EXHIBIT 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
RURAL CELLULAR CORPORATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
RURAL CELLULAR CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
ARTICLE I. OFFICES, CORPORATE SEAL AND SHAREHOLDER CONTROL
AGREEMENT.............................................1
1.01 Registered and Other Offices..........................1
1.02 Corporate Seal........................................1
1.03 Shareholder Control Agreement.........................1
ARTICLE II. MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS..................................1
2.01 Regular Meetings......................................1
2.02 Special Meetings......................................2
2.03 Time and Place of Meetings............................2
2.04 Voting Rights.........................................2
2.05 Notice of Meetings....................................3
2.06 Waiver of Notice......................................3
2.07 Quorum................................................3
2.08 Record Date...........................................3
2.09 Action Without a Meeting..............................4
2.10 Proxies...............................................4
2.11 Action by the Shareholders............................4
2.12 Business Proposed by Shareholders.....................4
ARTICLE III. DIRECTORS................................................5
3.01 General Purposes......................................5
3.02. Number and Terms of Directors.........................5
3.03. Nominations and Qualifications........................5
3.04. Board Meetings; Time, Place and Notice................6
3.05. Waiver of Notice......................................6
3.06. Quorum................................................7
3.07. Absent Directors......................................7
3.08. Action Without a Meeting..............................7
3.09. Action by the Board...................................7
3.10. Electronic Communications.............................7
3.11. Committees............................................7
3.12. Presumption of Assent.................................8
3.13. Resignation...........................................8
3.14. Removal...............................................8
3.15. Vacancies.............................................8
3.16. Compensation of Directors.............................8
3.17. Chairman of the Board.................................8
i
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS..................................................9
4.01. Required Officers.....................................9
4.02. Other Officers........................................9
4.03. Election and Term of Office...........................9
4.04. Chief Executive Officer..............................10
4.05. Chief Financial Officer..............................10
4.06. Multiple Offices.....................................10
4.07. Officers Deemed Elected..............................10
4.08. Contract Rights......................................10
4.09. Delegation of Authority..............................11
4.10. [Deleted]............................................11
4.11. Compensation of Officers.............................11
4.12. Resignation..........................................11
4.13. Removal..............................................11
4.14. Vacancy..............................................11
ARTICLE V. SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER.................................11
5.01. Certificates for Shares..............................11
5.02. Transfer of Shares...................................12
5.03. Lost Certificates....................................12
5.04. Fractional Shares....................................12
5.05. Facsimile Signature..................................12
5.06. Transfer Agent and Registrar.........................12
5.07. Conversion of Class B Common Stock...................12
ARTICLE VI. CORPORATE BOOKS AND RECORDS..............................13
6.01. Share Register.......................................13
6.02. Other Required Documents.............................14
6.03. Financial Statements.................................14
6.04. Right to Inspect.....................................14
ARTICLE VII. NOTICE..................................................15
7.01. Notice...............................................15
ARTICLE VIII. INDEMNIFICATION........................................15
8.01. Indemnification......................................15
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS......................................16
9.01. Amendment of Bylaws..................................16
ii
BYLAWS
OF
RURAL CELLULAR CORPORATION
ARTICLE I.
OFFICES, CORPORATE SEAL
AND SHAREHOLDER CONTROL AGREEMENT
Section 1.01. REGISTERED AND OTHER OFFICES. The registered office of
the corporation in the State of Minnesota shall be that set forth in the
Articles of Incorporation or in the most recent amendment of the Articles of
Incorporation or statement of the Board of Directors filed with the Minnesota
Secretary of State changing the registered office in the manner prescribed by
law. The corporation may have such other offices, including its principal
place of business or its principal executive office, either within or without
the State of Minnesota, as the Board of Directors may designate or as the
business of the corporation may require from time to time.
Section 1.02. CORPORATE SEAL. If so directed by the Board of
Directors, the corporation may use a corporate seal. The failure to use such
seal, however, shall not affect the validity, recordability or enforceability
of any document executed on behalf of the corporation or any act. The seal
need only include the word "seal," but it may also include, at the discretion
of the Board of Directors, such additional wording as is permitted by law.
Section 1.03. SHAREHOLDER CONTROL AGREEMENT. In the event of any
conflict or inconsistency between these Bylaws, or any amendment thereto, and
any shareholder control agreement, whenever adopted, such shareholder control
agreement shall govern. A copy of any such shareholder control agreement
shall be filed with the corporation at its principal executive office.
ARTICLE II.
