ADOPTED AS OF MARCH 10, 2005
BY LAWS
OF
CHARDAN CHINA ACQUISITION CORP. II
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of Chardan China Acquisition
Corp. II (the "Corporation") in the State of Delaware shall be established and
maintained at 615 S. DuPont Highway, Kent County, Dover, Delaware and National
Corporate Research, Ltd. shall be the registered agent of the corporation in
charge thereof.
1.2 Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other
places both within and without the State of Delaware as the board of directors
of the Corporation (the "Board of Directors") may from time to time determine or
the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
2.1 Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at
such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be
designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice
of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
2.2 Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on
such date and at such time as may be fixed by the Board of Directors and stated
in the notice of the meeting, for the purpose of electing directors and for the
transaction of only such other business as is properly brought before the
meeting in accordance with these Bylaws (the "Bylaws").
Written notice of an annual meeting stating the place, date and hour of
the meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting
not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the
annual meeting.
To be properly brought before the annual meeting, business must be either
(i) specified in the notice of annual meeting (or any supplement or amendment
thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) otherwise
brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors, or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by a
stockholder. In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to
be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder
must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the
Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed
and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than
sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the meeting; provided,
however, that in the event that less than seventy (70) days notice or prior
public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting is given or made to
stockholders, notice by a stockholder, to be timely, must be received no later
than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which
such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public
disclosure was made, whichever first occurs. A stockholder's notice to the
Secretary shall set forth (a) as to each matter the stockholder proposes to
bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired
to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such
business at the annual meeting, and (ii) any material interest of the
stockholder in such business, and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice
(i) the name and record address of the stockholder and (ii) the class, series
and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially
owned by the stockholder. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the
contrary, no business shall be conducted at the annual meeting except in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 2. The
officer of the Corporation presiding at an annual meeting shall, if the facts
warrant, determine and declare to the annual meeting that business was not
properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the provisions of
this Article II, Section 2, and if such officer should so determine, such
officer shall so declare to the annual meeting and any such business not
properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
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2.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any
purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the "Certificate of
Incorporation"), may only be called by a majority of the entire Board of
Directors, or the Chief Executive Officer or the Chairman, and shall be called
by the Secretary at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority in
amount of the entire capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the
proposed meeting.
Unless otherwise provided by law, written notice of a special meeting of
stockholders, stating the time, place and purpose or purposes thereof, shall be
given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than ten
(10) or more than sixty (60) days before the date fixed for the meeting.
Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to
the purposes stated in the notice.
2.4 Quorum. The holders of a majority of the capital stock issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by
proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the
transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the
Certificate of Incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or
represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of a majority of the
votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present
in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from
time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a
quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a
quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which
might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. If the
adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new
record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned
meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting.
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2.5 Organization. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall act as
chairman of meetings of the stockholders. The Board of Directors may designate
any other officer or director of the Corporation to act as chairman of any
meeting in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and the Board
of Directors may further provide for determining who shall act as chairman of
any stockholders meeting in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of
Directors and such designee.
The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary of all meetings of
the stockholders, but in the absence of the Secretary the presiding officer may
appoint any other person to act as secretary of any meeting.
2.6 Voting. Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws, any question (other than the election of
directors) brought before any meeting of stockholders shall be decided by the
vote of the holders of a majority of the stock represented and entitled to vote
thereat. At all meetings of stockholders for the election of directors, a
plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect. Each stockholder
represented at a meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to cast one vote for
each share of the capital stock entitled to vote thereat held by such
stockholder, unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation. Each
stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent
or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize any
person or persons to act for him by proxy. All proxies shall be executed in
writing and shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation not later than
the day on which exercised. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three
(3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The
Board of Directors, in its discretion, or the officer of the Corporation
presiding at a meeting of stockholders, in his discretion, may require that any
votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.
2.7 Action of Shareholders Without Meeting. Unless otherwise provided by
the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual
or special meeting of stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any
annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting,
without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth
the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having
not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize
or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon
were present and voted, and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to
its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business,
or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which
proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the
Corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate
action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given
to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.
2.8 Voting List. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the
corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting
of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder
and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list
shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to
the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10)
days prior to the election, either at a place within the city, town or village
where the election is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice
of the meeting, or, if not specified, at the place where said meeting is to be
held. The list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of election
during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder of the
Corporation who is present.
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2.9 Stock Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only
evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger,
the list required by Section 8 of this Article II or the books of the
Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
2.10 Adjournment. Any meeting of the stockholders, including one at which
directors are to be elected, may be adjourned for such periods as the presiding
officer of the meeting or the stockholders present in person or by proxy and
entitled to vote shall direct.
