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Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
OF
AMERIGROUP CORPORATION
A Delaware Corporation
Effective _______ ___, 2000
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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ARTICLE I - OFFICES ....................................................... 1
Section 1. Registered Office ....................................... 1
Section 2. Other Offices ........................................... 1
ARTICLE II - MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS ..................................... 1
Section 1. Place of Meetings ....................................... 1
Section 2. Annual Meetings ......................................... 1
Section 3. Special Meetings ........................................ 2
Section 4. Quorum .................................................. 2
Section 5. Proxies ................................................. 3
Section 6. Voting .................................................. 4
Section 7. Nature of Business at Meetings of Stockholders .......... 4
Section 8. List of Stockholders Entitled
to Vote ........................................... 5
Section 9. Stock Ledger ............................................ 6
Section 10. Record Date ............................................. 6
Section 11 Inspectors of Election .................................. 7
ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS ................................................... 7
Section 1. Number and Election of Directors ........................ 7
Section 2. Nomination of Directors ................................. 7
Section 3. Vacancies ............................................... 9
Section 4. Duties and Powers ....................................... 10
Section 5. Organization ............................................ 10
Section 6. Resignations and Removals of Directors .................. 10
Section 7. Meetings ................................................ 11
Section 8. Quorum .................................................. 11
Section 9. Actions of Board ........................................ 11
Section 10. Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone ............... 12
Section 11. Committees .............................................. 12
Section 12. Compensation ............................................ 12
Section 13. Interested Directors .................................... 13
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
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ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS ..................................................... 13
Section 1. General ................................................. 13
Section 2. Election ................................................ 14
Section 3. Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation .............. 14
Section 4. Chairman of the Board of Directors ...................... 14
Section 5. President ............................................... 15
Section 6. Vice Presidents ......................................... 15
Section 7. Secretary ............................................... 16
Section 8. Treasurer ............................................... 16
Section 9. Assistant Secretaries ................................... 17
Section 10. Assistant Treasurers .................................... 17
Section 11. Other Officers .......................................... 18
ARTICLE V - STOCK ......................................................... 18
Section 1. Form of Certificates .................................... 18
Section 2. Signatures .............................................. 18
Section 3. Lost, Destroyed, Stolen or Mutilated Certificates ....... 18
Section 4. Transfers ............................................... 19
Section 5. Transfer and Registry Agents ............................ 19
Section 6. Beneficial Owners ....................................... 19
ARTICLE VI - NOTICES ...................................................... 20
Section 1. Notices ................................................. 20
Section 2. Waivers of Notice ....................................... 20
ARTICLE VII - GENERAL PROVISIONS .......................................... 20
Section 1. Dividends ............................................... 20
Section 2. Disbursements ........................................... 21
Section 3. Fiscal Year ............................................. 21
Section 4. Corporate Seal .......................................... 21
ARTICLE VIII - INDEMNIFICATION ............................................ 21
Section 1. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings Other
than Those by or in the Right of the Corporation ........ 21
Section 2. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings by or
in the Right of the Corporation ................... 22
Section 3. Authorization of Indemnification ........................ 23
Section 4. Good Faith Defined ...................................... 23
Section 5. Indemnification by a Court .............................. 24
Section 6. Expenses Payable in Advance ............................. 24
Section 7. Nonexclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of
Expenses .......................................... 25
Section 8. Insurance ............................................... 25
Section 9. Certain Definitions ..................................... 25
Section 10. Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses . 26
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
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Section 11. Limitation on Indemnification ........................... 26
Section 12. Indemnification of Employees and Agents ................. 26
ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS ................................................... 27
Section 1. Amendments .............................................. 27
Section 2. Entire Board of Directors ............................... 27
</TABLE>
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AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
OF
AMERIGROUP CORPORATION
(hereinafter called the "Corporation")
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the
Corporation shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of
Delaware.
Section 2. Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at
such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the Board
of Directors may from time to time determine.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders for the
election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such time and
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated
from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the
meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section 2. Annual Meetings. The annual meetings of stockholders
shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to
time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which
meetings the stockholders shall elect directors, and transact such other
business as may properly be brought before the meeting. Written notice of the
annual meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to
each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten nor more
than sixty days before the date of the meeting.
Section 3. Special Meetings. Unless otherwise prescribed by law or
by the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and restated
from time to time (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), special meetings of
stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called by either (i) the
Chairman of the Board of Directors, (ii) the President, or (iii) the
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Board of Directors. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the
proposed meeting. At a special meeting of the stockholders, only such business
shall be conducted as shall be specified in the notice of meeting (or any
supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors.
