Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
VAXGEN, INC.
Approved by Stockholders May 26, 2004
Amended by the Board of Directors May 18, 2007
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation in
the State of Delaware shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.
Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation shall also have and maintain an
office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the Board
of Directors, and may also have offices at such other places, both within and
without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time
determine or the business of the corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
CORPORATE SEAL
Section 3. Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate
seal. The corporate seal shall consist of a die bearing the name of the
corporation and the inscription, "Corporate Seal-Delaware." Said seal may be
used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or
reproduced or otherwise.
ARTICLE III
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
Section 4. Place Of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders of the
corporation may be held at such place, either within or without the State of
Delaware, as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The
Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall
not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote
communication as provided under the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL").
Section 5. Annual Meetings.
(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation, for
the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may lawfully
come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated
from time to time by the Board of Directors.
1.
Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation
and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at
an annual meeting of stockholders: (i) pursuant to the corporation's notice of
meeting of stockholders; (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors;
or (iii) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record
at the time of giving the stockholder's notice provided for in the following
paragraph, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the
notice procedures set forth in Section 5.
(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business
shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. For
nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by
a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, (i) the
stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of
the corporation, (ii) such other business must be a proper matter for
stockholder action under DGCL, (iii) if the stockholder, or the beneficial owner
on whose behalf any such proposal or nomination is made, has provided the
corporation with a Solicitation Notice (as defined in clause (iii) of the last
sentence of this Section 5(b)), such stockholder or beneficial owner must, in
the case of a proposal, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to
holders of at least the percentage of the corporation's voting shares required
under applicable law to carry any such proposal, or, in the case of a nomination
or nominations, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of
a percentage of the corporation's voting shares reasonably believed by such
stockholder or beneficial owner to be sufficient to elect the nominee or
nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder, and must, in either case,
have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice, and (iv) if no
Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to this
section, the stockholder or beneficial owner proposing such business or
nomination must not have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have
required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice under this Section 5. To be
timely, a stockholder's notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the
principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of
business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on
the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the
preceding year's annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the
date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty (30) days prior to or
delayed by more than thirty (30) days after the anniversary of the preceding
year's annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so
delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth
(120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of
business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting
or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the
date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of
an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of
a stockholder's notice as described above. Such stockholder's notice shall set
forth: (A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposed to nominate for
election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person
that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of
directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case
pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 Act") and Rule 14a-4(d) thereunder (including such person's written
consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a
director if elected); (B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes
to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be
brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the
meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the
beneficial
2.
owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the
stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf
the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder,
as they appear on the corporation's books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii)
the class and number of shares of the corporation which are owned beneficially
and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (iii) whether
either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement
and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of the proposal, at least the
percentage of the corporation's voting shares required under applicable law to
carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient
number of holders of the corporation's voting shares to elect such nominee or
nominees (an affirmative statement of such intent, a "Solicitation Notice").
(c) Notwithstanding anything in the third sentence of Section 5(b)
of these Bylaws to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be
elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is
no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the
size of the increased Board of Directors made by the corporation at least one
hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual
meeting, a stockholder's notice required by this Section 5 shall also be
considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions
created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the
principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of
business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public
announcement is first made by the corporation.
(d) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 5 shall be eligible to serve as directors
and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall
have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth
in this Section 5. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Chairman of the
meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any
business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made, or proposed, as the
case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if
any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to
declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall not be presented for
stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, in
order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy
statement and form of proxy for a stockholders' meeting, stockholders must
provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act.
Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to
request inclusion of proposals in the corporation proxy statement pursuant to
Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act.
(f) For purposes of this Section 5, "public announcement" shall mean
disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated
Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the
corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13,
14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.
3.
Section 6. Special Meetings.
(a) Special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be
called, for any purpose or purposes, by (i) the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board of Directors
pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized
directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized
directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of
Directors for adoption).
(b) If a special meeting is properly called by any person or persons
other than the Board of Directors, the request shall be in writing, specifying
the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and shall be
delivered personally or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive
Officer, or the Secretary of the corporation. No business may be transacted at
such special meeting otherwise than specified in such notice. The Board of
Directors shall determine the time and place of such special meeting, which
shall be held not less than thirty-five (35) nor more than one hundred twenty
(120) days after the date of the receipt of the request. Upon determination of
the time and place of the meeting, the officer receiving the request shall cause
notice to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the
provisions of Section 7 of these Bylaws. Nothing contained in this paragraph (b)
shall be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time when a meeting of
stockholders called by action of the Board of Directors may be held.
