EX1A-2B BYLAWS.4 6 rshn_ex24.htm BYLAWS OF HELIOSDX, INC. rshn_ex24.htm

EXHIBIT 2.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

HELIOSDX INC.

 

 

(A GEORGIA CORPORATION)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

OFFICES

 

Section 1. Principal Office. The principal office of the corporation is located at 8465 Merchants Way, Suite 206, Jacksonville, Florida 32222, or in such other location as the Board of Directors of the corporation (the “Board of Directors”) may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

 

Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation shall also have and maintain an office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, and may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Georgia, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

 

Section 3. Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation and the agent's address shall be as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation. The Board of Directors may at any time change the Corporation's registered agent or address by making the appropriate filing with the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State (the “SOS”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

CORPORATE SEAL

 

Section 4. Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal. Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE III

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

 

Section 5. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Georgia, as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors in the notice of the meeting or executed waiver of notice. The Board of Directors 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 as provided under the Georgia Business Corporation Code (the “GBCC”).

 

Section 6. Annual Meeting.

 

(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation, for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may lawfully come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders: (i) pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders; (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in the following paragraph, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 6. Failure to hold the annual meeting at the designated time shall not affect the validity of any action taken by the corporation.

 

 

 

 

(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as has been properly brought before the meeting. For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a) of this Section 6(a) of these Bylaws, (i) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation, (ii) such other business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the GBCC and applicable law, (iii) if the stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf any such proposal or nomination is made, has provided the corporation with a Solicitation Notice (as defined in this Section 6(b)), such stockholder or beneficial owner must, in the case of a proposal, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry any such proposal, or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a percentage of the corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or beneficial owner to be sufficient to elect the nominee or nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder, and must, in either case, have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice, and (iv) if no Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to this Section 6, the stockholder or beneficial owner proposing such business or nomination must not have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice under this Section 6. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day 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 more than thirty (30) days prior to or delayed by more than thirty (30) days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day 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. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposed to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and Rule 14a-4(d) thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (iii) whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of the proposal, at least the percentage of the corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders of the corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (an affirmative statement of such intent, a “Solicitation Notice”).

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (b) of this Section 6 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the corporation is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the corporation at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 6 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it is delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the corporation.

 

 
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(d) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 6 (or elected or appointed pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws) shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as has been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 6. Except as otherwise provided by law, the chair of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made, or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded.

 

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholders’ meeting, stockholders must provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act. Nothing in these Bylaws is deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act.

 

(f) For purposes of this Section 6, “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 (the “SEC”) pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.

 

Section 7. Special Meetings.

 

(a) Special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be called, for any purpose or purposes, by (i) the Chair of the Board of Directors, (ii) the President or Chief Executive Officer, (iii) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by directors representing a quorum of the directors then serving on the Board of Directors or (iv) by the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than 50% of the votes at the meeting, and shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall fix.

 

(b) If a special meeting is properly called by any person or persons other than the Board of Directors, the request must be in writing, specifying the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and must be delivered personally or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by telegraphic or other facsimile transmission to the Chair of the Board of Directors, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Secretary of the corporation. No business may be transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in such notice. The Board of Directors shall determine the time and place of such special meeting, which shall be held not less than 35 nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the receipt of the request. Upon determination of the time and place of the meeting, the officer receiving the request shall cause notice to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of these Bylaws. Nothing contained in this paragraph (b) is to be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the Board of Directors may be held.

 

 
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Section 8. Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, notice, given in writing or by electronic transmission, of each meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, such notice to specify the place, if any, date and hour, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at any such meeting. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation. Notice of the time, place, if any, and purpose of any meeting of stockholders may be waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof or by electronic transmission by such person, either before or after such meeting, and shall be waived by any stockholder by his or her attendance thereat in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy, except when the stockholder 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. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.

 

Section 9. Quorum. At all meetings of stockholders, except as otherwise provided by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the presence, in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy duly authorized, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, either by the chair of the meeting or by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting. The stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy duly authorized at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy duly authorized at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series is required, except as otherwise provided by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or classes or series, present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy duly authorized, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the majority (plurality, in the case of the election of directors) of shares of such class or classes or series present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or classes or series.

