
a Director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in
the same position under the provisions of this Article 7 with respect
to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have
with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence
had continued;
(ii) "other enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans,
including, but not limited to, any employee benefit plan of the
Corporation;
(iii) "serving at the request of the Corporation" shall
include any service which imposes duties on, or involves services by, a
Director, officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation with respect
to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries,
including acting as a fiduciary thereof;
(iv) "fines" shall include any penalties and any excise or
similar taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit
plan;
(v) A person who acted in good faith and in a manner such
person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants
and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have
acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the
Corporation" as referred to in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 of this Article 7;
(vi) Service as a partner, trustee or member of management or
similar committee of a partnership or joint venture, or as a Director,
officer, employee or agent of a corporation which is a partner, trustee
or joint venturer, shall be considered service
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as a Director, officer, employee or agent of the partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise.
Section 7.9. SAVINGS CLAUSE. If this Article 7 or any portion hereof
shall be invalidated on any ground by a court of competent jurisdiction, then
the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each Director, officer, employee
and agent of the Corporation as to costs, charges and expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect
to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, including an action by or in the right of the Corporation, to the
full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article 7 that shall not
have been invalidated and to the full extent permitted by applicable law.
Section 7.10. INSURANCE. The Corporation shall purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a
Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of the Corporation as a Director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person
or on such person's behalf in any such capacity, or arising out of such person's
status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify
such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article 7,
provided that such insurance is available on acceptable terms as determined by a
vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 8.1. DIVIDENDS. Dividends upon the outstanding shares of the
Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if
any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special
meeting. Dividends may be declared and paid in cash, in property, or in shares
of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware and the Certificate of Incorporation. The Board of
Directors may fix in advance a record date for the purpose of determining
stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, such record date will
not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is
adopted, and such record date will not be more than sixty days prior to the
payment date of such dividend. In the absence of any action by the Board of
Directors, the close of business on the date upon which the Board of Directors
adopts the resolution declaring such dividend will be the record date.
Section 8.2. RESERVES. There may be created by resolution of the Board
of Directors out of the surplus of the Corporation such reserve or reserves as
the Directors from time to time, in their discretion, deem proper to provide for
contingencies, or to equalize dividends, or to repair or maintain any property
of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the Directors may deem
beneficial to the Corporation, and the Directors may modify or abolish any such
reserve in the manner in which it was created. Surplus of the Corporation to the
extent so reserved will not be available for the payment of dividends or other
distributions by the Corporation.
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Section 8.3. TELEPHONE AND SIMILAR MEETINGS. Stockholders, directors
and committee members may participate in and hold meetings by means of
conference telephone or similar communications equipment by which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in such a
meeting will constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a person
participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that
the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.
Section 8.4. BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Corporation will keep correct and
complete books and records of account and minutes of the proceedings of its
stockholders and Board of Directors, and will keep at its registered office or
principal place of business, or at the office of its transfer agent or
registrar, a record of its stockholders, giving the names and addresses of all
stockholders and the number and class of the shares held by each.
Section 8.5. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Corporation will be
fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 8.6. SEAL. The Corporation may have a seal, and the seal may be
used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or
reproduced or otherwise. Any officer of the Corporation will have authority to
affix the seal to any document requiring it.
Section 8.7. RESIGNATION. Any director, officer or agent may resign by
giving written notice to the President or the Secretary. Such resignation will
take effect at the time specified therein or immediately if no time is specified
therein. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation
will not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 8.8. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS. These Bylaws may be altered, amended,
or repealed at any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is
present, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at such
meeting, except that the first sentence of Section 3.2 of Article 3 of these
Bylaws may not be altered, amended, rescinded or revoked without the unanimous
vote of all Directors.
Section 8.9. INVALID PROVISIONS. If any part of these Bylaws is held
invalid or inoperative for any reason, the remaining parts, so far as possible
and reasonable, will be valid and operative.
Section 8.10. RELATION TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. These
Bylaws are subject to, and governed by, the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation.
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