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section 2.01. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the shareholders
of the corporation shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or the
Board of Directors. Regular meetings of the shareholders may be held no more
frequently than once per year and may be held on any other less frequent
periodic basis. Regular meetings of the shareholders need not be held, except
that if a regular meeting of the shareholders has not been held during the
immediately preceding fifteen (15) months, a shareholder or shareholders
holding three percent (3%) or more of the voting power of all shares of this
corporation entitled to vote may demand that a regular meeting of the
shareholders be held by giving written notice to the Chief Executive Officer
or the Chief Financial Officer of the corporation. Within thirty (30) days
after receipt of the demand by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial
Officer, the Board of Directors shall cause a regular meeting of the
shareholders to be called and held on notice no later than ninety (90) days
after receipt of the demand, all at the expense of the corporation. If the
Board of Directors fails to cause a regular meeting of the shareholders to be
called and held as required by this section of the Bylaws, the shareholder or
shareholders making the demand may call the regular meeting by giving notice
as required by Section 2.05 of these Bylaws, all at the expense of the
corporation. At each regular meeting of the shareholders there shall be an
election of qualified successors for
directors who serve for an indefinite term or whose terms have expired or are
due to expire within six (6) months after the date of the meeting. No other
particular business is required to be transacted at a regular meeting. Any
business appropriate for action by the shareholders may be transacted at a
regular meeting. No meeting shall be considered a regular meeting unless
specifically designated as such in the notice of meeting or unless all of the
shareholders are present in person or by proxy and none of them objects to
such designation.
Section 2.02. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the shareholders
of the corporation may be called for any purpose or purposes at any time by
the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or by two or more
directors. In addition, except as provided by the Minnesota Business
Corporation Act with respect to a "business combination," a shareholder or
shareholders holding ten percent (10%) or more of the voting power of all
shares of the corporation entitled to vote may demand that a special meeting
of the shareholders be held by giving written notice containing the purpose
or purposes of the meeting to the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial
Officer of the corporation. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of the
demand by such officer, the Board of Directors shall cause a special meeting
of shareholders to be called and held on notice no later than ninety (90)
days after receipt of the demand, all at the expense of the corporation. If
the Board of Directors fails to cause a special meeting of the shareholders
to be called and held as required by this Section of the Bylaws, the
shareholder or shareholders making the demand may call the meeting by giving
notice as required by Section 2.05 of these Bylaws, all at the expense of the
corporation.
Section 2.03. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETINGS. Regular or special
meetings of the shareholders of the corporation, if any, shall be held on the
day or date and at the time and place fixed by the Chief Executive Officer or
the Board of Directors, except that a regular or special meeting called by,
or at the demand of, a shareholder or shareholders pursuant to Sections 2.01
or 2.02 of these Bylaws shall be held in the county where the principal
executive office of the corporation is located.
Section 2.04. VOTING RIGHTS. At each meeting of the shareholders of
the corporation, every shareholder having the right to vote shall be entitled
to vote either in person or by proxy. Unless otherwise provided by the
Articles of Incorporation or a resolution of the Board of Directors filed
with the Secretary of State pursuant to Minn. Stat. Section 302A.401, each
shareholder shall have one (1) vote for each voting share of Class A stock
and ten (10) votes for each voting share of Class B stock held of record by
that shareholder. Upon demand of any shareholder, the vote upon any question
before the meeting shall be by ballot. Voting shares owned by two or more
shareholders may be voted by any one of them unless the corporation receives
written notice from any one of them denying the authority of that person to
vote those shares. Unless the corporation receives such a written notice from
a joint owner, a holder of voting shares may vote any portion of the shares
in any way the shareholder chooses. If a shareholder votes without
designating the proportion or number of shares voted in a particular way, the
shareholder shall be deemed to have voted all of the shares in that way. The
Board of Directors may, by a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the directors present, establish a procedure whereby a
shareholder may certify in writing to the corporation that all or a portion
of the shares registered in the name of the shareholder are held for the
account of one or more beneficial owners. Upon receipt by the corporation of
the writing, the persons specified as beneficial
2
owners, rather than the actual shareholder, shall be deemed the shareholders
for the purpose specified in the writing. There shall be no cumulative voting.
Section 2.05. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Notice of all meetings of
shareholders shall be given to every holder of voting shares of record,
except where the meeting is an adjourned meeting and the day or date, time
and place of the meeting were announced at the time of adjournment. The
notice shall be given at least ten (10), but not more than sixty (60), days
before the date of the meeting, except that written notice of a meeting at
which a plan of merger or exchange is to be considered shall be given to all
shareholders, whether entitled to vote or not, at least fourteen (14) days
prior thereto. The notice of any regular or special meeting of shareholders
shall contain the day or date, time and place of the meeting and any other
information deemed necessary or desirable by the person or persons calling
the meeting. Every notice of any special meeting shall state the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting has been called, and the business transacted
at all special meetings shall be confined to the purpose or purposes stated
in the notice, unless all of the shareholders of the corporation are present
in person or by proxy and none of them objects to consideration of a
particular item of business. In the event the purpose of the meeting is to
consider a plan of merger or exchange, a copy or short description of the
plan of merger or exchange shall be included in or enclosed with the notice.
Section 2.06. WAIVER OF NOTICE. A shareholder may waive notice of
any meeting of shareholders. A waiver of notice by a shareholder entitled to
notice is effective whether given before, at or after the meeting and whether
given in writing, orally or by attendance. Attendance by a shareholder at a
meeting is a waiver of notice of that meeting, except where the shareholder
objects at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of business
because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, or objects before a
vote on an item of business because the item may not lawfully be considered
at that meeting and does not participate in the consideration of the item at
that meeting.
