Exhibit 3(ii)
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X. X. XXXXXX COMPANY, INC.
(A Delaware Corporation)
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BYLAWS
As amended to February 9, 2000
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE TITLE PAGES
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I Offices 1
II Meetings of Stockholders 2-11
III Board of Directors 11-19
IV Committees 20-24
V Officers 24-29
VI Contracts, Loans, Checks,
Drafts, Bank Accounts, Etc. 29-31
VII Books and Records 31-32
VIII Shares of Stock and Their
Transfer 32-34
IX Dividends and Reserves 34
X Indemnification of Directors,
Officers, Employees, and Agents 34-36
XI Ratification 36
XII Seal 36
XIII Fiscal Year 37
XIV Waiver of Notice 37
XV Emergency Bylaws 38-40
XVI Amendments 40-41
X. X. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.
(A Delaware Corporation)
BYLAWS
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ARTICLE I
OFFICES
SECTION 1. REGISTERED OFFICE. The registered office of X. X. Xxxxxx
Company, Inc. (hereinafter called the Company) in the State of Delaware shall be
at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx xx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx of New Castle. The name of the
registered agent in charge thereof is The Corporation Trust Company.
SECTION 2. OTHER OFFICES. The Company may also have an office or offices at
such other place or places either within or without the State of Delaware as
from time to time the Board of Directors may determine or the business of the
Company may require.
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ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
SECTION 1. ANNUAL MEETINGS. The annual meeting of stockholders for the
election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may come
before the meeting shall be held at such place and time as shall be fixed by the
Board of Directors and specified in the notice of the meeting, on the third
Tuesday in May in each year, or on such other day as shall be fixed by the Board
of Directors and specified in the notice of the meeting. If the election of
directors shall not be held on the day designated herein or the day fixed by the
Board, as the case may be, for any annual meeting, or on the day of any
adjourned session thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be
held at a special meeting as soon thereafter as convenient. At such special
meeting, the stockholders may elect the directors and transact other business
with the same force and effect as at an annual meeting duly called and held.
SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Any action required or permitted to be taken by
the holders of the Common Stock of the Company must be effected at a duly called
annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent
in writing by such holders. A special meeting of stockholders for any purpose or
purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by the laws of the State of
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Delaware or by the certificate of incorporation, may be called at any time
only by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution approved by a
majority of the Board of Directors. Special meetings of stockholders may be
held at such place, on such date, and at such time as shall be designated by
resolution of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Except as otherwise required by the laws of
the State of Delaware or the certificate of incorporation, notice of each annual
or special meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than
60 days before the day on which the meeting is to be held to each stockholder of
record entitled to vote at the meeting by delivering a written notice thereof to
him or her personally, or by depositing a copy of the notice in the United
States mail, postage prepaid, directed to him or her at his or her address as it
appears on the records of the Company, or by transmitting the notice thereof to
him or her at such address by telegram, cable, radiogram, telephone facsimile,
or other appropriate written communication. Except when expressly required by
the laws of the State of Delaware, no publication of any notice of a meeting of
stockholders shall be required. Every such notice shall state the place, date,
and time of the meeting, and in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or
purposes thereof. Notice of any adjourned session of a meeting of stockholders
shall not be required to be given if the place, date, and time thereof are
announced at the
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meeting at which the adjournment is taken. If, however, the adjournment is
for more than 30 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 of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
SECTION 4. LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS. It shall be the duty of the officer who
shall have charge of the stock ledger of the Company to prepare and make, at
least 10 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, during ordinary
business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either at
a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be
specified in the notice of the meeting, or if not so specified, at the place
where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the
time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be
inspected, for any purpose germane to the meeting, by any stockholder who is
present. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the
stockholders entitled to examine such list or to vote in person or by proxy at
the
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meeting.
SECTION 5. QUORUM. At each meeting of stockholders, the holders of a
majority of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled
to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum
at any meeting, or any adjourned session thereof, the stockholders of the
Company present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote, by
majority vote, or in the absence of all the stockholders, any officer entitled
to preside or act as secretary at the meeting, may adjourn the meeting from time
to time until a quorum shall be present. At any such adjourned meeting at which
a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the meeting as originally called.
