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The Dominion of Melchizedek Business Corporation Ordinance 1991 |
An Ordinance to provide for the establishment of business corporations
in the Dominion of Melchizedek and to provide for matters incidental or
consequential thereto.
(continued)Part VI
Directors and Management
Management of Business of Corporation
44. Subject to limitations of the articles of incorporation and of this
Ordinance as to action which shall be authorized or approved by the shareholders,
all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under authority of, and the
business and affairs of every corporation shall be managed by, a board
of directors.
Qualification of Directors
45. The articles of incorporation may prescribe special qualifications
for directors. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation,
directors may be natural persons, or corporations, of any nationality and
need not be residents of the Dominion of Melchizedek or shareholders of
the corporation. Alternate or substitute directors may be appointed provided
that the terms and conditions under which such appointments shall be made
are set forth in the articles of incorporation or bylaws.
Number of Directors
46. (1) the number of directors constituting the entire board shall not
be less than three, except that where all the shares of a corporation are
held by fewer than three shareholders, the number of directors may be fewer
than three but not fewer than the number of shareholders. Subject to such
limitations, such number may be fixed by the bylaws, by the shareholders,
or by action of the board under the specific provisions of a bylaw. If
not otherwise fixed under this section, the number shall be three.
(2) The number of directors may be increased or decreased by amendment
of the bylaws, by the shareholders, or by action of the board under the
specific provisions of a bylaw, subject to the following limitations:
(i) If the board is authorized by the bylaws to change the number of
directors, whether by amending the bylaws or by taking action under the
specific provisions of a bylaw, such amendment or action shall require
the vote of a majority of the entire board; and,
(ii) No decrease shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Election and Term of Directors
47. (1) At each annual meeting of shareholders, directors shall be elected
to hold office until the next annual meeting except as otherwise provided
in this Ordinance or in the articles of incorporation. The articles of
incorporation may provide for the election of one or more directors by
the holders of the shares of any class or series.
(2) Each director shall hold office until the expiration of the term
for which he is elected, and until his successor has been elected and qualified.
Classification of Directors
48. (1) At each annual meeting of shareholders, directors shall be elected
to hold office until the next annual meeting except as otherwise provided
in this Ordinance or in the articles of incorporation. The articles of
incorporation may provide for the election of one or more directors by
the holders of the shares of any class or series.
(2) Each directors shall hold office until the expiration of the term
for which he is elected, and until his successor has been elected and qualified.
(3) If directors are classified and the number of directors is thereafter
changed:
(i) Any newly created directorships or any decrease in directorships
shall be so apportioned among the classes as to make all classes as nearly
equal in number as possible; and,
(ii) When the number of directors is increased by the board and any
newly created directorships are filled by the board, there shall be no
classification of the additional directors until the next annual meeting
of shareholders.
Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies
49. (1) Newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number
of directors and vacancies occurring in the board for any reason except
the removal of directors without cause may be filled by vote of a majority
of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum exists, unless
the articles of incorporation or the bylaws provide that such newly created
directorships or vacancies shall be filled by vote of the shareholders.
(2) Unless the articles of incorporation or the specific revisions of
a bylaw adopted by the shareholders provide that the board shall fill vacancies
occurring in the board by reason of the removal of directors without cause,
such vacancies may be filled only by vote of the shareholders.
(3) A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected to hold office
for the unexpired term of his predecessor.
Removal of Directors
50. (1) Any or all of the directors may be removed for cause by vote of
the shareholders. The articles of incorporation or the specific provisions
of a bylaw may provide for such removal by action of the board, except
in the case of any director elected by cumulative voting, or by the holders
of the shares of any class or series when so entitled, or by provisions
of the articles of incorporation.
(2) If the articles of incorporation or the bylaws so provide, any or
all of the directors may be removed without cause by vote of the shareholders.
