PLATO LEARNING INC
S-8, EX-4.02, 2000-09-06
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLISHING
Previous: PLATO LEARNING INC, S-8, 2000-09-06
Next: PLATO LEARNING INC, S-8, EX-4.03, 2000-09-06



<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.02


                          AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS(1)

                                       OF

                              PLATO LEARNING, INC.(2)

                             A Delaware Corporation

                                    ARTICLE I

                                     OFFICES



         Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation
in the State of Delaware shall be located at 1209 Orange Street, in the City of
Wilmington, Delaware, County of New Castle. The name of the corporation's
registered agent at such address shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The
registered office and/or registered agent of the corporation may be changed from
time to time by action of the board of directors.

         Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation may also have offices at such
other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the board of
directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may
require.

                                   ARTICLE II

                            MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

         Section 1. Place and Time of Meetings. An annual meeting of the
stockholders shall be held each year within one hundred eighty (180) days after
the close of the immediately preceding fiscal year of the corporation for the
purpose of electing directors and conducting such other proper business as may
come before the meeting. The date, time and place of the annual meeting shall
be determined by the president of the corporation; provided, that if the
president does not act, the board of directors shall determine the date, time
and place of such meeting.

         Section 2. Special Meetings Special meetings of stockholders of the
corporation may be called only by the chairman of the board or pursuant to a
resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors which the
corporation would have if there were no vacancies.

         Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of
stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the
corporation's notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the
board of directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which
directors are to be elected pursuant to the corporation's notice of meeting (a)
by or at the direction of the board of directors or (b) provided that the board
of directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by
any stockholder of the corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of
giving of notice provided for in the certificate of incorporation, who shall be
entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set
forth in the certificate of incorporation. In the event the corporation calls a
special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more
directors to the board, any such stockholder may nominate a person or persons
(as the case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in the
corporation's notice of meeting, if the stockholder's notice required by the
certificate of incorporation shall be delivered to the secretary at the
principal executive offices of the corporation not earlier than the close of
business on the 90th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the
close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such special meeting or
the 10th day


(1)  Amended and restated pursuant to approval by the Directors at a meeting on
     March 30, 2000.

(2)  Formerly known as TRO Learning, Inc.

<PAGE>   2


following the day on which public announcement is first made of date of the
special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the board of directors to be
elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an
adjournment of a special meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a
stockholder's notice as described above.

         Section 3. Place of Meetings. The board of directors may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place of meeting
for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the board of
directors. If no designation is made, or if a special meeting be otherwise
called, the place of meeting shall be the principal executive office of the
corporation.

         Section 4. Notice. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to
take action at a meeting, written or printed notice stating the place, date,
time and, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes, of such
meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not
less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. All such
notices shall be delivered, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction
of the board of directors, the president or the secretary, and if mailed, such
notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail,
postage prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at his, her or its address as the
same appears on the records of the corporation. Attendance of a person at a
meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the
person attends 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.

         Section 5. Stockholders List. The officer having charge of the stock
ledger of the corporation shall make, at least 10 days before every meeting of
the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at such
meeting arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder
and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list
shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to
the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days
prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to
be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting or, if not
so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also
be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time
thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

         Section 6. Quorum. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
of capital stock, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a
quorum at all meetings of the stockholder, except as otherwise provided by
statute or by the certificate of incorporation. If a quorum is not present, the
holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at
the meeting, and entitled to vote at the meeting, may adjourn the meeting to
another time and/or place. When a quorum is once present to commence a meeting
of stockholders, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any
stockholders or their proxies.

         Section 7. Adjourned Meetings. When a meeting is adjourned to another
time and place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time
and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is
taken. At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business which
might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for
more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed
for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to
each stockholder or record entitled to vote at the meeting.

         Section 8. Vote Required. When a quorum is present, the affirmative
vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the
meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the
stockholders, unless the question is one upon which by express provisions of an
applicable law or of the certificate of incorporation a different vote is
required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the
decision of such question.

