Bylaws of Meredith Corporation
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
The principal office of the corporation in the State of Iowa
shall be located in the City of Des Moines, County of Polk,
or as otherwise or more particularly identified in the most
recently filed (at any time), annual report of the corporation
on file with the Iowa Secretary of State.
ARTICLE II
SHAREHOLDERS
Section
1 - ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held on the
second Monday in the month of November in each year, at the
hour of 10:00 a.m., at the principal office of the corporation,
or at such other date, time and place as may be fixed from time
to time by resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth
in the notice of the meeting, for the purpose of electing directors
and transacting such other business as may properly come before
the meeting.
At an annual meeting of the shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before an annual meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (i) specified in the notice of the meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a shareholder of the corporation who was a shareholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation. To be timely, a shareholder's notice shall be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day nor later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder, to be timely, must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement (as defined herein) of the date of such meeting is first made.
Such shareholder's notice shall set forth as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such shareholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (ii) as to the shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made (A) the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the corporation's books, and the name and address of such beneficial owner and (B) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder and such beneficial owner; and (iii) in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend either the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the corporation, the language of the proposed amendment. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with this paragraph, and the Chairman of the Board or other person presiding at an annual meeting of shareholders, may refuse to permit any business to be brought before an annual meeting without compliance with the foregoing procedures. For the purposes of this paragraph "public announcement" shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). In addition to the provisions of this paragraph, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of shareholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation's proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
Section 2 - SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings of the shareholders, for any purpose or purposes,
may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive
Officer, the Secretary or the Board of Directors. If the holders
of shares having at least fifty percent of all the votes entitled
to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at the proposed
special meeting sign, date and deliver to the corporation's
Secretary one or more written demands for the meeting describing
the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held, the Board
of Directors, or, at its discretion, the Chairman, shall establish
a reasonable time, date and place for holding such special meeting.
Business transacted at a special meeting of the shareholders
shall be confined to the purpose or purposes of the meeting
described in the notice of the meeting.
Section 3 - PLACE OF SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING
The Board of Directors may designate any place, either within
or without the State of Iowa as the place of meeting for any
annual meeting or for any special meeting of shareholders. If
no designation is made the place of meeting shall be the principal
office of the corporation in the State of Iowa.
Section 4 - NOTICE OF MEETING
Notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in
case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which
the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than ten
days, nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting,
by or at the direction of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer, the Secretary or the Board of Directors,
to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting.
Section 5 - POSTPONEMENT OF MEETINGS
Any previously scheduled annual or special meeting of shareholders
may be postponed by resolution of the Board of Directors upon
public announcement (as defined in Article II, Section 1 of
these Bylaws) made on or prior to the date previously scheduled
for such annual or special meeting.
Section 6 - FIXING OF RECORD DATE
For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice
of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment
thereof, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any
dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders
for any other proper purpose, the Board of Directors of the
corporation may fix in advance a date as the record date for
any such determination of shareholders, such date in any case
to be not more than seventy days and, in case of a meeting of
shareholders, not less than ten days prior to the date on which
the particular action requiring such determination of shareholders
is to be taken. If no record date is fixed for the determination
of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting
of shareholders, or shareholders entitled to receive payment
of a dividend, the day before the first date on which notice
of the meeting is mailed or the day before the date on which
the resolution of the Board of Directors declaring such dividend
is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for
such determination of shareholders. In order to determine the
shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting, the record
date shall be the sixtieth day preceding the date of receipt
by the corporation of written demands sufficient to require
the calling of such meeting, unless otherwise fixed by the Board
of Directors. When a determination of shareholders entitled
to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided
in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment
thereof, unless the Board of Directors selects a new record
date or unless a new record date is required by law.
Section 7 - VOTING LISTS
After the record date for a meeting has been fixed, the officer
or agent having charge of the stock transfer books for shares
of the corporation shall make, at least ten days before each
meeting of shareholders, a complete list of the shareholders
entitled to vote at such meeting, or any adjournment thereof,
arranged by voting group and within each voting group, in alphabetical
order, with the address of and the number and class of shares
held by each, which list, for a period beginning two business
days after notice of the meeting was first given for which the
list was prepared and continuing through the meeting, shall
be kept on file at the principal office of the corporation or
at the place identified in the meeting notice in the city where
the meeting will be held. The list shall be subject to inspection
by any shareholder at any time during usual business hours.
Such list shall also 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. The
list furnished to the corporation by its stock transfer agent
shall be prima facie evidence as to who are the shareholders
entitled to examine such list or transfer books or to vote at
any meeting of shareholders.
Section 8 - QUORUM
At any meeting of the shareholders, a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast on the matter by a voting group constitutes
a quorum of that voting group for action on that matter, unless
the representation of a different number is required by law,
and in that case, the representation of the number so required
shall constitute a quorum. If a quorum shall fail to attend
any meeting, the chairman of the meeting or a majority of the
votes present may adjourn the meeting to another place, date
or time. When a meeting is adjourned to another place, date
or time, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if
the place, date and time thereof are announced at the meeting
at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if
the date of any adjourned meeting is more than one hundred twenty
(120) days after the date for which the meeting was originally
noticed, or if a new record date is fixed for the adjourned
meeting, notice of the place, date and time of the adjourned
meeting shall be given in conformity herewith. At any adjourned
meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the original meeting.
Section 9 - PROXIES
At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may vote by proxy
executed by the shareholder or by the shareholder's duly authorized
attorney in fact. A shareholder or shareholder's agent or attorney-in-fact
may appoint a proxy to vote or otherwise act for the shareholder
by signing an appointment form or by electronic transmission.
An electronic transmission must contain or be accompanied by
information from which one can determine that the shareholder,
the shareholder's agent, or the shareholder's attorney-in-fact
authorized the electronic transmission. Such proxy shall be
filed with the Secretary of the corporation before or at the
time of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid after eleven months
from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in
the proxy. No holder of any share of any class of stock of the
corporation shall sell the vote pertaining to such share or
issue a proxy to vote such share in consideration of any sum
of money or anything of value.
