BYLAWS
Of
UNITED ECOENERGY CORP.
(A Nevada Corporation)
ARTICLE I
General
1.01 Applicability. These Bylaws provide rules for conducting the business
of this corporation (the "Company"). Every shareholder and person who
subsequently becomes a shareholder, the Board of Directors, Committees and
Officers of the Company shall comply with these Bylaws as amended from time to
time. All bylaws and resolutions heretofore adopted by the Board of Directors
are hereby repealed, to the extent in conflict with the provisions of these
Bylaws.
1.02 Offices. The principal office of the Company shall be selected by the
Board of Directors from time to time and may be within or without the State of
Nevada. The Company may have such other offices, within or without the State of
Nevada, as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine. The
registered office of the Company required by the General Corporation Law of
Nevada to be maintained in Nevada may be, but need not be, identical with the
principal office if in Nevada, and the address of the registered office may be
changed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
1.03 Definition of Terms. Terms defined in the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended and restated from time to time (the "Charter"), shall
have the same meanings when used in these Bylaws.
ARTICLE II
Stock Certificates
2.01 Stock Certificates. The shares of the Company's capital stock shall
be represented by consecutively numbered certificates signed by the President
or Vice President and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, and
sealed with the seal of the Company, or a facsimile thereof. If certificates
are signed by a transfer agent and registrar other than the Company or an
employee thereof, the signatures of the officers of the Company may be
facsimile. In case any officer who has signed (by real or facsimile signature)
a certificate shall have ceased to hold such office before the certificate is
issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he continued
to hold such office on the date of issue. Each certificate representing shares
shall state upon the face thereof: (i) that the Company is organized under the
laws of the State of Nevada; (ii) the name of the person to whom issued; (iii)
the number, class and series (if any) of shares which such certificate
represents; and (iv) the par value, if any, of the shares represented by such
certificate, or a statement that the shares have no par value.
If any class or series of shares is subject to special powers,
designations, preferences or relative, participating or other special rights,
then such (together with all qualifications, limitations or restrictions of
such preferences or rights) shall be set forth in full or summarized on the
certificate representing such class or series. Moreover, each certificate shall
state that the Company will furnish, without charge, to the registered holder
of the shares represented by such certificate who so requests a statement
setting forth such information in full.
Each certificate also shall set forth restrictions upon transfer, if any,
or a reference thereto, as shall be adopted by the Board of Directors or by the
shareholders, or as may be contained in this Article II. Any shares issued
without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Act"),
shall bear a legend restricting transfer unless such shares are registered
under such act or an exemption from registration is available for a proposed
transfer.
2.02 Consideration for Shares. Shares of the Company shall be issued, and
treasury shares may be disposed of, for such consideration or considerations as
shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. No shares shall be
issued for less than the par value thereof. The consideration for the issuance
of shares may be paid, in whole or in part, in money, in other property,
tangible or intangible, or in labor or services actually performed for the
Company, or as permitted in the Charter. Notwithstanding any other provision
in these By-laws, the Company shall not issue shares for a consideration which
is less than the net asset value per share of those shares at the time of
issue, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, so long as
the Company has elected to be treated as a business development company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, the Company shall not issue
shares as compensation for services provided to the Company so long as the
Company has elected to be treated as a business development company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company also shall not issue shares under
any incentive compensation plan of the Company unless permitted under the
Investment Company Act of 1940
2.03 Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new
certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or
certificates theretofore issued by the Company alleged to have been lost or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming
the certificate of stock to be lost and the Board of Directors when authorizing
such issue of a new certificate or certificates may in its discretion, and as a
condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost or
destroyed certificate or certificates or his legal representative to advertise
the same in such manner as it shall require, and/or furnish to the Company a
bond in such sum as it may direct, as indemnity against any claim that may be
made against the Company. Except as herein above in this section provided, no
new certificate or certificates evidencing shares of stock shall be issued
unless and until the old certificate or certificates in lieu of which the new
certificate or certificates are issued, shall be surrendered for cancellation.
2.04 Registered Holder as Owner. The Company shall be entitled to treat
the registered holder of any shares of the Company as the owner of such shares,
and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or
interest in, such shares or rights deriving from such shares, unless and until
such purchaser, assignee, transferee or other person becomes the registered
holder of such shares, whether or not the Company shall have either actual or
constructive notice of the interests of such purchaser, assignee, or transferee
or other person. The purchaser, assignee, or transferee of any of the shares of
the Company shall not be entitled: to receive notice of the meetings of the
shareholders; to vote at such meetings; to examine a list of the shareholders;
to be paid dividends or other sums payable to shareholders; or to own, enjoy
and
exercise any other property or rights deriving from such shares against the
Company, until such purchaser, assignee, or transferee has become the
Registered holder of such shares.
