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EXHIBIT 3.4
BYLAWS
AS AMENDED THROUGH AUGUST 17, 2000
OF
MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, INC.
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
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ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation in the
State of Delaware shall be in the City of Dover, County of Kent.
Section 2. Other Offices. The Corporation shall also have and maintain an office
or principal place of business in Sunnyvale, California, or at such other place
as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, and 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 or the business of the Corporation may
require.
ARTICLE II
CORPORATE SEAL
Section 3. Corporate Seal. The Corporate seal shall consist of a die bearing the
name of the Corporation and the inscription, "Corporate Seal-Delaware." Said
seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed
or reproduced or otherwise.
ARTICLE III
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
Section 4. Place of Meetings.
(a) Meetings of stockholders may be held at such place, either within or
without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by or in the manner provided
in these bylaws or, if not so designated, as determined by the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that
the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by
means of remote communication as authorized by paragraph (b) of this Section 4.
(b) If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and
subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt,
stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of
stockholders may, by means of remote communication:
(1) Participate in a meeting of stockholders; and
(2) Be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders
whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of
remote communication, provided that (A) the Corporation shall implement
reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to
vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or
proxyholder, (B) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide
such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in
the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an
opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially
concurrently with such proceedings, and (C) if any stockholder or proxyholder
votes or takes other action at the meeting by
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means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be
maintained by the Corporation.
(c) For purposes of this Section 4, "remote communication" shall mean
electronic mail or other form of written or visual electronic communication
satisfying the requirements of Section 13.
Section 5. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the
Corporation, for the purpose of election of Directors and for such other
business as may lawfully come before it shall be held on such date and at such
time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, or, if
not so designated, then at 11 o'clock a.m. on the third Thursday in November in
each year if not a legal holiday, and, if a legal holiday, at the same hour and
place on the next succeeding day not a holiday.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders of the
Corporation may be called at any time, for any purpose or purposes, by the Board
of Directors or by the holders of outstanding stock of the Corporation holding
at least ten (10) percent of the voting power of the Corporation.
Section 7. Notice of Meetings and Adjourned Meetings.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of
Incorporation, written notice of each meeting of stockholders, specifying the
place, if any, date and hour and purpose or purposes of the meeting, and the
means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders
may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, shall be given
not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each
stockholder entitled to vote thereat, directed to his address as it appears upon
the books of the Corporation; except that where the matter to be acted on is a
merger or consolidation of the Corporation or a sale, lease or exchange of all
or substantially all of its assets, such notice shall be given not less than 20
nor more than 60 days prior to such meeting.
(b) If at any meeting action is proposed to be taken which, if taken,
would entitle shareholders fulfilling the requirements of section 262(d) of the
Delaware General Corporation Law to an appraisal of the fair value of their
shares, the notice of such meeting shall contain a statement of that purpose and
to that effect and shall be accompanied by a copy of that statutory section.
(c) When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need
not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and
the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and
proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned
meeting, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken unless
the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or unless after the adjournment a
new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, in which event a notice of
the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to
vote at the meeting.
(d) Notice of the time, place and purpose of any meeting of stockholders
may be waived in writing, either before or after such meeting, and, to the
extent permitted by law, will be waived by any stockholder by his attendance
thereat, in person or by proxy. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such
meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as
if due notice thereof had been given.
(e) Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given
effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation
under any provision of this chapter, the certificate of incorporation, or these
bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission
consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent
shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any
such consent shall be deemed revoked if (i) the Corporation is unable to deliver
by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in
accordance with such consent, and (ii) such inability becomes known to the
secretary or an assistant secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent
or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the
inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate
any meeting or other action. Notice given pursuant to this subparagraph (e)
shall be deemed given: (1) if by
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facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder
has consented to receive notice; (2) if by electronic mail, when directed to an
electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive
notice; (3) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate
notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such
posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and (4) if by any other form
of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. An affidavit of
the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent
of the Corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic
transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the
facts stated therein. For purposes of these bylaws, "electronic transmission"
means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical
transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and
reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper
form by such a recipient through an automated process.