Section
10 - VOTING OF SHARES
Each outstanding share entitled to vote shall be entitled to
vote as follows:
- At each
annual or special meeting of shareholders, each holder of
common stock shall be entitled to one [1] vote in person or
by proxy for each share of common stock standing in the holder's
name on the stock transfer records of the corporation, and
(except as provided in subsection [b] of this Section 10)
each holder of class B stock shall be entitled to ten [10]
votes in person or by proxy for each share of class B stock
standing in the holder's name on the stock transfer records
of the corporation. Except as required pursuant to the Business
Corporation Act of the State of Iowa, all actions submitted
to a vote of shareholders shall be voted on by the holders
of common stock and class B stock voting together as a single
class.
- Notwithstanding
subsection [a] of this Section 10, each holder of class B
stock shall be entitled to only one [1] vote, in person or
by proxy, for each share of class B stock standing in the
holder's name on the stock transfer records of the corporation
with respect to the following matters:
- The
removal of any director of the corporation pursuant to
Article IV of the Articles of Incorporation;
- Any
amendment to the Articles of Incorporation which would
permit the holders of stock of the corporation to amend,
alter, change or repeal the Bylaws or any part thereof,
pursuant to Article V of the Articles of Incorporation;
and
- Any repeal or amendment of Article IV or Article VI of the Articles of Incorporation.
- The
removal of any director of the corporation pursuant to
Article IV of the Articles of Incorporation;
Section 11 - VOTING OF SHARES BY CERTAIN HOLDERS
Shares standing in the name of another corporation may be voted
by such officer, agent or proxy as the Bylaws of such corporation
may prescribe, or, in the absence of such provision, as the
board of directors of such corporation may determine.
Shares held by an administrator, executor, guardian or conservator may be voted, either in person or by proxy, without a transfer of such shares. Shares standing in the name of a trustee may be voted by the trustee, either in person or by proxy, but no trustee shall be entitled to vote shares so held without a transfer of such shares into the name of the trustee.
Shares standing in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver, and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such receiver without the transfer thereof if authority to do so is contained in an appropriate order of the court by which such receiver was appointed.
A shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.
Neither treasury shares nor, absent special circumstances, shares held by another corporation if a majority of the shares entitled to vote for the election of directors of such other corporation is held by the corporation, shall be voted at any meeting or counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.
Section
12 - VOTING BY BALLOT
Voting by shareholders on any question or in any election may
be viva voce unless the presiding officer shall order or any
shareholder shall demand that voting be by ballot.
Section 13
The Board of Directors in advance of any meeting of shareholders
shall appoint inspectors to act at such meeting or any adjournment
thereof. In case any person appointed as inspector shall fail
to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made
by the Board of Directors in advance of the meeting, or at the
meeting by the officer or person acting as chairperson. The
inspectors shall ascertain the number of shares outstanding
and the voting power of each; determine the shares represented
at a meeting; determine the validity of proxies and ballots;
count all votes; and determine the result. Each inspector shall
take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector
with strict impartiality and according to the best of the inspector's
ability. The maximum number of such inspectors appointed shall
be three, and no inspector, whether appointed by the Board of
Directors or by the officer or person acting as chairperson,
need be a shareholder.
Section 14 - NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS.
(a) Notice may be communicated in person, by mail, or other
method of delivery, or by telephone, voice mail, or other electronic
means. If these forms of personal notice are impracticable,
notice may be communicated by a newspaper of general circulation
in the area where published; or by radio, television, or other
form of public broadcast communication. Written notice by the
corporation to its shareholders, if in a comprehensible form,
is effective according to one of the following: (i) if mailed,
when deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the shareholder
at the address as it appears on the stock transfer books of
the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid; or (ii) when
electronically transmitted to the shareholder in a manner authorized
by the shareholder.
(b) Notice to a shareholder shall not be required to be given if either of the following applies: (i) notice of two consecutive annual meetings, and all notices of meetings during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, have been sent to the shareholder at such shareholder’s address as shown on the records of the corporation and have been returned undeliverable; or (ii) all, but not less than two, payments of dividends on securities during a twelve month period, or two consecutive payments of dividends on securities during a period of more than twelve months, have been sent to the shareholder at such shareholder’s address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the corporation and have been returned undeliverable. If any such shareholder shall deliver to the corporation a written notice setting forth such shareholder’s then-current address, the requirement that notice be given to such shareholder shall be reinstated.
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1 - GENERAL POWERS
The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed
by its Board of Directors.
Section 2 - NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS; NOMINATIONS
Within the limits set forth in Article IV of the Articles of
Incorporation, the number of directors of the corporation shall
be as fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of
Directors. The directors shall be divided into classes, and
hold office for the terms as provided in Article IV of the Articles
of Incorporation. Directors need not be residents of the State
of Iowa or shareholders of the corporation.
Nominations of persons for election as directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Any shareholder entitled to vote for the election of directors may nominate a person or persons for election as director only if written notice of such shareholder's intent is delivered to the Secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of shareholders, not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day nor later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting, or as set out below, and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of shareholders for the election of directors, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date on which public announcement (as defined in Article II, Section 1 of these Bylaws) of the date of such meeting is first made. In the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from the anniversary date of the annual meeting, notice by the shareholder must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing sentence to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the corporation is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the Corporation at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting, a shareholder's notice required by this Section shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary of the corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made.
Such shareholder's notice shall set forth: (a) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination and the name, address, age, and principal occupation or employment of the person or persons to be nominated; (b) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (c) the number and class of shares of the corporation which are owned by such shareholder and the beneficial owner, if any, and the number and class of shares, if any, beneficially owned by the nominee; (d) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the shareholder; (e) such other information regarding each nominee that is required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors, or as otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including, without limitation, such person's written consent to being named in a proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if nominated). The Chairman of the Board or other person presiding at a meeting of shareholders may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, and in that event the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
Section 3 - REGULAR MEETINGS
A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without
other notice than this Bylaw immediately after, and at the same
place as, the annual meeting of shareholders. The Board of Directors
may provide, by resolution, the time and place, either within
or without the State of Iowa, for the holding of additional
regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.
