EXHIBIT 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS
(as of March 21, 2001)
OF
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
A Delaware Corporation
PREAMBLE
These by-laws are subject to, and governed by, the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware General Corporation Law") and the
certificate of incorporation of National Instruments Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"). In the event of a direct conflict between the
provisions of these by-laws and the mandatory provisions of the Delaware General
Corporation Law or the provisions of the certificate of incorporation of the
Corporation, such provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the
certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, as the case may be, will be
controlling.
ARTICLE ONE: OFFICES
1.1 Registered Office and Agent. The registered office and registered agent
of the Corporation shall be as designated from time to time by the appropriate
filing by the Corporation in the office of the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware.
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 as the business of the Corporation may
require.
ARTICLE TWO: MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
2.1 Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation
shall be held each calendar year on such date and at such time as shall be
designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice
of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting. At such
meeting, the stockholders shall elect directors and transact such other business
as may properly be brought before the meeting. Failure to hold an annual meeting
as required by these by-laws shall not invalidate any action taken by the board
of directors or officers of the Corporation.
2.2 Special Meeting. A special meeting of the stockholders, for any purpose
or purposes, may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the President or
the board of directors pursuant to a resolution approved by the affirmative vote
of a majority of directors then in office.
2.3 Place of Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders may be held at any
place within or without the State of Delaware designated by the board of
directors. A special meeting of stockholders may be held at any place within or
without the State of Delaware designated in the notice of the meeting or a duly
executed waiver of notice of such meeting. Meetings of stockholders shall be
held at the principal office of the Corporation unless another place is
designated for meetings in the manner provided herein.
2.4 Notice. Written or printed notice stating the place, day, and time of
each meeting of the stockholders and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose
or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be delivered not less than ten
nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by
mail, by or at the direction of the President, the Secretary, or the officer or
person(s) calling the meeting, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at
such meeting. If such notice is to be sent by mail, it shall be directed to such
stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation,
unless he shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a written
request that notices to him be mailed to some other address, in which case it
shall be directed to him at such other address. Notice of any meeting of
stockholders shall not be required to be given to any stockholder who shall
attend such meeting in person or by proxy and shall not, at the beginning of
such meeting, object to the transaction of any business because the meeting is
not lawfully called or convened, or who shall, either before or after the
meeting, submit a signed waiver of notice, in person or by proxy.
2.5 Voting List. At least ten days before each meeting of stockholders, the
Secretary or other officer of the Corporation who has charge of the
Corporation's stock ledger, either directly or through another officer appointed
by him or through a transfer agent appointed by the board of directors, shall
prepare a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote thereat, arranged in
alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and number of
shares registered in the name of each stockholder. For a period of ten days
prior to such meeting, such list shall be kept on file at a place within the
city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the
notice of meeting or a duly executed waiver of notice of such meeting or, if not
so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held and shall be open to
examination by any stockholder during ordinary business hours. Such list shall
be produced at such meeting and kept at the meeting at all times during such
meeting and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
2.6 Quorum. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote on a matter, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at
any meeting of stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, the
certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these by-laws. If a quorum
shall not be present, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders, the
stockholders entitled to vote thereat who are present, in person or by proxy,
or, if no stockholder entitled to vote is present, any officer of the
Corporation may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than
announcement at the meeting (unless the board of directors, after such
adjournment, fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting), until a quorum
shall be present, in person or by proxy. At any adjourned meeting at which a
quorum shall be present, in person or by proxy, any business may be transacted
which may have been transacted at the original meeting had a quorum been
present; provided that, 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 shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled
to vote at the adjourned meeting.