Section 8. Quorum. At all meetings of stockholders, except where otherwise
provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws,
the presence, in person or by proxy duly authorized, of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business. Any shares, the voting of which at said
meeting has been enjoined, or which for any reason cannot be lawfully voted at
such meeting, shall not be counted to determine a quorum at such meeting. In the
absence of a quorum any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to
time, by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented thereat,
but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting. The stockholders
present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may
continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal
of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as otherwise provided
by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, all action taken by
the holders of a majority of the voting power represented at any meeting at
which a quorum is present shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation.
Section 9. Adjournment of Meetings. Any meeting of stockholders, whether annual
or special, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the
shares, the holders of which are present either in person or by proxy.
Section 10. Voting Rights.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names
shares entitled to vote stand on the stock records of the Corporation on the
record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting
shall be entitled to vote at such meeting.
(b) Every person entitled to vote or to execute consents shall have the
right to do so either in person or by an agent or agents authorized by a written
proxy executed by such person or his duly authorized agent, which proxy shall be
filed with the Secretary of the Corporation at or before the meeting at which it
is to be used. Said proxy so appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall
be voted on after three (3) years from its date unless the proxy provides for a
longer period. Unless and until voted, every proxy shall be revocable at the
pleasure of the person who executed it or of his legal representatives or
assigns, except in those cases where an irrevocable proxy permitted by statute
has been given. All elections of Directors shall be by ballot, unless otherwise
provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Such ballot may be in writing
executed by the stockholder or his proxyholder or it may be cast by electronic
transmission, provided that the transmission includes information showing that
the transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxyholder.
(c) Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize
another person or persons to act for him as proxy pursuant to subsection (b) of
this section, 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 as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the
stockholder or his 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.
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(2) A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for
him as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a telegram,
cablegram 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,
cablegram or other means of electronic transmission must either set forth or be
submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram,
cablegram or other electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder.
Such authorization can be established by the signature of the stockholder on the
proxy, either in writing or by a signature stamp or facsimile signature, or by a
number or symbol from which the identity of the stockholder can be determined,
or by any other procedure deemed appropriate by the inspectors or other persons
making the determination as to due authorization. If it is determined that such
telegrams, cablegrams or other electronic transmissions are valid, the
inspectors or, if there are no inspectors, such other persons making that
determination shall specify the information upon which they relied.
(d) Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction
of the writing or transmission created pursuant to subsection (c) of this
section 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 11. Joint Owners of Stock. If shares or other securities having voting
power stand of record in the names of two (2) or more persons, whether
fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants
by the entirety, or otherwise, or if two (2) or more persons have the same
fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary is given
written notice to the contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or
order appointing them or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided,
their acts with respect to voting shall have the following effect: (a) if only
one (1) votes, his act binds all; (b) if more than one (1) votes, the act of the
majority so voting binds all; (c) if more than one (1) votes, but the vote is
evenly split on any particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in
question proportionally, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for
relief as provided in the General Corporation Law of Delaware, Section 217(b).
If the instrument filed with the Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held
in unequal interests, a majority or even split for the purpose of this
subsection shall be a majority or even split in interest.
Section 12. List of Stockholders.
The officer 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 said meeting, arranged in
alphabetical order, showing the address of and the number of shares registered
in the name of each stockholder. The Corporation need not include electronic
mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list
shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to
the meeting for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a
reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required
to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii)
during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the
Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list
available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to
ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the
Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be
produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time
thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting
is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also
be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the
meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information
required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.
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Section 13. Action without Meeting.
(a) Any action required by statute to be taken at any annual or special
meeting of the stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual or
special meeting of the stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without
prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting
forth the action so taken, are signed by the holders of outstanding stock having
not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize
or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon
were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to
its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business
or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which
proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the
Corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested.
(b) Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each
stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent shall be effective to
take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of
the earliest dated consent delivered to the Corporation in the manner herein
required, written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take
action are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in
the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of
the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of
stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a Corporation's registered office
shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.
Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less
than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not
consented in writing.
(c) A telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission consent to an
action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder or proxyholder, or by a
person or persons authorized to act for a stockholder or proxyholder, shall be
deemed to be written, signed and dated for the purposes of this section,
provided that any such telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission sets
forth or is delivered with information from which the Corporation can determine
(i) that the telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission was
transmitted by the stockholder or proxyholder or by a person or persons
authorized to act for the stockholder or proxyholder, and (ii) the date on which
such stockholder or proxyholder or authorized person or persons transmitted such
telegram, cablegram or electronic transmission. The date on which such telegram,
cablegram or electronic transmission is transmitted shall be deemed to be the
date on which such consent was signed. No consent given by telegram, cablegram
or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been delivered until
such consent is reproduced in paper form and until such paper form shall be
delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in this State,
its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having
custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are
recorded. Delivery made to a corporation's registered office shall be made by
hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.
Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations on delivery, consents given by
telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission may be otherwise delivered
to the principal place of business of the Corporation or to an officer or agent
of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings
of stockholders are recorded if to the extent and in the manner provided by
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(d) Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in
writing may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing for any and
all purposes for which the original writing could be used, provided that such
copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the
entire original writing.
(e) No such action by written consent may be taken following the
effectiveness of the registration of any class of securities of the Corporation
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Section 14. Organization. At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the
Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the
President, or, if the President is absent, the most senior
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Vice President present, or in the absence of any such officer, a chairman of the
meeting chosen by a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote,
present in person or by proxy, shall act as chairman. The Secretary, or, in his
absence, an Assistant Secretary directed to do so by the President, shall act as
secretary of the meeting.
ARTICLE IV
DIRECTORS
Section 15. Number and Term of Office. The number of Directors that shall
constitute the whole of the Board of Directors shall be five (5). The number of
authorized Directors may be modified from time to time by amendment of this
Bylaw in accordance with the provisions of Section 43 hereof. Except as provided
in Section 17, the Directors shall be elected by the stockholders at their
annual meeting in each year and shall hold office until the next annual meeting
and until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified, or until their
death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders unless so
required by the Certificate of Incorporation. If for any cause, the Directors
shall not have been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon
thereafter as convenient at a special meeting of the stockholders called for
that purpose in the manner provided in these Bylaws.
Section 16. Powers. The powers of the Corporation shall be exercised, its
business conducted and its property controlled by the Board of Directors, except
as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 17. Vacancies. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of
Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of Directors may be filled by a majority of
the Directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole
remaining Director, and each Director so elected shall hold office for the
unexpired portion of the term of the Director whose place shall be vacant and
until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. A vacancy in the
Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist under this Section 17 in the case of
the death, removal or resignation of any Director, or if the stockholders fail
at any meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected (including
any meeting referred to in Section 19 below) to elect the number of Directors
then constituting the whole Board of Directors.
Section 18. Resignation. Any Director may resign at any time by delivering his
resignation to the Secretary in writing or by electronic transmission, such
resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a particular time, upon
receipt by the Secretary or at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. If no
such specification is made, it shall be deemed effective at the pleasure of the
Board of Directors. When one or more Directors shall resign from the Board of
Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the Directors then in
office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such
vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or
resignations shall become effective, and each Director so chosen shall hold
office for the unexpired portion of the term of the Director whose place shall
be vacated and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 19. Removal. At a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose
in the manner hereinabove provided, subject to the limitation set forth in
Section 141(k) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, the Board of
Directors, or any individual Director, may be removed from office, with or
without cause, and a new Director or Directors elected by a vote of stockholders
holding a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at an election of
Directors.
Section 20. Meetings.
(a) Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall
be held immediately after the annual meeting of stockholders and at the place
where such meeting is held. No notice of an annual meeting of the Board of
Directors shall be necessary and such meeting shall be held for the purpose of
electing officers and transacting such other business as may lawfully come
before it.
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(b) Regular Meetings. Except as hereinafter otherwise provided, regular
meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the office of the
Corporation required to be maintained pursuant to Section 2 hereof. Unless
otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, regular meetings of
the Board of Directors may also be held at any place within or without the State
of Delaware which has been designated by resolution of the Board of Directors or
the written consent of all Directors.
(c) Special Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of
Incorporation, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any
time and place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the
Chairman of the Board or the President or any Vice President or the Secretary of
the Corporation or any two (2) Directors.
(d) Telephone Meetings. Any member of the Board of Directors, or of any
committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of 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 by such means
shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
(e) Notice of Meetings. Notice of the date, time and place of all
meetings of the Board of Directors, other than regular meetings held pursuant to
Section 20(a) or (b) above shall be delivered personally, orally or in writing,
or by telephone or telegraph or by electronic transmission to each Director, at
least forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting, or sent in writing to each
Director by first-class mail, charges prepaid, at least four (4) days before the
meeting. Such notice may be given by the Secretary of the Corporation or by the
person or persons who called a meeting. Such notice need not specify the purpose
of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in writing or by electronic
communication at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any
Director by attendance thereat, except when the Director 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.