(3) The removal of directors with or without cause, as provided in subsections
(1) or (2) is subject to the following:
(i) In the case of a corporation having cumulative voting, no director
may be removed when the votes cast against his removal would be sufficient
(ii) When by the provisions of the articles of incorporation the holders
of the shares of any class or series, or holders of bonds, voting as a
class, are entitled to elect one or more directors, any director so elected
may be removed only by the applicable vote of the holders of the shares
of that class or series, or the holders of such bonds, voting as a class.
Quorum; Action by the Board
51. (1) Unless a greater proportion is required by the articles of incorporation,
a majority of the entitled board present, in person or by proxy, at a meeting
duly assembled, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
or of any specified item of business, except that the articles of incorporation
or the bylaws shall not require unanimity and may fix the quorum at less
than a majority of the entire board but not less than one-third thereof.
(2) The vote of the majority of the directors present in person or by
proxy at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the
board unless the articles of incorporation require the vote of a greater
number.
(3) A proxy shall be given in an instrument in writing including a telegram,
cable, telex or similar teletransmission.
(4) Unless otherwise restricted by the articles of incorporation or
bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of
the board of directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without
a meeting if all members of the board or committee, as the case may be,
consent thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the
minutes of the proceedings of the board or committee.
(5) Unless restricted by the articles of incorporation or bylaws, members
of the board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such
board or committee by means of conference telephone, video, or similar
communication equipment by means of which all persons participating in
the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant
to this section constitute presence in person at such meeting.
(6) The articles of incorporation may contain provisions specifying
either or both of the following:
(i) That the proportion of directors that shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business or of any specified item of business shall
be greater than the proportion prescribed by subsection (1) in the absence
of such provision but less than the total number of directors; and,
(ii) That the proportion of votes of directors that shall be necessary
for the transaction of business or of any specified item of business shall
be greater than the proportion prescribed by subsection (2) in the absence
of such provisions but less than the total number of directors.
(7) An amendment of the articles of incorporation which adds a provision
permitted by subsection (6) or which changes or strikes out such a provision,
shall be authorized at a meeting of shareholders by vote of the holders
of two-thirds of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon, or of
such greater proportion of shares, or class or series of shares, as may
be provided specifically in the articles of incorporation for adding, changing,
or striking out a provision permitted by subsection (6).
Meetings of the Board of Directors
52.(1) Meetings of the board, regular or special, may be held at any place
within or without the Dominion of Melchizedek, unless otherwise provided
by the articles of incorporation or by the bylaws. The time and place for
holding meetings of the board may be fixed by or under the bylaws, or if
not so fixed, by the board.
(2) Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws, regular meetings of the
board may be held without notice if the time and place of such meetings
are fixed by the bylaws or the board. Special meetings of the board may
be called in the manner provided in the bylaws and shall be held upon notice
to the directors. The bylaws may prescribe what shall constitute notice
of meeting of the board. A notice or waiver of notice need not specify
the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the board, unless required
by the bylaws.
(3) Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director who submits
a signed waiver of notice whether before or after the meeting, or who attends
the meeting without protesting the lack of notice.
Executive and Other Committees
53. (1) If the articles of incorporation or the bylaws so provide, the
board, by resolution adopted by a majority vote of the entire board, may
designate from among its members, an executive committee and other committees,
each of which to the extend provided in the resolution or in the articles
of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation, shall have and may exercise
all the authority of the board of directors, but no such committee shall
have the authority as to the following matters:
(i) The submission to shareholders of any action that requires shareholders'
authorization under this Ordinance;
(ii) The filling of vacancies in the board of directors or in a committee;
(iii) The fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the board
or on any committee;
(iv) The amendment or repeal of the bylaws, or the adoption of new bylaws;
and,
(v) The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the board which by
its terms shall not be so amendable or repealable.
(2) Each such committee shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The
designation of any such committee and the delegation thereto of authority
shall not alone relieve any director of his duty to the corporation under
this Part VI.
