EX-3 2 gff8kex3.txt Amended as of May 2, 2001 GRIFFON CORPORATION (Formerly: INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION) * * * * * * AMENDED BY-LAWS * * * * * * ARTICLE I OFFICES Section 1. The registered office shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. Section 2. The corporation 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 MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS Section 1. All meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors shall be held in the City of Wilmington, State of Delaware, at such place as may be fixed from time to time by the board of directors, or at such other 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. Meetings of stockholders for any other purpose may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. Section 2. Annual meetings of stockholders shall be held on the third Thursday of March if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the next secular day following, at 11:00 a.m., or at such other date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which they shall elect by a plurality vote those directors whose terms have expired pursuant to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. Section 3. Written notice of the 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 nor more than fifty days before the date of the meeting. Section 4. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and 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 days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. Section 5. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only at the written request of stockholders owning at 2 least sixty-six and two-thirds (66-2/3%) percent of the entire voting power of the corporation's capital stock. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Section 6. Written notice of a special meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and the purpose for which the meeting is called, shall be given not less than ten nor more than fifty days before the date of the meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. Section 7. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the board of directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), (b) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (c) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this By-law and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-law. In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred-twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is 3 called for a date that is not within twenty-five (25) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not 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 of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. To be in proper written form, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter such 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, (ii) the name and record address of such stockholder, (iii) the class and series and number of shares of each class and series of capital stock of the corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder, (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and any material interest of such stockholder in such business and (v) a representation that such stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting. In addition, notwithstanding anything in this By-law to the contrary, a stockholder intending to nominate one or more persons for election as a director at an annual or special meeting of stockholders must comply with Article III, Section 13 of these By-laws for such nominations to be properly brought before such meeting. 4 No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this By-law; provided, however, that, once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this By-law shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the Chairman of an annual meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted. No business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders except for such business as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the corporation's notice of meeting. Section 8. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the certificate of incorporation, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the "Voting Stock"), represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of a majority of the shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. The Chairman of the meeting or a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time, whether or not there is such a quorum. No notice of the time and place of adjourned meetings need by given except as required by law. The stockholders present at a duly called meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough 5 stockholders to leave less than a quorum. The Chairman of the meeting shall fix and announce at the meeting the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting. Section 9. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation, a different vote is required in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Section 10. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or certificates of designations, and preferences, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted on after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. ARTICLE III DIRECTORS Section 1. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole board shall be not less than twelve nor more than fourteen. No director need be a stockholder of the corporation. Any director may be removed from office with cause at any time by the affirmative vote of stockholders of record holding a majority of the outstanding shares of stock of the corporation entitled to vote, given at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose. Section 2. The board of directors shall be divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible, and no class shall include less than four directors. The terms of office of the directors initially classified shall be as 6 follows: that of Class I shall expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders in 1972, Class II at the second succeeding annual meeting of stockholders in 1973 and Class III at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders in 1974. The foregoing notwithstanding, each director shall serve until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, unless he shall resign, become disqualified, disabled or shall otherwise be removed. Whenever a vacancy occurs on the board of directors, a majority of the remaining directors have the power to fill the vacancy by electing a successor director to fill that portion of the unexpired term resulting from the vacancy. Section 3. The business of the corporation shall be managed by its board of directors which may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the certificate of incorporation or by these by-laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Section 4. The board of directors shall choose a chairman of the board of directors who shall preside at all meetings of stockholders and directors. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 5. The board of directors of the corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware. Section 6. Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the board. Section 7. Special meetings of the board may be called by the president or chairman of the board on three days' notice to each director, either personally or by mail or by telegram; special meetings shall be called by the president or 7 secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of two directors. Section 8. At all meetings of the board one-third of the board of directors 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, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the board of directors, 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. Section 9. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these by- laws, 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 or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee. COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS Section 10. The board of directors, may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member of any meeting of the committee. 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 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 8 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 by-laws of the corporation; and, unless the resolution or the certificate of incorporation expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors. Section 11. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS; ELIGIBILITY Section 12. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation, the board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. 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 sum for attendance at each meeting of the board of directors or a stated salary as 9 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. Section 13. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the corporation, subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect directors under specified circumstances. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors may be made at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, (a) by or at the direction of the board of directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (b) by any stockholder of the corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this By-law and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-law. In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation (a) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred-twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within twenty-five (25) 10 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not 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 of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs; and (b) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs. To be in proper written form, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation and employment of the person, (iii) the class and series and number of shares of each class and series of capital stock of the corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (iv) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (or in any law or statute replacing such section), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and record address of such stockholder, (ii) the class and series and number of shares of each class and series of capital stock of the corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder, (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder, (iv) a 11 representation that such stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons named in its notice and (v) any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act (or in any law or statute replacing such section) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this By-law. If the Chairman of the meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded. ARTICLE IV NOTICES Section 1. Whenever, under the provisions of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation or of these by-laws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail addressed to such director or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be 12 given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Notice to directors may also be given by telegram. Section 2. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation or of these by-laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. ARTICLE V OFFICERS Section 1. The officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the board of directors and shall be a chairman of the board of directors, a president, one or more vice-presidents, a secretary and a treasurer. The board of directors may also choose additional vice-presidents, and one or more assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws otherwise provide. Section 2. The board of directors at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders shall choose a chairman of the board of directors, a president, one or more vice- presidents, a secretary and a treasurer. Section 3. The board of directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary 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. Section 4. The salaries of all officers and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the board of directors. 13 Section 5. The officers of the corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify. Any officer elected or appointed 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 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Section 6. The chairman of the board of directors shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation. He shall preside at all meetings of stockholders and directors. Except where by law the signature of the president is required, the chairman of the board of directors shall possess the same power as the president to sign all certificates, contracts, and other instruments of the corporation which may be authorized by the board of directors. During the absence or disability of the president, he shall exercise all powers and discharge all the duties of the president. THE PRESIDENT Section 7. The president shall be the chief operating officer of the corporation. In the absence of the chairman of the board of directors, the president shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the board of directors, shall have general and active management of the business of the corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect. The president shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation. 14 THE VICE PRESIDENTS Section 8. In the absence of the chairman of the board of directors or the president or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the chairman of the board of directors or the president, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the chairman of the board of directors or the president. The vice presidents shall perform such other duties and shall have other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe. THE SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES Section 9. The secretary shall attend all meetings of the board of directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all proceedings of the meetings of the corporation and of the board of directors in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. He 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, the chairman of the board of directors or the president, under whose supervision he shall be. He shall have custody of the corporate seal of the corporation and he, or an assistant secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his signature or by the signature of 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. 15 Section 10. The assistant secretary, or if there be more than one, the assistant secretaries, in the order determined by the board of directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election), shall, in the absence of the secretary or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe. THE TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS Section 11. 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 monies 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. Section 12. He 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 chairman of the board of directors and the president 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. Section 13. If required by the board of directors, he shall give the corporation a bond (which shall be renewed every six years) 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. 16 Section 14. The assistant treasurer, or if there shall be more than one, the assistant treasurers in the order determined by the board of directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election), shall, in the absence of the treasurer or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the treasurer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe. INDEMNIFICATION PROVISION Section 15. 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 by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or an 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 all expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, suit or proceeding, to the fullest extent and in the manner set forth in and permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as from time to time in effect, and any other applicable law, as from time to time in effect. Such right of indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which such director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of each such person. The foregoing provisions of this Article shall be deemed to be a contract between the corporation and each director, officer, employee or agent who serves in such capacity at any time while this Article, and the relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and other applicable law, 17 if any, are in effect, and any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts. ARTICLE VI CERTIFICATES OF STOCK Section 1. 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, the president or a vice president and 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. Certificates may be issued for partly paid shares and in such case upon the face or back of the certificates issued to represent any such partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor, and the amount paid thereon shall be specified. If the corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, 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 shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back 18 of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series or stock, provided that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, 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 2. Where a certificate is countersigned (1) by a transfer agent other than the corporation or its employee, or (2) by a registrar other than the corporation or its employee, any other signature on the certificate may be a facsimile. 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 by the corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. LOST CERTIFICATES Section 3. 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 or certificates, 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 certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require 19 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. TRANSFERS OF STOCK Section 4. 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 transaction upon its books. FIXING RECORD DATE Section 5. 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, 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, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action. 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. 20 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS Section 6. 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 to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of 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 Delaware. ARTICLE VII GENERAL PROVISIONS DIVIDENDS Section 1. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, if any, 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. Section 2. 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 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. 21 ANNUAL STATEMENT Section 3. 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. CHECKS Section 4. All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the board of directors may from time to time designate. FISCAL YEAR Section 5. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors. SEAL Section 6. 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 reproduced or otherwise. 22 ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENTS Section 1. These by-laws may be altered, amended, repealed, or new by-laws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the board of directors, when such power is conferred upon the board of directors by the certificate of incorporation, at any regular meeting of the stockholders or of the board of directors or at any special meeting of the stockholders or of the board of directors if notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new by-laws be contained in the notice of such special meeting. 23