Exhibit 2
Form 10-SB
BYLAWS OF
BSP ACQUISITION CORPORATION
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of
the Corporation shall be located at 502 East John Street, town of
Carson City, state of Nevada 89706. The name of its initial
resident agent in the state of Nevada is CSC Services of Nevada,
Inc.
Section 2. Other Offices. Other offices may be
established by the Board of Directors at any place or places,
within or without the State of Nevada, as the Board of Directors
may from time to time determine or the business of the
Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of stockholders
shall be held either at the principal executive office or any
other place within or without the State of Nevada which may be
designated either by the Board of Directors pursuant to authority
hereinafter granted to said Board, or by the written consent of
all stockholders entitled to vote thereat, given either before or
after the meeting and filed with the Secretary of the
Corporation; provided, however, that if no place is designated or
so fixed, stockholder meetings shall be held at the principal
executive office of the Corporation.
Section 2. Annual Meetings. The annual meetings of the
stockholders shall be held each year on a date and a time
designated by the Board of Directors. At the annual meeting of
stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have
been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought
before an annual meeting, business must be specified in the
Notice of Meeting given by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors, otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at
the direction of the Board of Directors or otherwise properly
brought before the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be
properly brought before the annual meeting by a stockholder,
including the nomination of a director, the stockholder must have
given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the
Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be
delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive
offices of the Corporation not more than five business days after
the giving of notice of the date and place of the meeting to the
stockholders. A stockholder's notice to the Secretary shall
inform as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before
the annual meeting (i) a brief
E-6
<PAGE>
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 the
stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class and numbers
of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the
stockholder and (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in
such business. Notwithstanding anything in the Bylaws to the
contrary, no business shall be conducted at the annual meeting
except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
Section. The chairman of the annual meeting shall, if the facts
warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was
not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, and if he should so determine, he
shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not
properly before the meeting shall not be transacted.
Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the
stockholders, for any purpose or purposes whatsoever, may be
called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the President or
by a majority of the Board of Directors, or by such other person
as the Board of Directors may designate.
For business to be properly brought before a special meeting
by a stockholder, including the nomination of a director, the
stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to
the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's
notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the
principal executive offices of the Corporation not more than five
business days after the giving of notice of the date and place of
the meeting to the stockholders. A stockholder's notice to the
Secretary shall inform as to each matter the stockholder proposes
to bring before a special meeting (i) a brief description of the
business desired to be brought before the special meeting and the
reasons for conducting such business at the special meeting, (ii)
the name and record address of the stockholder proposing such
business, (iii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation
which are beneficially owned by the stockholder and (iv) any
material interest of the stockholder in such business.
Section 4. Notice of Stockholders' Meetings. Written
notice of each annual or special meeting signed by the President
or a Vice President, or the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary,
or by such other person or persons as the directors shall
designate, shall be delivered personally to, or shall be mailed
postage prepaid, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote
at such meeting. If mailed, the notice shall be directed to the
stockholder at his address as it appears upon the records of the
Corporation, and service of such notice by mail shall be complete
upon such mailing, and the time of the notice shall begin to run
from the date it is deposited in the mail for transmission to
such stockholder. Personal delivery of any such notice to any
officer of a corporation or association, or to any member of a
partnership, shall constitute delivery of such notice to such
corporation, association or partnership. All such notices shall
be delivered or sent to each stockholder entitled thereto not
less than ten nor more than sixty days before each annual or
special meeting, and shall specify the purpose or purposes for
which the meeting is called, the place, the day and the hour of
such meeting.
Any stockholder may waive notice of any meeting by a writing
signed by him, or his duly authorized attorney, either before or
after the meeting.
E-7
<PAGE>
Section 5. Voting. At all meetings of stockholders,
every stockholder entitled to vote shall have the right to vote
in person or by written proxy the number of shares standing in
his own name on the stock records of the Corporation. There
shall be no cumulative voting. Such vote may be viva voce or
ballot; provided, however, that all elections for directors must
be by ballot upon demand made by a stockholder at any election
and before the voting begins.
