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Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED
AND
RESTATED
BY-LAWS
OF
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION....................................................1
2. FISCAL YEAR.................................................................1
3. MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS....................................................1
3.1 Annual Meetings.........................................................1
3.2 Special Meetings........................................................6
3.3 Place of Meetings.......................................................6
3.4 Notice of Meetings......................................................6
3.5 Quorum..................................................................7
3.6 Action by Vote..........................................................8
3.7 Voting..................................................................8
3.8 Action by Consent.......................................................8
3.9 Proxies.................................................................8
4. DIRECTORS...................................................................9
4.1 Powers..................................................................9
4.2 Enumeration, Election and Term of Office................................9
4.3 Regular Meetings........................................................9
4.4 Special Meetings.......................................................10
4.5 Notices................................................................10
4.6 Quorum.................................................................11
4.7 Action by Consent......................................................11
4.8 Committees.............................................................12
4.9 Meeting by Telecommunications..........................................12
5. OFFICERS AND AGENTS........................................................13
5.1 Enumeration; Qualification.............................................13
5.2 Powers.................................................................13
5.3 Election...............................................................13
5.4 Tenure.................................................................14
5.5 Chairman of the Board..................................................14
5.6 President and Vice Presidents..........................................14
5.7 Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers.....................................15
5.8 Clerk and Assistant Clerks.............................................15
5.9 Secretary and Assistant Secretary......................................16
6. RESIGNATIONS, REMOVALS AND VACANCIES.......................................16
6.1 Resignations...........................................................16
6.2 Removals...............................................................16
6.3 Vacancies..............................................................17
7. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OTHERS....................................18
8. STOCK......................................................................20
8.1 Stock Authorized.......................................................20
8.2 Issue of Authorized Unissued Capital Stock.............................20
8.3 Certificates of Stock..................................................20
8.4 Transfers..............................................................21
8.5 Lost, Mutilated, or Destroyed Certificates.............................22
8.6 Transfer Agent and Registrar...........................................22
8.7 Setting Record Date and Closing Transfer Records.......................22
9. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS...................................................23
9.1 Execution of Papers....................................................23
9.2 Voting of Securities...................................................23
9.3 Corporate Seal.........................................................24
9.4 Corporate Records......................................................24
9.5 Evidence of Authority..................................................24
10. AMENDMENTS................................................................25
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RESTATED
BY-LAWS
OF
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
1. ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION.
The name and purposes of MicroFinancial Incorporated (the "Corporation")
shall be as set forth in the Articles of Organization. These By-Laws, the powers
of the Corporation and its Directors and stockholders, and all matters
concerning the conduct and regulation of the business of the Corporation, shall
be subject to such provisions in regard thereto, if any, as are set forth in the
Articles of Organization. All references in these By-Laws to the Articles of
Organization shall be construed to mean the Articles of Organization of the
Corporation as from time to time amended or restated.
2. FISCAL YEAR.
Except as from time to time otherwise determined by the Directors, the
fiscal year of the Corporation shall in each year end on December 31.
3. MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS.
3.1 ANNUAL MEETINGS.
(a) The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the
second Tuesday in April in each year (or if that be a legal holiday in the place
where the meeting is to be held, on the next succeeding full business day) at
ten o'clock A.M. unless a different hour is fixed by the Board of Directors or
the President and stated in the notice of the meeting. The purposes for
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which the annual meeting is to be held, in addition to those prescribed by law,
by the Articles of Organization or these By-Laws, may be specified by the Board
of Directors or the President. If no annual meeting has been held on the date
fixed above, a special meeting in lieu thereof may be held and such special
meeting shall have for the purposes of these By-Laws, or otherwise, all the
force and effect of an annual meeting.
