EXHIBIT 3.3
BYLAWS
OF
NOOSH MERGER CORPORATION
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
Table of Contents
Page
ARTICLE I OFFICES................................................. 1
Section 1. Registered Office..................................... 1
Section 2. Other Offices......................................... 1
ARTICLE II CORPORATE SEAL.......................................... 1
Section 3. Corporate Seal........................................ 1
ARTICLE III STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS.................................. 1
Section 4. Place Of Meetings..................................... 1
Section 5. Annual Meetings....................................... 1
Section 6. Special Meetings...................................... 4
Section 7. Notice Of Meetings.................................... 5
Section 8. Quorum................................................ 5
Section 9. Adjournment And Notice Of Adjourned Meetings.......... 5
Section 10. Voting Rights......................................... 6
Section 11. Joint Owners Of Stock................................. 6
Section 12. List Of Stockholders.................................. 6
Section 13. Action Without Meeting................................ 6
Section 14. Organization.......................................... 7
ARTICLE IV DIRECTORS............................................... 8
Section 15. Number And Term Of Office............................. 8
Section 16. Powers................................................ 8
Section 17. Classes of Directors.................................. 8
Section 18. Vacancies............................................. 9
Section 19. Resignation........................................... 10
Section 20. Removal............................................... 10
Section 21. Meetings.............................................. 10
Section 22. Quorum And Voting..................................... 11
Section 23. Action Without Meeting................................ 12
Section 24. Fees And Compensation................................. 12
Section 25. Committees............................................ 12
Section 26. Organization.......................................... 13
i.
Table of Contents
(Continued)
Page
ARTICLE V OFFICERS................................................ 13
Section 27. Officers Designated................................... 13
Section 28. Tenure And Duties Of Officers......................... 14
Section 29. Delegation Of Authority............................... 15
Section 30. Resignations.......................................... 15
Section 31. Removal............................................... 15
ARTICLE VI EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF
SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION..................... 15
Section 32. Execution Of Corporate Instruments.................... 15
Section 33. Voting Of Securities Owned By The Corporation......... 16
ARTICLE VII SHARES OF STOCK......................................... 16
Section 34. Form And Execution Of Certificates.................... 16
Section 35. Lost Certificates..................................... 17
Section 36. Transfers............................................. 17
Section 37. Fixing Record Dates................................... 17
Section 38. Registered Stockholders............................... 18
ARTICLE VIII OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION..................... 18
Section 39. Execution Of Other Securities......................... 18
ARTICLE IX DIVIDENDS............................................... 19
Section 40. Declaration Of Dividends.............................. 19
Section 41. Dividend Reserve...................................... 19
ARTICLE X FISCAL YEAR............................................. 19
Section 42. Fiscal Year........................................... 19
ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION......................................... 20
Section 43. Indemnification Of Directors, Executive Officers,
Other Officers, Employees And Other Agents............ 20
ARTICLE XII NOTICES................................................. 23
Section 44. Notices............................................... 23
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS.............................................. 24
Section 45. Amendments............................................ 24
ARTICLE XIV LOANS TO OFFICERS....................................... 24
ii.
Table of Contents
(Continued)
Page
Section 46. Loans To Officers....................................... 24
iii.
BYLAWS
OF
NOOSH MERGER CORPORATION
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation in
the State of Delaware shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 131)
Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation shall also have and maintain an
office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the Board
of Directors, and 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. (Del. Code Ann., tit.
8, (S) 122(8))
ARTICLE II
CORPORATE SEAL
Section 3. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall consist of a die
bearing the name of the corporation and the inscription, "Corporate Seal-
Delaware." Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be
impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S)
122(3))
ARTICLE III
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
Section 4. Place Of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders of the
corporation shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of
Delaware, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, or,
if not so designated, then at the office of the corporation required to be
maintained pursuant to Section 2 hereof. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 211(a))
Section 5. Annual Meetings.
(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation, for
the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may lawfully
come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated
from time to time by the Board of Directors. Nominations of persons for election
to the Board of Directors of the corporation and the proposal
1.
of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual
meeting of stockholders: (i) pursuant to the corporation's notice of meeting of
stockholders; (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) by
any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time
of giving of notice provided for in the following paragraph, who is entitled to
vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in
Section 5. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 211(b)).
