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EXHIBIT 3.6
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS
OF
TRANSWESTERN COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, INC.
A DELAWARE CORPORATION
(ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 1, 1997)
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation in
the State of Delaware shall be located at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington,
Delaware, County of New Castle 19805. The name of the corporation's registered
agent at such address shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The registered
office and/or registered agent of the corporation may be changed from time to
time by action of the board of directors.
Section 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 II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Place and Time of Meetings. An annual meeting of the
stockholders shall be held each year within one hundred twenty (120) days after
the close of the immediately preceding fiscal year of the corporation for the
purpose of electing directors and conducting such other proper business as may
come before the meeting. The date, time and place of the annual meeting shall
be determined by the president of the corporation; provided, that if the
president does not act, the board of directors shall determine the date, time
and place of such meeting.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called
for any purpose and may be held at such time and place, within or without the
State of Delaware, as shall be stated in a notice of meeting or in a duly
executed waiver of notice thereof. Such meetings may be called at any time by
the board of directors, the president or the holders of shares entitled to cast
not less than a majority of the votes at the meeting.
Section 3. Place of Meetings. The board of directors may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place of meeting
for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the board of
directors. If no designation is
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made, or if a special meeting be otherwise called, the place of meeting shall
be the principal executive office of the corporation.
Section 4. Notice. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take
action at a meeting, written or printed notice stating the place, date, time,
and, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes, of such meeting,
shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less
than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting.
All such notices shall be delivered, either personally or by mail, by or at the
direction of the board of directors, the president or the secretary, and if
mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the
United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at his, her
or its address as the same appears on the records of the corporation.
Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such
meeting, except when the person attends for the express purpose of objecting at
the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the
meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Section 5. Stockholders List. The officer having charge of the stock ledger
of the corporation shall make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of
the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at such
meeting arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder
and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list
shall 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 (10)
days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting
is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting or,
if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list
shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the
whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
Section 6. Quorum. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
capital stock, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a
quorum at all meetings of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by
statute or by the certificate of incorporation. If a quorum is not present,
the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by
proxy at the meeting, and entitled to vote at the meeting, may adjourn the
meeting to another time and/or place.
Section 7. Adjourned Meetings. When a meeting is adjourned to another time
and place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and
place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.
At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business which might
have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more
than thirty (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 meeting.
Section 8. Vote Required. When a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of
the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting
and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the
stockholders, unless the question is one
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upon which by express provisions of an applicable law or of the certificate of
incorporation a different vote is required, in which case such express
provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.
Section 9. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or by the certificate of incorporation
of the corporation or any amendments thereto and subject to Section 3 of
Article VI hereof, every stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders
be entitled to one (1) vote in person or by proxy for each share of common
stock held by such stockholder.
Section 10. Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of
stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him or her
by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years
from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed
proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only
as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in 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. Any proxy is suspended when the person
executing the proxy is present at a meeting of stockholders and elects to vote,
except that when such proxy is coupled with an interest and the fact of the
interest appears on the face of the proxy, the agent named in the proxy shall
have all voting and other rights referred to in the proxy, notwithstanding the
presence of the person executing the proxy. At each meeting of the
stockholders, and before any voting commences, all proxies filed at or before
the meeting shall be submitted to and examined by the secretary or a person
designated by the secretary, and no shares may be represented or voted under a
proxy that has been found to be invalid or irregular.
Section 11. Action by Written Consent. Unless otherwise provided in the
certificate of incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or
special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be
taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken
without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or
consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken and bearing the dates of
signature of the stockholders who signed the consent or consents, shall be
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
shall be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in
the state of Delaware, or the corporation's principal place of business, or an
officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book or books in
which proceedings of meetings of the stockholders are recorded. Delivery made
to the corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested provided, however, that no consent or
consents delivered by certified or registered mail shall be deemed delivered
until such consent or consents are actually received at the registered office.
All consents properly delivered in accordance with this section shall be deemed
to be recorded when so delivered. No written consent shall be effective to
take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of
the earliest dated consent delivered to the corporation as required by this
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section, written consents signed by the holders of a sufficient number of
shares to take such corporate action are so recorded. Prompt notice of the
taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written
consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.
Any action taken pursuant to such written consent or consents of the
stockholders shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the
stockholders at a meeting thereof.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation
shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors.