(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation,
only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before
such meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be
(i) specified in the notice of such meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by
or at the direction of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, (ii) otherwise
properly brought before such meeting by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation, or (iii) otherwise properly brought before such
meeting by a stockholder of the Corporation in accordance with these Bylaws. For
business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder of the
Corporation, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing
to the Clerk of the Corporation. To be timely, such stockholder's notice must be
delivered either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, to the principal executive offices of the Corporation
(addressed to the Clerk) not later than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the
anniversary date of the release of the Corporation's proxy statement to its
stockholders in connection with the preceding year's annual meeting of its
stockholders, except that if no annual meeting of its stockholders was held in
the previous year or the date of the annual meeting of its stockholders has been
changed by more than thirty (30) calendar days from the anniversary of the
annual meeting of its stockholders stated in the previous year's proxy
statement, a proposal of a stockholder of the Corporation shall be received by
the Corporation a reasonable time before the solicitation is
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made. Such stockholder's notice shall set forth, as to each matter such
stockholder proposes to bring before an annual meeting, (i) a brief description
of the business desired to be brought before such annual meeting and the reasons
for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) a representation that
such stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote with respect to such business and that such stockholder intends to appear
in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to move the consideration of such
business, (iii) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation's books,
of the stockholder proposing such business, (iv) the class and number of shares
of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by such stockholder,
and (v) any interest of such stockholder in such business. Notwithstanding
anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an
annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
SECTION 3. The Chairman of an annual meeting may refuse to acknowledge a motion
to consider any business that he/she determines was not made in compliance with
the foregoing procedures and if he/she should so determine and declare to such
meeting, then any such business not properly brought before such meeting shall
not be transacted.
(c) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this SECTION 3.1, the Articles of Organization and
applicable laws, rules and regulations shall be eligible for election as
directors of the Corporation. Without limiting the foregoing, nomination of
persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation may be made at
a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation (i) by or at the direction of the
Board of Directors of the Corporation or any nominating or similar committee
thereof, or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation entitled to vote for the
election of directors of the Corporation at such meeting who complies with the
notice procedures set forth in this SECTION 3.1. Such nominations, other than
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those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors of the Corporation
or any nominating or similar committee thereof, shall be made pursuant to timely
notice in writing to the Clerk of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's
notice shall be delivered either by personal delivery or by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, to the principal executive offices of
the Corporation (addressed to the Clerk) not later than ninety (90) calendar
days prior to the anniversary date of the release of the Corporation's proxy
statement to its stockholders in connection with the preceding year's annual
meeting of its stockholders, except that if no annual meeting of its
stockholders was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting of
its stockholders has been changed by more than thirty (30) calendar days from
the anniversary of the annual meeting of its stockholders stated in the previous
year's proxy statement, a proposal of a stockholder of the Corporation shall be
received by the Corporation a reasonable time before the solicitation is made.
Such stockholder's notice shall set forth (i) as to each person whom such
stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director of
the Corporation (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of
such nominee, (B) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee, (C)
the class and number of shares of the Corporation, if any, which are
beneficially owned by such nominee, (D) a description of all arrangements or
understandings between such stockholder and each nominee and any other person or
persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which such nomination is
made by such stockholder, and (E) any other information relating to such nominee
that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of
directors, or as otherwise required, in each case, pursuant to Regulation 14A
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including, without
limitation, such nominee's written consent to being named in the proxy
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statement as a nominee and to serving as a director of the Corporation if
elected); and (ii) as to such stockholder (A) the name and address, as they
appear on the Corporation's books, of such stockholder, (B) a representation
that such stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled
to vote at such meeting and that such stockholder intends to appear in person or
by proxy at such meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in such
notice, and (C) the class and number of shares of stock of the Corporation which
are beneficially owned by such stockholder. At the request of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation, any person nominated by the Board of Directors of
the Corporation for election as a director of the Corporation shall furnish to
the Clerk of the Corporation that information required to be set forth in a
stockholder's notice of nomination, as provided above in this SECTION 3.1, which
pertains to such nominee. No person shall be eligible for election as a director
of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth
in this SECTION 3.1. The Chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge a
motion to consider any nominee as a director of the Corporation that he/she
determines was not made in compliance with the foregoing procedures and if
he/she should so determine and declare to such meeting then the defective
nomination shall be disregarded.
