Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
GULFPORT ENERGY CORPORATION
A DELAWARE CORPORATION
(THE “CORPORATION”)
ADOPTED AS OF MAY 17, 2021
BYLAWS OF GULFPORT ENERGY CORPORATION
Article
I
OFFICES
Section 1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation within the State of Delaware shall be the office of the corporation or individual acting as the Corporation’s registered agent in Delaware as set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).
Section 1.2 Additional Offices. The Corporation may, in addition to its registered office in the State of Delaware, have such other offices and places of business, both within and outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or as the business and affairs of the Corporation may require.
Article
II
STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS
Section 2.1 Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place and time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a). At each annual meeting, the stockholders shall elect directors of the Corporation and may transact any other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.
Section 2.2 Special Meetings.
(a) Except as otherwise required by applicable law or provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only by the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and President or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board (as defined below). A special meeting of the stockholders shall also be called by the Secretary of the Corporation at the written request or requests (each, a “Special Meeting Request”) of holders of at least 30% of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on the matter or matters to be brought before the proposed special meeting (the “Requisite Percentage”). Meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place and time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a). “Whole Board” shall mean the total number of directors the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.
(b) A Special Meeting Request to the Secretary shall be signed and dated by each stockholder of record (or a duly authorized agent of such stockholder) requesting the special meeting (each, a “Requesting Stockholder”), shall comply with this Section 2.2(b), and shall include (i) a statement of the specific purpose or purposes of the special meeting, (ii) documentary evidence that the Requesting Stockholders own the Requisite Percentage as of the date of such written request to the Secretary. In addition, the Requesting Stockholders and the beneficial owners, if any, on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request(s) are being made shall reasonably promptly provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation.
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Section 2.3 Notices. Notice of each stockholders meeting stating the place, if any, date, and time of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, shall be given in the manner permitted by Section 9.3 to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat by the Corporation not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, as a different period may be required by applicable law. If said notice is for a stockholders meeting other than an annual meeting, it shall in addition state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the business transacted at such meeting shall be limited to the matters so stated in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto). Any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be postponed, and any special meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be cancelled, by the Board upon public announcement given before the date previously scheduled for such meeting.
Section 2.4 Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the presence, in person or by proxy, at a stockholders meeting of the holders of shares of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, except that when specified business is to be voted on by one or more classes or series of stock voting separately as a class, the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such one or more classes or series shall constitute a quorum thereof for the transaction of such business. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the stockholders, the person presiding over the meeting in accordance with Section 2.8 (the “Chair”) may adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.6 until a quorum shall attend. The stockholders present at a duly convened meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any such other corporation to vote shares held by it in a fiduciary capacity.
Section 2.5 Voting of Shares.
(a) Voting Lists. The Secretary shall prepare, or shall cause the officer or agent who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation to prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote thereat arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section 2.5(a) shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. 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: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If a meeting of stockholders is to be held solely by means of remote communication as permitted by Section 9.5(a), the list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by this Section 2.5(a) or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
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(b) Manner of Voting. At any stockholders meeting, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy. If authorized by the Board, the voting by stockholders or proxyholders at any meeting conducted by remote communication may be effected by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 9.3), provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which the Corporation can determine that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxyholder. The Board, in its discretion, or the Chair, in such person’s discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.
(c) Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Proxies need not be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation until the meeting is called to order, but shall be filed with the Secretary before being voted. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, either of the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority.
(i) A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or such stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing such person’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.
(ii) A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder.
Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission authorizing another person or persons to act as proxy for a stockholder may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.
(d) Required Vote.
(i) Uncontested Election. Except as provided in Section 2.5(d)(ii) and subject to the rights of any holders of one or more series of preferred stock of the Corporation (“Preferred Stock”), voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, each director shall be elected by a vote of the majority of the votes cast at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present. For purposes of this Section 2.5(d)(i), a majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director. In an uncontested election, any incumbent director who is not elected because he or she does not receive a majority of the votes cast shall immediately tender his or her resignation for consideration by the Board. The Board will evaluate whether to accept or reject such resignation, or whether other action should be taken; provided, however, that the Board will act on such resignation and publicly disclose its decision to accept or reject such resignation and the rationale behind such decision within 90 days from the date of the certification of the director election results. The Board may fill any vacancy resulting from the non-election or resignation of a director as provided in these Bylaws if such vacancy has not been filled by action of the stockholders.
