Exhibit 3a

                                     BYLAWS

                                       of
                         CENTRAL ILLINOIS LIGHT COMPANY

                       As Amended Effective March 14, 2003


ARTICLE I: LOCATION OF OFFICES

      Section 1 - Principal Office: The principal office of the Company shall be
      in the City of Peoria, Illinois, at such place as the Board of Directors
      may designate.

      Section 2 - Other Offices: The Company may have and maintain such other
      offices as the Board of Directors may deem expedient.

ARTICLE II: CORPORATE SEAL

      Section 1 - The Company shall have a corporate seal with the name of the
      Company described about a circle and the words "Incorporated 1913
      Illinois" within such circle.

ARTICLE III: FISCAL YEAR

      Section 1 - The fiscal year of the Company shall begin with the first day
      of January and end with the thirty-first day of December of each year.

ARTICLE IV: SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS

      Section 1 - Annual Meeting: An annual meeting of the shareholders for the
      purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other
      business as may come before the meeting shall be held as determined by the
      Board of Directors in accordance with the applicable provisions of the
      Illinois Business Corporation Act.

      Section 2 - Special Meetings: Unless otherwise provided by law, special
      meetings of the shareholders may be called by the Board of Directors, by
      the Chairman of the Board, by the President, by the Secretary under the
      written direction of a majority of the Directors, or by shareholders
      holding not less than one-fifth of the total capital stock. Such meetings
      shall be held at the principal office of the Company, or if the Board of
      Directors or the Chairman of the Board or the President shall designate
      another place, then at such other place as may be so designated.

      Section 3 - Notices: Written notice of either annual or special meetings
      shall be mailed at least ten days prior to the meeting, or in the case of
      a merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution or sale, lease or
      exchange of assets at least twenty days prior to the




      meeting, to each shareholder at his last known address as the same appears
      on the stock books of the Company. Such notice shall specify the time and
      place of holding the meeting and shall further specify the dates for
      closing and opening the stock transfer books of the Company, provided the
      Board of Directors shall have ordered them closed.

            Notices of special meetings shall further specify the purpose for
      which the meeting is called and no other business shall be transacted at
      such special meeting.

            No notice of a special meeting shall be necessary provided every
      shareholder shall have signed a written waiver of such notice or shall be
      present or represented by proxy at the meeting.

            No notice of the holding of an adjourned meeting shall be necessary.

      Section 4 - Quorum: The holders of a majority of the stock of the Company
      issued and outstanding shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
      business at any meeting but a less number may convene and adjourn.

      Section 5 - Voting: Shareholders may vote at all meetings in person or by
      proxy.

            At all meetings, each share of stock shall be entitled to one vote
      on all questions and a majority of the votes cast at any such meeting
      shall be sufficient for the adoption or rejection of any question
      presented, unless otherwise provided by law.

            In the election of Directors, each shareholder shall have the right
      to cast as many votes in the aggregate as shall equal the number of shares
      of stock held by such shareholder, multiplied by the number of Directors
      to be then elected, and each shareholder may cast the whole number of
      votes for one candidate or distribute them among two or more candidates.

      Section 6 - Nominations and Proposals: (a) (1) Nominations of persons for
      election to the Board of Directors of the Company and the proposal of
      business to be considered by the shareholders may be made at an annual
      meeting of shareholders (a) pursuant to the Company's notice of meeting,
      (b) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) by any
      shareholder of the Company who was a shareholder of record at the time of
      giving of notice provided for in this By-Law, who is entitled to vote at
      the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this
      By-Law.

            (2) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before
      an annual meeting by a shareholder pursuant to clause (c) of paragraph (a)
      (1) of this By-Law, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof
      in writing to the Secretary of the Company and such other business must
      otherwise be a proper matter for shareholder action. To be timely, a
      shareholder's notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal
      executive offices of the Company not later than the close of business on
      the 60th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior
      to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting; provided,
      however, that in the event that the date of

                                       2

      the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after
      such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so
      delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to
      such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later
      of the 60th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the
      day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made
      by the Company. In no event shall the public announcement of an
      adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving
      of a shareholder's notice as described above. Such shareholder's notice
      shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to
      nominate for election or re-election as a director, all information
      relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations
      of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is
      otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
      Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and Rule
      14a-11 thereunder (including such person's written consent to being named
      in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if
      elected); (b) as to any other business that the shareholder proposes to
      bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to
      be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at
      the meeting and any material interest in such business of such shareholder
      and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made;
      and (c) as to the shareholder 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 shareholder, as they appear on the Company's books,
      and of such beneficial owner and (ii) the class and number of shares of
      the Company which are owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder
      and such beneficial owner.