(d) The affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six
and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the then-outstanding shares of stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote, voting together as a single class, shall be
required to alter, amend or repeal SECTION 3.1(b) or SECTION 3.1(c).
3.2 SPECIAL MEETINGS.
A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time only by
(a) the Chairman of the Board, (b) the President, (c) by a majority of the
Directors acting by vote or by written
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instrument or instruments signed by them, or (d) by the Clerk, or in case of the
death, absence, incapacity or refusal of the Clerk, by any other officer, upon
written application of stockholders holding at least sixty-six and two-thirds
percent (66 2/3%) of the issued and outstanding voting stock. Such call shall
state the time, place and purposes of the meeting. The business transacted at
such special meeting shall be limited to the purpose for which it was called
except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or
the chairman of the meeting.
3.3 PLACE OF MEETINGS.
All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at the principal office
of the Corporation in Massachusetts, unless a different place within
Massachusetts or, if permitted by the Articles of Organization, elsewhere within
the United States is designated by the President, or by a majority of the
Directors acting by vote or by written instrument or instruments signed by them
and stated in the notice of the meeting. Any adjourned session of any meeting of
the stockholders shall be held at such place within Massachusetts or, if
permitted by the Articles of Organization, elsewhere within the United States as
is designated in the vote of adjournment.
3.4 NOTICE OF MEETINGS.
A written notice of the place, date and hour of all meetings of
stockholders stating the purposes of the meeting shall be given at least
seven (7) days before the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat
and to each stockholder who is otherwise entitled by law or by the Articles of
Organization to such notice, by leaving such notice with him or at his residence
or usual place of business, or by mailing it, postage prepaid, and addressed to
such stockholder at his address as it appears in the records of the Corporation.
Such notice shall be given by the Clerk, or in case of the death, absence,
incapacity or refusal of the Clerk, by any other officer or
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by a person designated either by the Clerk, by the person or persons calling the
meeting or by the Board of Directors. Whenever notice of a meeting is required
to be given a stockholder under any provision of law, of the Articles of
Organization, or of these By-Laws, a written waiver thereof, executed before or
after the meeting by such stockholder or his attorney thereunto authorized, and
filed with the records of the meeting, shall be deemed equivalent to such
notice.
3.5 QUORUM.
At any meeting of the stockholders, a quorum shall consist of a majority
of all shares of stock then issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the
meeting except that if two or more classes or series of stock are entitled to
vote on any matter as separate classes or series, then in the case of each such
class or series a quorum for that matter shall consist of a majority of all
shares of stock of that class or series then issued and outstanding and except
when a different quorum is required by law, by the Articles of Organization or
by these By-Laws. Stock owned directly or indirectly by the Corporation, if any,
shall not be deemed outstanding for this purpose. Any meeting may be adjourned
from time to time by a majority of the votes properly cast upon the question,
whether or not a quorum is present, and the meeting may be held as adjourned
without further notice.
3.6 ACTION BY VOTE.
When a quorum is present at any meeting, a plurality of the votes
properly cast for election to any office shall elect to such office and a
majority of the vote properly cast upon any question other than an election to
an office shall decide the question, except when a larger vote is required by
law, by the Articles of Organization or by these By-Laws. No ballot shall be
required for any election unless requested by a stockholder present or
represented at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election.
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3.7 VOTING.
Stockholders entitled to vote shall have one vote for each share of
stock entitled to vote held by them of record according to the records of the
Corporation and a proportionate vote for a fractional share, unless otherwise
provided by the Articles of Organization. The Corporation shall not, directly or
indirectly, vote any share of its own stock.
3.8 ACTION BY CONSENT.
Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the
stockholders may be taken without a meeting if all stockholders entitled to vote
on the matter consent to the action in writing and the written consents are
filed with the records of the meetings of stockholders. Such consents shall be
treated for all purposes as a vote at a meeting.