(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business
shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. For
nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by
a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, (i) the
stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of
the corporation, (ii) such other business must be a proper matter for
stockholder action under the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"), (iii) if
the stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf any such proposal or
nomination is made, has provided the corporation with a Solicitation Notice (as
defined in this Section 5(b)), such stockholder or beneficial owner must, in the
case of a proposal, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to
holders of at least the percentage of the corporation's voting shares required
under applicable law to carry any such proposal, or, in the case of a nomination
or nominations, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of
a percentage of the corporation's voting shares reasonably believed by such
stockholder or beneficial owner to be sufficient to elect the nominee or
nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder, and must, in either case,
have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice, and (iv) if no
Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to this
section, the stockholder or beneficial owner proposing such business or
nomination must not have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have
required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice under this Section 5. To be
timely, a stockholder's notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the
principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of
business on the ninetieth (90/th/) day nor earlier than the close of business on
the one hundred twentieth (120/th/) day prior to the first anniversary of the
preceding year's annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the
date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty (30) days prior to or
delayed by more than thirty (30) days after the anniversary of the preceding
year's annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so
delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth
(120/th/) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of
business on the later of the ninetieth (90/th/) day prior to such annual meeting
or the tenth (10/th/) day following the day on which public announcement of the
date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of
an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of
a stockholder's notice as described above. Such stockholder's notice shall set
forth: (A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposed to nominate for
election or reelection 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 "1934 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 stockholder 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 stockholder and the
beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to
the stockholder
2.
giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the
nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as
they appear on the corporation's books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the
class and number of shares of the corporation which are owned beneficially and
of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (iii) whether
either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement
and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of the proposal, at least the
percentage of the corporation's voting shares required under applicable law to
carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient
number of holders of the corporation's voting shares to elect such nominee or
nominees (an affirmative statement of such intent, a "Solicitation Notice").
(c) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section 5(b)
of these Bylaws to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be
elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is
no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the
size of the increased Board of Directors made by the corporation at least one
hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual
meeting, a stockholder's notice required by this Section 5 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 corporation not later than the close of
business on the tenth (10/th/) day following the day on which such public
announcement is first made by the corporation.
(d) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 5 shall be eligible to serve as directors
and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall
have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth
in this Section 5. Except as otherwise provided by law, 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 these Bylaws and, if
any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to
declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall not be presented for
stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, in
order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy
statement and form of proxy for a stockholders' meeting, stockholders must
provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act.
Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to
request inclusion of proposals in the corporation proxy statement pursuant to
Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act.
(f) For purposes of this Section 5, "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 corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.
3.
Section 6. Special Meetings.
(a) Special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be
called, for any purpose or purposes, by (i) the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board of Directors
pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized
directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized
directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of
Directors for adoption). At any time or times that the corporation is subject to
Section 2115(b) of the California General Corporation Law ("CGCL"), stockholders
holding five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares shall have the right
to call a special meeting of stockholders only as set forth in Section 18(c)
herein.
(b) If a special meeting is properly called by any person or
persons other than the Board of Directors, the request shall be in writing,
specifying the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and
shall be delivered personally or sent by registered mail or by telegraphic or
other facsimile transmission to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the
Chief Executive Officer, or the Secretary of the corporation. No business may be
transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in such notice. The
Board of Directors shall determine the time and place of such special meeting,
which shall be held not less than thirty-five (35) nor more than one hundred
twenty (120) days after the date of the receipt of the request. Upon
determination of the time and place of the meeting, the officer receiving the
request shall cause notice to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of these Bylaws. If the notice is
not given within one hundred (100) days after the receipt of the request, the
person or persons properly requesting the meeting may set the time and place of
the meeting and give the notice. Nothing contained in this paragraph (b) shall
be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time when a meeting of
stockholders called by action of the Board of Directors may be held.
(c) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors
may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be
elected pursuant to the corporation's notice of meeting (i) by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the
corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving notice provided
for in these Bylaws who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who
complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 6(c). In the event
the corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of
electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder
may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election to such
position(s) as specified in the corporation's notice of meeting, if the
stockholder's notice required by Section 5(b) of these Bylaws shall be delivered
to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not
earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120/th/) day
prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the
later of the ninetieth (90/th/) day prior to such meeting or the tenth (10/th/)
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
stockholder's notice as described above.
4.
Section 7. Notice Of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law or the
Certificate of Incorporation, written notice of each meeting of stockholders
shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the
date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, such
notice to specify the place, date and hour and purpose or purposes of the
meeting. Notice of the time, place and purpose of any meeting of stockholders
may be waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof,
either before or after such meeting, and will be waived by any stockholder by
his attendance thereat in person or by proxy, except when the stockholder
attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the
meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be
bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice
thereof had been given. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S)(S) 222, 229)
Section 8. Quorum. At all meetings of stockholders, except where
otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by
these Bylaws, the presence, in person or by proxy duly authorized, of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum,
any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, either by the
chairman of the meeting or by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares
represented thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting.
The stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum
is present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding
the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as
otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws,
in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the
majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and
entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders.
Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or
these Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the
shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to
vote on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or classes
or series is required, except where otherwise provided by the statute or by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the outstanding
shares of such class or classes or series, present in person or represented by
proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that
vote on that matter and, except where otherwise provided by the statute or by
the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the
majority (plurality, in the case of the election of directors) of the votes cast
by the holders of shares of such class or classes or series shall be the act of
such class or classes or series. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 216)
Section 9. Adjournment And Notice Of Adjourned Meetings. Any meeting of
stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time
either by the chairman of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares
casting votes. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need
not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are
announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned
meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might have been
transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty
(30) days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the
adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each
stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
(S) 222(c))
5.
Section 10. Voting Rights. For the purpose of determining those
stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, except as
otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares stand on the stock
records of the corporation on the record date, as provided in Section 12 of
these Bylaws, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Every
person entitled to vote or execute consents (but only prior to the Initial
Public Offering) shall have the right to do so either in person or by an agent
or agents authorized by a proxy granted in accordance with Delaware law. An
agent so appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall be voted after
three (3) years from its date of creation unless the proxy provides for a longer
period. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S)(S) 211(e), 212(b))
Section 11. Joint Owners Of Stock. If shares or other securities having
voting power stand of record in the names of two (2) or more persons, whether
fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants
by the entirety, or otherwise, or if two (2) or more persons have the same
fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary is given
written notice to the contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or
order appointing them or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided,
their acts with respect to voting shall have the following effect: (a) if only
one (1) votes, his act binds all; (b) if more than one (1) votes, the act of the
majority so voting binds all; (c) if more than one (1) votes, but the vote is
evenly split on any particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in
question proportionally, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for
relief as provided in the DGCL, Section 217(b). If the instrument filed with the
Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority
or even-split for the purpose of subsection (c) shall be a majority or even-
split in interest. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 217(b))
Section 12. List Of Stockholders. The Secretary shall prepare and make, at
least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the
stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order,
showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in
the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any
stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business
hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a
place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be
specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not specified, at the place where
the meeting is to be held. The list shall be produced and kept at the time and
place of meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any
stockholder who is present. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 219(a))
Section 13. Action Without Meeting.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation,
any action required by statute to be taken at any annual or special meeting of
the stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special
meeting of the 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.
(b) Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each
stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent shall be effective to
take the corporate action
6.
referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent
delivered to the corporation in the manner herein required, written consents
signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take action are delivered to
the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware,
its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the corporation having
custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are
recorded. Delivery made to a corporation's registered office shall be by hand or
by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. (Del. Code Ann., tit.
8, (S) 228)
(c) 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 and who, if the action had been
taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the
record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a
sufficient number of stockholders to take action were delivered to the
corporation as provided in Section 228 (c) of the DGCL. If the action which is
consented to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate under
any section of the DGCL if such action had been voted on by stockholders at a
meeting thereof, then the certificate filed under such section shall state, in
lieu of any statement required by such section concerning any vote of
stockholders, that written consent has been given in accordance with Section 228
of the DGCL.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such action by written
consent may be taken following the closing of the initial public offering
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), covering the offer and sale of Common Stock
of the corporation (the "Initial Public Offering").
Section 14. Organization.
(a) At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the President,
or, if the President is absent, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority
in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy,
shall act as chairman. The Secretary, or, in his absence, an Assistant Secretary
directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
(b) The Board of Directors of the corporation shall be entitled to
make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it
shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and
regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall
have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures
and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary,
appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including,
without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting,
rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of
those present, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of
record of the corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies and
such other persons as the chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the
meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the
time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the
opening and closing of the polls for balloting on matters which are to be voted
on by ballot. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or
the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to
be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.
7.
ARTICLE IV
DIRECTORS
Section 15. Number And Term Of Office. The authorized number of directors
of the corporation shall be fixed in accordance with the Certificate of
Incorporation. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the
Certificate of Incorporation. If for any cause, the directors shall not have
been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon thereafter as
convenient at a special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose in
the manner provided in these Bylaws. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S)(S) 141(b),
211(b), (c))
Section 16. Powers. The powers of the corporation shall be exercised, its
business conducted and its property controlled by the Board of Directors, except
as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 141(a))
Section 17. Classes of Directors.