2.05 Reversions. Cash, property or share dividends, shares issuable to
shareholders in connection with a reclassification of stock, and the redemption
price of redeemed shares, which are not claimed by the shareholders entitled
thereto within TWO years after the dividend or redemption price became payable
or the shares became issuable, despite reasonable efforts by the Company to pay
the dividend or redemption price or deliver the certificate(s) for the shares to
such shareholders within such time shall, at the expiration of such time, revert
in full ownership to the Company, and the Company's obligation to pay any such
dividend or redemption price or issue such shares, as the case may be, shall
thereupon cease; provided, that the Board of Directors may at any time and for
any reason satisfactory to it, but need not, authorize (i) payment of the amount
of cash or property dividend or (ii) issuance of any shares, ownership of which
has reverted to the Company pursuant to this Section of Article II, to the
person or entity who or which would be entitled thereto had such reversion not
occurred.
2.06 Returned Certificates. All certificates for shares changed or
returned to the Company for transfer shall be marked by the Secretary
"CANCELLED," with the date of cancellation, and the transaction shall be
immediately recorded in the certificate book opposite the memorandum of their
issue. The returned certificate may be inserted in the certificate book.
2.07 Transfer of Shares. Upon surrender to the Company or to a transfer
agent of the Company of a certificate of stock endorsed or accompanied by
proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, and such
documentary stamps as may be required by law, it shall be the duty of the
Company to issue a new certificate, upon payment by the transferee of such
nominal charge therefore as the Company or its transfer agent may impose. Each
such transfer of stock shall be entered on the stock book of the Company.
Respecting any securities issued in reliance upon Rule 903 of Regulation S
under the Act at any time when the Company is not a "reporting issuer" as
defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S, no transfer of such securities shall be
registered unless made in accordance with the provisions of Regulation S.
2.08 Transfer Agent. The Board of Directors shall have power to appoint
one or more transfer agents and registrars for the transfer and registration of
certificates of stock of any class, and may require that stock certificates
shall be countersigned and registered by one or more of such transfer agents
and registrars. Any powers or duties with respect to the transfer and
registration of certificates may be delegated to the transfer agent and
registrar.
ARTICLE III
Meetings of the Shareholders
3.01 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held
between the 90th and 180th day after the tax year end, at such date and time
and at such place, within or without the State of Nevada, as is designated from
to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. At
e time ach annual meeting the shareholders shall elect a Board of Directors in
accordance with the Charter and shall transact such other business as may
properly be brought before the meeting.
3.02 Special Meetings. Unless otherwise proscribed by law, the Charter or
these Bylaws, special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the Chairman
of the Board, the President, or a majority of the Board of Directors. The
President shall call a special meeting upon the Secretary's receipt of written
demand therefore by the holders of not less than ten percent (10%) of the total
voting power. Requests for special meetings shall state the purpose or purposes
of the proposed meeting.
3.03 Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Charter
or these Bylaws, written notice of any annual or special meeting of the
shareholders shall state the place, date, and time thereof and, in the case of
special meetings, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall
be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting not
fewer than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the meeting by any means permitted
in Section 8.01 hereof. No business other than that specified in the notice of a
special meeting shall be transacted at any such special meeting.
3.04 Record Date. In order that the Company may determine shareholders of
record who are entitled (i) to notice of or to vote at any shareholders meeting
or adjournment thereof, (ii) to express written consent to corporate action in
lieu of a meeting, (iii) to receive payment of any dividend or other
distribution, or (iv) to allotment of any rights or to exercise any rights in
respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or in order that the
Company may make a determination of shareholders of record for any other lawful
purpose, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for
any such determination. Such date shall not be more than 60 days, and in case of
a meeting of shareholders, not less than 10 days prior to the date on which the
particular action, requiring such determination of shareholders, is to be taken,
and in no event may the record date precede the date upon which the Directors
adopt a resolution fixing the record date.
If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled
to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, or shareholders entitled
to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is
given (as defined in Section 8.01 hereof) or the date on which the resolution of
the Board of Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be,
shall be the record date for such determination of the shareholders. When a
determination of shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders
has been made as provided in this Section such determination shall apply to any
adjournment thereof, unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for
the adjournment. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to
consent to corporate actions without a meeting shall be fixed as provided in
Section 3.12 hereof.
3.05 Voting List. At least 10 days but nor more than 60 days before any
meeting of shareholders, the officer or transfer agent in charge of the
Company's stock transfer books shall prepare a complete alphabetical list of the
shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting, which list shows the address of
each shareholder and the number of shares registered in his or her name. The
list so prepared shall be maintained at the corporate offices of the Company and
shall be open to inspection by any shareholder, for any purpose germane to the
meeting, at any time during usual business hours during a period of no fewer
than 10 days prior to the meeting. The list shall also be produced and kept open
at any shareholders meeting and, except as otherwise provided by law, may be
inspected by any shareholder or proxy of a shareholder who is present in person
at the meeting. The original stock transfer books shall be prima facie evidence
as to who are the shareholders entitled to examine the list of shareholders and
to vote at any meeting of shareholders.
3.06 Quorum; Adjournments. (a) The holders of a majority of the total
voting power at any shareholders meeting present in person or by proxy shall be
necessary to and shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at
all shareholders meetings, except as otherwise provided by law or by the
Articles.
(b) If a quorum is not present in person or by proxy at any shareholders
meeting, a majority of the voting shares present or represented shall have the
power to adjourn the meeting from time to time to the same or another place
within 30 days thereof and no further notice of such adjourned meeting need be
given if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the
adjournment is taken.