Section 4 - SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by
or at the request of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive
Officer, the Secretary or any two directors. The person or persons
authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors
may fix any place, either within or without the State of Iowa,
as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of
Directors called by them.
Section 5 - NOTICE
Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall
be given at least two days previously thereto by written notice
delivered personally or mailed to each director at the director's
business address, or by telephone, cable, telefax, wireless
or telegram. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered
when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with
postage thereon prepaid. If notice be given by telegram such
notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram is
delivered to the telegraph company. Any director may waive notice
of any meeting. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall
constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where
a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting
to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not
lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted
at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the
Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver
of notice of such meeting.
Section 6 - QUORUM
A majority of the number of directors fixed pursuant to Section
2 of this Article III shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, but if
less than such majority is present at a meeting, a majority
of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to
time without further notice.
Section 7 - MANNER OF ACTING
Except as otherwise specified in these Bylaws, the act of the
majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum
is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
Section 8 - VACANCIES
Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled
by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors
though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors. A director
elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for a term which
shall expire at the next election of directors by the shareholders.
A director elected by the shareholders to fill a vacancy shall
be elected for the unexpired term of the director last elected
by the shareholders with respect to the position being filled.
Any directorship to be filled by reason of any increase in the
number of directors by not more than thirty percent (30%) of
the number of directors last approved by the shareholders, may
be filled by the Board of Directors for a term of office continuing
only until the next election of directors by the shareholders.
Section 9 - COMPENSATION
By resolution of the Board of Directors, those directors who
are not at the time active employees of the corporation may
be paid an annual retainer. All directors may be reimbursed
for expenses incurred in connection with their services. No
such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation
in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
Section 10 - PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT
A director of the corporation who is present at a meeting of
the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter
is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken
unless the director's dissent shall be entered in the minutes
of the meeting or unless the director shall file a written dissent
to such action with the person acting as the Secretary of the
meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such
dissent by registered or certified mail to the Secretary of
the corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting.
Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted
in favor of such action.
Section 11 - INFORMAL ACTION BY DIRECTORS
Any action required to be taken at a meeting of the directors,
or any other action which may be taken at a meeting of the directors,
may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting
forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the directors
entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.
Section 12 - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
An Executive Committee consisting of two or more members of
the Board of Directors may be designated by the Board of Directors
at the time of the annual meeting or at such other time as the
Board of Directors may determine. The chairman of said committee
shall be the person elected by the Board of Directors to the
office of Chairman of the Executive Committee, and such officer
shall be designated a member of said committee. If an Executive
Committee is designated, it shall, during the intervals between
the meetings of the Board of Directors and so far as it lawfully
may, possess and exercise all of the authority of the Board
of Directors in the management of the business of the corporation,
in all cases in which specific directions shall not have been
given by the Board of Directors, provided that notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Executive Committee shall not have authority:
- to authorize dividends or other distributions;
- to approve or propose to shareholders actions or proposals required by the Iowa Business Corporation Act to be approved by shareholders;
- to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors or any committee thereof;
- to amend the Articles of Incorporation of the corporation;
- to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws;
- to approve a plan of merger not requiring shareholder approval;
- to authorize or approve the reacquisition of shares unless pursuant to a general formula or method specified by the Board of Directors;
- to authorize or approve the issuance or sale of, or any contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares; except that the Board of Directors may authorize a committee or senior officer to do so within limits specifically prescribed by the Board of Directors; or
- to remove the Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Chief Executive Officer or the President, or to appoint any person to fill a vacancy in any such office.
Section 13 - FINANCE COMMITTEE
A Finance Committee consisting of two or more members of the
Board of Directors may be designated by the Board of Directors
at the time of the annual meeting or at such time as the Board
of Directors may determine. If a Finance Committee is designated,
said committee's duties shall be to:
- review corporate financial policies and procedures and make recommendations to the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee in regard thereto;
- provide financial advice and counsel to management;
- formulate dividend policy and make recommendations to the Board of Directors in regard thereto;
- make provisions for the appointment of depositories of funds of the corporation and the specification of conditions of deposit and withdrawal of said funds;
- review specific corporate financing plans and advise the Board of Directors or Executive Committee in regard thereto;
- supervise corporate investment portfolios;
- give consideration and approval or disapproval of capital expenditure requests by management within limits established by the Board of Directors;
- review annual capital and operating budgets and advise the Board of Directors or Executive Committee regarding the financial implications thereof;
- monitor the corporation's financial condition and standing in the financial and investment communities;
- review and make recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning acquisitions and dispositions;
- monitor the risk management activities of the corporation; and
- consider any other matters concerning the corporation's financial structure, condition, financing plans and policies and make recommendations to the Board of Directors on such matters.
Section
14 - COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
A Compensation Committee consisting of two or more members of
the Board of Directors may be designated by the Board of Directors
at the time of the annual meeting, or at such other time as
the Board of Directors may determine. Each member of the Committee
shall satisfy such requirements as: (i) the Securities and Exchange
Commission may establish for administrators acting under plans
intended to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3 or its successor
under the Exchange Act; (ii) the Internal Revenue Service may
establish for outside directors acting under plans intended
to qualify for exemption under Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; and (iii) the New York Stock
Exchange may establish pursuant to its rule-making authority,
unless the Company has claimed a “Controlled Company Exemption”
for the Compensation Committee as defined in Section 303.A.00
of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual.
If a Compensation
Committee is designated, said committee's authority and responsibilities
shall be as set forth in the charter established for such committee.