2.11 Ratification. Any transaction questioned in any stockholders'
derivative suit, or any other suit to enforce alleged rights of the Corporation
or any of its stockholders, on the ground of lack of authority, defective or
irregular execution, adverse interest of any director, officer or stockholder,
nondisclosure, miscomputation or the application of improper principles or
practices of accounting may be approved, ratified and confirmed before or after
judgment by the Board of Directors or by the holders of Common Stock and, if so
approved, ratified or confirmed, shall have the same force and effect as if the
questioned transaction had been originally duly authorized, and said approval,
ratification or confirmation shall be binding upon the Corporation and all of
its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any
judgment in respect of such questioned transaction.
2.12 Judges. All votes by ballot at any meeting of stockholders shall be
conducted by two judges appointed for the purpose either by the directors or by
the meeting. The judges shall decide upon the qualifications of voters, count
the votes and declare the result.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
3.1 Powers; Number; Qualifications. The business and affairs of the
Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of
Directors, except as may be otherwise provided by law or in the Certificate of
Incorporation. The number of directors which shall constitute the Board of
Directors shall be not less than one (1) nor more than nine (9). The exact
number of directors shall be fixed from time to time, within the limits
specified in this Article III Section 1 or in the Certificate of Incorporation,
by the Board of Directors. Directors need not be stockholders of the
Corporation. The Board may be divided into Classes as more fully described in
the Certificate of Incorporation.
3.2 Election; Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies. Each
director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders at
which his Class stands for election or until such director's earlier
resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity. Unless otherwise provided
in the Certificate of Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships
resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or from any
other cause may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office,
although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director and each director
so chosen shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until such
director's successor shall be duly elected and shall qualify, or until such
director's earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.
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3.3 Nominations. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of
Directors of the Corporation at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may
be made at such meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, by any
committee or persons appointed by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder
of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting
who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Article III, Section
3. Such nominations by any stockholder shall be made pursuant to timely notice
in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's
notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive
offices of the Corporation not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety
(90) days prior to the meeting; provided however, that in the event that less
than seventy (70) days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the
meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder, to be
timely, must be received no later than the close of business on the tenth (10th)
day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed
or such public disclosure was made, whichever first occurs. Such stockholder's
notice to the Secretary shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the
stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (a)
the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (b) the
principal occupation or employment of the person, (c) the class and number of
shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the
person, and (d) any other information relating to the person that is required to
be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to
the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (ii) as to
the stockholder giving the notice (a) the name and record address of the
stockholder and (b) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the
Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder. The Corporation may
require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably
be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed
nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation. No person shall be eligible
for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance
with the procedures set forth herein. The officer of the Corporation presiding
at an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the
meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing
procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and
the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
3.4 Meetings. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold meetings,
both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware. The
first meeting of each newly elected Board of Directors shall be held immediately
after and at the same place as the meeting of the stockholders at which it is
elected and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected
directors in order to legally constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be
present. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice
at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of
Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chief
Executive Officer or a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Notice thereof
stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each director
either by mail not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the date of the
meeting, by telephone, facsimile, telegram or e-mail on twenty-four (24) hours
notice, or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting
may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances.
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3.5 Quorum. Except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, at all meetings of the Board of
Directors or any committee thereof, a majority of the entire Board of Directors
or such committee, as the case may be, shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at
any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of
Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of
Directors or of any committee thereof, a majority of the directors present
thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than
announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
3.6 Organization of Meetings. The Board of Directors shall elect one of
its members to be Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board
of Directors shall lead the Board of Directors in fulfilling its
responsibilities as set forth in these By-Laws, including its responsibility to
oversee the performance of the Corporation, and shall determine the agenda and
perform all other duties and exercise all other powers which are or from time to
time may be delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors.
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman
of the Board of Directors, or in his or her absence, by the Chief Executive
Officer, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the
Chief Executive Officer by such other person as the Board of Directors may
designate or the members present may select.
3.7 Actions of Board of Directors Without Meeting. Unless otherwise
restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action
required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of
any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the
Board of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in
writing, and the writing or writings are filled with the minutes of proceedings
of the Board of Directors or committee.
3.8 Removal of Directors by Stockholders. The entire Board of Directors or
any individual Director may be removed from office with or without cause by a
majority vote of the holders of the outstanding shares then entitled to vote at
an election of directors. In case the Board of Directors or any one or more
Directors be so removed, new Directors may be elected at the same time for the
unexpired portion of the full term of the Director or Directors so removed.