Section 2. Number, Election and Term of Office. The number of directors
which shall constitute the board shall be nine (9). Thereafter, the number of
directors shall be established from time to time by in accordance with the
provisions of that certain Investors Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1997 by
and among the corporation and certain of its stockholders (the "Investors
Agreement"). The directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the
shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to
vote in the election of directors. Except as provided in the Investors
Agreement and Section 4 of this Article III, the directors shall be elected in
this manner at the annual meeting of the stockholders. Each director elected
shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his
or her earlier death, resignation or removal as hereinafter provided.
Section 3. Removal and Resignation. The directors may only be removed,
with or without cause, as set forth in the Investors Agreement. Any director
may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation.
Section 4. Vacancies. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting
from any increase in the authorized number of directors may only be filled as
set forth in the Investors Agreement. Each director so chosen shall hold
office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her
earlier death, resignation or removal as herein provided.
Section 5. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of each newly elected board
of directors shall be held without other notice than this by-law immediately
after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of stockholders.
Section 6. Other Meetings and Notice. Regular meetings, other than the
annual meeting, of the board of directors may be held without notice at such
time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution
of the board. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by or
at the request of the president on at least
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twenty-four (24) hours notice to each director, either personally, by
telephone, by mail, or by telegraph.
Section 7. Quorum, Required Vote and Adjournment. A majority of the total
number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
The vote of a majority of directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is
present shall be the act of the board of directors. If a quorum shall not be
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 shall be present.
Section 8. Committees. The board of directors may, by resolution passed by
a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, each committee
to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation, which to the
extent provided in such resolution or these by-laws shall have and may exercise
the powers of the board of directors in the management and affairs of the
corporation except as otherwise limited by law. The board of directors may
designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may
replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.
Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined
from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors. Each
committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the
board of directors when required.
Section 9. Committee Rules. Each committee of the board of directors may
fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by such
rules, except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of the board of
directors designating such committee. Unless otherwise provided in such a
resolution, the presence of at least a majority of the members of the committee
shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. In the event that a member and that
member's alternate, if alternates are designated by the board of directors as
provided in Section 8 of this Article III, of such committee is or are absent
or disqualified, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not
disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a
quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act
at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.
Section 10. Communications Equipment. Members of the board of directors or
any committee thereof may participate in and act at any meeting of such board
or committee through the use of a conference telephone or other communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and participation in the meeting pursuant to this section shall
constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 11. Waiver of Notice and Presumption of Assent. Any member of the
board of directors or any committee thereof who is present at a meeting shall
be conclusively presumed to have waived notice of such meeting except when such
member attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the
meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened. Such member shall be conclusively presumed to have
assented to any action taken unless his or her dissent shall
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be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless his or her written dissent
to such action shall be filed with the person acting as the secretary of the
meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall be forwarded by registered mail
to the secretary of the corporation immediately after the adjournment of the
meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to any member who voted in
favor of such action.
Section 12. Action by Written Consent. Unless otherwise restricted by the
certificate of incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at
any meeting of the board of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be
taken without a meeting if all members of the board or committee, as the case
may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with
the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1. Number. The officers of the corporation shall be elected by the
board of directors and shall consist of a chairman, president, chief financial
officer, one or more vice-presidents, secretary, a treasurer, and such other
officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the
board of directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. In
its discretion, the board of directors may choose not to fill any office for
any period as it may deem advisable, except that the offices of president and
secretary shall be filled as expeditiously as possible.
Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the corporation
shall be elected annually by the board of directors at its first meeting held
after each annual meeting of stockholders or as soon thereafter as conveniently
may be. The president shall be elected annually by the board of directors at
the first meeting of the board of directors held after each annual meeting of
stockholders or as soon thereafter as conveniently may be. The president shall
appoint other officers to serve for such terms as he or she deems desirable.
Vacancies may be filled or new offices created and filled at any meeting of the
board of directors. Each officer shall hold office until a successor is duly
elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal as
hereinafter provided.
Section 3. Removal. Any officer or agent elected by the board of directors
may be removed by the board of directors whenever in its judgment the best
interests of the corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be
without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.
Section 4. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the board
of directors for the unexpired portion of the term by the board of directors
then in office.
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Section 5. Compensation. Compensation of all officers shall be fixed by the
board of directors, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such
compensation by virtue of his or her also being a director of the corporation.