Section
15 - AUDIT COMMITTEE
An Audit Committee consisting of two or more members of the
Board of Directors who are independent of management within
the meaning of the policy statement on audit committees issued
by the New York Stock Exchange shall be designated by the Board
of Directors at the time of the annual meeting, or at such other
time as the board may determine. The duties of said committee
shall be to:
- pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter, on an annual basis, review and retain the independent auditor to audit the books and records of the corporation and its subsidiaries. The Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work. The independent auditor shall report directly to the Audit Committee;
- meet prior to the start of any audit by the outside audit firm and review the scope of the audit to be performed;
- meet prior to the publication of the annual report and review results of the audit by the outside audit firm for the year;
- meet with and determine the responsibilities and scope of the internal audit department and review internal audit reports;
- review the corporation's accounting principles and policies and internal accounting controls;
- review the effect of changes in accounting principles or of other developments emanating from the profession, its standard board or any governmental authority;
- carry on such other activities so as to give additional assurance regarding the financial information used by the Board of Directors in making decisions;
- carry on such other activities so as to give additional assurance regarding the financial information distributed to outsiders; and
- review the standards and policies of proper business conduct and practices for the corporation and its employees and monitor the implementation of, and the compliance with the standards and policies.
Section
16 - PENSION COMMITTEE
A Pension Committee consisting of two or more members of the
Board of Directors may be designated by the Board of Directors
at the time of the annual meeting or at such time as the Board
of Directors may determine. If a Pension Committee is designated,
said committee's duties shall be to:
- review the corporation's pension plans and propose amendments thereto for approval by the Board of Directors;
- review the levels and types of benefits provided under the corporation's pension plans and other features thereof, including eligibility, vesting and the form of payment of benefits;
- recommend to the Board of Directors investment policy and objectives for all employee pension funds, review the investment performance of such funds and recommend revision of the policy and objectives as may be required;
- recommend to the Board of Directors the funding policies for all employee pension funds;
- recommend to the Board of Directors the appointment of such management personnel or committees as it deems desirable for the administration, detailed study, or recommendation of possible changes in the corporation's pension plans; and
- engage in such additional review and assessment as it may deem necessary or appropriate to perform the foregoing duties.
Section
17 - LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
A Legal Affairs Committee consisting of two or more members
of the Board of Directors may be designated by the Board of
Directors at the time of the annual meeting, or such other time
as the board may determine. If a Legal Affairs Committee is
designated, said committee's duties shall be to:
- review the structure, functions and personnel of the corporation's internal legal staff;
- review the procedures established for the engagement of outside counsel and the monitoring of their activities;
- meet with the general counsel of the corporation, and outside counsel engaged by the corporation, to review all significant threatened, pending and settled litigation involving the corporation; including the impact, or potential impact, of such matters upon the policies, planning, operations or finances of the corporation;
- receive reports from the general counsel and outside counsel, as to changes in the law which have or could have an effect upon the corporation or its policies, planning, operations or finances, and assist in the development of strategies in response thereto; and
- inquire into the existence, and encourage the development, of practices and procedures, including legal audits, which could benefit the corporation in avoiding litigation or other legal problems.
Section
18 - COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
The chairman of each committee, other than the Executive Committee,
shall be selected by the Board of Directors or by the Executive
Committee. In the absence of the chairman of any committee,
a temporary chairman may be appointed from among the members
of the committee. Each committee shall keep minutes of the proceedings
of its meetings which shall be submitted to the Board of Directors
at the next meeting of the Board of Directors. A majority of
members of any committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business. Meetings of any committee shall be called upon
the request of any member of the committee or the Chairman of
the Board, Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary, and notice
of such meetings shall in each instance be given to each member
of the committee at least twenty-four hours before the meeting
either orally or in writing. Expenses of attendance, if any,
shall be paid for attendance at each meeting of any committee.
Each director serving on a committee shall hold such office
until the annual meeting held next after such director's designation,
or until such director's successor shall have been designated.
Section
19 - NOMINATING / GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
A Nominating / Governance Committee consisting of no fewer than
three members of the Board of Directors each of which shall
meet the independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange,
unless the Company has claimed a “Controlled Company Exemption”
for the Nominating / Governance Committee as defined in Section
303.A.00 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual,
shall be designated by the Board of Directors at the time of
the annual meeting or at such other time as the Board of Directors
may determine. The Nominating / Governance Committee’s
authority and responsibilities shall be as set forth in the
charter established for such committee.
To the extent the
authority of the Nominating / Governance Committee set in the
Nominating / Governance Committee Charter overlaps or conflicts
with the authority prescribed for any other committee set forth
in these Bylaws, the authority vested in the Nominating / Governance
Committee shall be construed to take precedence over any such
other overlapping or conflicting provision.
ARTICLE
IV
OFFICERS
Section
1 - NUMBER
The officers of the corporation shall be a Chairman of the Board,
a Chief Executive Officer, a President (who, unless otherwise
determined by the Board, shall be the Chief Operating Officer
of the corporation), one or more Group Presidents, one or more
Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Senior Vice Presidents
or one or more Vice Presidents (the number thereof to be determined
by the Board of Directors), a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a
Controller, and such other officers as the Board of Directors
may from time to time designate by resolution, each of whom
shall be elected by the Board of Directors. Any two or more
offices may be held by the same person. In its discretion, the
Board of Directors may delegate the powers or duties of any
officer to any other officer or agents, notwithstanding any
provision of these Bylaws, and the Board of Directors may leave
unfilled for any such period as it may fix, any office except
those of Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President
(unless the duties of President are performed by the Chief Executive
Officer), Vice President-Finance and Secretary.
Section
2 - ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE
The officers of the corporation to be elected by the Board of
Directors shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors
at the meeting of the Board of Directors held after each annual
meeting of the shareholders. If the election of officers shall
not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as
soon thereafter as conveniently may be. Each officer shall hold
office until such officer's successor shall have been duly elected
or until death or until such officer shall resign or shall have
been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.
Section
3 - REMOVAL
Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors
may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment
the best interests of the corporation would be served thereby,
but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract
rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer or agent
elected by the Board of Directors except the Chairman of the
Board, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Chief Executive
Officer and President, may be removed by the Executive Committee.