Director Conflicts of Interest.
54.(1) No contract or other transaction between a corporation and one or
more of its directors, or between a corporation and any other corporation,
firm, association or other entity in which one or more of its directors
are directors or officers who have a substantial financial interest, shall
be either void or voidable for this reason alone or by reason alone that
such director or directors are present at the meeting of the board, or
of a committee thereof, which approves such contract or transaction, or
that his or their votes are counted for such purpose:
(i) If the material facts as to such director's interest in such contract
or transaction and as to any such common directorship, officership or financial
interest are disclosed in good faith or known to the board or committee,
and the board or committee approves such contract or transactions by a
vote sufficient for such purpose without counting the vote of such interested
director or, if the votes of the disinterested directors are insufficient
to constitute an act of the board as defending this Part VI, by unanimous
vote of the disinterested directors; or,
(ii) If the material facts as to such director's interest in such contract
or transaction and as to any such common directorship, officership or financial
interest are disclosed in good faith or known to the shareholders entitled
to vote thereon, and such contract or transaction is approved by vote of
such shareholders.
(2) Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the
presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board or of a committee which
approves such contract or transaction.
(3) The articles of incorporation may contain additional restrictions
on contracts or transaction between a corporation and its directors and
may provide that contracts or transactions in violation of such restrictions
shall be void or voidable by the corporation.
(4) Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the
bylaws, the board shall have authority to fix the compensation of directors
for service in any capacity.
Loans to Directors
55. A loan shall not be made by a corporation to any director unless it
is authorized by vote of the shareholders. For this purpose, the shares
of the director to whom the loan is to be made shall not be shares entitled
to vote. A loan made in violation of this section shall be a violation
of the duty to the corporation of the directors approving it, but the obligation
of the borrower with respect to the loan shall not be affected thereby.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
56.(1) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or
is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation)
by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation,
or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or
officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgements, fines
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him
in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interest of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgement,
order settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of no contest, or its equivalent,
shall not of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in
good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his
conduct was unlawful.
(2) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or
is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure
a judgement in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director
or officer of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or the enterprise against expenses (including attorneys'
fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or in connection that the
defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith
and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be
made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall
have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance
of his duty to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court
in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application
that, despite the adjudication of liability; but in view of all the circumstances
of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity
for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.
(3) To the extent that a director or officer of a corporation has been
successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in subsections (1) or (2), or in the defense of
a claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.
(4) Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit
or proceeding may be paid in advance of the final disposition of such action,
suit or proceeding as authorized by the board of directors in the specific
case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or
officer to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that
he is entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this
action.
(5) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance
on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation
or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or
officer against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him
in such capacity whether or not the corporation would have the power to
indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this section.
Standard of Care to be Observed by Directors and Officers
57. Directors and officers shall discharge the duties of their respective
positions in good faith and with that degree of diligence, care and skill
which ordinarily prudent men would exercise under similar circumstances
in like positions. In discharging their duties, directors and officers,
when acting in good faith, may rely upon financial statements of the corporation
represented to them to be correct by the president, managing director or
the officer of the corporation having charge of its books or accounts,
or stated in a written report by an independent public or certified public
accountant or firm of such accountants fairly to reflect the financial
condition of such corporation.
Officers
58. (1) Every corporation shall have (i) a president and treasurer, or
a managing director, and (ii) a secretary, who shall each be appointed
by the board or in the manner directed by the articles of incorporation
or the bylaws. Such other officers shall be appointed as are required by
the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. Such other officers shall
be appointed as are required by the articles or the bylaws or as the board
may determine are desirable or necessary to carry on the business of the
corporation. All officers shall be natural persons except the secretary
which may be a corporation.
(2) The articles of incorporation may provide that all officers or that
specified officers shall be elected by the shareholders instead of by the
board.
