UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): | May 10, 2012 |
Aqua America, Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania | 001-06659 | 23-1702594 |
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction |
_____________
(Commission |
______________
(I.R.S. Employer |
of incorporation) | File Number) | Identification No.) |
762 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania | 19010-3489 | |
_________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices) |
___________
(Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: | 610-527-8000 |
Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
At the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Aqua America, Inc. (the "Company") held on May 10, 2012, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment recommended by the Board of Directors to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The amendment declassifies the Board of Directors and provides for the annual election of directors, commencing with the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Charter Amendment"). Directors who are currently serving on the Board will continue to serve for the remainder of the term of office for which they were elected. Following shareholder approval of the Charter Amendment, the Board of Directors approved conforming amendments to the Company’s Bylaws to implement the declassification of the Board of Directors and to provide for the annual election of directors, including a change providing that any director elected to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors will serve until the next election of directors and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.
A brief summary of the Charter Amendment was also included as part of Proposal No. 3 in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2012. The summaries contained herein and in the proxy statement are qualified by and subject to the full text of (i) the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (which reflects the Charter Amendment), filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania effective May 10, 2012, attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated by reference herein, and (ii) the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, as adopted and effective as of May 10, 2012 (which reflect the conforming amendments to the Company’s bylaws), attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 and incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Aqua America, Inc.
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Aqua America, Inc.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Aqua America, Inc. | ||||
May 11, 2012 | By: |
Christopher P. Luning
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Name: Christopher P. Luning | ||||
Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No.
Description
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Aqua America, Inc.
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Aqua America, Inc.
EXHIBIT 3.1
AQUA AMERICA, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
ARTICLE I
The name of the Corporation is Aqua America, Inc.
ARTICLE II
The location and address of the registered office of the Corporation in this Commonwealth is
762 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 19010.
ARTICLE III
The purpose or purposes for which the Corporation is incorporated under the Pennsylvania
Business Corporation Law of 1988 are to engage in, and to do any lawful act concerning, any or all
lawful business for which corporations may be incorporated under said Business Corporation Law,
including but not limited to, manufacturing, processing, owning, using and dealing in personal
property of every class and description, engaging in research and development, furnishing services,
and acquiring, owning, using and disposing of real property of any nature whatsoever.
ARTICLE IV
4.01
The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is
301,770,819 shares, divided into 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.50 per share, and
1,770,819 shares of Series Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share. The Board of Directors
shall have the full authority permitted by law to fix by resolution full, limited, multiple or
fractional, or no voting rights, and such designations, preferences, qualifications, privileges,
limitations, restrictions, options, conversion rights, and other special or relative rights of any
class or any series of any class that may be desired. Any or all classes and series of shares of
the Corporation, or any part thereof, may be represented by uncertificated shares to the extent
determined by the Board of Directors, except that shares represented by a certificate that is
issued and outstanding shall continue to be represented thereby until the certificate is
surrendered to the Corporation. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of
uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice
containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates. The rights and
obligations of the holders of shares represented by certificates and the rights and obligations of
the holders of uncertificated shares of the same class and series shall be identical.
4.02
Series A Preferred Shares
. The first series of the Series Preferred Stock, par value
$1.00 per share, shall consist of 100,000 shares and shall be designated as Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Shares (the Series A Preferred Shares).
4.02 (a)
Dividends and Distributions
.
(1) The rate of dividends payable per share of Series A Preferred Shares on the first day of
January, April, July and October in each year or such other quarterly payment date as shall be
specified by the Board of Directors (each such date being referred to herein as a Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first
issuance of a share or fraction of a share of the Series A Preferred Shares, shall be (rounded to
the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (i) $10.00 or (ii) subject to the provision for
adjustment hereinafter set forth, 100 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends,
and 100 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in cash, based upon the fair market value at
the time the non-cash dividend or other distribution is declared or paid as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a
dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock, $.50 par value, of the
Corporation since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to
the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a
share of the Series A Preferred Shares. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares shall be paid
out of funds legally available for such purpose. In the event the Corporation shall at any time
after February 19, 1988 (the Rights Declaration Date) (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock
payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iii)
combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such
case the amounts to which holders of Series A Preferred Shares were entitled immediately prior to
such event under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying each such
amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
(2) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding Series A Preferred Shares
from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such Series A
Preferred Shares, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from
the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date
or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of Series A Preferred Shares
entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either
of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such quarterly Dividend
Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the Series
A Preferred Shares in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued
and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such
shares at the time outstanding.
4.02 (b)
Voting Rights
. In addition to any other voting rights required by law, the
holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall have the following voting rights:
(1) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each Series A Preferred
Share shall entitle the holder thereof to 100 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the
shareholders of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights
Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Common
Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the number of votes per share to
which holders of Series A Preferred Shares were entitled immediately prior to such event shall be
adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
(2) Except as otherwise provided herein, in the articles of the Corporation or by law, the
holders of Series A Preferred Shares and the holders of Common Stock (and the holders of shares of
any other series or class entitled to vote thereon) shall vote together as one class on all matters
submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation.
4.
02(c)
Reacquired Shares
. Any Series A Preferred Shares purchased or otherwise acquired
by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and cancelled promptly after the
acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued
Series Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Series Preferred Stock to be
created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors.
4.
02(d)
Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up
. In the event of any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of Series A
Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive the greater of (a) $100.00 per share, plus accrued
dividends to the date of distribution, whether or not earned or declared, or (b) an amount per
share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 100 times the
aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of Common Stock. In the event the
Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common
Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or
(iii) combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each
such case the amount to which holders of Series A Preferred Shares were entitled immediately prior
to such event pursuant to clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying
such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of
Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
4.
02(e)
Consolidation, Merger, etc.
In case the Corporation shall enter into any
consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are
exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in
any such case the Series A Preferred Shares shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or
changed in an amount per share (subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth)
equal to 100 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property
(payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is
changed or exchanged. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration
Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a
smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence
with respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series A Preferred Shares shall be adjusted by
multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares
of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
4.
02(f)
No Redemption
. The Series A Preferred Shares shall not be redeemable.
4.
02(g)
Ranking
. The Series A Preferred Shares shall rank junior to all other series of
the Corporations Series Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of
assets, unless the terms of any such series shall provide otherwise.
4.
02(h)
Fractional Shares
. Series A Preferred Shares may be issued in fractions of a share
which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holders fractional shares, to exercise
voting rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other
rights of holders of Series A Preferred Shares.
4.03
Series B Preferred Shares
.
The second series of the Series Preferred Stock, par value
$1.00 per share, shall consist of 32,200 shares and shall be designated as the Series B Preferred
Stock.
4.
03(a)
Designation
. The shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall be designated as
Series B Preferred Stock.
4.
03(b)
Authorized Number
. The number of shares constituting the Series B Preferred Stock
shall be 32,200 shares.
4.
03(c)
Dividends
. Beginning on March 1, 1997, and on each June 1, September 1, December 1
and March 1 thereafter, the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
receive a quarterly dividend in arrears equal to $1.5125 per share of Series B Preferred Stock (as
adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations or splits with respect to such shares) out of funds
legally available for such purchase. Such dividends shall be payable only when, as and if declared
by the Board of Directors, provided that quarterly dividends that are not so paid shall be
cumulative, and accumulations of dividends shall bear interest at the rate of 6.05% per annum. No
dividend or other distribution shall be declared or paid (other than dividends payable in shares of
common stock of the Corporation, par value $.50 per share (the
A
Common Stock
@
) or
options to purchase or rights to subscribe for Common Stock, or securities by their terms
convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or options to purchase or rights to subscribe
for such convertible or exchangeable securities, provided that such securities rank junior to the
Series B Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and liquidation proceeds) on any
shares of the Corporation
=
s capital stock ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock as
to payment of dividends unless all dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock accrued for all past
quarterly dividend periods shall have been paid and the full dividend thereon for the current
dividend period shall be paid or declared and set apart for payment. The Corporation
=
s
Series B Preferred Stock shall rank senior to its Series A Preferred Stock and its Common Stock
with respect to the right to receive dividends and other distributions.
4.
03(d)
Rights on Liquidation, Dissolution, Winding-Up
.
(1) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the
Corporation (collectively, a Liquidation), whether voluntary or involuntary, before any payment
of cash or distribution of other property is made to the holders of the Common Stock or any other
class or series of shares ranking on Liquidation junior to the Series B Preferred Stock, the
holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Corporation legally available for distribution to its shareholders, an amount per share (rounded to
the nearest $0.01 equal to the Liquidation Preference (as defined below), plus an amount equal to
any accrued but unpaid cumulative dividends and any interest accrued thereon. The Liquidation
Preference shall be equal to $100.00 per share (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations
or splits with respect to such shares).