Section 6. Quorum. The presence in person or by proxy
of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at
any meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business. The stockholders present at a duly called or held
meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to do business
until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough
stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
Section 7. Ratification and Approval of Actions at
Meetings. Whenever the stockholders entitled to vote at any
meeting consent, either by: (a) A writing on the records of the
meeting or filed with the Secretary; (b) Presence at such meeting
and oral consent entered on the minutes; or (c) Taking part in
the deliberations at such meeting without objection; the doings
of such meeting shall be as valid as if had at a meeting
regularly called and noticed. At such meeting, any business may
be transacted which is not excepted from the written consent or
to the consideration of which no objection for want of notice is
made at the time. If any meeting be irregular for want of notice
or of such consent, provided a quorum was present at such
meeting, the proceedings of the meeting may be ratified and
approved and rendered likewise valid and the irregularity or
defect therein waived by a writing signed by all parties having
the right to vote at such meeting. Such consent or approval of
stockholders may be by proxy or attorney, but all such proxies
and powers of attorney must be in writing.
Section 8. Proxies. At any meeting of the stockholders,
any stockholder may be represented and vote by a proxy or proxies
appointed by an instrument in writing, which instrument shall be
filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. In the event that
any such instrument in writing shall designate two or more
persons to act as proxies, a majority of such persons present at
the meetings, or, if only one shall be present, then that one
shall have and may exercise all of the powers conferred by such
written instrument upon all of the persons so designated unless
the instrument shall otherwise provide. No such proxy shall be
valid after the expiration of six months from the date of its
execution, unless coupled with an interest, or unless the person
executing it specifies therein the length of time for which it is
to continue in force, which in no case shall exceed seven years
from the date of its execution. Subject to the above, any proxy
duly executed is not revoked and continues in full force and
effect until an instrument revoking it or a duly executed proxy
bearing a later date is filed with the Secretary of the
Corporation.
Section 9. Action Without a Meeting. Any action which
may be taken by the vote of stockholders at a meeting, may be
taken without a meeting if authorized by the written consent of
stockholders holding at least a majority of the voting power;
provided that if any greater proportion of voting power is
required for such action at a meeting, then such greater
proportion of written consents shall be required. This general
provision for action by written consent shall not supersede any
specific provision for action by written consent contained in the
Nevada
E-8
<PAGE>
Revised Statutes. In no instance where action is authorized by
written consent need a meeting of stockholders be called or
noticed.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Powers. Incorporation, these Bylaws, and the
provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes as to action to be
authorized or approved by the stockholders, and subject to the
duties of directors as prescribed by these Bylaws, all corporate
powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the
business and affairs of the Corporation must be managed and
controlled by, the Board of Directors. Without prejudice to such
general powers, but subject to the same limitations, it is hereby
expressly declared that the directors shall have the following
powers:
First. To select and remove all officers, agents and
employees of the Corporation, prescribe such powers and duties
for them as may not be inconsistent with law, the Articles of
Incorporation or the Bylaws, fix their compensation and require
from them security for faithful service.
Second. To conduct, manage and control the affairs and
business of the Corporation, and to make such rules and
regulations therefor not inconsistent with law, the Articles of
Incorporation or the Bylaws, as they may deem best.
Third. To change the registered office of the Corporation
in the State of Nevada from one location to another, and the
registered agent in charge thereof, as provided in Article I,
Section 1, hereof; to fix and locate from time to time one or
more subsidiary offices of the Corporation within or without the
State of Nevada, as provided in Article I, Section 2, hereof, to
designate any place within or without the State of Nevada, for
the holding of any stockholders' meeting or meetings; and to
adopt, make and use a corporate seal, and to prescribe the forms
of certificates of stock, and to alter the form of such seal and
of such certificates from time to time, as in their judgment they
may deem best, provided such seal and such certificates shall at
all times comply with the provisions of law.
