UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
November 18, 2008
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| DELAWARE | 1-10962 | 95-3797580 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| 2180 RUTHERFORD ROAD, CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA | 92008-7328 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(760) 931-1771
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below) :
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
| Item 5.03. | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
On November 18, 2008, and effective as of the same date, the Board of Directors of Callaway Golf Company approved amendments to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws (as amended, the “Bylaws”). A summary of the principal amendments to the Bylaws approved by the Board is set forth below.
Article II – Meetings of Stockholders
Section 2.2 (Annual Meeting) of the Bylaws, clause (c), has been amended to clarify that stockholders seeking to nominate directors or propose other business at a meeting must comply with the advance notice provisions set forth in Article II of the Bylaws, as applicable, while stockholders seeking to have a stockholder proposal considered for inclusion in the Company’s annual proxy statement must comply with the notice requirements applicable to stockholder proposals under the federal proxy rules.
Section 2.2(c) of the Bylaws has also been amended to describe information that must be included in a stockholder’s notice of nominations or other business. Among other things, the amendments require a stockholder that intends to propose a nomination or other business to provide information, as of the date of the notice and the record date for the meeting, about any agreement, arrangement or understanding that has the effect or intent of mitigating loss, managing risk or benefiting from changes in the share price of any class of shares of the Company, or increasing or decreasing voting power with respect to shares of the Company, including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares.
Section 2.2(d) of the Bylaws has been added to: (a) require that a stockholder, or the stockholder’s “qualified representative,” appear in person at an annual or special meeting to present a nomination or other business, (b) define what constitutes a “qualified representative” of a stockholder, and (c) give the chairman of the meeting authority to disregard the nomination or other business if the stockholder or its qualified representative does not appear at the meeting.
Section 2.3 (Special Meeting) of the Bylaws has been amended to add an advance notice provision governing special meetings of stockholders, so that stockholders must propose director nominees by the deadlines specified in that section in the event a special meeting of stockholders is called for the purpose of electing directors.
The advance notice deadlines in Section 2.2 (Annual Meeting) remain as set forth in the 2008 Proxy Statement under the caption “Shareholder Proposals.”
The foregoing summary of the amendments is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Company’s Bylaws, as amended and restated effective November 18, 2008, and filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this report and incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit |
Description | |
| 3.1 | Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Callaway Golf Company. | |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY | ||||||
| Date: November 21, 2008 | By: | /s/ Bradley J. Holiday | ||||
| Name: | Bradley J. Holiday | |||||
| Title: | Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||
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EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit |
Description | |
| 3.1 | Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Callaway Golf Company. | |
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Exhibit 3.1
FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
(as Amended and Restated November 18, 2008)
INDEX
| ARTICLE I |
CORPORATE OFFICES |
1 | ||
| 1.1 |
REGISTERED OFFICE |
1 | ||
| 1.2 |
OTHER OFFICES |
1 | ||
| ARTICLE II |
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS |
1 | ||
| 2.1 |
PLACE OF MEETINGS |
1 | ||
| 2.2 |
ANNUAL MEETING |
1 | ||
| 2.3 |
SPECIAL MEETING |
3 | ||
| 2.4 |
NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS |
4 | ||
| 2.5 |
CONDUCT OF MEETING |
4 | ||
| 2.6 |
MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE |
5 | ||
| 2.7 |
QUORUM |
5 | ||
| 2.8 |
ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE |
6 | ||
| 2.9 |
VOTING |
6 | ||
| 2.10 |
WAIVER OF NOTICE |
6 | ||
| 2.11 |
STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT |
6 | ||
| 2.12 |
RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING |
7 | ||
| 2.13 |
PROXIES |
8 | ||
| 2.14 |
LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE |
8 | ||
| 2.15 |
MEETING BY REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS |
9 | ||
| ARTICLE III |
DIRECTORS |
9 | ||
| 3.1 |
POWERS |
9 | ||
| 3.2 |
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS; INDEPENDENCE |
9 | ||
| 3.3 |
ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS |
10 | ||
| 3.4 |
RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES |
10 | ||
| 3.5 |
PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE |
10 | ||
| 3.6 |
REGULAR MEETINGS |
10 | ||
| 3.7 |
SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE |
11 | ||
| 3.8 |
QUORUM |
11 | ||
| 3.9 |
WAIVER OF NOTICE |
11 | ||
| 3.10 |
ADJOURNMENT |
11 | ||
| 3.11 |
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT |
12 | ||
| 3.12 |
BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING |
12 | ||
| 3.13 |
FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS |
12 | ||
| 3.14 |
APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS |
12 | ||
| ARTICLE IV |
COMMITTEES |
12 | ||
| 4.1 |
COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS |
12 | ||
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| 4.2 |
MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES |
13 | ||
| 4.3 |
COMMITTEE MINUTES |
13 | ||
| ARTICLE V |
OFFICERS |
13 | ||
| 5.1 |
OFFICERS |
13 | ||
| 5.2 |
ELECTION OF OFFICERS |
14 | ||
| 5.3 |
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS |
14 | ||
| 5.4 |
REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS |
14 | ||
| 5.5 |
VACANCIES IN OFFICES |
14 | ||
| 5.6 |
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD |
14 | ||
| 5.7 |
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
14 | ||
| 5.8 |
PRESIDENT |
15 | ||
| 5.9 |
VICE PRESIDENTS |
15 | ||
| 5.10 |
SECRETARY |
15 | ||
| 5.11 |
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER |
15 | ||
| ARTICLE VI |
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS |
16 | ||
| 6.1 |
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
16 | ||