2.7 Required Vote; Withdrawal of Quorum. When a quorum is present at any
meeting, the vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall decide any
question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one on which, by
express provision of statute, the certificate of incorporation of the
Corporation, or these by-laws, a different vote is required, in which case such
express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. The
stockholders present at a duly constituted meeting may continue to transact
business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough
stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
2.8 Method of Voting; Proxies. Except as otherwise provided in the
certificate of incorporation of the Corporation or by law, each outstanding
share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter
submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Elections of directors need
not be by written ballot. At any meeting of stockholders, every stockholder
having the right to vote may vote either in person or by a proxy executed in
writing by the stockholder or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Each such
proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation before or at the time
of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid after three years from the date of its
execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. If no date is stated in a
proxy, such proxy shall be presumed to have been executed on the date of the
meeting at which it is to be voted. Each proxy shall be revocable unless
expressly provided therein to be irrevocable and coupled with an interest
sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power or unless otherwise made
irrevocable by law.
2.9 Record Date. For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to
notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or any adjournment thereof,
or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or
allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any
change, conversion, or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful
action, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall
not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted
by the board of directors, for any such determination of stockholders, such date
in any case to be not more than 60 days and not less than ten days prior to such
meeting nor more than 60 days prior to any other action. If no record date is
fixed:
(i) The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of
or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business
on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is
waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which
the meeting is held.
(ii) The record date for determining stockholders for any other
purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of
directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
(iii) A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of
or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of
the meeting; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new
record date for the adjourned meeting.
2.10 Conduct of Meeting. The Chairman of the Board, if such office has been
filled, and, if not or if the Chairman of the Board is absent or otherwise
unable to act, the President shall preside at all meetings of stockholders. The
Secretary shall keep the records of each meeting of stockholders. In the absence
or inability to act of any such officer, such officer's duties shall be
performed by the officer given the authority to act for such absent or
non-acting officer under these by-laws or by some person appointed by the
meeting.
2.11 Stockholder Proposals and Nominations of Persons for Election to the
Board of Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the board of
directors of the corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by
the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (a)
pursuant to the corporation's notice of meeting, (b) by or at the direction of
the board of directors, or (c) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a
stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in these
by-laws, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice
procedures set forth in this by-law.
For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual
meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of the foregoing paragraph, (1)
the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the
secretary of the corporation, (2) such business must be a proper matter for
stockholder action under the General Corporation Law of Delaware, (3) if the
stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf any such proposal or
nomination is made, has provided the corporation with a Solicitation Notice, as
that term is defined in subclause (c)(iii) of this paragraph, such stockholder
or beneficial owner must, in the case of a proposal, have delivered a proxy
statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the
corporation's voting shares required under applicable law to carry any such
proposal, or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, have delivered a proxy
statement and form of proxy to holders of a percentage of the corporation's
voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or beneficial holder to be
sufficient to elect the nominee or nominees proposed to be nominated by such
stockholder, and must, in either case, have included in such materials the
Solicitation Notice and (4) if no Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been
timely provided pursuant to this section, the stockholder or beneficial owner
proposing such business or nomination must not have solicited a number of
proxies sufficient to have required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice
under this section. To be timely, a stockholder's notice shall be delivered to
the secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the
corporation not less than 60 or more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary
(the "Anniversary") of the date on which the corporation first mailed its proxy
materials for the preceding year's annual meeting of stockholders; provided,
however, that if the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days
prior to or delayed by more than 30 days after the anniversary of the preceding
year's annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so
delivered not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day
prior to such annual meeting or (ii) the 10th day following the day on which
public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Such
stockholder's notice shall be set forth (a) as to each person whom the
stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all
information relating to such person as would be required to be disclosed in
solicitations of proxies for the election of such nominees as directors pursuant
to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), and such person's written consent to serve as a director if
elected; (b) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring
before the meeting, a brief description of such business, the reasons for
conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such
business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf
the proposal is made; (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the
beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i)
the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the corporation's
books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class and number of shares of the
corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and
such beneficial owner, and (iii) whether either such stockholder or beneficial
owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in
the case of a proposal, at least the percentage of the corporation's voting
shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal or, in the case of a
nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders of the corporation's
voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (an affirmative statement of
such intent, a "Solicitation Notice").
