EX-3.1 2 a16-14630_2ex3d1.htm EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

HYPERDYNAMICS CORPORATION

(a Delaware corporation)

 

ARTICLE I

 

STOCKHOLDERS

 

1.              CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING STOCK. Certificates representing stock in the corporation shall be signed by, or in the name of, the corporation by (a) the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or by the President or a Vice President and (b) by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the corporation. Any or all the signatures on any such 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.

 

Whenever the corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class of stock, and whenever the corporation shall issue any shares of its stock as partly paid stock, the certificates representing shares of any such class or series or of any such partly paid stock shall set forth thereon the statements prescribed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”). Any restrictions on the transfer or registration of transfer of any shares of stock of any class or series shall be noted conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares.

 

The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, and the Board of Directors may require the owner of the lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft, or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of any such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

2.              UNCERTIFICATED SHARES. Subject to any conditions imposed by the General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors of the corporation may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of the stock of the corporation shall be uncertificated shares. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of any uncertificated shares, the corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof any written notice prescribed by the General Corporation Law.

 

3.              FRACTIONAL SHARE INTERESTS. The corporation may, but shall not be required to, issue fractions of a share. If the corporation does not issue fractions of a share, it shall (1) arrange for the disposition of fractional interests by those entitled thereto, (2) pay in cash the fair value of fractions of a share as of the time when those entitled to receive such fractions are determined, or (3) issue scrip or warrants in registered form (either represented by a certificate or uncertificated) or in bearer form (represented by a certificate) which shall entitle the holder to receive a full share upon the surrender of such scrip or warrants aggregating a full share. A certificate for a fractional share or an uncertificated fractional share shall, but scrip or warrants shall not unless otherwise provided therein, entitle the holder to exercise voting rights, to receive dividends thereon, and to participate in any of the assets of the corporation in the event of liquidation. The Board of Directors may cause scrip or warrants to be issued subject to the conditions that they shall become void if not exchanged for certificates representing the full shares or uncertificated full shares before a specified date, or subject to the conditions that the shares for which scrip or warrants are exchangeable may be sold by the corporation and the proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of scrip or warrants, or subject to any other conditions which the Board of Directors may impose.

 

1



 

4.              STOCK TRANSFERS. Upon compliance with provisions restricting the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock, if any, transfers or registration of transfers of shares of stock of the corporation shall be made only on the stock ledger of the corporation by the registered holder thereof, or by his attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the corporation or with a transfer agent or a registrar, if any, and, in the case of shares represented by certificates, on surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares of stock properly endorsed, and the payment of all taxes due thereon.

 

5.              RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDERS.

 

(A)                               MEETINGS.  In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix 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, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting.  If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination.  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 determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

 

(B)                               DIVIDENDS AND OTHER RIGHTS. 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 entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such other action.  If no such 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.

 

(C)                               WRITTEN CONSENTS. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation, in order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix 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 not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors.  If no record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting is fixed by the Board of Directors, (i) when no prior action of the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for such purpose shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation in accordance with applicable law, and (ii) if prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

6.              STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS.

 

(A)                               TIME.  The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the date and at the time fixed, from time to time, by the directors, provided, that each successive annual meeting shall be held on a date within thirteen months after the date of the preceding annual meeting. A special meeting shall be held on the date and at the time fixed by the directors.

 

2



 

(B)                               PLACE.  Annual meetings and special meetings shall be held at such place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, as the directors may, from time to time, fix. Whenever the directors shall fail to fix such place, the meeting shall be held at the registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware.

 

(C)                               CALL.  Annual meetings and special meetings may be called by the Board of Directors or by any officer instructed by the directors to call the meeting.  Special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors which the corporation would have if there were no vacancies (“Whole Board”) and shall be called in accordance with Section 6(D) of these Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”).  Special meetings of the stockholders may also be called by the Secretary upon the written request in proper form of the holders of at least 30% of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at such meeting.  To be in proper form, such request shall include the information specified in Article 1, Section 9(C) of these Bylaws and shall comply with the procedures specified in Article 1, Sections 8, 9 and 10 of these Bylaws.  A request for a special meeting shall not be required to be held at the request of stockholders: (i) with respect to any matter, within 120 days after any annual or special meeting of stockholders at which the same matter was on the agenda; (ii) if the same matter will be included on the agenda at an annual meeting to be held within 90 days after the receipt by the corporation of such request (and the election or removal of directors would be deemed the same matter with respect to all matters involving the election or removal of directors); (iii) if the request relates to an item of business that is not a proper subject for stockholder action under applicable law; or (iv) if such request violates applicable law.  The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual or special meeting of stockholders previously called by the Board of Directors or by any officer of the corporation.

