EXHIBIT 3.9
FORM OF BYLAWS
FOR GAYLORD CREATIVE GROUP, INC., GAYLORD INVESTMENTS, INC.,
GAYLORD PROGRAM SERVICES, INC., OPRYLAND ATTRACTIONS, INC. AND
OPRYLAND THEATRICALS, INC.
ARTICLE I.
OFFICES
Section 1. The registered office shall be in the City of _______,
County of _____, State of Delaware.
Section 2. 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. All meetings of the stockholders for the election of
directors shall be held in the City of Nashville, State of Tennessee, at such
place as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors, or at such
other place either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be
designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice
of the meeting. Meetings of stockholders for any other purpose may be held at
such time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be stated
in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section 2. Annual meetings of stockholders shall be held at such
date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of
Directors. To be properly brought before an annual meeting business must be (a)
specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at
the direction of the Board of Directors, (b) otherwise properly brought before
the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (c) otherwise
properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. The chairman of the annual
meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that
the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 2, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare
to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting
shall not be transacted.
Section 3. Written notice of the annual meeting stating the place,
date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote
at such meeting not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of
the meeting.
Section 4. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the
corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of
stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and 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 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 5. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or
purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the certificate of
incorporation, may be called by the president and shall be called by the
president or secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of
Directors, or at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority in
amount of the entire capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the
proposed meeting.
Section 6. Written notice of a special meeting stating the place,
date and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting
is called, shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the
date of the meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.
Section 7. Business transacted at any special meeting of
stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.
Section 8. The holders of a majority of the stock issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by
proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the
transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the
certificate of incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or
represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to
vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to
adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at
the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned
meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented any business may be
transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally
notified. If the adjournment is for more than thirty 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 9. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the
holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or
represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting,
unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes 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 10. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be
entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock
having voting power held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted on
after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
Section 11. 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 in writing, setting forth
the action so taken, 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. 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.
ARTICLE III.
DIRECTORS
Section 1. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole
Board of Directors shall be not less than one nor more than twelve. The number
of directorships at any time shall be that number most recently fixed by action
of the Board of Directors or stockholders, or absent such action, shall be the
number of directors elected at the preceding annual meeting of stockholders, or
the meeting held in lieu thereof, plus the number elected since any such meeting
to account for any increase in the size of the board.
Section 2. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 2 shall be eligible for election as
directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the
corporation may be made at a meeting of stockholders by or at the direction of
the Board of Directors or by any stockholder of the corporation entitled to vote
for the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice
procedures set forth in this Section 2. Such nominations, other than those made
by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to
timely notice in writing to the secretary of the corporation. The chairman of
the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting
that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by
the bylaws, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting
and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
Section 3. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from
any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority
of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole
remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next
annual election and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify,
unless sooner displaced. If there are no directors in office, then an election
of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. If, at the time of
filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the directors then in
office shall constitute less than a majority of the whole board (as constituted
immediately prior to any such increase), the Court of Chancery may, upon
application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least ten percent of
the total number of the shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote
for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such
vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace the directors chosen by
the directors then in office.
Section 4. The business of the corporation shall be managed by or
under the direction of its Board of Directors which may exercise all such powers
of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute
or by the certificate of incorporation or by these bylaws directed or required
to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 5. The Board of Directors of the corporation may hold
meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of
Delaware.
Section 6. The first meeting of each newly elected Board of
Directors shall be held at such time and place as shall be fixed by the vote of
the stockholders at the annual meeting and no notice of such meeting shall be
necessary to the newly elected directors in order legally to constitute the
meeting, provided a quorum shall be present. In the event of the failure of the
stockholders to fix the time or place of such first meeting of the newly elected
Board of Directors, or in the event such meeting is not held at the time and
place so fixed by the stockholders, the meeting may be held at the time and
place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for
special meetings of the Board of Directors, or as shall be specified in a
written waiver signed by all of the directors.
Section 7. Regular meetings 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 the board.
Section 8. Special meetings of the board may be called by the
president upon notice to each director; special meetings shall be called by the
president or secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request
of two directors unless the board consists of only one director; in which case
special meetings shall be called by the president or secretary in like manner
and on like notice on the written request of the sole director.
Section 9. At all meetings of the board, a majority of the
directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act
of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum
shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise
specifically provided by law or by the certificate of incorporation. 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 10. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of
incorporation or these bylaws, 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.
Section 11. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of
incorporation or these bylaws, members of the Board of Directors, or any
committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of
the Board of Directors, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or
similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in
the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall
constitute presence in person at the meeting.
COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
Section 12. 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 as appointed by the
Board of Directors. The board 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.
Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolutions of the Board
of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the
Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the
corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all
papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or
authority in reference to amending the certificate of incorporation, adopting an
agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale,
lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the corporation's property and
assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a
revocation of a dissolution, or amending the bylaws of the corporation; and,
unless the resolution or the certificate of incorporation expressly so provides,
no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to
authorize the issuance of stock or to adopt a certificate of ownership and
merger. 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.
Section 13. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its
meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Section 14. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of
incorporation or these bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority
to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid their expenses,
if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid
a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated
salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the
corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members
of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending
committee meetings.
REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Section 15. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of
incorporation or by law, any director or the entire board of directors may be
removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of shares entitled
to vote at an election of directors.
ARTICLE IV.
NOTICES
Section 1. Whenever, under the provisions of the statutes or of the
certificate of incorporation or of these bylaws, notice is required to be given
to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal
notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail, addressed to such
director or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the
corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be
given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail.
Notice to directors may also be given by telegram.
