Registration Form • Apr 15, 2024
Registration Form
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Section 1.1 PRINCIPAL AND OTHER OFFICES. The Corporation shall have a principal office in the State of Maryland as set forth in the Corporation's charter, as amended or restated (the "Charter"). The board of directors of the Corporation (the "Board of Directors") may at any time change the Corporation's principal office in the State of Maryland by making the appropriate filing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments & Taxation (the "SDAT"). The Corporation may also have other offices, within or without the State of Maryland, as the Board of Directors may designate, as the business of the Corporation may require, or as may be desirable.
Section 1.2 RESIDENT AGENT. The resident agent of the Corporation and the agent's address shall be as set forth in the Charter. The Board of Directors may at any time change the Corporation's resident agent or address by making the appropriate filing with the SDAT.
Section 1.3 BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Corporation shall keep and maintain at a minimum:
(a) A stock ledger which contains: (i) the name and address of each of its stockholders; and (ii) the number of shares of each class which the stockholder holds.
(b) Books and records of its accounts and transactions.
(c) Minutes of the meetings of, and records of action taken by: (i) its stockholders; (ii) the Board of Directors; and (iii) any executive or other committee exercising any of the powers of the Board of Directors.
The President of the Corporation shall prepare a full and correct statement of the affairs of the Corporation, including a balance sheet and a financial statement of operations for the preceding fiscal year. This statement shall be presented at the next annual meeting of the stockholders as provided by Section 2.3 of these Bylaws.
All records required by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the "MGCL") to be maintained by the Corporation shall be kept at the Corporation's principal office. Such records may be maintained on any information storage device or method that can be converted into written form for visual inspection within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall convert any records so kept on the written request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to applicable law.
Section 2.1 MEETING PLACE. Meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held at any place, within or without the State of Maryland, as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors and designated in the notice of the meeting or executed waiver of notice. The Board of Directors may determine, in its discretion, that any meeting of the stockholders may be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 2.2 of these Bylaws.
Section 2.2 PARTICIPATION BY REMOTE COMMUNICATION. The Board of Directors may authorize stockholders not physically present at any meeting of stockholders to participate in the meeting by means of remote communication, videoconference, teleconference, or other available technology, subject to any guidelines and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. At a meeting in which stockholders can participate by means of remote communication, the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to:
(a) verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder; and
(b) allow stockholders and proxy holders participating by remote communication to either read or hear the proceedings as they take place and to participate in the meeting and vote on matters submitted to the stockholders.
The Corporation shall maintain a record of the vote or other action taken by stockholders or proxy holders at the meeting by means of remote communication.
Section 2.3 ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of the stockholders, for the purpose of electing directors, presenting the Corporation's annual statement of affairs to the stockholders, and transacting any other business as may be brought before the meeting, shall be held on the date and time fixed by the Board of Directors and designated in the notice of the meeting. Failure to hold the annual meeting of stockholders at the designated time shall not affect the validity of any action taken by the Corporation.
Section 2.4 SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called by:
(c) the Secretary, on written request of stockholders entitled to cast at least fifty percent (50%) of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting, following payment of the reasonable estimate costs of preparing and mailing notice of the proposed meeting. The stockholders' request must state the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at the meeting.
Only business within the purposes described in the Corporation's meeting notice may be conducted at a special meeting of the stockholders.
Section 2.5 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS. For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may either:
(a) fix in advance a date, not more than ninety (90) days or less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, as the record date; or
(b) direct that the stock transfer books of the Corporation be closed for a stated period, but no longer than twenty (20) days or less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting.
If no record date is fixed and the stock transfer books are not closed, the record date shall be the later of:
A determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders is effective for any adjournment or postponement of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned or postponed meeting. The Board of Directors must fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned or postponed more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the record date fixed for the original meeting of stockholders.
Section 2.6 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING. Written notice of any annual or special meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than ninety (90) days before the date of the meeting to all stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and to all other stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. Such notice shall state:
(c) the means of any remote communication by which stockholders and proxy holders may participate at the meeting; and
(d) the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, if the meeting is a special meeting or notice of the meeting's purpose is required by the MGCL.