(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred
Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, following the
closing of the Initial Public Offering, the directors shall be divided into
three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively.
Directors shall be assigned to each class in accordance with a resolution or
resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. At the first annual meeting of
stockholders following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the term of
office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be
elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of
stockholders following the Initial Public Offering, the term of office of the
Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a
full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of stockholders following
the Initial Public Offering, the term of office of the Class III directors shall
expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years.
At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected
for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms
expire at such annual meeting. During such time or times that the corporation is
subject to Section 2115(b) of the CGCL, this Section 17(a) shall become
effective and apply only when the corporation is a "listed" corporation within
the meaning of Section 301.5 of the CGCL.
(b) In the event that the corporation is unable to have a
classified Board of Directors under applicable law, Section 17(a) of these
Bylaws shall not apply and all directors shall be elected at each annual meeting
of stockholders to hold office until the next annual meeting.
(c) No stockholder entitled to vote at an election for directors
may cumulate votes to which such stockholder is entitled, unless, at the time of
the election, the corporation (i) is subject to (S)2115(b) of the CGCL and (ii)
is not or ceases to be a "listed" corporation under Section 301.5 of the CGCL.
During this time, every stockholder entitled to vote at an election for
directors may cumulate such stockholder's votes and give one candidate a number
of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number
of votes to which such stockholder's shares are otherwise entitled, or
distribute the stockholder's votes on the same principle among as many
candidates as such stockholder thinks fit. No stockholder, however,
8.
shall be entitled to so cumulate such stockholder's votes unless (i) the names
of such candidate or candidates have been placed in nomination prior to the
voting and (ii) the stockholder has given notice at the meeting, prior to the
voting, of such stockholder's intention to cumulate such stockholder's votes. If
any stockholder has given proper notice to cumulate votes, all stockholders may
cumulate their votes for any candidates who have been properly placed in
nomination. Under cumulative voting, the candidates receiving the highest number
of votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, are elected.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, each director
shall serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his
death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors
constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent
director.
Section 18. Vacancies.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation,
any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation,
disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships
resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall, unless the Board
of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created
directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled only by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a
quorum of the Board of Directors. Any director elected in accordance with the
preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the
director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director's
successor shall have been elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board of
Directors shall be deemed to exist under this Section 18 in the case of the
death, removal or resignation of any director. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S)
223(a), (b))
(b) 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
Delaware Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or
stockholders holding at least ten percent (10%) 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 offices as aforesaid, which election shall be governed by Section 211 of the
DGCL. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 223(c)).
(c) At any time or times that the corporation is subject to Section
2115(b) of the CGCL, if, after the filling of any vacancy, the directors then in
office who have been elected by stockholders shall constitute less than a
majority of the directors then in office, then
(1) Any holder or holders of an aggregate of five percent
(5%) or more of the total number of shares at the time outstanding having the
right to vote for those directors may call a special meeting of stockholders; or
(2) The Superior Court of the proper county shall, upon
application of such stockholder or stockholders, summarily order a special
meeting of stockholders, to be held
9.
to elect the entire board, all in accordance with Section 305(c) of the CGCL.
The term of office of any director shall terminate upon that election of a
successor. (CGCL (S) 305(c).
Section 19. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by delivering
his written resignation to the Secretary, such resignation to specify whether it
will be effective at a particular time, upon receipt by the Secretary or at the
pleasure of the Board of Directors. If no such specification is made, it shall
be deemed effective at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. When one or more
directors shall resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date,
a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so
resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon
to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and
each Director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term
of the Director whose place shall be vacated and until his successor shall have
been duly elected and qualified. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S)(S) 141(b), 223(d))
Section 20. Removal.
(a) During such time or times that the corporation is subject to
Section 2115(b) of the CGCL, the Board of Directors or any individual director
may be removed from office at any time without cause by the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on
such removal; provided, however, that unless the entire Board is removed, no
individual director may be removed when the votes cast against such director's
removal, or not consenting in writing to such removal, would be sufficient to
elect that director if voted cumulatively at an election which the same total
number of votes were cast (or, if such action is taken by written consent, all
shares entitled to vote were voted) and the entire number of directors
authorized at the time of such director's most recent election were then being
elected.
(b) Following any date on which the corporation is no longer
subject to Section 2115(b) of the CGCL and subject to any limitations imposed by
law, Section 20(a) above shall no longer apply and removal shall be as provided
in Section 141(k) of the DGCL.
Section 21. Meetings.
(a) Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors
shall be held immediately before or after the annual meeting of stockholders and
at the place where such meeting is held. No notice of an annual meeting of the
Board of Directors shall be necessary and such meeting shall be held for the
purpose of electing officers and transacting such other business as may lawfully
come before it.