Any officer or agent elected by the Board of Directors except
the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Executive
Committee may be removed by the Chief Executive Officer.
Section
4 - VACANCIES
A vacancy in the office of Chairman of the Board, Chairman of
the Executive Committee, Chief Executive Officer or President
because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or
otherwise, may be filled only by the Board of Directors for
the unexpired portion of the term. A vacancy in any other office
may be filled by the Executive Committee or the Chief Executive
Officer .
Section
5 - CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the
shareholders and of the Board of Directors and shall be a member
of the Executive Committee. The Chairman of the Board shall
perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board
of Directors from time to time and shall have the general powers
and duties usually vested in the Chairman of the Board.
Section
6 - CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall be a member of
that committee and preside at all of its meetings, and in the
absence of the Chairman of the Board, shall preside at all meetings
of the shareholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman
of the Executive Committee shall perform such other duties as
may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section
7 - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The Chief Executive Officer shall be the principal executive
officer of the corporation and, in general shall, subject to
the authority of the Board of Directors, supervise and control
all of the business, policies and affairs of the corporation
and all other officers of the corporation except for the Chairman
of the Board and the Chairman of the Executive Committee. The
Chief Executive Officer shall have the general powers and duties
usually vested in the principal executive officer of a corporation,
unless the Board of Directors shall elect another person as
President and shall delegate some or all of such powers and
duties to the President. The Chief Executive Officer shall perform
such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors
from time to time.
Section
8 - PRESIDENT
The President shall be the Chief Operating Officer of the corporation
(unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors). As
the Chief Operating Officer, the President shall have the management
of and exercise general supervision over the corporation's operating
groups and all its Group Presidents, subject to the control
and supervision of the Chief Executive Officer. The President
shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as
may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive
Officer from time to time.
Section
9 - GROUP PRESIDENTS
Each Group President, within the limitations placed by the policies
adopted by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer,
shall be a corporate officer and shall be the Chief Operating
Officer of the operating group assigned and shall in general
supervise and control such business and affairs of the group
and operations assigned thereto and perform such other duties
as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors
or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section
10 - EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTS, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS AND VICE
PRESIDENTS
Each corporate Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President
or Vice President shall perform such duties as may be assigned
by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. An
Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President
may be assigned the operating authority for managing one or
more operating units or service operations of the corporation
as established by the Board of Directors. Upon assignment by
the Board of Directors of operating authority for an operation
or service unit, such Executive Vice President, Senior Vice
President or Vice President shall in general supervise and control
all of the business and affairs of such operation or service
unit, subject only to such supervision and direction as the
Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may provide.
Each Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President and Vice
President shall be authorized to sign contracts and other documents
related to the corporation or to the operations under such officer's
supervision and control.
Section
11 - VICE PRESIDENT-FINANCE
The Vice President-Finance shall be the principal and chief
accounting and principal and chief finance officer of the corporation.
In that capacity, the Vice President-Finance shall keep and
maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained accurate, correct
books and records of accounts of the properties and business
transactions of the corporation, including accounts of the assets,
liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital,
retained earnings, and shares. The Vice President-Finance shall
deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and to the
credit of the corporation with such depositories as may be designated
by the Board of Directors or by the Finance Committee appointed
by the Board of Directors. The Vice President-Finance shall
disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the
Board of Directors, shall render to the Chairman of the Board,
the Chief Executive Officer, the President and the Board of
Directors, upon their request, an account of the financial condition
of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform
such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by
the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section
12 - THE SECRETARY
The Secretary shall: (a) prepare and keep the minutes of the
meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and committees
of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for
that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance
with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c)
be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the
corporation and see that the seal of the corporation is affixed
to all documents the execution of which on behalf of the corporation
under its seal is duly authorized; (d) keep a register of the
post office address of each shareholder which shall be furnished
to the Secretary by such shareholder, unless such register is
maintained by the transfer agent or registrar of the corporation;
(e) authenticate the records of the corporation; (f) have general
charge of the stock transfer books of the corporation; and (g)
in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary
and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by
the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section
13 - THE TREASURER
Subject to the supervision of the Vice President-Finance, the
Treasurer shall: (a) have charge and custody of and be responsible
for all funds and securities of the corporation; receive and
give receipts for monies due and payable to the corporation
from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such monies in the
name of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or other
depositories as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions
of Article VI of these Bylaws; (b) be responsible for filing
all required tax returns, and (c) in general perform all of
the duties incident to the office of treasurer and such other
duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of
Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Vice President-Finance.
Section
14 - THE CONTROLLER
The Controller shall maintain adequate records showing the financial
condition of the corporation and the results of its operations
by established accounting periods, and see that adequate audits
thereof are regularly and currently made. The Controller shall
perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned
by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the
Vice President-Finance.
Section
15 - ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS
The Assistant Secretaries, when authorized by the Board of Directors,
may sign with the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President or a Vice President certificates for
shares of the corporation, the issuance of which shall have
been authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. The
Assistant Secretaries, in general, shall perform such duties
as shall be assigned to them by the Secretary, the Chief Executive
Officer or the Board of Directors. The Assistant Treasurers,
in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to
them by the Treasurer, the Chief Executive Officer, the Board
of Directors or the Vice President-Finance.
Section
16 - OTHER ASSISTANT AND ACTING OFFICERS
The Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer shall
have the power to appoint any person to act as assistant to
any officer, or to perform the duties of such officer whenever
for any reason it is impracticable for such officer to act personally,
and such assistant or acting officer so appointed by the Board
of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer shall have the power
to perform all the duties of the office to which the person
is so appointed to be assistant, or as to which the person is
so appointed to act, except as such power may be otherwise defined
or restricted by the Board of Directors.
Section
17 - SALARIES
The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from time to time
by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and
no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by
reason of also being a director of the corporation.