         Section 9. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or by the certificate of incorporation
of the corporation or any amendments thereto and subject to Section 3 of Article
VI hereof, every stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be
entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of common stock held
by such stockholder.

         Section 10. Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of
stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him or her
by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from
its date, unless the proxy provides for a

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it
is irrevocable and if, any only as long as, it is coupled with an interest
sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made
irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an
interest in the stock itself or an interest in the corporation generally. Any
proxy is suspended when the person executing the proxy is present at a meeting
of stockholders and elects to vote, except that when such proxy is coupled with
an interest and the fact of the interest appears on the face of the proxy, the
agent named in the proxy shall have all voting and other rights referred to in
the proxy, notwithstanding the presence of the person executing the proxy. At
each meeting of the stockholders, and before any voting commences, all proxies
filed at or before the meeting shall be submitted to and examined by the
secretary or a person designated by the secretary, and no shares may be
represented or voted under a proxy that has been found to be invalid or
irregular.

         Section 11. Action by Unanimous Written Consent. Unless otherwise
provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action required to be taken at
any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action
which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such 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 and bearing the dates of
signature of the stockholders who signed the consent or consents, shall be
signed by all of the holders of outstanding stock of the corporation and shall
be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the
state of Delaware, or the corporations' principal place of business, or an
officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book or books in which
proceedings of meetings of the stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the
corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested. All consents properly delivered in accordance
with this section shall be deemed to be recorded when so delivered. No written
consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein
unless, within sixty days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the
corporation as required by this section, written consents signed by the holders
of all of the outstanding stock are so recorded. Any action taken pursuant to
such unanimous written consent or consents of the stockholders shall have the
same force and effect as if taken by the stockholders at a meeting thereof.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                    DIRECTORS

         Section 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation
shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors.

         Section 2. Number, Election and Term of Office. Subject to the rights
of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors under
specified circumstances, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to
time exclusively by the board of directors at any number not less than three and
not more than eleven pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total
number of directors which the corporation would have if there were no vacancies.
The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series
of preferred stock under specified circumstances, shall be divided, with respect
to the time for which they severally hold office, into three classes as
determined by the board, as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible, with
the term of office of the first class to expire at the 1993 annual meeting of
stockholders, the term of office of the second class to expire at the 1994
annual meeting of stockholders and the term of office of the third class to
expire at the 1995 annual meeting of stockholders, which each director to hold
office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. At
each annual meeting of stockholders, commencing with the 1993 annual meeting,
(i) directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms then expire shall
be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting
of stockholders after their election, with each director to hold office until
his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, and (ii) if
authorized by a resolution of the board of directors, directors may be elected
to fill any vacancy on the board of directors, regardless of how such vacancy
shall have been created.

         Section 3. Removal and Resignation. Subject to the rights of the
holders of any series of preferred stock with respect to such series of
preferred stock, any director, or the entire board of directors, may be removed
from office at any time, but only for cause. Any director may resign at any time
upon written notice to the corporation.

         Section 4. Vacancies. Subject to applicable law and to the rights of
the holders of any series of preferred stock with respect to such series of
preferred stock, and unless the board of directors otherwise determines, newly
created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of
directors or any vacancies on the board of directors resulting from death,
resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause
shall be filled only by a majority vote of the directors then in office, though
less than a quorum, and directors so chosen shall

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which
the term of office of the class to which they have been elected expires and
until such director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No
decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the entire board of
directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

         Section 5. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of each newly elected
board of directors shall be held without other notice than this by-law
immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of stockholders.

         Section 6. Other Meetings and Notice. Regular meetings, other than the
annual meeting, of the board of directors may be held without notice at such
time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of
the board. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by or at the
request of the president or any director on at least 24 hours notice to each
director, either personally, by telephone, by mail, or by telegraph.