3.9 PROXIES.
Stockholders entitled to vote may vote either in person or by proxy in
writing dated not more than six months before the meeting named therein, which
proxies shall be filed with the clerk or other person responsible to record the
proceedings of the meeting before being voted. Unless otherwise specifically
limited by their terms, such proxies shall entitle the holders thereof to vote
at any adjournment of such meeting but shall not be valid after the final
adjournment of such meeting. A proxy with respect to stock held in the name of
two or more persons shall be valid if executed by any one of them unless at or
prior to exercise of the proxy the Corporation receives a specific written
notice to the contrary from any one of them. A proxy purporting to be executed
by or on behalf of a stockholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or
prior to its exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the
challenger.
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4. DIRECTORS.
4.1 POWERS.
The business of the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors
who shall have and may exercise all the powers of the Corporation except as
otherwise reserved to the stockholders by law, by the Articles of Organization
or by these By-Laws.
4.2 ENUMERATION, ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE.
The Board of Directors shall consist of no more than seven (7) or less
than three (3) Directors divided into three (3) classes in accordance with the
provisions of the Articles of Organization. The Directors shall be chosen at the
annual meeting of the stockholders by such stockholders as have the right to
vote thereon, and each shall hold office until the end of his or her specified
term and until his or her successor is chosen and qualified or until he or she
sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. No Director need be a
stockholder.
4.3 REGULAR MEETINGS.
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such times and
places within or without The Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the Board of
Directors may fix from time to time and, when so fixed, no notice thereof need
be given, provided that any Director who is absent when such times and places
are fixed shall be given notice as provided in this SECTION 4 of the fixing of
such times and places and provided further that any resolution relating to the
holding of regular meetings shall remain in force only until the next annual
meeting of stockholders. The first meeting of the Board of Directors following
the annual meeting of the stockholders may be held without notice immediately
after and at the same place as the annual meeting of the stockholders or the
special meeting held in lieu thereof. If in any year a meeting of the Board of
Directors is not held at such time and place, any action to be taken may be
taken
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at any later meeting of the Board of Directors with the same force and effect as
if held or transacted at such meeting.
4.4 SPECIAL MEETINGS.
Special meetings of the Directors may be called by the President or by
the Treasurer or by the Clerk or by any two Directors and shall be held at the
place designated in the call thereof.
4.5 NOTICES.
Notices of any special meeting of the Directors shall be given by the
Clerk or Secretary to each Director, by mailing to him, postage prepaid, and
addressed to him at his address as registered on the books of the Corporation,
or if not so registered at his last known home or business address, a written
notice of such meeting at least forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting or by
delivering such notice to him at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting
or by sending to him at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting, by
prepaid telegram addressed to him at such address, notice of such meeting. If
the Clerk or Secretary refuses or neglects for more than twenty-four (24) hours
after receipt of a call to give notice of such special meeting, or if the
offices of Clerk and Secretary are vacant or the Clerk and Secretary are absent
from The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or incapacitated, such notice may be
given by the officer or one of the Directors calling the meeting. Notice need
not be given to any Director if a written waiver of notice, executed by him
before or after the meeting, is filed with the records of the meeting, or to any
Director who attend the meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its
commencement the lack of notice to him. A notice or waiver of notice of a
Directors' meeting need not specify the purposes of the meeting.
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4.6 QUORUM.
At any meeting of the Directors, a quorum for any election or for the
consideration of any question shall consist of a majority of the Directors then
in office. Whether or not a quorum is present, any meeting may be adjourned from
time to time by a majority of the votes properly cast upon the question, and the
meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. When a quorum is
present at any meeting, the votes of a majority of the Directors present shall
be requisite and sufficient for election to any office and shall decide any
question brought before such meeting, except in any case where a different vote
is required by law, by the Articles of Organization or by these By-Laws.
4.7 ACTION BY CONSENT.
Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the
Directors may be taken without a meeting if all the Directors consent to the
action in writing and the written consents are filed with the records of the
meetings of the Directors. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a
vote of the Directors at a meeting.