Only persons nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
by-law shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be
conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before
the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section. The
chair of the meeting shall have the power and the duty to determine whether a
nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting has been
made in accordance with the procedures set forth in these by-laws and, if any
proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these by-laws, to
declare that such defective proposed business or nomination shall not be
presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded.
For the purposes of this section, "public announcement" shall mean
disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated
Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by
the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section
13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act."
2.12 Inspectors. The board of directors may, in advance of any meeting of
stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at such meeting or any
adjournment thereof. If any of the inspectors so appointed shall fail to appear
or act, the chairman of the meeting shall, or if inspectors shall not have been
appointed, the chairman of the meeting may, appoint one or more inspectors. Each
inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign
an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector at such meeting with
strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The inspectors
shall determine the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation
outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at
the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the validity and effect of proxies
and shall receive votes, ballots, or consents, hear and determine all challenges
and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate
all votes, ballots, or consents, determine the results, and do such acts as are
proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. On
request of the chairman of the meeting, the inspectors shall make a report in
writing of any challenge, request, or matter determined by them and shall
execute a certificate of any fact found by them. No director or candidate for
the office of director shall act as an inspector of an election of directors.
Inspectors need not be stockholders.
ARTICLE THREE: DIRECTORS
3.1 Management. The business and property of the Corporation shall be
managed by the board of directors. Subject to the restrictions imposed by law,
the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these by-laws, the board
of directors may exercise all the powers of the Corporation.
3.2 Number; Qualification; Election; Term. The number of directors which
shall constitute the entire board of directors shall be not less than three. The
first board of directors shall consist of the number of directors named in the
certificate of incorporation of the Corporation or, if no directors are so
named, shall consist of the number of directors elected by the incorporator(s)
at an organizational meeting or by unanimous written consent in lieu thereof.
Thereafter, within the limits above specified, the number of directors which
shall constitute the entire board of directors shall be determined by resolution
of the board of directors. Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate
of incorporation of the Corporation, or these by-laws, the directors shall be
elected at an annual meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present.
Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of
directors. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors elected to succeed
those whose terms are then expiring shall be elected for a full term of office
expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their
election. Except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of any one
or more series of preferred stock shall have the right, voting separately as a
class, to elect one or more directors of the corporation, the terms of the
director or directors elected by such holders shall expire at the next
succeeding annual meeting of stockholders. Each director shall hold office until
his successor shall have been elected and qualified or until his earlier death,
resignation or removal. Directors need not be residents of Delaware or
stockholders of the corporation. Each director must have attained the age of
majority.
3.3 Change in Number. No decrease in the number of directors constituting
the entire board of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of
any incumbent director.
3.4 Vacancies. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation, any vacancy or any newly-created directorship resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of
the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by the affirmative
vote of two directors if there are only two directors remaining, or by the sole
remaining director. Any director elected by one or more directors to fill a
newly created directorship or other vacancy shall hold office until the next
election of the class for which such directors shall have been chosen and until
his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified, or, if earlier,
until his death, resignation, or removal from office. If there are no directors
in office, an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by
statute. When one or more directors shall resign from the board of directors,
effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office,
including those who have so resigned, shall have the power to fill such vacancy
or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or
resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold
office as provided in these by-laws with respect to the filling of other
vacancies.
3.5 Meetings of Directors. The directors may hold their meetings and may
have an office and keep the books of the Corporation, except as otherwise
provided by statute, in such place or places within or without the State of
Delaware as the board of directors may from time to time determine or as shall
be specified in the notice of such meeting or duly executed waiver of notice of
such meeting.
3.6 First Meeting. Each newly elected board of directors may hold its first
meeting for the purpose of organization and the transaction of business, if a
quorum is present, immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting
of stockholders, and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary.
3.7 Election of Officers. At the first meeting of the board of directors
after each annual meeting of stockholders at which a quorum shall be present,
the board of directors shall elect the officers of the Corporation.
3.8 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be
held at such times and places as shall be designated from time to time by
resolution of the board of directors. Notice of such regular meetings shall not
be required.
3.9 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors shall be
held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, the President, or any other
two directors.