         Section 7. Quorum, Required Vote and Adjournment. A majority of the
total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business. The vote of a majority of directors present at a meeting at which a
quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors. If a quorum shall
not be present at any meeting of the board of directors, the directors present
thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than
announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

         Section 8. Committees. The board of directors may, by resolution 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 such resolution or these by-laws shall have and may
exercise the powers of the board of directors in the management and affairs of
the corporation except as otherwise limited by law. 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. 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. Each committee
shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of
directors when required.

         Section 9. Committee Rules. Each committee of the board of directors
may fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by
such rules, except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of the board of
directors designating such committee. Unless otherwise provided in such a
resolution, the presence of at least a majority of the members of the committee
shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. In the event that a member and that
member's alternate, if alternates are designated by the board of directors as
provided in Section 8 of this Article III, of such committee is or are absent or
disqualified, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not
disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a
quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act
at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

         Section 10. Communications Equipment. Members of the board of directors
or any committee thereof may participate in and act at any meeting of such board
or committee through the use of a conference telephone or other communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and participation in the meeting pursuant to this section shall
constitute presence in person at the meeting.

         Section 11. Waiver of Notice and Presumption of Assent. Any member of
the board of directors or any committee thereof who is present at a meeting
shall be conclusively presumed to have waived notice of such meeting except when
such member attends 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. Such member shall be conclusively presumed to have assented
to any action taken unless his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of
the meeting or unless his or her written dissent to such action shall be filed
with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment
thereof or shall be forwarded by registered mail to the secretary of the
corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to
dissent shall not apply to any member who voted in favor of such action.

         Section 12. Action by Written Consent. Unless otherwise restricted by
the certificate of incorporation, 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 or committee, as the case
may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with
the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    OFFICERS

         Section 1. Number. The officers of the corporation shall be elected by
the board of directors and shall consist of a president, one or more
vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers and assistant
officers as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the board of directors. Any
number of offices may be held by the same person. In its discretion, the board
of directors may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem
advisable, except that the offices or president and secretary shall be filled as
expeditiously as possible.

         Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the corporation
shall be elected annually by the board of directors at its first meeting held
after each annual meeting of stockholders or as soon thereafter as conveniently
may be. The president shall appoint other officers to serve for such terms as he
or she deems desirable. Vacancies may be filled or new offices created and
filled at any meeting of the board of directors. Each officer shall hold office
until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier
death, resignation or removal as hereinafter provided.

         Section 3. Removal. Any officer or agent elected by the board of
directors may be removed by the board of directors whenever in its judgement the
best interests of the corporation would be served thereby, but such removal
shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so
removed.

         Section 4. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office because of
death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the
board of directors for the unexpired portion of the term by the board of
directors then in office.

         Section 5. Compensation. Compensation of all officers shall be fixed by
the board of directors, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such
compensation by virtue of his or her also being a director of the corporation.

         Section 6. The Chief Executive Officer. The chief executive officer
shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and board of directors at
which he or she is present, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the
board of directors are carried into effect. The chief executive officer shall
have overall charge of the business affairs and property of the corporation, and
control over its officers, agents, and employees. The chief executive officer
shall execute bonds, mortgages, and other contracts requiring a seal, under the
seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by laws to be
otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof
shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other officer or
agent of the corporation, as well as other powers and duties as may be
prescribed by the board of directors or as may be provided in these by-laws.

         Section 7. The President. The president, subject to the powers of the
board of directors, shall have general charge of the business affairs and
property of the corporation, and control over its officers, agents and
employees. The president shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts
requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation, except where required or
permitted by laws to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the
signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of
directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation. The president shall
have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the
board of directors or as may be provided in these by-laws.

         Section 8. Vice-presidents. The vice-president, or if there shall be
more than one, the vice-presidents in the order determined by the board of
directors or by the president, shall, in the absence or disability of the
president, act with all of the powers and be subject to all the restrictions of
the president. The vice-presidents shall also perform such other duties and have
such other powers as the board of directors, the president or these by-laws may,
from time to time, prescribe.

