EX-3.1 2 exhibit_3-1.htm AVID AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS (2-9-10) exhibit_3-1.htm

 
 
EXHIBIT 3.1      
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
OF
AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.


ARTICLE 1 – Stockholders

1.1           Place of Meetings.  All meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place within or without the State of Delaware as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the President or, if not so designated, at the registered office of the corporation.

1.2           Annual Meeting.  The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall be held on a date to be fixed by the Board of Directors or the President (which date shall not be a legal holiday in the place where the meeting is to be held) at the time and place to be fixed by the Board of Directors or the President and stated in the notice of the meeting.  If no annual meeting is held in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the Board of Directors shall cause the meeting to be held as soon thereafter as convenient.  If no annual meeting is held in accordance with the foregoing provi­sions, a special meeting may be held in lieu of the annual meeting, and any action taken at that special meeting shall have the same effect as if it had been taken at the annual meeting, and in such case all references in these By-Laws to the annual meeting of the stockholders shall be deemed to refer to such special meeting.

1.3           Special Meetings.  Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the President or by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors.  Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

1.4           Notice of Meetings.  Except as otherwise provided by law, written notice of each meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.  The notices of all meetings shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting.  The notice of a special meeting shall state, in addition, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.  If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation.

1.5           Voting List.  The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare, at least 10 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 10 days prior to the meeting, at a place within the city 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 of the meeting, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

 
 

 


1.6           Quorum.  Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the holders of a majority of the shares of the capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

1.7           Adjournments.  Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned to any other time and to any other place at which a meeting of stockholders may be held under these By-Laws by the stockholders present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, although less than a quorum, or, if no stockholder is pres­ent, by any officer entitled to preside at or to act as Secretary of such meeting.  It shall not be necessary to notify any stock­holder of any adjournment of less than 30 days if the time and place of the adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which adjournment is taken, unless after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting.  At the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

1.8           Voting and Proxies.  Each stockholder shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote held of record by such stockholder and a proportionate vote for each fractional share so held, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.  Each stockholder of record entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders, or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, may vote or express such consent or dissent in person or may authorize another person or persons to vote or act for him by written proxy executed by the stockholder or his authorized agent and delivered to the Secretary of the corporation.  No such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from the date of its execution, unless the proxy expressly provides for a longer period.

1.9            Action at Meeting.  When a quorum is present at any meeting, the holders of a majority of the stock present or represented and voting on a matter (or if there are two or more classes of stock entitled to vote as separate classes, then in the case of each such class, the holders of a majority of the stock of that class present or represented and voting on a matter) shall decide any matter to be voted upon by the stockholders at such meeting, except when a different vote is required by express provision of law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws.  Any election by stockholders shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at the election. When a quorum is present at any meeting, any matter other than the election of directors to be voted upon by the stockholders at such meeting shall be decided by the vote of the holders of shares of stock having a majority in voting power of the votes cast by the holders of all of the shares of stock present or represented at the meeting and voting affirmatively or negatively on such matter (or if there are two or more classes or series of stock entitled to vote as separate classes, then in the case of each such class or series, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of stock of that class or series present or represented at the meeting and voting affirmatively or negatively on such matter), except when a different vote is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws.  Other than in a Contested Election Meeting (as defined below), when a quorum is present, a nominee for director shall be elected to the Board of Directors if the votes cast “for” such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast “against” such nominee’s election (with “abstentions,” “broker non-votes” and “withheld votes” not counted as a vote “for” or “against” such nominee’s election).  In a Contested Election Meeting, when a quorum is present, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at such Contested Election Meeting.  If directors are to be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, stockholders shall not be permitted to vote “against” a nominee.  A meeting of stockholders shall be a “Contested Election Meeting” if there are more persons nominated for election as directors at such meeting than there are directors to be elected at such meeting, determined as of the tenth day preceding the date of the corporation’s first notice to stockholders of such meeting sent pursuant to Section 1.4 of these By-Laws (the “Determination Date”); provided, however, that if in accordance with Section 1.10 of these By-Laws stockholders are entitled to nominate persons for election as director during a period of time that ends after the otherwise applicable Determination Date, the Determination Date shall instead be as of the end of such period. No ballot shall be required for any election unless requested by a stockholder present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election.