 

Section 10. Adjournment and Notice of Adjourned Meetings. Any meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time either by the chair of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, if any, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws or applicable law. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (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 11. Voting Rights. For the purpose of determining those stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares stand on the stock records of the corporation on the record date, as provided in Section 13 of these Bylaws, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Every person entitled to vote or execute consents shall have the right to do so either in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by an agent or agents authorized by a proxy granted in accordance with Georgia law. An agent so appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall be voted after three years from its date of creation unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

 

 
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Section 12. Joint Owners of Stock. If shares or other securities having voting power stand of record in the names of two or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, or otherwise, or if two or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary is given written notice to the contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them or creating the relationship where it is so provided, their acts with respect to voting (including giving consent pursuant to Section 14) shall have the following effect: (a) if only one votes, his or her act binds all; (b) if more than one votes and the vote is not evenly split, the act of the majority so voting binds all; (c) if more than one votes, but the vote is evenly split on any particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in question proportionally. If the instrument filed with the Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority or even‑split for the purpose of subsection (c) shall be a majority or even‑split in interest.

 

Section 13. List of Stockholders. The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, 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, 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 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. The list shall be open to examination of any stockholder during the time of the meeting as provided by law.

 

Section 14. Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a unanimous consent which sets forth the action is:

 

(a) given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter; and

 

(b) filed in paper or electronic form with the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders.

 

The holders of any class of stock, other than common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, may take action or consent to any action by delivering a consent in writing or by electronic transmission of the stockholders entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a stockholders' meeting if the Corporation gives notice of the action to each holder of the class of stock not later than ten (10) days after the effective time of the action.

 

As authorized by the Articles of Incorporation, the holders of common stock and preferred stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors may take action or consent to any action by delivering a consent in writing or by electronic transmission of the stockholders entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a stockholders' meeting if the Corporation gives notice of the action not later than ten (10) days after the effective date of the action to each holder of the class of common stock and to each stockholder who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting.

 

 
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The board of directors may set a record date as provided by the GBCC for the purposes of determining stockholders entitled to take action by written consent and to receive notice of any such action.

 

Any consent authorized by the GBCC, the Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its principal office, its registered agent, or the officer or agent of the Corporation that has custody of the book in which proceedings of minutes of stockholders' meetings are recorded. Delivery may be in paper form, by hand, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by electronic transmission. The Board of Directors may adopt reasonable procedures for providing consents instead of holding a meeting.

 

A written consent shall not be effective unless written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take action are delivered to the corporation within sixty (60) days after the date of the earliest consent in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.

 

A person, even if not then a stockholder of the corporation, may assent to an action by a consent that shall be effective at a future time that is no later than sixty (60) days after the consent is delivered to the corporation or its agent if the person:

 

(a) is a stockholder at the effective time; and

 

(b) has not revoked the consent before the effective time.

 

Section 15. Organization.

 

(a) At every meeting of stockholders, the Chair of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chair has not been appointed or is absent, the President or CEO, or, if the President or CEO is absent, a chair of the meeting chosen by a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, shall act as chair. The Secretary, or, in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary directed to do so by the President or CEO, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

 

(b) The Board of Directors is entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it deems necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chair of the meeting has the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chair, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of record of the corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chair permits, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting on matters that are to be voted on by ballot. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders shall vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chair of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

 
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ARTICLE IV

  

DIRECTORS

 

Section 16. Number and Term of Office. The number of directors shall be one (1) provided that the number may be increased or decreased from time to time by an amendment to these Bylaws. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the Articles of Incorporation. If for any cause, the directors have not been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon thereafter as convenient.

 

Section 17. Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation.

 

Section 18. Term of Directors.