         Section 9. The Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The secretary shall
attend all meetings of the board of directors, all meetings of the committees
thereof and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of
the meetings in a book or books to be kept for that purpose Under the
president's supervision, the secretary shall give, or cause to be given, all
notices required to be given by these by-laws or by law; shall have such powers
and perform such duties as the board of directors, the president or these
by-laws may, from time to time, prescribe; and shall have custody




                                      -5-

<PAGE>   6




of the corporate seal of the corporation. The secretary, or an assistant
secretary, shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any instrument
requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or
by the signature of such assistant secretary. The board of directors may give
general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the corporation and
to attest the affixing by his or her signature. The assistant secretary, or if
there be more than one, the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the
board of directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the secretary,
perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform
such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors, the
president, or secretary may, from time to time, prescribe.

         Section 10. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. The treasurer shall
have the custody of the corporate funds and securities; shall keep full and
accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the
corporation; shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and
to the credit of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors;
shall cause the funds of the corporation to be disbursed when such disbursements
have been duly authorized, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements; and
shall render to the president and the board of directors, at its regular meeting
or when the board of directors so requires, an account of the corporation; shall
have such powers and perform such duties as the board of directors, the
president or these by-laws may, from time to time, prescribe. If required by the
board of directors, the treasurer shall give the corporation a bond (which shall
be rendered every six years) in such sums and with such surety or sureties as
shall be satisfactory to the board of directors for the faithful performance of
the duties of the office of treasurer and for the restoration to the
corporation, in case of death, resignation, retirement, or removal from office,
of all books, papers, vouchers, money, and other property of whatever kind in
the possession or under the control of the treasurer belonging to the
corporation. The assistant treasurer, or if there shall be more than one, the
assistant treasurers in the order determined by the board of directors, shall in
the absence or disability of the treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the
powers of the treasurer. The assistant treasurers shall perform such other
duties and have such other powers as the board of directors, the president or
treasurer may, from time to time, prescribe.

         Section 11. Other Officers, Assistant Officers and Agents. Officers,
assistant officers and agent, if any, other than those whose duties are provided
for in these by-laws, shall have such authority and perform such duties as may
from time to time be prescribed by resolution of the board of directors.

         Section 12. Absence or Disability of Officers. In the case of the
absence or disability of any officer of the corporation and of any person hereby
authorized to act in such officer's place during such officer's absence or
disability, the board of directors may by resolution delegate the powers and
duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director, or to any other
person whom it may select.

                                    ARTICLE V

                INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND OTHERS

         Section 1. Nature of Indemnity. Each person who was or is made a party
or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person
of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer,
of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of another corporation or of a
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be indemnified and
held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent which it is empowered to
do so by the General Corporation Law of the Sate of Delaware, as the same exists
or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the
extent that such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader
indemnification rights than said law permitted the corporation to provide prior
to such amendment) against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys'
fees actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such
proceeding and such indemnification shall inure to the benefit of his or her
heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided
in Section 2 hereof, the corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking
indemnification in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if
such proceeding was authorized by the board of directors of the corporation. The
right to indemnification conferred in this Article V shall be a contract right
and, subject to Sections 2 and 5 hereof, shall include the right to be paid by
the corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in
advance of its final disposition. The corporation may, by action of its board of
directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the corporation
with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and
officers.






                                      -6-

<PAGE>   7

         Section 2. Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Any
indemnification of a director or officer of the corporation under Section 1 of
this Article V or advance of expenses under Section 5 of this Article V shall be
made promptly, and in any event within 30 days, upon the written request of the
director or officer. If a determination by the corporation that the director or
officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article V is required,
and the corporation fails to respond within sixty days to a written request for
indemnity, the corporation shall be deemed to have approved the request. If the
corporation denies a written request for indemnification or advancing of
expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is
not made within 30 days, the right to indemnification or advances as granted by
this Article V shall be enforceable by the director or officer in any court of
competent jurisdiction. Such person's costs and expenses incurred in connection
with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or
in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the corporation. It
shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a
claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final
disposition where the required undertaking, if any, has been tendered to the
corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make
it permissible under the General Corporation Law of the Sate of Delaware for the
corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of
such defense shall be on the corporation. 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 or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, 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 the
claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

         Section 3. Article Not Exclusive. The rights to indemnification and the
payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final
disposition conferred in this Article V shall not be exclusive of any other
right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute,
provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-law, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

         Section 4. Insurance. The corporation may purchase and maintain
insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the corporation or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him
or her in any such capacity, whether or not the corporation would have the power
to indemnify such person against such liability under this Article V.