 
 

 


1.10           Introduction of Business at Meeting.  Except as otherwise provided by law, at any annual or special meeting of stockholders only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting.  In order to be properly brought before the meeting, such business must have been either (A) specified in the written notice of the meeting (or any supplement thereto) given to stockholders of record on the record date for such meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (B) brought before the meeting at the direction of the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting or (C) specified in a written notice given by or on behalf of a stockholder of record on the record date for such meeting entitled to vote thereat or a duly authorized proxy for such stockholder, in accordance with all of the following requirements.  A notice referred to in clause (C) hereof must be delivered personally to or mailed to and received at the principal executive office of the corporation, addressed to the attention of the Secretary, not more than ten (10) days after the date of the initial notice referred to in clause (A) hereof, in the case of business to be brought before a special meeting of stockholders, and not less than thirty (30) days prior to the first anniversary date of the initial notice referred to in clause (A) hereof to the previous year's annual meeting, in the case of business to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, provided, however, that such notice shall not be required to be given more than sixty (60) days prior to an annual meeting of stockholders.  Such notice referred to in clause (C) hereof shall set forth (i) a full description of each such item of business proposed to be brought before the meeting, (ii) the name and address of the person proposing to bring such business before the meeting, (iii) the class number of shares held of record, held beneficially and represented by proxy by such person as of the record date for meeting (if such date has been made publicly available) and as of the date of such notice, (iv) if any item of such business involves nomination for director, all information regarding each such nominee that would be required to be set forth in a definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto, and the written consent of each such nominee to serve if elected, and (v) all other information that would be required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission if, with respect to the business proposed to be brought before the meeting, the person proposing such business was a participant in a solicitation subject to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto.  No business shall be brought before any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation otherwise than as provided in this paragraph.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Board of Directors shall be obligated to include information as to any nominee for director in any proxy statement or other communication sent to stockholders.

The chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that any proposed item of business was not brought before the meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedure and, if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective item of business shall be disregarded.

1.11           Action without Meeting.  Until the closing of a firm commitment, underwritten public offering of the corporation's Common Stock (a “Public Offering”), any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on such action were present and voted.  Prompt notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.  Effective upon the closing of a Public Offering, stockholders of the corporation may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or these By-laws, and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds per cent (66 2/3%) of the votes which all the stockholders would be entitled to case at any annual election or directors or class of directors shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Section 1.11.


 
 

 



ARTICLE 2 - Directors

2.1           General Powers.  The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors, who may exercise all of the powers of the corpora­tion except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation.  In the event of a vacancy in the Board of Directors, the remaining directors, except as otherwise provided by law, may exercise the powers of the full Board until the vacancy is filled.

2.2           Number; Election and Qualification.  The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be determined by resolution of the stockholders or the Board of Directors, but in no event shall be less than three.  The number of directors may be decreased at any time and from time to time either by the stockholders or by a majority of the directors then in office, but only to eliminate vacancies existing by reason of the death, resignation, removal or expiration of the term of one or more directors.  The number of directors may be increased at any time and from time to time by a majority of the directors then in office.  The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders by such stockholders as have the right to vote on such election.  Directors need not be stockholders of the corporation.

2.3           Classes of Directors.  The Board of Directors shall be and is divided into three classes:  Class I, Class II and Class III.  No one class shall have more than one director more than any other class.  If a fraction is contained in the quotient arrived at by dividing the authorized number of directors by three, then if such fraction is one-third, the extra director shall be a member of Class III and, if such fraction is two thirds, one of the extra directors shall be a member of Class I and the other extra director shall be a member of Class II, unless otherwise provided for from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors.