 

(D)                               NOTICE OR WAIVER OF NOTICE.  Notice of all meetings shall be given stating the place, if any, date, and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.  The notice of any meeting shall also include, or be accompanied by, any additional statements, information, or documents prescribed by the General Corporation Law. Except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law, the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws, the notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten days nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting at his record address or at such other address which he may have furnished by request in writing to the Secretary of the corporation.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation.  Notice need not be given to any stockholder who submits a waiver of notice before or after the time stated therein. Attendance of a stockholder at a meeting of stockholders shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the stockholder 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. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any waiver of notice.

 

(E)                                ADJOURNMENT.  Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place (if any), and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place (if any) thereof, 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 such adjourned meeting, 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, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.  If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and shall

 

3



 

give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record as of the record date so fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

(F)                                 STOCKHOLDER LIST.  The officer who has charge of the stock ledger shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), 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 at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of meeting or (ii) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the corporation.  If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be examined by any stockholder who is present.  If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.  Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

(G)                               CONDUCT OF MEETING.

 

(i)  Meetings of the stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the meeting, who shall be one of the following officers in the order of seniority and if present and acting — the Chairman of the Board, if any, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, if any, the President, a Vice-President, or, if none of the foregoing is in office and present and acting, by a Chairman of the meeting to be chosen by the stockholders.  The Secretary of the corporation, or in his absence, an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present the Chairman of the meeting shall appoint a secretary of the meeting.

 

(ii)  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 shall be announced at the meeting by the Chairman of the meeting.  The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate.  Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of the Chairman of the meeting, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting.  Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the Chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the presiding person of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants.  The Chairman of the meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, have such powers set forth in Section 8(C) of this Article I of these Bylaws.  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 the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

(H)                              PROXY REPRESENTATION.  Every stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy in all matters in which a stockholder is entitled to participate, whether by waiving notice of any meeting, voting or participating at a meeting, or expressing consent without a meeting.  No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date unless such proxy provides for a longer

 

4



 

period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and, if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the corporation generally.

 

(I)                                   INSPECTORS.  The directors, in advance of any meeting, may, and shall if required by law, appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.  If an inspector or inspectors are not appointed, the person presiding at the meeting may, and shall if required by law, appoint one or more inspectors. In case any person who may be appointed as an inspector fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the directors in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the person presiding thereat. Each inspector, if any, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspectors at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The inspectors, if any, shall determine the number of shares of stock outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares of stock represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots, or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots, or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. On request of the person presiding at the meeting, the inspector or inspectors, if any, shall make a report in writing of any challenge, question, or matter determined by him or them and execute a certificate of any fact found by him or them.

 

(J)                                   QUORUM.  The holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of stock shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders for the transaction of any business.  In the absence of a quorum, the stockholders so present may, by a majority in voting power thereof, adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 6(E) of Article I of these Bylaws until a quorum shall attend.

 

(K)                               VOTING.  Except as provided in the certificate of incorporation, each share of stock shall entitle the holders thereof to one vote. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Any other action shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast, except where the certificate of incorporation, these Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the corporation, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the corporation or its securities, prescribes a different percentage of votes and/or a different exercise of voting power, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.  In the election of directors, and for any other action, voting need not be by ballot.

 

7.              STOCKHOLDER ACTION WITHOUT MEETINGS.  Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which minutes of proceedings of stockholders are recorded.  Delivery made to the corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.  Any stockholder desiring to have action taken by written consent shall first submit a written request in proper form to the Board of Directors that shall:  (i) include the information specified in Article 1, Section 9(C) of these Bylaws; (ii) comply with the applicable provisions of Article 1, Sections 9 and 10 of these Bylaws; and (iii) request that the Board of Directors set a record date for stockholders entitled to take such action.  Within ten (10) days of receiving such request in proper form, the Board of Directors shall approve a resolution setting a record date, which record date shall not be more than ten (10) days thereafter.  Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall, to the extent required by law, be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.