SECTION 6. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT OF MEETING. At each meeting of
stockholders, the Chairman of the Board or in his or her absence a Vice Chairman
of the Board or in his or her absence a chairman chosen by the vote of a
majority in interest of the stockholders present in person or represented by
proxy and entitled to vote thereat, shall act as chairman. The Secretary or in
his or her absence an Assistant Secretary or in the absence of the Secretary and
all Assistant Secretaries a person whom the chairman of the meeting shall
appoint shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep a record of the
proceedings thereof. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the
polls for each
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matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced
at the meeting by the person presiding over the meeting. The Board of
Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct
of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate, or
convenient. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations
as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of any meeting of
stockholders shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules,
regulations, and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of
such chairman, are necessary, appropriate, or convenient for the proper
conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations, or procedures, whether
adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman of the
meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the
establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting, (ii) rules
and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those
present, (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting
to stockholders of record of the Company, their duly authorized and
constituted proxies, or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting
shall determine, (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time
fixed for the commencement thereof, and (v) limitations on the time allotted
to questions or comments by participants. Unless, and to the extent
determined by
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the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of
stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of
parliamentary procedure.
SECTION 7. NOTIFICATION OF STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS. At a meeting of the
stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly
brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before a meeting, business
must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given
by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) otherwise properly
brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or
(iii) in the case of an annual meeting of stockholders, otherwise properly
requested to be brought before the meeting by a stockholder of record entitled
to vote at the meeting and otherwise a proper subject to be brought before such
meeting. For business to be properly requested to be brought before an annual
meeting of stockholders, any stockholder who desires to bring any matter (other
than the election of directors, which is provided for in Section 15 of Article
III of these Bylaws) before such meeting and who is entitled to vote on such
matter must give timely written notice of such stockholder's desire to bring
such matter before the meeting, either by personal delivery or by United States
mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Company not later than 90 days in
advance of such meeting. A stockholder's notice to the Secretary in this regard
shall set forth: (1) the name and address of the stockholder
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proposing such business, (2) a representation that such stockholder is a
record owner of stock of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting and
intends to appear in person at the meeting to present the described business,
(3) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the
meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and (4)
any material interest of the stockholder in such business. Notwithstanding
anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business may be conducted at a
meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II
of these Bylaws. The chairman of a meeting may, if the facts warrant, or if
not in accordance with applicable law, determine and declare to the meeting
that business proposed to be brought before a meeting was not a proper
subject therefor or was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 7, and if he should so determine, he may
so declare to the meeting, and any such business not a proper subject matter
or not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
SECTION 8. VOTING; PROXIES; BALLOTS. Except as otherwise provided in the
laws of the State of Delaware or the certificate of incorporation, at every
meeting of stockholders, each stockholder of the Company shall be entitled to
one vote at the meeting in person or by proxy for each share of stock having
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voting rights registered in his or her name on the books of the Company on the
date fixed pursuant to Section 3 of Article VII of these Bylaws as the record
date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting.
Shares of its own stock belonging to the Company shall not be voted directly or
indirectly (except for shares of stock held by the Company in a fiduciary
capacity). The vote of any stockholder entitled thereto may be cast in person or
by his or her proxy appointed by an instrument in writing, or by a telegram,
cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission, to the full extent
permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware; provided, however, that no proxy
shall be voted after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a
longer period. At all meetings of stockholders, each question (except where
other provision is made in the laws of the State of Delaware, in the certificate
of incorporation, or in these Bylaws) shall be decided by the vote of the
holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes which could be cast by
the holders of all shares of stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. All
elections of directors and all votes on matters set forth in the notice of
meeting shall be by written ballot stating the number of shares voted, but
except as otherwise provided in the laws of the State of Delaware, the vote on
any other matter need not be by ballot unless directed by the chairman of the
meeting. On a vote by ballot, each ballot shall be signed by the stockholder
voting, or by his or her proxy, if there be
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such proxy, and shall state the number of shares voted.
SECTION 9. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION. The Company shall, in advance of any
meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election, who may be
employees of the Company, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and
to make a written report thereof. The Company may designate one or more persons
as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. In the event
that no inspector so appointed or designated is able to act at a meeting of
stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more
inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the
discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute
faithfully the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the
best of his or her ability.
The inspector or inspectors so appointed or designated shall (i) ascertain
the number of shares of stock of the Company outstanding and the voting power of
each such share, (ii) determine the shares of stock of the Company represented
at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (iii) count all votes
and ballots, (iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the
disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and
(v) certify their determination of the number of shares of stock of the Company
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represented at the meeting and such inspectors' count of all votes and ballots.
Such certification and report shall specify such other information as may be
required by law. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots
cast at any meeting of stockholders of the Company, the inspectors may consider
such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a candidate
for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1. GENERAL POWERS. The business, property, and affairs of the
Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In
addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred upon the Board of
Directors by the certificate of incorporation and these Bylaws, the Board of
Directors may exercise all such powers of the Company and do all such lawful
acts and things as are not by the laws of the State of Delaware, the certificate
of incorporation, or these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done
by the stockholders.