(c) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors
may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be
elected pursuant to the corporation's notice of meeting (i) by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the
corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving notice provided
for in these Bylaws who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who
complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 6(c). In the event
the corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of
electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder
may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election to such
position(s) as specified in the corporation's notice of meeting, if the
stockholder's notice required by Section 5(b) of these Bylaws shall be delivered
to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not
earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day
prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the
later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such meeting or the tenth (10th) day
following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the
special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be
elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an
adjournment of a special meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a
stockholder's notice as described above.
Section 7. Notice Of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law,
notice, given in writing or by electronic transmission, of each meeting of
stockholders shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days
before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such
meeting, such notice to specify the place, if any, date and hour, in the case of
special meetings, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, and the means of
remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be
deemed to be present in person and vote at any such meeting. If mailed, notice
is given when deposited in the United
4.
States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such
stockholder's address as it appears on the records of the corporation. Notice of
the time, place, if any, and purpose of any meeting of stockholders may be
waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof, or by
electronic transmission by such person, either before or after such meeting, and
will be waived by any stockholder by his attendance thereat in person, by remote
communication, if applicable, or by proxy, except when the stockholder attends a
meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting,
to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by
the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had
been given.
Section 8. Quorum. At all meetings of stockholders, except where otherwise
provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws,
the presence, in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy
duly authorized, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock
entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In
the absence of a quorum, any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time
to time, either by the chairman of the meeting or by vote of the holders of a
majority of the shares represented thereat, but no other business shall be
transacted at such meeting. The stockholders present at a duly called or
convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to transact
business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough
stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as otherwise provided by
statute or by applicable stock exchange or Nasdaq rules, or by the Certificate
of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of
directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person, by
remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting and
entitled to vote generally on the subject matter shall be the act of the
stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the
votes of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable,
or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the
election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series is
required, except where otherwise provided by the statute or by the Certificate
of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the outstanding shares of such
class or classes or series, present in person, by remote communication, if
applicable, or represented by proxy duly authorized, shall constitute a quorum
entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. Except where
otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these
Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the majority (plurality, in the case of the
election of directors) of shares of such class or classes or series present in
person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the
meeting shall be the act of such class or classes or series.
Section 9. Adjournment And Notice Of Adjourned Meetings. Any meeting of
stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time
either by the chairman of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares
present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by
proxy at the meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, if
any, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if
any, thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At
the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might
have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more
than thirty (30) days or if
5.
after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a
notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record
entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 10. Voting Rights. For the purpose of determining those
stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, except as
otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares stand on the stock
records of the corporation on the record date, as provided in Section 12 of
these Bylaws, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Every
person entitled to vote shall have the right to do so either in person, by
remote communication, if applicable, or by an agent or agents authorized by a
proxy granted in accordance with Delaware law. An agent so appointed need not be
a stockholder. No proxy shall be voted after three (3) years from its date of
creation unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
Section 11. Joint Owners Of Stock. If shares or other securities having
voting power stand of record in the names of two (2) or more persons, whether
fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants
by the entirety, or otherwise, or if two (2) or more persons have the same
fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary is given
written notice to the contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or
order appointing them or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided,
their acts with respect to voting shall have the following effect: (a) if only
one (1) votes, his act binds all; (b) if more than one (1) votes, the act of the
majority so voting binds all; (c) if more than one (1) votes, but the vote is
evenly split on any particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in
question proportionally, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for
relief as provided in the DGCL, Section 217(b). If the instrument filed with the
Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority
or even-split for the purpose of subsection (c) shall be a majority or
even-split in interest.
Section 12. List Of Stockholders. The Secretary shall prepare and make, at
least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the
stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order,
showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in
the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any
stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, (a) on a reasonably
accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain
access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during
ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the corporation.
In the event that the corporation determines to make the list available on an
electronic network, the corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that
such information is available only to stockholders of the corporation. The list
shall be open to examination of any stockholder during the time of the meeting
as provided by law.
Section 13. Action Without Meeting.