(c) Even if a quorum is present in person or by proxy at any shareholders
meeting, a majority of the voting shares present or represented shall have the
power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, for good cause, without notice
of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the
meeting at which the adjournment is taken, until a new date which is not more
than 30 days after the date of the original meeting.
(d) Any business which might have been transacted at a shareholders meeting
as originally called may be transacted at any meeting held after adjournment as
provided in this Section 3.06 at which reconvened meeting a quorum is present in
person or by proxy. Anything in paragraph (b) of this Section to the contrary
notwithstanding, if an adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after an
adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the
adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote
thereat.
(e) The shareholders present at a duly called meeting may continue to
transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough
shareholders to leave less than a quorum.
3.07 Proxies. At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may vote by
proxy, executed in writing by the shareholder or by his duly authorized attorney
in fact. Any proxy holder shall be authorized to sign, on the shareholder's
behalf, any written consent for shareholder action taken in lieu of a meeting.
Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the Company before or at the
time of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of six (6)
months from the date of its execution, unless coupled with an interest, or
unless the person executing it specifies therein the length of time for which it
is to continue in force, which in no case shall exceed three (3) years from the
date of its execution.
3.08 Voting of Shares. At any shareholders meeting every shareholder having
the right to vote shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy. Except as
otherwise provided by law, by the Articles or in the Board resolution
authorizing the issuance of shares, each shareholder of record shall be entitled
to one vote (on each matter submitted to a vote) for each share of capital stock
registered in his, her or its name on the Company's books. Except as otherwise
provided by law or by the Articles, all matters submitted to the shareholders
for approval shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast (not counting
abstentions) at a legal meeting commenced with a quorum.
3.09 Voting of Shares by Certain Holders. Neither treasury shares, nor
shares of its own stock held by the Company in a fiduciary capacity, nor shares
held by another corporation if the majority of the shares entitled to vote for
the election of directors of such other corporation is held by the Company,
shall be voted at any meeting or counted in determining the total number of
outstanding shares at any given time.
Shares standing in the name of another corporation, domestic or foreign,
may be voted by such officer, agent, or proxy as the bylaws of such corporation
may prescribe, or, in the absence of such provision, as the board of directors
of such corporation may determine.
Shares held by an administrator, executor, personal representative,
guardian, or conservator may be voted by him, either in person or by proxy,
without a transfer of such shares into his name. Shares standing in the name of
a trustee may be voted by him, either in person or by proxy, but no trustee
shall be entitled to vote shares held by him without a transfer of such shares
into his name.
Shares standing in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver,
and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such
receiver without the transfer thereof into his name if authority to do so be
contained in an appropriate order of the court by which such receiver was
appointed.
A shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such
shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and
thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.
3.10 Chairman. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, if
there is one, or in his absence, the President, shall act as chairman at all
meetings of shareholders.
3.11 Manner of Shareholder Voting. Voting at any shareholders' meeting
shall be oral or by show of hands; provided, however, that voting shall be by
written ballot if such demand is made by any shareholder present in person or
by proxy and entitled to vote.
3.12 Informal Action by Shareholders; Record Date. Any action required or
permitted to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a
meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing,
setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by a majority of the total
voting power; provided, that where an action requires a greater proportion of
the total voting power, then the consent shall be signed by such greater
proportion. No written consent will be effective unless written consents, signed
by a sufficient proportion of shareholders to take action, are delivered to the
Company within sixty (60) days of the date of the earliest such consent. Such
consent shall have the same force and effect as a vote of the shareholders, and
may be stated as such in any document filed with the Secretary of State of
Nevada under the General Corporation Law of Nevada. Prompt notice of such action
by written consent of less than all shareholders entitled to vote shall be given
to all shareholders who have not consented in writing to the action taken.
The record date for determining shareholders entitled to consent to
corporate actions in writing without a meeting (the "consent record date") shall
not precede, and shall not be more than ten (10) days after, the date upon which
the resolution fixing the record date was adopted. However, if no consent record
date is fixed, the consent record date shall be, respectively, (i) if prior
action by the Board of Directors is required under the General Corporation Law
of Nevada for the consent to be validly taken, the close of business on the day
on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action;
and (ii) if prior action by the Board of Directors is not required, the first
date on which a properly signed and dated consent setting forth the action taken
or proposed to be taken is delivered as required above.
3.13 Presiding Officers; Order of Business. (a) Shareholders meetings shall
be presided over by the Chairman of the Board; or if the Chairman (and Vice
Chairman) is not present, by the President; or if the President is not present,
by a Vice President; or if a Vice President is not present, by such person
chosen by the Board of Directors; or if none, by a chairperson to be chosen at
the meeting by shareholders present in person or by proxy who own a majority of
the voting power present. The Secretary of a shareholders meeting shall be the
Secretary of the Company; or if the Secretary is not present, an Assistant
Secretary; or if an Assistant Secretary is not present, such person as may be
chosen by the Board of Directors; or if none, by such person who is chosen by
the chairperson at the meeting.
(b) The following order of business, unless otherwise ordered at the
shareholders meeting by the chairperson thereof, shall be observed as far as
practicable and consistent with the purposes of the meeting:
1. Calling of the shareholders' meeting to order.
2. Presentation of proof of mailing of the notice of the meeting and, if
a special meeting, the call thereof.