Fourth. To authorize the issuance of shares of stock of the
Corporation from time to time, upon such terms as may be lawful,
in consideration of cash, services rendered, personal property,
real property or leases thereof, or in the case of shares issued
as a dividend, against amounts transferred from surplus to
capital.
Fifth. To borrow money and incur indebtedness for the
purpose of the Corporation, and to cause to be executed and
delivered therefor, in the corporate name, promissory notes,
bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges,
hypothecations or other evidence of debt and securities therefor.
E-9
<PAGE>
Sixth. To make the Bylaws of the Corporation, subject to
the Bylaws, if any, adopted by the stockholders.
Seventh. To, by resolution or resolutions passed by a
majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees,
each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the
Corporation, which, to the extent provided in the resolution or
resolutions, shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board
of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the
Corporation, and may have power to authorize the seal of the
Corporation to be affixed to all papers on which the Corporation
desires to place a seal. Such committee or committees shall have
such name or names as may be determined from time to time by
resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number and Qualification of Directors. The
number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be not
less than one nor more than fifteen. The first Board shall
consist of one director. Thereafter, within the limits above
specified, the number of directors shall be determined by
resolution of the Board of Directors or by the stockholders at
the annual meeting. All directors must be at least 18 years of
age. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation,
directors need not be stockholders.
Section 3. Election, Classification and Term of Office.
Each director shall be elected at each annual meeting of
stockholders by a plurality of votes cast at the election, but if
for any reason the directors are not elected at the annual
meeting of stockholders, each director may be elected at any
special meeting of stockholders by a plurality of votes cast at
the election.
The Board of Directors shall not be divided into classes and
each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the
next annual meeting of stockholders following the meeting at
which such director was elected and until his successor is
elected and qualified; provided, that the Board of directors may
adopt an amendment in the future dividing the Board of Directors
in to two or more classes on such terms as shall be determined by
resolution of the Board of Directors.
In the event of any decrease in the authorized number of
directors, each director then serving as such shall nevertheless
continue as a director until the expiration of his current term,
or his earlier resignation, removal from office or death.
Section 4. Vacancies. Vacancies in the Board of
Directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors,
though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and
each director so elected shall hold office until his successor is
elected at an annual or a special meeting of the stockholders.
A vacancy or vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be
deemed to exist in case of the death, resignation or removal of
any director, or if the authorized number of directors be
increased.
If the Board of Directors accepts the resignation of a
director tendered to take effect at a future time, the Board or
the stockholder shall have power to elect a successor to take
office
E-10
<PAGE>
when the resignation is to become effective, and such successor
shall hold office during the remainder of the resigning
director's term of office.
Section 5. Place of Meeting. Regular meetings of the
Board of Directors shall be held at any place within or without
the State of Nevada as designated from time to time by resolution
of the Board or by written consent of all members of the Board.
In the absence of such designation regular meetings shall be held
at the principal executive office of the Corporation. Special
meetings of the Board may be held either at a place so designated
or at the principal executive office.
Members of the Board, or any committee designated by the
Board, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by
means of a conference telephone network or a similar
communications method by which all persons participating in the
meeting can hear each other. Such participation shall constitute
presence in person at such meeting. Each person participating in
such meeting shall sign the minutes thereof, which minutes may be
signed in counterparts.
Section 6. Organization Meeting. Immediately following
each annual meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors shall
hold a regular meeting for the purpose of organization, election
of officers, and the transaction of other business. Notice of
such meetings is hereby dispensed with.
Section 7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the
Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at
any time by the Chairman of the Board, President or by any two or
more directors.