(3) Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws,
all officers shall be elected or appointed to hold office until the meeting
of the board following the next annual meeting of shareholders, or in the
case of officers elected by the shareholders, until the next annual meeting
of the shareholders.
(4) Each officer shall hold office for the term for which he is elected
or appointed, and until his successor has been elected or appointed and
qualified.
(5) Any two or more offices may be held by the same person unless the
articles of incorporation or bylaws otherwise provide.
(6) The board may require any officer to give security for the faithful
performance of his duties.
(7) All officers as between themselves and the corporation shall have
such authority and perform such duties with respect to the management of
the corporation as may be provided in the bylaws or, to the extent not
so provided, by the board
(8) Officers may be of any nationality and need not be residents of
the Dominion of Melchizedek.
Removal of Officers
59. (1) Any officer elected or appointed by the board may be removed by
the board with or without cause except as otherwise provided in the articles
of incorporation or the bylaws. An officer elected by the shareholders
may be removed with or without cause, only by vote of the shareholders,
but his authority to act as an officer may be suspended by the board for
cause.
(2) The removal of an officer without cause shall be without prejudice
to his contract rights, if any. The election or appointment of an officer
shall not of itself create contract rights.
Part VII
Shareholders
60. (1) Meetings of shareholders may be held at such place, either within
or without the Dominion of Melchizedek, as may be designated in the bylaws.
(2) An annual meeting of shareholders shall be held for the election
of directors on a date and at a time designated by or in the manner provided
in the bylaws. Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual
meeting.
(3) A failure to hold the annual meeting at the designated time or to
elect a sufficient number of directors to conduct the business of the corporation
shall not affect otherwise valid corporate acts or cause a dissolution
of the corporation except as may be otherwise specifically provided in
this Ordinance. If the annual meeting for election of directors is not
held on the date designated therefor, the directors shall cause the meeting
to be held as soon thereafter as convenient. If there is a failure to hold
the annual meeting for a period of ninety days after the date designated
therefor, or if no date has been designated for a period of thirteen months
after the organization of the corporation or after its last annual meeting,
holders of not less than ten percent of the shares entitled to vote in
an election of directors may, in writing, demand the call of a special
meeting specifying the time thereof, which shall not be less than two nor
more than three months from the date of such call. The secretary of the
corporation upon receiving the written demand shall promptly give notice
of such meeting, or if he fails to do so within five business days thereafter,
any shareholders signing such demand may give such notice.
(4) Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board
of directors by such person or persons as may be authorized by the articles
of incorporation or by the bylaws.
(5) The articles of incorporation or the bylaws may provide that elections
of directors shall be by written ballot.
Notice of Meetings of Shareholders
61. (1) Whenever under the provisions of this Ordinance shareholders are
required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, written notice to
them shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and, unless it
is the annual meeting, indicate that it is being issued by or at the direction
of the person or persons calling the meeting. Notice of special meeting
shall also state the purpose for which the meeting is called.
(2) A copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given personally or
sent by mail, telegraph, cable gram, telex or teleprinter or other written
teletransmission not less than fifteen nor more than sixty days before
the date of the meeting, to each registered shareholder entitled to vote
at such meeting. If mailed , such notice is given when deposited in the
mail directed to the shareholder at his address as it appears on the record
of shareholders, or , if he shall have filed with the secretary of the
corporation a written request that notices to him be mailed to some other
address, then directed to him at such address.
(3) Notice of any meeting shall be given to shareholders of bearer shares
in accordance with the provisions of the articles of incorporation or the
bylaws, or this Ordinance. The notice shall include a statement of the
conditions under which shareholders may attend the meeting and exercise
the right to vote.
(4) When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, it shall not
be necessary, unless the meeting was adjourned for lack of a quorum or
unless the bylaws require otherwise, to give any notice of the adjourned
meeting if the time and place to which the meeting is adjourned are announced
at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting,
any business may be transacted that might have been transacted on the original
date of the meeting. However, if after the adjournment the board fixes
a new record date entitled to notice under subsection (1) of this section
61.