Section 2.07. QUORUM. The holders of a majority of the voting power
of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote at a meeting of the
shareholders, present either in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business at that meeting. If a quorum is present when
a duly called or held meeting is convened, the shareholders present at such
meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, even though the
withdrawal of one or more shareholders originally present leaves less than
the proportion or number otherwise required for a quorum. In the event a
quorum is not attained for a meeting, those shareholders present in person or
by proxy shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, to
such day or date and time and place as they shall, by majority vote, agree
upon. Any business may be transacted at such reconvened meeting which might
have been transacted at the meeting which was adjourned. If a quorum is
present in person or by proxy when a duly called or held meeting is convened,
the meeting may be adjourned from time to time without notice, other than
announcement at the meeting.
Section 2.08. RECORD DATE. The Board of Directors may fix, in the
resolution calling for a regular or special meeting of the shareholders, a date
not more than sixty (60) days before the day of the meeting of the shareholders
as the record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice
of and to vote at the meeting, notwithstanding any transfer of shares on the
books of the corporation after any record date so fixed. When a record date is
so
3
fixed, only shareholders on that date are entitled to receive notice of and
to vote at that meeting of shareholders and any adjournment thereof. The
Board of Directors may close the books of the corporation against the
transfer during the whole or any part of such period. If the Board of
Directors fails to fix a record date for the determination of the
shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of the
shareholders, the record date shall be the twentieth (20th) day preceding the
date of such meeting.
Section 2.09. ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or
permitted to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a
meeting or notice thereof by written action signed by all of the shareholders
entitled to vote on that action. The written action is effective on the date
on which the last signature is placed on such writing, unless a different
effective time is provided in the written action. Such written action may be
taken by counterparts.
Section 2.10. PROXIES. At all meetings of shareholders, a
shareholder may cast or authorize the casting of a vote by filing a written
appointment of a proxy with an officer of the corporation at or before the
meeting at which the appointment is to be effective. An appointment of a
proxy for shares held jointly by two or more shareholders is valid if signed
by any one of them, unless the corporation receives from any one of those
shareholders written notice either denying the authority of that person to
appoint a proxy or appointing a different proxy. The appointment of a proxy
is valid for eleven (11) months, unless a longer period is expressly provided
in the appointment. No appointment is irrevocable unless the appointment is
coupled with an interest in the shares or in the corporation. An appointment
may be terminated at will, unless the appointment is coupled with an
interest, in which case it shall not be terminated except in accordance with
the terms of an agreement, if any, between the parties to the appointment.
Termination may be made by filing written notice of the termination of the
appointment with an officer of the corporation, or by filing a new written
appointment of a proxy with an officer of the corporation. Termination in
either manner revokes all prior proxy appointments and is effective when
filed with an officer of the corporation.
Section 2.11. ACTION BY THE SHAREHOLDERS. At any duly called or held
meeting of the shareholders at which a quorum is present, the shareholders
shall take action by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
voting power of the shares entitled to vote who are present in person or by
proxy, except where a larger proportion or number is required by the Articles
of Incorporation or by applicable law. In any case where a class or series of
shares is entitled by the Minnesota Business Corporations Act, the Articles
of Incorporation, or the terms of the shares to vote as a class or series,
the matter being voted upon must also receive the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of that class or
series who are present in person or by proxy, except where a larger
proportion or number is required by the Articles of Incorporation or
applicable law.
Section 2.12. BUSINESS PROPOSED BY SHAREHOLDERS. At any regular or
special meeting of the shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as
shall have been brought before the meeting (a) by or at the direction of the
Board of Directors or (b) by any shareholder of the corporation who complies
with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.12. For business to be
properly brought before any regular or special meeting by a shareholder, the
shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of
the corporation. To be
4
timely, a shareholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at
the principal executive offices of the corporation not less than 50 days
prior to the meeting, provided, however, that in the event that less than 60
days' notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given
or made to the shareholders, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be
received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the
day on which such notice of the date of the regular or special meeting was
mailed or such public disclosure was made. A shareholder's notice to the
Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring
before the regular or special meeting (a) a brief description of the business
desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such
business at the meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the
corporation's books, of the shareholder proposing such business, (c) the
class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by
the shareholder, and (d) any material interest of the shareholder in such
business. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no
business shall be conducted at any regular or special meeting except in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.12. The
chairperson of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that
business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 2.12 and, if he should so determine, he shall so
declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the
meeting shall not be transacted.
ARTICLE III.
DIRECTORS
Section 3.01. GENERAL PURPOSES. Except as authorized by the
shareholders pursuant to a shareholder control agreement or unanimous
affirmative vote of the holders of all of the shares entitled to vote for the
election of the directors of the corporation, the business and affairs of the
corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of
Directors.
Section 3.02. NUMBER AND TERMS OF DIRECTORS. The directors shall be
divided into three (3) classes, designated Class I, Class II, and Class III,
and each class shall be as nearly equal in number as possible. EACH CLASS
SHALL BE ELECTED TO THREE-YEAR TERMS. WITH ONE CLASS TO BE ELECTED EACH YEAR.