2.4           Terms in Office.  Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting following the annual meeting at which such director was elected; provided, however, that each initial director in Class I shall serve for a term ending on the date of the annual meeting next following the end of the Corporation's fiscal year ending December 31, 1993; each initial director in Class II shall serve for a term ending on the date of the annual meeting next following the end of the Corporation's fiscal year ending December 31, 1994; and each initial director in Class III shall serve for a term ending on the date of the annual meeting next following the end of the Corporation's fiscal year ending December 31, 1995.

2.5           Allocation of Directors Among Classes in the Event of Increases or Decreases in the Number of Directors.  In the event of any increase or decrease in the authorized number of directors, (i) each director then serving as such shall nevertheless continue as director of the class of which he is a member until the expiration of his current term or his prior death, retirement or resignation and (ii) the newly created or eliminated directorships resulting from such increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board of Directors among the three classes of directors so as to ensure that no one class has more than one director more than any other class.  To the extent possible, consistent with the foregoing rule, any newly created directorships shall be added to those classes whose terms of office are to expire at the latest dates following such allocation, and any newly eliminated directorships shall be subtracted from those classes whose terms of office are to expire at the earliest dates following such allocation, unless otherwise provided for from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum.

2.6           Tenure.  Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained herein, each director shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until his successor is elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.

 
 

 


2.7           Vacancies.  Unless and until filled by the stockholders, any vacancy in the Board of Directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the Board, may be filled by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.  A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office, and a director chosen to fill a position resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders at which the terms of the other directors of the same class as the director chosen to fill such position expire and until his successor is elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.

2.8           Resignation.  Any director may resign by delivering his written resignation to the corporation at its principal office or to the President or Secretary.  Such resignation shall be effec­tive upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.

2.9           Regular Meetings.  Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors; provided that any director who is absent when such a determination is made shall be given notice of the determination.  A regular meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders.

2.10.           Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, designated in a call by the Chairman of the Board, President, two or more directors, or by one director in the event that there is only a single director in office.

2.11           Notice of Special Meetings.  Notice of any special meeting of directors shall be given to each director by the Secretary or by the officer or one of the directors calling the meeting.  Notice shall be duly given to each director (i) by giving notice to such director in person or by telephone at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting, (ii) by sending a telegram or telex, or delivering written notice by hand, to his last known business or home address at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting, or (iii) by mailing written notice to his last known business or home address at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting.  A notice or waiver of notice of a meeting of the Board of Directors need not specify the purposes of the meeting.

2.12           Meetings by Telephone Conference Calls.  Directors or any members of any committee designated by the directors may par­ticipate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equip­ment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

2.13           Quorum.  A majority of the total number of the whole Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Board of Directors.  In the event one or more of the directors shall be disqualified to vote at any meeting, then the required quorum shall be reduced by one for each such director so disquali­fied; provided, however, that in no case shall less than one-third (1/3) of the number so fixed constitute a quorum.  In the absence of a quorum at any such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

2.14           Action at Meeting.  At any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of those present shall be sufficient to take any action, unless a different vote is specified by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws.

2.15           Action by Consent.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent to the action in writing, and the written consents are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

 
 

 


2.16           Removal.  Except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, any one or more or all of the directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, except that the directors elected by the holders of a particular class or series of stock may be removed without cause only by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or series.

2.17           Committees.  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 at any meeting of the committee.  In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members of the committee 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 and subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Dela­ware, 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.  Each such committee shall keep minutes and make such reports as the Board of Directors may from time to time request. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, any committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the directors or in such rules, its business shall be conducted as nearly as possible in the same manner as is provided in these By-Laws for the Board of Directors.

2.18           Compensation of Directors.  Directors may be paid such compensation for their services and such reimbursement for expenses of attendance at meetings as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.  No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation or any of its parent or subsidiary corporations in any other capacity and receiving compensation for such service.

2.19           Amendments to Article.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the votes which all the stockholders would be entitled to cast at any annual election of directors or class of directors shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Article II.


ARTICLE 3 – Officers

3.1           Enumeration.  The officers of the corporation shall consist of a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers with such other titles as the Board of Directors shall determine, including a Chairman of the Board, a Vice-Chairman of the Board, and one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Treasurers, and Assistant Secretaries.  The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers as it may deem appropriate.