            (3) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (a)
      (2) of this By-Law to the contrary, in the event that the number of
      directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Company is
      increased and there is no public announcement by the Company naming all of
      the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of
      Directors at least 70 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding
      year's annual meeting, a shareholder's notice required by this By-Law
      shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any
      new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the
      Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than
      the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such
      public announcement is first made by the Company.

            (b) Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of
      shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the
      Company's notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the
      Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of shareholders at
      which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Company's notice of
      meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (2)
      provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall
      be elected at such meeting, by any shareholder of the Company who is a
      shareholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this
      By-Law, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with
      the notice procedures set forth in this By-Law. In the event the Company
      calls a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing one or
      more directors to the Board of Directors, any such shareholder may
      nominate a person or persons (as the


                                       3


      case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in the
      Company's notice of meeting, if the shareholder's notice required by
      paragraph (a) (2) of this By-Law shall be delivered to the Secretary at
      the principal executive offices of the Company not earlier than the close
      of business on the 90th day prior to such special meeting and not later
      than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such
      special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public
      announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the
      nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting.
      In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of a special
      meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder's
      notice as described above.

            (c) (1) Only such persons who are 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 a meeting of
      shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance
      with the procedures set forth in this By-Law. Except as otherwise provided
      by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the chairman of
      the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a
      nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was
      made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures
      set forth in this By-Law and, if any proposed nomination or business is
      not in compliance with this By-Law, to declare that such defective
      proposal or nomination shall be disregarded.

            (2) For purposes of this By-Law, "public announcement" shall mean
      disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service,
      Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document
      publicly filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission
      pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

            (3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this By-Law, a
      shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the
      Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the
      matters set forth in this By-Law. Nothing in this By-Law shall be deemed
      to affect any rights (a) of shareholders to request inclusion of proposals
      in the Company's proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange
      Act or (b) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect
      directors under specified circumstances.

ARTICLE V: DIRECTORS

      Section 1 - Number: The Board of Directors of this Company shall consist
      of between three (3) and twelve (12) members.

      Section 2 - Election: Directors shall be elected annually at the annual
      meeting of the shareholders, provided that in the event of failure to hold
      such meeting or to hold said election thereat, it may be held at any
      special meeting of shareholders called for that purpose.

                                       4


      Unless sooner terminated by any other provision hereof, the term of any
      Director shall automatically expire at the first annual meeting of the
      shareholders following his or her attainment of the age of 72.
      Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the term of any Director who
      is an officer or other full-time employee of the Corporation shall
      automatically expire immediately upon his or her retirement or other
      termination of employment by the Company.

      Section 3 - Term of Office: The Directors shall hold office from the date
      of their election until the next succeeding annual meeting or until their
      successors are elected and shall qualify.

      Section 4 - Vacancies: Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors and
      any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of
      Directors shall be filled in the manner provided by the laws of Illinois
      then in effect.

      Section 5 - Fees: Directors shall be reimbursed for expenses, if any,
      incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Directors and in otherwise
      performing duties of such Directors. Directors' fees shall be fixed by the
      Board of Directors, provided that any Director who receives compensation
      from the Company as an officer or full-time employee shall not receive
      Director's fees.

      Section 6 - Executive or Other Committees: The Board of Directors may
      authorize appointment of an Executive Committee or other committees of the
      Board as the Board of Directors determines to be desirable, and may fix
      the number of members and designate the chairman of each such committee.
      The powers, terms of office, and method of filing vacancies shall be as
      defined in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors
      relating to the authorization of such committees. Each such committee
      shall make a written report or recommendation following its meetings or
      keep minutes of all of its meetings.