(f) Waiver of Notice. The transaction of all business at any meeting of
the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or noticed, or
wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after
regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or after
the meeting, each of the Directors not present shall sign a written waiver of
notice, or a consent to holding such meeting, or an approval of the minutes
thereof. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the
corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Section 21. Quorum and Voting.
(a) Quorum. Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater
number and except with respect to indemnification questions arising under
Section 41(a) hereof, for which a quorum shall be one-third of the exact number
of Directors fixed from time to time in accordance with Section 15 of these
Bylaws, but not less than one (1), a quorum of the Board of Directors shall
consist of a majority of the exact number of Directors fixed from time to time
in accordance with Section 15 of these Bylaws, but not less than one (1);
provided, however, at any meeting whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a
majority of the Directors present may adjourn from time to time until the time
fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice
other than by announcement at the meeting.
(b) Majority Vote. At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a
quorum is present all questions and business shall be determined by a vote of a
majority of the Directors present, unless a different vote be required by law,
the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section 22. Action without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, 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 members of the Board of Directors or
committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic
transmission, and such writing or writings or
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electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of
proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in
paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in
electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
Section 23. Fees and Compensation. Directors shall be entitled to such
compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board of Directors,
including, if so approved by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum
and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at each regular or special
meeting of the Board of Directors or any meeting of a committee of directors.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Director from
serving the Corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or
otherwise and receiving compensation therefor.
Section 24. Committees.
(a) Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may by resolution passed
by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, appoint an Executive Committee to
consist of one (1) or more members of the Board of Directors. The Executive
Committee, to the extent permitted by law and specifically granted by the Board
of Directors, shall have and may exercise when the Board of Directors is not in
session all powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business
and affairs of the Corporation, including, without limitation, the power and
authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock, except
such committee shall not have the power or authority to amend the Certificate of
Incorporation, to adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation, to recommend to
the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the
Corporation's property and assets, to recommend to the stockholders of the
Corporation a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution or
to amend these Bylaws.
(b) Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed
by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, from time to time appoint such
other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees appointed by
the Board of Directors shall consist of one (1) or more members of the Board of
Directors, and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be
prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committees, but in no
event shall such committee have the powers denied to the Executive Committee in
these Bylaws.
(c) Term. The members of all committees of the Board of Directors shall
serve a term coexistent with that of the Board of Directors which shall have
appointed such committee. The Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of
subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 24, may at any time increase or decrease
the number of members of a committee or terminate the existence of a committee.
The membership of a committee member shall terminate on the date of his death or
voluntary resignation. The Board of Directors may at any time for any reason
remove any individual committee member and the Board of Directors may fill any
committee vacancy created by death, resignation, removal or increase in the
number of members of the committee. 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 the committee, and, in addition, in the
absence or disqualification of any member of a committee, the member or members
thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not
he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the
Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or
disqualified member.
(d) Meetings. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide,
regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee appointed
pursuant to this Section 24 shall be held at such times and places as are
determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice
thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further notice of
such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of any such
committee may be held at the principal office of the Corporation required to be
maintained pursuant to Section 2 hereof, or at any place which has been
designated from time to time by resolution of such committee or by written
consent of all members thereof, and may be called by any Director who is a
member of such committee, upon written notice to the members of such committee
of the time and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for
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the giving of written notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time
and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special
meeting of any committee may be waived in writing at any time before or after
the meeting and will be waived by any Director by attendance thereat, except
when the Director attends such special 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. A majority of the
authorized number of members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any
meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.
Section 25. Organization. At every meeting of the Directors, the Chairman of the
Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the
President, or if the President is absent, the most senior Vice President, or, in
the absence of any such officer, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority
of the Directors present, shall preside over the meeting. The Secretary, or in
his absence, an Assistant Secretary directed to do so by the President, shall
act as secretary of the meeting.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 26. Officers Designated. The officers of the Corporation shall be the
Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, one or more Vice Presidents,
the Secretary and the Chief Financial Officer, all of whom shall be elected at
the annual meeting of the Board of Directors. The order of the seniority of the
Vice Presidents shall be in the order of their nomination, unless otherwise
determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint
such other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it shall deem
necessary. The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles to one or
more of the officers as it shall deem appropriate. Any one person may hold any
number of offices of the Corporation at any one time unless specifically
prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and other compensation of the officers
of the Corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner designated by the Board of
Directors.