Waiver of Notice
62. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any shareholder who submits
a signed waiver of notice, in person or by proxy, whether before or after
the meeting. The attendance of any shareholder at a meeting, in person
or by proxy, without protest, the lack of notice of such meeting prior
to the conclusion of the meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice by
him.
Action by Shareholders Without a Meeting
63. Any action required by this Ordinance to be taken at a meeting of shareholders
of a corporation, or any action which may be taken at a meeting of the
shareholders, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting
forth the action so taken, is signed by all the shareholders entitled to
vote with respect to the subject matter thereof. Such consent shall have
the same effect as a unanimous vote of shareholders, and may be stated
as such in any articles or documents filed with the Registrar of Companies
under this Ordinance.
Fixing Record Date
64. For the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to notice
of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof,
or to express consent to or dissent from any proposal without a meeting,
or for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment
of any dividend or the allotment of any rights, or for the purpose of any
other action, the bylaws may provide for fixing, or in the absence of such
provision, the board may fix, in advance a date as the record date for
any such determination of shareholders. Such date shall not be more that
sixty nor less than fifteen days before the date of such meeting, nor more
than sixty days prior to any other action.
Proxies
65. (1) Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders
or to express consent or dissent without a meeting may authorize another
person to act for him by proxy.
(2) Every proxy must be signed by the shareholder or his attorney-in-fact.
No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven months from the
date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall
be revocable at the pleasure of the shareholder executing it, except as
otherwise provided in this section.
(3) The authority of the holder of a proxy to act shall not be revoked
by the incompetence or death of the shareholders who executed the proxy
unless, before the authority is exercised, written notice of any adjudication
of such incompetence or of such death is received by the corporate officer
responsible for maintaining the list of shareholders.
(4) Except when other provisions shall have been made by written agreement
between the parties, the record holders of shares which are held by a pledgee
as security or which belong to another, upon demand therefor and payment
of necessary expenses thereof, shall issue to the pledgee or to such owner
of such shares a proxy to vote or take other action thereon.
(5) A shareholder shall not sell his vote, or issue a proxy to vote
to any person for any sum of money or anything of value except as authorized
in this subsection and Section 71. hereof.
(6) A proxy which is entitled "irrevocable proxy" and which states that
it is irrevocable, is irrevocable if and as long as it is coupled with
an interest sufficient to support an irrevocable power, including when
it is held by any of the following or a nominee of any of the following:
(i) A pledgee;
(ii) A person who has purchased or agreed to purchase the shares;
(iii) A creditor of the corporation who extends or continues credit to
the corporation in consideration of the proxy if the proxy states that
it was given in consideration of such extension or continuation of credit,
the amount thereof, and the name of the person extending or continuing
credit; and,
(iv) A person who has contracted to perform services as an officer of
the corporation, if a proxy is required by the contract of employment,
if the proxy states that it was given in consideration of such contract
of employment, the name of the employee and the period of employment contracted
for.
(7) Notwithstanding a provision in a proxy stating that it is irrevocable,
the proxy becomes revocable after the pledge is redeemed, or the debt of
the corporation is paid, or the period of employment provided for in the
contract of employment has terminated, and becomes revocable, in a case
provided for in subsections (iii) and (iv) of paragraph (6) of this section,
at the end of the period, if any specified therein as the period during
which it is irrevocable, or three years after the date of the proxy, whichever
period is less, unless the period of irrevocability is renewed from time
to time by the execution of a new irrevocable proxy as provided in this
section. This paragraph does not affect the duration of a proxy under subsection
(2) hereof.
(8) A proxy may be revoked, notwithstanding a provision making it irrevocable,
by a purchaser of shares without knowledge of the existence of the provision
unless the existence of the proxy and its irrevocability is noticed conspicuously
on the face or back of the certificate representing such shares.