(b) Regular Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation, regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be
held at any time or date and at any place within or without the State of
Delaware which has been designated by the Board of Directors and publicized
among all directors. No formal notice shall be required for regular meetings of
the Board of Directors. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 141(g))
(c) Special Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be
held at any time and place
10.
within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the Chairman of the
Board, the President or any two of the directors (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S)
141(g))
(d) Telephone Meetings. Any member of the Board of Directors, or
of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of conference
telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting
by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, (S) 141(I))
(e) Notice of Meetings. Notice of the time and place of all
special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be orally or in writing, by
telephone, including a voice messaging system or other system or technology
designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or
by electronic mail or other electronic means, during normal business hours, at
least twenty-four (24) hours before the date and time of the meeting, or sent in
writing to each director by first class mail, charges prepaid, at least three
(3) days before the date of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in
writing at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any
director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends the meeting for
the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the
transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 229)
(f) Waiver of Notice. The transaction of all business at any
meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or
noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly
held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before
or after the meeting, each of the directors not present shall sign a written
waiver of notice. All such waivers shall be filed with the corporate records or
made a part of the minutes of the meeting. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 229)
Section 22. Quorum And Voting.
(a) Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater
number and except with respect to indemnification questions arising under
Section 43 hereof, for which a quorum shall be one-third of the exact number of
directors fixed from time to time in accordance with the Certificate of
Incorporation, a quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of
the exact number of directors fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors
in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, at any
meeting whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors
present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular
meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by announcement at
the meeting. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 141(b))
(b) At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is
present, all questions and business shall be determined by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the directors present, unless a different vote be required by
law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
(S) 141(b))
Section 23. Action Without Meeting. 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
11.
members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent
thereto in writing, and such writing or writings are filed with the minutes of
proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S)
141(f))
Section 24. Fees And Compensation. Directors shall be entitled to such
compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board of Directors,
including, if so approved, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum
and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at each regular or special
meeting of the Board of Directors and at any meeting of a committee of the Board
of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any
director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer,
agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, (S) 141(h))
Section 25. Committees.
(a) Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an
Executive Committee to consist of one (1) or more members of the Board of
Directors. The Executive Committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided
in the resolution 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 (i) approving or adopting, or
recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the
DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopting, amending or
repealing any bylaw of the corporation. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 141(c))
(b) Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, from time to
time, appoint such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other
committees appointed by the Board of Directors shall consist of one (1) or more
members of the Board of Directors and shall have such powers and perform such
duties as may be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such
committees, but in no event shall any such committee have the powers denied to
the Executive Committee in these Bylaws. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 141(c))
(c) Term. Each member of a committee of the Board of Directors
shall serve a term on the committee coexistent with such member's term on the
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors, subject to any requirements of any
outstanding series of preferred Stock and the provisions of subsections (a) or
(b) of this Bylaw, may at any time increase or decrease the number of members of
a committee or terminate the existence of a committee. The membership of a
committee member shall terminate on the date of his death or voluntary
resignation from the committee or from the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors may at any time for any reason remove any individual committee member
and the Board of Directors may fill any committee vacancy created by death,
resignation, removal or increase in the number of members of the committee. The
Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of
any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting
of the committee, and, in addition, in the absence or disqualification of any
member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and
not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may
unanimously appoint another member
12.
of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent
or disqualified member. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S)141(c))
(d) Meetings. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise
provide, regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee
appointed pursuant to this Section 25 shall be held at such times and places as
are determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when
notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further
notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of
any such committee may be held at any place which has been determined from time
to time by such committee, and may be called by any director who is a member of
such committee, upon written notice to the members of such committee of the time
and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of
written notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of
special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any
committee may be waived in writing at any time before or after the meeting and
will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director
attends such special meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened. A majority of the authorized number of
members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a
quorum is present shall be the act of such committee. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
(S)(S) 141(c), 229)
Section 26. Organization. At every meeting of the directors, the Chairman
of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is
absent, the President (if a director), or if the President is absent, the most
senior Vice President (if a director), or, in the absence of any such person, a
chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall
preside over the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence, any Assistant
Secretary directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the
meeting.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 27. Officers Designated. The officers of the corporation shall
include, if and when designated by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the
Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, one or more Vice
Presidents, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer and the
Controller, all of whom shall be elected at the annual organizational meeting of
the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more
Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Controllers and such
other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it shall deem
necessary. The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles to one or
more of the officers as it shall deem appropriate. Any one person may hold any
number of offices of the corporation at any one time unless specifically
prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and other compensation of the
officers of the corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner designated by the
Board of Directors. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S)(S) 122(5), 142(a), (b))
13.