SECTION 2. ELIGIBILITY AND RETIREMENT. No person may serve as a director
unless he or she is a stockholder of the Company. Notwithstanding the expiration
of a director's term as set forth in Section 3 of this Article III, no person
shall be qualified or may continue to serve as a director after the Company's
annual
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meeting of its stockholders in the calendar year in which, at any time during
such year, such person has attained age 70.
SECTION 3. NUMBER AND CLASSIFICATION OF DIRECTORS. Except as otherwise
provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article Fourth of the
certificate of incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any class
or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or
upon liquidation to elect additional directors under specified circumstances,
the number of directors of the Company which shall constitute the whole Board of
Directors shall be such number, not less than three, as from time to time shall
be fixed by the Board of Directors. The directors, other than those who may be
elected pursuant to the aforesaid provisions of said Article Fourth, shall be
classified by the Board of Directors, with respect to the duration of the term
for which they severally hold office, into three classes as nearly equal in
number as possible. Such classes shall originally consist of a first class of
four directors who shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders held
in 1985 for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in
1986, and election and qualification of their respective successors; a second
class of five directors who shall be elected at the annual meeting of
stockholders held in 1985 for a term expiring at the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held
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in 1987, and election and qualification of their respective successors; and a
third class of five directors who shall be elected at the annual meeting of
stockholders held in 1985 for a term expiring at the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held in 1988, and election and qualification of their
respective successors. At each annual meeting of stockholders beginning in
1986, the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that
meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of
stockholders held in the third year following the year of election of such
directors and election and qualification of their respective successors. The
Board of Directors shall increase or decrease the number of directors in one
or more classes as may be appropriate whenever it increases or decreases the
number of directors pursuant to this Section 3, in order to ensure that the
three classes shall be as nearly equal in number as possible. Each director
of the Company shall hold office as provided above and until his or her
successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
SECTION 4. QUORUM AND MANNER OF ACTING. A majority of the directors at the
time in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any
meeting, which in no case shall be less than one third of the total number of
directors. Except as otherwise provided in the laws of the State of Delaware,
the certificate of incorporation, or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of a
majority of the directors present at any meeting at
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which a quorum is present shall be required for the taking of any action by
the Board of Directors. In the absence of a quorum at any meeting of the
Board, the meeting need not be held, or a majority of the directors present
thereat or if no director be present, the Secretary, may adjourn the meeting
from time to time until a quorum shall be present. Notice of any adjourned
meeting need not be given. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be
present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at
the meeting as originally called. Members of the Board of Directors may
participate in a meeting of the Board by means of conference telephone or
similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating
in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in the meeting by such
means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
SECTION 5. OFFICES; PLACES OF MEETINGS. The Board of Directors may hold
meetings and have an office or offices at such place or places within or
without the State of Delaware as the Board may from time to time determine,
and in the case of meetings, as shall be specified or fixed in the respective
notices or waivers of notice thereof, except where other provision is made in
the laws of the State of Delaware, the certificate of incorporation, or these
Bylaws.
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SECTION 6. ANNUAL MEETING. The Board of Directors shall meet for the
purpose of organization, the election of officers, and the transaction of
other business, at the time of each annual election of directors. Such meeting
may be held prior to the stockholders' meeting, if deemed necessary and
appropriate, and if so held, would be held subject to the election of
directors at the upcoming stockholders' meeting; provided, however, that no
individual not then a director may act as a director prior to his or her
election at the upcoming stockholders' meeting. Such meeting shall be called
and held at the place and time specified in the notice or waiver and held at
the place and time specified in the notice or waiver of notice thereof as in
the case of a special meeting of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 7. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors
shall be held as the Board of Directors shall determine, at such times and
places as shall from time to time be determined by the Board, except that in
May, the regular meeting shall be held immediately following the adjournment
of the annual meeting of the Board. Notice of regular meetings need not be
given.
SECTION 8. SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE. Special meetings of the Board of
Directors shall be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board or a Vice
Chairman of the Board or by any two of the directors. Notice of each such
meeting shall be mailed to each director, addressed to such director at his or
her residence or usual place of business, at least two days before the day on
which
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the meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to such director at his or her
residence or such place of business by telegram, cable, radiogram, telephone
facsimile, or other appropriate written communication, or delivered personally
or by telephone, not later than the day before the day on which the meeting is
to be held. Each such notice shall state the time and place of the meeting but
need not state the purposes thereof except as otherwise herein expressly
provided.