 

5



 

8.              STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS ORDER OF BUSINESS.

 

(A)                               ANNUAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS.  At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors shall be made, and only such other business shall be conducted or considered, as shall have been properly brought before the meeting.  For nominations to be properly made at an annual meeting, and proposals of other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting, nominations and proposals of other business must be (a) specified in the corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or committee thereof, (b) otherwise properly made at the annual meeting, by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or committee thereof or (c) otherwise properly requested to be brought before the annual meeting by a stockholder of the corporation in accordance with these Bylaws. For nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors or proposals of other business to be properly requested by a stockholder to be made at an annual meeting, a stockholder must (i) be a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice of such annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors and at the time of the annual meeting, (ii) be entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (iii) comply with the procedures set forth in Sections 8, 9 and 10 of these Bylaws as to such business or nomination.  The immediately preceding sentence shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or other business proposals (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 (or Rule 14a-11, if lawful) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and included in the corporation’s proxy statement to solicit proxies for such annual meeting) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

 

(B)                               SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS.  At any special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted or considered, as shall have been properly brought before the meeting pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting.  To be properly brought before a special meeting, proposals of business must be (a) specified in the corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) otherwise properly brought before the special meeting, by or at the direction of the Board of Directors.  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 (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the corporation who (i) is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice of such special meeting and at the time of the special meeting, (ii) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (iii) complies with the procedures set forth in Section 8, 9 and 10 of these Bylaws as to such nomination.  The immediately preceding sentence shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or other business proposals before a special meeting of stockholders (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 (or Rule 14a-11, if lawful) under the Exchange Act and included in the corporation’s notice of meeting).

 

(C)                               GENERAL.  Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws, the Chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or other business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that no action shall be taken on such nomination or other proposal and such nomination or other proposal shall be disregarded.

 

9.              ADVANCED NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS AND NOMINATIONS.

 

(A)                               ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS.  Without qualification or limitation, subject to Section 9(C)(4) of these Bylaws, for any nominations or any other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section 8(A) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof (including, in the case of nominations, the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 10 of these Bylaws) and timely updates and supplements thereof in writing to the Secretary and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action.

 

6



 

To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and not later than the close of business on the 90th 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 more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the corporation. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

Notwithstanding anything in the immediately preceding paragraph to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due hereunder and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 9(A) 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 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the corporation.

 

In addition, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall further be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date, and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting, any adjournment or postponement thereof in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

(B)                               SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS.  Subject to Section 9(C)(4) of these Bylaws, 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 stockholder may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) to be elected as specified in the corporation’s notice calling the meeting, provided that the stockholder gives timely notice thereof (including the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 10 of these Bylaws) and timely updates and supplements thereof in writing to the Secretary.

 

In order to be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the date of such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such special meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such special meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such special meeting, the 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 any adjournment or postponement of a special meeting, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

In addition, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall further be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than

 

7



 

five (5) business days after the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date, and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting, any adjournment or postponement thereof in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

(C)                               OTHER PROVISIONS.

 

(1)                                 To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice (whether given pursuant to Section 8(A) or 8(B) of these Bylaws) to the Secretary must include the following, as applicable.

 

(a)                                 As to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, a stockholder’s notice must set forth: (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of such beneficial owner, if any, and of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (ii) (A) the class or series and number of shares of the corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (B) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the corporation, or any derivative or synthetic arrangement having the characteristics of a long position in any class or series of shares of the corporation, or any contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions designed to produce economic benefits and risks that correspond substantially to the ownership of any class or series of shares of the corporation, including due to the fact that the value of such contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions is determined by reference to the price, value or volatility of any class or series of shares of the corporation, whether or not such instrument, contract or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of shares of the corporation, through the delivery of cash or other property, or otherwise, and without regard of whether the stockholder of record, the beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, may have entered into transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such instrument, contract or right or any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the corporation (any of the foregoing, a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (C) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder has a right to vote any class or series of shares of the corporation, (D) any agreement, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, including any repurchase or similar so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, engaged in, directly or indirectly, by such stockholder, the purpose or effect of which is to mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk (of ownership or otherwise) of any class or series of the shares of the corporation by, manage the risk of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder with respect to any class or series of the shares of the corporation, or which provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the price or value of any class or series of the shares of the corporation (any of the foregoing, “Short Interests”), (E) any rights to dividends on the shares of the corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the corporation, (F) any proportionate interest in shares of the corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner of such general or limited partnership, (G) any performance related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, including without limitation any such interests held by members of such stockholder’s immediate family sharing the same household, (H) any significant equity interests or any Derivative Instruments or Short Interests in any principal competitor of the corporation held by such stockholder, and (I) any direct or indirect interest of such stockholder in any contract with the corporation, any affiliate of the corporation or any principal competitor of the corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement), (iii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to

