EXHIBIT 3.4
BYLAWS
OF
SYMMETRICOM, INC.
(As amended through June 30, 1997)
BYLAWS
OF
SYMMETRICOM, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I - OFFICES.................................................................. 1
Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICES.................................................. 1
Section 2. OTHER OFFICES...................................................... 1
ARTICLE II - MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS................................................ 1
Section 1. PLACE OF MEETINGS.................................................. 1
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING..................................................... 1
Section 3. SPECIAL MEETING.................................................... 1
Section 4. NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING.................................... 2
Section 5. MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE....................... 2
Section 6. QUORUM............................................................. 3
Section 7. ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE.......................................... 3
Section 8. VOTING............................................................. 3
Section 9. WAIVER OF NOTICE OR CONSENT BY ABSENT
SHAREHOLDERS....................................................... 4
Section 10. SHAREHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT
WITHOUT A MEETING.................................................. 5
Section 11. RECORD DATE FOR SHAREHOLDER NOTICE, VOTING,
AND GIVING CONSENTS................................................ 5
Section 12. PROXIES............................................................ 6
Section 13. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION............................................. 6
ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS.............................................................. 7
Section 1. POWERS............................................................. 7
Section 2. NUMBER OF DIRECTORS................................................ 7
Section 3. ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS
Section 4. VACANCIES.......................................................... 8
Section 5. PLACE OF MEETINGS AND MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE........................ 8
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
Page
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Section 6. ANNUAL MEETING..................................................... 9
Section 7. OTHER REGULAR MEETINGS............................................. 9
Section 8. SPECIAL MEETINGS................................................... 9
Section 9. QUORUM............................................................. 9
Section 10. WAIVER OF NOTICE................................................... 10
Section 11. ADJOURNMENT........................................................ 10
Section 12. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT.............................................. 10
Section 13. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING............................................. 10
Section 14. FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS................................. 10
Section 15. APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS...................................... 10
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES............................................................... 11
Section 1. COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS............................................. 11
Section 2. MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES.................................. 11
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS.................................................................. 12
Section 1. OFFICERS........................................................... 12
Section 2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS............................................... 12
Section 3. SUBORDINATE OFFICERS............................................... 12
Section 4. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS................................ 12
Section 5. VACANCIES IN OFFICES............................................... 12
Section 6. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.............................................. 12
Section 7. PRESIDENT.......................................................... 13
Section 8. VICE PRESIDENTS.................................................... 13
Section 9. SECRETARY.......................................................... 13
Section 10. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER; TREASURER................................. 13
ARTICLE VI - INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS,
EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS............................................... 14
Section 1. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.......................... 14
Section 2. INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS.......................................... 14
Section 3. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE..................................... 15
Section 4. INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE............................................ 15
Section 5. INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION.......................................... 15
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
Page
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Section 6. CONFLICTS......................................................... 15
ARTICLE VII - RECORDS AND REPORTS.................................................... 16
Section 1. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER...................... 16
Section 2. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS.............................. 16
Section 3. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER
CORPORATE RECORDS................................................. 16
Section 4. INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS........................................... 17
Section 5. ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS..................................... 17
ARTICLE VIII - GENERAL CORPORATE POWERS.............................................. 17
Section 1. RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE
AND VOTING........................................................ 17
Section 2. CHECKS, DRAFTS, EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS......................... 17
Section 3. CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS; HOW
EXECUTED.......................................................... 17
Section 4. CERTIFICATE FOR SHARES............................................ 18
Section 5. LOST CERTIFICATES................................................. 18
Section 6. REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS.................... 18
Section 7. CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS...................................... 18
ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS.............................................................. 19
Section 1. AMENDMENTS BY SHAREHOLDERS........................................ 19
Section 2. AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS............................................ 19
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BYLAWS
OF
SYMMETRICOM, INC.
(a California corporation)
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICES. The board of directors shall fix the
location of the principal executive office of the corporation at any place
within or outside the State of California. If the principal executive office is
located outside this state, and the corporation has one or more business offices
in this state, the board of directors shall fix and designate a principal
business office in the State of California.
Section 2. OTHER OFFICES. The board of directors or officers of the
corporation may at any time establish branch or subordinate offices at any place
or places wherein such board or officers shall deem advisable.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of shareholders shall be held
at any place within or outside of the State of California designated by the
board of directors. In the absence of any such designation, shareholders'
meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be
held each year on the date and at a time designated by the board of directors.
In the absence of such designation, the annual meeting of shareholders shall be
held on the third Thursday of October in each year at 10:00 a.m. However, if
such day falls on a legal holiday, then the meeting shall be held at the same
time and place on the next succeeding full business day. At each annual meeting
directors shall be elected, and any other proper business may be transacted.