3.9 Resignations. Any Director may resign at any time by submitting his
written resignation to the Board of Directors or Secretary of the Corporation.
Such resignation shall take effect at the time of its receipt by the Corporation
unless another time be fixed in the resignation, in which case it shall become
effective at the time so fixed. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be
required to make it effective.
3.10 Committees. The Board of Directors may designate one or more
committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the
Corporation. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the
member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from
voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint
another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of
any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent
provided by law and in the resolution of the Board of Directors establishing
such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the
Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the
Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all
papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or
authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an
agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale,
lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation's property and
assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a
revocation of a dissolution or amending the Bylaws of the Corporation; and,
unless the resolution expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the
power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock
or to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger. Each committee shall keep
regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors
when required.
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3.11 Compensation. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of
attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed
amount (in cash or other form of consideration) for attendance at each meeting
of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall
preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and
receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may
be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.
3.12 Interested Directors. No contract or transaction between the
Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the
Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other
organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or
officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for
this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or
participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which
authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or their votes are
counted for such purpose, if (i) the material facts as to his or their
relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or
are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors
or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the
affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the
disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or (ii) the material facts as to
his or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are
disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the
contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the
stockholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation
as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of
Directors, a committee thereof or the stockholders. Common or interested
directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of
the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or
transaction.
3.13 Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone. Members of the Board of
Directors or any committee designed by the Board of Directors may participate in
a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee of the Board of Directors
by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of
which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and
participation in a meeting pursuant to this subsection shall constitute presence
in person at such meeting.
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ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
4.1 General. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board
of Directors and may consist of: a Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the
Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Secretary
and Treasurer. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may also elect one or
more Vice Presidents (including Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice
Presidents), Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, a Controller and such
other officers as in the judgment of the Board of Directors may be necessary or
desirable. Any number of offices may be held by the same person and more than
one person may hold the same office, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. The officers of the Corporation
need not be stockholders of the Corporation, nor need such officers be directors
of the Corporation.
4.2 Election. The Board of Directors at its first meeting held after each
annual meeting of stockholders shall elect the officers of the Corporation who
shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and
perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of
Directors; and all officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their
successors are chosen and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or
removal. Except as otherwise provided in this Article IV, any officer elected by
the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the Board of Directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the
Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors. The salaries of all
officers who are directors of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of
Directors.
4.3 Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation. Powers of attorney,
proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents and other instruments relating
to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on
behalf of the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President,
and any such officer may, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, take all
such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy
at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation
may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any
and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities and
which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed
if present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to time confer
like powers upon any other person or persons.
4.4 Chief Executive Officer. Subject to the provisions of these Bylaws and
to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall
have ultimate authority for decisions relating to the general management and
control of the affairs and business of the Corporation and shall perform such
other duties and exercise such other powers which are or from time to time may
be delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws, all in
accordance with basic policies as established by and subject to the oversight of
the Board of Directors.
4.5 Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have
general supervision, direction and control of the financial affairs of the
Corporation and shall perform such other duties and exercise such other powers
which are or from time to time may be delegated to him or her by the Board of
Directors or these Bylaws, all in accordance with basic policies as established
by and subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors. In the absence of a
named Treasurer, the Chief Financial Officer shall also have the powers and
duties of the Treasurer as hereinafter set forth and shall be authorized and
empowered to sign as Treasurer in any case where such officer's signature is
required.
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4.6 Vice Presidents. At the request of the Chief Executive Officer or in
the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, or in the event of his or her
inability or refusal to act, the Vice President or the Vice Presidents if there
is more than one (in the order designated by the Board of Directors) shall
perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, and when so acting, shall
have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon such office.
Each Vice President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers
as the Board of Directors from time to time may prescribe. If there be no Vice
President, the Board of Directors shall designate the officer of the Corporation
who, in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer or in the event of the
inability or refusal of such officer to act, shall perform the duties of such
office, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all
the restrictions upon such office.
4.7 Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of
Directors and all meetings of stockholders and record all the proceedings
thereat in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; the Secretary shall also
perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The Secretary
shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and
special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties
as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer,
under whose supervision the Secretary shall be. If the Secretary shall be unable
or shall refuse to cause to be given notice of all meetings of the stockholders
and special meetings of the Board of Directors, then any Assistant Secretary
shall perform such actions. If there be no Assistant Secretary, then the Board
of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may choose another officer to cause
such notice to be given. The Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the
Corporation and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, if there be one, shall
have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so
affixed, it may be attested by the signature of the Secretary or by the
signature of any such Assistant Secretary. The Board of Directors may give
general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and
to attest the affixing by his signature. The Secretary shall see that all books,
reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by
law to be kept or filed are properly kept or filed, as the case may be.