Section 6 . Chairman of the Board. The chairman of the board shall have
the powers and perform the duties incident to that position. Subject to the
powers of the board of directors, he shall be in the general and active charge
of the entire business and affairs of the corporation. He shall preside at all
meetings of the board of directors and stockholders and shall have such other
powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of
directors or provided in these by-laws. Whenever the president is unable to
serve, by reason of sickness, absence or otherwise, the chairman of the board
shall perform all the duties and responsibilities and exercise all the powers
of the president.
Section 7. The President. The president shall be the chief executive
officer of the corporation; shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders
and board of directors at which he is present; subject to the powers of the
board of directors, shall have general charge of the business, affairs and
property of the corporation, and control over its officers, agents and
employees; and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of
directors are carried into effect. The president shall execute bonds,
mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the
corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed
and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be
expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other officer or agent of
the corporation. The president shall have such other powers and perform such
other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors, chairman or as may
be provided in these by-laws.
Section 8 . Chief Financial Officer. The chief financial officer of the
corporation shall, under the direction of the chief executive officer, be
responsible for all financial and accounting matters and for the direction of
the offices of treasurer and controller. The chief financial officer shall
have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by
the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or the board of
directors or as may be provided in these by-laws.
Section 9. Vice-presidents. The vice-president, or if there shall be more
than one, the vice-presidents in the order determined by the board of directors
or by the president, shall, in the absence or disability of the president, act
with all of the powers and be subject to all the restrictions of the president.
The vice-presidents shall also perform such other duties and have such other
powers as the board of directors, the chairman, the president or these by-laws
may, from time to time, prescribe.
Section 10. The Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The secretary shall
attend all meetings of the board of directors, all meetings of the committees
thereof and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of
the meetings in a book or books to be kept for that purpose. Under the
president's supervision, the secretary shall give, or cause to be given, all
notices required to be given by these by-laws or by law; shall have such powers
and perform such duties as the board of directors, the president or these
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by-laws may, from time to time, prescribe; and shall have custody of the
corporate seal of the corporation. The secretary, or an assistant secretary,
shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any instrument requiring it
and when so affixed, it may be attested by his signature or by the signature of
such assistant secretary. The board of directors may give general authority to
any other officer to affix the seal of the corporation and to attest the
affixing by his signature. The assistant secretary, or if there be more than
one, the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the board of
directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the secretary, perform the
duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other
duties and have such other powers as the board of directors, the chairman, the
president, or secretary may, from time to time, prescribe.
Section 11. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. The treasurer shall have
the custody of the corporate funds and securities; shall keep full and accurate
accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation;
shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the
credit of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors; shall
cause the funds of the corporation to be disbursed when such disbursements have
been duly authorized, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements; and shall
render to the president and the board of directors, at its regular meeting or
when the board of directors so requires, an account of the corporation; shall
have such powers and perform such duties as the board of directors, the
president or these by-laws may, from time to time, prescribe. If required by
the board of directors, the treasurer shall give the corporation a bond (which
shall be rendered every six (6) years) in such sums and with such surety or
sureties as shall be satisfactory to the board of directors for the faithful
performance of the duties of the office of treasurer and for the restoration to
the corporation, in case of death, resignation, retirement, or removal from
office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money, and other property of whatever
kind in the possession or under the control of the treasurer belonging to the
corporation. The assistant treasurer, or if there shall be more than one, the
assistant treasurers in the order determined by the board of directors, shall
in the absence or disability of the treasurer, perform the duties and exercise
the powers of the treasurer. The assistant treasurers shall perform such other
duties and have such other powers as the board of directors, the chairman, the
president or chief financial officer may, from time to time, prescribe.
Section 12. Other Officers, Assistant Officers and Agents. Officers,
assistant officers and agents, if any, other than those whose duties are
provided for in these by-laws, shall have such authority and perform such
duties as may from time to time be prescribed by resolution of the board of
directors.
Section 13. Absence or Disability of Officers. In the case of the absence
or disability of any officer of the corporation and of any person hereby
authorized to act in such officer's place during such officer's absence or
disability, the board of directors may by resolution delegate the powers and
duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director, or to any other
person whom it may select.