 

8



 

appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, (iv) a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (a) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (b) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination, and (v) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement and form of proxy or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

(b)           If the notice relates to any business other than a nomination of a director or directors that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in paragraph (a) above, also set forth: (i) 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 of such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, in such business, (ii) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), and (iii) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder;

 

(c)           As to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in paragraph (a) above, also set forth: (i) all information relating to such 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 in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated 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) and (ii) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; and

 

(d)           With respect to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in paragraphs (a) and (c) above, also include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 10 of these Bylaws. The corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee.

 

(2)           For purposes of these Bylaws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a 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 Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(3)           Notwithstanding the provisions of these Bylaws, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in these Bylaws; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the

 

9



 

Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to Section 8 of these Bylaws.

 

(4)           Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights (i) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or Rule 14a-11, if lawful) under the Exchange Act, or (ii) of the holders of any series of preferred stock if and to the extent provided for under law, the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws.  Subject to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, nothing in these Bylaws shall be construed to permit any stockholder, or give any stockholder the right, to include or have disseminated or described in the corporation’s proxy statement any nomination of director or directors or any other business proposal.

 

(5)           Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of these Bylaws, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the corporation.  For purposes hereof, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

 

10.       SUBMISSION OF QUESTIONNAIRE, REPRESENTATION AND AGREEMENT.  To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the corporation, a person must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 9 of these Bylaws) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request), and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person (A) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the corporation or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, and (C) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the corporation, and will comply with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the corporation.

 

ARTICLE II

 

DIRECTORS

 

1.              FUNCTIONS AND DEFINITION. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the corporation. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of the members thereof.

 

2.              QUALIFICATIONS AND NUMBER. A director need not be a stockholder, a citizen of the United States, or resident of the State of Delaware. The initial Board of Directors shall consist of three persons. Thereafter the number of directors constituting the Whole Board shall be at least one. Subject to the foregoing limitation and except for the first Board of Directors, such number may be fixed from time to time by action of the directors, or, if the number is not fixed, the number shall be three.

 

10



 

3.              ELECTION AND TERM. The first Board of Directors, unless the members thereof shall have been named in the certificate of incorporation, shall be elected by the incorporator or incorporators and shall hold office until the first annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, to the corporation. Thereafter, directors who are elected at an annual meeting of stockholders, and directors who are elected in the interim to fill vacancies and newly created directorships, shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Except as the General Corporation Law may otherwise require, in the interim between annual meetings of stockholders or of special meetings of stockholders called for the election of directors and/or for the removal of one or more directors and for the filling of any vacancy in that connection, newly created directorships and any vacancies in the Board of Directors, including unfilled vacancies resulting from the removal of directors for cause or without cause, may be filled only by the vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director.

 

4.              MEETINGS.

 

(A)          TIME.  Meetings shall be held at such time as the Board shall fix, except that the first meeting of a newly elected Board shall be held as soon after its election as the directors may conveniently assemble.

 

(B)          PLACE.  Meetings shall be held at such place (if any) within or without the State of Delaware as shall be fixed by the Board.

 

(C)          CALL.  No call shall be required for regular meetings for which the time and place have been fixed. Special meetings may be called by or at the direction of the Chairman of the Board, if any, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, if any, of the President, or of a majority of the directors in office.

 

(D)          NOTICE OR ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTIVE WAIVER.  No notice shall be required for regular meetings for which the time and place (if any) have been fixed. Written, oral, electronic or any other mode of notice of the time and place shall be given at least 24 hours before such meeting. Notice need not be given to any director or to any member of a committee of directors who submits a waiver, in writing or by electronic transmission, of notice given by him before or after the time stated therein. Attendance of any such person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when he attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice.

 

(E)           QUORUM AND ACTION. A majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum except when a vacancy or vacancies prevents such majority, whereupon a majority of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum, provided, that such majority shall constitute at least one-third of the Whole Board. A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is present may adjourn a meeting to another time and place. Except as herein otherwise provided, and except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law, the vote of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. The quorum and voting provisions herein stated shall not be construed as conflicting with any provisions of the General Corporation Law and these Bylaws which govern a meeting of directors held to fill vacancies and newly created directorships in the Board or action of disinterested directors. Any member or members of the Board of Directors or of any committee designated by the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board, or any such committee, as the case may be, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other.