4.8 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds
and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and
disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys
and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in
such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer
shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of
Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to
the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings,
or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all his transactions
as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. If required by
the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such
sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of
Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the
restoration to the Corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or
removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of
whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the
Corporation.
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4.9 Assistant Secretaries. Except as may be otherwise provided in these
Bylaws, Assistant Secretaries, if there be any, shall perform such duties and
have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of
Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, if there be one, or
the Secretary, and in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his
disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the Secretary, and
when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the
restrictions upon the Secretary.
4.10 Assistant Treasurers. Assistant Treasurers, if there be any, shall
perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to
them by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President,
if there be one, or the Treasurer, and in the absence of the Treasurer or in the
event of his disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the
Treasurer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to
all the restrictions upon the Treasurer. If required by the Board of Directors,
an Assistant Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with
such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for
the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to
the Corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from
office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever
kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.
4.11 Controller. The Controller shall establish and maintain the
accounting records of the Corporation in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis, maintain proper internal
control of the assets of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as
the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President of the
Corporation may prescribe.
4.12 Other Officers. Such other officers as the Board of Directors may
choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may
be assigned to them by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may
delegate to any other officer of the Corporation the power to choose such other
officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers.
4.13 Vacancies. The Board of Directors shall have the power to fill any
vacancies in any office occurring from whatever reason.
4.14 Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by submitting his
written resignation to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at
the time of its receipt by the Corporation, unless another time be fixed in the
resignation, in which case it shall become effective at the time so fixed. The
acceptance of a resignation shall not be required to make it effective.
4.15 Removal. Subject to the provisions of any employment agreement
approved by the Board of Directors, any officer of the Corporation may be
removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors.
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ARTICLE V
CAPITAL STOCK
5.1 Form of Certificates. Every holder of stock in the Corporation shall
be entitled to have a certificate signed, in the name of the Corporation (i) by
the Chief Executive Officer or a Vice President and (ii) by the Treasurer or an
Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Corporation.
5.2 Signatures. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a
facsimile, including, but not limited to, signatures of officers of the
Corporation and countersignatures of a transfer agent or registrar. In case an
officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature
has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer,
transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued
by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer
agent or registrar at the date of issue.
5.3 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 Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming
the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such
issue of a new certificate, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as
a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost,
stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to advertise the
same in such manner as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the
Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim
that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged
to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
5.4 Transfers. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the
manner prescribed by law and in these Bylaws. Transfers of stock shall be made
on the books of the Corporation only by the person named in the certificate or
by his attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the surrender of the
certificate therefor, which shall be canceled before a new certificate shall be
issued. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the
Corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper
evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the
duty of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled
thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transactions upon its books,
unless the Corporation has a duty to inquire as to adverse claims with respect
to such transfer which has not been discharged. The Corporation shall have no
duty to inquire into adverse claims with respect to such transfer unless (a) the
Corporation has received a written notification of an adverse claim at a time
and in a manner which affords the Corporation a reasonable opportunity to act on
it prior to the issuance of a new, reissued or re-registered share certificate
and the notification identifies the claimant, the registered owner and the issue
of which the share or shares is a part and provides an address for
communications directed to the claimant; or (b) the Corporation has required and
obtained, with respect to a fiduciary, a copy of a will, trust, indenture,
articles of co-partnership, Bylaws or other controlling instruments, for a
purpose other than to obtain appropriate evidence of the appointment or
incumbency of the fiduciary, and such documents indicate, upon reasonable
inspection, the existence of an adverse claim. The Corporation may discharge any
duty of inquiry by any reasonable means, including notifying an adverse claimant
by registered or certified mail at the address furnished by him or, if there be
no such address, at his residence or regular place of business that the security
has been presented for registration of transfer by a named person, and that the
transfer will be registered unless within thirty days from the date of mailing
the notification, either (a) an appropriate restraining order, injunction or
other process issues from a court of competent jurisdiction; or (b) an indemnity
bond, sufficient in the Corporation's judgment to protect the Corporation and
any transfer agent, registrar or other agent of the Corporation involved from
any loss which it or they may suffer by complying with the adverse claim, is
filed with the Corporation.
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5.5 Fixing Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the
stockholders entitled to notice or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any
adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other
distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in
respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any
other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record
date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record is
adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than
sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more
than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record
date of action with a meeting is adopted by the Board of Directors, nor more
than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed:
(a) The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice
of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on
the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is
waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the
meeting is held.