3.2           Election.  The President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at its first meeting following the annual meeting of stockholders.  Other officers may be appointed by the Board of Directors at such meeting or at any other meeting.

3.3           Qualification.  No officer need be a stockholder.  Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

3.4           Tenure.  Except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, each officer shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified, unless a different term is specified in the vote choosing or appointing him, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.

3.5           Resignation and Removal.  Any officer may resign by delivering his written resignation to the corporation at its principal office or to the President or Secretary.  Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.

 
 

 


Any officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by vote of a majority of the entire number of directors then in office.

Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, no officer who resigns or is removed shall have any right to any compensation as an officer for any period following his resigna­tion or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal, whether his compensation be by the month or by the year or otherwise, unless such compensation is expressly provided in a duly authorized written agreement with the corporation.

3.6           Vacancies.  The Board of Directors may fill any vacancy occurring in any office for any reason and may, in its discretion, leave unfilled for such period as it may determine any offices other than those of President, Treasurer and Secretary.  Each such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term of his predecessor and until his successor is elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.

3.7           Chairman of the Board and Vice-Chairman of the Board.  The Board of Directors may appoint a Chairman of the Board and may designate the Chairman of the Board as Chief Executive Officer.  If the Board of Directors appoints a Chairman of the Board, he shall perform such duties and possess such powers as are assigned to him by the Board of Directors.  If the Board of Directors appoints a Vice-Chairman of the Board, he shall, in the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chairman of the Board and shall perform such other, duties and possess such other powers as may from time to time be vested in him by the Board of Directors.

3.8           President.  The President shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have general charge and supervision of the business of the corporation.  Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, he shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, if he is a director, at all meetings of the Board of Directors.  Unless the Board of Directors has designated the Chairman of the Board or another officer as Chief Executive Officer, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation. The President shall perform such other duties and shall have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

3.9           Vice Presidents.  Any Vice President shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of Directors or the President may from time to time prescribe.  In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the President, the Vice President (or if there shall be more than one, the Vice Presidents in the order determined by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties of the President and when so performing shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President.  The Board of Directors may assign to any Vice Presi­dent the title of Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or any other title selected by the Board of Directors.

3.10           Secretary and Assistant Secretaries.  The Secretary shall perform such duties and shall have such powers as the Board of Directors or the President may from time to time prescribe.  In addition, the Secretary shall perform such duties and have such powers as are incident to the office of the secretary, including without limitation the duty and power to give notices of all meetings of stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, to attend all meetings of stockholders and the Board of Directors and keep a record of the proceedings, to maintain a stock ledger and prepare lists of stockholders and their addresses as required, to be custodian of corporate records and the corporate seal and to affix and attest to the same on documents.

Any Assistant Secretary shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of Directors, the President or the Secretary may from time to time prescribe.  In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.

In the absence of the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary at any meeting of stockholders or directors, the person presiding at the meeting shall designate a temporary secretary to keep a record of the meeting.

 
 

 


3.11           Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers.  The Treasurer shall perform such duties and shall have such powers as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board of Directors or the President.  In addition, the Treasurer shall perform such duties and have such powers as are incident to the office of treasurer, including without limitation the duty and power to keep and be responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation, to deposit funds of the corporation in depositories selected in accordance with these By-Laws, to disburse such funds as ordered by the Board of Directors, to make proper accounts of such funds, and to render as required by the Board of Directors statements of all such transactions and of the financial condition of the corporation.

The Assistant Treasurers shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of Directors, the President or the Treasurer may from time to time prescribe.  In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer.

3.12           Salaries.  Officers of the corporation shall be entitled to such salaries, compensation or reimbursement as shall be fixed or allowed from time to time by the Board of Directors.


ARTICLE 4 - Capital Stock

4.1           Issuance of Stock.  Unless otherwise voted by the stockholders and subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the whole or any part of any unissued balance of the authorized capital stock of the corporation or the whole or any part of any unissued balance of the authorized capital stock of the corporation held in its treasury may be issued, sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by vote of the Board of Directors in such manner, for such consideration and on such terms as the Board of Directors may determine.