3. Presentation of proxies.
4. Determination and announcement that a quorum is present.
5. Reading and approval (or waiver thereof) of the minutes of the
previous meeting of shareholders.
6. Reports, if any, of officers.
7. Election of directors, if the meeting is an annual meeting or a
meeting called for such purpose.
8. Consideration of the specific purpose or purposes for which the
meeting has been called, other than election of directors.
9. Transaction of such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
10. Adjournment.
3.14 Annual Report. The President of the Company shall prepare an annual
report which will set forth a statement of affairs of the Company as of the end
of its last fiscal year, including a balance sheet, an income statement and a
statement of changes in financial position, which need not be audited, and
present them at the annual meeting of shareholders. Failure to prepare or
present an annual report shall not affect the validity of any shareholder
meeting. No such report need be prepared or presented for any fiscal year in
which the Company was inactive. This Section shall not apply as to any fiscal
year if the Company (i) was at the year end subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and
subsequently furnishes to the shareholders an annual report or report on Form
10-K under such Act covering such fiscal year, or (ii) furnishes to shareholders
an Information Statement which conforms to the requirements of Rule 15c2-11 of
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ARTICLE IV
Directors, Powers and Meetings
4.01 General Powers. All corporate powers shall be exercised, and the
Company's business and affairs shall be managed, by or under the authority of
its Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in the General Corporation
Law of Nevada or the Charter.
4.02 Number, Tenure and Qualifications. The Company's Board of Directors
shall consist of not less than one (1) and not more than seven (7) Directors, as
resolved from time to time by the Board of Directors. If such number is not so
fixed, the Company shall have one Director. Directors shall be elected at each
annual meeting of shareholders, except as otherwise provided below. Each
Director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and
thereafter until his successor shall have been elected and duly qualified.
Directors need not be residents of Nevada or shareholders of the Company.
Directors shall be elected by plurality vote. At least one-fourth in number of
the Directors must be elected annually. No decrease in the number of Directors
shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director. So long as the Company has
elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, a majority of the Board of Directors must be independent,
non-?interested? persons within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940.
4.03 Vacancies; Resignation. (a) Any vacancy occurring in the Board of
Directors, except one resulting from an increase in the number of directors,
may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors,
though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Director. A Director elected
to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor
in office. Any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number
of Directors shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
entire board or by a majority of the total voting power at any annual meeting
or at a special meeting of shareholders called for that purpose, or by means of
written shareholder consents taken in lieu of a meeting. Every director chosen
to fill a vacancy as provided in this Section shall hold office until the next
annual meeting of shareholders or until his successor has been elected and
qualified.
(b) Any Director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
Board, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary of the
Company. Unless otherwise specified in such written notice, a resignation shall
Take effect upon delivery to the Board or the designated officer. A resignation
Need not be accepted in order for it to be effective.
4.04 Removal of Directors. Any Director may be removed only by the
shareholders in the manner provided in the Company's Charter and, if no such
provision appears therein, then as provided by law. Such action may be taken at
any special meeting called for that purpose or by means of written shareholder
consents. In case any vacancy so created shall not be filled by the shareholders
at such meeting or in the written consent effecting removal, such vacancy may be
filled by a majority of the Board of Directors.
4.05 Place of Meetings. The Board of Directors may hold both regular and
special meetings either within or without the State of Nevada, at such place as
the Board of Directors from time to time deems advisable.
4.06 Regular Meetings. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be
held without other notice than these Bylaws immediately after and at the same
place as the annual meeting of shareholders. The Board of Directors may provide
by resolution the time and place for the holding of additional regular meetings
without other notice than such resolution; provided, that any Director not
present when any such resolution is passed is given notice of the resolution.
4.07 Special Meetings. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be
held without other notice than these Bylaws immediately after and at the same
place as every special meeting of shareholders. Special meetings of the Board of
Directors also may be called by or at the request of the Chairman of the Board,
the President, or any two Directors upon two days' notice to each director if
such notice is delivered personally or sent by telegram, or upon five days'
notice if sent by mail.
4.08 Telephonic Meetings. One or more members of the Board of Directors or
any committee designated by the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board
of Directors or committee by means of conference telephone or similar
communications equipment by which all persons participating in the meeting can
hear one another at the same time. Such participation shall constitute presence
in person at the meeting. All participants in any meeting of Directors, by
virtue of their participation and without further action on their part, shall be
deemed to have consented to the recording of such meeting by electronic device
or otherwise, and to the making of a written transcript thereof, in order that
minutes thereof shall be available for the Company's records.
4.09 Notice. Except as otherwise provided above, notice of the time, date
and place, of every special meeting of Directors or any committee thereof shall
be given. Any Director may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a
Director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting,
except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting
to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any
regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the
notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
4.10 Quorum; Adjournments. A majority of the number of directors then in
office, present in person or by means of conference telephone or similar
equipment, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at every
Board meeting, and the act of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting
at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except
as may otherwise specifically be provided by law, the Charter or these Bylaws.
If a quorum is not present at any Board meeting, the directors present may
adjourn the meeting, from time to time, without notice other than announcement
of the meeting, until a quorum is present.