4.8 COMMITTEES.
The Board of Directors, by vote of a majority of the Directors then in
office, may elect from its number an Executive Committee or other committees and
may delegate thereto some or all of its powers except those which by law, by the
Articles of Organization, or by these By-Laws may not be delegated. Except as
the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, any such committee may make
rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the
Board of Directors or in such rules, its business shall be conducted so far as
possible in the same manner as is provided by these By-Laws for the Board of
Directors. All members of such committees shall hold such offices at the
pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Board of
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Directors may abolish any such committee at any time. Any committee to which the
Board of Directors delegates any of its powers or duties shall keep records of
its meetings and shall upon request report its action to the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors shall have power to rescind any action of any committee,
but no such rescission shall have retroactive effect.
4.9 MEETING BY TELECOMMUNICATIONS.
Members of the board of directors or any committee elected thereby may
participate in a meeting of such board or committee by means of a conference
telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons
participating in a meeting can hear each other at the same time and
participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
5. OFFICERS AND AGENTS.
5.1 ENUMERATION; QUALIFICATION.
The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Treasurer, a
Clerk, and such other officers, including a Chairman of the Board, if any, as
the incorporators at their initial meeting, or the Directors from time to time,
may in their discretion elect or appoint. The Corporation may also have such
agents, if any, as the incorporators at their initial meeting, or the Directors
from time to time, may in their discretion appoint. Any officer may be but none
need be a Director or stockholder. The Clerk shall be a resident of
Massachusetts unless the Corporation has a resident agent appointed for the
purpose of service of process. Any two or more offices may be held by the same
person. Any officer may be required by the Directors to give bond for the
faithful performance of his duties to the Corporation in such amount and with
such sureties as the Directors may determine. The premiums for such bonds may be
paid by the Corporation.
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5.2 POWERS.
Subject to law, to the Articles of Organization and to the other
provisions of these By-Laws, each officer shall have, in addition to the duties
and powers herein set forth, such duties and powers as are commonly incident to
his office and such duties and powers as the Directors may from time to time
designate.
5.3 ELECTION.
The Chairman of the Board may, and the President, the Treasurer and the
Clerk shall be elected annually by the Directors at their first meeting
following the annual meeting of the stockholders. Other officers, if any, may be
elected or appointed by the Board of Directors at said meeting or at any other
time.
5.4 TENURE.
Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Organization
or by these By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Treasurer and
the Clerk shall hold office until the first meeting of the Directors following
the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until their respective
successors are chosen and qualified, and each other officer shall hold office
until the first meeting of the Directors following the next annual meeting of
the stockholders and until their respective successors are chosen and qualified,
unless a different period shall have been specified by the terms of his election
or appointment, or in each case until he sooner dies, resigns, is removed or
becomes disqualified. Each agent shall retain his authority at the pleasure of
the Directors.
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5.5 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.
If elected, the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at all
meetings of the Directors and shall be an ex-officio, voting member of all
committees, including any executive committee, which may be established by the
Board of Directors.
5.6 PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENTS.
The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation
and shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have general
supervision and control of its business. Unless otherwise provided by the Board
of Directors he shall preside, when present, at all meetings of stockholders
and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, he shall preside
at any meeting of the Board of Directors.
In the absence or disability of the President, his powers or duties
shall be performed by the Vice President, if only one, or, if more than one, by
the one designated for the purpose by the Directors. Any Vice President shall
have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as the Board of
Directors may from time to time designate.
5.7 TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS.
The Treasurer shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors,
have general charge of the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall cause
to be kept accurate books of account. He shall have custody of all funds,
securities, and valuable documents of the Corporation, except as the Board of
Directors may otherwise provide.
In the absence or disability of the Treasurer, his powers and duties
shall be performed by the Assistant Treasurer, if only one, or, if more than
one, by the one designated for the purpose by the Directors. Any Assistant
Treasurer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as the
Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
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5.8 CLERK AND ASSISTANT CLERKS.