Section 3. SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of shareholders may be
called at any time by the board of directors, or by the chairman of the board,
or by the president, or by one or more shareholders holding shares in the
aggregate entitled to cast not less than 10% of the votes at that meeting.
If a special meeting is called by any person or persons other than the
board of directors or the president or the chairman of the board, then, the
request shall be in writing, specifying the time of such meeting and 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, the president, any vice president, or
the secretary of the corporation. The officer receiving the request shall cause
notice to be promptly given to the shareholders entitled to vote, in accordance
with the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of this Article II, that a meeting will
be held at the time requested by the person or persons calling the meeting, so
long as that time is not less than thirty-five (35) nor more than sixty (60)
days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within twenty
(20) days after receipt of the request, the person or persons requesting the
meeting may give the notice. Nothing contained in this paragraph of this
Section 3 shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a
meeting of shareholders called by action of the board of directors may be held.
Section 4. NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING. All notices of meetings of
shareholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 5 of
this Article II not less than ten (10) (or, if sent by third-class mail pursuant
to Section 5 of this Article II, thirty (30)) nor more than sixty (60) days
before the date of the meeting. The notice shall specify the place, date and
hour of the meeting and (i) in the case of a special meeting, the general nature
of the business to be transacted (no business other than that specified in the
notice may be transacted), or (ii) in the case of the annual meeting, those
matters which the board of directors, at the time of giving the notice, intends
to present for action by the shareholders (but subject to the provisions of the
following paragraph of this Section 4 of Article II, any proper matter may be
presented at the meeting for such action). The notice of any meeting at which
directors are to be elected shall include the name of any nominee or nominees
whom, at the time of the notice, management intends to present for election.
If action is proposed to be taken at any meeting for approval of (i) a
contract or transaction in which a director has a direct or indirect financial
interest, pursuant to Section 310 of the Corporations Code of California, (ii)
an amendment to the articles of incorporation, pursuant to Section 902 of that
Code, (iii) a reorganization of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1201 of
that Code, (iv) a voluntary dissolution of the corporation, pursuant to Section
1900 of that Code, or (v) a distribution in dissolution other than in accordance
with the rights of outstanding preferred shares, pursuant to Section 2007 of
that Code, the notice shall also state the general nature of that proposal.
Section 5. MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE. Written
notice of any meeting of shareholders given shall be given either (i) personally
or (ii) by first-class mail or (iii) by third-class mail but only if the
corporation has outstanding shares held of record by five hundred (500) or more
persons (determined as provided in Section 605 of the Code) on the record date
for the shareholders' meeting, or (iv) telegraphic or other written
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communication. Notices not personally delivered shall be sent charges prepaid,
addressed to the shareholder at the address of that shareholder appearing on the
books of the corporation or given by the shareholder to the corporation for the
purpose of notice. If no such address appears on the corporation's books or is
given, notice shall be deemed to have been given if sent to that shareholder by
mail or telegraphic or other written communication to the corporation's
principal executive office, or if published at least once in a newspaper of
general circulation in the county where that office is located. Notice shall be
deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in
the mail or sent by telegram or other means of written communication.
If any notice addressed to a shareholder at the address of that shareholder
appearing on the books of the corporation is returned to the corporation by the
United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal
Service is unable to deliver the notice to the shareholder at that address, all
future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without
further mailing if these shall be available to the shareholder on written demand
of the shareholder at the principal executive office of the corporation for a
period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice.
An affidavit of mailing or other means of giving any notice of any
shareholders' meeting shall be executed by the secretary, assistant secretary,
or any transfer agent of the corporation giving the notice, and shall be filed
and maintained in the minute book of the corporation, and shall be prima facie
evidence of the giving of such notice.
Section 6. QUORUM. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders
of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The shareholders
present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may
continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of
enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than
adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the shares required to
constitute a quorum.
Section 7. ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE. Any shareholders' meeting,
annual or special, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from
time to time by the vote of the majority of the shares represented at that
meeting, either in person or by proxy, but in the absence of a quorum, no other
business may be transacted at that meeting, except as provided in Section 6 of
this Article II.
When any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special, is adjourned to
another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the
time and place are announced at a meeting at which the adjournment is taken,
unless a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, or unless the
adjournment is for more than forty-five (45) days from the date set for the
original meeting, in which case the board of directors shall set a new record
date. Notice of any such adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder
of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting in accordance with the
provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of this Article II. At any adjourned meeting the
corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the
original meeting.