Section 27. Tenure and Duties of Officers.
(a) General. All officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board
of Directors and until their successors shall have been duly elected and
qualified, unless sooner removed. If the office of any officer becomes vacant
for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors.
(b) Duties of Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the
Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors
shall perform the duties commonly incident to his office and shall also perform
such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall
designate from time to time.
(c) Duties of President. The President shall preside at all meetings of
the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the
Chairman of the Board of Directors has been appointed and is present. The
President shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors and unless
otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, serve as the Chief Executive
Officer of the Corporation and shall have general supervision, direction and
control of the business and officers of the Corporation. The President shall
perform other duties commonly incident to his office and shall also perform such
other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors and the
Chairman of the Board, if one has been appointed, shall designate from time to
time.
(d) Duties of Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents, in the order of
their seniority, may assume and perform the duties of the President in the
absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of President is
vacant. The Vice Presidents shall perform other duties commonly incident to
their
<PAGE> 11
office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as
the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
(e) Duties of Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the
stockholders and of the Board of Directors, and shall record all acts and
proceedings thereof in the minute book of the Corporation. The Secretary shall
give notice in conformity with these Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders,
and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof
requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform all other duties given him in
these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to his office and shall also
perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors
shall designate from time to time. The President may direct any Assistant
Secretary to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or
disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other
duties commonly incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall
designate from time to time.
(f) Duties of Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall
keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the Corporation in a thorough
and proper manner, and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the
Corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or
the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of
Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the
Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly
incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties and have such
other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from
time to time. The President may direct any Assistant Chief Financial Officer to
assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or
disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Assistant Chief Financial
Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to his office and shall
also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of
Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
Section 28. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written
notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or to the Secretary. Any
such resignation shall be effective when received by the person or persons to
whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified therein, in which
event the resignation shall become effective at such later time. Unless
otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such resignation shall
not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 29. Removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time, either
with or without cause, by the vote or written consent of a majority of the
Directors in office at the time, or by any committee or superior officers upon
whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE
CORPORATION
Section 30. Execution of Corporate Instruments. The Board of Directors may, in
its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer or
officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the Corporation
any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the Corporation
the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts on behalf of
the Corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and
such execution or signature shall be binding upon the Corporation.
Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Board of Directors or otherwise
required by law, promissory notes, deeds of trust, mortgages and other evidences
of indebtedness of the Corporation, and other corporate instruments or documents
requiring the corporate seal, and certificates of shares of stock owned by the
Corporation, shall be executed, signed or endorsed by the Chairman of the Board
of Directors, the President or any Vice President, and by the Secretary or
Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary
<PAGE> 12
or Assistant Treasurer. All other instruments and documents requiring the
corporate signature, but not requiring the corporate seal, may be executed as
aforesaid or in such other manner as may be directed by the Board of Directors.
All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the
credit of the Corporation or in special accounts of the Corporation shall be
signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to
do.
Section 31. Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation. All stock and other
securities of other Corporations owned or held by the Corporation for itself, or
for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies with respect
thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by resolution of
the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization, by the
Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, or any Vice President.
ARTICLE VII
SHARES OF STOCK
Section 32. Form and Execution of Certificates. Certificates for the shares of
stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as is consistent with the
Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock in the
Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of
the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President or
any Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary
or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the
Corporation. Where such certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent other
than the Corporation or its employee, or by a registrar other than the
Corporation or its employee, any other signature on the certificate may be a
facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or
whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased
to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is
issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he were such officer,
transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. Each certificate shall state
upon the face or back thereof, in full or in summary, all of the designations,
preferences, limitations, restrictions on transfer and relative rights of the
shares authorized to be issued.
Section 33. Lost Certificates. A new certificate or certificates shall be issued
in place of any certificate or certificates 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. The Corporation may require, as a condition
precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of
such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal
representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require or to
give the Corporation a surety bond in such form and amount 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, stolen, or destroyed.
Section 34. Transfers. Transfers of record of shares of stock of the Corporation
shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by
attorney duly authorized, and upon the surrender of a properly endorsed
certificate or certificates for a like number of shares.