3.10 Notice. The Secretary shall give notice of each special meeting to
each director at least 24 hours before the meeting. Notice of any such meeting
need not be given to any director who shall, either before or after the meeting,
submit a signed waiver of notice or who shall attend such meeting without
protesting, prior to or at its commencement, the lack of notice to him. Neither
the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special
meeting of the board of directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of
notice of such meeting.
3.11 Quorum; Majority Vote. At all meetings of the board of directors, a
majority of the directors fixed in the manner provided in these by-laws shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If at any meeting of the
board of directors there be less than a quorum present, a majority of those
present or any director solely present may adjourn the meeting from time to time
without further notice. Unless the act of a greater number is required by law,
the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these by-laws, the act
of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is in
attendance shall be the act of the board of directors. At any time that the
certificate of incorporation of the Corporation provides that directors elected
by the holders of a class or series of stock shall have more or less than one
vote per director on any matter, every reference in these by-laws to a majority
or other proportion of directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion
of the votes of such directors.
3.12 Procedure. At meetings of the board of directors, business shall be
transacted in such order as from time to time the board of directors may
determine. The Chairman of the Board, if such office has been filled, and, if
not or if the Chairman of the Board is absent or otherwise unable to act, the
President shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors. In the
absence or inability to act of either such officer, a chairman shall be chosen
by the board of directors from among the directors present. The Secretary of the
Corporation shall act as the secretary of each meeting of the board of directors
unless the board of directors appoints another person to act as secretary of the
meeting. The board of directors shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings
which shall be placed in the minute book of the Corporation.
3.13 Presumption of Assent. A director of the Corporation who is present at
the meeting of the board of directors at which action on any corporate matter is
taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action unless his dissent shall
be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file his written
dissent to such action with the person acting as secretary of the meeting before
the adjournment thereof or shall forward any dissent by certified or registered
mail to the Secretary of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of
the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in
favor of such action.
3.14 Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken
at any meeting of the board of directors may be taken without a meeting, without
prior notice and without a vote, if all members of the board consent thereto in
writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the
proceedings of the board.
3.15 Compensation. The board of directors shall have the authority to fix
the compensation, including fees and reimbursement of expenses, paid to
directors for attendance at regular or special meetings of the board of
directors or any committee thereof; provided, that nothing contained herein
shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any
other capacity or receiving compensation therefor.
ARTICLE FOUR: COMMITTEES
4.1 Designation. The board of directors may, by resolution adopted by a
majority of the entire board of directors, designate one or more committees.
4.2 Number; Qualification; Term. Each committee shall consist of one or
more directors appointed by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board
of directors. The number of committee members may be increased or decreased from
time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board of
directors. Each committee member shall serve as such until the earliest of (i)
the expiration of his term as director, (ii) his resignation as a committee
member or as a director, or (iii) his removal as a committee member or as a
director.
4.3 Authority. Each committee, to the extent expressly provided in the
resolution establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all of the
authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and
property of the Corporation except to the extent expressly restricted by law,
the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, or these by-laws.
4.4 Committee Changes. The board of directors shall have the power at any
time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, and to discharge any
committee.
4.5 Alternate Members of Committees. The board of directors may designate
one or more directors as alternate members of any committee. Any such alternate
member may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the
committee. If no alternate committee members have been so appointed to a
committee or each such alternate committee member is absent or disqualified, the
member or members of such committee present at any meeting and not disqualified
from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously
appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the
place of any such absent or disqualified member.
4.6 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of any committee may be held without
notice at such time and place as may be designated from time to time by the
committee and communicated to all members thereof.
4.7 Special Meetings. Special meetings of any committee may be held
whenever called by any committee member. The committee member calling any
special meeting shall cause notice of such special meeting, including therein
the time and place of such special meeting, to be given to each committee member
at least two days before such special meeting. Neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting of any committee need be
specified in the notice or waiver of notice of any special meeting.