The Clerk shall keep a record of the meetings of stockholders. In the
event there is no Secretary or he is absent, the Clerk or an Assistant Clerk
shall keep a record of the meetings of the Board of Directors. Unless the
Directors shall appoint a transfer agent and/or registrar or other officer or
officers for the purpose, the Clerk shall be charged with the duty of keeping,
or causing to be kept, accurate records of all stock outstanding, stock
certificates issued and stock transfers. In the absence of the Clerk from any
meeting of stockholders, an Assistant Clerk if one be elected, otherwise a
Temporary Clerk designated by the person presiding at the meeting, shall perform
the duties of the Clerk. An Assistant Clerk shall have such powers and perform
such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
5.9 SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY.
The Secretary, if one be elected or appointed, shall keep a record of
the meetings of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the Secretary, the
Clerk and any Assistant Clerk, a Temporary Secretary shall be designated by the
person presiding at such meeting to perform the duties of the Secretary.
6. RESIGNATIONS, REMOVALS AND VACANCIES.
6.1 RESIGNATIONS.
Any Director or officer may resign at any time by delivering his
resignation in writing to the President or the Clerk or to a meeting of the
Directors. Such resignation shall take effect at such time as is specified
therein, or if no such time is so specified then upon delivery thereof.
6.2 REMOVALS.
Unless a higher percentage is required by law or the Articles of
Organization, any director of the Corporation may be removed from office at any
time, but only for cause (as defined
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below) and only by the affirmative vote (i) of the holders of at least sixty-six
and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the then-outstanding shares of the Common
Stock of the Corporation, voting together as a single class or (ii) at least
sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the directors then in office,
though less than a quorum, but excluding from such vote any director(s) who is
(are) then the subject of the removal vote. For purposes of this provision,
"cause" shall mean (i) gross negligence, fraud or dishonesty, (ii) conviction of
a felony offense, (iii) breach of a fiduciary duty involving personal profit, or
(iv) willful violation of any material written Corporation policy. The
affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent
(66 2/3%) of the then-outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation,
voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal
this provision.
The Directors may remove any officer from office with or without
assignment of cause by vote of a majority of the Directors then in office.
If cause is assigned for removal of any Director or officer, such
Director or officer may be removed only after a reasonable notice and
opportunity to be heard before the body proposing to remove him.
The Directors may terminate or modify the authority of any agent or
employee.
Except as the Directors may otherwise determine, no Director or officer
who resigns or is removed shall have any right to any compensation as such
Director or officer for any period following his resignation or removal, or any
right to damages on account of such removal whether his compensation be by the
month or by the year or otherwise, provided, however, that the foregoing
provision shall not prevent such Director or officer from obtaining damages for
breach of any contract of employment legally binding upon the Corporation.
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6.3 VACANCIES.
Unless a higher percentage is required by law or the Articles of
Organization, any vacancies in the Board of Directors for any reason, and any
newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of
directors, may be filled only by the Board of Directors, acting by vote of
eighty percent (80%) of the directors then in office, although less than a
quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the next election of
the class for which such directors shall have been chosen and until their
respective successors shall be duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the
number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. The
affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent
(66 2/3%) of the then-outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation,
voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal
this provision.
If the office of any officer becomes vacant, the Directors may elect or
appoint a successor by vote of a majority of the Directors present at the
meeting at which such election or appointment is made.
Each such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term of his
predecessor and until his successor shall be elected or appointed and qualified,
or until he sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified.
7. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OTHERS.
The Corporation shall, to the extent legally permissible, indemnify any
person serving or who has served as a Director or officer of the Corporation, or
at its request as a Director, trustee, officer, employee or other agent of any
organization in which the Corporation owns shares or of which it is a creditor
against all liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of
judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees, reasonably
incurred by
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him in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other
proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which he may be involved or with which
he may be threatened, while serving or thereafter, by reason of his being or
having been such a Director, officer, trustee, employee or agent, except with
respect to any matter as to which he shall have been adjudicated in any
proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his
action was in the best interests of the Corporation; provided, however, that as
to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by such Director, officer,
trustee, employee or agent, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no
indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be
provided unless:
(a) such compromise shall be approved as in the best interests of the
Corporation, after notice that it involves such indemnification:
(i) by a disinterested majority of the directors then in
office; or
(ii) by the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock at
the time entitled to vote for Directors, voting as a
single class, exclusive of any stock owned by any
interested Director or officer; or
(b) in the absence of action by disinterested directors or
stockholders, there has been obtained at the request of a
majority of the Directors then in office an opinion in writing of
independent legal counsel to the effect that such Director or
officer appears to have acted in good faith in the reasonable
belief that his action was in the best interests of the
Corporation.