Section 35. Fixing Record Dates.
(a) 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, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date,
which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing
the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date
shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of
such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record
date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting
of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the
day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business
on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
<PAGE> 13
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.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to consent to corporate action in writing or by electronic transmission
without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record
date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date
is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than 10
days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted
by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of
Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to
corporate action in writing or by electronic transmission without a meeting,
when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by the Delaware
General Corporation Law, shall be the first date on which a signed written
consent or electronic transmission setting forth the action taken or proposed to
be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in
Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the
Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of
stockholders are recorded; provided that any such electronic transmission shall
satisfy the requirements of Section 2.11(b) and, unless the Board of Directors
otherwise provides by resolution, no such consent by electronic transmission
shall be deemed to have been delivered until such consent is reproduced in paper
form and until such paper form shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery
to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business or an
officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which
proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a
corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of
Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the
record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action
in writing or by electronic transmission without a meeting shall be at the close
of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution
taking such prior action.
(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment
of any rights or the stockholders 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, in advance, a record date, which
record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the
record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60)
days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for
determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business
on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating
thereto.
Section 36. Registered Stockholders. 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 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 the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE VIII
OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION
Section 37. Execution of Other Securities. All bonds, debentures and other
corporate securities of the Corporation, other than stock certificates, may be
signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or any Vice
President, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors,
and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile of such seal imprinted
thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer; provided,
<PAGE> 14
however, that where any such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall
be authenticated by the manual signature of a trustee under an indenture
pursuant to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be
issued, the signatures of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal
on such bond, debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted
facsimile of the signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to
any such bond, debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee
as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the
Corporation or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors,
or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any
officer who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate
security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or on any such
interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture
or other corporate security so signed or attested shall have been delivered,
such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by
the Corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the
same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to
be such officer of the Corporation.
ARTICLE IX
DIVIDENDS
Section 38. Declaration of Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the
Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if
any, may be declared by the Board of Directors pursuant to law at any regular or
special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the
capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 39. Dividend Reserve. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set
aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or
sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion,
think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing
dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or
for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the
interests of the Corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish
any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
ARTICLE X
FISCAL YEAR
Section 40. Fiscal Year. Unless otherwise fixed by resolution of the Board of
Directors, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the last day of June.
ARTICLE XI
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 41. Indemnification of Officers, Directors, Employees and Other Agents.
(a) Directors. The Corporation shall indemnify its directors to the
fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
(b) Officers, Employees and Other Agents. The Corporation shall have
power to indemnify its officers, employees and other agents as set forth in the
Delaware General Corporation Law.
(c) Good Faith.
<PAGE> 15
(1) For purposes of any determination under this Bylaw, a Director,
or any member of a committee designated by the Board of Directors, shall be
deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner 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, to have had no reasonable cause to believe
that his conduct was unlawful, if he relied in good faith upon the records of
the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements
presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation's officers or employees,
or committees of the Board of Directors, or by any other person as to matters
the Director reasonably believes are within such other person's professional or
expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf
of the Corporation.
(2) The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,
conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not, of
itself, create a 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 proceeding, that
he had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(3) The provisions of this paragraph (C) 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 by the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
(d) Expenses. The Corporation shall advance, prior to the final
disposition of any proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses
incurred by any Director in connection with such proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay said amounts if it should be
determined ultimately that such person is not entitled to be indemnified under
this Bylaw or otherwise.
(e) Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express
contract, all rights to indemnification and advances under this Bylaw shall be
deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if
provided for in a contract between the Corporation and the Director who serves
in such capacity at any time while this Bylaw and other relevant provisions of
the Delaware General Corporation Law and other applicable law, if any, are in
effect. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this Bylaw to a
Director shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right
in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or
advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is
made within ninety (90) days of request therefor. The claimant in such
enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be
paid also the expense of prosecuting his claim. The Corporation shall be
entitled to raise by pleading as an affirmative defense to any such action
(other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in
connection with any proceeding in advance of its final disposition when the
required undertaking has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has
not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Delaware
General Corporation Law for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the
amount claimed. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of
Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a
determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of
the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an
actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors,
independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met
such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create
a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(f) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by
this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have
or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to
action in another capacity while holding office. The Corporation is specifically
authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its
<PAGE> 16
directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and
advances, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation
Law.