ARTICLE
V
GROUPS AND STAFF
Section
1 - ESTABLISHMENT OF GROUPS
The Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may cause
the business to be divided into one or more groups, based upon
product manufactured, geographical territory, character and
type of operations, or upon such other basis as the Board of
Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time
determine to be advisable. The groups shall operate under the
authority and direction of a Group President and may operate
under trade names approved for such purpose as may be authorized
by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section
2 - GROUP OFFICERS
The Group President of a group may appoint any number of group
officers (who shall not, by virtue of such appointment, be corporate
officers), and may remove any such group officer. Such officers
shall have such authority as may from time to time be assigned
by the Group President.
Section
3 - STAFF OFFICERS
The Chief Executive Officer may appoint any number of staff
officers (who shall not, by virtue of such appointment, be corporate
officers), and may remove any such staff officer as the Chief
Executive Officer may deem appropriate from time to time. Such
officers shall have such authority as may from time to time
be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.
ARTICLE
VI
CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS
Section
1 - CONTRACTS
The Chairman of the Board, the Chairman of the Executive Committee,
the Chief Executive Officer or the President may at any time
execute and deliver any deeds, mortgages or bonds which the
Board of Directors has authorized to be executed and delivered
and may at any time execute and deliver any lease, bid, application,
note, guarantee, consent, election, notice or other contract,
document or instrument as may be required in the ordinary course
and scope of the business of the corporation or as may be specifically
authorized by the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board,
the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Chief Executive
Officer or the President may in writing delegate the foregoing
authority, and may delegate authority to redelegate such authority,
to any other officer or officers, agent or agents, or other
persons and the authority so delegated may be general or confined
to specific instances. The Board of Directors may authorize
any other officer or officers, agent or agents or other persons
to execute and deliver any other contracts, documents or instruments
and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section
2 - LOANS
No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the corporation and
no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless
authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Such authority
may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section
3 - EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS
All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money,
notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name
of the corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers,
agent or agents of the corporation and in such manner as shall
from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of
Directors.
Section
4 - DEPOSITS
All funds of the corporation not otherwise employed shall be
deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation
in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the
Board of Directors or the Finance Committee, or committees or
officers to whom the Board of Directors or the Finance Committee
have delegated such authority may select.
ARTICLE
VII
CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER
Section
1 - CERTIFIED AND UNCERTIFIED SHARES
Shares of the corporation’s stock may be certificated or uncertificated
as provided under Iowa law. All certificates of stock of the corporation
shall be numbered and shall
be entered in the books of the corporation as they are issued. They shall exhibit
the holder’s name and number of shares and shall be signed
by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President or a Vice President and by the Secretary.
Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile.
Section
2 - TRANSFERS OF SHARES
Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the corporation only by the
record holder of such stock, or by attorney lawfully constituted in writing, and,
in the case of stock represented by a certificate, upon surrender of the certificate.
Section
3 - RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP, TRANSFER AND VOTING
So long as the corporation or any of its subsidiaries is subject
to any law of the United States or any state therein which restricts
ownership or voting of capital stock by Aliens (as defined herein),
not more than one-fifth of the shares outstanding shall be owned
of record or voted by or for the account of Aliens or their
representatives or affiliates. The Board of Directors may issue
share certificates representing not more than one-fifth of the
shares of the stock of the corporation at any time outstanding
in special form which may be owned or held by Aliens, such certificates
to be known as "Foreign Share Certificates" and to be so marked,
but under no circumstances shall the total amount of voting
stock of any class represented by Foreign Share Certificates,
plus the amount of voting stock of that class owned by or for
the account of Aliens and represented by certificates not so
marked, exceed one-fifth of the aggregate number of outstanding
shares of such class.
Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the corporation by the holder thereof, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon the surrender of the certificate representing the shares to be transferred, properly endorsed; provided, however, that shares of stock other than shares represented by Foreign Share Certificates shall be transferable to Aliens or any person holding for the account thereof only when the aggregate number of shares of stock owned by or for the account of Aliens will not then be more than one-fifth of the number of shares of stock outstanding. The Board of Directors may direct that, before shares of stock shall be transferred on the books of the corporation, the corporation may require information as to whether the proposed transferee is an Alien or will hold the stock for the account of an Alien.
If the stock records of the corporation shall at any time disclose Alien ownership of one-fifth or more of the voting stock of any class and it shall be found by the corporation that any certificate for shares marked "Domestic Share Certificate" is, in fact, held by or for the account of any Alien, the holder of the shares represented by that certificate shall not be entitled to vote, to receive dividends or to have any other rights with respect to such shares, except the right to transfer the shares to a Non-Alien (as defined herein). If the stock records of the corporation shall at any time disclose Alien ownership of one-fifth or more of the voting stock of any class and a request is made by an Alien to have shares registered in its name or for its account, the corporation shall be under no obligation to effect the transfer or to issue or reissue any stock certificates to or for the account of the Alien. In addition, if a proposed transferee of any shares is an Alien, and the transfer to such Alien would result in Alien ownership of one-fifth or more of the voting stock of any class, the corporation shall be under no obligation to effect the transfer or to issue or reissue any stock certificates to or for the account of the Alien. Further, if it is determined at any time that a transfer has resulted in Alien ownership of one-fifth or more of the voting stock of any class, the holder of the shares which resulted in the Alien ownership of one-fifth or more of the voting stock shall not be entitled to vote, to receive dividends or have any other rights with respect to such shares, except the right to transfer those shares to a Non-Alien.
The Board of Directors shall establish rules, regulations and procedures to assure compliance with and enforcement of this Article VII, Section 3.
The term "Alien" is defined to mean and include the following:
- Any person (including an individual, a partnership, a corporation or an association or any other entity) who is not a United States citizen or is the representative of or fiduciary for any person who is not a United States citizen;
- Any foreign government or the representative thereof;
- Any corporation any officer of which is an Alien, or of which more than 25% of its directors are Aliens;
- Any corporation or association organized under the laws of any foreign government;
- Any corporation of which more than 20% of its stock is owned beneficially or of record or may be voted by Aliens, or which by any other means whatsoever direct or indirect control of the corporation is held or permitted to be exercised by Aliens;
- Any partnership, association or other entity which is owned or controlled by Aliens;
- Any other person, corporation, trust, partnership or association deemed by the Board of Directors to be an Alien as to the United States or the corporation (or any subsidiary of the corporation).