ARTICLE VI:  DIRECTORS' MEETINGS

      Section 1 - Regular Meetings: Regular meetings of the Board of Directors
      shall be held at the principal office of the Company or at such other
      place or places, within or without the State of Illinois, at such time and
      day as the Board of Directors may designate.

      Section 2 - Special Meetings: Unless otherwise provided by law, special
      meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time, at the
      principal office of the Company or elsewhere, within or without the state.

            The Secretary or Assistant Secretary shall call a special meeting
      whenever so requested by the Chairman of the Board, the President, a Vice
      President, or by three Directors.

      Section 3 - Organization Meeting: As soon as possible after their
      election, the Board of Directors shall meet and organize and they may also
      transact such other business as may be presented, provided the same shall
      receive the affirmative votes of a majority of the constituent membership
      of the Board.

                                       5


      Section 4 - Notice: No notice shall be required for a regular meeting.

            No notice shall be required for an "Organization Meeting," if held
      on the same day as the shareholders' meeting at which the Directors were
      elected.

            No notice of the holding of an adjourned meeting shall be necessary.

            A reasonable notice of special meetings, in writing or otherwise,
      shall be given to each Director or sent to his residence or place of
      business.

            Notice of special meeting shall specify the time and place of
      holding the meeting and, unless otherwise stated, any and all business may
      be transacted at such special meeting.

            Notice of any meeting may be waived in writing.

      Section 5 - Quorum: At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority
      shall constitute a quorum, but a less number may convene and adjourn.

      Section 6 - Voting: All questions coming before any meeting of the Board
      of Directors for action shall be decided by a majority vote of the
      Directors present at said meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by
      these Bylaws.

ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS

      Section 1 - General: The principal officers of the Company shall be
      elected by the Board of Directors. They shall include a President, one or
      more Vice Presidents, one or more of whom may be designated as Executive
      or Senior Vice President, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, a
      Secretary and a Treasurer, and may include a Chairman of the Board. The
      Board of Directors may appoint or remove such other officers and agents of
      the Company as it may deem proper or may delegate such authority to the
      Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall
      be the President or Chairman of the Board, as designated by the Board of
      Directors. In the event that a Chairman of the Board has not been elected,
      the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer.

      Section 2 - Qualifications: The Chairman of the Board, if one is elected,
      and the President shall be chosen from among the Board of Directors.

      Section 3 - Election: The principal officers shall be elected annually at
      the organization meeting of the Directors, provided that any such officers
      not elected at such meeting may be elected at any succeeding meeting of
      the Directors.

      Section 4 - Term of Office: The principal officers shall hold office from
      the date of their election until the next succeeding organization meeting
      of Directors or until their

                                       6


      successors are elected and shall qualify, provided that the Directors
      shall at all times have the power to remove any officer, when in their
      judgment such removal may be to the best interests of the Company.

      Section 5 - Vacancies: Any vacancy or vacancies among the officers,
      arising from any cause, shall be filled by the Directors as provided
      above.

      Section 6 - Compensation: The compensation of the principal officers shall
      be fixed by the Board of Directors. The compensation of other officers
      shall, in the absence of any action by the Board of Directors, be fixed by
      the Chief Executive Officer.

      Section 7 - Combining Offices: Except to the extent otherwise provided by
      law, any two or more of such offices may be held by the same person but no
      officer shall execute, acknowledge, or verify any instrument in more than
      one capacity if such instrument is required by law or by the Bylaws to be
      executed, acknowledged, or verified by any two or more officers.

ARTICLE VIII: AGENTS

      Section 1 - Depositories: The funds of the Company, from any source, shall
      be deposited in the name of the Company with such depositories as may be
      designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX: POWERS AND DUTIES

      Section 1 - Directors: The Board of Directors shall have and exercise all
      power and authority in the government of the affairs of the Company except
      where specifically excepted by law or by these Bylaws.

      Section 2 - Chairman of the Board: The Chairman of the Board, if one is
      elected, shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and the Board
      of Directors. He shall do and perform all acts and things incident to the
      position of Chairman of the Board and such other duties as may be assigned
      to him by the Board of Directors.