Section 8. VOTING. The shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of
shareholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 11
of this Article II, subject to the provisions of Sections 702 to 704, inclusive
of the Corporations Code of California (relating to
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voting shares held by a fiduciary, in the name of a corporation, or in joint
ownership). The shareholders' vote may be by voice vote or by ballot; provided,
however, that any election for directors must be by ballot if demanded by any
shareholder before the voting has begun. Except as provided in the last
paragraph of this Section 8, or as may be otherwise provided in the articles of
incorporation, each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to
one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders. On any matter
other than elections of directors, any shareholder may vote part of the shares
in favor of the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining shares or vote
them against the proposal, but, if the shareholder fails to specify the number
of shares which the shareholder is voting affirmatively, it will be conclusively
presumed that the shareholder's approving vote is with respect to all shares
that the shareholder is entitled to vote. If a quorum is present, the
affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented at the meeting and
voting on any matter (other than the election of directors) shall be the act of
the shareholders, unless the vote of a greater number or voting by classes or
cumulative voting is required by California General Corporation Law or by the
articles of incorporation or by these bylaws.
At a shareholders' meeting at which directors are to be elected, no
shareholder shall be entitled to cumulate votes (i.e., cast for any one or more
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candidates a number of votes greater than the number of the shareholder's
shares) unless the candidates' names have been placed in nomination prior to
commencement of the voting and a shareholder has given notice prior to
commencement of the voting of the shareholder's intention to cumulate votes. If
any shareholder has given such a notice, then every shareholder entitled to vote
may cumulate votes for candidates in nomination 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 that shareholder's shares are entitled, or distribute the
shareholder's votes on the same principle among any or all of the candidates, as
the shareholder thinks fit. The candidates receiving the highest number of
votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, shall be elected; votes
against any candidate and votes withheld shall have no legal effect.
Section 9. WAIVER OF NOTICE OR CONSENT BY ABSENT SHAREHOLDERS. The
transactions of any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special, however
called and noticed, and wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a
meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present either
in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each person
entitled to vote, who was not present in person or by proxy, signs a written
waiver of notice or a consent to a holding of the meeting, or an approval of the
minutes. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify either the business
to be transacted or the purpose of any annual or special meeting of the
shareholders, except that if action is taken or proposed to be taken for
approval of any of those matters specified in the second paragraph of Section 4
of this Article II, the waiver of notice or consent shall state the general
nature of the proposal. All such waivers, consent, or approvals shall be filed
with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Attendance by a person at a meeting shall also constitute a waiver of
notice of that meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the
meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened, and except that attendance at a meeting is not
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a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters not included in
the notice of the meeting if that objection is expressly made at the meeting.
Section 10. SHAREHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING.
Any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders
may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, if a consent in
writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of
outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would
be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all shares
entitled to vote on that action were present and voted. In the case of election
of directors, such a consent shall be effective only if signed by the holders of
all outstanding shares entitled to vote for the election of directors; provided,
however, that a director may be elected at any time to fill a vacancy on the
board of directors (provided that the vacancy was not created by removal of a
director and that it has not been filled by the directors) by a majority of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote for the election of directors. All such
consents shall be filed with the secretary of the corporation and shall be
maintained in the corporate records. Any shareholder giving a written consent,
or the shareholders' proxy holders, or a transferee of the shares or a personal
representative of the shareholder or their respective proxy holders, may revoke
the consent by a writing received by the secretary of the corporation before
written consents of the number of shares required to authorize the proposed
action have been filed with the secretary.
If the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have not been
solicited in writing, and if the unanimous written consent of all such
shareholders shall not have been received, the secretary shall give prompt
notice of the corporate action approved by the shareholders without a meeting.
This notice shall be given to those shareholders entitled to vote who have not
consented in writing and shall be given in the manner specified in Section 5 of
this Article II. In the case of approval of (i) contracts or transactions in
which a director has a direct or indirect financial interest, pursuant to
Section 310 of the Corporations Code of California, (ii) indemnification of
agents of the corporation, pursuant to Section 317 of that Code, (iii) a
reorganization of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1201 of that Code, and
(iv) a distribution in dissolution other than in accordance with the rights of
outstanding preferred shares, pursuant to Section 2007 of that Code, the notice
shall be given at least ten (10) days before the consummation of any action
authorized by that approval.
Section 11. RECORD DATE FOR SHAREHOLDER NOTICE, VOTING, AND GIVING
CONSENTS. For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of
any meeting or to vote or entitled to give consent to corporate action without a
meeting, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall
not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of
any such meeting nor more than sixty (60) days before any such action without a
meeting, and in this event only shareholders of record on the date so fixed are
entitled to notice and to vote or to give consents, as the case may be,
notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after
the record date, except as otherwise provided in the California General
Corporation Law.
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If the board of directors does not so fix a record date:
(a) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of
or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the
business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is
waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on
which the meeting is held.
