EXHIBIT 3.2
BYLAWS
OF
SERVICE 1ST BANCORP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
ARTICLE I Offices...........................................................1
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Section 1. Principal Office...........................................1
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Section 2. Other Offices..............................................1
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ARTICLE II Meetings of Shareholders.........................................1
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Section 3. Place of Meeting...........................................1
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Section 4. Annual Meeting; Shareholder Proposals......................1
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Section 5. Special Meeting............................................2
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Section 6. Notice of Shareholders' Meeting............................2
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Section 7. Nominations for Election to Board of Directors.............2
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Section 8. Quorum.....................................................3
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Section 9. Adjourned Meeting..........................................3
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Section 10. Waiver or Consent by Shareholders.........................3
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Section 11. Action Without Meeting....................................4
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Section 12. Voting Rights; Cumulative Voting..........................4
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Section 13. Proxies...................................................5
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Section 14. Inspectors of Election....................................5
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ARTICLE III Directors; Management...........................................5
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Section 15. Powers....................................................5
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Section 16. Number and Qualification of Directors.....................5
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Section 17. Election and Term of Office...............................6
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Section 18. Removal of Directors......................................6
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Section 19. Vacancies.................................................6
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Section 20. Place of Meeting..........................................6
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Section 21. Organizational Meetings...................................7
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Section 22. Other Regular Meeting.....................................7
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Section 23. Special Meeting...........................................7
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Section 24. Quorum....................................................7
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Section 25. Contents of Notice and Waiver of Notice...................7
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Section 26. Adjournment...............................................7
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Section 27. Notice of Adjournment.....................................7
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Section 28. Telephone Participation...................................8
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Section 29. Action without Meeting....................................8
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Section 30. Fees and Compensation.....................................8
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ARTICLE IV Officers.........................................................8
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Section 31. Officers..................................................8
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Section 32. Election..................................................8
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Section 33. Subordinate Officers......................................8
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Section 34. Removal and Resignation...................................8
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Section 35. Vacancies.................................................8
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Section 36. Chairman of the Board.....................................9
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Section 37. Chief Executive Officer...................................9
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Section 38. Vice Presidents...........................................9
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Section 39. Secretary.................................................9
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Section 40. Chief Financial Officer...................................9
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ARTICLE V General Corporate Matters........................................10
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Section 41. Record Date and Closing of Stockbooks....................10
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Section 42. Corporate Records and Inspection by
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Shareholders and Directors......................................10
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Section 43. Checks, Drafts, Evidences of Indebtedness................11
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Section 44. Corporate Contracts and Instruments; How Executed........11
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Section 45. Stock Certificates.......................................11
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Section 46. Lost Certificates........................................11
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Section 47. Reports to Shareholders..................................11
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Section 48. Indemnity of Officers and Directors......................12
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ARTICLE VI Amendments......................................................15
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Section 49. Amendments by Shareholders...............................15
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Section 50. Amendments by Directors..................................15
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ARTICLE VII Committees of the Board........................................15
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Section 51. Committees of the Board..................................15
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ARTICLE I
Offices
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Section 1. Principal Office. The principal executive office in the State
of California for the transaction of the business of the corporation (called the
principal office) shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of
Directors.
Section 2. Other Offices. One or more branches or other subordinate
offices may at any time be fixed and located by the Board of Directors at such
place or places within or without the State of California as the Board deems
appropriate.
ARTICLE II
Meetings of Shareholders
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Section 3. Place of Meeting. Meetings of the shareholders shall be held at
any place within or outside the State of California that may be designated
either by the Board of Directors in accordance with these Bylaws, or by the
written consent of all persons entitled to vote at the meeting, given either
before or after the meeting and filed with the Secretary of the corporation. If
no such designation is made, the meetings shall be held at the principal office
of the corporation designated in accordance with Section 1 of these Bylaws.
Section 4. Annual Meeting; Shareholder Proposals.
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(a) The annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held on a date and
at a time and location designated by the Board of Directors. The date so
designated shall be within fifteen (15) months after the last annual meeting of
shareholders, if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the next
succeeding business day, at which time the shareholders shall elect a Board of
Directors, consider reports of the affairs of the corporation, and transact such
other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.
(b) If the annual meeting of shareholders shall not be held on the date
above specified, the Board of Directors shall cause such a meeting to be held as
soon thereafter as convenient, and any business transacted or election held at
such meeting shall be as valid as if transacted or held at an annual meeting on
the date above specified.
(c) Notice of proposals which shareholders intend to present at any
annual meeting of shareholders and wish to be included in the proxy statement of
management of the bank distributed in connection with such annual meeting must
be received at the principal executive offices of the bank not less than 120
days prior to the date on which, during the previous year, management's proxy
statement for the previous year's annual meeting was first distributed to
shareholders. Any such proposal, and the proponent shareholder, must comply with
the eligibility requirements set forth in Rule 14a-8 of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
(d) The proxy solicited by management for any annual meeting of
shareholders shall confer discretionary authority upon management's proxy
holders to vote with respect to any shareholder proposal offered at such
meeting, the proponent of which has not notified the bank, within the time
period specified by Section 2 of these Bylaws, of his or her intention to
present such proposal at the annual meeting. Specific reference to such voting
authority shall be made in management's proxy statement for each annual meeting.
