BY-LAWS
of
Community Home Mortgage Corporation
ARTICLE I -OFFICES
The principal office of the corporation shall be in the City of
Melville County of Suffolk State of New York. The corporation may also have
offices at such other places within or without the State of New York as the
board may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may
require.
ARTICLE II - SHAREHOLDERS
1. PLACE OF MEETINGS.
Meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal office of the
corporation or at such place within or without the State of New York as the
board shall authorize.
2. ANNUAL MEETING.
The annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held on the 30th day of
March at 10:00 A.M. in each year if not a legal holiday, and, if a legal
holiday, then on the next business day following at the same hour, when the
shareholders shall elect a board and transact such other business as may
properly come before the meeting.
3. SPECIAL MEETINGS.
Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board or by
the president and shall be called by the president or the secretary at the
request in writing of a majority of the board or at the request in writing by
shareholders owning a majority in amount of the shares issued and outstanding.
Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.
Business transacted at a special meeting shall be confined to the purposes
stated in the notice.
4. FIXING RECORD DATE.
For the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of
or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or to
express consent to or dissent from any proposal without a meeting, or for the
purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend
or the allotment of any rights, or for the purpose of any other action, the
board shall fix, in advance, a date as the record date for any such
determination of shareholders. Such date shall not be more than fifty nor less
than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than fifty days prior to
any other action. If no record date is fixed it shall be determined in
accordance with the provisions of law.
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5. NOTICE OF MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS.
Written notice of each meeting of shareholders shall state the purpose
or purposes for which the meeting is called, the place, date and hour of the
meeting and unless it is the annual meeting, shall indicate that it is being
issued by or at the direction of the person or persons calling the meeting.
Notice shall be given either personally or by mail to each shareholder entitled
to vote at such meeting, not less than ten nor more than fifty days before the
date of the meeting. If action is proposed to be taken that might entitle
shareholders to payment for their shares, the notice shall include a statement
of that purpose and to that effect. If mailed, the notice is given when
deposited in the United States mail, with postage thereon prepaid, directed to
the shareholder at his address as it appears on the record of shareholders, or,
if he shall have filed with the secretary a written request that notices to him
be mailed to some other address, then directed to him at such other address.
6. WAIVERS.
Notice of meeting need not be given to any shareholder who signs a
waiver of notice, in person or by proxy, whether before or after the meeting.
The attendance of any shareholder at a meeting, in person or by proxy, without
protesting prior to the conclusion of the meeting the lack of notice of such
meeting, shall constitute a waiver of notice by him.
7. QUORUM OF SHAREHOLDERS.
Unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, the holders
of a majority of the shares entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum
at a meeting of shareholders for the transaction of any business, provided that
when a specified item of business is required to be voted on by a class or
classes, the holders of a majority of the shares of such class or classes shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of such specified item of business.
When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken
by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders.
The shareholders present may adjourn the meeting despite the absence of
a quorum.
8. PROXIES.
Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholder s or to
express consent or dissent without a meeting may authorize another person or
persons to act for him by proxy.
Every proxy must be signed by the shareholder or his attorney-in-fact.
No proxy shall be valid after expiration of eleven months from the date thereof
unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the
pleasure of the shareholder executing it, except as otherwise provided by law.
9. QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS.
Every shareholder of record shall be entitled at every meeting of
shareholders to one vote for every share standing in his name on the record of
shareholders, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation.
10. VOTE OF SHAREHOLDERS.
Except as otherwise required by statute or by the certificate of
incorporation;
(a) directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a
meeting of shareholders by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the
election;
(b) all other corporate action shall be authorized by a majority of the
votes cast.
11. WRITTEN CONSENT OF SHAREHOLDERS.
Any action that may be taken by vote may be taken without a meeting on
written consent, setting forth the action so taken, signed by the holders of all
the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon or signed by such lesser number
of holders as may be provided for in the certificate of incorporation.
ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS
1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Subject to any provision in the certificate of incorporation the
business of the corporation shall be managed by its board of directors, each of
whom shall be at least l8 years of age.
2. NUMBER OF DIRECTORS.
The number of directors shall be not less than one nor more than five
as determined by the board of directors.
3. ELECTION AND TERM OF DIRECTORS.
At each annual meeting of shareholders, the shareholders shall elect
directors to hold office until the next annual meeting. Each director shall hold
office until the expiration of the term for which he is elected and until his
successor has been elected and qualified, or until his prior resignation or
removal.
4. NEWLY CREATED DIRECTORSHIPS AND VACANCIES.
Newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of
directors and vacancies occurring in the board for any reason except the removal
of directors without cause may be filled by a vote of a majority of the
directors then in office, although less than a quorum exists, unless otherwise
provided in the certificate of incorporation. Vacancies occurring by reason of
the removal of directors without cause shall be filled by vote of the
shareholders unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation. A
director elected to fill a vacancy caused by resignation, death or removal shall
be elected to hold office for the unexpired term of his predecessor.
5. REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.
Any or all of the directors may be removed for cause by vote of the
shareholders or by action of the board. Directors may be removed without cause
only by vote of the shareholders.
6. RESIGNATION.
A director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
board, the president or the secretary of the corporation. Unless otherwise
specified in the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof
by the board or such officer, and the acceptance of the resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective.
7. QUORUM OF DIRECTORS.
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, a
majority of the entire board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business or of any specified item of business.
8. ACTION OF THE BOARD.
Unless otherwise required by law, the vote of a majority of the
directors present at the time of the vote, if a quorum is present at such time,
shall be the act of the board. Each director present shall have one vote
regardless of the number of shares, if any, which he may hold.
9. PLACE AND TIME OF BOARD MEETINGS.
The board may hold its meetings at the office of the corporation or at
such other places, either within or without the State of New York, as it may
from time to time determine.
10. REGULAR ANNUAL MEETING.
A regular annual meeting of the board shall be held immediately
following the annual meeting of shareholders at the place of such annual meeting
of shareholders.
11. NOTICE OF MEETINGS OF THE BOARD, ADJOURNMENT.
(a) Regular meetings of the board may be held without notice at such
time and place as it shall from time to time determine. Special meetings of the
board shall be held upon notice to the directors and may be called by the
president upon three days notice to each director either personally or by mail
or by wire; special meetings shall be called by the president or by the
secretary in a like manner on written request of two directors. Notice of a
meeting need not be given to any director who submits a waiver of notice whether
before or after the meeting or who attends the meeting without protesting prior
thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to him.
(b) A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is
present, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place. Notice of the
adjournment shall be given all directors who were absent at the time of the
adjournment and, unless such time and place are announced at the meeting, to the
other directors.
12. CHAIRMAN.
At all meetings of the board the president, or in his absence, a
chairman chosen by the board shall preside.
13. EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES.
The board, by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board, may
designate from among its members an executive committee and other committees,
each consisting of three or more directors. Each such committee shall serve at
the pleasure of the board.
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14. COMPENSATION.
No compensation shall be paid to directors, as such, for their
services, but by resolution of the board a fixed sum and expenses for actual
attendance, at each regular or special meeting of the board may be authorized.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from
serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation
therefor.
ARTICLE IV -OFFICERS
1. OFFICES, ELECTION, TERM.
(a) Unless otherwise provided for in the certificate of incorporation,
the board may elect or appoint a president, one or more vice-presidents, a
secretary and a treasurer, and such other officers as it may determine, who
shall have such duties, powers and functions as hereinafter provided.
(b) All officers shall be elected or appointed to hold office until the
meeting of the board following the annual meeting of shareholders.
(c) Each officer shall hold office for the term for which he is elected
or appointed and until his successor has been elected or appointed and
qualified.
2. REMOVAL, RESIGNATION, SALARY, ETC.
(a) Any officer elected or appointed by the board may be removed by the
board with or without cause.
(b) In the event of the death, resignation or removal of an officer,
the board in its discretion may elect or appoint a successor to fill the
unexpired term.
(c) Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the
offices of president and secretary. When all of the issued and outstanding stock
of the corporation is owned by one person, such person may hold all or any
combination of offices.
(d) The salaries of all officers shall be fixed by the board.
(e) The directors may require any officer to give security for the
faithful performance of his duties.
3. PRESIDENT.
The president shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation;
he shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of the board; he shall
have the management of the business of the corporation and shall see that all
orders and resolutions of the board are carried into effect.
4. VICE-PRESIDENTS.
During the absence or disability of the president, the vice-president,
or if there are more than one, the executive vice-president, shall have all the
powers and functions of the president. Each vice-president shall perform such
other duties as the board shall prescribe.
5. SECRETARY.
The secretary shall:
(a) attend all meetings of the board and of the shareholders;
(b) record all votes and minutes of all proceedings in a book to be
kept for that purpose;
(c) give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of shareholders
and of special meetings of the board;
(d) keep in safe custody the seal of the corporation and affix it to
any instrument when authorized by the board;
(e) when required, prepare or cause to be prepared and available at
each meeting of shareholders a certified list in alphabetical order of the names
of shareholders entitled to vote thereat, indicating the number of shares of
each respective class held by each;
(f) keep all the documents and records of the corporation as required
by law or otherwise in a proper and safe manner.
(g) perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board.