Section 28. Tenure And Duties Of Officers.
(a) General. All officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the
Board of Directors and until their successors shall have been duly elected and
qualified, unless sooner removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board
of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the office
of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the
Board of Directors. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 141(b), (e))
(b) Duties of Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of
the Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors
shall perform other duties commonly incident to his office and shall also
perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors
shall designate from time to time. If there is no President, then the Chairman
of the Board of Directors shall also serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the
corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in paragraph (c) of
this Section 28. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 142(a))
(c) Duties of President. The President shall preside at all
meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors,
unless the Chairman of the Board of Directors has been appointed and is present.
Unless some other officer has been elected Chief Executive Officer of the
corporation, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the
corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have
general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the
corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to his
office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as
the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. (Del. Code Ann., tit.
8, (S) 142(a))
(d) Duties of Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents may assume and
perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the
President or whenever the office of President is vacant. The Vice Presidents
shall perform other duties commonly incident to their office and shall also
perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors
or the President shall designate from time to time. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S)
142(a))
(e) Duties of Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings
of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall record all acts and
proceedings thereof in the minute book of the corporation. The Secretary shall
give notice in conformity with these Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders
and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof
requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform all other duties given him in
these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to his office and shall also
perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors
shall designate from time to time. The President may direct any Assistant
Secretary to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or
disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other
duties commonly incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall
designate from time to time. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 142(a))
14.
(f) Duties of Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer
shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a
thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs
of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of
Directors or the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of
the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of
the corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly
incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties and have such
other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from
time to time. The President may direct the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer,
or the Controller or any Assistant Controller to assume and perform the duties
of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief
Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and each
Controller and Assistant Controller shall perform other duties commonly incident
to his office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other
powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to
time. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 142(a))
Section 29. Delegation Of Authority. The Board of Directors may from time
to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or
agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.
Section 30. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving
written notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or to the
Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person
or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified
therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later
time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such
resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall
be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any
contract with the resigning officer. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 142(b))
Section 31. Removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time,
either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
directors in office at the time, or by the unanimous written consent of the
directors in office at the time, or by any committee or superior officers upon
whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE
CORPORATION
Section 32. Execution Of Corporate Instruments. The Board of Directors
may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer
or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the corporation
any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the corporation
the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts on behalf of
the corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and
such execution or signature shall be binding upon the corporation. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, (S)(S) 103(a), 142(a), 158)
15.
All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the
credit of the corporation or in special accounts of the corporation shall be
signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to
do.
Unless authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the
agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power
or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge
its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, (S)(S) 103(a), 142(a), 158).
Section 33. Voting Of Securities Owned By The Corporation. All stock and
other securities of other corporations owned or held by the corporation for
itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies
with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by
resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization,
by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President, or any Vice President. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 123)
ARTICLE VII
SHARES OF STOCK
Section 34. Form And Execution Of Certificates. Certificates for the
shares of stock of the corporation shall be in such form as is consistent with
the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock in
the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name
of the corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President
or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him
in the corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be
facsimiles. 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 with the same effect as if he were such officer,
transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. Each certificate shall state
upon the face or back thereof, in full or in summary, all of the powers,
designations, preferences, and rights, and the limitations or restrictions of
the shares authorized to be issued or shall, except as otherwise required by
law, set forth on the face or back a statement that the corporation will furnish
without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations,
preferences and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights of
each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after
the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the corporation shall send to
the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information
required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this section or
otherwise required by law or with respect to this section a statement that the
corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the
powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other
special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Except as
otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders
of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be
identical. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 158)
16.
Section 35. Lost Certificates. A new certificate or certificates shall 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. The corporation may require, as a condition
precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of
such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal
representative, to agree to indemnify the corporation in such manner as it shall
require or to give the corporation a surety bond in such form and amount 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. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 167)
Section 36. Transfers.
(a) Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation
shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by
attorney duly authorized, and upon the surrender of a properly endorsed
certificate or certificates for a like number of shares. (Del. Code Ann., tit.
8, (S) 201, tit. 6, (S) 8- 401(1))
(b) The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any
agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of
the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation
of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not
prohibited by the DGCL. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 160 (a))
Section 37. Fixing Record Dates.
(a) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any
adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date,
which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing
the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date
shall, subject to applicable law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten
(10) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the
Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to
notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of
business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if
notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on
which the meeting is held. 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.