4.8 Quorum; Majority Vote. At meetings of any committee, a majority of the
number of members designated by the board of directors shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of any
committee, a majority of the members present may adjourn the meeting from time
to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a
quorum is present. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting
at which a quorum is in attendance shall be the act of a committee, unless the
act of a greater number is required by law, the certificate of incorporation of
the Corporation, or these by-laws.
4.9 Minutes. Each committee shall cause minutes of its proceedings to be
prepared and shall report the same to the board of directors upon the request of
the board of directors. The minutes of the proceedings of each committee shall
be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation for placement in the minute
books of the Corporation.
4.10 Compensation. Committee members may, by resolution of the board of
directors, be allowed a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for
attending any committee meetings or a stated salary.
4.11 Responsibility. The designation of any committee and the delegation of
authority to it shall not operate to relieve the board of directors or any
director of any responsibility imposed upon it or such director by law.
ARTICLE FIVE: NOTICE
5.1 Method. Whenever by statute, the certificate of incorporation of the
Corporation, or these by-laws, notice is required to be given to any committee
member, director, or stockholder and no provision is made as to how such notice
shall be given, personal notice shall not be required and any such notice may be
given (a) in writing, by mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such committee
member, director, or stockholder at his address as it appears on the books or
(in the case of a stockholder) the stock transfer records of the Corporation, or
(b) by any other method permitted by law (including but not limited to overnight
courier service, telegram, telex, or facsimile). Any notice required or
permitted to be given by mail shall be deemed to be delivered and given at the
time when the same is deposited in the United States mail as aforesaid. Any
notice required or permitted to be given by overnight courier service shall be
deemed to be delivered and given at the time delivered to such service with all
charges prepaid and addressed as aforesaid. Any notice required or permitted to
be given by telegram, telex, or telefax shall be deemed to be delivered and
given at the time transmitted with all charges prepaid and addressed as
aforesaid.
5.2 Waiver. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder,
director, or committee member of the Corporation by statute, the certificate of
incorporation of the Corporation, or these by-laws, a waiver thereof in writing
signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after
the time stated therein, shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice.
Attendance of a stockholder, director, or committee member at a meeting shall
constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends
for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the
ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
ARTICLE SIX: OFFICERS
6.1 Number; Titles; Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall
be a President, a Secretary, and such other officers as the board of directors
may from time to time elect or appoint, including a Chairman of the Board, one
or more Vice Presidents (with each Vice President to have such descriptive
title, if any, as the board of directors shall determine), and a Treasurer. Each
officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and
shall have qualified, until his death, or until he shall resign or shall have
been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices may be
held by the same person. None of the officers need be a stockholder or a
director of the Corporation or a resident of the State of Delaware.
6.2 Removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the board of
directors may be removed by the board of directors whenever in its judgment the
best interest of the Corporation will be served thereby, but such removal shall
be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.
Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not of itself create
contract rights.
6.3 Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation (by
death, resignation, removal, or otherwise) may be filled by the board of
directors.
6.4 Authority. Officers shall have such authority and perform such duties
in the management of the Corporation as are provided in these by-laws or as may
be determined by resolution of the board of directors not inconsistent with
these by-laws.
6.5 Compensation. The compensation, if any, of officers and agents shall be
fixed from time to time by the board of directors; provided, however, that the
board of directors may delegate the power to determine the compensation of any
officer and agent (other than the officer to whom such power is delegated) to
the Chairman of the Board or the President.
6.6 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if elected by the
board of directors, shall have such powers and duties as may be prescribed by
the board of directors. Such officer shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and of the board of directors. Such officer may sign all
certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation.
6.7 President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the
Corporation and, subject to the board of directors, he shall have general
executive charge, management, and control of the properties and operations of
the Corporation in the ordinary course of its business, with all such powers
with respect to such properties and operations as may be reasonably incident to
such responsibilities. If the board of directors has not elected a Chairman of
the Board or in the absence or inability to act of the Chairman of the Board,
the President shall exercise all of the powers and discharge all of the duties
of the Chairman of the Board. As between the Corporation and third parties, any
action taken by the President in the performance 6f the duties of the Chairman
of the Board shall be conclusive evidence that there is no Chairman of the Board
or that the Chairman of the Board is absent or unable to act.