(b) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to give
consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, (i) when no prior
action by the board has been taken, shall be the day on which the first written
consent is given, or (ii) when prior action of the board has been taken, shall
be at the close of business on the day on which the board adopts the resolution
relating to that action, or the sixtieth (60th) day before the date of such
other action, whichever is later.
The record date for any other purpose shall be as provided in Article VIII
of these bylaws.
Section 12. PROXIES. Every person entitled to vote for directors or on
any other matter shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or
more agents authorized by a written proxy signed by the person and filed with
the secretary of the corporation. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the
shareholder's name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature,
typewriting, telegraphic transmission, or otherwise) by the shareholder or the
shareholder's attorney in fact. A validly executed proxy which does not state
that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless (i)
revoked by the person executing it, before the vote pursuant to that proxy, by a
writing delivered to the corporation stating that the proxy is revoked, or by a
subsequent proxy executed by, or attendance at the meeting and voting in person
by, the person executing the proxy; or (ii) written notice of the death or
incapacity of the maker of that proxy is received by the corporation before the
vote pursuant to that proxy is counted; provided, however, that no proxy shall
be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date of the proxy,
unless otherwise provided in the proxy. The dates contained on the forms of
proxy presumptively determine the order of execution, regardless of the postmark
dates on the envelopes in which they are mailed. The revocability of a proxy
that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the
provisions of Sections 705(e) and 705(f) of the Corporations Code of California.
Section 13. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION. Before any meeting of shareholders,
the board of directors may appoint any person or persons other than nominees for
office to act as an inspector or inspectors of election at the meeting or its
adjournment. If no inspectors of election are so appointed, the chairman of the
meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder or a share holder's proxy
shall, appoint inspectors of election at the meeting. The number of inspectors
shall be either one (1) or three (3). If inspectors are appointed at a meeting
on the request of one or more shareholders or proxies, the holders of a majority
of shares or their proxies present at the meeting shall determine whether one
(1) or three (3) inspectors are to be appointed. If any person appointed as
inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the chairman of the
meeting may, and upon the request of any shareholder or a shareholder's proxy
shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.
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These inspectors shall:
(a) Determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of
each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the
authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies;
(b) Receive votes, ballots or consents;
(c) Hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising
in connection with the right to vote;
(d) Count and tabulate all votes or consents;
(e) Determine when the polls shall close;
(f) Determine the result; and
(g) Do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or
vote with fairness to all shareholders.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1. POWERS. Subject to the provisions of the California General
Corporation Law and any limitations in the articles of incorporation and these
bylaws relating to the action required to be approved by the shareholders or by
the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be
managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of
the board of directors.
Section 2. NUMBER OF DIRECTORS.
(a) The number of directors shall be not less than a minimum of three
nor more than a maximum of five. After adoption or amendment of this bylaw by
the shareholders, the exact number of directors shall be fixed, within the
limits specified in this bylaw, by the following bylaw which may be amended from
time to time by the Board of Directors. The indefinite number of directors may
be changed, or a definite number may be fixed without provision for an
indefinite number, by a duly adopted amendment to the articles of incorporation
or by an amendment to this bylaw duly adopted by the vote or written consent of
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided,
however, that an amendment reducing the fixed number or the minimum number of
directors to a number less than five (5) cannot be adopted if the votes cast
against its adoption at a meeting, or the shares not consenting in the case of
an action by written consent, are
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equal to more than sixteen and two-thirds percent (16-2/3%) of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote thereon. No amendment may change the stated maximum
number of authorized directors to a number greater than two (2) times the stated
minimum number of directors minus one (1).
(b) The number of directors of the corporation shall be four.
Section 3. ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS. Directors shall
be elected at each annual meeting of the shareholders to hold office until the
next annual meeting. Each director, including a director elected to fill a
vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected
and until a successor has been elected and qualified. No reduction of the
authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director
before the director's term of office expires.
Section 4. VACANCIES. Vacancies in the board of directors may be
filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, or
by a sole remaining director, except that a vacancy created by the removal of a
director by the vote or written consent of the shareholders or by court order
may be filled only by the vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote
represented at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present (which shares
voting affirmatively also constitute a majority of the required quorum), or by
the written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled
to vote. Each director so elected shall hold office until the next annual
meeting of shareholders and until a successor has been elected and qualified.
A vacancy or vacancies in the board of directors shall be deemed to exist
in the event of the death, resignation, or removal of any director, or if the
board of directors by resolution declares vacant the office of a director who
has been declared of unsound mind by an order of court or convicted of a felony,
or if the authorized number of directors is increased, or if the shareholders
fail, at any meeting of shareholders at which any director or directors are
elected, to elect the number of directors to be voted for at that meeting.
The shareholders may elect a director or directors at any time to fill any
vacancy or vacancies not filled by the directors, but any such election by
written consent shall require the consent of a majority of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote.