4.11 Compensation. Directors shall be entitled to such compensation for
their services as directors as from time to time may be fixed by the Board and
shall be entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable expenses incurred by them
in attending Board meetings. A director may waive compensation for any Board
meeting. No director who receives compensation as a director shall be barred
from serving the Company in any other capacity or from receiving compensation
and reimbursement of reasonable expenses for any or all such other services,
provided, however, that no non-officer or non- employee director shall receive
any form of compensation from the Company other than fess and compensation as a
director, so long as the Company has elected to be treated as a business
development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
4.12 Presumption of Assent. A Director of the Company who is present at a
meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter is
taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent
shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file his
written dissent to such action with the person acting as the Secretary of the
meeting before the adjournment thereof, or shall forward such dissent by
registered or certified mail, first class, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of
the Company, provided such mailing is postmarked within ten calendar days after
the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a
Director who voted in favor of such action.
4.13 Action by Directors Without Meeting. Any action required to be taken
at a meeting of the Directors of the Company or of a committee of Directors or
any action which may be taken at such a meeting, may be taken without a meeting
if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by
all of the Directors entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter
thereof. A consent shall be sufficient for this Section if it is executed in
counterparts, in which event all of such counterparts, when taken together,
shall constitute one and the same consent.
4.14 Bank Accounts, etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Board of Directors may, except as may otherwise be required by law,
authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, in the name of and on behalf
of the Company, to sign checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money
or notes or other evidences of indebtedness, to endorse for deposit, deposit to
the credit of the Company at any bank or trust company or banking institution in
which the Company may maintain an account or to cash checks, notes, drafts, or
other bankable securities or instruments, and such authority may be general or
confined to specific instances, as the Board of Directors may elect.
4.15 Inspection of Records. Every Director shall have the absolute right at
any reasonable time to inspect all books, records, documents of every kind, and
the physical properties, of the Company and of its subsidiaries. Such inspection
may be made personally or by an agent and includes the right to make copies and
extracts.
4.16 Executive Committee. (a) The Board of Directors may, by resolution
adopted by a majority of the whole Board, appoint two or more of its members to
constitute an Executive Committee. One of such directors shall be designated as
Chairman of the Executive Committee. Each member of the Executive Committee
shall continue as a member thereof until the expiration of his term as a
director, or until his earlier resignation from the Executive Committee, in
either case unless sooner removed as a director or member of the Executive
Committee by any means authorized by the Charter or herein.
(b) The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise, to the extent
provided in such resolution and except as prohibited by law, all of the rights,
power and authority of the Board of Directors.
(c) The Executive Committee shall fix its own rules of procedure and shall
meet at such times and at such place or places as may be provided by its rules.
The Chairman of the Executive Committee, or in the absence of the Chairman, a
member of the Executive Committee chosen by a majority of the members present,
shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee, and another member
thereof chosen by the Executive Committee shall act as Secretary. A majority of
the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members thereof shall be
required for any action of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee
shall keep minutes of its meetings and deliver such minutes to the Board of
Directors.
4.17 Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution duly
adopted by a majority of directors at a meeting at which a quorum is present,
appoint an audit committee, compensation committee, and such other committee or
committees as it shall deem advisable and with such limited authority as the
Board of Directors shall from time to time determine.
4.18 Other Provisions Regarding Committees. (a) The Board of Directors
shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, change the membership of,
or discharge any committee. The members of any committee present at any meeting
of a committee, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a director
to act in the place of an absent member.
(b) Members of any committee shall be entitled to such compensation for
their services as such as from time to time may be fixed by the Board of
Directors and in any event shall be entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable
expenses incurred in attending committee meetings. Any member of a committee may
waive compensation for any meeting. No member of a committee who receives
compensation as a member of one or more committees shall be barred from serving
the Company in any other capacity or from receiving compensation and
reimbursement of reasonable expenses for any or all such other services.
(c) Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the provisions above concerning
action by written consent of directors and meetings of directors by telephonic
or similar means shall apply to all committees from time to time created by the
Board of Directors.
(d) So long as the Company has elected to be treated as a business
development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Board of
Directors shall appoint and maintain an Audit Committee, a Compensation
Committee and a Governing and Nominating Committee, which shall operate under
separate charters adopted by each Committee and approved by the Board of
Directors, and which shall be made up entirely of independent directors who are
not ?interested? persons within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940. These Committees of the Board are all empowered to retain independent
legal counsel and other professional advisors as needed to carry out their
duties and functions, and to request the assistance of the Company?s General
Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer as needed to carry out their duties and
functions.
ARTICLE V
Officers and Agents
5.01 Positions. The Company's officers generally shall be chosen by the
Board of Directors and shall consist of a Chairman of the Board, a President,
one or more Vice Presidents if desired, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board
of Directors may appoint one or more other officers, assistant officers and
agents as it from time to time deems necessary or appropriate, who shall be
chosen in such manner and hold their offices for such terms and have such
authority and duties as from time to time may be determined by the Board of
Directors. The Board may delegate to the Chairman of the Board the authority to
appoint any officer or agent of the Company and to fill a vacancy other than the
Chairman of the Board or President. Any two or more offices may be held by the
same person, except that no person may simultaneously hold the offices of
President and Secretary and of President and Vice President. In all cases where
the duties of any officer, agent or employee are not prescribed by these bylaws
or by the Board of Directors, such officer, agent or employee shall follow the
orders and instructions of the President.