(a) No action shall be taken by the stockholders except at an annual
or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with these Bylaws, and
no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent or by electronic
transmission.
6.
Section 14. Organization.
(a) At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the President,
or, if the President is absent, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority
in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy,
shall act as chairman. The Secretary, or, in his absence, an Assistant Secretary
directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
(b) The Board of Directors of the corporation shall be entitled to
make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it
shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and
regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall
have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures
and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary,
appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including,
without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting,
rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of
those present, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of
record of the corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies and
such other persons as the chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the
meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the
time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the
opening and closing of the polls for balloting on matters which are to be voted
on by ballot. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each
matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced
at the meeting. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or
the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to
be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE IV
DIRECTORS
Section 15. Number And Term Of Office. The authorized number of directors
of the corporation shall be fixed in accordance with the Certificate of
Incorporation or, if not so specified in the Certificate of Incorporation, by
resolution of the Board of Directors. Directors need not be stockholders unless
so required by the Certificate of Incorporation. If for any cause, the directors
shall not have been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon
thereafter as convenient at a special meeting of the stockholders called for
that purpose in the manner provided in these Bylaws.
Section 16. Powers. The powers of the corporation shall be exercised, its
business conducted and its property controlled by the Board of Directors, except
as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 17. Board of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of
any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified
circumstances, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders
for a term of one year. Each director shall serve until his successor is duly
elected and qualified or until his death, resignation or removal. No
7.
decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall
shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Section 18. Vacancies.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation
and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any
vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation,
disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships
resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall, unless the Board
of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created
directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled only by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a
quorum of the Board of Directors. Any director elected in accordance with the
preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the
director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director's
successor shall have been elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board of
Directors shall be deemed to exist under this Section 18 in the case of the
death, removal or resignation of any director.
Section 19. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by delivering
his or her notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Secretary,
such resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a particular time,
upon receipt by the Secretary or at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. If
no such specification is made, it shall be deemed effective at the pleasure of
the Board of Directors. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board
of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in
office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such
vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or
resignations shall become effective, and each Director so chosen shall hold
office for the unexpired portion of the term of the Director whose place shall
be vacated and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 20. Removal. The Board of Directors or any individual director may
be removed from office at any time (a) with cause by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of
capital stock of the corporation, entitled to vote generally at an election of
directors or (b) without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all the
then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote
generally at an election of directors.
Section 21. Meetings.
(a) Regular Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate
of Incorporation, regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any
time or date and at any place within or without the State of Delaware which has
been designated by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors,
either orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice-messaging system or
other system designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph
or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means. No further notice
shall be required for regular meetings of the Board of Directors.
8.
(b) Special Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate
of Incorporation, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any
time and place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the
Chairman of the Board, the President or a majority of the authorized number of
directors.
(c) Meetings by Electronic Communications Equipment. Any member of
the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a
meeting by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by
means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and
participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at
such meeting.
(d) Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of the time and place of all
special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be orally or in writing, by
telephone, including a voice messaging system or other system or technology
designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or
by electronic mail or other electronic means, during normal business hours, at
least twenty-four (24) hours before the date and time of the meeting. If notice
is sent by US mail, it shall be sent by first class mail, charges prepaid, at
least three (3) days before the date of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may
be waived in writing, or by electronic transmission, at any time before or after
the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except
when the director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at
the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the
meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
(e) Waiver of Notice. The transaction of all business at any meeting
of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or noticed,
or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after
regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or after
the meeting, each of the directors not present who did not receive notice shall
sign a written waiver of notice or shall waive notice by electronic
transmission. All such waivers shall be filed with the corporate records or made
a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Section 22. Quorum And Voting.
(a) Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater
number, a quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the
exact number of directors fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in
accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, at any
meeting whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors
present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular
meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by announcement at
the meeting.
(b) At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is
present, all questions and business shall be determined by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the directors present, unless a different vote be required by
law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
9.
Section 23. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted
to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof
may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or
committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic
transmission, and such writing or writings or transmission or transmissions are
filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.
Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form
and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic
form.
Section 24. Fees And Compensation. Directors shall be entitled to such
compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board of Directors,
including, if so approved, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum
and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at each regular or special
meeting of the Board of Directors and at any meeting of a committee of the Board
of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any
director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer,
agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor.