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ARTICLE V
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND OTHERS
Section 1. Nature of Indemnity. Each person who was or is made a party or
is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he, or a person of
whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer, of the
corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of another corporation or of a
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be indemnified and
held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent which it is empowered to
do so unless prohibited from doing so by the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the
case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the
corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted
the corporation to provide prior to such amendment) against all expense,
liability and loss (including attorneys' fees actually and reasonably incurred
by such person in connection with such proceeding) and such indemnification
shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors and administrators;
provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 2 hereof, the
corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in
connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding
was authorized by the board of directors of the corporation. The right to
indemnification conferred in this Article V shall be a contract right and,
subject to Sections 2 and 5 hereof, shall include the right to be paid by the
corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance
of its final disposition. The corporation may, by action of its board of
directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the corporation
with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors
and officers.
Section 2. Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Any
indemnification of a director or officer of the corporation under Section 1 of
this Article V or advance of expenses under Section 5 of this Article V shall
be made promptly, and in any event within thirty (30) days, upon the written
request of the director or officer. If a determination by the corporation that
the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article
V is required, and the corporation fails to respond within sixty (60) days to a
written request for indemnity, the corporation shall be deemed to have approved
the request. If the corporation denies a written request for indemnification
or advancing of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant
to such request is not made within thirty (30) days, the right to
indemnification or advances as granted by this Article V shall be enforceable
by the director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such
person's costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully
establishing his right to indemnification, 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 expenses
incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where
the required undertaking, if any, has been tendered to the corporation) that
the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware for the corporation
to indemnify the
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claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of such defense shall be on the
corporation. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its board of
directors, independent legal counsel, or 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 he has met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its board
of directors, independent legal counsel, or 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 3. Article Not Exclusive. The rights to indemnification and the
payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final
disposition conferred in this Article V shall not be exclusive of any other
right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute,
provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-law, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 4. Insurance. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance
on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the corporation 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 him or her and incurred by him or her in any such
capacity, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such
person against such liability under this Article V.
Section 5. Expenses. Expenses incurred by any person described in Section 1
of this Article V in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the corporation in
advance of such proceeding's final disposition unless otherwise determined by
the board of directors in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by
or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall
ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by
the corporation. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be
so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the board of directors deems
appropriate.
Section 6. Employees and Agents. Persons who are not covered by the
foregoing provisions of this Article V and who are or were employees or agents
of the corporation, or who are or were serving at the request of the
corporation as employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, may be indemnified to the extent authorized
at any time or from time to time by the board of directors.
Section 7. Contract Rights. The provisions of this Article V shall be
deemed to be a contract right between the corporation and each director or
officer who serves in any such capacity at any time while this Article V and
the relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
or other applicable law are in effect, and any repeal or modification of this
Article V or any such law shall not affect any rights or obligations then
existing with respect to any state of facts or proceeding then existing.
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Section 8. Merger or Consolidation. For purposes of this Article V,
references to "the corporation" shall include, in addition to the resulting
corporation, 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 this Article
V with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would
have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had
continued.
ARTICLE VI
CERTIFICATES OF STOCK
Section 1. Form. Every holder of stock in the corporation shall be entitled
to have a certificate, signed by, or in the name of the corporation by the
president or a vice-president and the secretary or an assistant secretary of
the corporation, certifying the number of shares of a specific class or series
owned by such holder in the corporation. If such a certificate is
countersigned (1) by a transfer agent or an assistant transfer agent other than
the corporation or its employee or (2) by a registrar, other than the
corporation or its employee, the signature of any such president,
vice-president, secretary, or assistant secretary may be facsimiles. In case
any officer or officers who have signed, or whose facsimile signature or
signatures have been used on, any such certificate or certificates shall cease
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, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless
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. All certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered or
otherwise identified. The name of the person to whom the shares represented
thereby are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be
entered on the books of the corporation. Shares of stock of the corporation
shall only be transferred on the books of the corporation by the holder of
record thereof or by such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, upon
surrender to the corporation of the certificate or certificates for such shares
endorsed by the appropriate person or persons, with such evidence of the
authenticity of such endorsement, transfer, authorization, and other matters as
the corporation may reasonably require, and accompanied by all necessary stock
transfer stamps. In that event, it shall be the duty of the corporation to
issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old
certificate or certificates, and record the transaction on its books. The
board of directors may appoint a bank or trust company organized under the laws
of the United States or any state thereof to act as its transfer agent or
registrar, or both in connection with the transfer of any class or series of
securities of the corporation.
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Section 2. Lost Certificates. The board of directors may direct a new
certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or
certificates previously issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost,
stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the
person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, 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, stolen, or destroyed certificate or
certificates, or his or her legal representative, to give the corporation a
bond sufficient to indemnify the corporation against any claim that may be made
against the corporation on account of the loss, theft or destruction of any
such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.