Written notice of the time and place of special meetings
shall be delivered personally to the directors or sent to each
director by mail or other form of written communication (such as
by telegraph, Federal Express package, or other similar forms of
written communication), charges prepaid, addressed to him at his
address as it is shown upon the records of the Corporation, or if
it is not so shown on such records or is not readily
ascertainable, at the place in which the meetings of the
directors are regularly held. In case such notice is mailed or
otherwise communicated in writing, it shall be deposited in the
United States mail or delivered to the appropriate delivering
agent at least seventy-two hours prior to the time of the holding
of the meeting. In case such notice is Personally delivered, it
shall be so delivered at least twenty-four hours prior to the
time of the holding of the meeting. Such mailing, personal
delivery or other written communication as above provided shall
be due, legal and personal notice to such director.
Section 8. Notice of Adjournment. Notice of the time
and place of holding an adjourned meeting need not be given to
absent directors if the time and place be fixed at the meeting
adjourned.
Section 9. Ratification and Approval. Whenever all
directors entitled to vote at any meeting consent, either by: (a)
A writing on the records of the meeting or filed with the
Secretary; (b) Presence at such meeting and oral consent entered
on the minutes; or (c) Taking part in the deliberations at such
meeting without objection; the doings of such meeting shall be as
valid as if
E-11
<PAGE>
had at a meeting regularly called and noticed. At such meeting
any business may be transacted which is not excepted from the
written consent or to the consideration of which no objection for
want of notice is made at the time.
If any meeting be irregular for want of notice or of such
consent, provided a quorum was present at such meeting, the
proceedings of the meeting may be ratified and approved and
rendered likewise valid and the irregularity or defect therein
waived by a writing signed by all directors having the right to
vote at such meeting.
Section 10. Action Without a Meeting. 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 a written consent thereto is signed by all the members
of the Board or of such committee. Such written consent shall be
filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.
Section 11. Quorum. A majority of the authorized number
of directors shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business, except to adjourn as hereinafter
provided. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of
the directors present at a meeting duly assembled at which a
quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of
Directors, unless a greater number be required by law or by the
Articles of Incorporation.
Section 12. Adjournment. A quorum of the directors may
adjourn any directors' meeting to meet again at a stated day and
hour provided, however, that in the absence of a quorum, a
majority of the directors present at any directors' meeting,
either regular or special, may adjourn from time to time until a
quorum shall be present.
Section 13. Fees and Compensation. The Board shall have
the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The
directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at
each meeting of the Board and may be paid a fixed sum for
attendance at each meeting of the Board or a stated salary as
director. No such payment shall preclude any director from
serving the Corporation in any other capacity as an officer,
agent, employee or otherwise, and receiving the compensation
therefor. Members of committees may be compensated for attending
committee meetings.
Section 14. Removal. Any director may be removed from
office with or without cause by the vote of stockholders
representing not less than two-thirds of the issued and
outstanding capital stock entitled to voting power.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers. The officers of the Corporation
shall be a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The
Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of
Directors, one or more additional Vice Presidents, one or more
Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant
E-12
<PAGE>
Treasurers, a Chairman of the Board, a chief executive officer,
chief financial officer, and such other officers as may be
appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this
Article. Officers other than the Chairman of the Board need not
be directors. One person may hold two or more offices.
Section 2. Election. The officers of this Corporation,
except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the
provisions of Section 3 or Section 5 of this Article, shall be
chosen annually by the Board of Directors and each shall hold his
office until he shall resign or shall be removed or otherwise
disqualified to serve, or his successor shall be elected and
qualified.
Section 3. Subordinate Officers, Etc. The Board of
Directors may 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 may from
time to time determine.
Section 4. Removal and Resignation. Any officer may be
removed, either with or without cause, by a majority of the
directors at the time in office. Any officer may resign at any
time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors, the
President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such
resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of such
notice or at any later time specified therein; and, unless
otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation
shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 5. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because
of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other
cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws for
regular appointments to such office.
Section 6. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the
Board, if there be such a position, shall preside at all meetings
of the Board of Directors and exercise and perform such other
powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him by
the Board of Directors or prescribed by these Bylaws.