Notice as provided by this Section 2.6 shall be given to a stockholder by (a) personal delivery, (b) leaving it with a person over the age of eighteen (18) at the stockholder's residence or usual place of business, (c) mail, or (d) electronic transmission, unless the Corporation has received a request from such stockholder that notice not be sent by electronic transmission.
Any stockholder entitled to notice of a meeting may deliver a waiver of notice to the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission either before or after the time of the meeting. A stockholder's participation or attendance at a meeting in person or by proxy shall constitute a waiver of notice, except where the stockholder attends for the specific purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Section 2.7 VOTING LISTS. The Corporation shall prepare, as of the record date fixed for a meeting of stockholders or the date the stock transfer books are closed as provided by Section 2.5 of these Bylaws, an alphabetical list of all stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (or any adjournment thereof). The list shall be available for inspection by any stockholder beginning two (2) business days after notice of the meeting is given, during regular business hours at the Corporation's principal office or another place identified in the meeting notice in the city where the meeting will be held. The list shall be produced and kept open at the time and place of the meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting (or any adjournment thereof).
If any or all of the stockholders are participating in the meeting by remote communication, the list shall be open to examination by the stockholders for the duration of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access the list shall be provided to stockholders with the notice of the meeting.
Section 2.8 QUORUM OF STOCKHOLDERS. At each meeting of stockholders for the transaction of any business, a quorum must be present to approve any matter that properly comes before such meeting. The presence in person, by means of remote communication, or by proxy of a majority of the voting power constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of stockholders.
The holders of a majority of the voting power represented in person, by means of remote communication, or by proxy at a meeting, even if less than a quorum, may adjourn or postpone the meeting from time to time.
Section 2.9 CONDUCT OF MEETINGS. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings of the stockholders, as it deems appropriate. At every meeting of the stockholders, the President, or in his or her absence or inability to act, a director or officer designated by the Board of Directors, shall serve as chair of the meeting. The Secretary or, in his or her absence or inability to act, the person whom the chair of the meeting shall appoint, shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep the minutes thereof.
The chair of the meeting shall determine the order of business and, in the absence of a rule adopted by the Board of Directors, shall establish rules for the conduct of the meeting. The chair of the meeting shall announce the close of the polls for each matter voted upon at the meeting, after which no ballots, proxies, votes, changes, or revocations shall be accepted. Polls for all matters before the meeting will be deemed to be closed upon final adjournment of the meeting.
Section 2.10 VOTING OF SHARES. Each outstanding share of stock, regardless of class or series, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders, except as otherwise provided by the Charter. Unless a different proportion is required by the Charter or the MGCL, a majority of all votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to approve any matter which properly comes before the meeting.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
Stockholders are prohibited from cumulating their votes in any election of directors, as the Charter does not expressly provide for cumulative voting.
Section 2.11 ACTION BY STOCKHOLDERS WITHOUT A 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 Charter, the holders of 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 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.
The board of directors may set a record date as provided by the MGCL 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 MGCL, the Charter, or these Bylaws shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its principal office in the State of Maryland, its resident 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 delivering 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 will 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:
Section 2.12 STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS AND PROPOSALS. For business (including, but not limited to, director nominations) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder or stockholders of record intending to propose the business (the "proposing stockholder") must have given written notice of the proposing stockholder's nomination or proposal, either by personal delivery or by United States mail to the Secretary no earlier than sixty (60) calendar days and no later than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the date such annual meeting is to be held. If the current year's meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days of the anniversary of the previous year's annual meeting, notice must be received no later than ten (10) calendar days following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made. In no event will an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting of stockholders begin a new time period for giving a proposing stockholder's notice as provided above.
A proposing stockholder's notice shall include as to each matter the proposing stockholder proposes to bring before either an annual or special meeting:
(a) The name and address of the proposing stockholder.
(b) The class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation held by the proposing stockholder.
