PROJECT SOFTWARE & DEVELOPMENT INC
8-K, 1996-08-28
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
Previous: VIDEO UPDATE INC, 10KSB40/A, 1996-08-28
Next: ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND INC, NSAR-A, 1996-08-28



<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                           ---------------------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  August 19, 1996
                                                   ---------------

                      Project Software & Development, Inc.
                      ------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     Massachusetts                       0-23852               04-2448516
     -------------                       -------               ----------
(State or other jurisdiction           (Commission        (IRS Employer
of incorporation or organization)       File Number)      Identification No.)

                     20 University Road, Cambridge, MA 02138
                     ---------------------------------------
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (617) 661-1444
                                                    --------------

          ------------------------------------------------------------- 
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


                               Page 1 of 24 Pages
                         Exhibit Index Located on Page 5


<PAGE>   2



ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

The Registrant's management has been restructured as follows:

     1. On Monday, August 19, 1996, Robert L. Daniels resigned as Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant. Subject to certain conditions, Mr.
Daniels will remain as an employee of the Corporation, and his compensation will
be continued, for 120 days thereafter. Williams, Roth and Krueger has been
retained to seek a new Chief Executive Officer.

     2. Mr. Daniels was appointed as a third member of the Registrant's
Executive Committee and was made Chairman of that Committee.

     3. Dean F. Goodermote, who had resigned as President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Registrant as of July 31, 1996, was elected Chairman of the Board
of Directors. Mr. Goodermote is the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Process Software Corporation.

     4. Paul D. Birch was promoted to Executive Vice President and remains Chief
Financial Officer. Mr. Birch and Norman E. Drapeau, Executive Vice President,
World- Wide Sales and Marketing, will manage the Registrant on an operating
basis.

     In addition, on August 19, 1996, the following additional actions were
taken by vote of the Registrant's Board of Directors:

     1. The Registrant elected to be subject to paragraph (a) of Section 50A of
Chapter 156B of the Massachusetts General Laws which requires a staggered Board
of Directors for public corporations which do not elect to be exempt from the
provisions of such paragraph.

     2. Section 4.2 of the Registrant's By-Laws was amended to reflect the
staggering of the Registrant's Board of Directors.

     3. The Registrant's Directors were divided into three classes as follows:

          (a) Class I, with a term of office continuing until the 1997 Annual 
Meeting or until his successor is duly elected and qualified, consisting of
Robert L. Daniels;

          (b) Class II, with terms continuing until the 1998 Annual Meeting or 
until their successors are duly elected and qualified, consisting of Dean F.
Goodermote and Charles S. Jones; and

          (c) Class III, with terms continuing until the 1999 Annual Meeting or 
until their successors are duly elected and qualified, consisting of Michael D.
Marvin and William G. Nelson.

                                       -2-


<PAGE>   3




     4. The Registrant's By-Laws were amended to increase to 80% the interest in
the Registrant's capital stock which one or more stockholders must be entitled
to vote and hold in order to cause a special meeting of stockholders to be
called.

ITEM 7.  EXHIBITS.

         (c) Exhibits.

Exhibit Number                              Description
- --------------                              -----------

         3(ii)             By-laws of the Registrant

         4.1               Amended Sections 3.2(c) and 4.2 of the By-laws of the
                           Registrant, which, in part, define the rights of
                           holders of the common stock, par value $.01 per
                           share, of the Registrant (included in Exhibit 3(ii)
                           hereto and incorporated herein by reference).

                                       -3-


<PAGE>   4



                                  Signatures
                                  ----------

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                    PROJECT SOFTWARE & DEVELOPMENT, INC.


                                    /s/ Paul D. Birch
                                    ---------------------------
Date: August 27, 1996               Paul D. Birch
- ---------------------               Executive Vice President
                                    and Chief Financial Officer


<PAGE>   5



                                  Exhibit Index
                                  -------------

Exhibit   
Number                        Description                          Page Number
- ------                        -----------                          -----------

3(ii)       By-laws of the Registrant                                   6

4.1         Amended Sections 3.2(c) and 4.2 of the By-laws 
            of the Registrant, which, in part, define the 
            rights of holders of the common stock, par value 
            $.01 per share, of the Registrant (included in 
            Exhibit 3(ii) hereto and incorporated herein by 
            reference).

                                       -5-



<PAGE>   1



                                                                   Exhibit 3(ii)

                                     BY-LAWS
                                     -------
                                       of
                      PROJECT SOFTWARE & DEVELOPMENT, INC.
                      ------------------------------------

                                    ARTICLE I
                                    ---------
                            Articles of Organization
                            ------------------------

     The name and purposes of the Corporation shall be as set forth in the
Articles of Organization. These By-Laws, the powers of the Corporation and its
Directors and Stockholders, and all matters concerning the conduct and
regulation of the business of the Corporation, shall be subject to such
provisions in regard thereto, if any, as are set forth in the Articles of
Organization. All references in these By-Laws to the Articles of Organization
shall be construed to mean the Articles of Organization of the Corporation as
from time to time amended or restated.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   ----------
                                   Fiscal Year
                                   -----------

     Except as from time to time otherwise determined by the Directors, the
fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of October in each
year and end on the last day of September next following.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                   -----------
                            Meetings of Stockholders
                            ------------------------

     Section 3.1. Annual Meetings.
     -----------  ---------------

     The annual meeting of Stockholders shall be held on the second Tuesday in
February of each year (or if that be a legal holiday in the place where the
meeting is to be held, on the next succeeding full business day) at 10:00 a.m.
unless a different hour is fixed by the Board of Directors or the President. The
purposes for which the annual meeting is to be held, in addition to those
prescribed by law, by the Articles of Organization or these By-Laws, may be
specified by the Board of Directors or the President. If no annual meeting has
been held on the date fixed above, or by adjournment therefrom, a special
meeting in lieu thereof may be held and any action taken at such special meeting
shall have the same force and effect as if taken at the annual meeting.

     Notwithstanding any other provision in these By-Laws, the Board of
Directors may change the date, time and location of any annual or special
meeting of the Stockholders (other than a special meeting called upon the
written application of Stockholders (a "Meeting Requested by Stockholders"))
prior to the time for such

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   2



meeting, including, without limitation, by postponing or deferring the date of
any such annual or special meeting (other than a Meeting Requested by
Stockholders) previously called or by cancelling any special meeting previously
called (other than a Meeting Requested by Stockholders).

     Section 3.2. Special Meetings.
     -----------  ----------------

     (a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of
preferred stock of the Corporation, special meetings of the Stockholders
entitled to vote may be called by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the
Board of Directors or the President.

     (b) If the Corporation shall not have a class of voting stock registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, special meetings of the
Stockholders entitled to vote shall be called by the Clerk, or in case of the
death, absence, incapacity or refusal of the Clerk, by any other officer, upon
written application of one or more Stockholders who are entitled to vote and who
hold at least ten percent (10%) in interest of the capital stock entitled to
vote at the meeting.

     (c) If the Corporation shall have a class of voting stock registered under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, special meetings of the
Stockholders entitled to vote shall be called by the Clerk, or in case of the
death, absence, incapacity or refusal of the Clerk, by any other officer, upon
written application of one or more Stockholders who are entitled to vote and who
hold at least eighty percent (80%) in interest of the capital stock entitled to
vote at the meeting.

     Section 3.3. Place of Meetings.
     -----------  -----------------

     All meetings of the Stockholders shall be held at the principal office of
the Corporation in Massachusetts, unless a different place within Massachusetts
or, if permitted by the Articles of Organization, elsewhere within the United
States is designated by the President or by a majority of the Directors acting
by vote or by written instrument or instruments signed by them. Any adjourned
session of any meeting of the Stockholders shall be held at such place within
Massachusetts or, if permitted by the Articles of Organization, elsewhere within
the United States as is designated in the vote of adjournment.

     Section 3.4. Notice of Meetings. 
     -----------  ------------------

     A written notice of the place, date and hour of all meetings of
Stockholders stating the purposes of the meeting shall be given at least ten
(10) days before the meeting to each Stockholder entitled to vote thereat and to
each Stockholder who is otherwise entitled by law, the Articles of Organization
or these By-Laws to such notice, by leaving such notice with him or at his
residence or usual place of business, or by mailing it, postage prepaid, and
addressed to such Stockholder at his address as it appears in the records of the
Corporation. Such notice shall be given by the Clerk, or in case of the death,
absence, incapacity, or refusal of the Clerk, by any other officer or by a
person designated either by the Clerk, by the person or persons calling the
meeting or by the Board of Directors. If notice is given by mail, such notice
shall

                                       -7-


<PAGE>   3



be deemed given when dispatched. If notice is not given by mail and is given by
leaving such notice at the Stockholder's residence or usual place of business,
it shall be deemed given when so left. Whenever notice of a meeting is required
to be given to a Stockholder under any provision of law, of the Articles of
Organization, or of these By-laws, a written waiver thereof, executed before or
after the meeting by such Stockholder or his attorney thereunto authorized, and
filed with the records of the meeting, shall be deemed equivalent to such
notice. Every Stockholder who is present at a meeting (whether in person or by
proxy) shall be deemed to have waived notice thereof. A waiver of notice of any
meeting need not specify the purposes of such meeting.

     Section 3.5. Notice of Stockholder Business at a Meeting of
     -----------  ----------------------------------------------
                     the Stockholders.
                     ----------------

     The following provisions of this Section 3.5 shall apply to the conduct of
business at any meeting of the Stockholders. (As used in this Section 3.5, the
term annual meeting shall include a special meeting in lieu of an annual
meeting.)

     (a) At any meeting of the Stockholders, only such business shall be
conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting (i) pursuant to the
Corporation's notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors or (iii) by any Stockholder of the Corporation who is a Stockholder of
record at the time of giving of the notice provided for in paragraph (b) of this
Section 3.5, who is entitled to vote at such meeting and who complies with the
notice procedures set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.5.

     (b) For business to be properly brought before any meeting of the
Stockholders by a Stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a) of this
Section 3.5, the Stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to
the Clerk of the Corporation. To be timely, a Stockholder's notice must be
delivered to or mailed to and received at the principal executive offices of the
Corporation (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than sixty (60) days
prior to the date specified in Section 3.1 above for such annual meeting,
regardless of any postponements, deferrals or adjournments of that meeting to a
later date; provided, however, that if a special meeting in lieu of annual
meeting of stockholders is to be held on a date prior to the date specified in
Section 3.1 above, and if less than seventy (70) days' notice or prior public
disclosure of the date of such special meeting in lieu of annual meeting is
given or made, notice by the Stockholder to be timely must be so delivered or
received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following
the earlier of the date on which notice of the date of such special meeting in
lieu of annual meeting was mailed or the day on which public disclosure was made
of the date of such special meeting in lieu of annual meeting; and (ii) in the
case of a special meeting (other than a special meeting in lieu of an annual
meeting), not later than the tenth (1Oth) day following the earlier of the day
on which notice of the date of the scheduled meeting was mailed or the day on
which public disclosure was made of the date of the scheduled meeting. A
Stockholder's notice to the Clerk shall set forth as to each

                                       -8-


<PAGE>   4



matter the Stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting (w) a brief
description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the
reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (x) the name and address,
as they appear on the Corporation's books, of the Stockholder proposing such
business, the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf
the proposal is made, and the name and address of any other Stockholders or
beneficial owners known by such Stockholder to be supporting such proposal, (y)
the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially
and of record by such Stockholder of record, by the beneficial owner, if any, on
whose behalf the proposal is made and by any other Stockholders or beneficial
owners known by such Stockholder to be supporting such proposal, and (z) any
material interest of such Stockholder of record and/or of the beneficial owner,
if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, in such proposed business and any
material interest of any other Stockholders or beneficial owners known by such
Stockholder to be supporting such proposal in such proposed business, to the
extent known by such Stockholder.

     (c) Notwithstanding anything in these By-Laws to the contrary, no business
shall be conducted at a meeting except in accordance with the procedures set
forth in this By-Law. The person presiding at the meeting shall, if the facts
warrant, determine that business was not properly brought before the meeting and
in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these By-Laws, and if he should
so determine, he shall so declare at the meeting and any such business not
properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this By-Law, a Stockholder shall also comply with all
applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or
any successor provision), and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect
to the matters set forth in this By-Law.

     (d) This provision shall not prevent the consideration and approval or
disapproval at the meeting of reports of officers, Directors and committees of
the Board of Directors, but, in connection with such reports, no new business
shall be acted upon at such meeting unless properly brought before the meeting
as herein provided.

                                       -9-


<PAGE>   5



     Section 3.6. Quorum.
     -----------  ------

     At any meeting of the Stockholders, a quorum shall consist of a majority in
interest of all stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the
meeting; except that if two or more classes or series of stock are outstanding
and entitled to vote on any matter as separate classes or series, then in case
of each such class or series a quorum for that matter shall consist of a
majority in interest of all stock of that class or series issued, outstanding
and entitled to vote, except when a larger quorum is required by law, by the
Articles of Organization or by these ByLaws. Stock owned directly or indirectly
by the Corporation, if any, shall not be deemed outstanding for this purpose.
Any meeting of the Stockholders may be adjourned from time to time to any other
time and to any other place by a majority of the votes properly cast upon the
question, whether or not a quorum is present, and the meeting may be held as
adjourned without further notice. Any business which could have been transacted
at any meeting of the Stockholders as originally called may be transacted at any
adjournment thereof.

     Section 3.7. Action by Vote.
     -----------  --------------

     When a quorum is present at any meeting, a plurality of the votes properly
cast for election to any office shall elect to such office, and a majority of
the votes properly cast (or if there are two or more classes of stock entitled
to vote as separate classes, then in the case of each such class, a majority of
the stock of that class present or represented and entitled to vote and voting)
upon any question other than an election to an office shall decide the question,
except when a larger vote is required by law, by the Articles of Organization or
by these By-Laws. No ballot shall be required for any election unless requested
by a Stockholder present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote in
the election. The Corporation shall not directly or indirectly vote any share of
its stock. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the right of the
Corporation to vote any shares of stock held directly or indirectly by it in a
fiduciary capacity.

     Section 3.8. Voting.
     -----------  ------

     Stockholders entitled to vote shall have one vote for each share of stock
entitled to vote held by them of record according to the records of the
Corporation and a proportionate vote for a fractional share, unless otherwise
provided or required by law, the Articles of Organization or these By-Laws. The
vote for each share of jointly-held stock shall be cast in accordance with the
decision of a majority of the Stockholders jointly holding said share.

                                      -10-


<PAGE>   6



     Section 3.9. Action by Consent.
     -----------   -----------------

     Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the
Stockholders may be taken without a meeting if all Stockholders entitled to vote
on the matter consent to the action in writing and the written consents are
filed with the records of the meetings of Stockholders. Such consents shall be
treated for all purposes as a vote at a meeting.

     Section 3.10. Proxies.
     ------------  -------

     Stockholders entitled to vote may vote either in person or by proxy in
writing dated not more than six (6) months before the meeting named therein,
which proxies shall be filed with the Clerk or other person responsible to
record the proceedings of the meeting before being voted. Unless otherwise
specifically limited by their terms, such proxies shall entitle the holders
thereof to vote at any adjournment of such meeting but shall not be valid after
the final adjournment of such meeting. Proxies need not be sealed or attested.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a proxy coupled with an interest sufficient in
law to support an irrevocable power, including, without limitation, an interest
in the stock or in the Corporation generally, may be made irrevocable if it so
provides, need not specify the meeting to which it relates, and shall be valid
and enforceable until the interest terminates, or for such shorter period as may
be specified in the proxy. A proxy with respect to stock held in the name of two
or more persons shall be valid if executed by any one of them unless at or prior
to exercise of the proxy the Corporation receives a specific written notice to
the contrary from any one of them. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on
behalf of a Stockholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to
its exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger.

     Section 3.11. Conduct of Business.
     ------------  -------------------

     The Chairman of the Board of Directors or his designee, or, if there is no
Chairman of the Board or such designee, then the President or his designee, or,
if the office of President shall be vacant, then a person appointed by a
majority of the Board of Directors, shall preside at any meeting of Stockholders
as the chairman of the meeting. In addition to his powers pursuant to Section
3.5(c), the person presiding at any meeting of Stockholders shall determine the
order of business and the procedures at the meeting, including such regulation
of the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as seem to him in order.

                                      -11-


<PAGE>   7



                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   ----------
                                    Directors
                                    ---------

     Section 4.1. Powers.
     -----------  ------

     The business of the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors
who shall have and may exercise all the powers of the Corporation except as
otherwise reserved to the Stockholders by law, by the Articles of Organization
or by these By-Laws. In the event of a vacancy in the Board of Directors, the
remaining Directors, except as otherwise provided by law, may exercise the
powers of the full Board until the vacancy is filled. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Board of Directors shall have the power, unless
otherwise provided by law, to purchase and to lease, pledge, mortgage and sell
all property of the Corporation (including to issue or sell the stock of the
Corporation) and to make such contracts and agreements as they deem
advantageous, to fix the price to be paid for or in connection with any property
or rights purchased, sold, or otherwise dealt with by the Corporation, to borrow
money, issue bonds, notes and other obligations of the Corporation, and to
secure payment thereof by mortgage or pledge of all or any part of the property
of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may determine the compensation of
Directors. The Board of Directors or such officer or committee as the Board of
Directors may designate, may determine the compensation and duties, in addition
to those prescribed by these By-Laws, of all officers, agents and employees of
the Corporation.

     Section 4.2. Enumeration, Election, and Term of Office.
     -----------  -----------------------------------------

     The Board of Directors, which shall be not less than three Directors, shall
be composed of such number as shall be fixed from time to time by vote of a
majority of the entire Board of Directors; provided, however, that no decrease
in the number comprising the entire Board of Directors made pursuant to this
Section 4.2 shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. The Board of
Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as
possible. The Directors need not be stockholders. At each annual meeting of
stockholders, the successors to the class of directors whose term expires at
that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term continuing until the
annual meeting held in the third year following the year of their election and
until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier
resignation, death or removal; provided, that in the event of failure to hold
such an annual meeting or to hold such election at such meeting, the election of
directors may be held at any special meeting of the stockholders called for that
purpose. Directors, except those appointed by the Board of Directors to fill
vacancies, shall be elected by a plurality vote of the stockholders, voting by
ballot either in person or by proxy. As used in these By-Laws, the expression
"entire Board of Directors" means the number of directors in office at a
particular time.

     Section 4.3. Nomination of Directors.
     -----------  -----------------------

                                      -12-


<PAGE>   8



     The following provisions of this Section 4.3 shall apply to the nomination
of persons for election to the Board of Directors at any meeting of
stockholders.

     (a)  Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the
          Corporation may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board of
          Directors or (ii) by any Stockholder of the Corporation who is a
          Stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in
          paragraph (b) of this Section 4.3, who is entitled to vote for the
          election of Directors at the meeting and who complies with the notice
          procedures set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section 4.3.

     (b)  Nominations by Stockholders shall be made pursuant to timely notice in
          writing to the Clerk of the Corporation. To be timely, a Stockholder's
          notice shall be delivered to or mailed to and received at the
          principal executive offices of the Corporation, not less than sixty
          (60) days prior to the date specified in Section 3.1 above for the
          annual meeting, regardless of any postponements, deferrals or
          adjournments of that meeting to a later date; provided, however, that
          if a special meeting in lieu of annual meeting of stockholders is to
          be held on a date prior to the date specified in Section 3.1 above,
          and if less than seventy (70) days' notice or prior public disclosure
          of the date of such special meeting in lieu of annual meeting is given
          or made, notice by the Stockholder to be timely must be so delivered
          or received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th)
          day following the earlier of the day on which notice of the date of
          such special meeting in lieu of annual meeting was mailed or the day
          on which public disclosure was made of the date of such special
          meeting in lieu of annual meeting. Such Stockholder's notice shall set
          forth (x) as to each person whom the Stockholder proposes to nominate
          for election or reelection as a Director all information relating to
          such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of
          proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, pursuant
          to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
          amended, or pursuant to any other then existing statute, rule or
          regulation applicable thereto (including such person's written consent
          to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a
          Director if elected); (y) as to the Stockholder giving the notice (1)
          the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation's books, of
          such Stockholder and (2) the class and number of shares of the
          Corporation which are beneficially owned by such Stockholder and also
          which are owned of record by such Stockholder; and (Z) as to the
          beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (1)
          the name and address of such person and (2) the class and number of
          shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by such person.
          The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other
          information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to
          determine the eligibility of such


                                      -13-


<PAGE>   9



          proposed nominee as a Director. At the request of the Board of
          Directors, any person nominated by the Board of Directors for election
          as a Director shall furnish to the Clerk of the Corporation that
          information required to be set forth in a Stockholder's notice of
          nomination which pertains to the nominee.

     (c)  No person shall be eligible to serve as a Director of the Corporation
          unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
          By-Law. The person presiding at the meeting shall, if the facts
          warrant, determine that a nomination was not made in accordance with
          the procedures prescribed by these By-Laws, and if he should so
          determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective
          nomination shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing
          provisions of this By-Law, a Stockholder shall also comply with all
          applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
          amended (or any successor provision), and the rules and regulations
          thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this By-law.

     Section 4.4. Regular Meetings.
     -----------  ----------------

     Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such times and
places within or without The Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the Board of
Directors may fix from time to time and, when so fixed, no notice thereof need
be given, provided that any Director who is absent when such times and places
are fixed shall be given notice of the fixing of such times and places. The
first meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of the
Stockholders may be held without notice immediately after and at the same place
as the annual meeting of the Stockholders or the special meeting held in lieu
thereof. If in any year a meeting of the Board of Directors is not held at such
time and place, any action to be taken may be taken at any later meeting of the
Board of Directors with the same force and effect as if held or transacted at
such meeting.

     Section 4.5. Special Meetings.
     -----------  ----------------

     Special meetings of the Directors may be held at any time and at any place
designated in the call of the meeting, when called by the President or the
Treasurer or by one or more Directors, reasonable notice thereof being given to
each Director by the Clerk or an Assistant Clerk, or by the officer or one of
the Directors calling the meeting.

     Section 4.6. Notice.
     -----------  ------

     It shall be reasonable and sufficient notice to a Director to send notice
by mail at least forty-eight (48) hours or by telegram or facsimile at least
twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting addressed to him at his usual or last
known business or residence address or to give notice to him in person or by
telephone at least

                                      -14-


<PAGE>   10



twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting. Notice of a meeting need not be given
to any Director if a written waiver of notice, executed by him before or after
the meeting, is filed with the records of the meeting, or to any Director who
attends the meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement the
lack of notice to him. Neither notice of a meeting nor a waiver of a notice need
specify the purposes of the meeting.

     Section 4.7. Quorum; Action at a Meeting.
     -----------  ---------------------------

     At any meeting of the Directors, a quorum for any election or for the
consideration of any question shall consist of a majority of the Directors then
in office. Whether or not a quorum is present any meeting may be adjourned from
time to time by a majority of the votes properly cast upon the question, and the
meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. When a quorum is
present at any meeting, the votes of a majority of the Directors present shall
be requisite and sufficient for election to any office and shall decide any
question brought before such meeting, except in any case where a larger vote is
required by law, by the Articles of Organization or by these By-Laws.

     Section 4.8. Action by Consent.
     -----------  -----------------

     Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the
Directors may be taken without a meeting if all the Directors consent to the
action in writing and the written consents are filed with the records of the
meetings of the Directors. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a
vote of the Directors at a meeting.

     Section 4.9. Committees.
     -----------  ----------

     The Board of Directors, by vote of a majority of the Directors then in
office, may elect from its number an Executive Committee or other committees,
composed of such number of its members as it may from time to time determine
(but in any event not less than two), and may delegate thereto some or all of
its powers except those which by law, by the Articles of Organization, or by
these By-Laws may not be delegated. Except as the Board of Directors may
otherwise determine, any such committee may make rules for the conduct of its
business, but unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors or in such
rules, its business shall be conducted so far as possible in the same manner as
is provided by these By-Laws for the Board of Directors. All members of such
committees shall hold such offices at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may abolish any such committee at any time. Any committee
to which the Board of Directors delegates any of its powers or duties shall keep
records of its meetings and shall upon request report its action to the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors shall have power to rescind any action of any
committee, but no such rescission shall have retroactive effect.

     Section 4.10. Telephone Conference Meetings.
     ------------  -----------------------------

                                      -15-


<PAGE>   11



     Any member of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may
participate in a meeting of such Board of Directors or committee thereof by
means of a conference telephone (or similar communications equipment) call, by
means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at
the same time, and participation by such means shall constitute presence in
person at a meeting.

                                    ARTICLE V
                                    ---------
                               Officers and Agents
                               -------------------

     Section 5.1. Enumeration; Qualification. 
     -----------  --------------------------

     The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a
President, a Treasurer, a Clerk, and such other officers, if any, as the
incorporators at their initial meeting, or the Directors from time to time, may
in their discretion elect or appoint. The Corporation may also have such agents,
if any, as the incorporators at their initial meeting, or the Directors from
time to time, may in their discretion appoint. None of the officers of the
Corporation need be a resident of Massachusetts if the Corporation has a
resident agent appointed for the purpose of service of process. Any two or more
offices may be held by the same person. Any officer may be required by the
Directors to give bond for the faithful performance of his duties to the
Corporation in such amount and with such sureties as the Directors may
determine. The premiums for such bonds may be paid by the Corporation,

     Section 5.2. Powers.
     -----------  ------

     Subject to law, to the Articles of Organization and to the other provisions
of these By-Laws, each officer shall have, in addition to the duties and powers
herein set forth, such duties and powers as are commonly incident to his office
and such duties and powers as the Directors may from time to time designate.

                                      -16-


<PAGE>   12



     Section 5.3. Election.
     -----------  --------

     The President, the Treasurer and the Clerk shall be elected annually by the
Directors at their first meeting following the annual meeting of the
Stockholders or special meeting in lieu thereof. Other officers, if any, may be
elected or appointed by the Board of Directors at said meeting or at any other
time.

     Section 5.4. Tenure.
     -----------  ------

     Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Organization or
by these By-Laws, the President, the Treasurer and the Clerk shall hold office
until the first meeting of the Directors following the next annual meeting of
the Stockholders or special meeting in lieu thereof and until their respective
successors are chosen and qualified, and each other officer shall hold office
until the first meeting of the Directors following the next annual meeting of
the Stockholders and until their respective successors are chosen and qualified,
unless a different period shall have been specified by the terms of his election
or appointment, or in each case until he sooner dies, resigns, is removed, or
becomes disqualified. Each agent shall retain his authority at the pleasure of
the Directors.

     Section 5.5. Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board.
     -----------  ---------------------------------------

     The Board of Directors may annually elect a Chairman and may annually elect
a Vice Chairman of the Board. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides,
the Chairman of the Board shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation and shall preside, when present, at all meetings of the
Stockholders, of the Board of Directors, and of any committee of the Board of
Directors to which he shall have been elected.

     Section 5.6. Chief Executive Officer.
     -----------  -----------------------

     The Chief Executive Officer shall, subject to the direction of the Board of
Directors, have general supervision and control of the Corporation's business.

     Section 5.7. President and Vice President.
     -----------  ----------------------------

     The President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the
Board of Directors may from time to time designate and shall serve as the Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation if there is no Chairman of the Board.
Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, he shall preside, when
present, at all meetings of the Stockholders and of the Board of Directors if a
Chairman of the Board has not been elected or if the Chairman of the Board does
not attend such meetings.

     Any Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as
the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time
designate.

                                      -17-


<PAGE>   13




     Section 5.8. Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.
     -----------  ---------------------------------

     The Treasurer shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors,
have general charge of the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall cause
to be kept accurate books of account. He shall have custody of all funds,
securities and valuable documents of the Corporation, except as the Board of
Directors may otherwise provide.

     Any Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as
the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time
designate.

     Section 5.9. Clerk and Assistant Clerks.
     -----------  --------------------------

     The Clerk shall keep a record of the meetings of Stockholders. In the event
there is no Secretary or he is absent, the Clerk or an Assistant Clerk shall
keep a record of the meetings of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the
Clerk from any meeting of Stockholders, an Assistant Clerk if one be elected,
otherwise a Temporary Clerk designated by the person presiding at the meeting,
shall perform the duties of the Clerk.

     Section 5.10. Secretary.
     ------------  ---------

     The Secretary, if one be elected or appointed, shall keep a record of the
meetings of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the Secretary, the Clerk
and any Assistant Clerk, a Temporary Secretary shall be designated by the person
presiding at such meeting to perform the duties of the Secretary.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                   ----------
                      Resignations, Removals and Vacancies
                      ------------------------------------

     Section 6.1. Resignations.
     -----------  ------------

     Any Director or officer may resign at any time by delivering his
resignation in writing to the President or the Clerk or to a meeting of the
Directors. Such resignation shall take effect at such time as is specified
therein, or if no such time is so specified then upon delivery thereof.

     Section 6.2. Removals.
     -----------  --------

     (a) At any meeting of the Stockholders called for the purpose any Director
may be removed from office with or without cause by the vote of a majority of
the shares issued, outstanding and entitled to vote in the election of
Directors. At any meeting of the Board of Directors any Director may be removed
from office for cause by vote of a majority of the Directors then in office. A
Director may be removed for cause only after a reasonable notice and opportunity
to be heard before the body proposing to remove him.

                                      -18-


<PAGE>   14




     (b) The Directors may remove any officer from office with or without cause
by vote of a majority of the Directors then in office. An officer may be removed
for cause only after a reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard before the
body proposing to remove him. The Directors may terminate or modify the
authority of any agent or employee.

     (c) Except as the Directors may otherwise determine, no Director or officer
who resigns or is removed shall have any right to any compensation as such
Director or officer for any period following his resignation or removal, or any
right to damages on account of such removal whether his compensation be by the
month or by the year or otherwise, provided, however, that the foregoing
provision shall not prevent such Director or officer from obtaining damages for
breach of any contract of employment legally binding upon the Corporation.

     Section 6.3. Vacancies.
     -----------  ---------

     Subject to the Articles of Organization, any vacancy in the Board of
Directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the Board, may
be filled by vote of a majority of the Directors then in office or, in the
absence of such election by the Directors, by the Stockholders at a meeting
called for the purpose; provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of
Section 4.3 of these By-Laws, any vacancy resulting from action by the
Stockholders may be filled by the Stockholders at the same meeting at which such
action was taken by them.

     If the office of any officer becomes vacant, the Directors may elect or
appoint a successor by vote of a majority of the Directors present at the
meeting at which such election or appointment is made.

     Each such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term of his
predecessor and until his successor shall be elected or appointed and qualified,
or until he sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                   -----------
                                      Stock
                                      -----

     Section 7.1. Issue of Authorized Unissued Capital Stock.
     -----------  ------------------------------------------

     Any unissued capital stock from time to time authorized under the Articles
of Organization may be issued by vote of the Directors. No such stock shall be
issued unless the cash, so far as due, or the property, services or expenses for
which it was authorized to be issued, has been actually received by, or conveyed
or rendered to, the Corporation, or is in its possession as surplus.

                                      -19-


<PAGE>   15



     Section 7.2. Certificates of Stock.
     -----------  ---------------------

     Each Stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate in a form selected by
the Board of Directors stating the number and the class and the designation of
the series, if any, of the shares held by him, except that the Board of
Directors may provide by resolution that some or all of any or all classes and
series of shares of the Corporation shall be uncertificated shares, to the
extent permitted by law. Such certificate shall be signed by the President or a
Vice President and the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. Such signatures may
be facsimiles if the certificate is signed by a transfer agent, or by a
registrar, other than a Director, officer or employee of the Corporation. In
case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on
such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before such certificate is
issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were
such officer at the time of its issue.

     Every certificate for shares of stock subject to any restriction on
transfer pursuant to the Articles of Organization, these By-Laws, or any
agreement to which the Corporation is a party shall have the restriction noted
conspicuously on the certificate and shall also set forth on the face or back
either the full text of the restriction or a statement of the existence of such
restriction and a statement that the Corporation will furnish a copy thereof to
the holder of such certificate upon written request and without charge. Every
certificate issued when the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one
class or series of stock shall set forth on its face or back either the full
text of the preferences, voting powers, qualifications and special and relative
rights of the shares of each class and series authorized to be issued or a
statement of the existence of such preferences, powers, qualifications, and
rights, and a statement that the Corporation will furnish a copy thereof to the
holder of such certificate upon written request and without charge.

     Section 7.3. Transfers.
     -----------  ---------

     Subject to the restrictions, if any, imposed by the Articles of
Organization, these By-Laws or any agreement to which the Corporation is a
party, shares of stock shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation only
by the surrender to the Corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate
representing such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a written
assignment of such shares or by a written power of attorney to sell, assign or
transfer such shares, properly executed, with necessary transfer stamps affixed,
and with such proof that the endorsement, assignment or power of attorney is
genuine and effective as the Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably
require. Except as may be otherwise required by law, the Corporation shall be
entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner
of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right
to vote with respect thereto, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other
disposition of such stock, until the shares have been transferred on the books
of the Corporation in accordance with the requirements of these By-Laws. It
shall be the duty of each Stockholder to notify the Corporation of his post
office address.

                                      -20-


<PAGE>   16




     Section 7.4. Lost, Mutilated or Destroyed Certificates.
     -----------  -----------------------------------------

     Except as otherwise provided by law, the Board of Directors may determine
the conditions upon which a new certificate of stock may be issued in place of
any certificate alleged to have been lost, mutilated, or destroyed. It may, in
its discretion, require the owner of a lost, mutilated or destroyed certificate,
or his legal representative, to give a bond, sufficient in its opinion, with or
without surety, to indemnify the Corporation against any loss or claim which may
arise by reason of the issue of a certificate in place of such lost, mutilated,
or destroyed stock certificate.

     Section 7.5. Transfer Agent and Registrar.
     -----------  ----------------------------

     The Board of Directors may appoint a transfer agent or a registrar or both
for its capital stock of any class or series thereof and require all
certificates for such stock to bear the signature or facsimile thereof of any
such transfer agent or registrar.

     Section 7.6. Setting Record Date and Closing Transfer Records.
     -----------  ------------------------------------------------

     The Board of Directors may fix in advance a time not more than sixty (60)
days before: (i) the date of any meeting of the Stockholders; or (ii) the date
for the payment of any dividend or the making of any distribution to
Stockholders; or (iii) the last day on which the consent or dissent of
Stockholders may be effectively expressed for any purpose, as the record date
for determining the Stockholders having the right to notice and to vote at such
meeting or any adjournment thereof, or the right to receive such dividend or
distribution, or the right to give such consent or dissent. If a record date is
set, only Stockholders of record on the record date shall have such right,
notwithstanding any transfer of stock on the books of the Corporation after the
record date. Without fixing such record date, the Board of Directors may close
the transfer records of the Corporation for all or any part of such sixty (60)
day period.

     If no record date is fixed and the transfer books are not closed, then the
record date for determining Stockholders having the right 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, and the record date for
determining Stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business
on the day on which the Board of Directors acts with respect thereto.

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                  ------------
                            Miscellaneous Provisions
                            ------------------------

     Section 8.1. Execution of Papers.
     -----------  -------------------

     All deeds, leases, transfers, contracts, licenses, bonds, notes, releases,
checks, drafts and other obligations authorized to be executed on behalf of the
Corporation

                                      -21-


<PAGE>   17



shall be signed by the Chief Executive Officer, President or the Treasurer
except as the Directors may generally or in particular cases otherwise
determine.