(2) If upon the occurrence of any Liquidation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the assets
and funds to be distributed among holders of Series B Preferred Stock and any other class or series
of stock ranking equal to the Series B Preferred Stock as to distribution of assets upon
Liquidation shall be insufficient to permit the payment to the holders of the preferential amounts
described in Section 4.03 (d)(1), then the entire assets and funds of the Corporation legally
available for distribution shall be distributed ratably among holders of Series B Preferred Stock
and any other class or series of stock ranking equal to the Series B Preferred Stock as to
distribution of assets upon Liquidation in accordance with the sums that would be payable on such
distribution if all sums payable thereon to holders of all shares of such classes or series were
paid in full.
(3) If upon the occurrence of any liquidation, the assets and funds thus distributed among
holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall be sufficient to permit the payment to such holders of
the preferential amounts described in 4.03(d)(1), then the holders of shares of Series B Preferred
Stock shall be entitled to no further participation in the distribution of the assets of the
Corporation and any remaining net assets of the Corporation may be distributed to the holders of
Common Stock and any other class or series of stock ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock
as to the distribution of assets upon Liquidation in accordance with their relative liquidation
preferences. Written notice of such liquidation, dissolution or winding up, stating a payment
date, the amount of the Liquidation payments and the place where said Liquidation payments shall be
payable, shall be given by mail, postage prepaid, not less than 30 days prior to the payment date
stated therein, to the holders of record of Series B Preferred Stock, such notice to be addressed
to each such holder at his post office address as shown by the records of the Corporation.
(4) Except as provided in 4.03(e), a consolidation or merger of the Corporation into or
with any other corporation or corporations shall not be deemed to be a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation within the meanings of the provisions of
4.03(d).
(5) The Companys Series B Preferred Stock shall rank senior to its Series A Preferred Stock
with respect to the right to the distribution of the Companys assets upon liquidation.
4.
03(e)
Merger, Consolidation, etc.
The Corporation shall give notice to each holder of
Series B Preferred Stock at least 20 days prior to the effective date of (i) any consolidation or
merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or corporations (other than a merger
or consolidation in which the holders of Series B Preferred Stock receive securities of the
surviving corporation having substantially similar rights to the Series B Preferred Stock and in
which the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to the transaction will be the holders
of at least a majority of the voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately after the
transaction); (ii) a sale, conveyance or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Corporation; or (iii) the effectuation by the Corporation of a transaction or series of related
transactions in which more than 50% of the voting power of the Corporation is disposed of. The
holders of a majority of the Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled, by electing prior to the
effective date of any of the foregoing types of transactions, to require the Corporation to treat
any such transaction as if it were a Liquidation and to cause the proceeds of such transaction, or
any property deliverable from such transaction to be distributed among the shareholders as if such
transaction were a Liquidation.
4.
03(f)
Protective Provisions
. So long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall
remain outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least a majority of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the time outstanding adopt any
amendment to its Articles of Incorporation which would adversely affect in any material respect the
rights or preferences of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock as set forth in this Statement of
Designation.
4.
03(g)
Conversion
. The Series B Preferred Stock shall not be convertible into any other
class or series of capital stock of the Corporation.
4.
03(h)
Redemption
.
(1) The Series B Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable by the Corporation prior to November
30, 2001. Thereafter, up to 20% of the number of the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock
originally issued may be called for redemption by the Corporation, in whole or in part, each year
starting on December 1, 2001 (the Redemption Date), upon 30 days prior written notice, by the
payment therefor of an amount per share (rounded to the nearest $0.01) equal to the sum of (i) the
Liquidation Preference and (ii) all accumulations of accrued and unpaid dividends on such
outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock (together with any accrued interest thereon) through
the date of redemption (such amount, the Redemption Price). The Corporations right to redeem
shall be cumulative, such that any shares the Corporation has a right to redeem in one year that
are not so redeemed, may be redeemed by the Corporation in a subsequent year. At the election of
the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption by the Corporation, the
Redemption Price may be paid in cash or by the delivery of a promissory note of the Corporation in
substantially the form approved by the Board of Directors (the Note). The election by the
holders of the shares being redeemed shall be made by written notice to the Corporation no less
than 15 days prior to the Redemption Date, otherwise the Corporation may elect to pay the
Redemption Price in cash.
(2) The Series B Preferred Stock shall not be called for redemption by the holders prior to
December 1, 1998. Thereafter, the Series B Preferred Stock may be called for redemption, in whole
or in part, by such holders, and thereupon shall be redeemed for cash by the Corporation, upon 30
days prior written notice, from such holders at a per share price equal to the Redemption Price.
(3) Shares of Series B Preferred Stock are not subject to or entitled to the benefit of a
sinking fund.
(4) Shares of Series B Preferred Stock that are redeemed shall be canceled and shall not be
reissuable by the Corporation and the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation shall be
appropriately amended to effect a corresponding reduction in the Corporations authorized capital
stock.
(5) If notice of redemption as provided in Section 4.03 (h) (1) above shall have been duly
given or if the Corporation shall have given to the bank or trust company hereinafter referred to
irrevocable authorization promptly to give such notice, and if on or before the Redemption Date
specified therein the Corporation shall have either deposited the funds necessary for such
redemption with, or delivered a Note in the amount of the applicable Redemption to, such bank or
trust company in trust for the benefit of the holders of the shares called for redemption, then,
notwithstanding that any certificates for shares so called for redemption shall not have been
surrendered for cancellation, from and after the Redemption Date, all shares so called for
redemption shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares
shall forthwith cease and terminate, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive from
such bank or trust company at any time after the time of such deposit the funds so deposited,
without interest. Any interest accrued on such funds shall be paid to the Corporation from time to
time. The aforesaid bank or trust company shall be organized and in good standing under the laws
of the United States of America, or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, shall be doing business in
Pennsylvania, and shall be identified in the notice of redemption. Any funds so set aside or
deposited, as the case may be, and unclaimed at the end of two years from such Redemption Date
shall, to the extent permitted by law, be released or repaid to the Corporation, after which
repayment the holders of the shares so called for redemption shall look only to the Corporation for
payment thereof.
ARTICLE V
5.01
Board of Directors
5.
01(a)
Number; Term
. The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall consist of such
number of directors as shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board adopted by a
vote of three-quarters of the entire Board of Directors. Cumulative voting for directors shall not
be permitted. Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of shareholders, to serve for a
term of one-year and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, in the manner
provided in the Bylaws or, in order to fill any vacancy on the Board of Directors, in the manner
provided in the Bylaws.
5.
01(b)
Qualifications
. Directors of the Corporation need not be residents of Pennsylvania
or Shareholders. No person shall be appointed or elected a director of the Corporation unless:
(1) such person is elected to fill a vacancy in the Board of Directors (including any vacancy
resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors) by a vote of a majority of the
entire Board of Directors, and any director so elected shall hold office until the next election of
directors and until a successor shall have been elected and qualified; or
(2) the name of such person, together with such consents and information concerning present
and prior occupations, transactions with the Corporation or its subsidiaries and other matters as
may at the time be required by or pursuant to the Bylaws, shall have been filed with the Secretary
of the Corporation no later than a time fixed by or pursuant to the Bylaws immediately preceding
the annual or special meeting at which such person intends to be a candidate for director.
5.
01(c)
Removal of Directors
. Directors of the Corporation may be removed without cause by
vote of the shareholders only if authorized in the manner provided in Section 5.05 (b). No
decrease or increase in the size of the Board shall shorten or otherwise affect the term of any
incumbent director.
5.02
Bylaws
. Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors to the
full extent permitted by law.
5.03
Special Meetings
. A special meeting of shareholders may be called by the President,
the Board of Directors, or shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes, which all
shareholders are entitled to cast at the particular meeting or by such other officers or persons as
may be provided in the Bylaws.
5.04
Amendment of Articles
. Any amendment of the Articles of Incorporation may be proposed
by either the Board of Directors or by the shareholders. An amendment initiated by the
shareholders shall be proposed only by a petition of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of
the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast thereon, setting forth the proposed
amendment, which petition shall be directed to and filed with the Board of Directors.
5.05
Fundamental and Other Transactions
.
5.
05(a)
Shareholder Authorization of Corporate Action Recommended by
Management
.
Whenever any corporate action, other than the election of directors, is to be taken by vote of the
Shareholders on recommendation of a vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, the
proposed corporate action, including a Fundamental Transaction (as defined in Section 5.06), shall
be authorized upon receiving the minimum vote required for the authorization of such action by
statute, after taking into account the express terms of any class or any series of any class of
shares of the Corporation with respect to such vote.