Any director may resign effective on giving written notice to the chairman
of the board, the president, the secretary, or the board of directors, unless
the notice specifies a later time for that resignation to become effective. If
the resignation of a director is effective at a future time, the board of
directors may elect a successor to take office when the resignation becomes
effective.
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of
removing any director before that director's terms of office expires.
Section 5. PLACE OF MEETINGS AND MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE. Regular
meetings of the board of directors may be held at any place within or outside
the State of California
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that has been designated from time to time by resolution of the board. In the
absence of such designation, regular meetings shall be held at the principal
executive office of the corporation. Special meetings of the board shall be held
at any place within or outside the State of California that has been designated
in the notice of the meeting or, if not stated in the notice or there is no
notice, at the principal executive office of the corporation. Any meeting,
regular or special, may be held by conference telephone or similar communication
equipment, so long as all directors participating in the meeting can hear one
another, and all such directors shall be deemed to be present in person at the
meeting.
Section 6. ANNUAL MEETING. Immediately following each annual meeting
of shareholders, the board of directors shall hold a regular meeting for the
purpose of organization, any desired election of officers, and the transaction
of other business. Notice of this meeting shall not be required.
Section 7. OTHER REGULAR MEETINGS. Other regular meetings of the board
of directors shall be held without call at such time as shall from time to time
be fixed by the board of directors. Such regular meetings may be held without
notice.
Section 8. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the board of
directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairman
of the board or the president or any vice president or the secretary or any two
directors.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered
personally or by telephone to each director or sent by first-class mail or
telegram, charges prepaid, addressed to each director at that director's address
as it is shown on the records of the corporation. In case the notice is mailed,
it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4,) days before
the time of the holding of the meeting. In case notice is delivered personally,
or by telephone or telegram, it shall be delivered personally or by telephone or
to the telegraph company at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the
holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be
communicated either to the director or to a person at the office of the director
who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate
it to the director. The notice need not specify the purpose of the meeting nor
the place if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the
corporation.
Section 9. QUORUM. A majority of the authorized number of directors
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as
provided in Section 11 of this Article III. Every act or decision done or made
by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum
is present shall be regarded as the act of the board of directors, subject to
the provisions of Section 310 of the Corporations Code of California (as to
approval of contracts or transactions in which a director has a direct or
indirect material financial interest), Section 311 of that Code (as to
appointment of committees), and Section 317(e) of that Code (as to
indemnification of directors), the articles of incorporation, and other
applicable laws. A meeting at which a quorum
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is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the
withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority
of the required quorum for that meeting.
Section 10. WAIVER OF NOTICE. The transactions of any meeting of the
board of directors, however called and noticed or wherever held, shall be as
valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice if a
quorum is present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the
directors not present signs a written waiver of notice, a consent to holding the
meeting or an approval of the minutes. The waiver of notice or consent need not
specify the purpose of the meeting. All such waivers, consents, and approvals
shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the
meeting. Notice of a meeting shall also be deemed given to any director who
attends the meeting without protesting before or at its commencement, the lack
of notice to that director.
Section 11. ADJOURNMENT. A majority of the directors present, whether
or not constituting a quorum, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.
Section 12. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT. Notice of the time and place of
holding an adjourned meeting need not be given, unless the meeting is adjourned
for more than twenty-four (24) hours, in which case notice of the time and place
shall be given before the time of the adjourned meeting, in the manner specified
in Section 8 of this Article III, to the directors who were not present at the
time of adjournment.
Section 13. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. Any action required or permitted to
be taken by the board of directors may be taken without a meeting, if all
members of the board shall individually or collectively consent in writing to
that action. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and
effect as an unanimous vote of the board of directors. Such written consent or
consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board.
Section 14. FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. Directors and members
of committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their services, and
reimbursement of expenses, as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the
board of directors. This Section 14 shall not be construed to preclude any
director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer,
agent, employee, or otherwise, and receiving compensation for those services.
Section 15. APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS. The corporation may, upon
the approval of the board of directors alone, make loans of money or property
to, or guarantee the obligations of, any officer of the corporation or its
parent or subsidiary, whether or not a director, or adopt an employee benefit
plan or plans authorizing such loans or guaranties provided that (i) the board
of directors determines that such a loan or guaranty or plan may reasonably be
expected to benefit the corporation, (ii) the corporation has outstanding shares
held of record by 100 or more persons (determined as provided in Section 605 of
the California Corporations Code) on the date of approval by the board of
directors, and (iii) the approval of the board of directors is by a vote
sufficient without counting the vote of any interested director or directors.