(c) If the notice regards a nomination of a candidate for election as director: (i) the name, age, and business and residence address of the candidate; (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the candidate; and (iii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation beneficially owned by the candidate.
(d) If the notice regards a proposal other than a nomination of a candidate for election as director, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, and the material interest of the proposing stockholder in such proposal.
Section 3.1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS. All corporate power shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of, the Board of Directors, except as conferred on or reserved to the stockholders by law, the Charter, or these Bylaws.
Directors must be natural persons at least 18 years of age and need not be stockholders of the Corporation.
Section 3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. 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. No decrease in the number of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director.
Section 3.3 TERM OF OFFICE. At the first annual meeting of stockholders and at each annual meeting thereafter, the holders of shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors shall elect directors to hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting or until the director's earlier death, resignation, disqualification, or removal. A director shall continue to serve after the expiration of his or her term until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
Section 3.4 REMOVAL. Any or all of the directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast generally for the election of directors. A director may be removed by stockholders or directors only at a meeting called for that purpose, for which the meeting notice must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is removal of the director or directors.
If a director is elected by the holders of a class or series of shares, the director may be removed without cause only by the affirmative vote of a majority of all of the votes of such class or series.
Section 3.5 RESIGNATION. A director may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors, its chair, or the Secretary of the Corporation. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice states a later effective time or makes resignation effective on the occurrence of an event. Acceptance of the resignation shall not be required to make the resignation effective. The pending vacancy may be filled in accordance with Section 3.6 of these Bylaws before the effective time, but the successor shall not take office until the effective time.
Section 3.6 VACANCIES. A vacancy on the Board of Directors resulting from the removal of a director in accordance with Section 3.4 of these Bylaws may be filled by the stockholders at an annual or special meeting of stockholders , provided that, if the stockholders of any class or series are entitled separately to elect one or more directors, only the stockholders of that class or series may elect a successor to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors which results from the removal of a director previously elected by that class or series. A director elected by the stockholders to fill a vacancy which resulted from the removal of a director shall hold office for the remaining term of his or her predecessor and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
A vacancy on the Board of Directors resulting from any cause other than an increase in the number of directors or the removal of a director in accordance with Section 3.4 of these Bylaws may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, whether or not sufficient to constitute a quorum. A vacancy on the Board of Directors resulting from an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, provided that, if the stockholders of any class or series are entitled separately to elect one or more directors, a majority of the remaining directors elected by that class or series or the sole remaining director elected by that class or series may fill a vacancy for the directors elected by that class or series. A director elected by the board of directors to fill a vacancy serves until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
Section 3.7 REGULAR MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS. A regular meeting of the newly-elected Board of Directors shall be held, without other notice, immediately after and at the place of the annual meeting of stockholders, provided a quorum is present. Other regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such times and places, within or without the State of Maryland, as the Board of Directors may determine.
Section 3.8 SPECIAL MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President, the chair of the Board of Directors, any two directors, or one director if there is only one director.
Section 3.9 PARTICIPATION BY REMOTE COMMUNICATION. Directors not physically present at a meeting of the Board of Directors may participate in the meeting by remote communication, videoconference, teleconference, or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. The Board of Directors may determine, in its discretion, that any meeting of the Board of Directors may be held solely by means of remote communication. Directors participating by remote communication shall be considered present in person at the meeting.
Section 3.10 NOTICE OF DIRECTORS' MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice of the date, time, place (if any), or purpose of the meeting. All special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held upon not less than three (3) days' notice. Such notice shall state:
(c) the means of any remote communication by which directors may participate at the meeting; and
(d) the business to be transacted at the meeting or the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called if the meeting is a special meeting.
Notice as provided by this Section 3.10 shall be given to a director (a) in writing by personal delivery or mail or (b) by electronic transmission.
A director entitled to notice of a meeting may deliver a waiver of notice to the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission either before or after the time of the meeting. A director's participation or attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice, except where the director attends for the specific purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Section 3.11 QUORUM AND ACTION BY DIRECTORS. A majority of the Board of Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The directors at a meeting for which a quorum is not present may adjourn the meeting until a time and place as may be determined by a majority vote of the directors present at that meeting.