Quorum of Shareholders
66. (1) Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, a majority
of shares entitled to vote, represented in persons or by proxy, shall constitute
a quorum at a meeting of shareholders, but in no event shall a quorum consist
of fewer than one-third of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting.
(2) When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken
by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders.
(3) The shareholders present may adjourn the meeting despite the absence
of a quorum.
Vote of Shareholders Required
67. (1) Directors shall, except as otherwise required by this Ordinance
or by the articles of incorporation as permitted by this Ordinance, be
elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders by
the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election.
(2) The articles of incorporation of any corporation may provide that
in all elections of directors of such corporation each shareholder shall
be entitled to as many votes as shall equal the number of votes which,
except for such provision as to cumulative voting, he would be entitled
to cast for the election of directors with respect to his shares multiplied
by the number of directors to be elected, and that he may cast all of such
votes for a single director or may distribute them among the number to
be voted for, or any two or more of them, as he may see fit. This right,
when exercised, shall be termed cumulative voting.
(3) Whenever any corporate action, other than the election of directors
is to be taken under this Ordinance by vote of the shareholders, it shall,
except as otherwise required by this Ordinance or by the articles of incorporation
as permitted by this Ordnance, be authorized by a majority of the votes
cast at a meeting of shareholders by holders of shares entitled to vote
thereon.
Greater Requirement as to Quorum and Vote of Shareholders
68. (1) The articles of incorporation may contain a provision specifying
either or both of the following:
(i) That the proportion of shares, or the proportion of shares of any
class or series thereof, the holders of which shall be present in person
or by proxy at any meeting of shareholders in order to constitute a quorum
of the transaction of any business or of any specified item of business,
including amendments to the articles of incorporation, shall be greater
than the proportion prescribed by this Ordinance in the absence of such
provision; and,
(ii) That the proportion of votes of the holders of shares, or of the
holders of shares of any class or series thereof, that shall be necessary
at any meeting of shareholders for the transaction of any business or of
any specified item of business, including amendments to the articles of
incorporation, shall be greater than the proportion prescribed by this
Ordinance in the absence of such provision.
(2) An amendment of the articles of incorporation which adds a provision
permitted by this section or which changes or strikes out such a provision,
shall be authorized at a meeting of shareholders by vote of the holders
of two-thirds of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon, or of
such greater proportion of shares, or class or series of shares, as may
be provided specifically in the articles of incorporation for adding, changing,
or striking out a provision permitted by this section.
(3) If the articles of incorporation of any corporation contain a provision
authorized by this section, the existence of such provision shall be noted
on the face or back of every certificate for shares issued by such corporation.
List of Shareholders at Meetings
69. A list of registered shareholders as of the record date, and of holders
of bearer shares who as of the record date have qualified for voting, certified
by the corporate officer responsible for its preparation or by a transfer
agent, shall be produced at any meeting of shareholders upon request of
any shareholder at the meeting or prior thereto. If the right to vote at
any meeting is challenged, the inspector of election, or person presiding
thereat, shall require such list of shareholders to be produced as evidence
of the right of the persons challenged to vote at such meeting, and all
persons who appear from such list to be shareholders entitled to vote thereat
may vote at such meeting.
Qualification of Voters
70. (1) Every registered shareholder as of the record date and every holder
of bearer shares who, as of the record date, has qualified for voting,
shall be entitled at every meeting of shareholders to one vote for every
share standing in his name, unless otherwise provided in the articles of
incorporation.
(2) Treasury shares are not shares entitled to vote or to be counted
in determining the total number of outstanding shares.
(3) Shares of a parent corporation held by a subsidiary corporation
are not shares entitled to vote or to be counted in determining the total
number of outstanding shares.
(4) Shares held by an administrator, executor, guardian, conservator,
committee, or other fiduciary, except a trustee, may be voted by him, either
in person or by proxy, only after the shares have been transferred into
his name as trustee or into the name of his nominee.
(5) Shares by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by him
without the transfer thereof into his name if authority so to do is contained
in an order of the court by which such receiver was appointed.
(6) 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, or a nominee of the pledgee.
(7) Unless otherwise provided in, and subject to, a written agreement
or the bylaws or articles of incorporation a bearer shareholder whose shares
are pledged shall be entitled to vote such shares until they are delivered
to the pledgee, or a nominee of the pledgee.
(8) Shares in the name of another corporation of any type or kind may
be voted by such officer, agent or proxy as the bylaws of such other corporation
may provide, or, in the absence of such provision, as the board of such
other corporation may determine.
(9) The articles of incorporation may provide, except as limited by
section 31 of Part V, either absolutely or conditionally, that the holder
of any designated class or series of shares shall not be entitled to vote,
or it may otherwise limit or define the respective voting powers of the
several classes or series of shares, and, except as otherwise provided
in this Ordinance, such provisions of such articles shall prevail, according
to their tenor in all elections and in all proceedings, over the provisions
of this Ordinance which authorize any action by the shareholders.
Voting Trusts
71. (1) Any shareholder, under an agreement in writing, may transfer his
shares to a voting trustee for the purpose of conferring the right to vote
thereon for a period not exceeding ten years upon the terms and conditions
stated therein. The certificates for shares so transferred shall be surrendered
and canceled and new certificates therefor issued to such trustee stating
that they are issued under such agreement, and in the entry of such ownership
in the record of the corporation that fact shall also be noted, and such
trustee may vote the shares so transferred during the term of such agreement.
At the termination of the agreement, the shares surrendered shall be reissued
to the owner in accordance with the terms of the trust agreement.
(2) The trustee shall keep available for inspection by holders of voting
trust certificates at his office or at a place designated in such agreement
or of which the holders of voting trust certificates have been notified
in writing, correct and complete books and creditors of account relating
to the trust, and a record containing the names and addresses of all persons
who are holders of voting trust certificates and the number and class of
shares represented by the certificates held by them and the dates when
they became the owners thereof. The record may be in written form or any
other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable
time.
(3) A duplicate of every such agreement shall be filed in the office
of the corporation and it and the record of voting trust certificate holders
shall be subject to the same right of inspection by a shareholder of record
or a holder of a voting trust certificate, in person or by agent or attorney,
as are the records of the corporation under Part VIII of this Ordinance.
(4) At any time within six months before the expiration of such voting
trust agreement as originally fixed or as extended one or more times under
this action, one or more holders of voting trust certificates may, by agreement
in writing, extend the duration of such voting trust agreement, nominating
the same or a substitute trustee, for an additional period not exceeding
ten years. Such extension agreement shall not affect the rights or obligations
of persons not parties thereto and shall in every respect comply with and
be subject to all provisions of this Part applicable to the original voting
trust agreement.
Agreement Among Shareholders as to Voting
72. An agreement between two or more shareholders, if in writing and signed
by the parties thereto, may provide that in exercising any voting rights,
the shares held by them shall be voted as therein provided, or as they
may agree, or as determined in accordance with a procedure agreed upon
by them.
Conduct of Shareholders' Meetings
73. (1) Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the board, in advance
of any shareholders' meeting, may appoint one or more inspectors to act
at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If inspectors are not so appointed,
the person presiding at a shareholders' meeting may , and on the request
of any shareholder entitled to vote thereat shall, appoint one or more
inspectors. In case any person appointed fails to appear or act, the vacancy
may be filled by appointment made by the board in advance of the meeting
or at the meeting by the person presiding thereat. Each inspector, before
entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take an oath faithfully
to execute the duties of inspector at such meetings.