At each regular meeting of the shareholders, directors shall be elected for a
full term of three years to succeed those whose terms expire. When the number
of directors is changed, any increase or decrease in directorships shall be
so apportioned among the classes as to make all classes as nearly equal in
number as possible, and any additional director of any class elected to fill
a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a
term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class. In no case
will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent
director. A director shall hold office until the regular meeting for the year
in which the director's term expires and until a successor shall be elected
and qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, retirement,
disqualification or removal from office.
Section 3.03. NOMINATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS. Only persons who are
nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.03 shall
be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to
the Board of Directors of the corporation may be made at a meeting of
shareholders (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) by any
shareholder of the corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at
the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Article
3.03. Nominations by
5
shareholders shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the
Secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a shareholder's notice shall be
delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the
corporation not less than 50 days prior to the meeting; provided, however,
that in the event that less than 60 days' notice or prior public disclosure
of the date of the meeting is given or made to shareholders, notice by the
shareholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of
business on the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date
of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. Such
shareholder's notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the
shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director,
all information relating to such person that is required (or would be
required if the corporation were subject to Regulation 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) to be disclosed in solicitations
of proxies or otherwise pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including such person's written consent to
being named in the proxy statement as nominee and to serving as a director if
elected); and (b) as to the shareholder giving notice (i) the name and
address, as they appear on the corporation's books, of such shareholder and
(ii) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially
owned by such shareholder. 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 Secretary of the corporation that information required to be
set forth in a shareholder's notice of nomination which pertains to the
nominee. 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 3.03. The chairperson of the meeting shall, if the facts
warrant, determine that a nomination was not made in accordance with the
procedures prescribed in this Section 3.03 and, if he should so determine, he
shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be
disregarded.
Section 3.04. BOARD MEETINGS; TIME, PLACE AND NOTICE. Meetings of
the Board of Directors may be held from time to time at any place within or
without the State of Minnesota that the Board of Directors may designate. In
the absence of designation by the Board of Directors in the notice of the
meeting or otherwise, meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the
principal executive office of the corporation, except as may be otherwise
unanimously agreed orally or in writing or by attendance. The Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer or any two directors may call a Board of Directors meeting
by giving two (2) days' notice to all directors of the day or date, time and
place of the meeting. Notice of a meeting called by two directors other than
the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer shall state the purpose
of the meeting. Notice may be given by mail, telephone, telegram or in
person. If a meeting schedule is adopted by the Board of Directors, or if the
day or date, time and place of a Board of Directors meeting has been
announced at a previous meeting, no additional notice is required. Notice of
an adjourned meeting need not be given other than by announcement at the
meeting at which adjournment is taken.
Section 3.05. WAIVER OF NOTICE. A director may waive notice of a
meeting of the Board of Directors. A waiver of notice by a director entitled
to notice is effective, whether given before, at or after the meeting and
whether given in writing, orally or by attendance. Attendance by a director
at a meeting is a waiver of notice of that meeting, except where the director
objects at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of business
because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened and does not
participate thereafter in the meeting.
6
Section 3.06. QUORUM. A majority of the directors currently holding
office shall be a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a
quorum, a majority of the directors present may adjourn a meeting from time
to time until a quorum is present. If a quorum is present when a duly called
or held meeting is convened, the directors present may continue to transact
business until adjournment, even though the withdrawal of a number of
directors originally present leaves less than the proportion or number
otherwise required for a quorum.
Section 3.07. ABSENT DIRECTORS. A director who is unable to attend a
meeting of the Board of Directors may give advance written consent or
opposition to a proposal to be acted on at the meeting. If the director is
not present at the meeting, consent or opposition to a proposal does not
constitute presence for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum,
but consent or opposition shall be counted as a vote in favor of or against
the proposal and shall be entered in the minutes or other record of action at
the meeting, if the proposal acted on at the meeting is substantially the
same or has substantially the same effect as the proposal to which the
director has consented or objected.
Section 3.08. ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or
permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors of this
corporation may be taken without a meeting and notice thereof by written
action signed by the number of directors that would be required to take the
same action at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which all the directors
were present, provided that the proposed action need not be approved by the
shareholders and that the Articles of Incorporation so provide. The written
action is effective when signed by the necessary number of directors, unless
a different effective time is provided in the written action. Such written
action may be taken by counterparts.
Section 3.09. ACTION BY THE BOARD. The Board of Directors shall take
action by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at a
duly held meeting except where a larger proportion or number is required by
the Articles of Incorporation or applicable law.
Section 3.10. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. A conference among
directors by any means of communication through which the directors may
simultaneously hear each other during the conference constitutes a board
meeting if the same notice is given of the conference as would be required by
Section 3.04 of these Bylaws for a meeting and if the number of directors
participating in the conference would be sufficient to constitute a quorum at
a meeting under Section 3.06 of these Bylaws. A director may also participate
in a meeting of the Board of Directors by any means of communication through
which the director, other directors so participating, and all directors
physically present at the meeting may simultaneously hear each other during
the meeting. Participation in a meeting of the Board of Directors pursuant to
the provisions of this section of the Bylaws constitutes presence in person
at the meeting.