SECTION 9. ORGANIZATION. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the
Chairman of the Board or in his or her absence, a Vice Chairman of the Board or
in his or her absence, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present,
shall act as chairman. The Secretary or in his or her absence, an Assistant
Secretary or in the absence of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, a
person whom the chairman of the meeting shall appoint, shall act as secretary of
the meeting and keep a record of the proceedings thereof.
SECTION 10. ORDER OF BUSINESS. At all meetings of the Board of Directors,
business shall be transacted in the order determined by the Board.
SECTION 11. RESIGNATION. Any director may resign at any time by giving
written notice of his or her resignation to the Board of Directors or to the
Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the
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Board, or the Secretary. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of
receipt of the notice or at any later time specified therein; and unless
otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective.
SECTION 12. REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS. Any director may be removed, either with
or without cause, at any time, by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the
combined voting power of the then-outstanding shares of all classes and series
of stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors,
voting together as a single class, at a special meeting of stockholders duly
called and held for the purpose or at an annual meeting of stockholders.
SECTION 13. VACANCIES. Any vacancy in the Board of Directors caused by
death, resignation, removal, disqualification, increase in the number of
directors, or any other cause, shall be filled by a majority vote of the
remaining directors, even though less than a quorum, or by the stockholders at a
special meeting duly called and held for the purpose or at an annual meeting,
and each director so elected shall hold office for the remainder of the full
term of the class in which the new directorship was created or the vacancy
occurred.
SECTION 14. REMUNERATION. Directors and members of any committee may receive
such fixed sum per meeting attended, or such annual sum or sums, and such
reimbursement for expenses of attendance at meetings, as may be determined from
time to time by
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resolution of the Board of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall be
construed to preclude any director from serving the Company in any other
capacity and receiving proper compensation therefor.
SECTION 15. NOTIFICATION OF NOMINATIONS. Nominations for the election of
directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled
to vote for the election of directors. Any stockholder entitled to vote for the
election of directors at a meeting may nominate persons for election as
directors only if written notice of such stockholder's intent to make such
nomination is given, either by personal delivery or by United States mail,
postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Company, not later than (i) with
respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders, 90 days
in advance of such meeting, and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a
special meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, the close of
business on the seventh day following the date on which notice of such meeting
is first given to stockholders. Each such notice shall set forth: (a) the name
and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination and of the
person or persons to be nominated, (b) a representation that such stockholder is
a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and
intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to
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nominate the person or persons specified in the notice, (c) a description of
all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and each nominee
and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to
which the nomination or nominations are to be made by such stockholder, (d)
such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as
would have been required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant
to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had each nominee
been nominated, or intended to be nominated by the Board of Directors, and
(e) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so
elected. The chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination
of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing procedures.
SECTION 16. ACTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BY CONSENT. Any action required
or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any
committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or
of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing and the
writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or
such committee.
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ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Board of Directors may, by resolution
passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate directors of the Company, in
such number as the Board shall see fit, but not less than two, as an Executive
Committee which shall have and may exercise, during intervals between meetings
of the Board, the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the
management of the business and affairs of the Company, and may authorize the
seal of the Company to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but the
Executive Committee shall not have the power or authority in reference to
filling vacancies in its membership, amending the certificate of incorporation
(except that the Executive Committee (or any committee designated pursuant to
Section 6 of this Article IV) may, to the full extent permitted by the laws of
the State of Delaware, make determinations with respect to the issuance of stock
of the Company), adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending
to the stockholders the sale, lease, or exchange of all or substantially all the
Company's property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of
the Company or a revocation of a dissolution, amending these Bylaws, or
declaring a dividend. The Executive Committee (or any committee designated
pursuant to
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Section 6 of this Article IV) shall have the power or authority to authorize
the issuance of stock of the Company. The Board of Directors shall designate
one of the members of the Executive Committee to be the Chairman of the
Committee. Each member of the Executive Committee shall continue to act as
such only so long as he or she shall be a director of the Company and only
during the pleasure of a majority of the whole Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Executive Committee, of which
no notice shall be necessary, shall be held on such days and at such places,
within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be fixed by resolution adopted
by a majority of, and communicated to all, the members of the Executive
Committee. Special meetings of the Committee may be called at the request of any
member. Notice of each special meeting of the Committee shall be mailed to each
member thereof, addressed to such member at his or her residence or usual place
of business, at least two days before the day on which the meeting is to be
held, or shall be sent to such member at his or her residence or such place of
business by telegram, cable, radiogram, telephone facsimile, or other
appropriate written communication, or delivered personally or by telephone, not
later than the day before the day on which the meeting is to be held. Each such
notice shall state the time and place of the meeting but need not state the
purposes thereof except as otherwise herein expressly provided. Subject to the
provisions of this Article IV, the
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Executive Committee, by resolution of a majority of all its members, shall fix
its own rules of procedure. The Executive Committee shall keep a record of its
proceedings and report them to the Board of Directors at the next regular
meeting thereof after such proceedings shall have been taken.
SECTION 3. QUORUM AND MANNER OF ACTING. Not less than a majority of the
members of the Executive Committee then in office shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at a
meeting thereof at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Executive
Committee. The directors comprising the Committee shall act only as a committee,
and such directors, individually, shall have no power as such. Members of the
Executive Committee, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may
participate in a meeting of such committee by means of conference telephone or
similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in
the meeting can hear each other, and participation in the meeting by such means
shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
SECTION 4. VACANCIES. The Board of Directors, by vote of a majority of the
whole Board, shall have power to fill any vacancy in the Executive Committee due
to death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or any other cause.
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SECTION 5. RESIGNATION. Any director may resign from the Executive Committee
at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the Board of
Directors or to the Chairman of the Board, the Chairman of the Executive
Committee, a Vice Chairman of the Board, or the Secretary. Such resignation
shall take effect at the date of receipt of the notice or at any later time
specified therein; and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of
such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
SECTION 6. OTHER COMMITTEES. The Board of Directors may, by resolution or
resolutions passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more other
committees, each such committee to consist of one or more directors of the
Company, which shall have and may exercise such powers and authority (subject to
the limitations specified in Section 1 of this Article IV) as the Board of
Directors may determine and specify in such resolution or resolutions, such
committee or committees to have such name or names as may be determined from
time to time by the Board of Directors. A majority of all the members of any
such committee may fix its rules of procedure, determine its actions, and fix
the time and place (whether within or without the State of Delaware) of its
meetings and specify what notice thereof, if any, shall be given, unless the
Board of Directors shall otherwise by resolution provide. The Board of Directors
shall have the power, either with or without cause, at any time, to change the
members of any such
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committee, to fill vacancies, and to discharge any such committee.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
SECTION 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICERS. The principal officers of the Company may be
a Chairman of the Board and one or more Vice Chairmen of the Board, each of whom
shall be members of the Board of Directors, one or more Presidents of divisions,
regions, or other units, functions, or activities, one or more Vice Presidents
(the number thereof to be determined by the Board of Directors), a Treasurer, a
Secretary, and a Controller. In addition, there may be such subordinate
officers, agents, and employees as may be appointed in accordance with the
provisions of Section 3 of this Article V. Any two or more offices may be held
by the same person.
SECTION 2. ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE. The officers of the Company, except
such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3
of this Article V, shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors. Each
officer, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the
provisions of Section 3 of this Article V, shall hold office until his or her
successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her
earlier death, resignation, removal, or
25
disqualification.
SECTION 3. SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. In addition to the principal officers
enumerated in Section 1 of this Article V, the Company may have such other
officers, agents, and employees as the Board of Directors may deem necessary,
including one or more Assistant Treasurers, one or more Assistant Secretaries,
and one or more Assistant Controllers, each of whom shall hold office for such
period, have such authority, and perform such duties as the Board of Directors,
the Chairman of the Board, or a Vice Chairman of the Board may from time to time
determine. The Board of Directors may delegate to any principal officer the
power to appoint or remove any such subordinate officers, agents, or employees.
SECTION 4. REMOVAL. Any officer may be removed, either with or without
cause, by the vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors at a special
meeting called for the purpose or except in case of any officer elected by the
Board of Directors, by any officer upon whom the power of removal may be
conferred by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 5. RESIGNATION. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written
notice of his or her resignation to the Board of Directors or to the Chairman of
the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, or the Secretary. Such resignation
shall take effect at the date of receipt of the notice or at any later time
specified therein; and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of
such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
26
SECTION 6. VACANCIES. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation,
removal, disqualification, or any other cause shall be filled for the unexpired
portion of the term in the manner prescribed in these Bylaws for regular
election or appointment to such office.
SECTION 7. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Chairman of the Board may be the chief
executive officer of the Company. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all
meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which he or she is
present. The Chairman of the Board shall have the general supervision of the
affairs of the Company, and perform all such duties as are incident to the
office or as are properly required of him or her by the Board of Directors. The
Chairman of the Board shall have authority to enter into any contract or execute
and deliver any instrument in the name and on behalf of the Company, when
authorized by the Board of Directors, except in cases where the signing and
execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or
these Bylaws to some other officer, agent, or employee of the Company.
SECTION 8. VICE CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD. The Board of Directors may establish
the office of Vice Chairman of the Board. In the absence or disability of the
Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board shall perform the duties and
exercise the
27
powers of the Chairman of the Board. A Vice Chairman of the Board shall have
authority to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in
the name and on behalf of the Company, when authorized by the Board of
Directors, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be
expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws to some other
officer, agent, or employee of the Company. In addition, a Vice Chairman of
the Board shall have such further powers and perform such further duties as
may, from time to time, be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors
or the Chairman of the Board or as may be prescribed by these Bylaws.
SECTION 9. PRESIDENTS. The Board of Directors may establish the office of
President of a division, region, or other unit, function, or activity of the
Company. A President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may, from
time to time, be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman
of the Board, or a Vice Chairman of the Board.
SECTION 10. VICE PRESIDENTS. The Board of Directors may establish several
classifications of Vice Presidents, such as Executive Vice Presidents, Senior
Vice Presidents, Regional Vice Presidents, and Divisional Vice Presidents. Each
Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as shall, from
time to time, be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman
of the Board, or a Vice Chairman of the Board.
28
SECTION 11. THE TREASURER. The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of,
and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the Company, and shall
deposit or cause to be deposited all such funds in the name of the Company in
such banks, trust companies, and other depositories as shall be selected in
accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws; shall render to the Board of
Directors, whenever the Board may require him or her so to do, a report of all
his or her transactions as Treasurer; and in general, shall perform all duties
as may, from time to time, be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors,
the Chairman of the Board, or a Vice Chairman of the Board.
SECTION 12. THE SECRETARY. The Secretary shall record or cause to be
recorded in books kept for the purpose the proceedings of the meetings of the
stockholders, the Board of Directors, and all committees, if any; shall see that
all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and
as required by law; shall be custodian of the seal of the Company; and in
general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such
other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to him or her by the Board
of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, or a Vice Chairman of the Board.
SECTION 13. THE CONTROLLER. The Controller shall have charge of the books
and records of account of the Company; shall keep or
29
cause to be kept, and shall be responsible for the keeping of, correct and
adequate records of the assets, liabilities, business, and transactions of the
Company; shall at all reasonable times exhibit his or her books and records of
account to any director of the Company upon application at the office of the
Company where such books and records are kept; shall be responsible for the
preparation and filing of all reports and returns relating to or based upon
the books and records of the Company kept by him or her or under his or her
direction; and in general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of
Controller and such other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to him
or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, or a Vice
Chairman of the Board.
ARTICLE VI
CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS, DRAFTS, BANK ACCOUNTS, ETC.
SECTION 1. EXECUTION OF CONTRACTS. The Board of Directors, except as
otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers or
other person or persons to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any
instrument in the name and on behalf of the Company, and such authority may be
general or confined to specific instances, and unless so authorized by the Board
of Directors or by the provisions of these Bylaws, no officer or other person
shall have any power or authority to bind the Company by any contract or
engagement or to pledge its credit
30
or to render it liable pecuniarily for any purpose or to any amount.
SECTION 2. LOANS. No loan shall be contracted on behalf of the Company, and
no negotiable papers shall be issued in its name, except by such officer or
officers or other person or persons as may be designated by the Board of
Directors from time to time. If and to the extent authorized by the Board of
Directors, the power to contract loans or issue negotiable papers may be
delegated by any such officer or officers or other person or persons.
SECTION 3. CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC. All checks, drafts, bills of exchange, and
other orders for the payment of money, letters of credit, acceptances,
obligations, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness, bills of lading,
warehouse receipts, and insurance certificates of the Company shall be signed or
endorsed by such officer or officers or other person or persons as may be
designated by the Board of Directors from time to time. If and to the extent
authorized by the Board of Directors, the power to sign or endorse any such
instrument may be delegated by any such officer or officers or other person or
persons.
SECTION 4. BANK ACCOUNTS. The Board of Directors may from time to time
authorize the opening and maintenance of general and special bank and custodial
accounts with such banks, trust companies, and other depositories as it may
select. Rules,
31
regulations, and agreements applicable to such accounts may be made, and
changed from time to time, by the Board of Directors, including, but without
limitation, rules, regulations, and agreements with respect to the use of
facsimile and printed signatures. Any of such powers of the Board of
Directors with respect to bank and custodial accounts may be delegated by the
Board of Directors to any officer or officers or other person or persons as
may be designated by the Board of Directors, and if and to the extent
authorized by the Board of Directors, any such power may be further delegated
by any such officer or officers or other person or persons.
ARTICLE VII
BOOKS AND RECORDS
SECTION 1. LOCATION. The books and records of the Company may be kept at
such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as the Board of
Directors or the respective officers in charge thereof may from time to time
determine. The stock record books shall be kept by such officer or agent as
shall be designated by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. ADDRESSES OF STOCKHOLDERS. Notices of meetings and all other
corporate notices may be delivered personally or mailed to each stockholder at
his or her address as it appears on the records of the Company.
32
SECTION 3. FIXING DATE FOR DETERMINATION OF STOCKHOLDERS OF RECORD. In order
that the Company 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 other 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 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more
than 60 days prior to any other 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.
ARTICLE VIII
SHARES OF STOCK AND THEIR TRANSFER
SECTION 1. CERTIFICATES OF STOCK. Every holder of stock of the Company shall
be entitled to have a certificate in such form as the Board of Directors shall
prescribe certifying the number of shares owned by him or her in the Company.
Each such certificate shall be signed by, or in the name of the Company by, the
Chairman
33
of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, a President, or a Vice President
and the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may
be 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, the certificate may, nevertheless, be issued by
the Company with the same effect as if such person were such officer,
transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.
SECTION 2. RECORD, ETC. A record shall be kept of the name of the person,
firm, or corporation owning the stock represented by each certificate of stock
of the Company issued, the number of shares represented by each such
certificate, and the date thereof, and in the case of cancellation, the date of
cancellation. The person in whose name shares of stock stand on the books of the
Company shall be deemed the owner of record thereof for all purposes as regards
the Company.
SECTION 3. TRANSFER OF STOCK. Transfers of shares of the stock of the
Company shall be made only on the books of the Company by the owner of record
thereof, or by his or her attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney
duly executed and filed with such officer or agent as shall be designated by the
Board of Directors or with the transfer agent of the Company, and on the
surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares
34
properly endorsed and the payment of all taxes thereon.
ARTICLE IX
DIVIDENDS AND RESERVES
The Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine whether any, and if
any, what part, of the net profits of the Company or of its surplus, available
therefor pursuant to law and to the certificate of incorporation, shall be
declared as dividends on the stock of the Company. The Board of Directors may,
in its discretion, set apart out of any of such net profits or surplus a reserve
or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.
ARTICLE X
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS
The Company may indemnify, in accordance with and to the full extent
permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware as in effect at the time of the
adoption of this Article X or as such laws may be amended from time to time, and
shall so indemnify to the full extent required by such laws, any person (and the
heirs and legal representatives of such person) made or threatened to be made a
party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative, or
35
investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director,
officer, employee, or agent of the Company or any constituent corporation
absorbed in a consolidation or merger, or serves or served as such with
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise
at the request of the Company or any such constituent corporation.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article X or the laws of the
State of Delaware to the contrary, no such person shall be entitled to
indemnification or the advancement of expenses pursuant to this Article X
with respect to any action, suit, or proceeding, or part thereof, brought or
made by such person against the Company, unless such indemnification or
advancement of expenses (i) is due to such person pursuant to the specific
provisions of any agreement in writing between such person and the Company
approved by the Company's Board of Directors or (ii) has been approved in
writing in advance of the commencement of such action, suit, or proceeding,
or part thereof, by or at the direction of the Company's Board of Directors.
Any indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant to this Article X
shall only be made in the specific case by a separate determination made (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) if there are no such
directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a
written opinion, or (iii) by the Company's stockholders, as to entitlement to
advancement of expenses and/or
36
indemnification, as the case may be.
ARTICLE XI
RATIFICATION
Any transaction, questioned in any stockholders' derivative suit on the
ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest
of director, officer, or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, or the
application of improper principles or practices of accounting, may be ratified,
before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders in
case less than a quorum of directors are qualified, and if so ratified, shall
have the same force and effect as if the questioned transaction had been
originally duly authorized. Such ratification shall be binding upon the Company
and its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any
judgment in respect of such questioned transaction.
ARTICLE XII
SEAL
The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate seal, which shall be in the
form of a circle and shall bear the name of the Company and the words and
figures "Corporate Seal 1924 Delaware".
37
ARTICLE XIII
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Company shall end at the close of business on the
last Saturday in January and shall, in each case, begin at the opening of
business on the day next succeeding the last day of the preceding fiscal year.
ARTICLE XIV
WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of these Bylaws,
the certificate of incorporation, or the laws of the State of Delaware, a
written waiver thereof, whether in the form of a writing signed by, or a
telegram, cable, radiogram, telephone facsimile, or other appropriate written
communication from, the person entitled to notice and whether before or after
the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a
person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except
when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at,
nor the purpose of, any meeting of the stockholders or directors or a committee
of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
38
ARTICLE XV
EMERGENCY BYLAWS
SECTION 1. GENERAL. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the certificate
of incorporation and these Bylaws, the emergency bylaws (hereinafter called
Emergency Bylaws) provided in this Article XV shall be operative during any
emergency resulting from an attack on the United States or on any locality in
which the Company conducts its business or customarily holds meetings of its
Board of Directors or its stockholders, or during any nuclear or atomic
disaster, or during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency
condition (any such condition being hereinafter called an Emergency), as a
result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee
cannot readily be convened for action. To the extent not inconsistent with these
Emergency Bylaws, the Bylaws of the Company shall remain in effect during any
Emergency. Upon termination of the Emergency, these Emergency Bylaws shall cease
to be operative unless and until another Emergency shall occur.
SECTION 2. MEETINGS AND NOTICE OF MEETINGS. During any Emergency any meeting
of the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee may be called by any
director or officer of the Company. Notice of the meeting shall be given by the
person calling the meeting, shall state the time and place of the
39
meeting, and shall be required to be given only to such of the directors or
members of the Executive Committee, as the case may be, and the persons
referred to in Section 3 of this Article XV as it may be feasible to reach at
the time and by any means as may then be feasible at the time.
SECTION 3. QUORUM, EMERGENCY DIRECTORS, AND MANNER OF ACTING. The directors
and members of the Executive Committee, as the case may be, in attendance at a
meeting pursuant to Section 2 of this Article XV, which in no case shall be less
than two, shall constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors or the Executive
Committee, as the case may be, and they may take any action at the meeting, by
majority vote, as they shall, in their sole discretion, deem to be in the best
interests of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the number of
directors or members of the Executive Committee, as the case may be, available
to constitute a quorum at any such meeting, shall be less than two, additional
directors, or additional members of the Executive Committee, as the case may be,
in whatever number shall be necessary to constitute a Board or Executive
Committee, as the case may be, of at least two members, shall be deemed selected
automatically from the officers or other persons designated on a list approved
by the Board of Directors before the Emergency, all in such order of priority
and subject to such conditions and for such period or periods as may be provided
in the resolution approving the list. The Board of Directors or Executive
40
Committee, as the case may be, as so constituted shall continue until the
termination of the Emergency. The Board of Directors, either before or during
any Emergency, may provide, and from time to time modify, lines of succession in
the event that during such Emergency any or all officers of the Company shall
for any reason be rendered incapable of discharging their duties. Any additional
director or additional member of the Executive Committee, as the case may be,
may be removed, either with or without cause, by a majority vote of the
remaining directors or members of the Executive Committee, as the case may be,
then in office.
SECTION 4. OFFICES; PLACES OF MEETING. The Board of Directors, either before
or during any Emergency, may, effective during the Emergency, change the head
office of the Company or designate several alternative head offices or regional
offices of the Company or authorize the officers to do so.
SECTION 5. LIABILITY DURING AN EMERGENCY. No officer, director, or employee
shall be personally liable for acting in accordance with these Emergency Bylaws,
except for wilful misconduct.
ARTICLE XVI
AMENDMENTS
Subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation,
41
all Bylaws of the Company shall be subject to alteration, amendment, or
repeal, in whole or in part, and new bylaws not inconsistent with the laws of
the State of Delaware or any provision of the certificate of incorporation
may be made, either by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board
of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board, or by the
affirmative vote of the holders of record of a majority of the issued and
outstanding stock of the Company entitled to vote in respect thereof, given
at an annual meeting or at any special meeting at which a quorum shall be
present, provided that in each case notice of the proposed alteration,
amendment, or repeal or the proposed new bylaws be included in the notice of
the meeting of the Board or the stockholders, or the form of consent thereof,
as the case may be.
INDEX
ARTICLE PAGES
------- -----
Amendments...................................................................... XVI 40
Board of Directors.............................................................. III 11-19
Books and Records............................................................... VII 31-32
Committees...................................................................... IV 20-24
Contracts, Loans, Checks, Drafts,
Bank Accounts, etc......................................................... VI 29-31
Dividends and Reserves.......................................................... IX 34
Emergency Bylaws................................................................ XV 38-40
Fiscal Year..................................................................... XIII 37
Indemnification of Directors,
Officers, Employees, and Agents............................................ X 34-36
Meetings of Stockholders........................................................ II 2-11
Officers........................................................................ V 24-29
Offices......................................................................... I 1
Ratification.................................................................... XI 36
Seal ........................................................................... XII 36
Shares of Stock and Their Transfer.............................................. VIII 32-34
Waiver of Notice................................................................ XIV 37