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(ii) Contested Election. Subject to the rights of any holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, in a contested election, each director shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, which shall mean that the directors receiving the largest number of “for” votes will be elected in such contested election, at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present. For purposes of this Section 2.5(d)(ii), a contested election means an election in which the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected as of either (x) the time of the meeting or (y) the date that is 14 days in advance of the date that the Corporation files its definitive proxy statement (regardless of whether thereafter revised, amended or supplemented) with the Securities Exchange Commission.
(iii) All Other Matters. Except as set forth in Section 2.5(d)(i) and Section 2.5(d)(ii), all other matters shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, unless the matter is one upon which, by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or applicable stock exchange rules, a different vote is required, in which case such provision shall govern and control the decision of such matter.
(e) Inspectors of Election. The Board may appoint one or more persons as inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation or otherwise serve the Corporation in other capacities, to act at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Board may appoint one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspectors of election or alternates are appointed by the Board, the Chair shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of outstanding shares and the voting power of each; determine the number of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; count all votes and ballots and report the results; determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election. Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors.
Section 2.6 Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned by the Chair, from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum, to reconvene at the same or some other place. Notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the date, time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the stockholders, or the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to vote separately as a class, as the case may be, may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
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Section 2.7 Advance Notice for Business.
(a) Meetings of Stockholders. At any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 2.7(a). To be properly brought before an annual meeting business must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board, or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than thirty (30) days, or delayed by more than seventy (70) days, from the anniversary date of the previous year’s meeting, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder and (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such business. To be properly brought before a special meeting of stockholders, business must have been specified in the notice of meeting (or supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board. Notwithstanding anything in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at any annual or special meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a). The chair of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.7(a), and if the chair of the annual meeting should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
(b) Public Announcement. For purposes of these Bylaws, “public announcement” means disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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Section 2.8 Conduct of Meetings. The Chair of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Chair of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and President (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer and President or if the Chief Executive Officer and President is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, such other person as shall be appointed by the Board. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the Chair. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with these Bylaws or such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the Chair shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such Chair, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the Chair, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the Chair shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the Chair, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The secretary of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Secretary or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary so appointed to act by the Chair. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the Chair may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 2.9 Consents in Lieu of Meeting. Any consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum voting power that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with this Section 2.9. No written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the first date on which a written consent is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with this Section 2.9, a written consent or consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take such action are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware, the Corporation’s principal place of business, or the Secretary. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. An electronic transmission consenting to the action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder, proxyholder or a person or persons authorized to act for a stockholder or proxyholder shall be deemed to be written and signed for purposes hereof if such electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the Corporation can determine that such transmission was transmitted by a stockholder or proxyholder (or by a person authorized to act for a stockholder or proxyholder) and the date on which such stockholder, proxyholder or authorized person transmitted such transmission. A consent permitted by this Section 2.9 shall be delivered: (i) to the principal place of business of the Corporation; (ii) to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders or members are recorded; (iii) to the registered office of the Corporation in Delaware by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested; or (iv) subject to the next sentence, in accordance with Section 116 of the DGCL to an information processing system, if any, designated by the Corporation for receiving such consents. In the case of delivery pursuant to the foregoing clause (iv), such consent must set forth or be delivered with information that enables the Corporation to determine the date of delivery of such consent and the identity of the person giving such consent, and, if such consent is given by a person authorized to act for a stockholder or member as proxy, such consent must comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 212(c)(2) and (3) of the DGCL. Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in writing may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing for any and all purposes for which the original writing could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders were delivered to the Corporation as provided in this Section 2.9.
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Article
III
DIRECTORS
Section 3.1 Powers; Number. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware. The number of directors constituting the Board shall not be less than five nor more than eleven, the exact number of directors to be such number as may be set from time to time within the limits set forth above by the Board.
Section 3.2 Advance Notice for Nomination of Directors. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.2 shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a meeting of stockholders by or at the direction of the Board or by any stockholder of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.2. Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than thirty (30) days, or delayed by more than seventy (70) days, from the anniversary date of the previous year’s meeting, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the meeting is first made. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (1) the name, business address and residence address of such person, (2) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (3) the number of shares, if any, of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by such person and (4) any other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including without limitation such persons’ written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (1) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of such stockholder and (2) the number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by such stockholder. The chair of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed herein, and if the chair should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
Section 3.3 Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be reimbursed for their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board and may be paid either a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or other compensation as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of committees of the Board may be allowed like compensation and reimbursement of expenses for service on the committee.