5.02 Term of Office; Removal. Each officer of the Company shall hold office
at the pleasure of the Board and any officer may be removed, with or without
cause, at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then
in office; provided, that any officer appointed by the Chairman of the Board
pursuant to authority delegated by the Board may be removed, with or without
cause, at any time by the Chairman whenever the Chairman in his or her absolute
discretion shall consider that the Company's best interests shall be served by
such removal. Removal of an officer by the Board (or the Chairman, as the case
may be) shall not prejudice the contract rights, if any, of the person so
removed. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not in itself
create contract rights.
5.03 Vacancies. A vacancy in any office, however occurring, may be filled
by the Board or the Executive Committee, for the unexpired portion of the term
by majority vote of its members, or by the Chairman of the Board in the case of
a vacancy occurring in an office to which the Chairman has been delegated
authority to make appointments.
5.04 Compensation. The salaries of all officers of the Company shall be
fixed from time to time by the Board, and no officer shall be prevented from
receiving a salary by reason of the fact that he also receives compensation from
the Company in any other capacity.
5.05 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board ("Chairman"), if such
officer shall be chosen by the Board of Directors, shall preside at all meetings
of the Board of Directors and meetings of shareholders at which he is present
and shall exercise general supervision and direction over the implementation of
Board policy affecting the affairs of the Company. Any act which may be
performed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may be performed by the
Chairman.
5.06 Chief Executive Officer; Chief Operating Officer. The Chairman of the
Board shall, unless the Board determines otherwise, serve as the Chief Executive
Officer ("CEO") of the Company. If the Chairman is not designated the CEO, then
the President shall serve as CEO. The Board may, from time to time, designate
from among the executive officers of the Company an officer to serve as Chief
Operating Officer ("COO") of the Company. If the Chairman serves as the CEO,
then the President shall serve as COO. If the President is designated CEO, then
the Executive Vice President (or if there is none, then the next most senior
Vice President) shall serve as COO. A person designated to serve in the capacity
of CEO or COO shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.
A person designated Chief Executive Officer (CEO) shall have primary
responsibility for and active charge of the management and supervision of the
Company's business and affairs. The CEO may execute in the name of the Company
authorized corporate obligations and other instruments, shall perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by the Board (or Chairman, as the case may be) from
time to time and, in the absence or disability of the President, shall exercise
all of the duties and powers of the President. In the event that the President
is not the CEO, then the CEO shall supervise the performance of the President
and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies and directives of the
Board. The CEO shall report directly to the Board. The CEO shall perform such
other duties as may be assigned by the Board (or Chairman, as the case may be).
The CEO may perform any act which might be performed by the President.
A person designated Chief Operating Officer (COO) shall be responsible for
the day-to-day management of the Company's operations, subject to the authority
of the CEO. The COO shall report directly to the CEO of the Company and shall
consult with the CEO on all matters of corporate policy and material business
activities of the Company. The COO shall perform such other duties as may be
assigned by the Board or the CEO.
So long as the Company has elected to be treated as a business development
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Company shall designate a
Chief Compliance Officer who shall be responsible for maintaining and ensuring
the Company?s compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing the
Company as a business development company.
5.07 President. The President shall have general active management of the
business of the Company, subject to the authority of the Chief Executive Officer
if the President is not designated as such, and general supervision of its
officers, agents and employees. In the absence of the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, he shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of
the Board. In the absence of a designated Chief Executive Officer he shall see
that all policies and directives of the Board are carried into effect.
He shall, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, attend in
person or by substitute appointed by him, or shall execute in behalf of the
Company written instruments appointing a proxy or proxies to represent the
Company, at all meetings of the stockholders of any other company in which the
Company shall hold any stock. He may, on behalf of the Company, in person or by
substitute or by proxy, execute written waivers of notice and consents with
respect to any such meetings. At all such meetings and otherwise, the President,
in person or by substitute or proxy as aforesaid, may vote the stock so held by
the Company and may execute written consent and other instruments and power
incident to the ownership of said stock, subject however to the instructions, if
any, of the Chairman or the Board of Directors. The President shall have custody
of the Treasurer's bond, if any.
5.08 Executive Vice President. The Executive Vice President, if any, shall
assist the President in the discharge of supervisory, managerial and executive
duties and functions. In the absence of the President or in the event of his
death, or inability or refusal to act, the Executive Vice President shall
perform the duties of the President and when so acting shall have the duties and
powers of the President. He shall perform such other duties as from time to time
may be assigned to him by the President, Chairman or Board of directors.
5.09 Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents, if any, shall assist the
President and Executive Vice President and shall perform such duties as may be
prescribed by the Board, the Chairman or the President. Vice Presidents in the
order of their seniority shall, in the absence or disability of the Chairman and
President, exercise all of the duties and powers of such officers. The Executive
Vice President, if any, shall be the most senior of Vice Presidents, and the
Senior Vice President, if any, shall be the next most senior of Vice Presidents.