| 6.2 |
INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS |
17 | ||
| 6.3 |
INSURANCE |
17 | ||
| ARTICLE VII |
RECORDS AND REPORTS |
17 | ||
| 7.1 |
MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS |
17 | ||
| 7.2 |
INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS |
18 | ||
| 7.3 |
REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS |
18 | ||
| 7.4 |
CERTIFICATION AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS |
18 | ||
| ARTICLE VIII |
GENERAL MATTERS |
18 | ||
| 8.1 |
RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING |
18 | ||
| 8.2 |
CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS |
19 | ||
| 8.3 |
CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS: HOW EXECUTED |
19 | ||
| 8.4 |
STOCK CERTIFICATES; TRANSFER; PARTLY PAID SHARES |
19 | ||
| 8.5 |
SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES |
20 | ||
| 8.6 |
LOST CERTIFICATES |
20 | ||
| 8.7 |
TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS |
20 | ||
| 8.8 |
CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS |
21 | ||
| ARTICLE IX |
AMENDMENTS |
21 | ||
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ARTICLE I
CORPORATE OFFICES
| 1.1 | REGISTERED OFFICE |
The registered office of the corporation shall be fixed in the certificate of incorporation of the corporation.
| 1.2 | OTHER OFFICES |
The board of directors may at any time establish branch or subordinate offices at any place or places where the corporation is qualified to do business.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
| 2.1 | PLACE OF MEETINGS |
Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place within or outside the State of Delaware designated by the board of directors, or if so determined by the board of directors, by means of remote communication as set forth in Section 2.15 below. In the absence of any such designation, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.
| 2.2 | ANNUAL MEETING |
(a) The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year on a date and at a time designated by the board of directors. At the meeting, directors shall be elected, and any other proper business may be transacted.
(b) Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of the corporation and the proposal of business other than nominations to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (i) pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this bylaw, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.2.
(c) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 2.2(b) above, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the corporation and such other business must be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the
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stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement (as defined below) of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; (iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the corporation’s books, and the name and address of such beneficial owner, (B) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are owned of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner as of the date of the notice, and the stockholder’s agreement to notify the corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of the class and number of shares of the corporation owned of record by the stockholder and such beneficial owner as of the record date for the meeting, and (C) a representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination or other business; and (iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice or, alternatively, if the notice is given on behalf of a beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, then as to such beneficial owner: (A) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by such stockholder or beneficial owner as of the date of the notice, and the stockholder’s agreement to notify the corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of the class and number of shares of the corporation beneficially owned by such stockholder or beneficial owner as of the record date for the meeting; (B) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination or other business between or among such stockholder or beneficial owner and any other person, including without limitation any agreements that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Exchange Act Schedule 13D (regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable to the stockholder or beneficial owner) and the stockholder’s agreement to notify the corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting; and (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into as of the date of the stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, such stockholder or beneficial owner, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit from changes in the share price of any class of shares of the corporation, or increase or decrease
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the voting power of the stockholder or beneficial owner with respect to shares of the corporation, and the stockholder’s agreement to notify the corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting. The corporation may require any proposed nominee for director to furnish such other information as the corporation may reasonably request, including such information as would be necessary for the corporation to determine whether the proposed nominee can be considered an independent director. The foregoing notice requirements of this Section 2.2 shall not apply to a stockholder with regard to a stockholder proposal submitted only pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
(d) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.2 shall be eligible to be elected at a shareholders’ meeting to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a shareholders’ meeting as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.2. Except as otherwise provided by law, the board of directors shall have the power and duty 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 the procedures set forth in this Section 2.2. If any proposed nomination or other business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 2.2 (including the provision within the time prescribed of the information described in clause (iii)(A)-(C) and (iv)(A)-(C) above, or if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting to present a nomination or proposed business, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the corporation. For purposes of this Section 2.2, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder (or a reliable reproduction or electronic transmission of the writing) delivered to the corporation prior to the making of such nomination or proposal at such meeting by such stockholder stating that such person is authorized to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders.