(b) The record date for determining stockholders entitled to express
consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action
by the Board of Directors is necessary, shall be the first date on which a
signed written consent is delivered to the Corporation.
(c) The record date for determining stockholders for any other
purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of
Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote
at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the
adjourned meeting.
5.6 Registered Stockholders. Prior to due presentment for transfer of any
share or shares, the Corporation shall treat the registered owner thereof as the
person exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notifications and to all other
benefits of ownership with respect to such share or shares, and shall not be
bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or
shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or
other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State
Delaware.
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ARTICLE VI
NOTICES
6.1 Form of Notice. Notices to directors and stockholders other than
notices to directors of special meetings of the board of Directors which may be
given by any means stated in Article III, Section 4, shall be in writing and
delivered personally or mailed to the directors or stockholders at their
addresses appearing on the books of the corporation. Notice by mail shall be
deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be mailed. Notice to
directors may also be given by telegram.
6.2 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under
the provisions of law or the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws of
the Corporation, a written waiver, signed by the person or persons entitled to
notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a
waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for
the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the
transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any
regular, or special meeting of the stockholders, Directors, or members of a
committee of Directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless
so required by the Certificate of Incorporation.
ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
7.1 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,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the
fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The
termination of any action, suit or 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 he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
7.2 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
or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor
by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent
of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of
Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine
upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all
the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court
shall deem proper.
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7.3 To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any
action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 1 or 2 of this Article, or in
defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or
her in connection therewith.
7.4 Any indemnification under sections 1 or 2 of this Article (unless
ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the
specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director,
officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in such section. Such determination
shall be made:
(a) By the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum
consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding,
or
(b) If such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a
quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a
written opinion, or
(c) By the stockholders.
7.5 Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or
director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the
final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if
it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by
the Corporation as authorized in this Section. Such expenses (including
attorneys' fees) incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such
terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.
7.6 The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to the other sections of this Article shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or
advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such
office.
7.7 The Corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him
and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such,
whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against
such liability under the provisions of this Article.
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7.8 For purposes of this Article, references to "the Corporation" shall
include, in addition to the resulting Corporation, any constituent Corporation
(including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or
merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and
authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that
any person who is or was a director, officer employee or agent of such
constituent Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent
Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same
position under this Article with respect to the resulting or surviving
Corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent Corporation of its
separate existence had continued.
7.9 For purposes of this Article, references to "other enterprises" shall
include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise
taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and
references to "serving at the request of the Corporation" shall include any
service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or
agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or
beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries
of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not
opposed to the best interests of the Corporation" as referred to in this
Article.
7.10 The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, this Article shall, unless otherwise provided when
authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director,
officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a person.
7.11 No director or officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable
to the Corporation or to any stockholder of the Corporation for monetary damages
for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, provided that this
provision shall not limit the liability of a director or officer (i) for any
breach of the director's or the officer's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or
its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of
the General Corporation Law of Delaware, or (iv) for any transaction from which
the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
8.1 Reliance on Books and Records. Each Director, each member of any
committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each officer of the
Corporation, shall, in the performance of his duties, be fully protected in
relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the
Corporation, including reports made to the Corporation by any of its officers,
by an independent certified public accountant, or by an appraiser selected with
reasonable care.
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8.2 Dividends. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation, if any, dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation may
be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting,
pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the
capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the
Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Directors from time
to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to
meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining
any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the Directors
shall think conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the Directors may
modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
8.3 Annual Statement. The Board of Directors shall present at each annual
meeting, and at any special meeting of the stockholders when called for by vote
of the stockholders, a full and clear statement of the business and condition of
the Corporation.
8.4 Checks. All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation
shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other persons as the Board
of Directors may from time to time designate.
8.5 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as determined
by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors shall fail to do so, the
Chief Executive Officer shall fix the fiscal year.
8.6 Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the
Corporation, the year of its organization and the words "Corporate Seal,
Delaware". The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be
impressed or affixed or in any manner reproduced.
8.7 Amendments. The original or other Bylaws may be adopted, amended or
repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote thereon at any regular or special
meeting or, if the Certificate of Incorporation so provides, by the Board of
Directors. The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the Board of
Directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power nor limit their power
to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws.
8.8 Interpretation of Bylaws. All words, terms and provisions of these
Bylaws shall be interpreted and defined by and in accordance with the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended, and as amended from time
to time hereafter.
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