      Section 3 - President: The President shall have the general control and
      management of the business and affairs of the Company, subject, however,
      to the supervision of the Board of Directors. He shall perform and do all
      acts and things incident to the position of President and such other
      duties as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors. In the absence
      or disability of the Chairman of the Board, or if a Chairman of the Board
      has not been elected, he shall have and exercise all of the powers and
      duties of that office.

            He shall appoint such agents and employees as he may deem necessary
      for the proper conduct of the business of the Company and shall prescribe
      their duties and fix their compensation, provided that the Board of
      Directors shall at all times have the power

                                       7


      to remove any agent or employee, when, in their judgment, such removal may
      be to the best interest of the Company.

      Section 4 - Vice Presidents: The Vice Presidents shall perform such of the
      duties of the President and such other duties on behalf of the Company as
      may be respectively assigned to them by the Board of Directors, or the
      Chief Executive Officer. In the absence or disability of the President or
      in the case of his death, resignation, or removal from office, the powers
      and duties of the President shall temporarily pass to such one of the Vice
      Presidents as the Board of Directors shall have designated or shall
      designate, and the Vice President so designated shall have and exercise
      all the powers and duties of the President during such absence or
      disability or until the vacancy in the office of President shall be
      filled.

      Section 5 - Assistant Vice Presidents: The Assistant Vice Presidents shall
      perform such of the duties of the Vice Presidents and such other duties on
      behalf of the Company as may be respectively assigned to them by the Board
      of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or a Vice President who would
      otherwise perform such duties.

      Section 6 - Secretary: Subject to the supervision of the Board of
      Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, the Secretary shall have the
      custody of the corporate seal and records of the Company and shall prepare
      and file all reports required by law to be made to any and all public
      authorities and officials.

            He shall act as Secretary at meetings of the shareholders and
      Directors and shall be responsible for keeping and recording the minutes
      of all meetings in a suitable minute book and shall attend to publishing,
      giving, and serving all official notices of the Company. He shall be
      responsible for keeping the capital stock records.

            He shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the
      Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer.

      Section 7 - Treasurer: Subject to the supervision of the Board of
      Directors and Chief Executive Officer, the Treasurer shall have the
      custody of all funds and securities of the Company and charge of the
      collection of amounts due the Company.

            He shall disburse the funds of the Company only upon receipt of
      properly authorized vouchers and shall keep a record of all receipts and
      disbursements of funds by him.

            He shall have authority to give receipts for moneys paid to the
      Company and to endorse checks, drafts, and warrants in the name of the
      Company.

            He shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the
      Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer.

      Section 8 - Other Officers and Agents: The powers and duties of such other
      officers and agents shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the
      Chief Executive Officer.

                                       8


ARTICLE X: STOCK

      Section 1 - Stock Certificates: The shares of stock of the Company shall
      be represented by certificates signed by the President or a Vice President
      and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and sealed with the seal of
      the Company. Such seal may be a facsimile. Where such certificate is
      countersigned by a Transfer Agent other than the Company itself or an
      employee of the Company, or by a Transfer Clerk and registered by a
      Registrar, the signatures of the President or Vice President and the
      Secretary or Assistant Secretary upon such certificate may be facsimiles
      engraved or printed. In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile
      signature has been placed upon such certificate shall have ceased to be
      such officer before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the
      Company with the same effect as if such officer had not ceased to be such
      at the date of its issue.

      Section 2 - Stock Transfer Books: The stock shall be transferable on the
      stock transfer books of the Company in person or by proxy duly authorized,
      and upon surrender and cancellation of the old certificates therefor.

      Section 3 - Replacing Certificates: In case of the loss or destruction of
      any certificate of stock and the submission of proper proof thereof by the
      owner, a new certificate may be issued in lieu thereof under such
      regulations and restrictions as the Board of Directors may prescribe.

ARTICLE XI: DIVIDENDS

      Section 1 - The Directors may declare, from the net profits or surplus of
      the Company, dividends upon its capital stock, payable at such times and
      for such amounts as they may determine in conformity with the Articles of
      Incorporation of the Company, as amended, and the laws of the State of
      Illinois.