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ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
Section 1. COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS. The board of directors may, by
resolution adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors,
designate one or more committees, each consisting of two or more directors, to
serve at the pleasure of the board. The board may designate one or more
directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent
member at any meeting of the committee. Any committee, to the extent provided
in the resolution of the board, shall have all the authority of the board,
except with respect to:
(a) the approval of any action which, under the General Corporation
Law of California, also requires shareholders' approval or approval of the
outstanding shares;
(b) the filling of vacancies on the board of directors or in any
committee;
(c) the fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the
board or on any committee;
(d) the amendment or repeal of bylaws or the adoption of new bylaws;
(e) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the board of
directors which by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable;
(f) a distribution to the shareholders of the corporation, except at a
rate or in a periodic amount or within a price range determined by the board of
directors; or
(g) the appointment of any other committees of the board of directors
or the members of these committees.
Section 2. MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES. Meetings and actions of
committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the
provisions of Article III of these bylaws, Section 5 (place of meetings) Section
7 (regular meetings), Section 8 (special meetings and notice), Section 9
(quorum), Section 10 (waiver of notice), Section 11 (adjournment), Section 12
(notice of adjournment) and Section 13 (action without meeting), with such
changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the
committee and its members for the board of directors and its members, except
that the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by
resolution of the board of directors or by resolution of the committee; special
meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the board of
directors; and notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to
all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the
committee. The board of directors may adopt rules for the government of any
committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.
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ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. OFFICERS. The officers of the corporation shall be a
chairman of the board or a president, or both, a secretary and a chief financial
officer. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the board of
directors, a chief executive officer, a chief operating officer, one or more
vice presidents, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant
treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the
provisions of Section 3 of this Article V. Any number of offices may be held by
the same person.
Section 2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The officers of the corporation,
except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of
Section 3 or Section 5 of this Article V, shall be chosen by the board of
directors, and each shall serve at the pleasure of the board, subject to the
rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment. Any contract of
employ ment with an officer shall be unenforceable unless in writing and
specifically authorized by the board of directors.
Section 3. SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. The board of directors may appoint,
and may empower the president to appoint, such other officers as the business of
the corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period,
have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in the bylaws or as
the board of directors may from time to time determine.
Section 4. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS. Subject to the rights,
if any, of any officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be
removed, either with or without cause, by the board of directors, at any regular
or special meeting of the board, or, except in case of an officer chosen by the
board of directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be
conferred by the board of directors.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of that
notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise
specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the
rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a
party.
Section 5. VACANCIES IN OFFICES. A vacancy in any office because of
death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be filled
in the manner prescribed in these bylaws for regular appointments to that
office.
Section 6. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The chairman of the board, if such
officer be elected, shall, if present, preside at meeting of the board of
directors and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may from time
to time be assigned to him by the board of directors or
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prescribed by the bylaws. If there is no president or chief executive officer,
the chairman of the board shall act as chief executive officer of the
corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in Section 7 of this
Article V.
Section 7. PRESIDENT. Subject to any supervisory powers, if any, as
may be given by the board of directors to the chairman of the board and/or chief
executive officer, if there be such an officer or officers, the president shall,
subject to the control of the board of directors, have general supervision,
direction, and control of the business and the affairs of the corporation. In
the absence of the chairman of the board, or if there be none, he shall preside
at all meetings of the shareholders and at all meetings of the board of
directors. He shall have the general powers and duties of management usually
vested in the office of president of a corporation, and shall have such other
powers and duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or the bylaws.
Section 8. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence or disability of the
chairman of the board, the chief executive officer and the president, the vice
presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the board of directors
or, if not ranked, a vice president designated by the board of directors, shall
perform all the duties of the such officers, and when so acting shall have all
the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, such officers. The
vice presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as
from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the board of
directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, or the
president.
Section 9. SECRETARY. The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at
the principal executive office or such other place as the board of directors may
direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and action of the directors,
committees of directors, and shareholders, with the time and place of holding,
whether regular or special, and if special, how authorized, the notice given,
the names of those present at directors' meetings or committee meetings, the
number of shares present or represented at shareholders' meetings, and the
proceedings.
The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive
office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation's transfer agent
or registrar, as determined by resolution of the board of directors, a share
register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of all shareholders
and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number
and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number and date of
cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of
the shareholders and of the board of directors required by the bylaws or by law
to be given, and he shall keep the seal of the corporation if one be adopted, in
safe custody, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as
may be prescribed by the board of directors or by the bylaws.
Section 10. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER; TREASURER. The chief financial
officer or, if there be none, the treasurer shall keep and maintain, or cause to
be kept and maintained,
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adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and
business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets,
liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings,
and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to
inspection by any director.
The chief financial officer (or the treasurer) shall deposit all moneys and
other valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such
depositories as may be designated by the board of directors. He shall disburse
the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, shall
render to the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president
and board of directors, whenever they request it, an account of all of his
transactions as chief financial officer (or treasurer) and of the financial
condition of the corporation, and shall have other powers and perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or the bylaws.