Written notice of a special meeting stating the place, date and hour of the
meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be
given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting
to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.
Section 4. Quorum. Except as otherwise required by law or by the
Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority of the capital 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. A quorum, once established, shall
not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum. If,
however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the
stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or
represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time,
without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be
present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be
present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. If the adjournment is for more
than thirty 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 entitled to vote at the meeting not less than ten nor more than
sixty days before the date of the meeting.
Section 5. Proxies. Any stockholder entitled to vote may do so in
person or by his or her proxy appointed by an instrument in writing subscribed
by such stockholder or by his or her attorney thereunto authorized, delivered to
the Secretary of the meeting; provided, however, that no proxy shall be voted or
acted upon after three years from its date, unless said proxy provides for a
longer period. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize
another person or persons to act for him or her as proxy, either of the
following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such
authority:
(1) A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing
another person or persons to act for him or her as proxy. Execution may be
accomplished by the stockholder or his or her authorized officer,
director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing his or her
signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means,
including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.
(2) A stockholder may authorize another person or
persons to act for him or her as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the
transmission of a telegram or other means of electronic transmission to
the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation
firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by
the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such
transmission, provided that any such telegram or other means of electronic
transmission must either set forth or be submitted with
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information from which it can be determined that the telegram or other
electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder.
Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the
writing or transmission authorizing another person or persons to act as proxy
for a stockholder 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 telecommunication
or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original
writing or transmission.
Section 6. Voting. At all meetings of the stockholders at which a
quorum is present, except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these By-Laws, any question brought before any meeting of
stockholders shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the total number of votes of the capital stock present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such question, voting as a single
class. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, or the officer of the
Corporation presiding at a meeting of stockholders, in his or her discretion,
may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.
Section 7. Nature of Business at Meetings of Stockholders. No
business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than
business that is either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any
supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or
any duly authorized committee thereof), (b) otherwise properly brought before
the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly
authorized committee thereof) or (c) otherwise properly brought before the
annual meeting by any stockholder of the Company (i) who is a stockholder of
record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 7
and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at
such annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth
in this Section 7.
In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be
properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder
must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of
the Company.
To be timely, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must be
delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the
Company not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to
the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of
stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is
called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such
anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so
received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following
the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or
such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever
first occurs.
To be in proper written form, a stockholder's notice to the
Secretary must set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring
before the annual meeting (i) a brief
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description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and
the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name
and record address of such stockholder, (iii) the class or series and number of
shares of capital stock of the Company which are owned beneficially or of record
by such stockholder, (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings
between such stockholder and any other person or persons (including their names)
in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and any
material interest of such stockholder in such business and (v) a representation
that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual
meeting to bring such business before the meeting.
No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders
except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 7, provided, however, that, once business
has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such
procedures, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by
any stockholder of any such business. If the Chairman of an annual meeting
determines that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in
accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the
meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such
business shall not be transacted.
Section 8. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The officer of the
Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare
and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete
list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in
alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number
of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to
the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting,
during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the
meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held,
which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not 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 of the Corporation who is
present.
Section 9. Stock Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall
be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the
stock ledger, the list required by Section 8 of this Article II or the books of
the Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of
stockholders.
Section 10. Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine
the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders
or any adjournment thereof, or 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 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: (1) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any
meeting of stockholders or adjournment thereof, shall not be more than sixty nor
less than ten days before the date of such meeting; and (2) in the case of any
other action, shall not be more than sixty days prior to such other action. If
no record date is
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fixed: (1) 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; and (2) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose
shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors
adopts the resolution relating thereto. A determination of stockholders of
record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply
to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of
Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
Section 11. Inspectors of Election. In advance of any meeting of
stockholders, the Board by resolution or the Chairman or President shall appoint
one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting and make a written
report thereof. One or more other persons may be designated as alternate
inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or
alternate is present, ready and willing to act at a meeting of stockholders, the
Chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the
meeting. Unless otherwise required by law, inspectors may be officers, employees
or agents of the Corporation. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge
of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the
duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or
her ability. The inspector shall have the duties prescribed by law and shall
take charge of the polls and, when the vote is completed, shall make a
certificate of the result of the vote taken and of such other facts as may be
required by law.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Number and Election of Directors. The Board of Directors
shall consist of not less than three nor more than thirteen members, the exact
number of which shall be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by
the Board of Directors. Except as provided in Section 3 of this Article III,
directors shall be elected by the stockholders at the annual meetings of
stockholders, and each director so elected shall hold office until such
director's successor is duly elected and qualified, or until such director's
death, or until such director's earlier resignation or removal. Directors need
not be stockholders.