Section 3.11. COMMITTEES. The Board of Directors may, by resolution
approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of its members, establish one or
more committees, including an executive committee and a committee of
disinterested persons, which shall have the authority of the Board of Directors
in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation to the extent
provided in the resolution, as amended from time to time. A committee shall
consist of one or more natural persons, who need not be directors, appointed by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present. Each committee
shall keep minutes of its acts and proceedings
7
and make such minutes available upon request to members of the committee and
to any director. Committees shall at all times be subject to the direction
and control of the board, except as otherwise provided herein or by
applicable law. Sections 3.04 through 3.10 of these Bylaws shall apply to
committees and members of committees to the same extent as those sections
apply to the Board of Directors and to members of the Board of Directors.
Section 3.12. PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT. A director who is present at a
meeting of the Board of Directors when an action is approved by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present is presumed to have
assented to the action approved, unless the director (i) objects at the
beginning of the meeting to the transaction of business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened and does not participate thereafter in the
meeting, in which case the director shall not be considered to be present at
the meeting for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present; (ii)
votes against the action at the meeting; or (iii) is prohibited by applicable
law, due to a conflict of interest, from voting on the action.
Section 3.13. RESIGNATION. A director may resign from the Board of
Directors at any time by giving written notice to the corporation at its
principal executive office. The resignation is effective without acceptance
when the notice is given to the corporation, unless a later effective time is
specified in the notice.
Section 3.14. REMOVAL. Any director, including a director named by
the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship, may
be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the
holders of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of the shares outstanding and
entitled to vote for the election of directors. New directors may be elected
at a meeting at which directors are removed.
Section 3.15. VACANCIES. Vacancies on the Board of Directors
resulting from the death, disqualification, resignation, retirement or
removal of a director or by newly created directorships may be filled by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, even though less
than a quorum. Any director elected by the Board of Directors under this
Section to fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of
directors shall have the same remaining term as that of such director's
predecessor.
Section 3.16. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. The members of the Board of
Directors and any committee may be reimbursed for their expenses, if any, of
attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee; and
the Board of Directors may fix by resolution the compensation of directors
and of the members of any committee of the Board of Directors. No such
payment shall preclude any director or committee member from serving the
corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation for his or her
services in such capacity.
Section 3.17. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Board of Directors may
elect one of its members to be Chairman of the Board of Directors. In the
event a Chairman of the Board of Directors is elected, he or she shall
preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board
of Directors is subject to the control of the Board of Directors and may be
removed by the Board. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall have
supervisory authority over the general policy and business of the corporation
and shall perform the duties that are assigned by the Board of Directors.
8
ARTICLE IV.
OFFICERS
Section 4.01. REQUIRED OFFICERS. The corporation shall have one or
more natural persons exercising the functions of the offices, however
designated, of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
Section 4.02. OTHER OFFICERS. In lieu of or in addition to
appointing a Chief Executive Officer and a Chief Financial Officer, the Board
of Directors may appoint, in a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the directors present, any other officers, assistant officers
or agents the Board of Directors deems necessary or appropriate for the
operation and management of the corporation, each of whom shall have the
powers, rights, duties, responsibilities and terms in office determined by
the Board of Directors from time to time. If elected, the following officers
shall have the following roles:
(a) CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. A Chairman of the Board, if one is
elected, shall preside at all meetings of the directors and shall have
such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board
of Directors.
(b) PRESIDENT. The President, if elected in lieu of a Chief
Executive Officer, shall exercise the functions of the Chief Executive
Officer.
(c) VICE PRESIDENT. Each Vice President, if elected, shall
have such powers and shall perform such duties as may be specified in
the Bylaws or prescribed by the Board of Directors or by the President.
In the event of absence or disability of the President, Vice Presidents
shall succeed to his power and duties in the order designated by the
Board of Directors.
(d) SECRETARY. A Secretary, if elected, shall maintain records
of the corporation and together with the President or Chief Executive
Officer, certify the proceedings of the Board of Directors and the
shareholders. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as may from
time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors or by the
President.
(e) TREASURER. The Treasurer, if elected, shall exercise the
functions of the Chief Financial Officer, if there is no other person
who has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, and shall perform such
other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of
Directors or by the President.
If specific persons have not been elected as President or Secretary,
the Chief Executive Officer may execute instruments or documents in those
capacities. If a specific person has not been elected to the office of
Treasurer, the Chief Financial Officer of the corporation may sign
instruments or documents in that capacity.
Section 4.03. ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE. At its first regular meeting
after the regular meeting of the shareholders each year, the Board of Directors
shall elect or appoint a Chief Executive Officer and a Chief Financial Officer
and/or such other officers, assistant officers or agents the Board of Directors
deems necessary. Such officers shall hold their offices until their
9
successors are elected and have qualified; provided, however, that any
officer may be removed in the manner provided in Section 4.13 of these Bylaws.
Section 4.04. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. Unless a resolution adopted
by the Board of Directors provides otherwise, the Chief Executive Officer
shall have the duties specified in this section. When present, the Chief
Executive Officer shall call to order and preside over all meetings of the
shareholders and all meetings of the Board of Directors unless a Chairman of
the Board of Directors is elected who shall preside at all meetings of the
Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer shall have responsibility for
the active management of the business of the corporation and shall see that
all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect.
The Chief Executive Officer shall also sign and deliver in the name of the
corporation any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments
pertaining to the business of the corporation as may be prescribed from time
to time by the Board of Directors, maintain records of and, whenever
necessary, certify all proceedings of the Board of Directors and the
shareholders. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer shall, in general,
perform all duties usually incident to the position of Chief Executive
Officer and such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the
Board of Directors.
Section 4.05. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. Unless a resolution adopted
by the Board of Directors provides otherwise, the Chief Financial Officer
shall have the duties specified in this section. The Chief Financial Officer
shall keep accurate financial records of the corporation; deposit all money,
drafts, and checks in the name of and to the credit of the corporation in the
banks and depositories designated by the Board of Directors; endorse for
deposit all notes, checks and drafts received by the corporation as ordered
by the Board of Directors, making proper vouchers therefor, except to the
extent that some other person or persons may be specifically authorized by
the Board of Directors to do so; disburse corporate funds and issue checks
and drafts in the name of the corporation as authorized by the Board of
Directors; render to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors,
whenever requested, an account of all transactions by the Chief Financial
Officer and of the financial condition of the corporation; and shall perform
such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Chief
Executive Officer from time to time.
Section 4.06. MULTIPLE OFFICES. Any number of offices or functions
of those offices may be held or exercised by the same person, except that if
a President and Vice President shall be elected, the offices shall not be
held by the same person. If a document must be signed by persons holding
different offices or functions and a person holds or exercises more than one
of those offices or functions, that person may sign the document in more than
one capacity, but only if the document indicates each capacity in which the
person signs.
Section 4.07. OFFICERS DEEMED ELECTED. In the absence of an election
or appointment of officers by the Board of Directors, the person or persons
exercising the principal functions of the Chief Executive Officer or the
Chief Financial Officer are deemed to have been elected to those offices.
Section 4.08. CONTRACT RIGHTS. The election or appointment of a person
as an officer or agent of the corporation shall not, of itself, create contract
rights. The corporation may enter into an employment contract with an officer or
agent for a period of time if, in the judgment of the
10
Board of Directors, the contract would be in the best interests of the
corporation. The fact that the contract may be for a term longer than the
terms of the directors who authorized or approved the contract shall not make
the contract void or voidable.
Section 4.09. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY. Unless prohibited by a
resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors
present at a duly called meeting of the Board of Directors, an officer
elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may, without the approval of
the Board of Directors, delegate some or all of the duties or powers of his
or her office to other persons, provided that such delegation is in writing.
An officer who delegates the duties or powers of an office remains subject to
the standard of conduct for an officer with respect to the discharge of all
duties and powers so delegated.
Section 4.10. [Deleted]
Section 4.11. COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS. The salaries of all officers
of the corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors
or a committee appointed by the Board. The Board of Directors or a duly
appointed committee may authorize and empower the Chief Executive Officer,
President or any Vice President to fix the salaries of all officers of the
corporation who are not directors of the corporation. No officer shall be
prevented from receiving a salary by reason of the fact that he or she is
also a director of the corporation.
Section 4.12. RESIGNATION. An officer may resign at any time by
giving written notice to the corporation at its principal executive office.
The resignation is effective without acceptance when the notice is given to
the corporation, unless a later effective date is specified in the notice.
Section 4.13. REMOVAL. Subject to the provisions of any shareholder
control agreement, an officer may be removed at any time, with or without
cause, by a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
directors present at a duly called meeting of the Board of Directors. Any
such removal shall be without prejudice to any contractual rights of the
officer.
Section 4.14. VACANCY. A vacancy in an office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause may, or in the case of
a vacancy in the office of Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer
shall, be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the
term, or for such term and on such conditions as shall be determined by the
Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V.
SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER
Section 5.01. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES. Every shareholder of this
corporation shall be entitled to a certificate, to be in such form as prescribed
by law and adopted by the Board of Directors, certifying the number of shares of
the corporation owned by him or her. The certificates for such shares shall be
numbered in the order in which they are issued and shall be signed in the name
of the corporation by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer
or any other proper officers of the corporation authorized by the Board of
Directors and shall have typed or printed thereon such legend as may be required
by law or any shareholder control agreement. Every certificate surrendered to
the corporation for exchange or transfer shall be cancelled, and no new
certificate or certificates shall be issued in exchange for any existing
11
certificate until such existing certificate shall have been so cancelled,
except in cases provided for in Section 5.03 of these Bylaws.
Section 5.02. TRANSFER OF SHARES. Transfer of shares on the books of
the corporation may be authorized only by the shareholder named in the
certificate, or the shareholder's legal representative or duly authorized
attorney in fact, and is effective upon surrender for cancellation of the
properly endorsed certificate or certificates for such shares to the
corporation or its transfer agent. The corporation may treat as the absolute
owner for all purposes of shares of the corporation the person or persons in
whose name or names the shares are registered on the books of the corporation
and may not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest
in such shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have
express or other notice thereof.
Section 5.03. LOST CERTIFICATES. Any shareholder claiming that a
certificate for shares has been lost, destroyed or stolen shall make an
affidavit of that fact in such form as the Board of Directors may require and
shall, if the Board of Directors so requires, give the corporation a
sufficient agreement of indemnity or indemnity bond, in form, in an amount,
and with one or more sureties satisfactory to the Board of Directors, to
indemnify the corporation against any claims which may be made against it on
account of the reissue of such certificate. A new certificate shall then be
issued to said shareholder for the same number of shares as the one alleged
to have been destroyed, lost or stolen.
Section 5.04. FRACTIONAL SHARES. The corporation may issue fractions
of a share originally or upon transfer. Except as otherwise provided by
applicable law, if the Board of Directors decides not to issue fractions of a
share in connection with an original issuance of shares, the Board of
Directors must (i) arrange for the disposition of fractional interests by
persons entitled to them, (ii) pay in money the fair value of fractions of a
share as of the time when persons entitled to receive the fractions are
determined, or (iii) issue scrip or warrants in registered or bearer form
that entitle the holder to receive a certificate for a full share on the
surrender of scrip or warrants aggregating a full share.
Section 5.05. FACSIMILE SIGNATURE. Where any certificate is manually
signed by a transfer agent, a transfer clerk or by a registrar appointed by
the Board of Directors to perform such duties, a facsimile or engraved
signature of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer or any
other proper officers of the corporation authorized by the Board of Directors
may be inscribed on the certificate in lieu of the actual signature of such
officer. The fact that a certificate bears the facsimile signature of an
officer who has ceased to hold office shall not affect the validity of such
certificate if otherwise validly issued.
Section 5.06. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR. The Board of Directors
may appoint one or more transfer agents or transfer clerks, and one or more
registrars and may require all certificates for shares to bear the signature
or signatures of any of them.
Section 5.07. CONVERSION OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK.
(a) CONVERSION PROCEDURE. In the event of any conversion of
shares of Class B Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.02(c) of the
Articles of Incorporation, the holder
12
of such shares of Class B Common Stock shall promptly surrender the
certificate or certificates therefor, duly endorsed in blank or
accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, at the office of the
corporation, or of any transfer agent for such shares, and shall
give written notice to the corporation (the "Notice"), at such
office: (1) stating that shares of Class B Common Stock have been
converted into Class A Common Stock as provided in this Section 5.07;
(2) specifying how the conversion occurred; (3) identifying the
number of shares of Class B Common Stock being converted; and
(4) setting out the name or names (with addresses) and denominations
in which the certificate or certificates for shares of Class A Common
Stock shall be issued, with instructions for delivery thereof.
Delivery of such notice together with the certificates representing
the shares of Class B Common Stock shall obligate the corporation to
issue such shares of Class A Common Stock. Thereupon the corporation
or its agent shall promptly issue and deliver to such holder a
certificate or certificates representing the shares to which such
holder is entitled, registered in the name of such holder or designee
as specified in the Notice. The corporation shall take any and all
steps necessary to effect a conversion pursuant to Section 2.02(c)
of the Articles of Incorporation, notwithstanding any failure by the
holder to deliver to the corporation the Notice or the certificates
representing the shares subject to such conversion.
(b) EFFECT OF AUTOMATIC CONVERSION. To the extent permitted by
law, conversion shall be deemed to have been effected as of the date on
which conversion was first permitted or required under Section 2.02(c)
of the Articles of Incorporation (such date being the "Conversion
Time"). The person entitled to receive shares issuable upon such
conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of
such class of shares at and as of the Conversion Time, and the right of
such person as a holder of the shares held prior to such conversion
shall cease and terminate at and as of the Conversion Time, in each
case notwithstanding any failure by the holder to deliver to the
corporation the Notice or the certificates representing the shares
subject to conversion, or the corporation's failure to issue to the
holder certificates representing the shares to be held after the
conversion has been effected.
(c) RESERVATION. The corporation hereby reserves and shall at
all times reserve and keep available, out of its authorized and
unissued shares of capital stock, for the purposes of effecting
conversions, such number of duly authorized shares of capital stock as
shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of the
Class B Common Stock contemplated herein. All such shares so issuable
shall, when so issued, be duly and validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable, and free from liens and charges with respect to the
issue. The corporation will take all such action as may be necessary to
ensure that all such shares may be so issued without violation of any
applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of any national
securities exchange or The Nasdaq Stock Market upon which such shares
may be listed or traded.
ARTICLE VI.
CORPORATE BOOKS AND RECORDS
Section 6.01. SHARE REGISTER. The corporation shall keep at its
principal executive office or at such other place or places within the United
States as determined by the Board of Directors,
13
a share register not more than one year old, containing the names and
addresses of the shareholders, the number and classes of shares held by each
shareholder, the dates on which the certificates therefor were issued, and,
in the case of cancellation, the date of cancellation.
Section 6.02. OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. The corporation shall keep
at its principal executive office, or, if its principal executive office is
not located within the State of Minnesota, shall make available at its
registered office within ten (10) days after receipt by an officer of the
corporation of a written demand from a person described in Section 6.04 of
these Bylaws, either the originals or copies of the following:
a. Records of all proceedings of the shareholders and the
Board of Directors of the Corporation for at least the last three
years;
b. The Articles of Incorporation of the corporation and
all amendments thereto;
c. These Bylaws and all amendments thereto currently in
effect;
d. Reports made to shareholders generally within the last
three years;
e. A statement of the names and usual business addresses of
the corporation's directors and principal officers;
f. Any shareholder control agreements and voting trust
agreements; and
g. The financial statements required by Section 6.03 of these
Bylaws and the financial statement for the most recent interim period
prepared in the course of the operations of the corporation for
distribution to the shareholders or to a governmental agency as a
matter of public record.
Section 6.03. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The corporation shall keep
appropriate and complete financial records and shall, upon written request by
a shareholder, furnish annual financial statements, including at least a
balance sheet as of the end of each fiscal year and a statement of income for
the fiscal year, which shall be prepared on the basis of accounting methods
reasonable in the circumstances and may be consolidated statements of the
corporation and one or more of its subsidiaries, if any. In the case of
statements audited by a public accountant, each copy shall be accompanied by
a report setting forth the opinion of the accountant on the statements; in
other cases, each copy shall be accompanied by a statement of the Chief
Financial Officer or other person in charge of the corporation's financial
records stating the reasonable belief of the person that the financial
statements were prepared in accordance with accounting methods reasonable in
the circumstances, describing the basis of presentation and describing any
respects in which the financial statements were not prepared on a basis
consistent with those prepared for the previous year.
Section 6.04. RIGHT TO INSPECT. So long as this corporation is publicly
held, any shareholder of the corporation, beneficial owner of shares of the
corporation or holder of a voting trust certificate relating to the shares of
the corporation has, upon written demand stating the purpose and acknowledged or
verified as required by law, a right to examine and copy, at any
14
reasonable time, the share register required by Section 6.01 of these Bylaws
and other corporate documents reasonably related to the stated purpose. For
purpose of these Bylaws, a "proper purpose" is any purpose reasonably related
to the person's interest as a shareholder, beneficial owner of shares or
holder of a voting trust certificate of the corporation.
ARTICLE VII.
NOTICE
Section 7.01. NOTICE. Whenever under the provisions of these Bylaws
notice is required to be given to the corporation or an officer of the
corporation, such notice shall be in writing and is deemed to have been given
when mailed or delivered to the corporation or the officer at the registered
office or principal executive office of the corporation. Whenever under the
provisions of these Bylaws notice is required to be given to any shareholder,
director or member of a committee of the Board of Directors of the
corporation, such notice is deemed to have been given when mailed to the
person at an address designated by the person or at the last known address of
the person, or when communicated to the person orally, or when handed to the
person, or when left at the office of the person with a clerk or other person
in charge of the office, or if there is no one in charge, when left in a
conspicuous place in the office, or if the office is closed or the person to
be notified has no office, when left at the dwelling house or usual place of
abode of the person with some person of suitable age and discretion then
residing therein. Notice by mail is given when deposited in the United States
mail with sufficient postage affixed. Notice is deemed received when it is
given.
ARTICLE VIII.
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.01. INDEMNIFICATION. The corporation shall indemnify each
former and present officer, director, or employee of the corporation, and
each person who serves or may have served at the request of the corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or employee
benefit plan, and their respective heirs, administrators and executors, who
are made a party to a threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal,
administrative, arbitration, or investigative proceeding by reason of the
former or present official capacity of the person against judgments,
penalties, fines, including, without limitation, excise taxes assessed
against the person with respect to an employee benefit plan, including
attorneys' fees and disbursements, incurred by the person in connection with
the proceeding in accordance with, and to the fullest extent permissible
under, the provisions of Chapter 302A of the Minnesota Statutes, as it may
from time to time be amended. In the event a former or present officer,
director, or employee of the corporation is made or threatened to be made a
party to a civil, criminal, administrative, arbitration or investigative
proceeding by reason of the former or present official capacity of the
person, the person shall be entitled, upon written request to the
corporation, to payment or reimbursement by the corporation of reasonable
expenses, including attorneys' fees and disbursements, incurred by the person
in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding, as provided in
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 302A.
15
ARTICLE IX.
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
Section 9.01. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS. Unless reserved by the Articles
of Incorporation to the shareholders, the Board of Directors may, from time
to time by the affirmative vote of the majority of its members present at a
duly called meeting, adopt, amend or repeal all or any of the Bylaws of the
corporation subject, however, to the power of the shareholders, exercisable
in the manner provided by law, to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws adopted,
amended or repealed by the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of these Bylaws to the contrary (and notwithstanding the fact that
a lesser percentage or separate class vote may be specified by law, the
Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws), the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of all shares
outstanding and entitled to vote, voting together as a single class, shall be
required to amend or repeal, or adopt any provisions inconsistent with
Sections 2.12, 3.02, 3.03, 3.04, 3.06, 3.14, 3.15 or 9.01 of these Bylaws.
16
CERTIFICATION OF BYLAWS
The undersigned, being the duly elected Secretary of Rural Cellular
Corporation, a Minnesota corporation, does hereby certify that the foregoing
Bylaws have been duly adopted to be the Bylaws of the corporation and to
supersede all previously existing Bylaws by action of the Board of Directors
taken the 22nd day of January, 1999.
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------
Xxx Xxxxxxx
17