Section 7. President. Subject to such supervisory
powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors to the
Chairman of the Board, the President shall, subject to the
control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision,
direction and control of the business and officers of the
Corporation. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, or if
there be none, he shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors. He
shall be ex officio a member of all committees, including the
executive committee, if any, and shall have the general powers
and duties of management usually vested in the office of
president of a corporation, and shall have such other powers and
duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or by these
Bylaws.
Section 8. Vice-President. In the absence or disability
of the President, the Vice Presidents, in order of their rank as
fixed by the Board of Directors, or if not ranked, the Vice
President designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform all
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. The Vice Presidents shall have such other powers and
perform such other duties as
E-13
<PAGE>
from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the
Board of Directors or these Bylaws.
Section 9. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep, or
cause to be kept, a book of minutes at the principal executive
office or such other place as the Board of Directors may order,
of all meetings of directors, committees and stockholders, with
the time and place of holding, whether regular or special, and if
special, how authorized, the notice thereof given, the names of
those present at directors' and 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 (1) a share register, or a duplicate
share register, revised annually, showing the names of the
stockholders, alphabetically arranged, and their places of
residence, the number and classes of shares held by each, the
number and date of certificates issued for the same, and the
number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered
for cancellation; (2) a copy of the Articles of Incorporation and
all amendments thereto certified by the Secretary of State; and
(3) a copy of the Bylaws and all amendments thereto certified by
the Secretary.
The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of
all the meetings of the stockholders, committees and Board of
Directors required by the Bylaws or by law to be given, and he
shall keep the seal of the Corporation in safe custody, and shall
have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Bylaws.
Section 10. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep and
maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and
correct accounts of the properties and business transactions of
the Corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities,
receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, surplus and
shares. Any surplus, including earned surplus, paid-in surplus
and surplus arising from a reduction of stated capital, shall be
classified according to source and shown in a separate account.
The books of account shall at all times be open to inspection by
any director.
The Treasurer shall deposit all monies and other valuables
in the name and to the credit of the Corporation with such
depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He
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 of his
transactions as Treasurer 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 Board of Directors or
the Bylaws.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1. Record Date and Closing Stock Books. The
Board of Directors may fix a day, not more than sixty (60) days
prior to the holding of any meeting of stockholders, and not
exceeding thirty (30) days preceding the date fixed for the
payment of any dividend or distribution or for the allotment of
rights, or when any change or conversion or exchange of shares
shall go
E-14
<PAGE>
into effect, as a record date for the determination of the
stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any such
meeting, or entitled to receive any such dividend or
distribution, or any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the
rights in respect to any such change, conversion or exchange of
shares, and in such case only stockholders of record on the date
so fixed shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at such
meetings, or to receive such 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 any record date is fixed as aforesaid. The
Board of Directors may close the books of the Corporation against
transfers of shares during the whole or any part of any such
period.
Section 2. Inspection of Corporate Records.
Stockholders shall have the right to inspect such corporate
records at such times and based upon such limitations of such
rights as may be set forth in the Nevada Revised Statutes from
time to time.
Section 3. Checks, Drafts, Etc. All checks, drafts or
other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of
indebtedness, issued in the name of or payable to the
Corporation, shall be signed or endorsed by such person or
persons and in such manner as, from time to time, shall be
determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Contract, Etc., How Executed. The Board of
Directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws may
authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents to enter into
any contract, deed or lease or execute any instrument in the name
of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be
general or confined to specific instances; and unless so
authorized by the Board of Directors, 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
to render it liable for any purpose or to any amount.
Section 5. Certificates of Stock. A certificate or
certificates for certificated shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation shall be issued to each stockholder when any such
shares are fully paid up. All such certificates shall be signed
by the Chairman of the Board, President or a Vice President, and
may be signed by the Treasurer, Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, or be authenticated by facsimiles of their respective
signatures; provided, however, that every certificate
authenticated by a facsimile of a signature must be countersigned
by a transfer agent or transfer clerk, and by a registrar, which
registrar cannot be the Corporation itself.