Expenses including counsel fees, reasonably incurred by any such Director,
officer, trustee, employee or agent in connection with the defense or
disposition of any such action, suit or other proceeding may be paid from time
to time by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition
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thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by such individual to repay the amounts
so paid to the Corporation if it is ultimately determined that indemnification
for such expenses is not authorized under this section. The right of
indemnification hereby provided shall not be exclusive of or affect any other
rights to which any such Director, officer, trustee, employee or agent may be
entitled. Nothing contained in this section shall affect any rights to
indemnification to which corporate personnel other than such Directors,
officers, trustees, employees or agents may be entitled by contract or otherwise
under law. As used in this section the terms "Director", "officer", "trustee",
"employee" and "agent" include their respective heirs, executors and
administrators, and an "interested" Director, officer, trustee, employee or
agent is one against whom in such capacity the proceedings in question or other
proceedings on the same or similar grounds is then pending.
8. STOCK.
8.1 STOCK AUTHORIZED.
The total number of shares and the par value, if any, of each class of
stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue, and if more than one class
is authorized, a description of each class with the preferences, voting powers,
qualifications and special and relative rights and privileges as to each class
and any series thereof, shall be as stated in the Articles of Organization.
8.2 ISSUE OF AUTHORIZED UNISSUED CAPITAL STOCK.
Any unissued capital stock from time to time authorized under the
Articles of Organization may be issued by vote of the Directors. No such stock
shall be issued unless the cash, so far as due, or the property, services or
expenses for which it was authorized to be issued,
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has been actually received or incurred by, or conveyed or rendered to, the
Corporation or is in its possession as surplus.
8.3 CERTIFICATES OF STOCK.
Each stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate in form selected by
the Board of Directors stating the number and the class and the designation of
the series, if any, of the shares held by him. Such certificate shall be signed
by the President or a Vice President and the Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer. Such signatures may be facsimiles if the certificate is signed by a
transfer agent, or by a registrar, other than a Director, officer or employee of
the Corporation.
Every certificate for shares of stock subject to any restriction on
transfer pursuant to the Articles of Organization, these By-Laws, or any
agreement to which the Corporation is a party shall have the restriction noted
conspicuously on the certificate and shall also set forth on the face or back
either the full text of the restriction or a statement of the existence of such
restriction and a statement that the Corporation will furnish a copy to the
holder of such certificate upon written request and without charge. Every
certificate issued when the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one
class or series of stock shall set forth on its face or back either the full
text or the preferences, voting powers, qualifications and special and relative
rights of the shares of each class and series authorized to be issued or a
statement of the existence of such preferences, powers, qualifications and
rights, and a statement that the Corporation will furnish a copy thereof to the
holder of such certificate upon written request and without charge.
8.4 TRANSFERS.
Subject to the restrictions, if any, imposed by the Articles of
Organization, these By-Laws or any agreement to which the Corporation is a
party, shares of stock shall be transferred
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on the books of the Corporation only by the surrender to the Corporation or its
transfer agent of the certificate representing such shares properly endorsed or
accompanied by a written assignment of such shares or by a written power of
attorney to sell, assign, or transfer such shares, properly executed, with
necessary transfer stamps affixed if necessary, and with such proof that the
endorsement, assignment or power of attorney is genuine and effective as the
Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require. Except as may be
otherwise required by law, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat the record
holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all
purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect
thereto, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock,
until the shares have been transferred on the books of the Corporation in
accordance with the requirements of these By-Laws. It shall be the duty of each
stockholder to notify the Corporation of his post office address.
8.5 LOST, MUTILATED, OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.
Except as otherwise provided by law, the Board of Directors may
determine the conditions upon which a new certificate of stock may be issued in
place of any certificate alleged to have been lost, mutilated or destroyed. It
may in its discretion, require the owner of a lost, mutilated or destroyed
certificate, or his legal representative, to give a bond, sufficient in its
opinion, with or without surety, to indemnify the Corporation against any loss
or claim which may arise by reason of the issue of a certificate in place of
such lost, mutilated or destroyed stock certificate.