Section 25. Committees.
(a) Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an
Executive Committee to consist of one (1) or more members of the Board of
Directors. The Executive Committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided
in the resolution of the Board of Directors shall have and may exercise all the
powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business
and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to
be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have
the power or authority in reference to (i) approving or adopting, or
recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the
DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopting, amending or
repealing any bylaw of the corporation.
(b) Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, from time to time,
appoint such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees
appointed by the Board of Directors shall consist of one (1) or more members of
the Board of Directors and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may
be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committees, but in
no event shall any such committee have the powers denied to the Executive
Committee in these Bylaws.
(c) Term. The Board of Directors, subject to any requirements of any
outstanding series of Preferred Stock and the provisions of subsections (a) or
(b) of this Bylaw, may at any time increase or decrease the number of members of
a committee or terminate the existence of a committee. The membership of a
committee member shall terminate on the date of his death or voluntary
resignation from the committee or from the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors may at any time for any reason remove any individual committee member
and the Board of Directors may fill any committee vacancy created by death,
resignation, removal or increase in the number of members of the committee. The
Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of
any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting
of the committee, and, in addition, in the absence or disqualification of any
member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any
10.
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.
(d) Meetings. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide,
regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee appointed
pursuant to this Section 25 shall be held at such times and places as are
determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice
thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further notice of
such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of any such
committee may be held at any place which has been determined from time to time
by such committee, and may be called by any director who is a member of such
committee, upon notice to the members of such committee of the time and place of
such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of notice to
members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of special meetings of
the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any committee may be
waived in writing at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by
any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends such
special meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the
meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in the
resolutions authorizing the creation of the committee, a majority of the
authorized number of members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any
meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.
Section 26. Organization. At every meeting of the directors, the Chairman
of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is
absent, the President (if a director), or if the President is absent, the most
senior Vice President (if a director), or, in the absence of any such person, a
chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall
preside over the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence, any Assistant
Secretary directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the
meeting.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 27. Officers Designated. The officers of the corporation shall
include, if and when designated by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the
Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, one or more Vice
Presidents, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer and the
Controller, all of whom shall be elected at the annual organizational meeting of
the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more
Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Controllers and such
other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it shall deem
necessary. The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles to one or
more of the officers as it shall deem appropriate. Any one person may hold any
number of offices of the corporation at any one time unless specifically
prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and other compensation of the officers
of the corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner designated by the Board of
Directors.
11.
Section 28. Tenure And Duties Of Officers.
(a) General. All officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the
Board of Directors and until their successors shall have been duly elected and
qualified, unless sooner removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board
of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the office
of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the
Board of Directors.
(b) Duties of Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of
the Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors
shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also
perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors
shall designate from time to time. If there is no President, then the Chairman
of the Board of Directors shall also serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the
corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in paragraph (c) of
this Section 28.
(c) Duties of President. The President shall preside at all meetings
of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the
Chairman of the Board of Directors has been appointed and is present. Unless
some other officer has been elected Chief Executive Officer of the corporation,
the President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall,
subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision,
direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. The
President shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall
also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of
Directors shall designate from time to time.
(d) Duties of Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents may assume and
perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the
President or whenever the office of President is vacant. The Vice Presidents
shall perform other duties commonly incident to their office and shall also
perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors
or the President shall designate from time to time.
(e) Duties of Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of
the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall record all acts and
proceedings thereof in the minute book of the corporation. The Secretary shall
give notice in conformity with these Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders
and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof
requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform all other duties provided for in
these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also
perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors
shall designate from time to time. The President may direct any Assistant
Secretary to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or
disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other
duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall
designate from time to time.
(f) Duties of Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer
shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a
thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs
of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of
Directors or the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the
12.
order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and
securities of the corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other
duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall
designate from time to time. The President may direct the Treasurer or any
Assistant Treasurer, or the Controller or any Assistant Controller to assume and
perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability
of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and
each Controller and Assistant Controller shall perform other duties commonly
incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such
other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from
time to time.
Section 29. Delegation Of Authority. The Board of Directors may from time
to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or
agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.
Section 30. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving
notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors or to
the President or to the Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when
received by the person or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later
time is specified therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective
at such later time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of
any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any
resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation
under any contract with the resigning officer.