Should there be no one serving in the capacity of chief financial officer,
the treasurer (or, in his absence, the assistant treasurer) shall exercise all
of the duties and assume all of the responsibilities of the chief financial
officer.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS,
EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS
Section 1. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The corporation
shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the Code, indemnify
each of its directors and officers against expenses (as defined in Section
317(a) of the Code), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually
and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding (as defined in Section
317(a) of the Code), arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an
agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Article VI, a "director" or
"officer" of the corporation includes any person (i) who is or was a director or
officer of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was a director or officer of a
corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another
enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.
Section 2. INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS. The corporation shall have the
power, to the extent and in the manner permitted by the Code, to indemnify each
of its employees and agents (other than directors and officers) against expenses
(as defined in Section 317(a) of the Code), judgments, fines, settlements, and
other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding
(as defined in Section 317(a) of the Code), arising by reason of the fact that
such person is or was an agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Article
VI, an "employee" or "agent" of the corporation (other than a director or
officer) includes any person (i) who is or was an employee or agent of the
corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as an
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employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, or (iii) who was an employee or agent of a corporation which
was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the
request of such predecessor corporation.
Section 3. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE. Expenses incurred in
defending any civil or criminal action or proceeding for which indemnification
is required pursuant to Section 6.1 or for which indemnification is permitted
pursuant to Section 6.2 following authorization thereof by the Board of
Directors shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition
of such action or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
the indemnified party to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined
that the indemnified party is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in
this Article VI.
Section 4. INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE. The indemnification provided by
this Article VI shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those
seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of
shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in an
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such
office, to the extent that such additional rights to indemnification are
authorized in the Articles of Incorporation.
Section 5. INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION. The corporation shall have the
power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against any liability
asserted against or incurred by such person in such capacity or arising out of
such person's status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the
power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this
Article VI.
Section 6. CONFLICTS. No indemnification or advance shall be made
under this Article VI, except where such indemnification or advance is mandated
by law or the order, judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction,
in any circumstance where it appears:
(1) That it would be inconsistent with a provision of the Articles of
Incorporation, these bylaws, a resolution of the shareholders or an agreement in
effect at the time of the accrual of the alleged cause of the action asserted in
the proceeding in which the expenses were incurred or other amounts were paid,
which prohibits or otherwise limits indemnification; or
(2) That it would be inconsistent with any condition expressly imposed
by a court in approving a settlement.
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ARTICLE VII
RECORDS AND REPORTS
Section 1. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER. The
corporation shall keep at its principal executive office, or at the office of
its transfer agent or registrar, if either be appointed and as determined by
resolution of the board of directors, a record of its shareholders, giving the
names and addresses of all shareholders and the number and class of shares held
by each shareholder.
A shareholder or shareholders of the corporation holding at least five
percent (5%) in the aggregate of the outstanding voting shares of the
corporation or who holds at least once percent (1%) of such voting shares and
has filed a Schedule 14B with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to
the election of directors may (i) inspect and copy the records of the
shareholders' names and addresses and shareholdings during usual business hours
on five (5) days' prior written demand on the corporation and (ii) obtain from
the transfer agent of the corporation, on written demand and on the tender of
such transfer agent's usual charges for such list, a list of the shareholders'
names and addresses, who are entitled to vote for the election of directors, and
their shareholdings, as of the most recent record date for which that list has
been compiled or as of a date specified by the shareholder after the date of
demand. This list shall be made available to any shareholder by the transfer
agent on or before the later of five (5) days after the demand is received or
five (5) days after the date specified in the demand as the date as of which the
list is to be compiled. The record of shareholders shall also be open to
inspection on the written demand of any shareholder or holder of a voting trust
certificate, at any time during usual business hours, for a purpose reasonably
related to the holder's interests as a shareholder or as the holder of a voting
trust certificate. Any inspection and copying under this Section 1 may be made
in person or by an agent or attorney of the shareholder or holder of a voting
trust certificate making the demand.
Section 2. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS. The corporation shall
keep at its principal executive office, or if its principal office is not in the
State of California, at its principal business office in this state, the
original or a copy of the bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to
inspection by the shareholders at all reasonable times during office hours. If
the principal executive office of the corporation is outside the State of
California and the corporation has no principal business in this state, the
secretary shall, upon the written request of any shareholder, furnish to that
shareholder a copy of the bylaws as amended to date.