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Section 5. Special Meeting. Special meetings of the shareholders, for any
purpose or purposes whatsoever, may be called at any time by the Board of
Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President, or by holders of shares
entitled to cast not less than ten percent (10%) of the votes at the meeting. At
such meetings, no business may be transacted other than as is generally
specified in the notice provided to the shareholders pursuant to Section 6 of
these Bylaws.
Section 6. Notice of Shareholders' Meeting.
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(a) Whenever shareholders are required or permitted to take any action
at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given not less than ten
(10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each
shareholder entitled to vote thereat. Such notice shall state the place, date
and hour of the meeting and (1) in the case of a special meeting, the general
nature of the business to be transacted, or (2) in the case of the annual
meeting, those matters which the Board, at the time of the mailing of the
notice, intends to present for action by the shareholders, but subject to the
provisions of Section 601(f) of the California Corporations Code (the "Code"),
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 names of
nominees intended at the time of the notice to be presented by management for
election.
(b) Notice of a shareholders' meeting shall be given either personally
or by first class mail or other means of written communication, addressed to the
shareholder at the address of such shareholder appearing on the books of the
corporation or given by the shareholder to the corporation for the purpose of
notice; or if no such address appears or is given, at the place where the
principal office of the corporation is located. The notice shall be deemed to
have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in the mail
or sent by other means of written communication.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the corporation has
outstanding shares held of record by five hundred (500) or more persons, notice
may be given by third class mail as provided in Sections 601(a) and 601(b) of
the Code.
(d) If any notice addressed to the shareholder at the address of such
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 such address, all future notices shall be deemed to have been duly given
without further mailing if the same shall be available for the shareholder upon
written demand of the shareholder at the principal office of the corporation for
a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice to all other
shareholders.
(e) Upon request in writing to the Chairman of the Board, President, or
Secretary by any person entitled to call a special meeting of shareholders, the
officer forthwith shall cause notice to be given to the shareholders entitled to
vote that a meeting will be held at a time requested by the person or persons
calling the meeting, not less than thirty-five nor more than sixty days after
the receipt of the request.
Section 7. Nominations for Election to Board of Directors. Nominations for
election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by
any shareholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations,
other than those made by the Board of Directors, shall be made in writing and
shall be delivered or mailed, with first-class United States mail postage
prepaid, to the President by the later of: (i) the close of business twenty-one
(21) days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of
directors; or (ii) seven (7) days after the date of mailing of notice of the
meeting of shareholders. Shareholder nominations shall contain the following
information: (a) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence
address of each proposed nominee; (b) the principal occupation or employment of
each proposed nominee; (c) the total number of shares of capital stock of the
corporation that are beneficially owned by each proposed nominee and by the
nominating shareholder;
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(d) the name and residence address of the notifying shareholder; and (e)
any other information the corporation must disclose regarding director nominees
in the corporation's proxy solicitation. Shareholder nominations shall be signed
by the nominating shareholder and by each nominee, and shall be accompanied by a
written consent to be named as a nominee for election as a director from each
proposed nominee. Nominations not made in accordance with this Section may be
disregarded by the Chairman of the meeting, and if the Chairman so instructs,
the inspectors of election may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.
Section 8. Quorum. The presence at any meeting, in person or by proxy, of
the persons entitled to vote a majority of the voting shares of the corporation
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Shareholders present
at a valid meeting at which a quorum is initially 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 persons voting more than twenty five percent (25%) of the shares
entitled to vote.
Section 9. Adjourned Meeting.
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(a) Any annual or special shareholders' meeting may be adjourned from
time to time, even though a quorum is not present, by vote of the holders of a
majority of the voting shares present at the meeting either in person or by
proxy, provided that in the absence of a quorum, no other business may be
transacted at the meeting except as provided in Section 8.
(b) 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, any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than
forty-five (45) 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
shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 10. Waiver or Consent by Shareholders.
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(a) The transactions of any meeting of shareholders, however called and
noticed, and wherever held, are as valid as though had at a meeting duly held
after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by
proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, one or more of the holders of
each of the shares entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, signs a
written waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of the meeting or an
approval of the minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents and approvals shall
be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the
meeting.
(b) Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of
notice of and presence at such 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 a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by
Section 6 of these Bylaws or Section 601(f) of the Code to be included in the
notice but not so included, if such objection is expressly made at the meeting.
Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any regular or
special meeting of shareholders need be specified in any written waiver of
notice, consent to the holding of the meeting or approval of the minutes
thereof, except as provided in Section 601(f) of the Code.
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Section 11. Action Without Meeting.
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(a) 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, shall be signed by the
holders of outstanding shares 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, except that
unanimous written consent shall be required for election of directors to
non-vacant positions.
(b) Unless the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have been
solicited or received in writing, notice shall be given to non-consenting
shareholders to the extent required by Section 603(b) of the Code.