(g) Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw
shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Director, officer, employee
or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such a person.
(h) Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, the Corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may
purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be
indemnified pursuant to this Bylaw.
(i) Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this Bylaw shall only be
prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect at the
time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the
cause of any proceeding against any agent of the Corporation.
(j) Savings Clause. If this Bylaw or any portion hereof shall be
invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the
Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director to the full extent
permitted by any applicable portion of this Bylaw that shall not have been
invalidated, or by any other applicable law.
(k) Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the following
definitions shall apply:
(1) The term "proceeding" shall be broadly construed and shall
include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution,
defense, settlement and appeal of any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.
(2) The term "expenses" shall be broadly construed and shall include,
without limitation, court costs, attorneys' fees, witness fees, fines, amounts
paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or
kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.
(3) The term 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, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or
was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions
of this Bylaw with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would
have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had
continued.
(4) References to a "director," "officer," "employee," or "agent" of
the Corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person
is serving at the request of the Corporation as a Director, officer, employee,
trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise.
(5) 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 Bylaw.
<PAGE> 17
ARTICLE XII
NOTICES
Section 42. Notices.
(a) Notice to Stockholders. Whenever, under any provision of these
Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any stockholder, the same shall be
given either (1) in writing, either personally or timely and duly deposited in
the United States Mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to his last known post
office address as shown by the stock record of the corporation or its transfer
agent, or (2) by a means of electronic transmission that satisfies the
requirements of Section 7 of these Bylaws, and has been consented to by the
stockholder to whom the notice is given.
(b) Notice to Directors. Any notice required to be given to any Director
may be given by the method stated in subsection (e) of Section 20 of these
Bylaws except that such notice other than one which is delivered personally
shall be sent to such address as such Director shall have filed in writing with
the Secretary, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known post office
address of such Director.
(c) Address Unknown. If no address of a stockholder or Director be
known, notice may be sent to the office of the Corporation required to be
maintained pursuant to Section 2 hereof.
(d) Affidavit of Mailing. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly
authorized and competent employee of the Corporation or its transfer agent
appointed with respect to the class of stock affected, specifying the name and
address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or
Director or Directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and
the time and method of giving the same, shall be conclusive evidence of the
statements therein contained.
(e) Time Notices Deemed Given. All notices given by mail, as above
provided, shall be deemed to have been given as at the time of mailing and all
notices given by electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been given as
at the sending time recorded by the electronic transmission equipment operator
transmitting the notices.
(f) Methods of Notice and Waiver Thereof. It shall not be necessary that
the same method of giving notice be employed in respect of all Directors, but
one permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any
other permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or
others. Whenever any notice is required to be given under any provision of law
or of the Certificate of Incorporation, or Bylaws of the Corporation, a waiver
thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a
waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether
before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.
(g) Failure to Receive Notice. The period or limitation of time within
which any stockholder may exercise any option or right, or enjoy any privilege
or benefit, or be required to act, or within which any Director may exercise any
power or right, or enjoy any privilege, pursuant to any notice sent him in the
manner above provided, shall not be affected or extended in any manner by the
failure of such stockholder or such Director to receive such notice.
(h) Notice to Person with Whom Communication Is Unlawful. Whenever
notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Corporation, to any person with whom
communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be
required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or
agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or
meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom
communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice
had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is
such as to require the
<PAGE> 18
filing of a certificate under any provision of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required,
that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such
persons with whom communication is unlawful.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS
Section 43. Amendments. Except as otherwise set forth in paragraph 41(i) hereof,
these Bylaws may be repealed, altered or amended or new Bylaws adopted by the
stockholders. In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of
stock of this Corporation required by law or by these Bylaws, the affirmative
vote of a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of
the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election
of Directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to adopt,
amend or repeal any provisions of the Bylaws of the Corporation. Except as
otherwise set forth in paragraph 41(i) hereof, the Board of Directors shall also
have the authority, if such authority is conferred upon the Board of Directors
by the Certificate of Incorporation, to repeal, alter or amend these Bylaws or
adopt new Bylaws (including, without limitation, the amendment of any Bylaw
setting forth the number of Directors who shall constitute the whole Board of
Directors) subject to the power of the stockholders to change or repeal such
Bylaws and provided that the Board of Directors shall not make or alter any
Bylaws fixing the qualifications, classifications, term of office or
compensation of Directors.