Section 3. Fixing a Record Date for Stockholder Meetings. In order that the
corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at
any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, 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, and
which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days
before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the board of
directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of
or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the
next day 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. 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.
Section 4. Fixing a Record Date for Action by Written Consent. In order
that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to
corporate action in writing without a meeting, 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, and
which date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the
resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors. If no
record date has been fixed by the board of directors, the record date for
determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting, when no prior action by the board of directors is required
by statute, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting
forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation
by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal
place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of
the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded.
Delivery made to the corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has
been fixed by the board of directors and prior action by the board of directors
is required by statute, the record date for determining stockholders entitled
to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the
close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the
resolution taking such prior action.
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Section 5. Fixing a Record Date for Other Purposes. In order that the
corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any
dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or the stockholders
entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or
exchange of stock, or for the purposes 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, and which record
date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record
date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such
purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of
directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
Section 6. Registered Stockholders. Prior to the surrender to the
corporation of the certificate or certificates for a share or shares of stock
with a request to record the transfer of such share or shares, the corporation
may treat the registered owner as the person entitled to receive dividends, to
vote, to receive notifications, and otherwise to exercise all the rights and
powers of an owner. The corporation 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.
Section 7. Subscriptions for Stock. Unless otherwise provided for in the
subscription agreement, subscriptions for shares shall be paid in full at such
time, or in such installments and at such times, as shall be determined by the
board of directors. Any call made by the board of directors for payment on
subscriptions shall be uniform as to all shares of the same class or as to all
shares of the same series. In case of default in the payment of any
installment or call when such payment is due, the corporation may proceed to
collect the amount due in the same manner as any debt due the corporation.
ARTICLE VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock 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, pursuant
to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the
capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.
Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the
corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time
to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to
meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or
maintaining any property of the corporation, or any other purpose and the
directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was
created.
Section 2. Checks, Drafts or Orders. All checks, drafts, or other orders
for the payment of money by or to the corporation and all notes and other
evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed
by such officer or
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officers, agent or agents of the corporation, and in such manner, as shall be
determined by resolution of the board of directors or a duly authorized
committee thereof.
Section 3. Contracts. The board of directors may authorize any officer or
officers, or any agent or agents, of the corporation to enter into any contract
or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the
corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific
instances.
Section 4. Loans. The corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any
obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the
corporation or of its subsidiary, including any officer or employee who is a
director of the corporation or its subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the
directors, such loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to
benefit the corporation. The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or
without interest, and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the board
of directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares
of stock of the corporation. Nothing in this section contained shall be deemed
to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the
corporation at common law or under any statute.
Section 5. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by
resolution of the board of directors.
Section 6. Corporate Seal. The board of directors shall provide a corporate
seal which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon
the name of the corporation and the words "Corporate Seal, Delaware". The seal
may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or
reproduced or otherwise.
Section 7. Voting Securities Owned By Corporation. Voting securities in any
other corporation held by the corporation shall be voted by the president,
unless the board of directors specifically confers authority to vote with
respect thereto, which authority may be general or confined to specific
instances, upon some other person or officer. Any person authorized to vote
securities shall have the power to appoint proxies, with general power of
substitution.
Section 8. Inspection of Books and Records. Any stockholder of record, in
person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath
stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business
to inspect for any proper purpose the corporation's stock ledger, a list of its
stockholders, and its other books and records, and to make copies or extracts
therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean any purpose reasonably related to such
person's interest as a stockholder. In every instance where an attorney or
other agent shall be the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand
under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing
which authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the
stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the corporation at its
registered office in the State of Delaware or at its principal place of
business.
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Section 9. Section Headings. Section headings in these by-laws are for
convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in
limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.
Section 10. Inconsistent Provisions. In the event that any provision of
these by-laws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the certificate
of incorporation, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or any
other applicable law, the provision of these by-laws shall not be given any
effect to the extent of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full
force and effect.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
Except for Article III hereof, the Investors Agreement, these by-laws may be
amended, altered, or repealed and new by-laws adopted at any meeting of the
board of directors by a majority vote. The fact that the power to adopt,
amend, alter, or repeal the by-laws has been conferred upon the board of
directors shall not divest the stockholders of the same powers.
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