Certificates for certificated shares may be issued prior to
full payment under such restrictions and for such purposes as the
Board of Directors or the Bylaws may provide; provided, however,
that any such certificate so issued prior to full payment shall
state the amount remaining unpaid and the terms of payment
thereof.
The Board of Directors is hereby authorized, pursuant to the
provisions of Nevada Revised Statutes Section 78.235, to issue
uncertificated shares of some or all of the shares of any or all
of its classes or series.
E-15
<PAGE>
Section 6. Representation of the Shares of Other
Corporation. The President or any Vice President, and the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary, of this Corporation are
authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of this
Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any
other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this
Corporation. The authority herein granted to said officers to
vote or represent on behalf of this Corporation any and all
shares held by this Corporation in any other corporation or
corporations may be exercised either by such officers in person
or by any person authorized so to do by proxy or power of
attorney duly executed by said officers.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Power of Stockholders. New Bylaws may be
adopted or these Bylaws may be amended or repealed by the vote of
stockholders entitled to exercise a majority of the voting power
of the Corporation or by the written assent of such stockholders.
Section 2. Power of Directors. Subject to the right of
stockholders as provided in Section 1 of this Article VI to
adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws, Bylaws may be adopted, amended or
repealed by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 1. Validity of Contracts and Transactions. No
contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more
of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any
other corporation, firm, association, or other organization in
which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or
officers or are financially interested, 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 that authorizes or approves the contract
or transaction, or because their votes are counted for such
purpose, provided that:
(a) the material facts as to his, her, 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 noted in the minutes, and the Board of Directors or
committee, in good faith, authorizes the contract or transaction
in good faith by the affirmative vote of a majority of
disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors
are less than a quorum;
(b) the material facts as to his, her, 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
or ratified in good faith by the majority of shares entitled to
vote, counting the votes of the common or interested directors or
officers; or
E-16
<PAGE>
(c) the contract or transaction is fair as to the
Corporation as of the time it is authorized or approved.
Section 2. Determining Quorum. 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, approves or ratifies the contract or transaction.
ARTICLE VIII
INSURANCE AND OTHER FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance or make
other financial arrangements 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 for any
liability asserted against him and liability and expenses
incurred by him in his capacity as a director, officer, employee
or agent, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not
the Corporation has the authority to indemnify him against such
liability and expenses. The insurance or other financial
arrangements may be provided by the Corporation or by any other
person or entity approved by the Board of Directors including a
subsidiary of the corporation.
Such other financial arrangements made by the Corporation
may include the following:
(a) The creation of a trust fund;
(b) The establishment of a program of self-insurance;
(c) The securing of its obligation of indemnification by
granting a security interest or other lien on any assets of the
Corporation; or
(d) The establishment of a letter of credit, guaranty or
surety. No financial arrangement may provide protection for a
person adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after
exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable for intentional
misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law, except with
respect to the advancement of expenses or indemnification ordered
by a court as provided in Article IX hereof.
ARTICLE IX
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Action Not By Or On Behalf Of Corporation.
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,
administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in
the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or
was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or
is or was serving at the
E-17
<PAGE>
request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement,
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the
action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a
manner 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 no reasonable cause to believe his
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 does not, of itself,
create an presumption that the person did not act in good faith
and in a manner which he 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 conduct was unlawful.
Section 2. Action By Or On Behalf Of Corporation. 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 he 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
expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys'
fees actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with
the defense or settlement of the action or suit if he acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, except that
indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as
to which such a person shall have been adjudged by a court of
competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals
therefrom, to be liable to the Corporation or for amounts paid in
settlement to the Corporation, unless and only to the extent that
the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court
of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that, in
view of all of the circumstances of the case, the person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as
the court deems proper.