The act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless a greater proportion is required under the MGCL, the Charter, or these Bylaws.
Section 3.12 COMPENSATION. Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services, but the Board of Directors may provide for a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at any meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof. A director shall not be precluded from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation for services in that capacity.
Section 3.13 ACTION BY DIRECTORS WITHOUT MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee thereof 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 member of the Board of Directors or committee thereof entitled to vote on the matter; and
(b) filed in paper or electronic form with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee thereof.
Section 3.14 COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the directors, may establish one or more committees, each consisting of one or more directors, to exercise the authority of the Board of Directors to the extent provided in the resolution establishing the committee and allowed under the MGCL.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a committee of the Board of Directors shall not have the authority to:
(a) issue stock, other than as expressly authorized by the MGCL;
(b) recommend to the stockholders any action which requires stockholder approval, other than the election of directors;
(c) amend these Bylaws; or
(d) approve any merger or share exchange which does not require stockholder approval.
The establishment of any committee, the delegation of authority to such committee, or action by such committee under that authority does not constitute, of itself, compliance by any director not a member of the committee with the standards for performance of the duties on directors imposed by law.
The members of a committee present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, are authorized to appoint a director to act in the place of an absent member.
Section 4.1 POSITIONS AND ELECTION. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall be a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and any other officers, including assistant officers and agents, as may be deemed necessary by resolution of the Board of Directors. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.
Officers shall be elected annually at the meeting of the Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of stockholders. Each officer shall serve until a successor is elected and qualified or until the earlier death, resignation, disqualification, or removal of that officer. Vacancies or new offices shall be filled at the next regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights.
Section 4.2 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION. Any officer elected by the Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by the affirmative vote of the majority of the directors in attendance where a quorum is present. Removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the officer so removed.
Any officer may resign at any time by delivering notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Secretary of the Corporation. Resignation is effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice provides a later effective date.
Any vacancies may be filled in accordance with Section 4.1 of these Bylaws.
Section 4.3 POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS. The powers and duties of the officers of the Corporation shall be as provided from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors or by direction of an officer authorized by the Board of Directors to prescribe the duties of other officers. In the absence of such resolution, the respective officers shall have the powers and shall discharge the duties customarily and usually held and performed by like officers of corporations similar in organization and business purposes to the Corporation, subject to the control of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.4 AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS. All agreements of the Corporation shall be executed on behalf of the Corporation by any of the following:
(a) The President.
(b) Such other officer or employee of the Corporation authorized in writing by the President, with such limitations or restrictions on such authority as the President deems appropriate.
(c) Such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.1 INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. The Corporation may, to the extent permitted by the MGCL, indemnify or advance expenses to any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation and any person who, while a director of the Corporation, is or was serving at the Corporation's request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company, other enterprise, or employee benefit plan (each such person, an "Indemnitee"), against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements, and expenses (including attorney's fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding.
Section 5.2 NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF INDEMNIFICATION RIGHTS. The rights of indemnification set out in this Article V shall be in addition to and not exclusive of any other rights to which any Indemnitee may be entitled under the Charter, these Bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders or Board of Directors, any other agreement with the Corporation, or otherwise, both as to action in an official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
Section 6.1 CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING SHARES. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any class or series of stock shall be uncertificated shares. If any uncertificated shares are issued, the Corporation shall, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, send to the registered owner of the shares a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to the MGCL. Certificates representing shares of the Corporation shall be signed by officers or agents designated by the Corporation for such purpose and shall include:
(d) the designations and any preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of the stock of each class the Corporation is authorized to issue, and if the Corporation is authorized to issue any preferred or special class in series: (i) the differences in the relative rights and preferences between the shares of each series to the extent they have been set; and (ii) the authority of the Board of Directors to set the relative rights and preferences of subsequent series. Alternatively, the certificate may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement of the required information to any stockholder on request and without charge; and
(e) A full statement of any transfer restrictions, or a statement that the Corporation will furnish information about the transfer restrictions to the stockholder on request and without charge.
Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated shares and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing shares of the same class and series shall be identical.
No share shall be issued until the consideration therefor, fixed as provided by law, has been fully paid.
Section 6.2 TRANSFERS OF SHARES. Shares of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these Bylaws. Transfers of shares of the Corporation shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the holder of record thereof or by such person's attorney lawfully constituted in writing. No transfer of shares 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.
(a) The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder of the Corporation may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the stockholder's name are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder ("beneficial owner"). Such a resolution shall include: (i) the class of stockholders who may certify; (ii) the purpose for which the certification may be made; (iii) the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; (iv) if the certification is with respect to a record date or closing of the stock transfer books, the time after the record date or closing of the stock transfer books within which the Corporation must receive the certification; and (v) any other provisions the Board of Directors considers necessary or desirable. On receipt of a certification which complies with the procedure adopted by the Board of Directors in accordance with this Section 6.3(a), the person specified in the certification is, for the purpose set forth in the certification, the beneficial owner of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder that makes the certification.
(b) Unless a beneficial owner has been certified as provided by the procedure set forth by Section 6.3(a), the Corporation may treat the holder of record of any shares issued by the Corporation as the holder in fact thereof, for purposes of voting those shares, receiving distributions thereon or notices in respect thereof, transferring those shares, exercising rights of dissent with respect to those shares, exercising or waiving any preemptive right with respect to those shares, entering into agreements with respect to those shares in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, or giving proxies with respect to those shares. Neither the Corporation nor any of its officers, directors, employees, or agents shall be liable for regarding that person as the owner of those shares at that time for those purposes, regardless of whether that person possesses a certificate for those 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 notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.
Section 6.4 LOST, STOLEN, OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to 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 owner of the allegedly lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate. When authorizing the issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, may require the owner of the allegedly lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate, or the owner's legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond or other security sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against the Corporation or other obligees with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed or the issuance of such new certificate or certificates.
Section 7.1 DECLARATION. The Board of Directors may authorize, and the Corporation may make, distributions to its stockholders in cash, property (other than stock of the Corporation), or a dividend of stock of the Corporation to the extent permitted by the Charter and the MGCL.
Section 7.2 RECORD DATE FOR DISTRIBUTIONS AND STOCK DIVIDENDS. For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to receive a distribution by the Corporation (other than a distribution involving a purchase or redemption by the Corporation of any of its own shares) or a stock dividend, the Board of Directors may, at the time of declaring the distribution or stock dividend, set a date no more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the distribution or stock dividend. Alternatively, the Board of Directors may direct that the stock transfer books of the Corporation be closed for a stated period, but no longer than twenty (20) days, for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to a distribution or stock dividend.
If no record date is fixed and the stock transfer books are not closed, the record date shall be the date on which the resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing the distribution or stock dividend is adopted.
Section 8.1 CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC. All checks, drafts, or other instruments for payment of money or notes of the Corporation shall be signed by an officer or officers or any other person or persons as shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 8.2 FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 8.3 CONFLICT WITH APPLICABLE LAW OR CHARTER. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions of the MGCL shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. These Bylaws are adopted subject to any applicable law and the Charter. Whenever these Bylaws may conflict with any applicable law or the Charter, such conflict shall be resolved in favor of such law or the Charter.
Section 8.4 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.
The power to adopt, alter, and repeal these Bylaws is vested exclusively in the Board of Directors.
Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The principal office of Strawberry Fields REIT, Inc. (the "Corporation") in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the Board of Directors may designate.
Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES. The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
Section 1. PLACE. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set in accordance with these Bylaws and stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Board of Directors.
(a) General. Each of the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president and Board of Directors may call a special meeting of stockholders. Except as provided in subsection (b)(iv) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors, whoever has called the meeting. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting.
(b) Stockholder-Requested Special Meetings.
(i) Any stockholder of record seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the "Record Date Request Notice") by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the "Request Record Date"). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more stockholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such stockholder and each matter proposed to be acted on at the meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Exchange Act"). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within ten days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which a Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary.