5.
05(b)
Shareholder Authorization of Other Corporate Action
. Except as provided in Section
5.05 (a), whenever any corporate action, other than the election of directors, is to be taken by
vote of the shareholder, the proposed corporate action, including a Fundamental Transaction (as
defined in Section 5.06), shall be authorized only upon receiving at least three-quarters of the
vote which all voting shareholders, voting as a single class, are entitled to cast thereon and, in
addition, the affirmative vote of the number or proportion of shares of any class or any series of
any class of shares of the Corporation, if any, as shall at the time be required by the express
terms of any such class or series of shares of the Corporation.
5.06
Fundamental Transactions Defined
. For the purposes of this Article V, the term
Fundamental Transaction shall mean:
5.
06(a)
Any of the following, if such action is effected by vote of the shareholders: amendment of
the Articles of Incorporation; adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws; a change in the number
of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors; or removal of one or more directors; or
5.
06(b)
Any of the following, if any such transaction requires the approval of the shareholders
under the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation as then in effect or the Business
Corporation Law as then in effect with respect to the Corporation: the sale, lease, exchange or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation; the issuance in a
single or one or more related transactions of voting shares of the Corporation sufficient to elect
a majority of the directors of the Corporation; or the merger, consolidation, division,
reorganization, recapitalization, dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation.
5.07
Series Preferred Stock Provisions
. The provisions of Sections 5.01, 5.03 and 5.04
shall be subject to the express terms of any class or series of any class of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VI
6.01
Reservation of Right to Amend
. Subject to the provisions of Article V hereof, the
Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in these
Articles of Incorporation in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the statute, and all rights
conferred upon Shareholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.
(As of May 10, 2012)
NAME
ADDRESS OF REGISTERED OFFICE
PURPOSE
CAPITAL STOCK
MANAGEMENT
MISCELLANEOUS
EXHIBIT 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Section 1.01.
Registered Office
.
The registered office of the corporation in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which is in Montgomery County, shall be at 762 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn
Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010 until otherwise established by an amendment of the articles of
incorporation (the articles) or by the board of directors, and a statement of such change is
filed with the Department of State in the manner provided by law.
Section 1.02.
Other Offices
.
The corporation may also have offices at such other
places within or without the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the board of directors may from time
to time appoint or the business of the corporation may require.
Section 1.03.
Fiscal Year
.
The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the
first day of January in each year.
ARTICLE II
Notice Waivers Meetings Generally
Section 2.01.
Manner of Giving Notice
.
(a) General rule.
Whenever written notice is required to be given to any person under the
provisions of the Business Corporation Law or by the articles or these bylaws, it may be given to
the person either personally or by sending a copy thereof by first class mail or express mail,
postage prepaid, or by telegram (with messenger service specified), telex or TWX (with answerback
received) or courier service, charges prepaid, by internet or other means of electronic
transmission consented to by the person whom the notice is given or by facsimile transmission, to
the address (or to the telex, TWX or facsimile number) of the person appearing on the books of the
corporation or, in the case of directors, supplied by the director to the corporation for the
purpose of notice. If the notice is sent by mail, telegraph or courier service, it shall be deemed
to have been given to the person entitled thereto when deposited in the United States mail or with
a telegraph office or courier service for delivery to that person or, in the case of telex or TWX,
or internet or other means of electronic transmission, when dispatched or, in the case of facsimile
transmission, when received. A notice of a meeting shall specify the place, day and hour of the
meeting and any other information required by any other provision of the Business Corporation Law,
the articles or these bylaws.
(b) Bulk mail.
If the corporation has more than 30 shareholders, notice of any regular or
special meeting of the shareholders, or any other notice required by the Business Corporation Law
or by the articles or these bylaws to be given to all shareholders or to all holders of a class or
series of shares, deposited in the United States mail at least 20 days prior to the day named for
the meeting or any corporate or shareholder action specified in the notice.
(c) Adjourned shareholder meetings.
When a meeting of shareholders is adjourned, it shall not
be necessary to give any notice of the adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted at an
adjourned meeting, other than by announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken,
unless the board fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting in which event notice shall be
given in accordance with Section 2.03.
Section 2.02.
Notice of Meetings of Board of Directors
.
Notice of a regular meeting
of the board of directors need not be given. Notice of every special meeting of the board of
directors shall be given to each director by telephone or in writing or with the prior consent of
the director by internet or other means of electronic transmission at least 24 hours (in the case
of notice by telephone, telex, TWX, internet or other means of electronic transmission or facsimile
transmission) or 48 hours (in the case of notice by telegraph, courier service or express mail) or
five days (in the case of notice by first class mail) before the time at which the meeting is to be
held. Every such notice shall state the time and place of the meeting. Neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the board need be specified in
a notice of the meeting.
Section 2.03.
Notice of Meetings of Shareholders
.
(a) General rule.
Written notice of every meeting of the shareholders shall be given by, or
at the direction of, the secretary or other authorized person to each shareholder of record
entitled to vote at the meeting, at least 20 days prior to the day named for the meeting. If the
secretary neglects or refuses to give notice of a meeting, the person or persons calling the
meeting may do so. In the case of a special meeting of shareholders, the notice shall specify the
general nature of the business to be transacted.
(b) Notice of action by shareholders on bylaws.
In the case of a meeting of shareholders that
has as one of its purposes action on the bylaws, written notice shall be given to each shareholder
that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the adoption, amendment or
repeal of the bylaws. There shall be included in, or enclosed with, the notice of a copy of the
proposed amendment or a summary of the changes to be effected thereby.
(c) Notice of action by shareholders on fundamental change.
In the case of a meeting of the
shareholders that has as one of its purposes action with respect to any fundamental change under 15
Pa.C.S. Chapter 19, each shareholder shall be given, together with written notice of the meeting, a
copy or summary of the amendment or plan to be considered at the meeting in compliance with the
provisions of Chapter 19.
(d) Notice of action by shareholders giving rise to dissenters rights.
In the case of a
meeting of the shareholders that has as one of its purposes action that would give rise to
dissenters rights under the provisions of 15 Pa.C.S. Subchapter 15D, each shareholder shall be
given, together with written notice of the meeting:
(1) a statement that the shareholders have a right to dissent and obtain payment of the
fair value of their shares by complying with the provisions of Subchapter 15D (relating to
dissenters rights); and
(2) a copy of Subchapter 15D.
Section 2.04.
Waiver of Notice
.
(a) Written waiver.
Whenever any written notice is required to be given under the provisions
of the Business Corporation Law, the articles or these bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed
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, the meeting need be specified in the waiver of notice of such meeting.
(b) Waiver by attendance.
Attendance of a person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of
notice of the meeting, except where a person attends a meeting for the express purpose of
objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting
was not lawfully called or convened.
Section 2.05.
Modification of Proposal Contained in Notice
.
Whenever the language of
a proposed resolution is included in a written notice of a meeting required to be given under the
provisions of the Business Corporation Law or the articles or these bylaws, the meeting considering
the resolution may without further notice adopt it with such clarifying language or other
amendments as do not enlarge its original meaning.
Section 2.06.
Exception to Requirement of Notice
.
(a) General rule.
Whenever any notice or communication is required to be given to any person
under the provisions of the Business Corporation Law or by the articles or these bylaws or by the
terms of any agreement or other instrument or as a condition precedent to taking any corporate
action and communication with that person is then unlawful, the giving of the notice or
communication to that person shall not be required.
(b) Shareholders without forwarding addresses.
Notice or other communications shall not be
sent to any shareholder with whom the corporation has been unable to communicate for more than 24
consecutive months because communications to the shareholder are returned unclaimed or the
shareholder has otherwise failed to provide the corporation with a current address. Whenever the
shareholder provides the corporation with a current address, the corporation shall commence sending
notices and other communications to the shareholder in the same manner as to other shareholders.
Section 2.07.
Use of Conference Telephone and Similar Equipment
.
Any director may
participate in any meeting of the board of directors, and the board of directors may provide by
resolution with respect to a specific meeting or with respect to a class of meetings that one or
more persons may participate in a meeting of the shareholders of the corporation by means of
conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this
section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
ARTICLE III
Shareholders
Section 3.01.
Place of Meeting
.
All meetings of the shareholders of the corporation
shall be held at the registered office of the corporation unless another place is designated by the
board of directors in the notice of such meeting.
Section 3.02.
Annual Meeting
.