(c) Any shareholder giving a written consent, or the shareholder's
proxyholders, or a transferee of the shares or a personal representative of the
shareholder or their respective proxyholders, may revoke the consent by a
writing received by the corporation prior to the time that written consents of
the number of shares required to authorize the proposed action have been filed
with the Secretary of the corporation, but may not do so thereafter. Such
revocation is effective upon its receipt by the Secretary of the corporation.
Section 12. Voting Rights; Cumulative Voting.
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(a) Only persons in whose names shares entitled to vote stand on the
stock records of the corporation at the close of business on the record date
fixed by the Board of Directors as provided in Section 41 hereof for the
determination of shareholders of record shall be entitled to notice of and to
vote at such meeting of shareholders. If no record date is fixed, 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; the record date for determining shareholders entitled to give consent to
corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board
has been taken, shall be the day on which the first written consent is given:
and the record date for determining shareholders for any other purpose shall be
at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution
relating thereto, or the sixtieth (60th) day prior to the date of such other
action, whichever is later.
(b) Except as provided in the next following sentence and except as may
be otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, each shareholder
entitled to vote shall be entitled to one vote for each share held on each
matter submitted to a vote of shareholders. In the election of directors, each
such shareholder complying with the following paragraph may cumulate such
shareholder'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 the
shareholder's shares are normally entitled, or distribute the shareholder's
votes on the same principle among as many candidates as the shareholder thinks
fit.
(c) No shareholder shall be entitled to cumulate votes in favor of any
candidate or candidates unless such candidate's or candidates' names have been
placed in nomination prior to the voting and the shareholder has given notice at
the meeting prior to the voting of the shareholder's intention to cumulate the
shareholder's votes. If any one shareholder has given such notice, such fact
shall be announced to all shareholders and proxies present, who may then
cumulate their votes for candidates in nomination.
(d) In any election of directors, the candidates receiving the highest
number of votes of the shares entitled to be voted for them, up to the number of
directors to be elected by such shares, are elected.
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(e) Voting may be by voice or ballot, provided that any election of
directors must be by ballot upon the demand of any shareholder made at the
meeting and before the voting begins.
Section 13. Proxies. Every person entitled to vote shares may authorize
another person or persons to act by proxy with respect to such shares. All
proxies must be in writing and must be signed by the shareholder confirming the
proxy or his attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of
eleven (11) months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
Every proxy continues in full force and effect until revoked by the person
executing it prior to the vote pursuant thereto, except as otherwise provided in
Section 705 of the Code. Such revocation may be effected by a writing delivered
to the corporation stating that the proxy is revoked or by a subsequent proxy
executed by the person executing the prior proxy and presented to the meeting,
or as to any meeting, by attendance at such meeting and voting in person by the
person executing 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.
Section 14. Inspectors of Election.
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(a) In advance of any meeting of shareholders the Board may appoint
inspectors of election to act at the meeting and any adjournment thereof. If
inspectors of election are not so appointed, or if any persons so appointed fail
to appear or refuse to act, the chairman of any meeting of shareholders may, and
on the request of any shareholder or a shareholder's proxy shall, appoint
inspectors of election for persons to replace those who so fail or refuse) at
the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one or three. If appointed
at a meeting on the request of one or more shareholders or proxies, the majority
of shares represented in person or by proxy shall determine whether one or three
inspectors are to be appointed. If there are three inspectors of election, the
decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the
decision, act or certificate of all.
(b) The inspectors of election shall 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,
receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and
questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote, count and
tabulate all votes or consents, determine when the polls shall close, determine
the result and do such acts as may be proper to conduct the election or vote
with fairness to all shareholders.
ARTICLE III
Directors; Management
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Section 15. Powers. Subject to any provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation, of the Bylaws and of law limiting the powers of the Board of
Directors or reserving powers to the shareholders, the Board of Directors shall,
directly or by delegation, manage the business and affairs of the corporation
and exercise all corporate powers permitted by law.
Section 16. Number and Qualification of Directors. The authorized number
of directors shall not, unless and until changed by an amendment to this Section
16 adopted by the shareholders pursuant to Section 50, be less than nine (9) nor
more than seventeen (17) provided, however, that so long as the corporation has
only one shareholder, the authorized number of directors shall be one, and so
long as the corporation has only two shareholders the number of directors shall
be two. The exact number of directors within said range shall be fixed by a
resolution adopted by the Board of Directors; and unless and until so fixed, the
exact number of directors is hereby fixed at twelve (12). A reduction in the
authorized number of directors shall not remove any director prior to the
expiration of such director's term of office. Directors need not be shareholders
of the corporation.
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Section 17. Election and Term of Office. The directors shall be elected
annually by the shareholders at the annual meeting of the shareholders;
provided, however, that if for any reason said annual meeting or an adjournment
thereof is not held or the directors are not elected thereat, then the directors
may be elected at any special meeting of the shareholders called and held for
that purpose. The term of office of the directors shall, except as provided in
Section 18, begin immediately after their election and shall continue until
their respective successors are elected and qualified.
Section 18. Removal of Directors.