In regard to other Vice Presidents, they shall have the respective ranks
designated by the Board of Directors, or if none has been so designated, as
designated by the Chairman, or if none has been so designated by the Chairman,
they shall rank in the order of their respective elections to such office. The
execution of any instrument on the Company's behalf by a Vice President shall be
conclusive evidence, as to third parties, of his authority to act in the stead
of the President and Executive Vice President.
5.10 Secretary. The Secretary shall: (i) keep the minutes of the
proceedings of the shareholders and the Board of Directors and record all votes
and proceedings thereof in a book kept for that purpose; (ii) see that all
notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as
required by law; (iii) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of
the Company and affix the seal to all documents when authorized by the Board of
Directors; (iv) keep at its registered office or principal place of business
within or outside Delaware a record containing the names and addresses of all
shareholders and the number and class of shares held by each, unless such a
record shall be kept at the office of the Company's transfer agent or registrar;
(v) sign with the President, or a Vice President, certificates for shares of the
Company, the issuance of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the
Board of Directors; (vi) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the
Company, unless the Company has a transfer agent; and (vii) in general, perform
all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from
time to time may be assigned to him by the President or the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may give general authority to officers other than the
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary to affix the Company's seal and to attest
the fixing thereof by his or her signature.
5.11 Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary, if any (or if there is
more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order designated, or in the
absence of any designation, in the order of their appointment), in the absence
or disability of the Secretary, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers
of the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary(ies) shall perform such other duties
and have such other powers as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board,
the Chairman or the Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman may appoint one or
more Assistant Secretary(ies) to office.
5.12 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, unless the Board otherwise resolves,
be the principal financial officer and principal accounting officer of the
Company and shall have the care and custody of all funds, securities, evidence
of indebtedness and other valuable effects of the Company, shall keep full and
accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the
Company and shall deposit all money and other valuable effects of the Company in
the name and to the credit of the Company in such depositories as from time to
time may be designated by the Board. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of
the Company in such manner as may be ordered by the Board from time to time and
shall render to the Chairman of the Board, the President and the Board, at
regular Board meetings or whenever any of them may so require, an account of all
transactions and of the Company's financial condition.
5.13 Assistant Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer, if any (or if there is
more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order designated, or in the
absence of any designation, in the order of their appointment), in the absence
or disability of the Treasurer, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers
of the Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer(s) shall perform such other duties and
have such other powers as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board, the
Chairman or the Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman may appoint one or more
Assistant Treasurer(s) to office.
5.14 Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written
notice to the Board or to the Chairman. Such resignation shall take effect at
the time specified therein and, unless specified therein, no acceptance of the
resignation shall be required for the resignation to be effective.
5.15 Delegation of Duties. In the event of the absence or disability of any
officer of the Company, or for any other reason the Board shall deem sufficient,
the Board may temporarily designate the powers and duties, or particular powers
and duties, of such officer to any other officer, or to any director.
5.16 Fidelity Bonds. The Board of Directors shall have the power, to the
extent permitted by law, to require any officer, agent or employee of the
Company to give bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such form and
with such surety or sureties as the Board deems advisable.
ARTICLE VI
Indemnification
Every Director, officer, employee and agent of the Company, and every
person serving at the Company's request as a director, officer (or in a position
functionally equivalent to that of officer or director), employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity, shall be
indemnified to the extent and in the manner provided by the Company's Charter,
as it may be amended, and in the absence of any such provision therein, in
accordance with Nevada law.
ARTICLE VII
Execution of Instruments and Deposit of Corporate Funds
7.01 Execution of Instruments Generally. The Chairman of the Board, the
President, any Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer, subject to the
approval of the Board of Directors, may enter into any contract or execute and
deliver any instrument in the name and on behalf of the Company. The Board of
Directors may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter
into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name and on
behalf of the Company, and such authorization may be general or confined to
specific instances.
7.02 Borrowing. Unless and except as authorized by the Board of Directors,
no loans or advances shall be obtained or contracted for, by or on behalf of the
Company, and no negotiable paper shall be issued in its name. Such authorization
may be general or confined to specific instances. Any officer or agent of the
Company thereunto so authorized may attain loans and advances for the Company
and for such loans and advances may make, execute and deliver any promissory
notes, bonds, or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company. Any officer or
agent of the Company so authorized may pledge, hypothecate or transfer as
security for the payment of any and all loans, advances, indebtedness and
liabilities of the Company, any and all stocks, bonds other securities and other
personal property at any time held by the Company, and to that end may endorse,
assign and deliver the same and do every act and thing necessary or proper in
connection therewith.
7.03 Deposits. All funds of the Company not otherwise employed shall be
deposited from time to time to its credit in such banks or trust companies or
with such bankers or other depositaries as the Board of Directors may select, or
as may be selected by any officer or officers or agent or agents authorized to
do so by the Board of Directors. Endorsements for deposit to the credit of the
Company in any of its duly authorized depositaries shall be made in such manner
as the Board of Directors from time to time may determine.
7.04 Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the
payment of money, and all notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the
name of the Company, shall be signed by such officer or officers or agent or
agents of the Company and in such manner as the Board of Directors from time to
time may determine.