6.8 Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall have such powers and duties
as may be assigned to him by the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board,
or the President, and (in order of their seniority as determined by the board of
directors or, in the absence of such determination, as determined by the length
of time they have held the office of Vice President) shall exercise the powers
of the President during that officer's absence or inability to act. As between
the Corporation and third parties, any action taken by a Vice President in the
performance of the duties of the President shall be conclusive evidence of the
absence or inability to act of the President at the time such action was taken.
6.9 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have custody of the Corporation's funds
and securities, shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and
disbursements, shall deposit all monies and valuable effects in the name and to
the credit of the Corporation in such depository or depositories as may be
designated by the board of directors, and shall perform such other duties as may
be prescribed by the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, or the
President.
6.10 Assistant Treasurers. Each Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers
and duties as may be assigned to him by the board of directors, the Chairman of
the Board, or the President. The Assistant Treasurers (in the order of their
seniority as determined by the board of directors or, in the absence of such a
determination, as determined by the length of time they have held the office of
Assistant Treasurer) shall exercise the powers of the Treasurer during that
officer's absence or inability to act.
6.11 Secretary. Except as otherwise provided in these by-laws, the
Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the board of directors and
of the stockholders in books provided for that purpose, and he shall attend to
the giving and service of all notices. He may sign with the Chairman of the
Board or the President, in the name of the Corporation, all contracts of the
Corporation and affix the seal of the Corporation thereto. He may sign with the
Chairman of the Board or the President all certificates for shares of stock of
the Corporation, and he shall have charge of the certificate books, transfer
books, and stock papers as the board of directors may direct, all of which shall
at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director upon application
at the office of the Corporation during business hours. He shall in general
perform all duties incident to the office of the Secretary, subject to the
control of the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, and the President.
6.12 Assistant Secretaries. Each Assistant Secretary shall have such powers
and duties as may be assigned to him by the board of directors, the Chairman of
the Board, or the President. The Assistant Secretaries (in the order of their
seniority as determined by the board of directors or, in the absence of such a
determination, as determined by the length of time they have held the office of
Assistant Secretary) shall exercise the powers of the Secretary during that
officer's absence or inability to act.
ARTICLE SEVEN: CERTIFICATES AND SHAREHOLDERS
7.1 Certificates for Shares. Certificates for shares of stock of the
Corporation shall be in such form as shall be approved by the board of
directors. The certificates shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board or the
President or a Vice President and also by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary or by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. Any and all signatures
on the certificate may be a facsimile and may be sealed with the seal of the
Corporation or a facsimile thereof. If any officer, transfer agent, or registrar
who has signed, or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon, a certificate
has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such
certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with
the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the
date of issue. The certificates shall be consecutively numbered and shall be
entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued and shall exhibit the
holder's name and the number of shares.
7.2 Replacement of Lost or Destroyed Certificates. The board of directors
may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of a
certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation and alleged to
have been lost or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the
person claiming the certificate or certificates representing shares to be lost
or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates
the board of directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to
the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate or
certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner
as it shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond with a surety or
sureties satisfactory to the Corporation in such sum as it may direct as
indemnity against any claim, or expense resulting from a claim, that may be made
against the Corporation with respect to the certificate or certificates alleged
to have been lost or destroyed.
7.3 Transfer of Shares. Shares of stock of the Corporation shall be
transferable only on the books of the Corporation by the holders thereof in
person or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives. 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, the Corporation or its
transfer agent shall issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto,
cancel the old certificate, and record the transaction upon its books.
7.4 Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the
holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof
and, accordingly, shall 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 shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise
provided by law.