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(a) A director may be removed from office by the Board of Directors if
he or she is declared of unsound mind by the order of a court or convicted of a
felony. Any or all of the directors may be removed from office without cause by
a vote of shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote at an election of directors, however, unless the entire Board is removed,
an individual director shall not be removed if the votes cast against removal,
or not consenting in writing to such removal, would be sufficient to elect such
director if voted cumulatively at an election at 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 the director's most recent election were then being elected. A
director may also be removed from office by the Superior Court of the county in
which the principal office is located, at the suit of shareholders holding at
least ten percent (10%) of the number of outstanding shares of any class, in
case of fraudulent or dishonest acts or gross abuse of authority or discretion
with reference to the corporation, in the manner provided by law.
(b) No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the
effect of removing any director before his term of office expires.
Section 19. Vacancies.
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(a) A vacancy or vacancies on the Board of Directors shall exist when
any authorized position of director is not then filled by a duly elected
director, whether caused by death, resignation, removal, change in the
authorized number (by the Board or the shareholders) or otherwise.
(b) Except for a vacancy created by the removal of a director, vacancies
on the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors
although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and each director
elected in this manner shall hold office until his successor is elected at an
annual or special shareholders' meeting.
(c) The shareholders may elect a director at any time to fill any
vacancy not filled by the directors. Any such election by written consent other
than to fill a vacancy created by removal requires the consent of a majority of
the outstanding shares entitled to vote.
(d) Any director may resign effective upon giving written notice to the
Chairman of the Board, the President, the Secretary or the Board of Directors of
the corporation, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness
of such resignation. If the resignation is effective at a future time, a
successor may be elected to take office when the resignation becomes effective.
Section 20. Place of Meeting. Regular and special meetings of the Board of
Directors shall be held at any place within or outside the State of California
that is designated by resolution of the Board or, either before or after the
meeting, consented to in writing by all the Board members. If the place of a
regular or special meeting is not fixed by resolution or written consents of the
Board, it shall be held at the corporation's principal office.
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Section 21. Organizational Meetings. Immediately following each annual
shareholders' meeting, the Board of Directors shall hold an organizational
meeting to organize, elect officers, and transact other business. Notice of this
meeting shall not be required.
Section 22. Other Regular Meeting. Other regular meetings of the Board of
Directors shall be held on the third Thursday of every month each year until
changed by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, however, if this day
falls on a legal holiday, the meeting shall be held at the same time on the next
succeeding day that is a full business day. Notice of these regular meetings
shall not be required.
Section 23. Special Meeting.
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(a) Special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose may be
called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice
President, the Secretary, or any two directors.
(b) Special meetings of the Board shall be held upon four days' notice
by mail or forty-eight (48) hours' notice delivered personally or by telephone,
facsimile or electronic transmission. If notice is by telephone, it shall be
delivered when the person calling the meeting believes in good faith that the
notified person has heard and acknowledged the notice. If the notice is by mail,
it shall be delivered when deposited in the United States mail at the place
where the corporation's principal office is located, charges prepaid and
addressed to the notified person at such person's address appearing on the
corporate records or, if it is not on these records or is not readily
ascertainable, at the place where the regular Board meeting is held. If the
notice is by facsimile or electronic transmission, it shall be delivered when
sent to the facsimile or electronic transmission number or address designated by
the person for receipt of facsimile or electronic transmissions and upon receipt
by the person calling the meeting of a confirmation of the delivery of the
notice to such number or address in the form of a written or electronic
confirmation generated by the facsimile or electronic device used by the person
giving notice, or confirmation by oral acknowledgement or attendance at the
meeting of the person notified.
Section 24. Quorum. A majority of the authorized number of directors
(unless the authorized number of directors is one) shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business, except to adjourn a meeting under Section 26. Every
act done or decision made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting at
which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of
Directors, unless the vote of a greater number is required by law, the Articles
of Incorporation, or these Bylaws. A meeting at which a quorum is initially
present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of
directors, if any action taken is approved by a majority of the required quorum
for such meeting.
Section 25. Contents of Notice and Waiver of Notice. Neither the business
to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special Board meeting
need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of the meeting. Notice of a
meeting need not be given to any director who signs a waiver of notice or a
consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof, either
before or after the meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting,
prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to said director. All
such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records
or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Section 26. Adjournment. A majority of the directors present, whether or
not a quorum is present, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.
Section 27. Notice of Adjournment. Notice of the time and place of holding
an adjourned meeting need not be given to absent directors if the time and place
are fixed at the meeting being adjourned, except that if the meeting is
adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours such notice shall be given prior
to the adjourned meeting to the directors who were not present at the time of
the adjournment.
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Section 28. Telephone Participation. Members of the Board may participate
in a meeting through use of conference telephone or similar communications
equipment, so long as all members participating in such meetings can hear one
another. Such participation constitutes presence in person at such meeting.
Section 29. Action without Meeting. The Board of Directors may take any
action without a meeting that may be required or permitted to be taken by the
Board at a meeting, if all members of the Board individually or collectively
consent in writing to the action. The written consent or consents shall be filed
in the minutes of the proceedings of the Board. Such action by written consent
shall have the same effect as a unanimous vote of directors.