 

(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

(b) No person entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate votes to which such person is entitled. Every stockholder entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate such stockholder’s votes and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which such stockholder’s shares are otherwise entitled or distribute the stockholder’s votes on the same principle among as many candidates as such stockholder thinks fit. No stockholder, however, shall be entitled to so cumulate such stockholder’s votes unless (i) the names of such candidate or candidates have been placed in nomination prior to the voting and (ii) the stockholder has given notice at the meeting, prior to the voting, of such stockholder’s intention to cumulate such stockholder’s votes. If any stockholder has given proper notice to cumulate votes, all stockholders may cumulate their votes for any candidates who have been properly placed in nomination. Under cumulative voting, the candidates receiving the highest number of votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, are elected.

 

Section 19. Vacancies.

 

(a) Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director; provided, however, that whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships must be filled by stockholders, be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor has been elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist under this Bylaw in the case of the death, removal or resignation of any director.

 

 
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(b) At any time or times that the corporation, after the filling of any vacancy, the directors then in office who have been elected by stockholders constitute less than a majority of the directors then in office, then

 

(i) any holder or holders of an aggregate of 5% or more of the total number of shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for those directors may call a special meeting of stockholders; or

 

(ii) the Superior Court of the proper county shall, upon application of such stockholder or stockholders, summarily order a special meeting of the stockholders, to be held to elect the entire board, the term of office of any director shall terminate upon that election of a successor.

 

Section 20. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by delivering his or her notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Secretary, such resignation to specify whether it shall be effective at a particular time, upon receipt by the Secretary or at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. If no such specification is made, it shall be deemed effective at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. When one or more directors resigns from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the director whose place is vacated and until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified.

 

Section 21. Removal.

 

(a) Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law and unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors or any director may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally at an election of directors.

 

(b) During such time or times that the Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed from office at any time without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such removal; provided, however, that unless the entire Board of Directors is removed, no individual director may be removed when the votes cast against such director’s removal, or not consenting in writing to such removal, would be sufficient to elect that director if voted cumulatively at an election in which the same total number of votes were cast (or, if such action is taken by written consent, all shares entitled to vote were voted) and the entire number of directors authorized at the time of such director’s most recent election were then being elected.

 

Section 22. Meetings

 

(a) Regular Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Articles of Incorporation, regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or date and at any place within or without the State of Georgia that has been designated by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors, either orally or in writing, including a voice-messaging system or other system designated to record and communicate messages, facsimile, or by electronic mail or other electronic means. No further notice shall be required for a regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

(b) Special Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Articles of Incorporation, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place within or without the State of Georgia whenever called by the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer (if a director), the President (if a director) or any director.

 

 
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(c) Meetings by Electronic Communications Equipment. Any member of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means constitutes presence in person at such meeting.

 

(d) Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of the time and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means, during normal business hours, at least 24 hours before the date and time of the meeting. If notice is sent by US mail, it shall be sent by first class mail, postage prepaid at least three (3) days before the date of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in writing or by electronic transmission at any time before or after the meeting and shall be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends the 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.

 

(e) Waiver of Notice. The transaction of all business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the directors not present who did not receive notice signs a written waiver of notice or waives notice by electronic transmission. All such waivers shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

 

Section 23. Quorum and Voting.

 

(a) Unless the Articles of Incorporation requires a greater number, a quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the total number of directors then serving; provided, however, that such number shall never be less than 1/3 of the total number of directors authorized except that when one director is authorized, then one director shall constitute a quorum. At any meeting, whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by announcement at the meeting. If the Articles of Incorporation provides that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter, every reference in this Section 23 to a majority or other proportion of the directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion of the votes of the directors.

 

(b) At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, all questions and business shall be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present, unless a different vote be required by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

 

Section 24. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, 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 of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing or writings or transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. A consent may be documented, signed and delivered in any manner permitted by Section 14-2-704 of the GBCC. 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 25. Fees and Compensation. Directors shall be entitled to such compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board of Directors, including, if so approved, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors and at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors. Nothing herein contained is to be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor.

 

 
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Section 26. Committees.

 

(a) Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee to consist of one or more members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the GBCC to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any bylaw of the corporation.