No person, holding shares of class B stock (hereinafter such class B stock is called "class B stock" and such holder thereof is called a "class B holder") may transfer, and the corporation shall not register the transfer of, such shares of class B stock, whether by sale, assignment, gift, bequest, appointment or otherwise, except to a Permitted Transferee of such class B holder, which term shall have the following meanings:
- In the case of a class B holder who is a natural person and the holder of record and beneficial owner of the shares of class B stock subject to said proposed transfer, "Permitted Transferee" means (A) the spouse of such class B holder, (B) a lineal descendant of a grandparent of such class B holder or a spouse of any such lineal descendant, (C) the trustee of a trust (including a voting trust) for the benefit of one or more class B holders, other lineal descendants of a grandparent of such class B holder, the spouse of such class B holder the spouses of such other lineal descendants and an organization contributions to which are deductible for federal income, estate or gift tax purposes (hereinafter called a "Charitable Organization"), and for the benefit of no other person, provided that such trust may grant a general or special power of appointment to such class B holder, the spouse of such class B holder, any lineal descendant of such class B holder or the spouse of any such lineal descendant, and may permit trust assets to be used to pay taxes, legacies and other obligations of the trust or the estate of such class B holder payable by reason of the death of such class B holder and provided that such trust prohibits transfer of shares of class B stock to persons other than Permitted Transferees, as defined in clause(ii) below, (D) the estate of such deceased class B holder, (E) a Charitable Organization established by such class B holder, such class B holder's spouse, a lineal descendant of a grandparent of such class B holder or a spouse of any such lineal descendant, and (F) a corporation all the outstanding capital stock of which is owned by, or a partnership all the partners of which are, one or more of such class B holders, other lineal descendants of a grandparent of such class B holder or a spouse of any such lineal descendant, and the spouse of such class B holder provided that if any share of capital stock of such a corporation (or of any survivor of a merger or consolidation of such a corporation), or any partnership interest in such a partnership, is acquired by any person who is not within such class of persons, all shares of class B stock then held by such corporation or partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed, without further action, to be automatically converted into shares of common stock, and stock certificates formerly representing such shares of class B stock shall thereupon and thereafter be deemed to represent the like number of shares of common stock.
- In the case of a class B holder holding the shares of class B stock subject to said proposed transfer as trustee pursuant to a trust other than a trust described in clause (iii) below, "Permitted Transferee" means (A) the person who established such trust and (B) a Permitted Transferee of such person determined pursuant to clause (i) above.
- In the case of a class B holder holding the shares of class B stock subject to said proposed transfer as trustee pursuant to a trust which was irrevocable on the record date for the initial distribution of shares of class B stock ("Record Date"), "Permitted Transferee" means any person to whom or for whose benefit principal may be distributed either during or at the end of the term of such trust whether by power of appointment or otherwise or any "Permitted Transferee" of such person determined pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iv), (v) or (vi) hereof, as the case may be.
- In the case of a class B holder who is the record (but not beneficial) owner of the shares of class B stock subject to said proposed transfer as nominee for the person who was the beneficial owner thereof on the Record Date, "Permitted Transferee" means such beneficial owner and a Permitted Transferee of such beneficial owner determined pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iii), (v) or (vi) hereof, as the case may be.
- In the case of a class B holder which is a partnership and the holder of record and beneficial owner of the shares of class B stock subject to said proposed transfer, "Permitted Transferee" means any partner of such partnership or any "Permitted Transferee" of such partner determined pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (vi) hereof, as the case may be.
- In the case of a class B holder which is a corporation (other than a Charitable Organization described in subclause (E) of clause (i) above and the holder of record and beneficial owner of the shares of class B stock subject to said proposed transfer, "Permitted Transferee" means any stockholder of such corporation receiving shares of class B stock through a dividend or through a distribution made upon liquidation of such corporation or any "Permitted Transferee" of such stockholder determined pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) hereof, as the case may be.
- In the case of a class B holder which is the estate of a deceased class B holder, or which is the estate of a bankrupt or insolvent class B holder, and provided such deceased, bankrupt or insolvent class B holder, as the case may be, was the record and beneficial owner of the shares of class B stock subject to said proposed transfer, "Permitted Transferee" means a Permitted Transferee of such deceased, bankrupt or insolvent class B holder as determined pursuant to clause (i), (v) or (vi) above, as the case may be.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any class B holder may pledge such holder's shares of class B stock to a pledgee pursuant to a bona fide pledge of such shares as collateral security for indebtedness due to the pledgee, provided that such shares shall not be transferred to or registered in the name of the pledgee and shall remain subject to the provisions of this Article VII, Section 3. In the event of foreclosure or other similar action by the pledgee, such pledged shares of class B stock may only be transferred to a Permitted Transferee of the pledgor or converted into shares of common stock, as the pledgee may elect. For purposes of this Article VII, Section 3:
- The relationship of any person that is derived by or through legal adoption shall be considered a natural one.
- Each joint owner of shares of class B stock shall be considered a "class B holder" of such shares.
- A minor for whom shares of class B stock are held pursuant to a Uniform Gifts or Transfers to Minors Act or similar law shall be considered a "class B holder" of such shares.
- Unless otherwise specified, the term "person" means both natural persons and legal entities.
- The term "grandparent" means an ancestor in any degree born after January 1, 1876.
Any purported transfer of shares of class B stock not permitted hereunder shall result, without further action, in the automatic conversion of the transferee's shares of class B stock into shares of common stock, effective on the date of such purported transfer. The corporation may, as a condition to the transfer or the registration of transfer of shares of class B stock to a purported Permitted Transferee, require the furnishing of such affidavits or other proof as it deems necessary to establish that such transferee is a Permitted Transferee.