Section 3. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER CORPORATE RECORDS. The
accounting books and records and minutes of proceedings of the shareholders and
the board of directors and any committee or committees of the board of directors
shall be kept at such place or places designated by the board of directors, or,
in the absence of such designation, at the principal executive office of the
corporation. The minutes shall be kept in written form and the accounting books
and records shall be kept either in written form or in any form capable of being
converted into written form. The minutes and accounting books and records shall
be open to
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inspection upon the written demand of any shareholder or holder of a voting
trust certificate, at any reasonable time during usual business hours, for a
purpose reasonably related to the holder's interest as a shareholder or as the
holder of a voting trust certificate. The inspection may be made in person or by
an agent or attorney, and shall include the right to copy and make extracts.
These rights of inspection shall extend to the records of each subsidiary
corporation of the corporation.
Section 4. INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS. Every director shall have the
absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records, and
documents of every kind and the physical properties of the corporation and each
of its subsidiary corporations. This inspection by a director may be made in
person or by an agent or attorney and the right of inspection includes the right
to copy and make extracts of documents.
Section 5. ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS. The corporation shall
prepare and send to its shareholders an annual report to shareholders as
required by Section 1501 of the California General Corporation Law.
ARTICLE VII
GENERAL CORPORATE POWERS
Section 1. RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING. For
purposes of determining the shareholders 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 other lawful action (other than action by
shareholders by written consent without a meeting), the board of directors may
fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days
before any such action, and in that case only shareholders of record on the date
so fixed are entitled to receive the dividend, distribution, or allotment of
rights or to exercise the rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any
transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date so
fixed, except as otherwise provided in the California General Corporation Law.
If the board of directors does not so fix a record date, the record
date for determining shareholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of
business on the day on which the board adopts the applicable resolution or the
sixtieth (60th) day before the date of that action, whichever is later.
Section 2. CHECKS, DRAFTS, EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS. All checks,
drafts, or other orders for payment of money, notes, or other evidences of
indebtedness, issued in the name of or payable to the corporation, shall be
signed or endorsed by such person or persons and in such manner as, from time to
time, shall be determined by resolution of the board of directors.
Section 3. CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS; HOW EXECUTED. The board
of directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may authorize any
officer
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or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any
instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and this authority
may be general or confined to specific instances; and, unless so 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.
Section 4. CERTIFICATE FOR SHARES. A certificate or certificates for
shares of the capital stock of the corporation shall be issued to each
shareholder when any of these shares are fully paid, and the board of directors
may authorize the issuance of certificates or shares as partly paid provided
that these certificates shall state the amount of the consideration to be paid
for them and the amount paid. All certificates shall be signed in the name of
the corporation by the chairman of the board or vice chairman of the board or
the president or vice president and by the chief financial officer or an
assistant treasurer or the secretary or any assistant secretary, certifying the
number of shares and the class or series of shares owned by the shareholder.
Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any
officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile
signature has been placed on a certificate shall have ceased to be that officer,
transfer agent, or registrar before that certificate is issued, it may be issued
by the corporation with the same effect as if that person were an officer,
transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 5. LOST CERTIFICATES. Except as provided in this Section 5, no
new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace an old certificate unless
the latter is surrendered to the corporation and cancelled at the same time.
The board of directors may, in case any share certificate or certificate for any
other security is lost, stolen or destroyed, authorize the issuance of a
replacement certificate on such terms and conditions as the board may require,
including provision for indemnification of the corporation secured by a bond or
other adequate security sufficient to protect the corporation against any claim
that may be made against it, including any expense or liability, on account of
the alleged loss, theft, or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of
the replacement certificate.
Section 6. REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS. The
chairman of the board, the president, or any vice president, or any other person
authorized by resolution of the board of directors or by any of the foregoing
designated officers, is authorized to vote on behalf of the corporation any and
all shares of any other corporation or corporations, foreign or domestic,
standing in the name of the corporation. The authority granted to these
officers to vote or represent on behalf of the corporation any and all shares
held by the corporation in any other corporation or corporations may be
exercised by any of these officers in person or by any person authorized to do
so by a proxy duly executed by these officers.
Section 7. CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS. Unless the context requires
otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the
California General Corporation Law shall govern the construction of these
bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number
includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term
"person" includes both a corporation and a natural person.
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ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. AMENDMENTS BY SHAREHOLDERS. New bylaws may be adopted or
these bylaws may be amended or repealed by the vote or written consent of
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided,
however, that if the articles of incorporation of the corporation set forth the
number of authorized directors of the corporation, the authorized number of
directors may be changed only by an amendment of the articles of incorporation.
Section 2. AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS. Subject to the rights of the
shareholders as provided in Section 1 of this Article IX, bylaws, other than a
bylaw or an amendment of a bylaw changing the authorized number of directors
(except to fix the authorized number of directors pursuant to a bylaw providing
for a variable number of directors), may be adopted, amended, or repealed by the
board of directors.
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