Section 30. Fees and Compensation. Directors and members of committees
shall receive neither compensation for their services nor reimbursement for
their expenses unless these payments are fixed by resolution of the Board.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
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Section 31. Officers. The officers of the corporation shall be a
President, a Secretary, and a Chief Financial Officer. The corporation may also
have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a Chairman of the Board, one
or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, and any other
officers who may be appointed under Section 33 of these Bylaws.
Section 32. Election. The officers of the corporation, except those
appointed under Section 33 of these Bylaws, shall be chosen annually by the
Board of Directors, and each shall hold his office until he or she resigns or is
removed or otherwise disqualified to serve, or his or her successor is elected
and qualified.
Section 33. Subordinate Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint, and
may authorize the President to appoint, any other officers that the business of
the corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for the period, have
the authority, and perform the duties specified in the Bylaws or by the Board of
Directors.
Section 34. Removal and Resignation.
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(a) Any officer may be removed with or without cause either by the Board
of Directors at any regular or special directors' meeting or, except for an
officer chosen by the Board, by any officer on whom the power of removal may be
conferred by the Board.
(b) Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
Board of Directors, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the President or
the Secretary of the corporation. An officer's resignation shall take effect
when it is received or at any later time specified in the resignation. Unless
the resignation specifies otherwise, its acceptance by the corporation shall not
be necessary to make it effective.
Section 35. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification, or any other cause shall be filled in
the manner prescribed in the Bylaws for regular appointments to the office.
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Section 36. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if such
office is created and filled by the Board of Directors, shall preside at all
meetings of the directors and shareholders at which he or she is present, shall
be ex-officio a member of all the standing committees created by the Board, and
shall exercise and perform any other powers and duties assigned to him or her by
the Board or prescribed by the Bylaws.
Section 37. Chief Executive Officer . Subject to any supervisory powers
that may be given by the Board of Directors or the Bylaws to the Chairman of the
Board or any other officer who may be designated the Chief Executive Officer,
the corporation's chief executive officer shall be designated the Chief
Executive Officer, and shall, subject to the supervision and control of the
Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction, and control over the
corporation's business and officers. He or she shall preside as chairman at all
meetings of the shareholders and directors not presided over by the Chairman of
the Board, shall be ex-officio a member of all the standing committees, shall
have the general powers and duties that are prescribed by the Board of Directors
or the Bylaws, and shall be primarily responsible for carrying out all orders
and resolutions of the Board of Directors.
Section 38. Vice Presidents. If the President is absent or is unable or
refuses to act, the Vice Presidents in order of their rank as fixed by the Board
of Directors, or, if not ranked, the Vice President designated by the Board of
Directors, shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting
shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions on, the
President. Each Vice President shall have any other powers and perform any other
duties that are prescribed for him or her by the Board of Directors or their
Bylaws.
Section 39. Secretary.
---------- ---------
(a) The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, and be available at
the principal office and any other place that the Board of Directors specifies,
a book of minutes of all directors' and shareholders' meetings. The minutes of
each meeting shall state the time and place that it was held, whether it was
regular or special, if a special meeting, how it was authorized, the notice
given the names of those present or represented at shareholders' meetings, and
the proceedings of the meetings. A similar minute book shall be kept for any
committees, if required by the Board.
(b) The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal
office or at the office of the corporation's transfer agent, a share register,
or duplicate share register, showing the shareholders' names and addresses, the
number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of each
certificate issued for these shares, and the number and date of cancellation of
each certificate surrendered for cancellation.
(c) The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all
directors' and shareholders' meetings required to be given under these Bylaws or
by law, shall keep the corporate seal in safe custody, and shall have any other
powers and perform any other duties that are prescribed by the Board of
Directors or the Bylaws.
Section 40. Chief Financial Officer.
---------- -----------------------
(a) The Chief Financial Officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be
kept and maintained, adequate and correct accounts of the corporation's
properties and business transactions, 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.
(b) The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit all money and other
valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with the depositories
designated by the Board of Directors. He or she shall
9
disburse the corporation's funds as ordered by the Board of Directors; shall
render to the President and directors, whenever they request it, an account of
all his or her transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the corporation's
financial condition; and shall have any other powers and perform any other
duties that are prescribed by the Board of Directors or Bylaws.
(c) If required by the Board of Directors, the Chief Financial Officer
shall give the corporation a bond in the amount and with the surety or sureties
specified by the Board for faithful performance of the duties of his or her
office and for restoration to the corporation of all its books, papers,
vouchers, money, and other property of every kind in his or her possession or
under his or her control on his or her death, resignation, retirement, or
removal from office.
ARTICLE V
General Corporate Matters
-------------------------
Section 41. Record Date and Closing of Stockbooks.
---------- -------------------------------------
(a) The Board of Directors may fix a time in the future as a record date
for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any
shareholders' meeting: to receive any dividend, distribution, or allotment of
rights: or to exercise rights in respect of any other lawful action, including
change, conversion, or exchange of shares. The record date shall not, however,
be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days prior to the date of such
meeting nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. If a record
date is fixed for a particular meeting or event, only shareholders of record on
that date are entitled to notice and to vote and 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.
(b) A determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or
to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the
meeting unless the Board fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but
the Board shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than
forty-five (45) days.