(e) For purposes of these bylaws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
| 2.3 | SPECIAL MEETING |
(a) A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the board of directors, or by the chairman of the board, or by the president. No other person or persons are permitted to call a special meeting.
(b) Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors may be made at a special meeting at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the board of directors or
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(ii) provided that the board of directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of record of the corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.3 is delivered to the secretary of the corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election, and who complies with the same notice procedures set forth in Section 2.2 above as for annual meetings. In the event the corporation calls a special meeting for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the board of directors, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by Section 2.2(c) above shall be delivered to the secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation not earlier than the close of business on 90th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement (as defined in Section 2.2(e) above) is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the board of directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement (as defined in Section 2.2(e) above) of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
| 2.4 | NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS |
All notices of meetings of stockholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 2.6 of these bylaws not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. The notice shall specify the place, date, and hour of the meeting and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and (i) in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called (no business other than that specified in the notice may be transacted) or (ii) in the case of the annual meeting, those matters which the board of directors, at the time of giving the notice, intends to present for action by the stockholders (but any proper matter may be presented at the meeting for such action). The notice of any meeting at which directors are to be elected shall include the name of any nominee or nominees who, at the time of the notice, the board intends to present for election.
| 2.5 | CONDUCT OF 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, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the board 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 of record of the corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on
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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. Unless and to the extent determined by the board or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
| 2.6 | MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE |
Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given either personally or by first-class mail or by telefacsimile or by electronic transmission in accordance with Section 232 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware or other written communication. Notices not personally delivered, or sent by telefacsimile or electronic transmission, shall be sent charges prepaid and shall be addressed to the stockholder at the address of that stockholder appearing on the books of the corporation or given by the stockholder to the corporation for the purpose of notice. Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in the mail or sent by telefacsimile or other means of written communication. Notice by electronic transmission shall be deemed given as provided in Section 232 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any stockholders’ meeting, executed by the secretary, assistant secretary or any transfer agent of the corporation giving the notice, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of such notice.
| 2.7 | QUORUM |
The holders of a majority in voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation. If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairman of the meeting or (ii) the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting in accordance with this Section 2.7.
When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which, by express provision of the laws of the State of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of the question.
If a quorum be initially present, the stockholders may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken is approved by a majority of the stockholders initially constituting the quorum.
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| 2.8 | ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE |
When a meeting is adjourned to another time and place, unless these bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof, if any, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders 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 that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
| 2.9 | VOTING |
The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these bylaws, subject to the provisions of Sections 217 and 218 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners, and to voting trusts and other voting agreements).
Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.
| 2.10 | WAIVER OF NOTICE |
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the General Corporation Law of Delaware or of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
| 2.11 | STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT |
(a) Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on that action were present and voted. In the case of election of directors, if the certificate of incorporation so provides, such a consent shall be effective only if signed by the holders of all outstanding shares entitled to vote for the election of directors; provided, however, that a director may be elected at any
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time to fill a vacancy on the board of directors (other than a vacancy created by the removal of a director) that has not been filled by the directors, by the written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote for the election of directors. To be effective, a written consent must be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the books in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this Section 2.11 to the Corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation in accordance with this Section 2.11. Any stockholder giving a written consent, or the stockholder’s proxy holders, may revoke the consent by a writing received by the secretary of the corporation before written consents of the number of shares required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the secretary.
(b) Any electronic transmission consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder or proxyholder, or by a person or persons authorized to act for a stockholder or proxyholder, shall be deemed written, signed and dated for purposes of this Section 2.11, provided that any such electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the corporation can determine: (i) that the electronic transmission was transmitted by the stockholder or proxyholder or by a person or persons authorized to act for the stockholder or proxyholder; and (ii) the date on which such stockholder or proxyholder or authorized person or persons transmitted such electronic transmission. The date on which such electronic transmission is transmitted shall be deemed to be the date on which such consent was signed.