(ii) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the "Special Meeting Request") signed by stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the "Special Meeting Percentage") shall be delivered to the secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (a) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), (b) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (c) set forth (i) the name and address, as they appear in the Corporation's books, of each stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), (ii) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned (beneficially or of record) by each such stockholder and (iii) the nominee holder for, and number of, shares of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, (d) be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (e) be received by the secretary within 60 days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting stockholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation of the Special Meeting Request) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary.
(iii) The secretary shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing or delivering the notice of the meeting (including the Corporation's proxy materials). The secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon stockholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (ii) of this Section 3(b), the secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of such notice of the meeting.
(iv) In the case of any special meeting called by the secretary upon the request of stockholders (a "Stockholder-Requested Meeting"), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the date of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such meeting (the "Meeting Record Date"); and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within ten days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the "Delivery Date"), a date and time for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m., local time, on the 90th day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90th day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting within ten days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, the Board of Directors may consider such factors as it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting, if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the 30th day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date. The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder-Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b).
(v) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting on the matter to the secretary: (A) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (B) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Corporation's intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (1) the secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten days before the commencement of the meeting or (2) the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting from time to time without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.
(vi) The chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been received by the secretary until the earlier of (A) five Business Days after actual receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (B) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (vi) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).
(vii) For purposes of these Bylaws, "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Section 4. NOTICE. Not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each meeting of stockholders, the secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholder's residence or usual place of business, by electronic transmission or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder's address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. The Corporation may give a single notice to all stockholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any stockholder at such address, unless such stockholder objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.
Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article II, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by making a public announcement (as defined in Section 11(c)(iii) of this Article II) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than ten days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this section.
Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT. Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment or appointed individual, by the chairman of the board or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chairman of the board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the vice chairman of the board, if there is one, the chief executive officer, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and, within each rank, in their order of seniority, the secretary, or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the secretary, an assistant secretary or an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of stockholders, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of the chairman and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance or participation at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and such other individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments; (d) determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed and when announcement of the results should be made; (e) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (f) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (g) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (h) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with any rules of parliamentary procedure.
Section 6. QUORUM. At any meeting of stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the charter of the Corporation (the "Charter") for the vote necessary for the approval of any matter. If such quorum is not established at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. The stockholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough stockholders to leave fewer than would be required to establish a quorum.
Section 7. VOTING. A plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a director. Each share entitles the holder thereof to vote for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the holder is entitled to vote. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required by statute or by the Charter. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the Charter, each outstanding share of stock, regardless of class, entitles the holder thereof to cast one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the chairman of the meeting shall order that voting be by ballot or otherwise.
Section 8. PROXIES. A holder of record of shares of stock of the Corporation may cast votes in person or by proxy executed by the stockholder or by the stockholder's duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by applicable law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Corporation before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
(a) Stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, managing member, manager, general partner or trustee thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any trustee or fiduciary, in such capacity, may vote stock registered in such trustee's or fiduciary's name, either in person or by proxy.
(b) Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.
(c) The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or appropriate. On receipt by the secretary of the Corporation of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the holder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.
Section 10. INSPECTORS. The Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor to the inspector. Except as otherwise provided by the chairman of the meeting, the inspectors, if any, shall (i) determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (ii) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (iii) report such tabulation to the chairman of the meeting, (iv) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (v) do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report 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. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
(i) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (A) pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting, (B) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (C) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the record date set by the Board of Directors for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting (and any postponement or adjournment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with this Section 11(a).
(ii) For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (C) of paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation and any such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder's notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 150th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(iii) of this Article II) for the preceding year's annual meeting; provided, however, that in connection with the Corporation's first annual meeting or in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year's annual meeting, in order for notice by the stockholder to be timely, such notice must be so delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder's notice as described above.