Section 42. Corporate Records and Inspection by Shareholders and
---------- ----------------------------------------------------
Directors.
- ---------
(a) Books and records of account and minutes of the proceedings of the
shareholders, Board, and committees of the Board shall be kept available for
inspection at the principal office. A record of the shareholders, giving the
names and addresses of all shareholders and the number and class of shares held
by each, shall be kept available for inspection at the principal office or at
the office of the corporation's transfer agent or registrar.
(b) A shareholder or shareholders holding at least five percent in the
aggregate of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation shall have an
absolute right to do either or both of the following: (1) inspect and copy the
record of shareholders' names and addresses and shareholdings during the usual
business hours upon five business days' prior written demand upon the
corporation, or (2) obtain from the transfer agent for the corporation, upon
five business days' prior written demand and upon the tender of its usual
charges for such a list (the amount of which charges shall be stated to the
shareholder by the transfer agent upon request), 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 it has been
compiled or as of a date specified by the shareholder subsequent to the date of
demand. The record of shareholders shall also be open to inspection and copying
by any shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate at any time during
usual business hours upon written demand on the corporation, for a purpose
reasonably related to such holder's interests as a shareholder or holder of a
voting trust certificate. Inspection and copying may be made in person or by
agent or attorney.
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(c) Every director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time
to inspect and copy all books, records and documents of every kind and to
inspect the physical properties of the corporation and its subsidiary
corporations, domestic or foreign. Such inspection by a director may be made in
person or by agent or attorney and includes the right to copy and make extracts.
Section 43. Checks, Drafts, Evidences of Indebtedness. All checks, drafts,
or other orders for payment of money, notes, and all mortgages, or other
evidences of indebtedness, issued in the name of or payable to the corporation,
and all assignments and endorsements of the foregoing, shall be signed or
endorsed by the person or persons and in the manner specified by the Board of
Directors.
Section 44. Corporate Contracts and Instruments; How Executed. Except as
otherwise provided in the Bylaws, officers, agents, or employees must be
authorized by the Board of Directors to enter into any contract or execute any
instrument in the corporation's name and on its behalf. This authority may be
general or confined to specific instances.
Section 45. Stock Certificates. One or more certificates for shares of the
corporation's capital stock shall be issued to each shareholder for any of his
shares that are fully paid up. The corporate seal or its facsimile may be fixed
on certificates. All certificates shall be signed by (a) either the Chairman of
the Board, the President, or a Vice President and (b) either the Secretary, the
Chief Financial Officer, or an Assistant Secretary. Any or all of the signatures
on the certificate may be facsimile signatures.
Section 46. Lost Certificates. No new share certificate that replaces an
old one shall be issued unless the old one is surrendered and canceled at the
same time, provided, however, that if any share certificate is lost, stolen,
mutilated, or destroyed, the Board of Directors may authorize issuance of a new
certificate replacing the old one on any terms and conditions, including a
reasonable arrangement for indemnification of the corporation, that the Board
may specify.
Section 47. Reports to Shareholders.
---------- -----------------------
(a) The requirement for the annual report to shareholders referred to in
Section 1501(a) of the Code is hereby expressly waived so long as there are less
than 100 holders of records of the corporation's shares. The Board of Directors
shall cause to be sent to the shareholders such annual or other periodic reports
as they consider appropriate or as otherwise required by law. In the event the
corporation has 100 or more holders of its shares, an annual report complying
with Section 1501(a) and, when applicable, Section 1501(b) of the Code shall be
sent to the shareholders not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal
year and at least fifteen (15) days prior to the annual meeting of shareholders
to be held during the next fiscal year.
(b) If no annual report for the last fiscal year has been sent to
shareholders, the corporation shall, upon the written request of any shareholder
made more than 120 days after the close of such fiscal year, deliver or mail to
the person making the request within thirty (30) days thereafter the financial
statements referred to in Section 1501(a) of the Code for such year.
(c) A shareholder or shareholders holding at least five percent (5%) of
the outstanding shares of any class of a corporation may make a written request
to the corporation for an income statement of the corporation for the
three-month, six-month, or nine-month period of the current fiscal year ended
more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the request and a balance sheet
of the corporation as of the end of such period and, in addition, if no annual
report for the last fiscal year has been sent to shareholders, the statements
referred to in Section 1501(a) of the Code for the last fiscal year. The
statement shall be delivered or mailed to the person making the request within
thirty (30) days thereafter, copy of the statements shall be kept on file in the
principal office of the corporation for twelve (12) months and they
11
shall be exhibited at all reasonable times to any shareholder demanding an
examination of them or a copy shall be mailed to such shareholder. The income
statements and balance sheets referred to shall be accompanied by the report
thereon, if any, of any independent accountants engaged by the corporation or
the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that such financial
statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the
corporation.
Section 48. Indemnity of Officers and Directors.
---------- -----------------------------------
(a) Action, Etc., Other Than by Right of the Corporation. The
corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of
the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) by reason of the fact that
such person is or was an Agent (as that term is defined in paragraph of this
Section 48, below) of the corporation, against expenses, judgments, fines,
settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection
with such proceedings if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such
person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and,
in the case of a criminal proceeding, has no reasonable cause to believe the
conduct of such person was unlawful. The termination of any proceeding by
judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not
act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in
the best interests of the corporation or that the person had reasonable cause to
believe that the person's conduct was unlawful.