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8.6 TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR.
The Board of Directors may appoint a transfer agent or a registrar or
both for its capital stock or any class or series thereof and require all
certificates for such stock to bear the signature or facsimile thereof of any
such transfer agent or registrar.
8.7 SETTING RECORD DATE AND CLOSING TRANSFER RECORDS.
The Board of Directors may fix in advance a time not more than
sixty (60) days before (i) the date of any meeting of the stockholders or (ii)
the date for the payment of any dividend or the making of any distribution to
stockholders or (iii) the last day on which the consent or dissent of
stockholders may be effectively expressed for any purpose, as the record date
for determining the stockholders having the right to notice and to vote at such
meeting, or the right to receive such dividend or distribution, or the right to
give such consent or dissent. If a record date is set, only stockholders of
record on the date shall have such right notwithstanding any transfer of stock
on the records of the Corporation after the record date. Without fixing such
record date, the Board of Directors may close the transfer records of the
Corporation for all or any part of such sixty (60) day period.
If no record date is fixed and the transfer books are not closed, then
the record date for determining stockholders having the right 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, and 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 acts with respect thereto.
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9. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
9.1 EXECUTION OF PAPERS.
All deeds, leases, transfers, contracts, bonds, notes, releases,
checks, drafts and other obligations authorized to be executed on behalf of the
Corporation shall be signed by the President or the Treasurer except as the
Directors may generally or in particular cases otherwise determine.
9.2 VOTING OF SECURITIES.
Except as the Directors may generally or in particular cases otherwise
specify, the President or the Treasurer may on behalf of the Corporation vote or
take any other action with respect to shares of stock or beneficial interest of
any other corporation, or of any association, trust or firm, of which any
securities are held by this corporation, and may appoint any person or persons
to act as proxy or attorney-in-fact for the Corporation, with or without power
of substitution, at any meeting thereof.
9.3 CORPORATE SEAL.
The seal of the Corporation shall be a circular die with the name of the
Corporation, the word "Massachusetts" and the year of its incorporation cut or
engraved thereon, or shall be in such other form as the Board of Directors may
from time to time determine.
9.4 CORPORATE RECORDS.
The original, or attested copies, of the Articles of Organization,
By-Laws and records of all meetings of the incorporators and stockholders, and
the stock and transfer records, which shall contain the names of all
stockholders and the record address and the amount of stock held by each, shall
be kept in Massachusetts at the principal office of the Corporation or at an
office of its transfer agent or of its Clerk or of its Resident Agent. Said
copies and records need not all be
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kept in the same office. They shall be available at all reasonable times to the
inspection of any stockholder for any proper purpose but not to secure a list of
stockholders for the purpose of selling said list or copies thereof or of using
the same for a purpose other than in the interest of the applicant, as a
stockholder, relative to the affairs of the Corporation.
9.5 EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY.
A certificate by the Clerk or Secretary or an Assistant or Temporary
Clerk or Secretary as to any matter relative to the Articles of Organization,
By-Laws, records of the proceedings of the incorporators, stockholders, Board of
Directors, or any committee of the Board of Directors, or stock and transfer
records or as to any action taken by any person or persons as an officer or
agent of the Corporation, shall as to all persons who rely thereon in good faith
be conclusive evidence of the matters so certified.
10. AMENDMENTS.
If authorized by the Articles of Organization, the Directors may make,
amend or repeal the By-Laws, in whole or in part, except with respect to any
provision thereof which by law, the Articles of Organization or the By-Laws does
not allow such action by the Directors. No change in the date fixed in these
By-Laws for the annual meeting of stockholders may be made within sixty (60)
days before the date fixed in these By-Laws, and in case of any change in such
date, notice thereof shall be given to each stockholder in person or by letter
mailed to his last known post office address at least twenty (20) days before
the new date fixed for such meeting.
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