 

(b) Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, appoint such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees appointed by the Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members of the Board of Directors and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committees, but in no event shall any such committee have the powers denied to the Executive Committee in these Bylaws.

 

(c) Term. The Board of Directors, subject to any requirements of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock and the provisions of paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 26 may at any time increase or decrease the number of members of a committee or terminate the existence of a committee. The membership of a committee member shall terminate on the date of his or her death or voluntary resignation from the committee or from the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may at any time for any reason remove any individual committee member and the Board of Directors may fill any committee vacancy created by death, resignation, removal or increase in the number of members of the committee. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee, and, in addition, in the absence or disqualification of any member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

(d) Meetings. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provide, regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee appointed pursuant to this Section 26 shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of any such committee may be held at any place that has been determined from time to time by such committee, and may be called by any director who is a member of such committee, upon notice to the members of such committee of the time and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any committee may be waived in writing at any time before or after the meeting and shall be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends such special 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. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in the resolutions authorizing the creation of the committee, a majority of the authorized number of members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.

 

 
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Section 27. Duties of Chair of the Board of Directors. The Chair of the Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chair of the Board of Directors shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors designates from time to time. If there is no President and no Chief Executive Officer, then the Chair of the Board of Directors shall also serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in Section 30(b).

 

Section 28. Organization. At every meeting of the directors, the Chair of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chair has not been appointed or is absent, the President (if a director), or if the President is not a director or is absent, the Chief Executive Officer (if a director), or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director or is absent, the most senior Vice President (if a director) or, in the absence of any such person, a chair of the meeting chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall preside over the meeting. The Secretary, or in his or her absence, any Assistant Secretary directed to do so by the President or Chief Executive Officer, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

 

ARTICLE V

 

OFFICERS

 

Section 29. Officers Designated. The officers of the corporation shall include, if and when designated by the Board of Directors, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer and the Controller, all of whom shall be elected or appointed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Controllers and such other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it deems necessary. The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles to one or more of the officers as it deems appropriate. Any one person may hold any number of offices of the corporation at any one time unless specifically prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and other compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner designated by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 30. Tenure and Duties of Officers.

 

(a) General. All officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified, unless sooner removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors, or by the President or other officer if so authorized by the Board of Directors.

 

(b) Duties of President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and (if a director) at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the Chair of the Board of Directors has been appointed and is present. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors designates from time to time.

 

(c) Duties of Chief Executive Officer. In the absence or disability of the President or if the office of President is vacant, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and (if a director) at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the Chair of the Board of Directors has been appointed and is present. If the office of President is vacant, the Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation (including for purposes of any reference to President in these Bylaws) and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors designates from time to time.

 

 
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(d) Duties of Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents may assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of President is vacant. The Vice Presidents shall perform other duties commonly incident to their office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President designates from time to time.

 

(e) Duties of Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall record all acts and proceedings thereof in the minute book of the corporation. The Secretary shall give notice in conformity with these Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform all other duties provided for in these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. The President may direct any Assistant Secretary to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President designates from time to time.

 

(f) Duties of Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the principal financial officer of the corporation, shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements of the corporation, shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in the depositories designated by the Board of Directors, and in general shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as the Board of Directors or President shall assign.

 

The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for the disbursements. The Treasurer shall keep and maintain the corporation's books of account and shall render to the President and Board of Directors an account of all transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation and exhibit the books, records, and accounts to the President or Board of Directors at any time.

 

The President may direct the Chief Financial Officer or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Controller or any Assistant Controller to assume and perform the duties of the Treasurer in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, and each Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Treasurer and each Controller and Assistant Controller shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President designates from time to time.

 

Section 31. Delegation of Authority. The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

 

Section 32. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or to the Chief Executive Officer or to the Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract with the resigning officer.