Shares of class B stock shall be registered in the name(s) of the beneficial owner(s) thereof (as hereafter defined) and not in "street" or "nominee" names; provided, however, certificates representing shares of class B stock issued as a stock dividend on the corporation's then outstanding common stock may be registered in the same name and manner as the certificates representing the shares of common stock with respect to which the shares of class B stock were issued. For the purposes of this Article VII, Section 3, the term "beneficial owner(s)" of any shares of class B stock shall mean the person or persons who possess the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition, of such shares.
The corporation shall note on the certificates representing the shares of class B stock that there are restrictions on transfer and registration of transfer imposed by this Article VII, Section 3.
Section
4 - REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS
The corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record
of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof
and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable
claim or other interest in such share or shares on the part
of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or
other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws
of Iowa.
Section
5 - LOST CERTIFICATES
Upon the making of an affidavit that a certificate has been
lost or destroyed, the Board of Directors may direct that a
new certificate be issued to the person alleging the loss or
destruction of such certificate. When authorizing such issuance
of a new certificate, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion
and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require
the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate or such owner's
legal representative to give the corporation a bond in such
sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may
be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate
alleged to have been lost or destroyed.
Section
6 - STOCK REGULATIONS
The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to
make all such further rules and regulations not inconsistent
with the statutes of Iowa as they may deem expedient concerning
the issue, transfer and registration of certificates representing
shares of the corporation.
ARTICLE
VIII
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of July and end on the thirtieth day of June in each year.
ARTICLE
IX
DIVIDENDS
The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and the corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and its Articles of Incorporation.
ARTICLE
X
SEAL
The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate seal which shall be circular in form and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and the state of incorporation and the words, "Corporate Seal."
ARTICLE
XI
WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever any notice is required to be given to any shareholder or director of the corporation under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or under the provisions of the Iowa Business Corporations Act, 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.
>ARTICLE
XII
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES
Section
1 - RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION
Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made
a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter
a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that such person, or
a person of whom such person is the legal representative, is
or was a director, officer or employee of the corporation or
is or was serving at the request of the corporation as director,
officer or employee of another corporation or of a partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service
with respect to employee benefit plans, shall be indemnified
and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent consistent
with the laws of Iowa as the same now or may hereafter exist
(but, in the case of any change, only to the extent that such
change authorizes the corporation to provide broader indemnification
rights than said law permitted the corporation to provide prior
to such change) against all costs, charges, expenses, liabilities
and losses (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA
excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in
settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in
connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue
as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer or employee
and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators
of such person; provided, however, that the right to indemnification
conferred in this Section shall be conditioned upon the corporation
being afforded the opportunity to participate directly on behalf
of such person in such proceeding and any settlement discussions
relating thereto. The right to indemnification conferred in
this Section shall be a contract right and shall, except with
respect to an action or proceeding against the corporation by
an employee who is neither a director nor an officer of the
corporation, include the right to be paid by the corporation
the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance
of its final disposition upon receipt by the corporation of
an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director, officer or
employee to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately
be determined that the director, officer or employee is not
entitled to be indemnified under this Section or otherwise.
Section
2 - RIGHT OF CLAIMANT TO BRING SUIT
If a claim under Section I of this Article is not paid in full
by the corporation within thirty days after a written claim
has been received by the corporation, the claimant may at any
time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover
the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or
in part, the claimant shall also be entitled to be paid the
expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to
any action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim
for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance
of its final disposition where the required undertaking has
been tendered to the corporation) that the claimant has failed
to meet a standard of conduct which makes it permissible under
Iowa law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the
amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall
be on the corporation. Neither the failure of the corporation
(including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel,
or its shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the
commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant
is permissible in the circumstances because such person has
met such standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by
the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent
legal counsel, or its shareholders) that the claimant has not
met such standard of conduct, nor the termination of any proceeding
by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of
nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall create a presumption
that the claimant has failed to meet the required standard of
conduct.
Section
3 - NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS
The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred
in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition
conferred in this Article shall not be exclusive of any other
right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any
statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation, bylaw,
agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise.
Section
4 - INSURANCE
The corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect
itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation
or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether
or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such
person against such expense, liability or loss under Iowa law.
Section
5 - EXPENSES AS A WITNESS
To the extent that any director, officer or employee of the
corporation is by reason of such position, or a position with
another entity at the request of the corporation, a witness
in any proceeding, such person shall be reimbursed for all costs
and expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection
therewith.
Section
6 - EFFECT OF AMENDMENT
Any amendment, repeal or modification of any provision of this
Article by the shareholders or the directors of the corporation
shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director,
officer or employee of the corporation existing at the time
of such amendment, repeal or modification.
Section
7 - SEVERABILITY
In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in
this Article shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal
or unenforceable, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions of this Article.
ARTICLE XIII
FACSIMILE AND ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES
Facsimile and electronic signatures of any officer or officers of the corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof. An “electronic signature” is any electronic symbol or process attached to or logically associated with a document sent by electronic transmission and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign such document. “Electronic signature” includes (i) a unique password or unique identification assigned to a person by the corporation; (ii) a person’s typed name attached to or part of an electronic transmission sent by or from a source authorized by such person such as an e-mail address provided by such person as that person’s e-mail address; (iii) a person’s facsimile signature; and (iv) any other form of electronic signature approved by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE
XIV
ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION
“Electronic transmission” or “electronically transmitted” means, for purposes of these Bylaws, any process of communication not directly involving the physical transfer of paper that is suitable for the retention, retrieval, and reproduction of information by the recipient. Notice by electronic transmission is written notice with respect to communications from directors or officers. Notices and written consents may be given by electronic transmission by directors and officers and as otherwise provided in Article II, Section 9 (Proxies). Each written consent given by electronic transmission shall contain an electronic signature of the person giving such written consent.