 

(F)           CHAIRMAN OF THE MEETING. The Chairman of the Board, if any and if present and acting, shall preside at all meetings.  Otherwise, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, if any and if present and acting, or the President, if present and acting, or any other director chosen by the Board, shall preside.

 

11



 

5.              REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS. Except as may otherwise be provided by the General Corporation Law, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.

 

6.              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 any member of any such committee or committees, 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, shall have and may exercise the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation with the exception of any authority the delegation of which is prohibited by Section 141 of the General Corporation Law, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.

 

7.              WRITTEN ACTION. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or 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 or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or the electronic transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee in accordance with applicable law.

 

8.              COMPENSATION. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. No provision of these Bylaws shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

9.              RELIANCE. Each director and each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors shall, in the performance of his duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or reports made to the corporation by any of its officers, or by an independent certified public accountant, or by an appraiser selected with reasonable care by the Board of Directors or by any such committee, or in relying in good faith upon other records of the corporation.

 

ARTICLE III

 

OFFICERS

 

1.              OFFICES AND QUALIFICATIONS. The officers of the corporation shall consist of a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and, if deemed necessary, expedient, or desirable by the Board of Directors, a Chairman of the Board, a Vice-Chairman of the Board, an Executive Vice-President, one or more other Vice-Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers with such titles as the resolution of the Board of Directors choosing them shall designate. Except as may otherwise be provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors choosing him, no officer other than the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board, if any, need be a director. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, as the directors may determine.

 

2.              TERM. Unless otherwise provided in the resolution choosing him, each officer shall be chosen for a term which shall continue until the meeting of the Board of Directors following the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor shall have been chosen and qualified. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors. Any vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors.

 

3.              COMPENSATION. The salaries of all officers and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or pursuant to its direction; no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of his also being a director.

 

12



 

4.              AUTHORITY AND DUTIES. All officers of the corporation shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management and operation of the corporation as shall be prescribed in the resolutions of the Board of Directors designating and choosing such officers and prescribing their authority and duties, and shall have such additional authority and duties as are incident to their office except to the extent that such resolutions may be inconsistent therewith. In addition to the preceding, the officers of the corporation shall have the following authority and duties:

 

(A)          CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Chairman of the Board (if such office is created by the Board) shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors or of the stockholders of the corporation. In the Chairman’s absence, such duties shall be attended to by the Vice Chairman of the Board (if any, but if there is more than one, the Vice Chairman who is senior in terms of time as such) or (if there is no Vice Chairman) by the President (if, in the case of meetings of the Board of Directors, he should be a director). The Chairman shall formulate and submit to the Board of Directors or the executive committee (if any) matters of general policy of the corporation and shall perform such other duties as usually appertain to the office or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the executive committee.

 

(B)          VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice Chairman (if any, but if there is more than one, the Vice Chairman who is senior in terms of time as such) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chairman of the Board, and when acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restriction upon the Chairman of the Board. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, such Vice Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors or of the stockholders of the corporation. In the Chairman’s and Vice Chairmen’s absence, such duties shall be attended to by the President. The Vice Chairmen shall perform such other duties, and shall have such other powers, as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the executive committee (if any).

 

(C)          PRESIDENT. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall in general manage, supervise and control the properties, business and affairs of the corporation with all such powers as may be reasonably incident to such responsibilities. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, the President shall have the authority to agree upon and execute all leases, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other obligations in the name of the corporation. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and (should he be a director) of the Board of Directors. He may also preside at any such meeting attended by the Chairman of the Board if he is so designated by the Chairman. He shall have the power to appoint and remove subordinate officers, agents and employees, except those elected or appointed by the Board of Directors. The President shall keep the Board of Directors and the executive committee (if any) fully informed and shall consult them concerning the business of the corporation. He may sign with the Secretary or any other officer of the corporation thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, certificates for shares of the corporation and any deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts, checks, notes, drafts or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof has been expressly delegated by these Bylaws or by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation, or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed. He shall vote, or give a proxy to any other officer of the corporation to vote all shares of stock or securities of any other entity standing in the name of the corporation and shall exercise any and all rights and powers which this corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other entity and in general he shall perform all other duties normally incident to the office of President and such other duties, and shall have such other powers, as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the executive committee (if any) from time to time.