 

 
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Section 33. Removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time, either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors in office at the time, or by the unanimous written or electronic consent of the directors in office at the time, or by any committee or superior officers upon whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING
OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION

 

Section 34. Execution of Corporate Instruments. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the corporation any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the corporation the corporate name, or to enter into contracts on behalf of the corporation, except as otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the corporation. All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries of funds to the credit of the corporation or on special accounts of the corporation shall be signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors authorizes so to do. Unless authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

 

Section 35. Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation. All stock and other securities of other corporations owned or held by the corporation for itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization, by the Chair of the Board of Directors, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, or any Vice President.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

SHARES OF STOCK

 

Section 36. Form and Execution of Certificates. The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, or shall be uncertificated. Certificates for the shares of stock, if any, of the corporation shall be in such form as is consistent with the Articles of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of shares of stock in the corporation represented by certificate shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the corporation by any two authorized officers of the corporation, including but not limited to the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him or her in the corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Section 37. Lost Certificates. A new certificate or certificates shall be issued in place of any certificate or certificates 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. The corporation may require, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or the owner’s legal representative, to agree to indemnify the corporation in such manner as it requires or to give the corporation a surety bond in such form and amount as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.

 

 
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Section 38. 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 of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, subject to applicable law, not be more than 60 nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, 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 day immediately preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day immediately 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 of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

(b) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a meeting in accordance with Section 14-2-704 of the GBCC, the Board of Directors 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 of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. Any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action without a meeting in accordance with Section 14-2-704 of the GBCC shall, by written notice to the Secretary, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date. The Board of Directors shall promptly, but in all events within ten (10) days after the date on which such a request is received, adopt a resolution fixing the record date. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors within ten (10) days of the date on which such a request is received, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law, shall be the first date on which a signed consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation in accordance with the GBCC. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

(c) 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 of Directors may fix, in advance, 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 sixty (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 of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

Section 39. Registered Stockholders. The corporation is 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 is not 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 has express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Georgia.

 

 
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ARTICLE VIII

 

OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION

 

Section 40. Execution of Other Securities. All bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates (covered in Section 36 of these Bylaws), may be signed by the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such bond, debenture or other corporate security is authenticated by the manual signature, or where permissible facsimile signature, of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security is issued, the signatures of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond, debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer who has signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile signature appears thereon or on any such interest coupon, has ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so signed or attested has been delivered, such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by the corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature has been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the corporation.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

DIVIDENDS

 

Section 41. Declaration of Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and applicable law, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors pursuant to law at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and applicable law.

 

Section 42. Dividend Reserve. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors thinks conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

ARTICLE X

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

Section 43. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

 
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ARTICLE XI

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 44. Indemnification of Directors, Executive Officers, Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents.

 

(a) Directors and Executive Officers. The corporation shall indemnify its directors and executive officers (for the purposes of this Article, “executive officers” has the meaning defined in Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the 1934 Act) to the fullest extent not prohibited by the GBCC or any other applicable law; provided, however, that the corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and executive officers and, provided, further, that the corporation shall not be required to indemnify any director or executive officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the corporation under the GBCC or any other applicable law or (iv) such indemnification is required to be made under paragraph (d) of this Section.

 

(b) Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents. The corporation shall have power to indemnify its other officers, employees and other agents as set forth in the GBCC or any other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person except executive officers to such officers or other persons as the Board of Directors determines.

 

(c) Expenses. The corporation shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or executive officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or executive officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or executive officer in connection with such proceeding, provided, however, that, if the GBCC requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section or otherwise.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, no advance shall be made by the corporation to an executive officer of the corporation (except by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the corporation, in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.

 

 
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(d) Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and executive officers under this Section shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the corporation and the director or executive officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this Section to a director or executive officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within ninety (90) days of request therefor. The claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the GBCC or any other applicable law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by an executive officer of the corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the corporation) for advances, the corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the GBCC or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

(e) Non‑Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Section are not exclusive of any other right that such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the GBCC or any other applicable law.

 

(f) Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Section shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or executive officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

(g) Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the GBCC, or any other applicable law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this Section.

 

(h) Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this Section is only prospective and does not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.

 

(i) Saving Clause. If this Section or any portion hereof is invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Bylaw that has not been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this Section is invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then the corporation shall indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent under applicable law.