(b) Action, Etc., by or in the Right of the Corporation. The corporation
shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a
party to any threatened, pending or completed action by or in the right of the
corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such
person is or was an Agent of the corporation, against expenses actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement
of such action if such person acted in good faith, in a manner such person
believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and its shareholders,
except that no indemnification shall be made under this paragraph (b) of Section
48 for any of the following:
(1) In respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person
shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation in the
performance of such person's duty to the corporation and its shareholders,
unless and only to the extent that the court in which such proceeding is
or was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the
circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled
to indemnity for expenses and then only to the extent that the court shall
determine;
(2) Of amounts paid in settling or otherwise disposing of a pending
action without court approval: or
(3) Of expenses incurred in defending a threatened or pending action
which is settled or otherwise disposed of without court approval.
(c) Determination of Right of Indemnification. Any indemnification under
paragraphs (a) or (b) of Section 48, above, shall be made by the corporation
only if authorized in the specific case, upon a determination that
indemnification of the Agent is proper in the circumstances because the Agent
has met the applicable standard of conduct by any of the following:
(1) A majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who are not
parties to such proceedings;
(2) If such a quorum of directors is not obtainable, by independent
legal counsel in a written opinions;
12
(3) Approval of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares entitled to vote represented at a duly held meeting
at which a quorum is present or by the written consent of shareholders as
provided in Section 11, with the shares owned by the person to be
indemnified not being entitled to vote thereon; or
(4) The court in which such proceeding is or was pending, upon
application made by the corporation, or the Agent, the attorney, or
another person rendering services in connection with the defense, whether
or not such application by the Agent, the attorney, or such other person
is opposed by the corporation.
(d) Advances of Expenses. Expenses (including attorneys' fees), costs,
and charges incurred in defending any proceeding shall be advanced by the
corporation prior to the final disposition of such proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the Agent to repay such amount unless it shall be
determined ultimately that the Agent is entitled to be indemnified as authorized
in this Section 48.
(e) Indemnification Against Expenses of Successful Party.
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 48, to the extent that an
Agent has been successful on the merits in a defense of any proceeding, claim,
issue or matter referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b), above, such Agent shall
be indemnified against all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the
Agent in connection therewith.
(f) Right of Agent to Indemnification Upon Applications Procedure Upon
Application. Any indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of
Section 48 shall be made no later than ninety (90) days after the corporation is
given notice of a request by Agent, provided that such request is made after
final adjudication, dismissal or settlement unless an appeal is filed, in which
case the request is made after the appeal is resolved (hereafter referred to as
"Final Disposition"). Upon such notice, if a quorum of directors who were not
parties to the action, suit or proceeding giving rise to indemnification is
obtainable, the corporation shall within two (2) weeks call a Board of Directors
meeting to be held within four (4) weeks of such notice, to make a determination
as to whether the Agent has met the applicable standard of conduct. Otherwise,
if a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties in the relevant action,
suit or proceeding is not obtainable, the corporation shall retain (at the
corporation's expense) independent legal counsel chosen either jointly by the
corporation and Agent or else by corporation counsel within two (2) weeks to
make such determination. If (1) at such directors meeting, such a quorum is not
obtained or, if obtained, refuses to make such determination, or (2) if such
legal counsel is not so retained or, if retained, does not make such
determination within four (4) weeks, then the Board of Directors shall cause a
shareholders meeting to be held within four (4) weeks to make such a
determination.
If notice of a request for payment of a claim under these Bylaws,
under any statute, under any provision of any agreement with the corporation, or
under the corporation's Articles of Incorporation providing for indemnification
or advance or expenses has been given to the corporation by Agent, and such
claim is not paid in full by the corporation within ninety (90) days of the
later occurring of the giving of such notice and Final Disposition in the case
of indemnification and twenty (20) days of the giving of such notice in the case
of advance of expenses, Agent may, but need not, at any time thereafter bring an
action against the corporation to receive the unpaid amount of the claim or the
expense advance and, if successful, Agent shall also be paid for the expenses
(including attorneys' fees) of bringing such action. It shall be a defense to
any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses
incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding in advance of its
Final Disposition) that Agent has not met the standards of conduct which make it
permissible under applicable law for the corporation to indemnify Agent for the
amount claimed, and Agent shall be entitled to receive interim payment of
expenses pursuant to paragraph (d) of Section 48 unless and until such defense
may be finally adjudicated by court order or judgment from which no further
right of appeal exists. Neither the failure of the
13
corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its
shareholders) that Agent has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall
create a presumption that the Agent has or has not met the applicable standard
of conduct.
(g) Other Rights and Remedies. The indemnification provided by this
Section 48 shall not be deemed exclusive of, and shall not affect, any other
rights to which an Agent seeking indemnification may be entitled under any law,
other provision of these Bylaws, the corporation's Articles of Incorporation,
agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as
to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity
while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to
be an Agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and
administrators of such a person.