(iii) Such stockholder's notice shall set forth:
(A) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a "Proposed Nominee"), all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act;
(B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the stockholder's reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom;
(C) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person,
(1) the class, series and number of all shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the "Company Securities"), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, the date on which each such Company Security was acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person,
(2) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person,
(3) whether and the extent to which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the last six months has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of Company Securities for such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person or (II) increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof disproportionately to such person's economic interest in the Company Securities, and
(4) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series;
(D) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Stockholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (B) or (C) of this paragraph (iii) of this Section 11(a) and any Proposed Nominee,
(1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation's stock ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Stockholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee, and
(2) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person;
(E) the name and address of any person who contacted or was contacted by the stockholder giving the notice or any Stockholder Associated Person about the Proposed Nominee or other business proposal; and
(F) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a director or the proposal of other business.
(iv) Such stockholder's notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by a written undertaking executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not, and will not become, a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (b) will serve as a director of the Corporation if elected; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request by the stockholder providing the notice, and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Corporation are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Corporation are traded).
(v) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a) of this Section 11 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(iii) of this Article II) for the preceding year's annual meeting, a stockholder's notice required by this Section 11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(vi) For purposes of this Section 11, "Stockholder Associated Person" of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person.
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3(a) of this Article II for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the record date set by the Board of Directors for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting, at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 and at the time of the special meeting (and any postponement or adjournment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a director as specified in the Corporation's notice of meeting, if the stockholder's notice, containing the information required by paragraphs (a)(iii) and (iv) of this Section 11, is delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder's notice as described above.
(i) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11. Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the secretary or the Board of Directors, any such stockholder shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11, and (B) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.
(ii) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 11.
(iii) For purposes of this Section 11, "the date of the proxy statement" shall have the same meaning as "the date of the company's proxy statement released to shareholders" as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. "Public announcement" shall mean disclosure (A) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (B) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act.
(iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, any proxy statement filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 11 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.
(v) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, except as otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, if the stockholder giving notice as provided for in this Section 11 does not appear in person or by proxy at such annual or special meeting to present each nominee for election as a director or the proposed business, as applicable, such matter shall not be considered at the meeting.
Section 12. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. The Board of Directors or chairman of the meeting may permit one or more stockholders to participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.
Section 13. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the "MGCL"), shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.
Section 14. STOCKHOLDERS' CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting (a) if a unanimous consent setting forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and filed with the minutes of proceedings of the stockholders or (b) if the action is advised, and submitted to the stockholders for approval, by the Board of Directors and a consent in writing or by electronic transmission of stockholders entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting of stockholders is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the MGCL. The Corporation shall give notice of any action taken by less than unanimous consent to each stockholder not later than ten days after the effective time of such action.
Section 1. GENERAL POWERS. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE, QUALIFICATIONS AND RESIGNATION. A majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL nor more than 15, and further provided that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. Each director that is elected by the stockholders of the Corporation shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.
Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS. An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place of regular meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.
Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the time and place of any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.
Section 5. NOTICE. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, courier or United States mail to each director at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the director or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the director or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.
Section 6. QUORUM. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that, if less than a majority of such directors is present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a specified group of directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority or such other percentage of such group. The directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough directors to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.
Section 7. VOTING. The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws. If enough directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws.
Section 8. ORGANIZATION. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board or, in the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman of the board, if any, shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the chairman and vice chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or, in the absence of the chief executive officer, the president or, in the absence of the president, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Corporation, or, in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 9. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 10. CONSENT BY DIRECTORS WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each director and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.
Section 11. VACANCIES. If for any reason any or all the directors cease to be directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining directors hereunder. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum. Any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the class in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.
Section 12. COMPENSATION. Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they perform or engage in as directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
Section 13. RELIANCE. Each director and officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Corporation, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the director or officer reasonably believes to be within the person's professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a director, by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.
Section 14. RATIFICATION. The Board of Directors or the stockholders may ratify any act, omission, failure to act or determination made not to act (an "Act") by the Corporation or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the stockholders could have originally authorized the Act and, if so ratified, such Act shall have the same force and effect as if originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders. Any Act questioned in any proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and such ratification shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned Act.