(c) Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in writing may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing for any and all purposes for which the original writing could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire writing.
(d) If the consents of all stockholders entitled to vote have not been solicited in writing, and if the unanimous written consent of all such stockholders shall not have been received, the secretary shall give prompt notice of the corporate action approved by the stockholders without a meeting.
| 2.12 | RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING |
For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting or to vote thereat or entitled to give consent to corporate action without a meeting, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors and which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of any such meeting, nor more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors in the case of an action in writing without a meeting, and in such event only stockholders of record on the date so fixed are entitled to notice and to vote, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date.
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If the board of directors does not so fix a record date, (a) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held, and (b) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action to be taken is delivered to the corporation at its principal place of business or to the corporation’s registered office in Delaware.
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 unless the board of directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the board of directors shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than thirty (30) days from the date set for the original meeting.
The record date for any other purpose shall be as provided in Section 8.1 of these bylaws.
| 2.13 | PROXIES |
Every person entitled to vote for directors, or on any other matter, shall have the right to do so either in person or by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting signed by the person and filed with the secretary of the corporation, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the stockholder’s name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic transmission, telefacsimile or otherwise) by the stockholder or the stockholder’s attorney-in-fact. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212(e) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to this paragraph may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire writing or transmission and that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction was authorized by the stockholder.
| 2.14 | LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE |
The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open
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to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
| 2.15 | MEETING BY REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS |
The board of directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 211(a)(2) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. If authorized by the board of directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the board of directors may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication (a) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and (b) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (i) the corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder; (ii) the corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings; and (iii) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the corporation.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
| 3.1 | POWERS |
Subject to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware and any limitations in the certificate of incorporation and these bylaws relating to action required to be approved by the stockholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the board of directors.
| 3.2 | NUMBER OF DIRECTORS; INDEPENDENCE |
(a) The board of directors shall consist of not less than six (6) nor more than fifteen (15) members, with the exact number within that range to be set from time to time exclusively by resolution of the board of directors.
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(b) A substantial majority of the members of the board of directors shall be independent as determined by the board of directors or as otherwise required by applicable law, regulation or listing standard of the New York Stock Exchange.
| 3.3 | ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS |
Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to hold office until the next annual meeting. Each director, including a director elected or appointed to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until a successor has been elected and qualified.
| 3.4 | RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES |
Any director may resign effective on giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the chairman of the board, the president, the secretary or the board of directors, unless the notice specifies a later time for that resignation to become effective. If the resignation of a director is effective at a future time, the board of directors may elect a successor to take office when the resignation becomes effective.
All vacancies in the board of directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; provided, that whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series may be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected.
| 3.5 | PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE |
Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held at any place within or outside the State of Delaware that has been designated from time to time by resolution of the board. In the absence of such a designation, regular meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation. Special meetings of the board may be held at any place within or outside the State of Delaware that has been designated in the notice of the meeting or, if not stated in the notice or if there is no notice, at the principal executive office of the corporation.
Any meeting, regular or special, may be held by conference telephone or similar communication equipment, so long as all directors participating in the meeting can hear one another; and all such directors shall be deemed to be present in person at the meeting.
| 3.6 | REGULAR MEETINGS |
Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice if the times of such meetings are fixed by the board of directors. If any regular meeting day shall fall on a legal holiday, then the meeting shall be held next succeeding full business day.
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| 3.7 | SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE |
Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairman of the board, the president or any two directors.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic transmission or other form of recorded communication to each director or sent by first-class mail or telefacsimile, charges prepaid, addressed to each director at that director’s address as it is shown on the records of the corporation. If the notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is delivered personally or by telephone or telefacsimile or electronic transmission, it shall be delivered personally or by telephone or telefacsimile or electronic transmission, at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone or telefacsimile or electronic transmission, may be communicated either to the director or to a person at the office of the director who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to the director. The notice need not specify the purpose or the place of the meeting, if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.
| 3.8 | QUORUM |
A majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided in Section 3.10 of these bylaws. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the board of directors, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and other applicable law.
A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.
| 3.9 | WAIVER OF NOTICE |
Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director (i) who signs a waiver of notice or a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof, whether before or after the meeting, or (ii) who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such directors. All such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made part of the minutes of the meeting. A waiver of notice need not specify the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the board of directors.
| 3.10 | ADJOURNMENT |
A majority of the directors present, whether or not constituting a quorum, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.
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| 3.11 | NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT |
Notice of the time and place of holding an adjourned meeting need not be given unless the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours. If the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours, then notice of the time and place of the adjourned meeting shall be given before the adjourned meeting takes place, in the manner specified in Section 3.7 of these bylaws, to the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment.
| 3.12 | BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING |
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the board of directors may be taken without a meeting, provided that all members of the board individually or collectively consent in writing or by electronic transmission to that action. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the board of directors. Such consent and any counterparts thereof shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board.
| 3.13 | FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS |
Directors and members of committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their services and such reimbursement of expenses as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the board of directors. This Section 3.13 shall not be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee or otherwise and receiving compensation for those services.
| 3.14 | APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS |
The corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is a director of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the directors, such loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the board of directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at common law or under any statute.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
| 4.1 | COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS |
The board of directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors, designate one (1) or more committees, each consisting of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the board. The board may designate one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the
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committee. The appointment of members or alternate members of a committee requires the vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors. Any committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the board, but no such committee shall have the power or authority to:
(a) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the Delaware General Corporation Law to be submitted to stockholders for approval; or
(b) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the corporation.
| 4.2 | MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES |
Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these bylaws, Section 3.5 (place of meetings), Section 3.6 (regular meetings), Section 3.7 (special meetings and notice), Section 3.8 (quorum), Section 3.9 (waiver of notice), Section 3.10 (adjournment), Section 3.11 (notice of adjournment), and Section 3.12 (action without meeting), with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members; provided, however, that the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the board of directors or by resolution of the committee, that special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the board of directors, and that notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.
| 4.3 | COMMITTEE MINUTES |
Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when requested.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
| 5.1 | OFFICERS |
The officers of the corporation shall be a chief executive officer, a president, a secretary, and a chief financial officer. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the board of directors, a chairman of the board, one or more vice presidents, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
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| 5.2 | ELECTION OF OFFICERS |
The officers of the corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 or Section 5.5 of these bylaws, shall be chosen by the board, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.
| 5.3 | SUBORDINATE OFFICERS |
The board of directors may appoint, or may empower the chief executive officer or president to appoint, such other officers as the business of the corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the board of directors or such empowered officer may from time to time determine.
| 5.4 | REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS |
Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting of the board or, except in case of an officer chosen by the board of directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the board of directors.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.
| 5.5 | VACANCIES IN OFFICES |
A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in these bylaws for regular appointments to that office.
| 5.6 | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD |
The chairman of the board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if present, preside at meetings of the board of directors and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned by the board of directors or as may be prescribed by these bylaws.
| 5.7 | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
Subject to the control of the board of directors, the chief executive officer shall have general supervision, direction, and control of the business and the officers of the corporation. The chief executive officer shall have such other duties and powers as may be prescribed from time to time by the board of directors or these bylaws.
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| 5.8 | PRESIDENT |
The president shall have such powers and perform such duties as from time to time may be prescribed by these bylaws, the chief executive officer or the board of directors.
| 5.9 | VICE PRESIDENTS |
The vice presidents shall have such powers and perform such duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by these bylaws, the chief executive officer or the board of directors.
| 5.10 | SECRETARY |
The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation or such other place as the board of directors may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of directors, committees of directors and stockholders. The minutes shall show the time and place of each meeting, whether regular or special (and, if special, how authorized and the notice given), the names of those present at directors’ meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at stockholders’ meetings, and the proceedings thereof.
The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the board of directors, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of all stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the board of directors required to be given by law or by these bylaws, shall keep the seal of the corporation, if one be adopted, in safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the chief executive officer, board of directors or by these bylaws.
| 5.11 | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER |
The chief financial officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings, and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director.
The chief financial officer shall deposit all money and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositaries as may be designated by the board of directors. The chief financial officer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, shall render to the president and directors, whenever they request it, an account of all transactions effected as chief financial officer and of the financial condition of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the chief executive officer, board of directors or these bylaws.
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ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS,
OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS
| 6.1 | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
The corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, indemnify any person against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding in which such person was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation. For purposes of this Section 6.1, a “director” or “officer” of the corporation shall mean any person (i) who is or was a director or officer of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was a director or officer of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.
The corporation shall be required to indemnify a director or officer in connection with an action, suit, or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such director or officer only if the initiation of such action, suit, or proceeding (or part thereof) by the director or officer was authorized by the board of directors of the corporation.
The corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by a director or officer of the corporation entitled to indemnification hereunder in defending any action, suit or proceeding referred to in this Section 6.1 in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that payment of expenses incurred by a director or officer of the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay all amounts advanced if it should ultimately be determined that the director of officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 6.1 or otherwise.
This Section shall create a right of indemnification for each person referred to above, whether or not the proceeding to which the indemnification relates arose in whole or in part prior to the adoption of this Section, and in the event of death, such right shall extend to such person’s legal representatives. The rights conferred on any person by this Section shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws, agreement, vote of the stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.
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| 6.2 | INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS |
The corporation shall have the power, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, to indemnify any person (other than directors and officers) against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding, in which such person was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee or agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Section 6.2, an “employee” or “agent” of the corporation (other than a director or officer) shall mean any person (i) who is or was an employee or agent of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was an employee or agent of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.
| 6.3 | 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 or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
ARTICLE VII
RECORDS AND REPORTS
| 7.1 | MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS |
The corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such place or places as designated by the board of directors, keep a record of its stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of shares held by each stockholder, a copy of these bylaws as amended to date, accounting books and other records of its business and properties.
Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders, and its other books and records and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a stockholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in Delaware or at its principal place of business.
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| 7.2 | INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS |
Any director shall have the right to examine (and to make copies of) the corporation’s stock Any director shall have the right to examine (and to make copies of) the corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders and its other books and records for a purpose reasonably related to his or her position as a director.
| 7.3 | REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS |
The chairman of the board, if any, the president, any vice president, the chief financial officer, the secretary or any assistant secretary of this corporation, or any other person authorized by the board of directors or the president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of the stock of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this corporation. The authority herein granted may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.
| 7.4 | CERTIFICATION AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS |
The original or a copy of these bylaws, as amended or otherwise altered to date, certified by the secretary, shall be kept at the corporation’s principal executive office and shall be open to inspection by the stockholders of the corporation, at all reasonable times during office hours.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL MATTERS
| 8.1 | RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING |
For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days before any such action. In that case, only stockholders of record at the close of business on the date so fixed are entitled to receive the dividend, distribution or allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date so fixed, except as otherwise provided in the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
If the board of directors does not so fix a record date, then the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board adopts the applicable resolution.
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| 8.2 | CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS |
From time to time, the board of directors shall determine by resolution which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in the name of or payable to the corporation, and only the persons so authorized shall sign or endorse those instruments.
| 8.3 | CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS: HOW EXECUTED |
The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
| 8.4 | STOCK CERTIFICATES; TRANSFER; PARTLY PAID SHARES |
The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that 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 its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the corporation. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the board of directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates and, upon request, every holder of uncertificated shares, shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the corporation by, the chairman or vice-chairman of the board of directors, or the president or any vice president, and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of such corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile.
In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has 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 or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Certificates for shares shall be of such form and device as the board of directors may designate and shall state the name of the record holder of the shares represented thereby; its number; date of issuance; the number of shares for which it is issued; a summary statement or reference to the powers, designations, preferences or other special rights of such stock and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights, if any; a statement or summary of liens, if any; a conspicuous notice of restrictions upon transfer or registration of transfer, if any; a statement as to any applicable voting trust agreement; if the shares be assessable, or, if assessments are collectible by personal action, a plain statement of such facts.
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Upon surrender to the secretary or transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
The corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, or upon the books and records of the corporation in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.
| 8.5 | SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES |
If the corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations, the preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
| 8.6 | LOST CERTIFICATES |
Except as provided in this Section 8.6, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the corporation and cancelled at the same time. The board of directors may, in case any share certificate or certificate for any other security is lost, stolen or destroyed, authorize the issuance of replacement certificates on such terms and conditions as the board may require; the board may require indemnification of the corporation secured by a bond or other adequate security sufficient to protect the corporation against any claim that may be made against it, including any expense or liability, on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of the replacement certificate.
| 8.7 | TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS |
The board of directors may appoint one or more transfer agents or transfer clerks, and one or more registrars, each of which shall be an incorporated bank or trust company — either domestic or foreign, who shall be appointed at such times and places as the requirements of the corporation may necessitate and the board of directors may designate.
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| 8.8 | CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS |
Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the General Corporation Law of Delaware shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
The original or other bylaws of the corporation may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote or by the board of directors of the corporation. The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power, nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.
Whenever an amendment or new bylaw is adopted, it shall be copied in the book of bylaws with the original bylaws, in the appropriate place. If any bylaw is repealed, the fact of repeal with the date of the meeting at which the repeal was enacted or the filing of the operative written consent(s) shall be stated in said book.
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