ARTICLE XII: AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES

      Section 1 - All checks, drafts, and other negotiable instruments issued by
      the Company shall be made in the name of the Company and shall be signed
      by such officer or officers of the Company, or by such other person or
      persons as the Board of Directors may designate. To the extent authorized
      by the Board of Directors, facsimile signatures may be used.

ARTICLE XIII: FIDELITY BONDS

      Section 1 - The officers and employees of the Company shall, in the
      discretion of the

                                       9


      President, give bonds for the faithful discharge of their respective
      duties, in such form and for such amounts as may be directed by the
      President.

ARTICLE XIV: AMENDMENTS

      Section 1 - The Bylaws of the Company may be altered, amended, or repealed
      by either the shareholders or the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XV: INDEMNIFICATION

      Section 1 - The Company shall indemnify any person who was or is a party
      or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
      completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
      administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right
      of the Company) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director,
      officer, employee or agent of the Company, or who is or was serving at the
      request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of
      another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
      enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines
      and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such
      person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if such person
      acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be
      in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, and, with
      respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
      believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action,
      suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a
      plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
      presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner
      which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
      interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal action or
      proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was
      unlawful.

      Section 2 - The Company shall indemnify any person who was or is a party
      or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
      completed action or suit by or in the right of the Company to procure a
      judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
      director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving
      at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of
      another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
      enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
      reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or
      settlement of such action or suit, if such person acted in good faith and
      in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the
      best interests of the Company, provided that no indemnification shall be
      made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person
      shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the
      performance of his or her duty to the Company, unless, and only to the
      extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall
      determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability,
      but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
      reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court shall deem
      proper.

                                       10


      Section 3 - To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of
      the Company has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the
      defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections l and 2
      of this Article, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such
      person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
      actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

      Section 4 - Any indemnification under Sections l and 2 of this Article
      (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Company only as
      authorized in the specific case, upon a determination that indemnification
      of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances
      because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in
      Section l or 2 of this Article. Such determination shall be made (a) by
      the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of
      directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (b)
      if such a quorum is not obtainable, or even if obtainable, if a quorum of
      disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a
      written opinion, or (c) by the shareholders.

      Section 5 - Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action,
      suit or proceeding may be paid by the Company in advance of the final
      disposition of such action, suit or proceeding, as authorized by the Board
      of Directors in the specific case, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on
      behalf of the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount,
      unless it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is entitled to be
      indemnified by the Company as authorized in this Article.

      Section 6 - The indemnification provided by this Article shall not be
      deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking
      indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of
      shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action
      in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
      holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to
      be a director, officer, employee or agent, and shall inure to the benefit
      of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

      Section 7 - The Company shall have power to purchase and maintain
      insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer,
      employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of
      the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
      corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
      against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such
      person in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such,
      whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such person
      against such liability under the provisions of this Article.

      Section 8 - If the Company has paid indemnity or has advanced expenses to
      a director, officer, employee or agent, the Company shall report the
      indemnification or advance in writing to the shareholders with or before
      the notice of the next shareholders' meeting.

      Section 9 - For purposes of this Article, references to "the Company"
      shall include, in addition to the surviving Company, any merging Company
      (including any Company having merged with a merging Company) absorbed in a
      merger which, if its separate

                                       11


      existence had continued, would have had the power and authority to
      indemnify its directors, officers and employees or agents, so that any
      person who was a director, officer, employee or agent of such merging
      Company, or was serving at the request of such merging Company as a
      director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
      joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position
      under the provisions of this Article with respect to the surviving Company
      as such person would have with respect to such merging Company if its
      separate existence had continued.

      Section 10 - For purposes of this Article, references to "other
      enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines"
      shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an
      employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at the request of the
      Company" shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or
      agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by such
      director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit
      plan, its participants, or beneficiaries. A person who acted in good faith
      and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interest
      of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be
      deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the
      Company" as referred to in this Article.

                                       12