         Section 5. Expenses. Expenses incurred by any person described in
Section 1 of this Article V in defending a proceeding, shall be paid by the
corporation in advance of such proceeding's final disposition upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if
it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be
indemnified by the corporation. Such expenses incurred by other employees and
agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the board of
directors deems appropriate.

         Section 6. Employees and Agents Persons who are not covered by the
foregoing provisions of this Article V and who are or were employees or agents
of the corporation, or who are or were serving at the request of the corporation
as employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise, may be indemnified to the extent authorized at any time or
from time to time by the board of directors.

         Section 7. Contract Rights. The provisions of this Article V shall be
deemed to be a contract right between the corporation and each director or
officer who serves in any such capacity at any time while this Article V and the
relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of the Sate of Delaware or
other applicable law are in effect, and any repeal or modification of this
Article V or any such law shall not affect any rights or obligations then
existing with respect to any state of facts or proceeding then existing.

         Section 8. Merger or Consolidation. For purposes of this Article V,
references to "the corporation" shall include, in addition to the resulting
corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a
constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate
existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its
directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand


                                      -7-


<PAGE>   8





in the same position under this Article V with respect to the resulting or
surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent
corporation if its separate existence had continued.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                              CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

         Section 1. Form. Every holder of stock in the corporation shall be
entitled to have a certificate, signed by, or in the name of the corporation by
any two of the chief executive officer or president and the secretary or an
assistant secretary of the corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by
such holder in the corporation. If such a certificate is countersigned (1) by a
transfer agent or an assistant transfer agent other than the corporation or its
employee or (2) by a registrar, other than the corporation or its employees, the
signature of any such president, vice-president, secretary, or assistant
secretary may be facsimiles. In case any officer or officers who have signed, or
whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used on, any such certificate
or certificates shall cease to be such officer or officers of the corporation
whether because of death, resignation or otherwise before such certificate or
certificates have been delivered by the corporation, such certificate or
certificates may nevertheless be issued and delivered as though the person or
persons who signed such certificate or certificates or whose facsimile signature
or signatures have been used thereon and not ceased to be such officer or
officers of the corporation. All certificates for shares shall be consecutively
numbered or otherwise identified. The name of the person to whom the shares
represented thereby are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue,
shall be entered on the books of the corporation. Shares of stock of the
corporation shall only be transferred on the books of the corporation by the
holder of record thereof or by such holder's attorney duly authorized in
writing, upon surrender to the corporation of the certificate or certificates
for such shares endorsed by the appropriate person or persons, with such
evidence of the authenticity of such endorsement, transfer, authorization, and
other matters as the corporation may reasonably require, and accompanied by all
necessary stock transfer stamps. In that event, it shall be the duty of the
corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel
the old certificate or certificates, and record the transaction on its books.
The board of directors may appoint a bank or trust company organized under the
laws of the Untied States or any state thereof to act as its transfer agent or
registrar, or both in connection with the transfer of any class or series of
securities of the corporation.

         Section 2. Lost Certificates The board of directors may direct a new
certificate or certificates to be issued in place or any certificate or
certificates previously issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost,
stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person
claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed, When
authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the board of
directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance
thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or
certificates, or his or her legal representative, to give the corporation a bond
sufficient to indemnify the corporation against any claim that may be made
against the corporation on account of the loss, theft or destruction of any such
certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

         Section 3. Fixing a Record Date for Stockholder Meetings. 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 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 nor less than ten
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 the close of business on the next
day 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. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote
at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the
adjourned meeting.