Section 3. Successful Defense. To the extent that a
director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation has been
successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action,
suit or proceeding referred to in Section 1 or 2 of this Article
IX, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he must
be indemnified by the Corporation against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the defense.
Section 4. Determination Of Right To Indemnification In
Certain Circumstances. Any indemnification under Section I or 2
of this Article IX, unless ordered by a court or advanced
pursuant to this Article IX, must be made by the Corporation only
as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is
proper in the circumstances. The determination must be made by
the Stockholders, the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a
quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the act,
suit or proceeding, or if a majority vote of a quorum of
directors who were not parties to the act, suit or proceeding so
orders, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or if
a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the act,
suit or proceeding cannot be obtained, by independent legal
counsel in a written opinion.
E-18
<PAGE>
Section 5. Advance Payment of Expenses. Expenses of
officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal
action, suit or proceeding must be paid by the Corporation as
they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the
action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or
on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is
ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that
he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as
authorized in this Article. The provisions of this subsection
(5) of this Article IX shall not affect any rights to advancement
of expenses to which corporate personnel other than directors or
officers may be entitled under any contract or otherwise by law.
Section 6. Not Exclusive.
(a) The indemnification and advancement of expenses
authorized in or ordered by a court pursuant to any other section
of this Article IX or any provision of law:
(i) does not exclude any other rights to which a person
seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be
entitled under the Articles of Incorporation or any statute,
bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors
or otherwise, for either an action in his official capacity or an
action in another capacity while holding his office, except that
indemnification, unless ordered by a court pursuant to subsection
2 of this Article IX or for the advancement of expenses made
pursuant to this Article IX may not be made to or on behalf of
any director or officer if a final adjudication establishes that
his acts or omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a
knowing violation of the law and was material to the cause of
action; and
(ii) continues for a person who has ceased to be a director,
officer, employee or agent and inures to the benefit of the
heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing, the Corporation is
authorized to enter into an agreement with any director, officer,
employee or agent of the Corporation providing indemnification
for such person against expenses, including attorneys' fees,
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement that result from
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative,
including any action by or in the right of the Corporation, that
arises by reason of the fact that such person 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, to the full extent
allowed by law, except that no such agreement shall provide for
indemnification for any actions that constitute intentional
misconduct, fraud, or a knowing violation of law and was material
to the cause of action.
Section 7. Certain Definitions. For the purposes of
this Article IX, (a) any director, officer, employee or agent of
the Corporation who shall serve as a director, officer, employee
or agent of any other corporation, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise of which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, is
or was a stockholder or creditor, or in which the Corporation is
or was in any way interested, or (b) any director, officer,
employee or agent of any subsidiary corporation, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise wholly owned by the Corporation, shall
be deemed to be
E-19
<PAGE>
serving as such director, officer, employee or agent at the
request of the Corporation, unless the Board of Directors of the
Corporation shall determine otherwise. In all other instances
where any person shall serve as director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise of which the Corporation is or was a stockholder or
creditor, or in which it is or was otherwise interested, if it is
not otherwise established that such person is or was serving as
such director, officer, employee or agent at the request of the
Corporation, the Board of Directors of the Corporation may
determine whether such service is or was at the request of the
Corporation, and it shall not be necessary to show any actual or
prior request for such service. For purposes of this Article IX
references to a corporation include all constituent corporations
absorbed in a consolidation or merger as well as the resulting or
surviving corporation so that any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of such a constituent
corporation or is or was serving at the request of such
constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent
of another corporation, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this
Article IX with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation
as he would if he had served the resulting or surviving
corporation in the same capacity. For purposes of this Article
IX, references to "other enterprises" shall include employee
benefit plans; 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, officer, employee, or agent
with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or
beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the
participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall
be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best
interests of the Corporation" as referred to in this Article IX.
E-20
<PAGE>