Section 31. Removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time,
either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
directors in office at the time, or by the unanimous written consent of the
directors in office at the time, or by any committee or superior officers upon
whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES
OWNED BY THE CORPORATION
Section 32. Execution Of Corporate Instruments. The Board of Directors
may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer
or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the corporation
any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the corporation
the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts on behalf of
the corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and
such execution or signature shall be binding upon the corporation.
All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the
credit of the corporation or in special accounts of the corporation shall be
signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to
do.
Unless authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the
agency power of an
13.
officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind
the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to
render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
Section 33. Voting Of Securities Owned By The Corporation. All stock and
other securities of other corporations owned or held by the corporation for
itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies
with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by
resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization,
by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President, or any Vice President.
ARTICLE VII
SHARES OF STOCK
Section 34. Form And Execution Of Certificates. Certificates for the
shares of stock of the corporation shall be in such form as is consistent with
the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock in
the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name
of the corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President
or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him
in the corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be
facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or
whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased
to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is
issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he were such officer,
transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. Each certificate shall state
upon the face or back thereof, in full or in summary, all of the powers,
designations, preferences, and rights, and the limitations or restrictions of
the shares authorized to be issued or shall, except as otherwise required by
law, set forth on the face or back a statement that the corporation will furnish
without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations,
preferences and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights of
each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after
the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the corporation shall send to
the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information
required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this section or
otherwise required by law or with respect to this section a statement that the
corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the
powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other
special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
Section 35. Lost Certificates. A new certificate or certificates shall be
issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the
corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of
an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be
lost, stolen, or destroyed. The corporation may require, as a condition
precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of
such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or the owner's
legal representative, to agree to indemnify the corporation in such manner as it
shall require or to give the corporation a surety bond in such
14.
form and amount as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made
against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been
lost, stolen, or destroyed.
Section 36. Transfers.
(a) Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation shall
be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by attorney
duly authorized, and upon the surrender of a properly endorsed certificate or
certificates for a like number of shares.
(b) The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any
agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of
the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation
of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not
prohibited by the DGCL.
Section 37. Fixing Record Dates.
(a) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any
adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date,
which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing
the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date
shall, subject to applicable law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten
(10) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the
Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to
notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of
business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if
notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on
which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to
notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment
of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new
record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment
of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of
any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other
lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which
record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the
record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60)
days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for
determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business
on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating
thereto.
Section 38. Registered Stockholders. The corporation shall be entitled to
recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner
of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be
bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or
shares on the part of any other person whether or not it shall have express or
other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
15.
ARTICLE VIII
OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION
Section 39. Execution Of Other Securities. All bonds, debentures and other
corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates (covered
in Section 34), may be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the
President or any Vice President, or such other person as may be authorized by
the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile
of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer or an
Assistant Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such bond, debenture or
other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual signature, or
where permissible facsimile signature, of a trustee under an indenture pursuant
to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be issued, the
signatures of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond,
debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the
signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond,
debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid,
shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation or
such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear
imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer
who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate
security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or on any such
interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture
or other corporate security so signed or attested shall have been delivered,
such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by
the corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the
same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to
be such officer of the corporation.
ARTICLE IX
DIVIDENDS
Section 40. Declaration Of Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of
the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation
and applicable law, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors pursuant
to law at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in
property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.
Section 41. Dividend Reserve. Before payment of any dividend, there may be
set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum
or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute
discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for
equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the
corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think
conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may
modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
16.
ARTICLE X
FISCAL YEAR
Section 42. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed
by resolution of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XI
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 43. Indemnification Of Directors, Executive Officers, Other
Officers, Employees And Other Agents.
(a) Directors and Officers. The corporation shall indemnify its
directors and officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any
other applicable law; provided, however, that the corporation may modify the
extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and
officers; and, provided, further, that the corporation shall not be required to
indemnify any director or officer in connection with any proceeding (or part
thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such indemnification is expressly
required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of
Directors of the corporation, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the
corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the
corporation under the DGCL or any other applicable law or (iv) such
indemnification is required to be made under subsection (d).