(h) Insurance. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was an Agent against any liability asserted
against such person and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising
out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the
power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of
this Section 48.
(i) Optional Means of Assuring Payment. Upon request by an Agent
certifying that the Agent has reasonable grounds to believe the Agent may be
made a party to a proceeding for which the Agent may be entitled to be
indemnified under this Section 48, the corporation may but is not required to
create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means (including,
without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of such sums as
may become necessary to effect indemnification as provided herein.
(j) Savings Clause. If this Section 48 or any portion thereof shall be
invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the
corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each Agent as to expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect
to any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal or
administrative, and whether internal or external, including a grand jury
proceeding and an action or suit brought by or in the right of the corporation,
to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section that
shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law.
(k) Definition of Agent. For the purposes of this Section 48, "Agent"
means any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or other agent of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of a foreign or domestic corporation which was a
predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprises at the
request of such predecessor corporation, "proceeding" means any threatened,
pending or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative; and "expenses" includes without limitation
attorneys' fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification.
(l) Indemnification under Section 204(a)(11) of the California
Corporations Code. Subject to the provisions of California Corporations Code
Section 204(a)(11) and any other applicable law, notwithstanding any other
provisions of these Bylaws, the following shall apply to the indemnification of
Agents under these Bylaws:
(1) The corporation shall indemnify a person pursuant to this
paragraph (1) if the corporation would be required to indemnify such
person pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 48, if in paragraphs
(a) and (b) the phrase "in a manner such person reasonably believed to be
in the best interests of the corporation" is replaced with the phrase "in
a manner such person did not believe to be contrary to the best interests
of the corporation." If pursuant to paragraphs (c) and (f) of Section 48,
the person making the paragraphs (a) and/or (b), above, conduct
14
standard determination determines that such standard has not been
satisfied, such person shall also determine whether this subsection (1) of
paragraph (l) conduct standard has been satisfied;
(2) There shall be a presumption that the Agent met the applicable
standard of conduct required to be met in paragraph (c) of Section 48 for
indemnification of the Agent, rebuttable by clear and convincing evidence
to the contrary;
(3) The corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Agent
did not meet the applicable standard of conduct in paragraph (c) of
Section 48;
(4) In addition to the methods provided for in paragraph (c) of
Section 48, a determination that indemnification is proper in the
circumstances because that Agent met the applicable standard of conduct
may also be made by the arbitrator in any arbitration proceeding in which
such matter is or was pending;
(5) Unless otherwise agreed to in writing between an Agent and the
corporation in any specific case, indemnification may be made under
paragraph (b) of Section 48 for amounts paid in settling or otherwise
disposing of a pending action without court approval.
ARTICLE VI
Amendments
----------
Section 49. Amendments by Shareholders. Bylaws may be adopted, amended or
repealed by the affirmative vote or written consent of a majority of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided, however, that an amendment to
Section 16 reducing the number of directors on a fixed-number board or the
minimum number of directors on a variable-number board 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 action by written consent, are
equal to more than sixteen and two-thirds percent (16-2/3%) of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote.
Section 50. Amendments by Directors. Subject to the right of shareholders
under the preceding Section 48, Bylaws may be adopted, amended, or repealed by
the Board of Directors, except that only the shareholders can adopt a Bylaw or
amendment thereto which specifies or changes the number of directors on a
fixed-number Board, or the minimum or maximum number of directors on a
variable-number Board, or which changes from a fixed-number Board to a
variable-number Board or vice versa, or amends this Section 50.
ARTICLE VII
Committees of the Board
-----------------------
Section 51. Committees of the Board.
---------- -----------------------
(a) 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 and
with such authority and organization as the Board may from time to time
determine. 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. The appointment of members or alternate members of a committee
requires the vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors. Any such
committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board, shall have all
the authority of the Board except with respect to:
(1) The approval of any action for which shareholder approval is
also required;
15
(2) The filling of vacancies on the Board or in any committee;
(3) The fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the
Board or on any committee;
(4) The amendment or repeal of Bylaws or the adoption of new Bylaws;
(5) The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board which by
its express terms is not so amendable or repealable;
(6) Distribution to the shareholders of the corporation as defined
in Section 166 of the Code, except at a rate or in a periodic amount or
within a price range determined by the Board; and
(7) The appointment of other committees of the Board or the members
thereof.
(b) The Board shall designate a chairman for each committee who shall
have the sole power to call any committee meeting other than a meeting set by
the Board. Except as otherwise established by the Board, Article III of these
Bylaws shall apply to committees of the Board and action by such committees,
mutatis mutandis.
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CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY
I, the undersigned, certify that:
1. I am the duly elected and acting Secretary of Service 1st
Bancorp, a California corporation; and
2. The foregoing Bylaws, consisting of 18 pages, is a true and correct
copy of the Bylaws as duly adopted for the corporation and approved by the Board
of Directors of the corporation as of February 20, 2003.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have subscribed my name as of the 20th day of
February, 2003.
/s/ BRYAN HYZDU
--------------------------------
Bryan Hyzdu, Secretary