The board of directors may fix the date and time of
the annual meeting of the shareholders, but if no such date and time is fixed by the board the
meeting for any calendar year shall be held on the Second Thursday of May in such year, if not a
legal holiday under the laws of Pennsylvania, and, if a legal holiday, then on the next succeeding
business day, not a Saturday, at 10:00 oclock A.M., and at said meeting the shareholders entitled
to vote shall elect directors and shall transact such other business as may properly be brought
before the meeting. If the annual meeting shall not have been called and held within six months
after the designated time, any shareholder may call such meeting at any time thereafter.
Section 3.03.
Special Meetings
.
Special meetings of the shareholders may be called at
any time by the chairman, the president, or shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes
which all shareholders are entitled to cast at the particular meeting, or by resolution of the
board of directors. Any authorized person who has called a special meeting may fix the date, time
and place of the meeting. If the person who has called the meeting does not fix the date, time or
place of the meeting, it shall be the duty of the secretary to do so. A date fixed by the
secretary shall not be more than 60 days after receipt of the request.
Section 3.04.
Quorum and Adjournment
.
(a)
General rule
.
A meeting of shareholders of the corporation duly called shall not
be organized for the transaction of business unless a quorum is present. The presence of
shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast
on the particular matter to be acted upon at the meeting shall constitute a quorum for the purposes
of consideration and action on the matter. Shares of the corporation owned, directly or
indirectly, by it and controlled, directly or indirectly, by the board of directors of this
corporation, as such, shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares
for quorum purposes at any given time.
(b)
Withdrawal of a quorum
.
The shareholders present at a duly organized meeting can
continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding withdrawal of enough shareholders to
leave less than a quorum.
(c)
Adjournments generally
.
Any regular or special meeting of the shareholders,
including one at which directors are to be elected and one which cannot be organized because a
quorum has not attended, may be adjourned for such period and to such place as the shareholders
present and entitled to vote shall direct. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum may be
present such business may be transacted as might have been transacted at the meeting as originally
called. No notice of any adjourned meeting of the shareholders of the corporation shall be
required to be given except by announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment took place. In
case of any meeting called for the election of directors, those who attend the second of such
adjourned meetings, although less than a quorum, shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the
purpose of electing directors. Any meeting at which directors are to be elected shall be adjourned
only from day to day, or for such longer periods not exceeding 15 days each, as may be directed by
shareholders who are present in person or by proxy and who are entitled to cast at least a majority
of the votes which all such shareholders would be entitled to cast at an election of directors,
until such directors are elected.
Section 3.05.
Action by Shareholders
.
Except as otherwise provided in the Business
Corporation Law or the articles or these bylaws, the acts, at a duly organized meeting, of the
shareholders present, in person or by proxy, entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes
which all shareholders present in person or by proxy are entitled to cast shall be the acts of the
shareholders.
Section 3.06.
Organization
.
At every meeting of the shareholders, the chairman of
the board, if there be one, or in the case of vacancy in office or absence of the chairman of the
board, one of the following individuals present in the order stated: the lead independent director,
the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and seniority, or a person chosen by vote
of the shareholders present shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary, or, in the
absence of the secretary, an assistant secretary, or in the absence of both the secretary and
assistant secretaries, a person appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of
the meeting.
Section 3.07.
Voting Rights of Shareholders
.
Unless otherwise provided in the
articles, every shareholder of the corporation shall be entitled to one vote for every share
standing in the name of the shareholder on the books of the corporation.
Section 3.08.
Voting and Other Action by Proxy
.
(a) General rule.
(1) Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders may authorize
another person to act for the shareholder by proxy.
(2) The presence of, or vote or other action at a meeting of shareholders by a proxy of
a shareholder shall constitute the presence of, or vote or other action by the shareholder.
(3) When two or more proxies of a shareholder are present, the corporation shall,
unless otherwise expressly provided in the proxy, accept as the vote of all shares
represented thereby the vote cast by a majority of them and, if a majority of the proxies
cannot agree whether the shares represented shall be voted or upon the manner of voting the
shares, the voting of the shares shall be divided equally among those persons.
(b) Minimum requirements.
Every proxy shall be executed in writing by the shareholder or by
the duly authorized attorney-in-fact of the shareholder and filed with the secretary of the
corporation. A telegram, telex, cablegram, datagram or similar transmission from a shareholder or
attorney-in-fact, or a photographic, facsimile or similar reproduction of a writing executed by a
shareholder or attorney-in-fact, or other proxy transmitted as permitted by law, including without
limitation, by internet, interactive voice response system or other means of electronic
transmission executed by a shareholder or attorney-in-fact:
(1) may be treated as properly executed for purposes of this subsection; and
(2) shall be so treated if it sets forth a confidential and unique identification
number or other mark furnished by the corporation to the shareholder for the purposes of a
particular meeting or transaction.
(c) Revocation.
A proxy, unless coupled with an interest, shall be revocable at will,
notwithstanding any other agreement or any provision in the proxy to the contrary, but the
revocation of a proxy shall not be effective until written notice thereof has been given to the
secretary of the corporation. An unrevoked proxy shall not be valid after three years from the
date of its execution, unless a longer time is expressly provided therein. A proxy shall not be
revoked by the death or incapacity of the maker unless, before the vote is counted or the authority
is exercised, written notice of the death or incapacity is given to the secretary of the
corporation.
(d) Expenses.
The corporation shall pay the reasonable expenses of solicitation of votes,
proxies or consents of shareholders by or on behalf of the board of directors or its nominees for
election to the board, including solicitation by professional proxy solicitors and otherwise.
Section 3.09.
Voting by Fiduciaries and Pledgees
.
Shares of the corporation standing
in the name of a trustee or other fiduciary and shares held by an assignee for the benefit of
creditors or by a receiver may be voted by the trustee, fiduciary, assignee or receiver. A
shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote the shares until the shares have
been transferred into the name of the pledgee, or a nominee of the pledgee, but nothing in this
section shall affect the validity of a proxy given to a pledgee or nominee.
Section 3.10.
Voting by Joint Holders of Shares
.
(a) General rule.
Where shares of the corporation are held jointly or as tenants in common by
two or more persons, as fiduciaries or otherwise:
(1) if only one or more of such persons is present in person or by proxy, all of the
shares standing in the names of such persons shall be deemed to be represented for the
purpose of determining a quorum and the corporation shall accept as the vote of all the
shares the vote cast by a joint owner or a majority of them; and
(2) if the persons are equally divided upon whether the shares held by them shall be
voted or upon the manner of voting the shares, the voting of the shares shall be divided
equally among the persons without prejudice to the rights of the joint owners or the
beneficial owners thereof among themselves.
(b) Exception.
If there has been filed with the secretary of the corporation a copy,
certified by an attorney at law to be correct, of the relevant portions of the agreement under
which the shares are held or the instrument by which the trust or estate was created or the order
of court appointing them or of an order of court directing the voting of the shares, the persons
specified as having such voting power in the document latest in date of operative effect so filed,
and only those persons, shall be entitled to vote the shares but only in accordance therewith.
Section 3.11.
Voting by Corporations
.
(a) Voting by corporate shareholders.
Any corporation that is a shareholder of this
corporation may vote at the meetings of shareholders of this corporation by any of its officers or
agents, or by proxy appointed by any officer or agent, unless some other person, by resolution of
the board of directors of the other corporation or a provision of its articles or bylaws, a copy of
which resolution or provision certified to be correct by one of its officers has been filed with
the secretary of this corporation, is appointed its general or special proxy in which case that
person shall be entitled to vote the shares.
(b) Controlled shares.
Shares of the corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by it and
controlled, directly or indirectly, by the board of directors of this corporation, as such, shall
not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding
shares for voting purposes at any given time.
Section 3.12.
Determination of Shareholders of Record
.
(a) Fixing record date.
The board of directors may fix a time prior to the date of any
meeting of shareholders as a record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to
notice of, or to vote at, any such meeting, which time, except in the case of an adjourned meeting,
shall be not more than 90 days prior to the date of the meeting of shareholders. Only shareholders
of record on the date so fixed shall be so entitled notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on
the books of the corporation after any such record date fixed as provided in this subsection. The
board of directors may similarly fix a record date for the determination of shareholders of record
for any other purpose. When a determination of shareholders of record has been made as provided in
this section for purposes of a meeting, the determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof
unless the board fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) Determination when a record date is not fixed.
If a record date is not fixed:
(1) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a
meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day
on which notice is given.
(2) The record date for determining shareholders for any other purpose shall be at the
close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating
thereto.
(c) Certification by nominee.