 

 
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(j) Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply:

 

(1) The term “proceeding” is to be broadly construed and includes, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

 

(2) The term “expenses” is to be broadly construed and includes, without limitation, court costs, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.

 

(3) The term the “corporation” includes, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger that, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, stands in the same position under the provisions of this Section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

(4) References to a “director,” “executive officer,” “officer,” “employee,” or “agent” of the corporation include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the corporation as, respectively, a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

(5) References to “other enterprises” include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” 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” include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan is deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this Section.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

NOTICES

 

Section 45. Notices.

 

(a) Notice to Stockholders. Written notice to stockholders of stockholder meetings shall be given as provided in Section 8 of these Bylaws. Without limiting the manner by which notice may otherwise be given effectively to stockholders under any agreement or contract with such stockholder, and except as otherwise required by law, written notice to stockholders for purposes other than stockholder meetings may be sent by United States mail or nationally recognized overnight courier, or by facsimile, telegraph or telex or by electronic mail or other electronic means.

 

 
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(b) Notice to Directors. Any notice required to be given to any director may be given by the method stated in paragraph (a) of this Section, or as provided for in Section 22 of these Bylaws. If such notice is not delivered personally, it shall be sent to such address as such director has filed in writing with the Secretary, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known post office address of such director.

 

(c) Affidavit of Mailing. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly authorized and competent employee of the corporation or its transfer agent appointed with respect to the class of stock affected or other agent, specifying the name and address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and the time and method of giving the same, shall in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts therein contained.

 

(d) Methods of Notice. It is not necessary that the same method of giving notice be employed in respect of all recipients of notice, but one permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.

 

(e) Notice to Person with Whom Communication Is Unlawful. Whenever notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person is not required and there is 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 that is taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful has 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 under any provision of the GBCC, 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.

 

(f) Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Except as otherwise prohibited under GBCC, any notice given under the provisions of GBCC, the Articles of Incorporation or the 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. Such consent is deemed to have been given if such stockholder fails to object in writing to the corporation within sixty (60) days of having been given notice by the corporation of its intention to send the single notice. Any consent is revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

AMENDMENTS

 

Section 46. Amendments. The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws of the corporation. The stockholders also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or by the Articles of Incorporation, such action by stockholders requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

 
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ARTICLE XIV

 

LOANS TO OFFICERS

 

Section 47. Loans to Officers. Except as otherwise prohibited under applicable law, the corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is a Director of the corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the Board of Directors approves, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in these Bylaws is deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at common law or under any statute.

 

ARTICLE XV

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 48. Annual Report.

 

(a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, the Board of Directors shall cause an annual report to be sent to each stockholder of the corporation not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of the corporation’s fiscal year. Such report shall include a balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year and an income statement and statement of changes in financial position for such fiscal year, accompanied by any report thereon of independent accountants or, if there is no such report, the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that such statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation. Such report shall be sent to stockholders at least fifteen (15) days prior to the next annual meeting of stockholders after the end of the fiscal year to which it relates.

 

(b) If and so long as there are fewer than 100 holders of record of the corporation’s shares, the requirement of sending of an annual report to the stockholders of the corporation is hereby expressly waived.

 

Section 49. Conflict with Applicable Law or Articles of Incorporation. These Bylaws are adopted subject to any applicable law and the Articles of Incorporation. Whenever these Bylaws may conflict with any applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation, such conflict shall be resolved in favor of such law or the Articles of Incorporation.

 

Section 50. Invalid Provisions. If any one or more of the provisions of these Bylaws, or the applicability of any provision to a specific situation, shall be held invalid or unenforceable, the provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it or its application valid and enforceable, and the validity and enforceability of all other provisions of these Bylaws and all other applications of any provision shall not be affected thereby.

 

Section 51. Forum. Unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the court of competent jurisdiction, whether state or federal, located in Fulton County, Georgia is the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the corporation; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the corporation to the corporation or the corporation’s stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against the corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the GBCC, the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the corporation; or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

 

 
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