6. ASSISTANT-SECRETARIES.
During the absence or disability of the secretary, the
assistant-secretary, or if there are more than one, the one so designated by the
secretary or by the board, shall have all the powers and functions of the
secretary.
7. TREASURER.
The treasurer shall:
(a) have the custody of the corporate funds and securities;
(b) keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in
the corporate books;
(c) deposit all money and other valuables in the name and to the credit
of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the board;
(d) disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered or
authorized by the board and preserve proper vouchers for such disbursements;
(e) render to the president and board at the regular meetings of the
board, or whenever they require it, an account of all his transactions as
treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation;
(f) render a full financial report at the annual meeting of the
shareholders if so requested;
(g) be furnished by all corporate officers and agents at his request,
with such reports and statements as he may require as to all financial
transactions of the corporation;
(h) perform such other duties as are given to him by these by-laws or
as from time to time are assigned to him by the board or the president.
8. ASSISTANT-TREASURER.
During the absence or disability of the treasurer, the
assistant-treasurer, or if there are more than one, the one so designated by the
secretary or by the board, shall have all the powers and functions of the
treasurer.
9. SURETIES AND BONDS.
In case the board shall so require, any officer or agent of the
corporation shall execute to the corporation a bond in such sum and with such
surety or sureties as the board may direct, conditioned upon the faithful
performance of his duties to the corporation and including responsibility for
negligence and for the accounting for all property, funds or securities of the
corporation which may come into his hands.
ARTICLE V - CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES
1. CERTIFICATES.
The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates.
They shall be numbered and entered in the books of the corporation as they are
issued. They shall exhibit the holder's name and the number of shares and shall
be signed by the president or a vice-president and the treasurer or the
secretary and shall bear the corporate seal.
2. LOST OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.
The board may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in
place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation,
alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that
fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost or destroyed. When
authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the board may, in
its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the
owner of such lost or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal
representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or
give the corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as it
may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the
corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost or
destroyed.
3. TRANSFERS OF SHARES.
(a) Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the
corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper
evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the
duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled
thereto, and cancel the old certificate; every such transfer shall be entered on
the transfer book of the corporation which shall be kept at its principal
office. No transfer shall be made within ten days next preceding the annual
meeting of shareholders.
(b) The corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of
any share as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to
recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share on the part
of any other person whether or not it shall have express or other notice
thereof, except as expressly provided by the laws of New York.
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4. CLOSING TRANSFER BOOKS.
The board shall have the power to close the share transfer books of the
corporation for a period of not more than ten days during the thirty day period
immediately preceding (1) any shareholders' meeting, or (2) any date upon which
shareholders shall be called upon to or have a right to take action without a
meeting, or (3) any date fixed for the payment of a dividend or any other form
of distribution, and only those shareholders of record at the time the transfer
books are closed, shall be recognized as such for the purpose of (1) receiving
notice of or voting at such meeting, or (2) allowing them to take appropriate
action, or (3) entitling them to receive any dividend or other form of
distribution.
ARTICLE VI -DIVIDENDS
Subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and to
applicable law, dividends on the outstanding shares of the corporation may be
declared in such amounts and at such time or times as the board may determine.
Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of the net profits of
the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the board from time
to time in its absolute discretion deems proper as a reserve fund to meet
contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any
property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the board shall think
conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the board may modify or
abolish any such reserve.
ARTICLE VII - CORPORATE SEAL
The seal of the corporation shall be circular in form and bear the name
of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words "Corporate Seal,
New York." The seal may be used by causing it to be impressed directly on the
instrument or writing to be sealed, or upon adhesive substance affixed thereto.
The seal on the certificates for shares or on any corporate obligation for the
payment of money may be a facsimile, engraved or printed.
ARTICLE VIII - EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS
All corporate instruments and documents shall be signed or
countersigned, executed, verified or acknowledged by such officer or officers or
other person or persons as the board may from time to time designate.
ARTICLE IX - FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year shall begin the first day of January in each year.
ARTICLE X - REFERENCES TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
Reference to the certificate of incorporation in these by-laws shall
include all amendments thereto or changes thereof unless specifically excepted.
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ARTICLE XI - BY-LAW CHANGES
AMENDMENT, REPEAL, ADOPTION, ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation
the by-laws may be amended, repealed or adopted by vote of the holders of the
shares at the time entitled to vote in the election of any directors. By-laws
may also be amended, repealed or adopted by the board but any by-law adopted by
the board may be amended by the shareholders entitled to vote thereon as
hereinabove provided.
(b) If any by-law regulating an impending election of directors is
adopted, amended or repealed by the board, there shall be set forth in the
notice of the next meeting of shareholders for the election of directors the
by-law so adopted, amended or repealed, together with a concise statement of the
changes made.