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Article
IV
BOARD MEETINGS
Section 4.1 Regular Meetings. Regularly scheduled, periodic meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times, dates and places as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.
Section 4.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board (a) may be called by the Chair of the Board or Chief Executive Officer and President and (b) shall be called by the Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President or Secretary on the written request of a majority of directors then in office, or the sole director, as the case may be, and shall be held at such time, date and place as may be determined by the person calling the meeting or, if called upon the request of directors or the sole director, as specified in such written request. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in Section 9.3, to each director (i) at least 24 hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form of electronic transmission and delivery; (ii) at least two days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (iii) at least five days before the meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give such notice, then the notice may be given by the officer who called the meeting or the directors who requested the meeting. Any and all business that may be transacted at a regular meeting of the Board may be transacted at a special meeting. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. A special meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 9.4.
Section 4.3 Quorum; Required Vote. A majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.
Section 4.4 Consent In Lieu of Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions (or paper reproductions thereof) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
Section 4.5 Organization. The Board shall elect a Chair of the Board from among the directors. The chair of each meeting of the Board shall be the Chair of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and President (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer and President or if the Chief Executive Officer and President is not a director, the Chief Operating Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Operating Officer or if the Chief Operating Officer is not a director, a chair elected from the directors present. The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary at such meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chair of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
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Article
V
COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.1 Establishment. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required. The Board shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee.
Section 5.2 Available Powers. Any committee established pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, to the extent permitted by applicable law and by resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it.
Section 5.3 Alternate Members. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee.
Section 5.4 Procedures. Unless the Board otherwise provides, the time, date, place, if any, and notice of meetings of a committee shall be determined by such committee. At meetings of a committee, a majority of the number of members of the committee (but not including any alternate member, unless such alternate member has replaced any absent or disqualified member at the time of, or in connection with, such meeting) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or the Board. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of a committee, the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. Unless the Board otherwise provides and except as provided in these Bylaws, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board is authorized to conduct its business pursuant to Article III and Article IV of these Bylaws.
Article
VI
OFFICERS
Section 6.1 Officers. The officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall be a Chief Executive Officer and President, Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers as the Board from time to time may determine. Officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article VI. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board. The Board may empower the Chair of the Board, or Chief Executive Officer and President to also appoint such other officers as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers shall have such powers and duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as may be provided in these Bylaws or as may be prescribed by the Board or, if such officer has been appointed by the Chair of the Board, or Chief Executive Officer and President, as may be prescribed by the appointing officer. The compensation of all officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board or a committee thereof with the proper authority.
(a) Chief Executive Officer and President. The Chief Executive Officer and President shall (i) have the overall supervision of the business of the Corporation and shall direct the affairs and policies of the Corporation, subject to any directions which may be given by the Board (ii) have authority to designate the duties and powers of officers and delegate special powers and duties to specified officers, so long as such designations shall not be inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or action of the Board, and (iii) in general have all other powers and shall perform all other duties incident to the chief executive officer of a corporation and such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time.
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(b) Vice Presidents. Each vice president shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board and the Chief Executive Officer and President. If no Chief Executive Officer and President has been elected, or in the absence or inability to act of the Chief Executive Officer and President, the vice president (or if there is more than one vice president, in the order designated by the board and, absent such designation, in the order of their first election to that office) shall perform the duties and discharge the responsibilities of the president.
(c) Secretary. The secretary shall be the keeper of the corporate seal and records, and shall give notice of, attend and record minutes of meetings of stockholders and directors. He or she shall see that the seal is affixed to all documents on which the seal is required by law to be affixed, the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws. He or she shall, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of secretary and such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board or by the Chief Executive Officer and President. The assistant secretaries, if any, shall have such duties as shall be delegated to them by the secretary and, in the absence of the secretary, the senior of them present shall discharge the duties of the secretary.