(b) Expenses. The corporation shall advance to any person who was or
is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or other
officer, of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director or executive officer of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final
disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses
incurred by any director or officer in connection with such proceeding provided,
however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a
director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in
any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee,
including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be
made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an
"undertaking"), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so
advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from
which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a "final adjudication")
that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under
this Section 43 or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to
paragraph (e) of this Section 43, no advance shall be made by the corporation to
an officer of the corporation (except by reason of the fact that such officer is
or was a director of the corporation in which event this paragraph shall not
apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly
made (i) by a majority vote of directors who were not parties to the proceeding,
even if not a quorum, or (ii) by
17.
a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors,
even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or such
directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the
facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made
demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a
manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation.
(c) Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express
contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and officers
under this Bylaw shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to
the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the corporation and
the director or officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by
this Section 43 to a director or officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of
the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the
claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no
disposition of such claim is made within ninety (90) days of request therefor.
The claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part,
shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim. In
connection with any claim for indemnification, the corporation shall be entitled
to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the
standards of conduct that make it permissible under the DGCL or any other
applicable law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount
claimed. In connection with any claim by an officer of the corporation (except
in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that such officer is or was a director of
the corporation) for advances, the corporation shall be entitled to raise a
defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person
acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to
believe that his conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the corporation
(including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its
stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such
action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances
because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL or
any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the corporation
(including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its
stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct,
shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not
met the applicable standard of conduct. In any suit brought by a director or
officer to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses
hereunder, the burden of proving that the director or officer is not entitled to
be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Section 43 or
otherwise shall be on the corporation.
(d) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by
this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have
or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate
of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to
action in another capacity while holding office. The corporation is specifically
authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors,
officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the
fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL, or by any other applicable law.
18.
(e) Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this
Bylaw shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer,
employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors
and administrators of such a person.
(f) Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or any
other applicable law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors,
may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be
indemnified pursuant to this Section 43.
(g) Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this Section 43 shall
only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect
at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is
the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.
(h) Saving Clause. If this Bylaw or any portion hereof shall be
invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the
corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and officer to the full
extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Section 43 that shall
not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this Section 43
shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of
another jurisdiction, then the corporation shall indemnify each director and
officer to the full extent under any other applicable law.
(i) Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the
following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term "proceeding" shall be broadly construed and shall
include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution,
defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in,
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative.
(2) The term "expenses" shall be broadly construed and shall
include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys' fees, witness fees, fines,
amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any
nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.
(3) The term the "corporation" shall include, in addition to
the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any
constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if
its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to
indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person
who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under
the provisions of this Section 43 with respect to the resulting or surviving
corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its
separate existence had continued.
(4) References to a "director," "executive officer,"
"officer," "employee," or "agent" of the corporation shall include, without
limitation, situations where such
19.
person is serving at the request of the corporation as, respectively, a
director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
(5) References to "other enterprises" shall include employee
benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on
a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at
the request of the corporation" shall include any service as a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or
involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to
an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest
of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be
deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation" as referred to in this Section 43.
ARTICLE XII
NOTICES
Section 44. Notices.
(a) Notice To Stockholders. Written notice to stockholders of
stockholder meetings shall be given as provided in Section 7 herein. Without
limiting the manner by which notice may otherwise be given effectively to
stockholders under any agreement or contract with such stockholder, and except
as otherwise required by law, written notice to stockholders for purposes other
than stockholder meetings may be sent by US mail or nationally recognized
overnight courier, or by facsimile, telegraph or telex or by electronic mail or
other electronic means.
(b) Notice To Directors. Any notice required to be given to any
director may be given by the method stated in subsection (a), as otherwise
provided in these Bylaws, or by overnight delivery service, facsimile, telex or
telegram, except that such notice other than one which is delivered personally
shall be sent to such address as such director shall have filed in writing with
the Secretary, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known post office
address of such director.
(c) Affidavit Of Mailing. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a
duly authorized and competent employee of the corporation or its transfer agent
appointed with respect to the class of stock affected, or other agent,
specifying the name and address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or
stockholders, or director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was
or were given, and the time and method of giving the same, shall in the absence
of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts therein contained.
(d) Methods of Notice. It shall not be necessary that the same
method of giving notice be employed in respect of all recipients of notice, but
one permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any
other permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or
others.