The board of directors may adopt a procedure whereby a
shareholder of the corporation may certify in writing to the corporation that all or a portion of
the shares registered in the name of the shareholder are held for the account of a specified person
or persons. Upon receipt by the corporation of a certification complying with the procedure, the
persons specified in the certification shall be deemed, for the purposes set forth in the
certification, to be the holders of record of the number of shares specified in the place of the
shareholder making the certification.
Section 3.13.
Voting Lists
.
(a) General rule.
The officer or agent having charge of the transfer books for shares of the
corporation shall make a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of
shareholders, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of and the number of shares held by
each. 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 shareholder during the whole time of the meeting for the purposes
thereof except that, if the corporation has 5,000 or more shareholders, in lieu of the making of
the list of the corporation may make the information therein available at the meeting by any other
means.
(b) Effect of list.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this section shall not affect
the validity of any action taken at a meeting prior to a demand at the meeting by any shareholder
entitled to vote thereat to examine the list. The original transfer book, or a duplicate thereof
kept in Pennsylvania, shall be prima facie evidence as to who are the shareholders entitled to
examine the list or transfer records or to vote at any meeting of shareholders.
Section 3.14.
Judges of Election
.
(a) Appointment.
In advance of any meeting of shareholders of the corporation, the board of
directors may appoint judges of election, who need not be shareholders, to act at such meeting or
any adjournment thereof. If judges of election are not so appointed, the presiding officer of any
such meeting may, and upon the demand of any shareholder shall, appoint judges of election at the
meeting. The number of judges shall be either one or three, as determined, in the case of judges
appointed upon demand of a shareholder, by shareholders present entitled to cast a majority of the
votes which all shareholders present are entitled to cast thereon. No person who is a candidate
for office to be filled at the meeting shall act as a judge.
(b) Vacancies.
In case any person appointed as judge fails to appear or fails or refuses to
act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the board of directors in advance of the
convening of the meeting, or at the meeting by the presiding officer thereof.
(c) Duties.
The judges of election shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the
voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the
authenticity, validity and effect of proxies, receive votes or ballots, hear and determine all
challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the nominations by shareholders or
the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, determine the result, and do such acts as may be
proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. The judges of election
shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as
expeditiously as is practical. If there are three judges of election, the decision, act or
certificate of a majority shall be effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of
all.
(d) Report.
On request of the presiding officer of the meeting, the judges shall make a
report in writing of any challenge or question or matter determined by them, and execute a
certificate of any fact found by them. Any report or certificate made by them shall be prima facie
evidence of the facts stated therein.
Section 3.15.
Consent of Shareholders in Lieu of Meeting
.
Any action required or
permitted to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders or of a class of shareholders of the
corporation may be taken without a meeting only upon the unanimous written consent of all the
shareholders who would be entitled to vote thereon at a meeting of the shareholders called to
consider the matter.
Section 3.16.
Minors as Security Holders
.
The corporation may treat a minor who
holds shares or obligations of the corporation as having capacity to receive and to empower others
to receive dividends, interest, principal and other payments or distributions, to vote or express
consent or dissent and to make elections and exercise rights relating to such shares or obligations
unless, in the case of payments or distributions on shares, the corporate officer responsible for
maintaining the list of shareholders or the transfer agent of the corporation or, in the case of
payments or distributions on obligations, the treasurer or paying officer or agent has received
written notice that the holder is a minor.
Section 3.17.
Business to be Transacted at Shareholder Meetings
.
No business may be
transacted at an annual meeting of shareholders, other than business that is either (a) specified
in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the board of
directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), (b) otherwise properly brought before the
annual meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors (or any duly authorized committee
thereof) or (c) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any shareholder of the
corporation (i) who is a shareholder of record on the date of the giving of notice provided for in
Section 3.17 and on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at such
annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.17. In
addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual
meeting by a shareholder, such shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written
form to the secretary of the corporation.
To be timely, a shareholders notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the
principal executive offices of the corporation not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior
to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders; provided,
however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days
before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder, in order to be timely, must be so
received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such
notice of the date of the annual meeting was first mailed.
To be in proper written form, a shareholders notice to the secretary must set forth as to
each matter such shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of
the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such
business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and record address of such shareholder, (iii) the
class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the corporation which are owned
beneficially or of record by such shareholder, (iv) a description of all arrangements or
understandings between such shareholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in
connection with the proposal of such business by such shareholder and any material interest of such
shareholder in such business and (v) a representation that such shareholder intends to appear in
person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.
No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of shareholders except business brought
before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.17;
provided, however, that once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in
accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 3.17 shall be deemed to preclude
discussion by any shareholder of any such business. If the chairman of an annual meeting
determines that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the
foregoing procedures, the chairman shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly
brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted.
At a special meeting of shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been
set forth in the notice relating to the meeting. At any meeting, matters incident to the conduct
of this meeting may be voted upon or otherwise disposed of as the chairman of the meeting shall
determine to be appropriate.
Compliance with this Section 3.17 shall be the exclusive means for business to be properly
brought before a shareholder meeting by a shareholder (other than matters properly brought under
Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and included in the corporations notice of meeting).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the notice requirements set forth herein with
respect to the proposal of any business pursuant to this Section 3.17 shall be deemed satisfied by
a shareholder if such shareholder has submitted a proposal to the corporation in compliance with
Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, and such shareholders proposal has been included in a proxy
statement that has been prepared by the corporation to solicit proxies for the meeting of
shareholders.
ARTICLE IV
Board of Directors
Section 4.01.
Powers; Personal Liability
.
(a) General rule.
Unless otherwise provided by statute, all powers vested by law in the
corporation 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.
(b) Personal liability of directors.
A director of the corporation shall not be personally
liable for monetary damages, as such, for any action taken, or any failure to take any action,
unless the director has breached or failed to perform the duties of his or her office under 42
Pa.C.S. Section 8363 [now a reference to 15 Pa.C.S. Subch. 17B] and the breach or failure to
perform constitutes self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness. The provisions of this
subsection shall not apply to the responsibility or liability of a director pursuant to any
criminal statute, or the liability of a director for the payment of taxes pursuant to local, state
or Federal law. The provisions of this subsection shall be effective January 27, 1987, but shall
not apply to any action filed prior to that date nor any breach of performance of duty or failure
of performance of duty by a director occurring prior to that date.
(c) Notation of dissent.
A director of the corporation who is present at a meeting of the
board of directors, or of a committee of the board, at which action on any corporate matter is
taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken on which the director is generally
competent to act unless his or her dissent is entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless the
director files his or her written dissent to the action with the secretary of the meeting before
the adjournment thereof or transmits the dissent in writing to the secretary of the corporation
immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. The right to dissent shall not apply to a
director who voted in favor of the action. Nothing in this section shall bar a director from
asserting that minutes of the meeting incorrectly omitted his or her dissent if, promptly upon
receipt of a copy of such minutes, the director notifies the secretary, in writing, of the asserted
omission or inaccuracy.
Section 4.02.
Qualification and Election of Directors
.
(a) Qualifications.
Each director of the corporation shall be a natural person of full age,
who need not be a resident of Pennsylvania or a shareholder of the corporation. No person shall be
appointed or elected as a director unless:
(1) such person is elected to fill a vacancy in the board of directors (including any
vacancy resulting from any accordance with section 4.04(a); or
(2) the name of such person, together with such consents and information as may be
required by the board of directors or by the provisions of section 4.13(b) shall have been
filed with the secretary of the corporation.
(b) Election of directors.
Except as otherwise provided in the articles or these bylaws, at
each annual meeting of shareholders commencing with the annual meeting held in 2012, directors of
the corporation elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire at such annual meeting of
shareholders shall be elected by the shareholders at each annual meeting of shareholders. In
elections for directors, voting need not be by ballot, except upon demand made by a shareholder
entitled to vote at the election and before the voting begins. The candidates receiving the highest
number of votes up to the number of directors to be elected shall be elected.
Section 4.03.
Number and Term of Office
.
(a) Number.
The board of directors shall consist of such number of directors as may be
determined from time to time by resolution of the board adopted by a vote of three quarters of the
entire board of directors.
(b) Term of office.
Each director elected at the annual meeting of shareholders held in 2012
and at each annual meeting of shareholders thereafter shall hold office for a term of one-year
expiring at the next annual meeting of shareholders and until a successor shall have been elected
and qualified, or until his or her death, resignation or removal. A decrease in the number of
directors shall not have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director.
(c) Resignations.
Any director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
corporation. Such resignation shall take effect on the date of the receipt by the corporation of
such notice or at any later time specified therein.
Section 4.04. Lead Independent Director
(a)
The board of directors shall designate one of the independent directors (as determined
in accordance with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange) as the lead independent director.
Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the independent director elected annually to serve as the
chair of the corporate governance committee will also serve as the lead independent director. At
meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors, in the absence of the chairman of the
board, the lead independent director shall act as chairman of the meeting and preside over such
meetings. In the event of the death or incapacity of the chairman of the board, the lead
independent director shall become the acting chairman until a new chairman is selected by the board
of directors. The lead independent director shall have such other duties and powers as may from
time to time be assigned to him or her by the board of directors.
Section 4.05.
Vacancies
.
(a) General rule.
Vacancies in the board of directors, including vacancies resulting from an
increase in the number of directors, may be filled by a vote of a majority of the entire board of
directors, or by sole remaining director, and such person so elected shall hold office until the
next election of directors and until a successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until
their death, resignation or removal.
(b) Action by resigned directors.
When one or more directors resign from the board effective
at a future date, the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have
power by the applicable vote to fill the vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when the
resignations become effective.
Section 4.06.
Removal of Directors
.
(a)
Removal by the directors
.
At any special meeting called for the purpose of
removing or electing directors, the entire board of directors or any individual director may be
removed from office without assigning any cause, as provided in the articles. In case the board or
any one or more directors be so removed, new directors may be elected at the same meeting.
(b)
Removal by the board
.
The board of directors may declare vacant the office of a
director who has been judicially declared of unsound mind or who has been convicted of an offense
punishable by imprisonment for a term of more than one year or if within 60 days after notice of
his or her selection, the director does not accept the office either in writing or by attending a
meeting of the board of directors.
Section 4.07.
Place of Meeting
.
The board of directors may hold its meetings at such
place or places within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or elsewhere as the board of directors may
from time to time appoint, or as may be designated in the notice calling the meeting.
Section 4.08.
Organization Meeting
.
At every meeting of the board of directors,
the chairman of the board, or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chairman of
the board, one of the following individuals present in the order stated: the lead independent
director, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and seniority, or a person
chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary,
or, in the absence of the secretary, an assistant secretary, or in the absence of the secretary and
assistant secretaries, any person appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary
of the meeting.
Section 4.09.
Regular Meetings
.
Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be
held at such time and place as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the board of
directors.
Section 4.10.
Special Meetings
.
Special meetings of the board of directors shall be
held whenever called by the chairman or by two or more of the directors.
Section 4.11.
Quorum of and Action by Directors
.
(a) General rule.
A majority of the directors in office shall be necessary to constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business and, except as otherwise provided in the articles or these
bylaws, the acts of a majority of the directors present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum
is present shall be the acts of the board of directors.
(b) Action by written consent.
Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of
the directors may be taken without a meeting if, prior or subsequent to the action, a consent or
consents thereto by all of the directors in office is filed with the secretary of the corporation.
Section 4.12.
Executive and Other Committees
.
(a) Establishment and powers.
The board of directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority
of the directors in office, establish one or more committees, to consist of one or more directors
of the corporation. Any committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of
directors, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the board of directors
except that a committee shall not have the power or authority as to the following:
(1) The submission to shareholders of any action requiring approval of shareholders
under the Business Corporation Law.
(2) The creation or filling of vacancies in the board of directors.
(3) The adoption, amendment or repeal of these bylaws.
(4) The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the board that by its terms is
amendable or repealable only by the board.
(5) Action on matters committed by a resolution of the board of directors to another
committee of the board.
(b) Alternate committee members.
The board may designate one or more directors as alternate
members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the
committee or for the purpose of any written action by the committee. In the absence or
disqualification of a member and the alternate member or members of a committee, the member or
members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not
constituting a quorum, may unanimously appoint another director to act at the meeting in the place
of the absent or disqualified member.
(c) Term.
Each committee of the board shall serve at the pleasure of the board.
(d) Committee procedures.
The term board of directors or board, when used in any
provision of these bylaws relating to the organization or procedures of or the manner of taking
action by the board of directors, shall be construed to include and refer to any executive or other
committee of the board.
Section 4.13.
Compensation
.
The board of directors shall have the authority to fix
the compensation of directors for their services as directors and a director may be a salaried
officer of the corporation.
Section 4.14.
Nomination of Directors
.
(a) Notice required.
Nominations for election of directors may be made by any shareholder
entitled to vote for the election of directors, provided that written notice (the Notice) of such
shareholders intent to nominate a director at the meeting is given by the shareholder and received
by the secretary of the corporation in the manner and within the time specified herein. The Notice
shall be delivered to the secretary of the corporation not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days
prior to any meeting of the shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however,
that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, the Notice shall be
delivered to the secretary of the corporation not later than the earlier of the seventh day
following the day on which notice of the meeting was first mailed to shareholders or the fourth day
prior to the meeting. In lieu of delivery to the secretary of the corporation, the Notice may be
mailed to the secretary of the corporation by certified mail, return receipt requested, but shall
be deemed to have been given only upon actual receipt by the secretary of the corporation.
(b) Contents of notice.
The notice shall be in writing and shall contain or be accompanied
by:
(1) the name and residence of such shareholder;
(2) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of the corporations
voting stock and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the
person or persons specified in the Notice;
(3) such information regarding each nominee as would have been required to be included
in a proxy statement filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the rules and regulations
established by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act (or pursuant to
any successor act or regulation) had proxies been solicited with respect to such nominee by
the management or board of directors of the corporation;
(4) a description of all arrangements or understandings among the shareholder and each
nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which
such nomination or nominations are to be made by the shareholder; and
(5) the consent of each nominee to serve as director of the corporation if so elected.
(c) Determination of compliance.
If a judge or judges of election shall not have been
appointed pursuant to these bylaws, the chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant,
determine and declare to the meeting that any nomination made at the meeting was not made in
accordance with the foregoing procedures and, in such event, the nomination shall be disregarded.
Any decision by the chairman of the meeting shall be conclusive and binding upon all shareholders
of the corporation for any purpose.
Compliance with this Section 4.14 shall be the exclusive means for a shareholder to make
director nominations (other than director nominations properly brought before a shareholder meeting
by a shareholder under Rule 14a-11 under the Exchange Act and included in the corporations notice
of meeting).
(d) Exception.
The above procedures of this section shall not apply to director nominations
with respect to which proxies shall have been solicited pursuant to a proxy statement filed
pursuant to Regulation 14A of the rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Exchange Act, or pursuant to any successor act or regulation (including,
without limitation, director nominations properly brought before a shareholder meeting by a
shareholder under Rule 14a-11 under the Exchange Act and included in the corporations notice of
meeting).
ARTICLE V
Officers
Section 5.01.
Officers Generally
.
(a) Number, qualifications and designation.
The officers of the corporation shall be a
president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers as may be
elected in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.03. Officers may, but need not be,
directors or shareholders of the corporation. The president and secretary shall be natural persons
of full age. The treasurer may be a corporation, but if a natural person shall be of full age.
The board of directors may elect from among the members of the board a chairman of the board who
shall be an officer of the corporation. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
(b) Resignations.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
corporation. Any such resignation shall be effective at the date of the receipt thereof by the
corporation or at any later time specified therein.
(c) Bonding.
The corporation may secure the fidelity of any or all of its officers by bond or
otherwise.
(d) Standard of care.
In lieu of the standards of conduct otherwise provided by law, officers
of the corporation shall be subject to the same standards of conduct, including standards of care
and loyalty and rights of justifiable reliance, as shall at the time be applicable to directors of
the corporation. An officer of the corporation shall not be personally liable, as such, to the
corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages (including, without limitation, any judgment,
amount paid in settlement, penalty, punitive damages or expense of any nature (including, without
limitation, attorneys fees and disbursements) for any action taken, or any failure to take any
action, unless the officer has breached or failed to perform the duties of his or her office under
the articles, these bylaws, or the applicable provisions of law and the breach or failure to
perform constitutes self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness. The provisions of this
subsection shall not apply to the responsibility or liability of an officer pursuant to any
criminal statute or for the payment of taxes pursuant to local, state or federal law.
Section 5.02.
Election and Term of Office
.
The officers of the corporation, except
those elected by delegated authority pursuant to Section 5.03, shall be elected annually by the
board of directors, and each such officer shall hold office for a term of one year and until a
successor shall have been duly chosen and qualified, or until his or her death, resignation, or
removal.
Section 5.03.
Subordinate Officers, Committees and Agents
.
The board of directors
may from time to time elect such other officers and appoint such committees, employees or other
agents as the business of the corporation may require, including one or more assistant secretaries,
and one or more assistant treasurers, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such
authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws, or as the board of directors
may from time to time determine. The board of directors may delegate to any officer or committee
the power to elect subordinate officers and to retain or appoint employees or other agents, or
committees thereof, and to prescribe the authority and duties of such subordinate officers,
committees, employees or other agents. Any delegation by the board of directors of the power to
elect, retain or appoint subordinate officers, committees, employees or other agents, shall be
deemed to include the power to remove such subordinate.