(d) Treasurer. The treasurer shall be responsible for (i) the custody and safekeeping of all of the funds and securities of the Corporation, (ii) the receipt and deposit of all monies paid to the Corporation, (iii) where necessary or appropriate, the endorsement for collection on behalf of the Corporation of all checks, drafts, notes and other obligations payable to the Corporation, (iv) the disbursement of funds of the Corporation under such rules as the board may from time to time adopt, (v) maintaining the general books of account of the Corporation and (vi) the performance of such further duties as are incident to the office of treasurer or as may be assigned to him or her by the board or by the Chief Executive Officer and President. The assistant treasurers, if any, shall have such duties as shall be delegated to them by the treasurer, and in the absence of the treasurer, the senior one of them present shall discharge the duties of the treasurer.
(e) Divisional Officers. The Board or the Chief Executive Officer and President may from time to time appoint officers of various divisions of the Corporation. Divisional officers shall not by virtue of such appointment become officers of the Corporation. Subject to the direction of the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Corporation, the president of a division shall have general charge, control and supervision of all the business operations of his or her division, and the other divisional officers shall have such duties and authority as may be prescribed by the president of such division.
Section 6.2 Term of Office. All officers elected by the Board shall hold office from their time of election until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, or removal from office. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Board. Any officer appointed by the Chief Executive Officer and President may also be removed, with or without cause, by the chief executive officer and president, unless the Board otherwise provides. Any vacancy occurring in any elected office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer and President may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer and President, unless the Board then determines that such office shall thereupon be elected by the Board, in which case the Board shall elect such officer.
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Section 6.3 Other Officers. The Board may delegate the power to appoint such other officers and agents, and may also remove such officers and agents or delegate the power to remove same, as it shall from time to time deem necessary or desirable.
Section 6.4 Multiple Officeholders; Stockholder and Director Officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws otherwise provide. Officers need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.
Section 6.5 Certain Actions. In accordance with Section 3.1, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such power of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not prohibited by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, and no officer or employee of the Corporation shall take any of the following actions on behalf of the Corporation without the consent of the Board:
(a) Establish, amend or otherwise modify the annual budget and plan of operation for the Corporation;
(b) Establish, amend or otherwise modify key accounting principles or key accounting practices of the Corporation;
(c) Establish, enter into, amend or otherwise modify long term incentive plans and option plans of the Corporation;
(d) Establish, amend or otherwise modify pension plans or employee benefits schemes of the Corporation;
(e) Issue securities in accordance with the authorized share capital of the Corporation in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable laws and regulations;
(f) Enter into, amend or otherwise modify material contracts in excess of $5,000,000 individually or in a series of related agreements, except hedging contracts or drilling and completion contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business so long as such contracts are consistent with the Company’s hedging strategy and capital budget, in each case approved by the Board;
(g) Make aggregate investments outside of the latest Board approved annual budget and plan of operation for the Corporation in excess of 3.0% of the amounts allocated to investments in such annual budget and plan of operation;
(h) Make (i) aggregate capital expenditures in excess of 103% of the amount allocated to capital expenditures in the latest Board approved annual budget and plan of operation for the Corporation or (ii) capital expenditures with respect to any individual project in excess of 105% of the amount allocated to such individual project in the latest Board approved annual budget and plan of operation for the Corporation, other than any expenditures incurred as a result of an environmental, health or safety emergency;
(i) Enter into, amend or otherwise modify an employment agreement or arrangement pursuant to which the Corporation will owe $300,000 or more per year, inclusive of bonuses and similar compensation arrangements;
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(j) Initiate litigation, arbitration or similar proceeding or settle an action, suit or proceeding for an amount in excess of $500,000; or
(k) Approve, agree to enter into, or enter into any settlement that: (i) results in the imposition of injunctive or other equitable relief that affects the business of the Corporation, its subsidiaries and/or affiliates; (ii) does not expressly and unconditionally release the Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates from all liabilities and obligations with respect to a claim without prejudice; or (iii) includes any statement or admission or fact as to the culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of the Corporation, its subsidiaries and/or affiliates.
Article
VII
SHARE CERTIFICATES
Section 7.1 Shares of Stock; Uncertificated Shares. Except as otherwise provided in a resolution approved by the Board, all shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated and represented by book-entry entitlements as determined by the Board.
Section 7.2 Signatures. Any or all of the signatures on a certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 7.3 Lost Certificates. The Board may direct a new certificate or uncertificated shares be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issuance of a new certificate or uncertificated shares, the Board may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as the Board shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
Section 7.4 Transfers.
(a) Shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by, and subject to the transfer restrictions described by, applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation and in these Bylaws.
(b) Transfers of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be made on the books of the Corporation, and in the case of certificated shares of stock, only by the person named in the certificate or by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the surrender of the certificate therefor, properly endorsed for transfer and payment of all necessary transfer taxes; or, in the case of uncertificated shares of stock, upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered holder of the shares or by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing, and upon payment of all necessary transfer taxes and compliance with appropriate procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form; provided, however, that such surrender and endorsement, compliance or payment of taxes shall not be required in any case in which the officers of the Corporation shall determine to waive such requirement. With respect to certificated shares of stock, every certificate exchanged, returned or surrendered to the Corporation shall be marked “Cancelled,” with the date of cancellation, by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or the transfer agent thereof.
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(c) No transfer of shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.
Section 7.5 Record Owners. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise required by law.
Section 7.6 Transfer and Registry Agents. The Corporation may from time to time maintain one or more transfer offices or agencies and registry offices or agencies at such place or places as may be determined from time to time by the Board.
Section 7.7 Authority for Additional Rules Regarding Transfer. The Board shall have the power and authority to make all such rules and regulations as they may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificated or uncertificated shares of the stock of the Corporation, as well as for the issuance of new certificates in lieu of those which may be lost or destroyed, and may require of any stockholder requesting replacement of lost or destroyed certificates, bond in such amount and in such form as they may deem expedient to indemnify the Corporation, and/or the transfer agents, and/or the registrars of its stock against any claims arising in connection therewith.
Article
VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL:
Section 8.1 The Corporation shall indemnify any person (and such person’s heirs, executors or administrators) who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (brought in the right of the Corporation or otherwise), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal, including appeals, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise, for and against all reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (other than judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in action brought by or on behalf of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) actually and reasonably incurred by such person or such person’s heirs, executors or administrators in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, including appeals. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except for an action to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses against the Corporation hereunder, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a person described in such sentence in connection with any action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such person only if the commencement of such action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) by such person was authorized by the Board. The Corporation may indemnify any person (and such person’s heirs, executors or administrators) who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (brought in the right of the Corporation or otherwise), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal, including appeals, by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise, for and against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person or such person’s heirs, executors or administrators in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, including appeals.
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Section 8.2 The Corporation shall promptly pay expenses incurred by any person described in the first sentence of Section 8.1 in defending any action, suit or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding, including appeals, upon presentation of appropriate documentation; provided, however, that, to the extent required by the DGCL, the payment of such expenses incurred by or on behalf of such person in advance of the final disposition of such matter shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay all amounts so advanced in the event that it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article VIII.
Section 8.3 The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person described in Section 8.1 against any liability asserted against such person, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VIII or otherwise.
Section 8.4 The provisions of this Article VIII shall be applicable to all actions, claims, suits or proceedings made or commenced after the adoption hereof, whether arising from acts or omissions to act occurring before or after its adoption. The provisions of this Article VIII shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director or officer who serves in such capacity at any time while this Article VIII and the relevant provisions of the DGCL and other applicable law, if any, are in effect, and any repeal or modification hereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts or any action, suit or proceeding then or theretofore existing, or any action, suit or proceeding thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part on any such state of facts. If any provision of this Article VIII shall be found to be invalid or limited in application by reason of any law or regulation, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions hereof. The rights of indemnification provided in this Article VIII shall neither be exclusive of, nor be deemed in limitation of, any rights to which an officer, director, employee or agent may otherwise be entitled or permitted by contract, this Certificate, vote of stockholders or directors or otherwise, or as a matter of law, both as to actions in such person’s official capacity and actions in any other capacity while holding such office, it being the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of any person whom the Corporation is obligated to indemnify pursuant to the first sentence of Section 8.1 shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Section 8.5 For purposes of this Article VIII, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries.
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Article
IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Place of Meetings. If the place of any meeting of stockholders, the Board or committee of the Board for which notice is required under these Bylaws is not designated in the notice of such meeting, such meeting shall be held at the principal business office of the Corporation; provided, however, if the Board has, in its sole discretion, determined that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but instead shall be held by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5 hereof, then such meeting shall not be held at any place.
Section 9.2 Fixing Record Dates.
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which date shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board. If no record date has been fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board is otherwise required, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in the manner required by Section 2.9. If no record date has been fixed by the Board and prior action by the Board is otherwise required, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
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Section 9.3 Means of Giving Notice.
(a) Notice to Directors. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws notice is required to be given to any director, such notice shall be given either (i) in writing and sent by hand delivery, through the United States mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, (ii) by means of facsimile telecommunication or other form of electronic transmission, or (iii) by oral notice given personally or by telephone. A notice to a director will be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, orally, or by telephone, when actually received by the director, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees 22 thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iv) if sent by facsimile telecommunication, when sent to the facsimile transmission number for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, (v) if sent by electronic mail, when sent to the electronic mail address for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation.
(b) Notice to Stockholders. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws notice is required to be given to any stockholder, such notice may be given (i) in writing and sent either by hand delivery, through the United States mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or (ii) by means of a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder, to the extent permitted by, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 232 of the DGCL. A notice to a stockholder shall be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, when actually received by the stockholder, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, and (iv) if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given and otherwise meeting the requirements set forth above, (A) if by facsimile transmission, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (B) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (C) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specified posting, upon the later of (1) such posting and (2) the giving of such separate notice, and (D) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent to receiving notice by means of electronic communication by giving written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (2) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or to the Corporation’s transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.
(c) Electronic Transmission. “Electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process, including but not limited to transmission by telex, facsimile telecommunication, electronic mail, telegram and cablegram.
(d) Notice to Stockholders Sharing Same Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively by the Corporation to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send such a single written notice shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.
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(e) Exceptions to Notice Requirements. Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.
Whenever notice is required to be given by the Corporation, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, to any stockholder to whom (1) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders and all notices of stockholder meetings or of the taking of action by written consent of stockholders without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (2) all, and at least two payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at such stockholder’s address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such stockholder’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to Section 230(b) of the DGCL. The exception in subsection (1) of the first sentence of this paragraph to the requirement that notice be given shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.
Section 9.4 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, a written waiver of such notice, signed before or after the date of such meeting by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to said notice, shall be deemed equivalent to such required notice. All such waivers shall be kept with the books of the Corporation. Attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
Section 9.5 Meeting Attendance via Remote Communication Equipment.
(a) Stockholder Meetings. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:
(i) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and
(ii) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (A) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder, (B) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (C) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such votes or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.
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(b) Board Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
Section 9.6 Dividends. The Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends (payable in cash, property or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock) on the Corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock, subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 9.7 Reserves. The Board may set apart out of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.
Section 9.8 Contracts and Negotiable Instruments. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers or other employee or employees of the Corporation as the Board may from time to time authorize. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board may determine. The Chief Executive Officer and President or any Vice President may execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and President or any Vice President may delegate powers to execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to other officers or employees of the Corporation under such person’s supervision and authority, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.
Section 9.9 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board.
Section 9.10 Seal. The Corporation may, but shall not be required to, have a seal. If the Corporation has a seal, it shall be in such form as shall from time to time be adopted by the Board. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced.
Section 9.11 Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept within or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board.
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Section 9.12 Resignation. Any director, committee member or officer may resign by giving notice thereof in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chief Executive Officer and President or the Secretary. The resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein (including a time determined upon the happening of an event specified therein), or at the time of receipt of such notice if no time is specified or the specified time is earlier than the time of such receipt. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 9.13 Surety Bonds. Such officers, employees and agents of the Corporation (if any) as the Chief Executive Officer and President or the Board may direct, from time to time, shall be bonded for the faithful performance of their duties and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of their death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in their possession or under their control belonging to the Corporation, in such amounts and by such surety companies as the Chief Executive Officer and President or the Board may determine. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the Corporation and the bonds so furnished shall be in the custody of the Secretary.
Section 9.14 Securities of Other Entities. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents in writing and other instruments relating to securities of other entities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer and President or any Vice President, or any other person or persons authorized to do so from time to time by resolution of the Board. Any such officer or other person may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as he or she may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any entity in which the Corporation may own securities, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such entity, and at any such meeting or with respect to any such consent shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed, but in each case subject to any directions of the Board with respect to any such action in respect of such securities.
Section 9.15 Amendments. The Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders.
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