         Section 4. Fixing a Record Date for Action by Written Consent. In order
that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to
corporate action in writing 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 ten 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
without a meeting, when no prior action by the board of directors is required by
statute, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent


                                      -8-




<PAGE>   9



setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is 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 he 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. If no record date
has been fixed by the board of directors and prior action by the board of
directors is required by statute, the record date for determining stockholders
entitled to consent to corporate action in writing 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.

         Section 5. Fixing a Record Date for Other Purposes. In order that the
corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any
dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or the stockholders
entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange
of stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the board of directors
may fix a record date which record date shall not precede the date upon which
the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be
not more than sixty 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 6. Registered Stockholders. Prior to the surrender to the
corporation of the certificate or certificates for a share or shares of stock
with a request to record the transfer of such share or shares, the corporation
may treat the registered owner as the person entitled to receive dividends, to
vote, to receive notifications, and otherwise to exercise all the rights and
powers of an owner. The corporation 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.

         Section 7. Subscriptions for Stock. Unless otherwise provided for in
the subscription agreement, subscriptions for shares shall be paid in full at
such time, or in such installments and at such times, as shall be determined by
the board of directors. Any call made by the board of directors for payment on
subscriptions shall be uniform as to all shares of the same class or as to all
shares of the same series. In case of default in the payment of any installment
or call when such payment is due, the corporation may proceed to collect the
amount due in the same manner as any debt due the corporation.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS


         Section 1. 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 at any regular or special
meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in
shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of
incorporation. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of an
funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the
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 any other purpose
and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which
it was created.

         Section 2. Checks, Drafts or Orders. All checks, drafts, or other
orders for the payment of money by or to the corporation and all notes and other
evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed
by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation, and in such
manner, as shall be determined by resolution of the board of directors or a duly
authorized committee thereof.

         Section 3. Contracts. The board of directors may authorize any officer
or officers, or any agent or agents, of the corporation to enter into any
contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf
of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific
instances.

         Section 4. Loans. The corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any
obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the
corporation or of its subsidiary, including any officer or employee who is a
director of the corporation or its subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the
directors, such loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to
benefit the corporation. The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or
without




                                      -9-

<PAGE>   10

interest, and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the board of
directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of
stock of the corporation,. Nothing in this section contained shall be deemed to
deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at
common law or under any statute.

         Section 5. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be
fixed by resolution of the board of directors.

         Section 6. Corporate Seal. The board of directors may provide a
corporate seal which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed
thereon the name of the corporation and the words "Corporate Seal, Delaware".
The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or
affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

         Section 7. Voting Securities Owned By Corporation. Voting securities in
any other corporation held by the corporation shall be voted by the president,
unless the board of directors specifically confers authority to vote with
respect thereto, which authority may be general or confined to specific
instances, upon some other person or officer. Any person authorized to vote
securities shall have the power to appoint proxies, with general power of
substitution.

         Section 8. Inspection of Books and Records. Any stockholder of record,
in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath
stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business
to inspect for any proper purpose the corporation's stock ledger, a list of its
stockholders, and its other books and records, and to make copies or extracts
therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean any purpose reasonably related to such
person's interest as a stockholder. In very instance where an attorney or other
agent shall be the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under
oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing which
authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder.
The demand under oath shall be directed to the corporation at its registered
office in the State of Delaware or at its principal place of business.

         Section 9. Section Headings. Section headings in these by-laws are for
convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in
limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.

         Section 10. Inconsistent Provisions. In the event that any provision of
these by-laws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the certificate
of incorporation, the General Corporation Law of the Sate of Delaware or any
other applicable law, the provision of these by-laws shall not be given any
effect to the extent of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full
force and effect.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   AMENDMENTS


         These by-laws may be amended, altered, or repealed and new by-laws
adopted at any meeting of the board of directors by a majority vote. The fact
that the power to adopt, amend, alter, or repeal the by-laws has been conferred
upon the board of directors shall not divest the stockholders of the same
powers.


                                      -10-





© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission