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| 8-K - 8-K - Western Union CO | wu-8kbylawamendment382013.htm |
Exhibit 3.1(ii)
As approved by the Board of Directors
as of March 6, 2013
BY-LAWS
OF
THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
(hereinafter called the “Corporation”)
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware.
Section 2. Other Offices. The Corporation also may 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.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 2. Annual Meetings. The Annual Meetings of Stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which meetings the stockholders shall elect Directors, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. Written notice or, to the extent permitted by law, electronic notice of the Annual Meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting.
Section 3. Special Meetings. Unless otherwise prescribed by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Certificates of Designation with respect to any Preferred Stock, the “Certificate of Incorporation”), Special Meetings of Stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called by (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer (iii) the President, if there be one, (iii) the Secretary, (iv) the Chairman of the Governance Committee, or (v) any such officer at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Written notice of a Special Meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.
Section 4. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. 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 entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 5. Voting. Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, all voting shall be conducted in accordance with this Section 5. Each stockholder represented at a meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to cast one vote for each share of the capital stock entitled to vote on the subject matter held by such stockholder or such other vote as
set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. Such votes may be cast in person or by proxy but no proxy shall be voted on or after three years from its date, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, or the officer of the Corporation presiding at a meeting of stockholders, in such officer's discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.
In all matters other than the election of directors, 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.
Each director shall be elected by the vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to that director's election at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present. However, if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the shares represented in person or by proxy at any such meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. A majority of votes cast in an election of directors shall mean that the number of votes cast “for” a director's election exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director's election (with “abstentions” and “broker nonvotes” not counted as a vote cast either “for” or “against” that director's election).
If a nominee for director, who is an incumbent director, is not elected, the director shall promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance Committee, or such other committee designated by the Board of Directors, shall make a recommendation to the Board of Directors as to whether to accept or reject the resignation of such incumbent director, or whether other action should be taken. The Board of Directors shall act on the resignation, taking into account the committee's recommendation, and publicly disclose (by a press release, a filing with the Securities Exchange Commission or other broadly disseminated means of communication) its decision regarding the tendered resignation and the rationale behind the decision within 90 days following certification of the election results. The director who tenders his or her resignation shall not participate in the recommendation of the committee or the decision of the Board of Directors with respect to his or her resignation. If such incumbent director's resignation is not accepted by the Board of Directors, such director shall continue to serve until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected or his or her earlier resignation or removal.
If the Board of directors accepts a director's resignation pursuant to this Section 5, or if a nominee for director is not elected and the nominee is not an incumbent director, the Board of Directors may fill the resulting vacancy pursuant to the provisions of Article III, Section 2 or may decrease the size of the Board of Directors pursuant to the provisions of Article III, Section 1 of these By-Laws.
Section 6. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The officer of the Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and 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 for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, 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 of the Corporation who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder of the Corporation during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.
Section 7. Stock Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
Section 8. Nomination of Directors. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation with respect to the right of holders of preferred stock of the Corporation to nominate and elect a specified number of directors in certain circumstances.
(a) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at any annual meeting of stockholders by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof).
(b) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may also be made at any annual meeting of stockholders by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in
this Section 8(b) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 8(b).
In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.
To be timely, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
To be in proper written form, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (iv) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and record address of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder or such beneficial owner, (iii) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares) has been made, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to or manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or beneficial owner with respect to any share of stock of the Corporation (which information shall be updated by such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, as of the record date of the meeting not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting), (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder or such beneficial owner and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder, (v) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (vi) any other information relating to such stockholder or such beneficial owner that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.
(c) The Corporation shall include in its proxy statement for an annual meeting of stockholders the name, together with the Required Information (as defined below), of any person nominated for election (the “Stockholder Nominee”) to the Board of Directors by a stockholder that satisfies, or by a group of stockholders that satisfy, the requirements of this Section 8(c) (such individual or stockholder group, including each member thereof, to the extent the context requires, the “Eligible Stockholder”), and who expressly elects at the time of providing the notice required by this Section 8(c) to have its nominee included in the Corporation's proxy statement pursuant to this Section 8(c). Any stockholder or group of stockholders seeking to nominate one or more Stockholder Nominees pursuant to this Section 8(c) shall provide the Corporation with the information called for by the final paragraph of Section 8(b) with respect to such Eligible Stockholder and each such Stockholder Nominee, as applicable.
For purposes of this Section 8(c), the “Required Information” that the Corporation will include in its proxy statement is (i) the information concerning the Stockholder Nominee and the Eligible Stockholder that is required to be disclosed in the Corporation's proxy statement by the regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act; and (ii) if the Eligible Stockholder so elects, a Statement (defined below).
The Corporation shall not be required to include, pursuant to this Section 8(c), any information concerning any Stockholder Nominee in its proxy statement for any meeting of stockholders (w) with respect to whom the Secretary of the Corporation receives a notice that a stockholder has nominated such person for election to the Board of Directors pursuant to the advance notice requirements for stockholder nominees for director set forth in Section 8(b), (x) who would cause the number of Stockholder Nominees included in the Corporation's proxy statement to exceed the maximum number permitted by this Section 8(c), (y) who is not independent under the listing standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which the common stock of the Corporation is listed, any applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any publicly disclosed
standards used by the Board of Directors in determining and disclosing the independence of the Corporation's directors (collectively, the “Independence Standards”), or (z) (A) whose election as a member of the Board of Directors would cause the Corporation to be in violation of these By-laws, the Corporation's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the rules and listing guidelines of the principal U.S. securities market in which the common stock of the Corporation trades or any other applicable state or federal law or regulation, (B) who has been an officer or director of a competitor, as defined in Section 8 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, within the past three years, or (C) who is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses) or has been convicted in such a criminal proceeding within the past ten years.
The Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee shall determine if the Stockholder Nominee satisfies the Independence Standards based on the information regarding such independence of such Stockholder Nominee that is received by the Board of Directors. At the request of the Corporation, the Stockholder Nominee must complete and submit the questionnaires that are required of the Corporation's directors and officers. The Corporation may also request such additional information as is necessary to permit the Board of Directors to determine if each Stockholder Nominee satisfies the Independence Standards. The Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit the Eligible Stockholder and/or the Stockholder Nominee and its or their representatives an opportunity to appear before such committee in connection with its consideration as to whether the Stockholder Nominee satisfies the Independence Standards.
If a Stockholder Nominee or an Eligible Stockholder fails to continue to meet the requirements of this Section 8(c) or if the Eligible Stockholder fails to meet the all of the requirements of the notice provisions set forth in the last paragraph of Section 8(b) to properly nominate a candidate for election as a director at the annual meeting of stockholders or if a Stockholder Nominee dies, becomes disabled or is otherwise disqualified from being nominated for election or serving as a director prior to the annual meeting of stockholders:
(i) The Corporation may, to the extent feasible, remove the name of the Stockholder Nominee and the Statement from its proxy statement, remove the name of the Stockholder Nominee from its form of proxy and/or otherwise communicate to its stockholders that the Stockholder Nominee will not be eligible for nomination at the annual meeting of stockholders; and
(ii) The Eligible Stockholder may not name another Stockholder Nominee or, subsequent to the last day on which a stockholder's notice of an intent to make a nomination would be timely, otherwise cure in any way any defect preventing the nomination of the Stockholder Nominee at the annual meeting of stockholders.
The number of Stockholder Nominees (including Stockholder Nominees that were submitted by an Eligible Stockholder for inclusion in the Corporation's proxy statement pursuant to this Section 8(c) but either are subsequently withdrawn or that the Board of Directors decides to nominate as Board of Director nominees) appearing in the Corporation's proxy statement with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders shall not exceed 20% of the number of directors in office as of the last day on which notice of a nomination in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 8(c) may be delivered pursuant to this Section 8(c), or if such amount is not a whole number, the closest whole number below 20%. In the event that the number of Stockholder Nominees submitted by Eligible Stockholders pursuant to this Section 8(c) exceeds this maximum number, each Eligible Stockholder will select one Stockholder Nominee for inclusion in the Corporation's proxy statement until the maximum number is reached, going in order of the amount (largest to smallest) of shares of common stock of the Corporation each Eligible Stockholder disclosed as owned in the written notice of the nomination submitted to the Corporation. If the maximum number is not reached after each Eligible Stockholder has selected one Stockholder Nominee, this selection process will continue as many times as necessary, following the same order each time, until the maximum number is reached.
For purposes of this Section 8(c), an Eligible Stockholder shall be deemed to “own” only those outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation as to which the stockholder possesses both (i) the full voting and investment rights pertaining to the shares and (ii) the full economic interest in (including the opportunity for profit and risk of loss on) such shares; provided that the number of shares calculated in accordance with clauses (i) and (ii) shall not include any shares (x) sold by such stockholder or any of its affiliates in any transaction that has not been settled or closed, (y) borrowed by such stockholder or any of its affiliates for any purposes or purchased by such stockholder or any of its affiliates pursuant to an agreement to resell or (z) subject to any option, warrant, forward contract, swap, contract of sale, other derivative or similar agreement entered into by such stockholder or any of its affiliates, whether any such instrument or agreement is to be settled with shares or with cash based on the notional amount or value of shares of outstanding common stock of the Corporation, in any such case which instrument or agreement has, or is intended to have, the purpose or effect of (1) reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, such stockholder's or affiliates' full right to vote or direct the voting of any such shares, and/or (2) hedging, offsetting or altering to any degree gain or loss arising from the full economic ownership of such shares by such stockholder or affiliate. A stockholder shall “own” shares held in the name of a nominee or other intermediary so long as the stockholder retains the right to instruct how the shares are voted with respect to the election of directors and possesses the full economic
interest in the shares. A stockholder's ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which the stockholder has delegated any voting power by means of a proxy, power of attorney or other instrument or arrangement which is revocable at any time by the stockholder. The terms “owned,” “owning” and other variations of the word “own” shall have correlative meanings. Whether outstanding shares of the common stock of the Corporation are “owned” for these purposes shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
An Eligible Stockholder must have owned (as defined above) 3% or more of the Corporation's outstanding common stock continuously for at least three years (the “Required Shares”) as of both the date the written notice of the nomination is delivered to or mailed and received by the Corporation in accordance with this Section 8(c) and the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting. Within the time period specified in this Section 8(c) for providing notice of a nomination in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 8(c), an Eligible Stockholder must provide the following information in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation: (i) one or more written statements from the record holder of the shares (and from each intermediary through which the shares are or have been held during the requisite three-year holding period) verifying that, as of a date within seven calendar days prior to the date the written notice of the nomination is delivered to or mailed and received by the Corporation, the Eligible Stockholder owns, and has owned continuously for the preceding three years, the Required Shares, and the Eligible Stockholder's agreement to provide, within five (5) business days after the record date for the annual meeting, written statements from the record holder and intermediaries verifying the Eligible Stockholder's continuous ownership of the Required Shares through the record date; (ii) information regarding the Stockholder Nominee and Eligible Stockholder that is the same as that which would be required to be set forth in the stockholder's notice of nomination of such Stockholder Nominee pursuant to Section 8(b), together with the written consent of each Stockholder Nominee to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected; (iii) a copy of the Schedule 14N that has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by Rule 14a-18 under the Exchange Act, as may be amended; (iv) a representation that the Eligible Stockholder (A) acquired the Required Shares in the ordinary course of business and not with the intent to change or influence control at the Corporation, and does not presently have such intent, (B) has not nominated and will not nominate for election to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting any person other than the Stockholder Nominee(s) being nominated pursuant to this Section 8(c), (C) has not engaged and will not engage in, and has not and will not be a “participant” in another person's, “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) under the Exchange Act in support of the election of any individual as a director at the annual meeting other than its Stockholder Nominee or a nominee of the Board of Directors, and (D) will not distribute to any stockholder any form of proxy for the annual meeting other than the form distributed by the Corporation; and (v) an undertaking that the Eligible Stockholder agrees to (A) assume all liability stemming from any legal or regulatory violation arising out of the Eligible Stockholder's communications with the stockholders of the Corporation or out of the information that the Eligible Stockholder provided to the Corporation and (B) comply with all other laws and regulations applicable to any solicitation in connection with the annual meeting.
The Eligible Stockholder may provide to the Secretary of the Corporation, at the time the information required by this Section 8(c) is provided, a written statement for inclusion in the Corporation's proxy statement for the annual meeting, not to exceed 250 words, in support of the Stockholder Nominee's candidacy (the “Statement”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 8(c), the Corporation may omit from its proxy statement any information or Statement that it, in good faith, believes would violate any applicable law or regulation or otherwise cause harm to the Corporation.
Within the time period specified in this Section 8(c) for providing notice of a nomination in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 8(c), a Stockholder Nominee must deliver to the Secretary of the Corporation a written representation and agreement that such person (i) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, (ii) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, and (iii) will comply with all the Corporation corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines, and any other the Corporation policies and guidelines applicable to directors. If the Stockholder Nominee fails to comply with any of the requirements included in this paragraph or this Section 8(c) the Stockholder Nominee will not be eligible for inclusion in the Corporation's proxy statement.
Any Stockholder Nominee who is included in the Corporation's proxy statement for a particular annual meeting of stockholders but either (i) withdraws from or becomes ineligible or unavailable for election at such annual meeting, or (ii) does not receive at least 25% of the votes cast in favor of the Stockholder Nominee's election, will be ineligible to be a Stockholder Nominee pursuant to this Section 8(c) for the next two annual meetings.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to be timely, a stockholder's notice of a nomination in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 8(c) must be delivered or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation no later than 120 calendar days before the first anniversary of the date that the Corporation distributed its proxy statement to stockholders for the previous year's annual meeting of stockholders.
(d) No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 8. If the Chairman of the annual meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.
Section 9. Business at Annual Meetings. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), (b) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 9 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 9.
In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.
To be timely, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
To be in proper written form, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and record address of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder or such beneficial owner, (iv) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares) has been made, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to or manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or beneficial owner with respect to any share of stock of the Corporation (which information shall be updated by such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, as of the record date of the meeting not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting), (v) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder or such beneficial owner and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and any material interest of such stockholder or such beneficial owner in such business and (vi) a representation that such stockholder or such beneficial owner intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.
No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 9, provided, however, that, once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 9 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the Chairman of an annual meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Number and Election of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than one nor more than fifteen members, the exact number of which shall be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors. The directors shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class
III, as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Any director may resign at any time upon notice to the Corporation. Directors need not be stockholders. As used in these By-Laws, the term “entire Board of Directors” means the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.
Section 2. Vacancies. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors, including due to newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may only be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual shareholders meeting that is at least 120 days after the appointment of such directors and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Section 3. Duties and Powers. The business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman, the Controlling Officer or any directors. Notice thereof stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each director either by mail not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the date of the meeting, by telephone, electronic mail or in person on twenty-four (24) hours' notice, or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances.
Section 5. Quorum. Except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, at all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the entire Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum 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 6. Actions of Board. Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, 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 the members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings and electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.
Section 7. Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone. Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 7 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 8. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. 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 any such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, and in the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors of an alternate member to replace the absent or disqualified member, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not the member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any absent or disqualified member. Any committee, to the extent allowed by law and provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep regular minutes and report to the Board of Directors when required.
Section 9. Compensation. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.
Section 10. Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall elect from the directors a Chairman of the Board of the Directors at the first meeting of the Board of Directors after each Annual Meeting of stockholders. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall hold such office until his or her successor is chosen and qualified or until earlier resignation or removal from such position. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall perform such duties and may exercise such powers as from time to time may be assigned to the Chairman by these By-Laws or by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1. General. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and there shall be a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, also may choose a Chief Executive Officer, President and one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and other officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws. The officers of the Corporation need not be stockholders of the Corporation nor need such officers be directors of the Corporation.
Section 2. Election. The Board of Directors at its first meeting held after each Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall elect the officers of the Corporation who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors and all officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by any officer of the Corporation and any such officer may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed if present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.
Section 4. Chief Executive Officer. At the request of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or in such person's absence, or in the event of such person's inability or refusal to act, the Chief Executive Officer, if not also the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and then the President, if there be one, shall perform the duties of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer, or in such person's absence, or in the event of such person's inability or refusal to act, the President, if there be one (such person, the “Controlling Officer”), shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision of the business of the Corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. The Controlling Officer shall execute all bonds, mortgages, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation requiring a seal, under the seal of the Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except that the other officers of the Corporation may sign and execute documents when so authorized by these By-Laws, the Board of Directors or the Controlling Officer. In the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Controlling Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Controlling Officer shall also perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as from time to time may be assigned to such person by these By-Laws or by the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Controlling Officer Succession. At the request of the Controlling Officer, or in such person's absence, or in the event of such person's inability or refusal to act, or if there is no Controlling Officer, the officer designated by the Board of Directors shall perform the duties of the Controlling Officer and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Controlling Officer.
Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of stockholders and record all the proceedings thereat in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, also shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the Controlling Officer under whose supervision the Secretary and Assistant Secretaries shall be. If the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries are unable or shall refuse to cause to be given notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special
meetings of the Board of Directors, then the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Controlling Officer may choose another officer to cause such notice to be given. The Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, if there be one, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by the signature of the Secretary or by the signature of any 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 such officer's signature. The Secretary shall see that all books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept or filed are properly kept or filed, as the case may be.
Section 7. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Controlling Officer and the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all such officer's transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum 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 and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of such person's death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.
Section 8. Assistant Secretaries. Except as may be otherwise provided in these By-Laws, Assistant Secretaries, if there be any, shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Controlling Officer, any Vice President, if there be one, or the Secretary, and in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of such person's disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the Secretary, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Secretary.
Section 9. Assistant Treasurers. Assistant Treasurers, if there be any, shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Controlling Officer, any Vice President, if there be one, or the Treasurer, and in the absence of the Treasurer or in the event of such person's disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the Treasurer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Treasurer. If required by the Board of Directors, an Assistant Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum 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 and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of such person's death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in such person's possession or under such person's control belonging to the Corporation.
Section 10. Other Officers. Such other officers as the Board of Directors may choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate to any other officer of the Corporation the power to choose such other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers.
ARTICLE V
STOCK
Section 1. Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. Shares of the Corporation's stock may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided under Delaware law. All certificates of stock of the Corporation shall be numbered and shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued. The certificates shall be signed by (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and (ii) the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, and certify the number of shares owned by such holder in the Corporation.
Section 2. Signatures. Any signature required to be on a certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 3. Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, 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 his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Transfers. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these By-Laws. Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the record holder of such stock, or by their attorney lawfully constituted in writing, and, in the case of stock represented by a certificate, upon the surrender of the certificate.
Section 5. Record Date. 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, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty days nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any such other corporate action. 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 6. Beneficial Owners. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.
ARTICLE VI
NOTICES
Section 1. Notices. Whenever written notice is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, to be given to any director, member of a committee or stockholder, such notice may be given by mail, addressed to such director, member of a committee or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Written notice may also be given personally or by telegram, facsimile, telex, cable, e-mail or electronic means.
Section 2. Waivers of Notice. Whenever any notice is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, to be given to any director or member of a committee, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.
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, and may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the Corporation's capital stock. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, deems proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for any proper purpose, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.
Section 2. Disbursements. All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
Section 3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization 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.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings other Than Those by or in the Right of the Corporation. The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was an officer or employee of the Corporation, or is or was an officer or employee of the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer or employee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense of such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action, suit or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action, suit or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was unlawful.
Section 2. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation. The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceedings by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was an officer or employee of the Corporation, or is or was an officer or employee of the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer or employee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense of such action, suit or proceedings if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any action, suit or proceedings, nor any claim, issue or matter, as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action, suit or proceedings was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Section 3. Prepayment of Expenses. Actual and reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or employee in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding as contemplated by Sections 1 or 2 of this Article VIII shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article VIII.
Section 4. Indemnity if Successful on the Merits. The Corporation shall indemnify any present or former officer or employee of the Corporation if such person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
Section 5. Exercise of Powers. Any indemnification under this Article VIII (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former officer or employee is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Article VIII. Such determination shall be made with respect to a person who is an officer at the time of such determination (i) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iv) by majority vote of the stockholders. The exercise of the power to indemnify and advance expenses by the Corporation pursuant to this Article VIII shall not be deemed to limit any other exercise or restriction of such powers by the Corporation, provided, that any repeal or modification of this Article VIII shall not adversely affect any right or protection of any person in respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.
Section 6. Indemnification by a Court. Notwithstanding any contrary determination or absence of determination in a specific case under Section 5 of this Article VIII, any officer or employee may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware for indemnification to the extent otherwise permissible under Sections 1, 2 and 4 of this Article VIII. The
basis of such indemnification by a court shall be a determination by such court that indemnification of the officer or employee is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standards of conduct set forth in Section 1, 2 or 4 of this Article VIII, as the case may be. Neither a contrary determination nor the absence of a determination in a specific case under Section 5 of this Article VIII shall be a defense to such application or create a presumption that the officer or employee seeking indemnification has not met any applicable standard of conduct. Notice of any application for indemnification pursuant to this Section 6 shall be given to the Corporation promptly upon the filing of such application.
Section 7. Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to this Article VIII shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be an officer or employee and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. No repeal, modification or amendment of, or adoption of any provision inconsistent with, this Article VIII, nor to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any modification of law, shall adversely affect any right or protection of any person granted pursuant hereto existing at, or with respect to, arising out of or related to any event, act or omission that occurred prior to, the time of such repeal, modification, amendment or adoption (regardless of when any proceeding (or part thereof) relating to such event, act or omission arises or is first threatened, commenced or completed.)
Section 8. Applicable Law. The rights granted under this Article VIII shall be limited to the extent any applicable laws limit such rights to indemnity or the power to indemnify.
Section 9. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII the following definitions shall apply.
“Acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action, suit or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful” shall include, but not be limited to, actions based on the following information from the Corporation or other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or enterprise to which the person is or was serving at the request of the Corporation (for purposes of this definition only, an “Enterprise”): records or books of account of the Corporation or Enterprise, information supplied by an officer of the Corporation or Enterprise in the course of their duties, advice of legal counsel for the Corporation or Enterprise, or information or records given or reports made to the Corporation or Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant, appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Corporation or Enterprise.
“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 or employee so that any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of such constituent corporation, or is or was a director, officer or employee of such constituent corporation serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provision of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
“Fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan.
“Not opposed to the best interest of the corporation” shall include actions taken in good faith in service to an employee benefit plan that the person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan.
Section 10. Indemnification of Directors. Directors of the Corporation shall be entitled to indemnification and advancement of expenses as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.