Section 2. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the
provisions of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation or of these
bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to
said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
equivalent thereto.
ARTICLE V.
OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the
Board of Directors and may be a chairman, a chief executive officer, a
president, a vice-president, a secretary and a treasurer. The Board of Directors
may also choose additional vice-presidents, and one or more assistant
secretaries and assistant treasurers. Any number of offices may be held by the
same person, unless the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws otherwise
provide.
Section 2. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after each
annual meeting of stockholders shall elect the officers.
Section 3. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers
and agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold their offices for such
terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be
determined from time to time by the board.
Section 4. The salaries of all officers and agents of the
corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
Section 5. The officers of the corporation shall hold office until
their successors are chosen and qualify. Any officer elected or appointed by the
Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the Board of Directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the
corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
THE CHAIRMAN
Section 6. The chairman shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and the Board of Directors, shall see that all orders and
resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect and shall perform
such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Section 7. The chief executive officer shall, subject to the powers
of the Board of Directors, be in the general and active charge of the entire
business and affairs of the corporation, and shall be its chief policy making
officer. He shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by the Board of Directors or provided in these bylaws. Whenever the
president is unable to serve, by reason of sickness, absence or otherwise, the
chief executive officer shall perform all the duties and responsibilities and
exercise all the powers of the president.
THE PRESIDENT
Section 8. The president of the corporation, subject to the powers
of the Board of Directors and the chief executive officer, 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 have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed
by the chief executive officer, the Board of Directors or as may be provided in
these bylaws.
THE VICE-PRESIDENTS
Section 9. In the absence of the president or in the event of his
inability or refusal to act, the vice-president (or in the event there be more
than one vice-president, the vice-presidents in the order designated by the
directors, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their
election) shall perform the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall
have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the
president. The vice-presidents shall perform such other duties and have such
other powers as the Board of Directors, chief executive officer or president may
from time to time prescribe.
THE SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Section 10. The secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of
Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of
the meetings of the corporation and of the Board of Directors in a book to be
kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees
when required. He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of
the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall
perform
such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, chief
executive officer or president, under whose supervision he shall be. He shall
have custody of the corporate seal of the corporation and he, or an assistant
secretary, shall have authority to affix the same 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.
Section 11. The assistant secretary, or if there be more than one,
the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors (or
if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall,
in the absence of the secretary or in the event of his inability or refusal to
act, 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
may from time to time prescribe.
THE TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURER
Section 12. The treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate
funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and
disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys
and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in
such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
Section 13. The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the
corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers
for such disbursements, and shall render to the chief executive officer and the
Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so
requires, an account of all the transactions as treasurer and of the financial
condition of the corporation.
Section 14. If required by the Board of Directors, the treasurer
shall give the corporation a bond (which shall be renewed every six years) in
such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board
of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for
the restoration to the corporation, in ease of his death, resignation,
retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and
other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging
to the corporation.
ARTICLE VI.
CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES
Section 1. The shares of the corporation shall be represented by a
certificate or shall be uncertificated. Certificates shall be signed by, or in
the name of the corporation by, the chairman, the chief executive officer, the
president or a vice-president, and by the secretary or an assistant secretary of
the corporation.
Section 2. Any of or all the signatures on a certificate may be
facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or
whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased
to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is
issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he were
such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
LOST CERTIFICATES
Section 3. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or
certificates or uncertificated shares to be issued in place of any certificate
or certificates theretofore 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 or uncertificated
shares, 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 legal representative, to advertise
the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the corporation a
bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be
made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have
been lost, stolen or destroyed.
TRANSFER OF STOCK
Section 4. Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent
of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by
proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be
the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled
thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
Upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered owner of
uncertificated shares such uncertificated shares shall be canceled and issuance
of new equivalent uncertificated shares or certificated shares shall be made to
the person entitled thereto and the transaction shall be recorded upon the books
of the corporation.
FIXING RECORD DATE
Section 5. 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, or to express consent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other
distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in
respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any
other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date,
which shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of
such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action. 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.
REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS
Section 6. The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the
exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to
receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and
assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall
not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such
share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have
express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of
Delaware.
ARTICLE VII.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
DIVIDENDS
Section 1. 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.
Section 2. 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 for such other
purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the
corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the
manner in which it was created.
ANNUAL STATEMENT
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall present at each annual
meeting, and at any special meeting of the stockholders when called for by vote
of the stockholders, a full and clear statement of the business and condition of
the corporation.
CHECKS
Section 4. All checks or demands for money and notes of the
corporation shall be signed by the chairman, president, chief executive officer,
treasurer, any vice-president or such officer or officers or such other person
or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
FISCAL YEAR
Section 5. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be the calendar
year.
SEAL
Section 6. The corporation shall have no seal.
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 7. The corporation shall indemnify its officers, directors,
employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation
Law of Delaware.
CONTRACTS
Section 8. 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.
LOANS
Section 9. 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
Board of 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.
INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS
Section 10. 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 of 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.
INCONSISTENT PROVISIONS
Section 11. In the event that any provision of these bylaws is or
becomes inconsistent with any provision of the certificate of incorporation, the
law, the provision of these bylaws shall not be given any effect to the extent
of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.
ARTICLE VIII.
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or new
bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors, when
such power is conferred upon the Board of Directors by the certificate of
incorporation, at any regular meeting of the stockholders or of the Board of
Directors or at any special meeting of the stockholders or of the Board of
Directors if notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new
bylaws be contained in the notice of such special meeting. If the power to
adopt, amend or repeal bylaws is conferred upon the Board of Directors by the
certificate of incorporation it shall not divest or limit the power of the
stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.