(b) Prior to the Initial Public Offering, in order that the
corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate
action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record
date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution
fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date
shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution
fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. Any stockholder of
record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by
written consent shall, by written notice to the Secretary, request the Board of
Directors to fix a record date. The Board of Directors shall promptly, but in
all events within ten (10) days after the date on which such a request is
received,
17.
adopt a resolution fixing the record date. If no record date has been fixed by
the Board of Directors within ten (10) days of the date on which such a request
is received, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to
corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board
of Directors is required by applicable law, shall be the first date on which a
signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is
delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State
of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the
corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of
stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the corporation's registered office
shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.
If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by
the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for determining
stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a
meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of
Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
(c) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment
of any rights or the stockholders 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
record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the
record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60)
days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for
determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business
on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating
thereto. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 213)
Section 38. Registered Stockholders. 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 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.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S)(S) 213(a), 219)
ARTICLE VIII
OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION
Section 39. Execution Of Other Securities. All bonds, debentures and
other corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates
(covered in Section 34), may be signed by the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, the President or any Vice President, or such other person as may be
authorized by the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon
or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or
Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such
bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual
signature, or where permissible facsimile signature, of a trustee under an
indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture or other corporate
18.
security shall be issued, the signatures of the persons signing and attesting
the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other corporate security may be
the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such persons. Interest coupons
appertaining to any such bond, debenture or other corporate security,
authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Treasurer or an
Assistant Treasurer of the corporation or such other person as may be authorized
by the Board of Directors, or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of
such person. In case any officer who shall have signed or attested any bond,
debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear
thereon or on any such interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer
before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so signed or attested
shall have been delivered, such bond, debenture or other corporate security
nevertheless may be adopted by the corporation and issued and delivered as
though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature shall have
been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the corporation.
ARTICLE IX
DIVIDENDS
Section 40. Declaration Of Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of
the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation
and applicable law, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors pursuant
to law at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in
property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
(S)(S) 170, 173)
Section 41. Dividend Reserve. 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 Board of 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 Board of Directors shall think
conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may
modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created. (Del.
Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 171)
ARTICLE X
FISCAL YEAR
Section 42. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be
fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XI
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 43. Indemnification Of Directors, Executive Officers, Other
Officers, Employees And Other Agents.
(a) Directors And Officers. The corporation shall indemnify its
directors and officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any
other applicable law; provided, however, that the corporation may modify the
extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and
officers; and, provided, further, that the corporation
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shall not be required to indemnify any director or officer in connection with
any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such
indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was
authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation, (iii) such
indemnification is provided by the corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant
to the powers vested in the corporation under the DGCL or any other applicable
law or (iv) such indemnification is required to be made under subsection (d).
(b) Employees and Other Agents. The corporation shall have power to
indemnify its employees and other agents as set forth in the DGCL or any other
applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the
determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person to
such officers or other persons as the Board of Directors shall determine.
(c) Expenses. The corporation shall advance to 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, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer, of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director or executive officer of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the
proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any
director or officer in connection with such proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay said amounts if it should be
determined ultimately that such person is not entitled to be indemnified under
this Section 43 or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to
paragraph (e) of this Section 43, no advance shall be made by the corporation to
an officer of the corporation (except by reason of the fact that such officer is
or was a director of the corporation in which event this paragraph shall not
apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly
made (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of
directors who were not parties to the proceeding, or (ii) if such quorum is not
obtainable, or, even if obtainable, a quorum of disinterested directors so
directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known
to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate
clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that
such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation.
(d) Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express
contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and officers
under this Bylaw shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to
the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the corporation and
the director or officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by
this Section 43 to a director or officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of
the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the
claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no
disposition of such claim is made within ninety (90) days of request therefor.
The claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part,
shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting his claim. In
connection with any claim for indemnification, the corporation shall be entitled
to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the
standards of conduct that make
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it permissible under the DGCL or any other applicable law for the corporation to
indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by
an officer of the corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that
such officer is or was a director of the corporation) for advances, the
corporation shall be entitled to raise a defense as to any such action clear and
convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such
person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such
person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was lawful.
Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors,
independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination
prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is
proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of
conduct set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law, nor an actual
determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent
legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable
standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption
that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(e) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by
this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have
or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate
of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to
action in another capacity while holding office. The corporation is specifically
authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors,
officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the
fullest extent not prohibited by the Delaware General Corporation Law, or by any
other applicable law.