 

(D)          VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence of the President, or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Executive Vice President (or in the event there shall be no Vice President designated Executive Vice President, any Vice President designated by the Board) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. In the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors of a Vice President to perform the duties of the President, or in the event of his absence or inability or refusal to act, the Vice President who is present and who is senior in terms of time as a Vice President of the corporation shall so act. Any Vice

 

13



 

President may sign, with the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certificates for shares of the corporation. The Vice Presidents shall perform such other duties, and shall have such other powers, as from time to time may be assigned to them by the President, the Board of Directors or the executive committee (if any).

 

(E)           SECRETARY. The Secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of directors; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the corporation, and see that the seal of the corporation or a facsimile thereof is affixed to all certificates for shares prior to the issue thereof and to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the corporation under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and attest the affixation of the seal of the corporation thereto; (d) keep or cause to be kept a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished by such stockholder; (e) sign with the President, or an Executive Vice President or Vice President, certificates for shares of the corporation, the issue of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors; (f) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the corporation, which may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the General Corporation Law) outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors; and (g) in general, perform all duties normally incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties, and shall have such other powers, as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President, the Board of Directors or the executive committee (if any).

 

(F)           TREASURER. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors shall determine. He shall (a) have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation; receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever and deposit all such moneys in the name of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws; (b) prepare, or cause to be prepared, for submission at each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, at each annual meeting of the stockholders, and at such other times as may be required by the Board of Directors, the President or the executive committee (if any), a statement of financial condition of the corporation in such detail as may be required; and (c) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties, and shall have such other powers, as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President, the Board of Directors or the executive committee (if any).

 

(G)          ASSISTANT SECRETARY OR TREASURER.  The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurer shall, in general, perform such duties and have such powers as shall be assigned to them by the Secretary or the Treasurer, respectively, or by the President, the Board of Directors or the executive committee (if any). The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers shall, in the absence or inability or refusal to act of the Secretary or Treasurer, respectively, perform all functions and duties which such absent officers may delegate, but such delegation shall not relieve the absent officer from the responsibilities and liabilities of his office. The Assistant Secretaries may sign, with the President or a Vice President, certificates for shares of the corporation, the issue of which shall have been authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. The Assistant Treasurers shall respectively, if required by the Board of Directors, give bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties in such sums and with such sureties as the Board of Directors shall determine.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT

 

1.              INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT. This corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted from time to time under the law of the State of Delaware, indemnify and upon request shall advance expenses to any person who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, proceeding or claim, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was or has agreed to be a director or officer of this corporation or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or, while such a director or officer, is or was serving at the request of this corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other

 

14



 

enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against expenses (including attorney’s fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement incurred in connection with the investigation, preparation to defend or defense of such action, suit, proceeding or claim; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not require this corporation to indemnify any person in connection with any action, suit, proceeding or claim (or part thereof) initiated by or on behalf of such person other than an action commenced by such person to enforce his or her rights under this Article IV.  The corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by any person entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 1 of Article IV of these Bylaws in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by such person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the such person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article IV or otherwise.  The indemnification and advancement rights set forth in this Section 1 of Article IV of these Bylaws shall not be exclusive of other indemnification rights arising under any other Bylaw, agreement, vote of directors or stockholders or otherwise and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of such person. Any person seeking indemnification under this Article IV shall be deemed to have met the standard of conduct required for such indemnification unless the contrary shall be established.

 

2.              INSURANCE. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article IV of these Bylaws.

 

3.              DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Article IV, reference to the “corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence has 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 Article IV with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article IV, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this Article IV.

 

ARTICLE V

 

DIVIDENDS

 

1.              DECLARATION. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to applicable provisions of the certificate of incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to applicable law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of capital stock, subject to applicable provisions of the certificate of incorporation.

 

2.              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 its absolute discretion, shall 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

 

15



 

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.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

CORPORATE SEAL

 

The corporate seal shall be in such form as the Board of Directors shall prescribe.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed, and shall be subject to change, by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

AMENDMENTS

 

These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of the stockholders, provided in the case of a meeting of the stockholders that notice of the proposed change was given in the notice of the meeting, provided, however, that, in the case of amendments by stockholders, notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of capital stock of the corporation required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of the capital stock entitled to vote thereon shall be required to alter, amend or repeal any provisions of these Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN ACTIONS

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be a state or federal court located within the state of Delaware.

 

16