4.2           Certificates of Stock.  Every holder of stock of the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, in such form as may be prescribed by law and by the Board of Directors, certifying the number and class of shares owned by him in the corporation.  Each such certificate shall be signed by, or in the name of the corporation by, the Chairman or Vice-Chairman, if any, of the Board of Directors, or the President or a Vice President, and the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the corporation.  Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile.

Each certificate for shares of stock which are subject to any restriction on transfer pursuant to the Certificate of Incorpora­tion, the By-Laws, applicable securities laws or any agreement among any number of shareholders or among such holders and the corporation shall have conspicuously noted on the face or back of the certificate either the full text of the restriction or a statement of the existence of such restriction.

4.3           Transfers.  Except as otherwise established by rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors, and subject to applicable law, shares of stock may be transferred on the books of the corporation by the surrender to the corporation or its trans­fer agent of the certificate representing such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, and with such proof of authority or the authenticity of signature as the corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require.  Except as may be otherwise required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, the corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect to such stock, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock until the shares have been transferred on the books of the corporation in accordance with the requirements of these By-Laws.

4.4           Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.  The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in place of any previously issued certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may prescribe, including the presentation of reasonable evidence of such loss, theft or destruction and the giving of such indemnity as the Board of Directors may require for the protection of the corporation or any transfer agent or registrar.

 
 

 


4.5           Record Date.  The Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or to express consent (or dissent) to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action.  Such record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other action to which such record date relates.

If no record date is fixed, 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 before the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day before the day on which the meeting is held.  The record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is necessary, shall be the day on which the first written consent is expressed. The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating to such purpose.

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.


ARTICLE 5 - General Provisions

5.1           Fiscal Year.  Except as from time to time otherwise designated by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of January in each year and end on the last day of December in each year.

5.2           Corporate Seal.  The corporate seal shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board of Directors.

5.3           Waiver of Notice.  Whenever any notice whatsoever is required to be given by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws, a waiver of such notice either in writing signed by the person entitled to such notice or such person's duly authorized attorney, or by telegraph, cable or any other available method, whether before, at or after the time stated in such waiver, or the appearance of such person or persons at such meeting in person or by proxy, shall be deemed equivalent to such notice.

5.4           Voting of Securities.  Except as the directors may otherwise designate, the President or Treasurer may waive notice of, and act as, or appoint any person or persons to act as, proxy or attorney-in-fact for this corporation (with or without power of substitution) at, any meeting of stockholders or shareholders of any other corporation or organization, the securities of which may be held by this corporation.

5.5           Evidence of Authority.  A certificate by the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, or a temporary Secretary, as to any action taken by the stockholders, directors, a committee or any officer or representative of the corporation shall as to all persons who rely on the certificate in good faith be conclusive evidence of such action.

5.6           Certificate of Incorporation.  All references in these By-Laws to the Certificate of Incorporation shall be deemed to refer to the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 
 

 


5.7           Transactions with Interested Parties.  No contract or transaction between the corporation and one or more of the directors or officers, or between the corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of the directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors which authorizes the contract or transaction or solely because his or their votes are counted for such purpose, if:

(1)           The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum;

(2)           The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or

(3)           The contract or transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee of the Board of Directors, or the stockholders.

Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

5.8           Severability.  Any determination that any provision of these By-Laws is for any reason inapplicable, illegal or ineffective shall not affect or invalidate any other provision of these By-Laws.

5.9           Pronouns.  All pronouns used in these By-Laws shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the person or persons may require.


ARTICLE 6 - Amendments

6.1           By the Board of Directors.  Except as otherwise set forth in these By-Laws, these By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed or new by-laws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present.
 
6.2   By the Stockholders.  Except as otherwise set forth in these By-Laws, these By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed or new by-laws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at any regular meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders, provided notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new by-laws shall have been stated in the notice of such special meeting.