20.
(e) Notice To Person With Whom Communication Is Unlawful. Whenever
notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with whom
communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be
required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or
agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or
meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom
communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice
had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the corporation is
such as to require the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL,
the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that
notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons
with whom communication is unlawful.
(f) Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Except as otherwise
prohibited under DGCL, any notice given under the provisions of DGCL, the
Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws shall be effective if given by a
single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by
the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Such consent
shall have been deemed to have been given if such stockholder fails to object in
writing to the corporation within 60 days of having been given notice by the
corporation of its intention to send the single notice. Any consent shall be
revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS
Section 45. The Board of Directors shall be expressly empowered to adopt,
amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation. The stockholders shall also have
power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation; provided,
however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of
stock of the corporation required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation,
such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of
at least a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of
the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors, voting together as a single class.
ARTICLE XIV
LOANS TO OFFICERS
Section 46. Loans To Officers. Except as otherwise prohibited by
applicable law, the corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation
of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of
its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is a Director of the
corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the Board of
Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be expected to
benefit the corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may be with or
without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the Board of
Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of
stock of the corporation. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be
21.
deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the
corporation at common law or under any statute.
22.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ARTICLE I OFFICES...................................................1
Section 1. Registered Office.......................................1
Section 2. Other Offices...........................................1
ARTICLE II CORPORATE SEAL............................................1
Section 3. Corporate Seal..........................................1
ARTICLE III STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS....................................1
Section 4. Place Of Meetings.......................................1
Section 5. Annual Meetings.........................................1
Section 6. Special Meetings........................................4
Section 7. Notice Of Meetings......................................4
Section 8. Quorum..................................................5
Section 9. Adjournment And Notice Of Adjourned Meetings............5
Section 10. Voting Rights...........................................6
Section 11. Joint Owners Of Stock...................................6
Section 12. List Of Stockholders....................................6
Section 13. Action Without Meeting..................................6
Section 14. Organization............................................7
ARTICLE IV DIRECTORS.................................................7
Section 15. Number And Term Of Office...............................7
Section 16. Powers..................................................7
Section 17. Board of Directors......................................7
Section 18. Vacancies...............................................8
Section 19. Resignation.............................................8
Section 20. Removal.................................................8
Section 21. Meetings................................................8
Section 22. Quorum And Voting.......................................9
Section 23. Action Without Meeting.................................10
Section 24. Fees And Compensation..................................10
Section 25. Committees.............................................10
Section 26. Organization...........................................11
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
PAGE
ARTICLE V OFFICERS.................................................11
Section 27. Officers Designated....................................11
Section 28. Tenure And Duties Of Officers..........................12
Section 29. Delegation Of Authority................................13
Section 30. Resignations...........................................13
Section 31. Removal................................................13
ARTICLE VI EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF
SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION......................13
Section 32. Execution Of Corporate Instruments.....................13
Section 33. Voting Of Securities Owned By The Corporation..........14
ARTICLE VII SHARES OF STOCK..........................................14
Section 34. Form And Execution Of Certificates.....................14
Section 35. Lost Certificates......................................14
Section 36. Transfers..............................................15
Section 37. Fixing Record Dates....................................15
Section 38. Registered Stockholders................................15
ARTICLE VIII OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION......................16
Section 39. Execution Of Other Securities..........................16
ARTICLE IX DIVIDENDS................................................16
Section 40. Declaration Of Dividends...............................16
Section 41. Dividend Reserve.......................................16
ARTICLE X FISCAL YEAR..............................................17
Section 42. Fiscal Year............................................17
ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION..........................................17
Section 43. Indemnification Of Directors, Executive Officers,
Other Officers, Employees And Other Agents.............17
ARTICLE XII NOTICES..................................................20
Section 44. Notices................................................20
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS...............................................21
-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
PAGE
Section 45. The Board of Directors shall be expressly
empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of
the corporation. The stockholders shall also have
power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the
corporation; provided, however, that, in addition
to any vote of the holders of any class or series
of stock of the corporation required by law or by
the Certificate of Incorporation, such action by
stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least a majority of the voting
power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the
capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, voting
together as a single class.............................21
ARTICLE XIV LOANS TO OFFICERS........................................21
Section 46. Loans To Officers......................................21
-iii-