(f) Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this
Bylaw shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer,
employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors
and administrators of such a person.
(g) Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or any
other applicable law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors,
may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be
indemnified pursuant to this Section 43.
(h) Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this Section 43 shall
only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect
at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is
the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.
(i) Saving Clause. If this Bylaw or any portion hereof shall be
invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the
corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and officer to the full
extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Section 43 that shall
not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this Section 43
shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of
another jurisdiction, then the corporation shall indemnify each director and
officer to the full extent under any other applicable law.
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(j) Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the
following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term "proceeding" shall be broadly construed and shall
include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution,
defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in,
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative.
(2) The term "expenses" shall be broadly construed and shall
include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys' fees, witness fees, fines,
amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any
nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.
(3) The term the "corporation" shall include, in addition to the
resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of
a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate
existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its
directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or
was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions
of this Section 43 with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he
would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate
existence had continued.
(4) References to a "director," "executive officer," "officer,"
"employee," or "agent" of the corporation shall include, without limitation,
situations where such person is serving at the request of the corporation as,
respectively, a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent
of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
(5) 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 corporation" shall include any service as a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation 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; and a person who
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the 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
corporation" as referred to in this Section 43.
ARTICLE XII
NOTICES
Section 44. Notices.
(a) Notice To Stockholders. Whenever, under any provisions of these
Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any stockholder, it shall be given in
writing, timely and
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duly deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to his
last known post office address as shown by the stock record of the corporation
or its transfer agent. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 222)
(b) Notice To Directors. Any notice required to be given to any
director may be given by the method stated in subsection (a), or by overnight
delivery service, facsimile, telex or telegram, except that such notice other
than one which is delivered personally shall be sent to such address as such
director shall have filed in writing with the Secretary, or, in the absence of
such filing, to the last known post office address of such director.
(c) Affidavit Of Mailing. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly
authorized and competent employee of the corporation or its transfer agent
appointed with respect to the class of stock affected, specifying the name and
address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or
director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and
the time and method of giving the same, shall in the absence of fraud, be prima
facie evidence of the facts therein contained. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S) 222)
(d) Time Notices Deemed Given. All notices given by mail or by
overnight delivery service, as above provided, shall be deemed to have been
given as at the time of mailing, and all notices given by facsimile, telex or
telegram shall be deemed to have been given as of the sending time recorded at
time of transmission.
(e) Methods of Notice. It shall not be necessary that the same method
of giving notice be employed in respect of all directors, but one permissible
method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other permissible
method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.
(f) Failure To Receive Notice. The period or limitation of time
within which any stockholder may exercise any option or right, or enjoy any
privilege or benefit, or be required to act, or within which any director may
exercise any power or right, or enjoy any privilege, pursuant to any notice sent
him in the manner above provided, shall not be affected or extended in any
manner by the failure of such stockholder or such director to receive such
notice.
(g) Notice To Person With Whom Communication Is Unlawful. Whenever
notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with whom
communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be
required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or
agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or
meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom
communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice
had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the corporation is
such as to require the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL,
the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that
notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons
with whom communication is unlawful.
(h) Notice To Person With Undeliverable Address. Whenever notice is
required to be given, under any provision of law or the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of
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the corporation, to any stockholder to whom (i) notice of two consecutive annual
meetings, and all notices of meetings or of the taking of action by written
consent without a meeting to such person during the period between such two
consecutive annual meetings, or (ii) all, and at least two, payments (if sent by
first class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a twelve-month
period, have been mailed addressed to such person at his address as shown on the
records of the corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of
such notice to such person shall not be required. Any action or meeting which
shall be taken or held without notice to such person shall have the same force
and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such person shall
deliver to the corporation a written notice setting forth his then current
address, the requirement that notice be given to such person shall be
reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the corporation is such as to
require the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL, the
certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice
was not required to be given pursuant to this paragraph. (Del. Code Ann, tit. 8,
(S) 230)
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS
Section 45. Amendments. Subject to paragraph (h) of Section 43 of the
Bylaws, the Bylaws may be altered or amended or new Bylaws adopted by the
affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the
voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the voting stock of the
corporation entitled to vote. The Board of Directors shall also have the power
to adopt, amend, or repeal Bylaws.
ARTICLE XIV
LOANS TO OFFICERS
Section 46. Loans To Officers. 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 subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who
is a Director of the corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment
of the Board of Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be
expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guarantee 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 these Bylaws shall be deemed
to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation
at common law or under any statute. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, (S)143)
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