     Section 8.2. Voting of Securities.
     -----------  --------------------

     Except as the Directors may generally or in particular cases otherwise
specify, the Chief Executive Officer, President or the Treasurer may on behalf
of the Corporation vote or take any other action with respect to shares of stock
or beneficial interest of any other corporation, or of any association, trust or
firm, of which any securities are held by this Corporation, and may appoint any
person or persons to act as proxy or attorney-in-fact for the Corporation, with
or without power of substitution, at any meeting thereof.

     Section 8.3. Corporate Seal.
     -----------  --------------

     The seal of the Corporation shall be a circular die with the name of the
Corporation, the word "Massachusetts" and the year of its incorporation cut or
engraved thereon, or shall be in such other form as the Board of Directors may
from time to time determine.

     Section 8.4. Corporate Records.
     -----------  -----------------

     The original, or attested copies, of the Articles of Organization, By-Laws
and records of all meetings of the incorporators and Stockholders, and the stock
and transfer records, which shall contain the names of all Stockholders and the
record address and the amount of stock held by each, shall be kept in
Massachusetts at the principal office of the Corporation, or at an office of its
transfer agent or of its Clerk or of its Resident Agent. Said copies and records
need not all be kept in the same office. They shall be available at all
reasonable times to the inspection of any Stockholder for any proper purpose but
not to secure a list of Stockholders or other information for the purpose of
selling said list or information or copies thereof or of using the same for a
purpose other than in the interest of the applicant, as a Stockholder, relative
to the affairs of the Corporation.

     Section 8.5. Evidence of Authority.
     -----------  ---------------------

     A certificate by the Clerk or Secretary or an Assistant or temporary Clerk
or Secretary as to any matter relative to the Articles of Organization, By-Laws,
records of the proceedings of the incorporators, Stockholders, Board of
Directors, or any committee of the Board of Directors, or stock and transfer
records or as to any action taken by any person or persons as an officer or
agent of the Corporation, shall as to all persons who rely thereon in good faith
be conclusive evidence of the matters so certified.

     Section 8.6. Right to Repurchase.
     -----------  -------------------

                                      -22-


<PAGE>   18



     Except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles of Organization or by
these By-Laws (including any amendments thereto), the Corporation, through its
Board of Directors, shall have the right and power to repurchase any of its
outstanding shares at such price and upon such terms as may be agreed upon
between the Corporation and the selling Stockholder(s), or the predecessor(s) in
interest thereof.

     Section 8.7. Dividends.
     -----------  ---------

     Unless otherwise required by the Massachusetts Business Corporation Law or
the Articles of Organization, the Board of Directors may declare and pay
dividends upon the shares of capital stock of the Corporation, which dividends
may be paid either in cash, securities of the Corporation or other property.

     Section 8.8. Ratification.
     -----------  ------------

     Any action taken on behalf of the Corporation by the Directors or any
officer or representative of the Corporation which requires authorization by the
Stockholders or the Directors of the Corporation shall be deemed to have been
authorized if subsequently ratified by the Stockholders entitled to vote or by
the Directors, as the case may be, at a meeting held in accordance with these
By-laws.

     Section 8.9. Reliance Upon Books, Records and Reports.
     -----------  ----------------------------------------

     Each Director or officer of the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on
information, opinions, reports or records, including financial statements, books
of account and other financial records, in each case presented by or prepared by
or under the supervision of (i) one or more officers or employees of the
Corporation whom the Director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and
competent in the matters presented, (ii) counsel, public accountants or other
persons as to matters which the Director or officer reasonably believes to be
within such person's professional or expert competence, or (iii) in the case of
a Director, a duly constituted committee of the Board of Directors upon which he
does not serve, as to matters within its delegated authority, which committee
the Director reasonably believes to merit confidence, but he shall not be
considered to be acting in good faith if he has knowledge concerning the matter
in question that would cause such reliance to be unwarranted. The fact that a
Director or officer so performed his duties shall be a complete defense to any
claim asserted against him by reason of his being or having been a Director or
officer of the Corporation, except as expressly provided by statute.

     Section 8.10. Control Share Acquisition.
     ------------  -------------------------

     Until such time as this section shall be repealed or these By-Laws shall be
amended to provide otherwise, including, without limitation, during any time
that the Corporation shall be an "issuing public corporation" as defined in
Chapter 110D of the Massachusetts General Laws, the provisions of Chapter 110D
of the

                                      -23-


<PAGE>   19


Massachusetts General Laws shall not apply to "control share acquisitions" of
the Corporation within the meaning of said Chapter 110D.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   ----------
                                   Amendments
                                   ----------

     Except as otherwise provided in the Articles of Organization, these By-Laws
may be amended or repealed in whole or in part by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the shares of each class of the capital stock at the
time outstanding and entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of
Stockholders, provided that notice of the substance of the proposed amendment is
stated in the notice of such meeting. If authorized by the Articles of
Organization, the Directors may make, amend or repeal the By-Laws, in whole or
in part, except with respect to any provision thereof which by law, the Articles
of Organization or the By-Laws required action by the Stockholders. Not later
than the time of giving notice of the meeting of Stockholders next following the
making, amending or repealing by the Directors of any By-Law, notice thereof
stating the substance of such change shall be given to all Stockholders entitled
to vote on amending the By-Laws. Any By-Law adopted, amended or repealed by the
Directors may be repealed, amended or reinstated by the Stockholders entitled to
vote on amending the By-Laws.

                                      -24-




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