Section 2. Nomination of Directors. Only persons who are nominated
in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as
directors of the Company, except as may be otherwise provided in the Certificate
of Incorporation with respect to the right of holders of preferred stock of the
Corporation to nominate and elect a specified number of directors in certain
circumstances. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may
be made at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of
stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, (a) by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof)
or (b) by any stockholder of the Company (i) who is a stockholder of record on
the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2 and on the
record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such
meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this
Section 2.
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In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination
to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice
thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Company.
To be timely, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must be
delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the
Company (a) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than sixty (60) days nor
more than ninety (90) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately
preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event
that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days
before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be
timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth
(10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual
meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting
was made, whichever first occurs; and (b) in the case of a special meeting of
stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the
close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of
the date of the special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of
the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
To be in proper written form, a stockholder's notice to the
Secretary must set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to
nominate for election as a director (i) the name, age, business address and
residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of
the person, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of
the Company which are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (iv) any
other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed
in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with
solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the
notice (i) the name and record address of such stockholder, (ii) the class or
series and number of shares of capital stock of the Company which are owned
beneficially or of record by such stockholder, (iii) a description of all
arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and each proposed
nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to
which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder, (iv) a
representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at
the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (v) any other
information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed
in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with
solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice
must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named
as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.
No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the
Company unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
Section 2. If the Chairman of the meeting determines that a nomination was not
made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to
the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination
shall be disregarded.
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Section 3. Vacancies. Subject to the terms of any one or more
classes or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors that
results from an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority
of the directors then in office, provided that a quorum is present, and any
other vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of
the Board of Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole
remaining director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any
one or more class or classes or series of preferred stock of the Corporation
shall have the right, voting separately as a class, to elect directors at an
annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling
of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the
Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 4. Duties and Powers. The business of the Corporation shall
be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors which may
exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and
things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these
By-Laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 5. Organization. At each meeting of the Board of Directors,
the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or, in his or her absence, a director
chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as Chairman. The
Secretary of the Corporation shall act as Secretary at each meeting of the Board
of Directors. In case the Secretary shall be absent from any meeting of the
Board of Directors, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of Secretary
at such meeting; and in the absence from any such meeting of the Secretary and
all the Assistant Secretaries, the Chairman of the meeting may appoint any
person to act as Secretary of the meeting.
Section 6. Resignations and Removals of Directors. Any director of
the Corporation may resign at any time, by giving written notice to the Chairman
of the Board of Directors, the President or the Secretary of the Corporation.
Such resignation shall take effect at the time therein specified or, if no time
is specified, immediately; and, unless otherwise specified in such notice, the
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights, if any, of the
holders of shares of preferred stock then outstanding, any director or the
entire Board of Directors may be removed from office at any time, with or
without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority in
voting power of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Corporation
entitled to vote in the election of directors.
Section 7. Meetings. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may
hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of
Delaware. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such time
and at such place as may from time to time be determined by the Board of
Directors and, unless required by resolution of the Board of Directors, without
notice. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman
of the Board of Directors, the Vice Chairman, if there be one, or a majority of
the directors then in office. Notice thereof stating the place, date and hour of
the meeting shall be given to each director either by mail not less than
forty-eight (48) hours before the date of the meeting, by telephone, facsimile
or telegram on twenty-four (24) hours' notice, or on such shorter
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notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or
appropriate in the circumstances.
Section 8. Quorum. Except as may be otherwise required by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, at all meetings of the Board of
Directors, a majority of the entire Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors
present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board
of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of
Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to
time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting of the time and
place of the adjourned meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section 9. Actions of Board. Unless otherwise provided by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, any action required or permitted
to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof
may be taken without a meeting, if all the members of the Board of Directors or
committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or
writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or
committee.
Section 10. Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone. Unless
otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, members
of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or any committee designated by the
Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or
such committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 10 shall
constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 11. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution
passed by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, designate one or more
committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the
Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as
alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified
member at any meeting of any such committee. In the absence or disqualification
of a member of a committee, and in the absence of a designation by the Board of
Directors of an alternate member to replace the absent or disqualified member,
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 absent or disqualified member. Any committee, to the extent permitted by law
and provided in the resolution establishing such committee, shall have and may
exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the
management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Each committee shall
keep regular minutes and report to the Board of Directors when required.
Section 12. Compensation. The directors may be paid their expenses,
if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid
a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated
salary, or such other emoluments as the
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Board of Directors shall from time to time determine. No such payment shall
preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and
receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may
be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.
Section 13. Interested Directors. No contract or transaction between
the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the
Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other
organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or
officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for
this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or
participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which
authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because such person's or their
votes are counted for such purpose if (i) the material facts as to such person's
or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are
disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board
of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction
by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even
though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or (ii) the material
facts as to such person's or their relationship or interest and as to the
contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled
to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in
good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is
fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or
ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or the stockholders.
Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a
quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes
the contract or transaction.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1. General. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen
by the Board of Directors and shall be a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer.
The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may also choose a Chairman of the
Board of Directors (who must be a director) and one or more Vice Presidents,
Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and other officers. Any number of
offices may be held by the same person, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws. The officers of the Corporation
need not be stockholders of the Corporation nor, except in the case of the
Chairman of the Board of Directors, need such officers be directors of the
Corporation.
Section 2. Election. The Board of Directors at its first meeting
held after each Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall elect the officers of the
Corporation who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such
powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the
Board of Directors; and all officers of the Corporation shall hold office until
their successors are chosen and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or
removal. Any officer elected by the Board of Directors may be removed at any
time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. Any
vacancy occurring in any office of
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the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors. The salaries of all
officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation. Powers of
attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents and other instruments
relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of
and on behalf of the Corporation by the President or any Vice President and any
such officer may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such
action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at
any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may
own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and
all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as
the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed if
present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to time confer
like powers upon any other person or persons.
Section 4. Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the
Board of Directors, if there be one, shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of
Directors shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation unless
otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, and except where by law the
signature of the President is required, the Chairman of the Board of Directors
shall possess the same power as the President to sign all contracts,
certificates and other instruments of the Corporation which may be authorized by
the Board of Directors. During the absence or disability of the President, the
Chairman of the Board of Directors shall exercise all the powers and discharge
all the duties of the President. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall
also perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as from time
to time may be assigned to him or her by these By-Laws or by the Board of
Directors.
Section 5. President. The President shall, subject to the control of
the Board of Directors and, if there be one, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, have general supervision of the business of the Corporation and shall
see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into
effect. The President shall execute all bonds, mortgages, contracts and other
instruments of the Corporation requiring a seal, under the seal of the
Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed
and executed and except that the other officers of the Corporation may sign and
execute documents when so authorized by these By-Laws, the Board of Directors or
the President. In the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, or if there be none, the President shall preside at all meetings of
the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The President shall also perform
such other duties and may exercise such other powers as from time to time may be
assigned to him or her by these By-Laws or by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Vice Presidents. At the request of the President or in
his or her absence or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act
(and if there be no Chairman of the Board of Directors), the Vice President or
the Vice Presidents if there is more than one (in the order designated by the
Board of Directors) shall perform the duties of the President, and when so
acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon
the President. Each Vice President shall perform such other duties and have such
other powers as the Board of
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Directors from time to time may prescribe. If there be no Chairman of the Board
of Directors and no Vice President, the Board of Directors shall designate the
officer of the Corporation who, in the absence of the President or in the event
of the inability or refusal of the President to act, shall perform the duties of
the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject
to all the restrictions upon the President.
Section 7. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the
Board of Directors and all meetings of stockholders and record all the
proceedings thereat in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; the
Secretary shall also perform like duties for the standing committees when
required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings
of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall
perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or
President, under whose supervision the Secretary shall be. If the Secretary
shall be unable or shall refuse to cause to be given notice of all meetings of
the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and if there be
no Assistant Secretary, then either the Board of Directors or the President may
choose another officer to cause such notice to be given. The Secretary shall
have custody of the seal of the Corporation and the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary, if there be one, shall have authority to affix the same to any
instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by the signature
of the Secretary or by the signature of any such Assistant Secretary. The Board
of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal
of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his or her signature. The
Secretary shall see that all books, reports, statements, certificates and other
documents and records required by law to be kept or filed are properly kept or
filed, as the case may be.
Section 8. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the
corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of
receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall
deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of
the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of
Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be
ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such
disbursements, and shall render to the President and the Board of Directors, at
its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of
all transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.
If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the Corporation
a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to
the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of the office
of Treasurer and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of the
Treasurer's death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books,
papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in the Treasurer's
possession or under control of the Treasurer belonging to the Corporation.
Section 9. Assistant Secretaries. Except as may be otherwise
provided in these By-Laws, Assistant Secretaries, if there be any, shall perform
such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by
the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President, if there be one, or
the Secretary, and in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his or her
disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the Secretary, and
when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the
restrictions upon the Secretary.
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Section 10. Assistant Treasurers. Assistant Treasurers, if there be
any, shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be
assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President,
if there be one, or the Treasurer, and in the absence of the Treasurer or in the
event of the Treasurer's disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties
of the Treasurer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the Treasurer. If required by the Board of
Directors, an Assistant Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum
and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of
Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of the office of Assistant
Treasurer and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of the Assistant
Treasurer's death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books,
papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in the Assistant
Treasurer's possession or under control of the Assistant Treasurer belonging to
the Corporation.
Section 11. Other Officers. Such other officers as the Board of
Directors may choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time
to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors may delegate to any other officer of the Corporation, and the Chairman
of the Board shall have, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the power to
choose such other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers.
ARTICLE V
STOCK
Section 1. Form of Certificates. Every holder of stock in the
Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed, in the name of the
Corporation, (i) by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or a
Vice President and (ii) by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, certifying the number of
shares owned by such holder of stock in the Corporation.
Section 2. Signatures. Any or all of the signatures on a 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 such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of
issue.
Section 3. Lost, Destroyed, Stolen or Mutilated Certificates. The
Board of Directors may direct a new certificate to be issued in place of any
certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person
claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When
authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the Board of Directors may, in its
discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the
owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such person's legal
representative, to advertise the same in such manner as the Board of Directors
shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may
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direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation
with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Transfers. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable
in the manner prescribed by law and in these By-Laws. Transfers of stock shall
be made on the books of the Corporation only by the person named in the
certificate or by such person's attorney lawfully constituted in writing and
upon the surrender of the certificate therefor, properly endorsed for transfer
and payment of all necessary transfer taxes; provided, however, that such
surrender and endorsement or payment of taxes shall not be required in any case
in which the officers of the Corporation shall determine to waive such
requirement. Every certificate exchanged, returned or surrendered to the
Corporation shall be marked "Cancelled," with the date of cancellation, by the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or the transfer agent
thereof. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any
purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation
by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.
Section 5. Transfer and Registry Agents. The Corporation may from
time to time maintain one or more transfer offices or agencies and registry
offices or agencies at such place or places as may be determined from time to
time by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Beneficial Owners. The Corporation shall be entitled to
recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner
of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable
for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of
shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or
interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not
it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by
law.
ARTICLE VI
NOTICES
Section 1. Notices. Whenever written notice is required by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, to be given to any director,
member of a committee or stockholder, such notice may be given by mail,
addressed to such director, member of a committee or stockholder, at such
person's address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage
thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when
the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Written notice may also
be given personally or by telegram, facsimile, telex or cable.
Section 2. Waivers of Notice.
(a) Whenever any notice is required by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these By-Laws, to be given to any director, member of a
committee or stockholder, a waiver thereof in writing, signed, by the person or
persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated
therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a
meeting, present by person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a waiver of
notice of such meeting,
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except where the person 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.
(b) Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose
of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of
a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice
unless so required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws.
ARTICLE VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Dividends. Subject to the requirements of the GCL and the
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, dividends upon the capital stock
of the Corporation may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or
special meeting of the Board of Directors, and may be paid in cash, in property,
or in shares of the Corporation's capital stock. 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, deems proper as a reserve or reserves to meet
contingencies, or for purchasing any of the shares of capital stock, warrants,
rights, options, bonds, debentures, notes, scrip or other securities or
evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation, or for equalizing dividends, or
for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for any other
proper purpose, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such
reserve.
Section 2. Disbursements. All checks or demands for money and notes
of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other
person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
Section 3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation
shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed
thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words
"Corporate Seal, Delaware". The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile
thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings Other
than Those by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 3 of this
Article VIII, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party
or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
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administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the
Corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or
officer of the Corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the
Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, such person
had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The
termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,
conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of
itself, create a presumption that such person did not act in good faith and in a
manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was
unlawful.
Section 2. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings by or
in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 3 of this Article VIII, the
Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in
the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the
fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is
or was a director or officer of the Corporation serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise,
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by
such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit
if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation;
except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or
matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the
court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application
that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances
of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Section 3. Authorization of Indemnification. Any indemnification
under this Article VIII (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the
Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances
because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in
Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article VIII, as the case may be. Such
determination shall be made (i) by a majority vote of the directors who are not
parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or
(ii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iii) by the stockholders. To
the extent, however, that a director or officer of the Corporation has been
successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding described above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein,
such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys'
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fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith,
without the necessity of authorization in the specific case.
Section 4. Good Faith Defined. For purposes of any determination
under Section 3 of this Article VIII, a person shall be deemed to have acted in
good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe his or
her conduct was unlawful, if such person's action is based on the records or
books of account of the Corporation or another enterprise, or on information
supplied to such person by the officers of the Corporation or another enterprise
in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the
Corporation or another enterprise or on information or records given or reports
made to the Corporation or another enterprise by an independent certified public
accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by
the Corporation or another enterprise. The term "another enterprise" as used in
this Section 4 shall mean any other corporation or any partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which such person
is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent. The provisions of this Section 4 shall not be deemed to be
exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstances in which a person may be
deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 or
2 of this Article VIII, as the case may be.
Section 5. Indemnification by a Court. Notwithstanding any contrary
determination in the specific case under Section 3 of this Article VIII, and
notwithstanding the absence of any determination thereunder, any director or
officer may apply to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or any other
court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware for indemnification to
the extent otherwise permissible under Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII.
The basis of such indemnification by a court shall be a determination by such
court that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the
circumstances because such person has met the applicable standards of conduct
set forth in Section 1 or 2 of this Article VIII, as the case may be. Neither a
contrary determination in the specific case under Section 3 of this Article VIII
nor the absence of any determination thereunder shall be a defense to such
application or create a presumption that the director or officer seeking
indemnification has not met any applicable standard of conduct. Notice of any
application for indemnification pursuant to this Section 5 shall be given to the
Corporation promptly upon the filing of such application. If successful, in
whole or in part, the director or officer seeking indemnification shall also be
entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such application.
Section 6. Expenses Payable in Advance. Expenses incurred by a
director or officer in defending or investigating a threatened or pending
action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the
final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if
it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be
indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article VIII.
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Section 7. Nonexclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of
Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted
pursuant to this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights
to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be
entitled under the Certificate of Incorporation or any By-Law, agreement,
contract, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or pursuant to the
direction (howsoever embodied) of any court of competent jurisdiction or
otherwise, both as to action in such person's official capacity and as to action
in another capacity while holding such office, it being the policy of the
Corporation that indemnification of the persons specified in Section 1 and 2 of
this Article VIII shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law. The
provisions of this Article VIII shall not be deemed to preclude the
indemnification of any person who is not specified in Section 1 or 2 of this
Article VIII but whom the Corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify
under the provisions of the GCL, or otherwise.
Section 8. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the
Corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the Corporation serving at
the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or
other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred
by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person's status as
such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to
indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this
Article VIII.
Section 9. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII,
references 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 had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its
directors or officers, so that any person who is or was a director or officer of
such constituent corporation, or is or was a director or officer of such
constituent corporation serving at the request of such constituent corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall stand in
the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the
resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to
such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. For
purposes of this Article VIII, references to "fines" shall include any excise
taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and
references to "serving at the request of the Corporation" shall include any
service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with
respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a
person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person 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 VIII.
Section 10. Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant
to, this Article VIII shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or
ratified, continue as to a person who has
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ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a person.
Section 11. Limitation on Indemnification. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Article VIII to the contrary, except for proceedings to
enforce rights to indemnification (which shall be governed by Section 5 hereof),
the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any director or officer (or
his or her heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives) or advance
expenses in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such
person unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to
by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
Section 12. Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The Corporation
may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors,
provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to
employees and agents of the Corporation similar to those conferred in this
Article VIII to directors and officers of the Corporation.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments. These By-Laws may be altered, amended or
repealed, in whole or in part, or new By-Laws may be adopted by the Board of
Directors or by the stockholders as provided in the Certificate of
Incorporation.
Section 2. Entire Board of Directors. As used in this Article IX and
in these By-Laws generally, the term "entire Board of Directors" means the total
number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.
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