Section 5.04.
Removal of Officers and Agents
.
Any officer or agent of the
corporation may be removed by the board with or without cause. The removal shall be without
prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of any person so removed. Election or appointment of an
officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights.
Section 5.05.
Vacancies
.
A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation,
removal, disqualification, or any other cause, may be filled by the board of directors or by the
officer or committee to which the power to fill such office has been delegated pursuant to Section
5.03, as the case may be, and if the office is one for which these bylaws prescribe a term, shall
be filled for the unexpired portion of the term.
Section 5.06.
Authority
.
All officers of the corporation as between themselves and
the corporation, shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the
corporation as may be provided by or pursuant to resolutions or orders of the board of directors,
or, in the absence of controlling provisions in the resolutions or orders of the board of
directors, as may be determined by or pursuant to these bylaws.
Section 5.07.
The Chairman of the Board
.
The chairman of the board shall preside at
all meetings of shareholders and of the board of directors and shall perform such other duties as
may from time to time be requested by the board of directors.
Section 5.08.
The President
.
The president shall be the chief executive officer of
the corporation and shall have general supervision over the business and operations of the
corporation, subject, however, to the control of the board of directors. The president shall sign,
execute, and acknowledge, in the name of the corporation, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or
other instruments authorized by the board of directors, except in cases where the signing and
execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors or these bylaws, to some
other officer or agent of the corporation; and, in general, shall perform all duties incident to
the office of president and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the board of
directors.
Section 5.09.
The Vice Presidents
.
The vice presidents shall perform the duties of
the president in the absence of the president and such other duties as may from time to time be
assigned to them by the board of directors or the president.
Section 5.10.
The Secretary
.
The secretary or an assistant secretary shall attend
all meetings of the shareholders and of the board of directors and all committees thereof and shall
record all the votes of the shareholders and of the directors and the minutes of the meetings of
the shareholders and of the board of directors and of committees of the board in a book or books to
be kept for that purpose; shall see that notices are given and records and reports properly kept
and filed by the corporation as required by law; shall be the custodian of the seal of the
corporation and see that it is affixed to all documents to be executed on behalf of the corporation
under its seal; and, in general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of secretary, and
such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the board of directors, the chairman or
the president.
Section 5.11.
The Treasurer
.
The treasurer or an assistant treasurer shall have or
provide for the custody of the funds or other property of the corporation; shall collect and
receive or provide for the collection and receipt of moneys earned by or in any manner due to or
received by the corporation; shall deposit all funds in his or her custody as treasurer in such
banks or other places of deposit as the board of directors may from time to time designate; shall,
whenever so required by the board of directors, render an account showing all transactions as
treasurer, and the financial condition of the corporation; and, in general, shall discharge such
other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the board of directors or the president.
Section 5.12.
Salaries
.
The salaries of the officers elected by the board of
directors shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors or by such officer as may be
designated by resolution of the board. The salaries or other compensation of any other officers,
employees and other agents shall be fixed from time to time by the officer or committee to which
the power to elect such officers or to retain or appoint such employees or other agents has been
delegated pursuant to Section 5.03. No officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary or
other compensation by reason of the fact that the officer is also a director of the corporation.
ARTICLE VI
Certificates of Stock, Transfer, Etc.
Section 6.01.
Share Certificates
.
Certificates for shares of the corporation shall
be in such form as approved by the board of directors, and shall state that the corporation is
incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the name of the person to whom
issued, and the number and class of shares and the designation of the series (if any) that the
certificate represents. The share transfer records and the blank share certificates shall be kept
by the secretary or by any transfer agency or registrar designated by the board of directors for
that purpose.
Section 6.02.
Issuance
.
The share certificates of the corporation shall be numbered
and registered in the share register or transfer books of the corporation as they are issued. They
shall be signed by the president or a vice president and by the secretary or an assistant secretary
or the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, and shall bear the corporate seal, which may be a
facsimile, engraved or printed; but where such certificate is signed by a transfer agent or a
registrar the signature of any corporate officer upon such certificate may be a facsimile, engraved
or printed. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed, or whose facsimile
signature has been placed upon any share certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer
agent or registrar because of death, resignation or otherwise, before the certificate is issued, it
may be issued with the same effect as if the officer, transfer agent or registrar had not ceased to
be such at the date of its issue. The provisions of this Section 6.02 shall be subject to any
inconsistent or contrary agreement in effect at the time between the corporation and any transfer
agent or registrar.
Section 6.03.
Transfer
.
Transfers of shares shall be made on the share register or
transfer books of the corporation upon surrender of the certificate therefor, endorsed by the
person named in the certificate or by an attorney lawfully constituted in writing. No transfer
shall be made inconsistent with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, 13 Pa.C.S. ?? 8101
et
seq.
, and its amendments and supplements.
Section 6.04.
Record Holder of Shares
.
The corporation shall be entitled to treat
the person in whose name any share or shares of the corporation stand on the books of the
corporation as the absolute owner thereof, 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.
Section 6.05.
Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates
.
The holder of any shares of
the corporation shall immediately notify the corporation of any loss, destruction or mutilation of
the certificate therefor, and the board of directors may, in its discretion, cause a new
certificate or certificates to be issued to such holder, in case of mutilation of the certificate,
upon the surrender of the mutilated certificate, or, in case of loss or destruction of the
certificate, upon satisfactory proof of such loss or destruction, and, if the board of directors
shall so determine, the deposit of a bond in such form and in such sum, and with such surety or
sureties, as it may direct.
ARTICLE VII
Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Etc.
Section 7.01.
Scope of Indemnification
.
(a) The corporation shall indemnify an indemnified representative against any liability
incurred in connection with any proceeding in which the indemnified representative may be involved
as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person is or was serving in an indemnified
capacity, including without limitation liabilities resulting from any actual or alleged breach or
neglect of duty, error, misstatement or misleading statement, negligence, gross negligence or act
giving rise to strict or products liability, except where such indemnification is expressly
prohibited by applicable law or where the conduct of the indemnified representative has been
determined pursuant to Section 7.06 to constitute willful misconduct or recklessness within the
meaning of 42 Pa. C.S. Section 8365(b) [now a reference to 15 Pa.C.S. Section 1746(b)] or any
superseding provision of the law, sufficient in the circumstances to bar indemnification against
liabilities arising from the conduct.
(b) If an indemnified representative is entitled to indemnification in respect of a portion,
but not all, of any liabilities to which such person may be subject, the corporation shall
indemnify such indemnified representative to the maximum extent for such portion of the
liabilities.
(c) The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea
of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the
indemnified representative is not entitled to indemnification.
(d) For purposes of this Article:
(1) indemnified capacity shall mean any and all past, present and future service by
an indemnified representative in one or more capacities as a director, officer, employee or
agent of the corporation, or, at the request of the corporation, as a director, officer,
employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or other entity or enterprise;
(2) indemnified representative shall mean any and all directors and officers of the
corporation and any other person specifically designated as an indemnified representative by
the board of directors of the corporation under these bylaws (which may, but need not,
include any person serving at the request of the corporation, as a director, officer,
employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or other entity or enterprise);
(3) liability means any damage, judgment, amount paid in settlement, fine, penalty,
punitive damages, excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, or cost or
expense of any nature (including, without limitation, attorneys fees and disbursements);
and
(4) proceeding means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, appeal or
other proceeding of any nature, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative,
whether formal or informal, and whether brought by or in the right of the corporation, a
class of its security holders or otherwise.
Section 7.02.
Proceedings Initiated by Indemnified Representatives
.
Notwithstanding
any other provisions of this Article, the corporation shall not indemnify under this Article an
indemnified representative for any liability incurred in a proceeding initiated (which shall not be
deemed to include counter-claims or affirmative defenses) or participated in as an intervener or
amicus curiae by the person seeking indemnification unless such initiation of or participation in
the proceedings is authorized, either before or after its commencement, by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the directors in office. This section does not apply to reimbursement of expenses
incurred in successfully prosecuting or defending an arbitration under Section 7.06 of this Article
or otherwise successfully prosecuting or defending the rights of an indemnified representative
granted by or pursuant to this Article.
Section 7.03.
Advancing Expenses
.
The corporation shall pay the expenses (including
attorneys fees and disbursements) incurred in good faith by an indemnified representative in
advance of the final disposition of a proceeding described in Section 7.01 or 7.02 of this Article
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified representative to repay such
amount if it shall ultimately be determined pursuant to Section 7.06 of this Article that such
person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation pursuant to this Article. The
financial ability of an indemnified representative to repay in advance shall not be a prerequisite
to the making of such advance.