7.5 Regulations. The board of directors shall have the power and authority
to make all such rules and regulations as they may deem expedient, including
without limitation a requirement that a transferor furnish a legal opinion or
such other evidence as is reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation and its
counsel that any proposed transfer of shares does not violate the registration
requirements of any state or federal securities law, concerning the issue,
transfer, and registration or the replacement of certificates for shares of
stock of the Corporation.
7.6 Legends. The board of directors shall have the power and authority to
provide that certificates representing shares of stock bear such legends as the
board of directors deems appropriate to assure that the Corporation does not
become liable for violations of federal or state securities laws or other
applicable law.
ARTICLE EIGHT: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
8.1 Dividends. Subject to provisions of law and the certificate of
incorporation of the Corporation, dividends may be declared by the board of
directors at any regular or special meeting and may be paid in cash, in
property, or in shares of stock of the Corporation. Such declaration and payment
shall be at the discretion of the board of directors.
8.2 Reserves. There may be created by the board of directors out of funds
of the Corporation legally available therefor such reserve or reserves as the
directors from time to time, in their discretion, consider proper to provide for
contingencies, to equalize dividends, or to repair or maintain any property of
the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the board of directors shall
consider beneficial to the Corporation, and the board of directors may modify or
abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
8.3 Books and Records. The Corporation shall keep correct and complete
books and records of account, shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its
stockholders and board of directors and shall 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.
8.4 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the
board of directors; provided, that if such fiscal year is not fixed by the board
of directors and the selection of the fiscal year is not expressly deferred by
the board of directors, the fiscal year shall be the calendar year.
8.5 Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall be such as from time to time
may be approved by the board of directors.
8.6 Resignations. Any director, committee member, or officer may resign by
so stating at any meeting of the board of directors or by giving written notice
to the board of directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President, or the
Secretary. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or,
if no time is specified therein, immediately upon its receipt. Unless otherwise
specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to
make it effective.
8.7 Securities of Other Corporations. The Chairman of the Board, the
President, or any Vice President of the Corporation shall have the power and
authority to transfer, endorse for transfer, vote, consent, or take any other
action with respect to any securities of another issuer which may be held or
owned by the Corporation and to make, execute, and deliver any waiver, proxy, or
consent with respect to any such securities.
8.8 Telephone Meetings. Stockholders (acting for themselves or through a
proxy), members of the board of directors, and members of a committee of the
board of directors may participate in and hold a meeting of such stockholders,
board of directors, or committee by means of a conference telephone or similar
communications equipment by means of which persons participating in the meeting
can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this section
shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a person
participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the
transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened.
8.9 Invalid Provisions. If any part of these by-laws shall be held invalid
or inoperative for any reason, the remaining parts, so far as it is possible and
reasonable, shall remain valid and operative.
8.10 Mortgages, etc. With respect to any deed, deed of trust, mortgage, or
other instrument executed by the Corporation through its duly authorized officer
or officers, the attestation to such execution by the Secretary of the
Corporation shall not be necessary to constitute such deed, deed of trust,
mortgage, or other instrument a valid and binding obligation against the
Corporation unless the resolutions, if any, of the board of directors
authorizing such execution expressly state that such attestation is necessary.
8.11 Headings. The headings used in these by-laws have been inserted for
administrative convenience only and do not constitute matter to be construed in
interpretation.
8.12 References. Whenever herein the singular number is used, the same
shall include the plural where appropriate, and words of any gender should
include each other gender where appropriate.
8.13 Amendments. The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt,
alter, amend or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation by vote of not less than a
majority of the directors then in office. The holders of shares of capital stock
of the Corporation entitled at the time to vote for the election of directors
shall, to the extent such power is at the time conferred on them by applicable
law, also have the power to adopt, alter, amend or repeal the by-laws of the
Corporation, but only if such action receives the affirmative vote of at least
80% of the outstanding Voting Stock (as defined in the Corporation's Certificate
of Incorporation), voting together as a single class.
The undersigned, the Secretary of the Corporation, hereby certifies that
the foregoing by-laws were adopted by resolution of the directors of the
Corporation as of March 21, 2001.
/s/ David G. Hugley
David G. Hugley, Secretary