Section 15. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Charter or these Bylaws, this Section 15 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an "Emergency"). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, (i) a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be called by any director or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii) notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors during such an Emergency may be given less than 24 hours prior to the meeting to as many directors and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio; and (iii) the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and other committees, composed of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another director to act in the place of such absent member.
Section 2. POWERS. The Board of Directors may delegate to any committee appointed under Section 1 of this Article any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by law. Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, any committee may delegate some or all of its power and authority to one or more subcommittees, composed of one or more directors, as the committee deems appropriate in its sole discretion.
Section 3. MEETINGS. Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board shall otherwise provide.
Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 5. CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.
Section 6. VACANCIES. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to appoint the chair of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate an alternate member to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee.
Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. The officers of the Corporation shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chairman of the board, a vice chairman of the board, a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or appropriate. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors, except that the chief executive officer or president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.
Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION. Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors if in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.
Section 3. VACANCIES. A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.
Section 4. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Board of Directors may designate from among its members a chairman of the board, who shall not, solely by reason of these Bylaws, be an officer of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate the chairman of the board as an executive or non-executive chairman. The chairman of the board shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors. The chairman of the board shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors.
Section 5. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief executive officer. In the absence of such designation, the president shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section 6. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.
Section 7. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.
Section 8. PRESIDENT. In the absence of a chief executive officer, the president shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. In the absence of a designation of a chief operating officer by the Board of Directors, the president shall be the chief operating officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section 9. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence of the president or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president, or vice president for particular areas of responsibility.
Section 10. SECRETARY. The secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such stockholder; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.
Section 11. TREASURER. The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation, shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors and in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Directors, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation.
The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and Board of Directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors or whenever it may so require, an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.
Section 12. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.
Section 13. COMPENSATION. The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director.
Section 1. CONTRACTS. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Directors and executed by an authorized person.
Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. DEPOSITS. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Corporation as the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer, or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors may determine.
Section 1. CERTIFICATES. Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation, stockholders of the Corporation are not entitled to certificates representing the shares of stock held by them. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MGCL and shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in any manner permitted by the MGCL. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, to the extent then required by the MGCL the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates. There shall be no difference in the rights and obligations of stockholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.
Section 2. TRANSFERS. All transfers of shares of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation in such manner as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation may prescribe and, if such shares are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Directors or an officer of the Corporation that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of any uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares, to the extent then required by the MGCL, a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.
The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock will be subject in all respects to the Charter and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.
Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE. Any officer of the Corporation may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however, if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such stockholder and the Board of Directors or an officer of the Corporation has determined that such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Corporation, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Corporation a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation.
Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such record date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.
When a record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if postponed or adjourned, except if the meeting is postponed or adjourned to a date more than 120 days after the record date originally fixed for the meeting, in which case a new record date for such meeting shall be determined as set forth herein.
Section 5. STOCK LEDGER. The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate stock ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder.
Section 6. FRACTIONAL STOCK. The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to issue fractional shares of stock or authorize the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as it may determine.
The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.
Section 1. AUTHORIZATION. Dividends and other distributions upon the stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter.
Section 2. CONTINGENCIES. Before payment of any dividend or other distribution, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its sole discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.
Section 1. SEAL. The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Corporation. The seal shall contain the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation and the words "Incorporated Maryland". The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.
Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL. Whenever the Corporation is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word "(SEAL)" adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.
Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given pursuant to the Charter or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing or by electronic transmission, given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any Internal Corporate Claim, as such term is defined in Section 1-101(p) of the MGCL, or any successor provision thereof, (b) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, other than actions arising under federal securities laws, (c) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the stockholders of the Corporation, (d) 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 MGCL or the Charter or these Bylaws, or (e) any other action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. None of the foregoing actions, claims or proceedings may be brought in any court sitting outside the State of Maryland or in another circuit court within the State of Maryland unless the Corporation consents in writing to such court.
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws.
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