Section 7.04.
Securing of Indemnification Obligations
.
To further effect, satisfy or
secure the indemnification obligations provided herein or otherwise, the corporation may maintain
insurance, obtain a letter of credit, act as self-insurer, create a reserve, trust, escrow, cash
collateral or other fund or account, enter into indemnification agreements, pledge or grant a
security interest in any assets or properties of the corporation, or use any other mechanism or
arrangement whatsoever in such amounts, at such costs, and upon such other terms and conditions as
the board of directors shall deem appropriate. Absent fraud, the determination of the board of
directors with respect to such amounts, costs, terms and conditions shall be conclusive against all
security holders, officers and directors and shall not be subject to violability.
Section 7.05.
Payment of Indemnification
.
An indemnified representative shall be
entitled to indemnification within 30 days after a written request for indemnification has been
delivered to the secretary of the corporation.
Section 7.06.
Arbitration
.
Any dispute related to the right of indemnification,
contribution or advancement of expenses as provided under this Article, except with respect to
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 that the corporation has
undertaken to submit to a court for adjudication, shall be decided only by arbitration in the
metropolitan area in which the corporations executive offices are located, in accordance with the
commercial arbitration rules then in effect of the American Arbitration Association before a panel
of three arbitrators, one of whom shall be selected by the corporation, the second of whom shall be
selected by the indemnified representative and the third of whom shall be selected by the other two
arbitrators. In the absence of the American Arbitration Association or if for any reason
arbitration under the arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association cannot be
initiated, or if the arbitrators selected by the corporation and the indemnified representative
cannot agree on the selection of a third arbitrator within 30 days after such time as the
corporation and the indemnified representative have each been notified of the selection of the
others arbitrator, the necessary arbitrator or arbitrators shall be selected by the presiding
judge of the court of general jurisdiction in such metropolitan area. Each arbitrator selected as
provided herein is required to be or have been a director or executive officer or a corporation
whose shares of common stock were listed during at least one year of such service on the New York
Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or quoted on the National Association of Securities
Dealers Automated Quotation System. The party or parties challenging the right of an indemnified
representative to the benefits of this Article shall have the burden of proof. The corporation
shall reimburse an indemnified representative for the expenses (including attorneys fees and
disbursements) incurred in successfully prosecuting or defending such arbitration. Any award
entered by the arbitrators shall be final, binding and non-appealable and judgment may be entered
thereon by any party in accordance with applicable law in any court of competent jurisdiction.
This arbitration provision shall be specifically enforceable.
Section 7.07.
Contribution
.
If the indemnification provided for in this Article or
otherwise is unavailable for any reason, the corporation shall contribute to the liabilities to
which the indemnified representative may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the intent of this Article or otherwise.
Section 7.08.
Discharge of Duty
.
An indemnified representative shall be deemed to
have discharged such persons duty to the corporation if he or she has relied in good faith on
information, opinions, reports or statements, including financial statements and other financial
data, in each case prepared or presented by any of the following:
(1) one or more officers or employees of the corporation whom the indemnified
representative reasonably believes to be reliable and competent with respect to the matter
presented;
(2) legal counsel, public accountants or other persons as to matters that the
indemnified representative reasonably believes are within the persons professional or
expert competence; or
(3) a committee of the board of directors on which he or she does not serve as to
matters within its area of designated authority, which committee he or she reasonably
believes to merit confidence.
Section 7.09.
Contract Rights; Amendment or Repeal
.
All rights to indemnification,
contribution and advancement of expense under this Article shall be deemed a contract between the
corporation and the indemnified representative pursuant to which the corporation and each
indemnified representative intend to be legally bound. Any repeal, amendment or modification of
this Article shall not adversely affect any right or protection of any indemnified representative
in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal, amendment or
modification.
Section 7.10.
Scope of Articles
.
The rights granted by this Article shall not be
deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of
expense may be entitled under any statute, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in an indemnified capacity and as to action in any other
capacity. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this
Article shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be an indemnified representative in respect
to matters arising prior to such time, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors,
administrators and personal representatives of such a person.
Section 7.11.
Reliance of Provisions
.
Each person who shall act as an indemnified
representative of the corporation shall be deemed to be doing so in reliance upon the rights
provided by this Article, which right shall be deemed vested at the time the person commences
acting in such capacity.
Section 7.12.
Interpretation
.
The provisions of this Article have been approved and
ratified by the shareholders of this corporation and are intended to constitute bylaws authorized
by Section 410F of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law and 42 Pa. C.S. Section 8365 [now
references to 15 Pa.C.S. Section 1746 and 1750].
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous
Section 8.01.
Corporate Seal
.
The corporation shall have a corporate seal in the
form of a circle containing the name of the corporation, the year of incorporation and such other
details as may be approved by the board of directors.
Section 8.02.
Checks
.
All checks, notes, bills of exchange or other orders in
writing shall be signed by such person or persons as the board of directors or any person
authorized by resolution of the board of directors may from time to time designate.
Section 8.03.
Contracts
.
(a) General rule.
Except as otherwise provided in the Business Corporation Law in the case of
transactions that require action by the shareholders, the board of directors may authorize any
officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or to execute or deliver any
instrument on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific
instances.
(b) Statutory form of execution of instruments.
Any note, mortgage, evidence of indebtedness,
contract or other document, or any assignment or endorsement thereof, executed or entered into
between the corporation and any other person, when signed by the chairman, the president or vice
president and secretary or assistant secretary or treasurer or assistant treasurer of the
corporation, shall be held to have been properly executed for and in behalf of the corporation,
without prejudice to the rights of the corporation against any person who shall have executed the
instrument in excess of his or her actual authority.
Section 8.04.
Interested Directors or Officers; Quorum
.
(a) General rule.
A contract or transaction between the corporation and one or more of its
directors or officers or between the corporation and any other corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, or other enterprise in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors
or officers, or have a financial or other interest, shall not be void or voidable solely for that
reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of
the board of directors which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his, her or
their votes are counted for such purpose, if:
(1) The material facts as to the relationship or interest and as to the contract or
transaction are disclosed or are known to the board of directors and the board authorizes
the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested
directors even though the disinterested directors are less than a quorum; or
(2) The material facts as to his or her relationship or interest and as to the contract
or transaction are disclosed or are known to the shareholders entitled to vote thereon, and
the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of those
shareholders; or
(3) The contract or transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is
authorized, approved or ratified, by the board of directors or the shareholders.
(b) Quorum.
Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a
quorum at a meeting of the board of directors which authorizes a contract or transaction specified
in subsection (a).
Section 8.05.
Deposits
.
All funds of the corporation shall be deposited from time to
time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositaries as the
board of directors may approve or designate, and all such funds shall be withdrawn only upon checks
signed by such one or more officers or employees as the board of directors shall from time to time
designate.
Section 8.06.
Corporate Records
.
(a) Required records.
The corporation shall keep complete and accurate books and records of
accounts, minutes of the proceedings of the incorporators, shareholders and directors and a share
register giving the names and addresses of all shareholders and the number and class of shares held
by each. The share register shall be kept at the registered office of the corporation in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or at its principal place of business wherever situated or at the
office of its registrar or transfer agent. Any books, minutes or other records may be in written
form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.
(b) Right of inspection.
Every shareholder shall, upon written verified demand stating the
purpose thereof, have a right to examine, in person or by agent or attorney, during the usual hours
for business, for any proper purpose, the share register, books and records of account, and records
of the proceedings of the incorporators, shareholders and directors and to make copies or extracts
therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to the interest of the person
as a shareholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the
right of inspection, the demand shall be accompanied by a verified power of attorney or such other
writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the shareholder. The
demand shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania or at its principal place of business, wherever situated.
Section 8.07.
Amendment of Bylaws
.
These bylaws may be amended or repealed, or new
bylaws may be adopted, either (i) by vote of the shareholders in accordance with the articles at
any duly organized annual or special meeting of shareholders, or (ii), with respect to those
matters that are not by statute committed expressly to the shareholders and regardless of whether
the shareholders have previously adopted or approved the bylaw being amended or repealed, by vote
of majority of the board of directors of the corporation in office at any regular or special
meeting of directors. Any change in these bylaws shall take effect when adopted unless otherwise
provided in the resolution effecting the change. See Section 2.03(b) (relating to notice of action
by shareholders on bylaws).
OF
AQUA AMERICA, INC.
(a Pennsylvania Corporation)
Offices and Fiscal Year