7.05 Proxies. Proxies to vote with respect to shares of stock of other
corporations owned by, or standing in the name of, the Company may be executed
and delivered from time to time on behalf of the Company by the Chairman of the
Board, the President or any Vice President or by any other person or persons
thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous
8.01 Declaration of Dividends. The Board of Directors at any regular or
special meeting may declare dividends payable, whenever in the exercise of its
discretion it may deem such declaration advisable and such is permitted by law.
Such dividends may be paid in cash, property, or shares of the Company.
8.02 Benefit Plans. Directors shall have the power to install and authorize
any pension, profit sharing, stock option, stock award or stock bonus,
insurance, welfare, educational, bonus, health and accident or other benefit
program which the Board deems to be in the interest of the Company, at the
expense of the Company, and to amend or revoke any plan so adopted. Any such
plan may adopted and have full force and effect by resolution of the Board of
Directors, except where applicable laws, rules or regulations require prior
approval of the Company's shareholders of such plan in order for the plan to be
valid. So long as the Company has elected to be treated as a business
development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Company may
not issue or grant any stock options, stock awards or stock bonuses under any
plans unless such a grant, award or bonus is in full compliance with the
limitations provided in the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to stock
options, warrants, bonuses and awards.
8.03 Seal. The corporate seal of the Company shall be circular in form
and shall contain the name of the Company, the year incorporated and the words
"Seal" and "Nevada".
8.04 Fiscal Year. The Board of Directors shall have the power to fix, and
from time to time change, the fiscal year of the Company. Any such adoption of
or change in a fiscal year shall not constitute or require an amendment to these
Bylaws.
8.05 Amendment of Bylaws. These Bylaws may be amended or repealed in the
manner provided for in the Charter, or if none is there provided, by majority
vote of the Board of Directors, taken at any meeting or by written consent,
subject to the shareholders' right to change or repeal any Bylaws so made or
adopt new Bylaws by vote of at least a majority of the total voting power.
Bylaws amendments may be proposed by any Director or shareholder. Any action
duly taken by the Board or the shareholders which conflicts or is inconsistent
with these Bylaws (as they may be amended) shall constitute an amendment of the
Bylaws, if the action was taken by such number of directors or shares voting as
would be sufficient for amendment of the Bylaws. So long as the Company has
elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, no amendment of these Bylaws shall be effective which
violates or may violate any of the conditions or limitations imposed on the
Company as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of
1940.
8.06 Gender. The masculine gender is used in these Bylaws as a matter of
convenience only and shall be interpreted to include the feminine and neuter
genders as the circumstances indicate.
8.07 Conflicts. In the event of any irreconcilable conflict between these
Bylaws and either the Company's Charter or applicable law, the latter shall
control.
8.08 Definitions. Except as these Bylaws otherwise specifically provide,
all terms used in these Bylaws shall have the definitions given them in the
Company's Charter or the Nevada General Corporation Law.
ARTICLE IX
Notices
9.01 Receipt of Notices by the Company. Notices, shareholder writings
consenting to action, and other documents or writings shall be deemed to have
been received by the Company when they are actually received: (i) at the
registered office of the Company in Nevada; (ii) at the principal office of the
Company (as designated in the most recent document filed by the Company with the
Nevada Secretary of State designating a principal office) addressed to the
attention of the Secretary of the Company; (iii) by the Secretary of the Company
wherever the Secretary may be found; or (iv) by any other person authorized from
time to time by the Board of Directors or the President to receive such
writings, wherever such person is found.
9.02 Giving of Notice. Except as otherwise provided by the General
Corporation Law of Nevada, these Bylaws, the Charter or resolution of the Board
of Directors, every meeting notice or other notice, demand, bill, statement or
other communication (collectively, "Notice") from the Company to a Director,
Officer or shareholder shall be duly given if it is written or printed and is
(i) sent by first class or express mail, postage prepaid, (ii) sent by any
commercial overnight air courier service, such as DHL, Federal Express, Emery,
Airborne, UPS or similar service, (iii) sent by telegraph, cablegram, telex,
telecopier, facsimile or similar transmission, (iv) delivered by any commercial
messenger service which regularly retains its receipts, or (v) personally
delivered, provided a receipt is obtained reflecting the date of delivery.
Notice shall not be duly given unless all delivery or postage charges are
prepaid. Notice shall be given to an addressee's most recent address as it
appears on the Company's records or to such other address as has been provided
in writing to the Secretary. A Notice shall be deemed "given" when dispatched
for delivery, when personally delivered, when transmitted electronically, or if
mailed, on the date postmarked. This Section shall not have the effect of
shortening any notice period provided for in these Bylaws.
9.03 Waiver of Notice. Any Notice required or permitted by the General
Corporation Law of Nevada, the Charter or these Bylaws may be waived in writing
at any time by the person entitled to the Notice, and such waiver shall be
equivalent to the giving of notice. Notice of any shareholders' meeting shall be
waived by attendance, in person or by proxy, at the meeting, unless any question
of lack of or defect in a Notice is raised prior to conclusion of the meeting. A
waiver of Notice of a special meeting of shareholders shall state the purpose
for which the meeting was called or the business to be transacted thereat.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Directors as of June 30, 2006.