(2) Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the inspectors 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 validity and
effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots, or consents, hear
and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the
right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine
the results, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or
vote with fairness to all shareholders entitled to vote. Unless waived
by vote of the shareholders, the inspectors shall make a report in writing
of any challenge, question or matter determined by them and execute a sworn
certificate of any fact found by them. Any report or certificates made
by them shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated and of the vote
as certified by them.
Preemptive Rights
74. (1) Except as otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or
in this section, in the event of:
(i) The proposed issuance by the corporation of shares, whether or not
of the same class as those previously held, which would adversely affect
the voting rights or rights to current and liquidating dividends of such
holders:
(ii) The proposed issuance by the corporation of securities convertible
into or carrying an option to purchase shares referred to in subsection
(i) of this subsection; or
(iii) the granting by the corporation of any options or rights to purchase
shares or securities referred to in subsection (i) or (ii) of this subsection,
the holders of shares of any class shall have the rights, during a reasonable
time and on reasonable terms to be determined by the board, to purchase
such shares or other securities, as nearly as practicable, in such proportion
as would, if such preemptive rights were exercised, preserve the relative
rights to current and liquidating dividends and voting rights of such holders
and at a price or prices no less favorable than the price at which such
shares, securities, options or rights are to be offered to other holders.
The holders of shares entitled to the preemptive right, and the number
of shares for which they have preemptive rights, shall be determined by
fixing a record date in accordance with section 64 of Part VII of the Ordinance.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, shareholders
shall have no preemptive right to purchase:
(i) Shares or other securities issued to effect a merger or consolidation;
(ii) Shares or other securities issued or optioned to directors, officers,
or employees of the corporation as an incentive to service or continued
service with the corporation pursuant to an authorization given by the
shareholders, and by the vote of the holders of the shares entitled to
exercise preemptive rights with respect to such shares;
(iii) Shares issued to satisfy conversion or option rights previously
granted by the corporation;
(iv) Treasury shares; or,
(v) Shares or securities which are part of the shares or securities of
the corporation authorized in the original articles of incorporation and
are issued, sold or optioned within two years from the date of filing such
articles.
(3) The holders of shares entitled to the preemptive right shall be
given prompt notice setting forth the period within which and the terms
and conditions upon which such shareholders may exercise their preemptive
right. Such notice shall be given personally or by mail at least fifteen
days prior to the expiration of the period during which the right may be
exercised.
Shareholders' Derivative Actions
75. (1) An action may be brought in the right of a corporation to procure
a judgement in its favor, by a holder of shares or holder of voting trust
certificates of the corporation or holder of a beneficial interest in such
shares or certificates.
(2) In any such action, it shall be made to appear that the plaintiff
is such a holder at the time of bringing the action and that he was such
a holder at the time of the transaction of which he complains, or that
his shares or his interest therein devolved upon him by operation of law.
(3) In any such action, the complaint shall set forth with particularity
the efforts of the plaintiff to secure the initiation of such action by
the board of directors or the reasons for not making such effort.
(4) Such action shall not be discontinued, compromised or settled, without
the approval of the court having jurisdiction of the action. If the court
shall determine that the interests of the shareholders or any class thereof
will be substantially affected by such discontinuance, compromise, or settlement,
the court, in its discretion, may direct that notice, by publication or
otherwise, shall be given to the shareholders or class thereof whose interests
it determines will be so affected; if notice is so directed to be given,
the court may determine which one or more of the parties to the action
shall bear the expense of giving such notice, in such amount as the court
shall determine and find to be reasonable in the circumstances, and the
amount of such expense shall be awarded as special costs of the action
and recoverable in the same manner as statutory taxable costs.
(5) If the action on behalf of the corporation was successful, in whole
or in part, or if anything was received by the plaintiff or claimant as
a result of a judgement, compromise or settlement of the action or claim,
the court may award the plaintiff or claimant reasonable expenses, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, and shall direct him to account to the corporation
for the remainder of the proceeds so received by him.
(6) In any action authorized by this section, if the plaintiff holds
voting trust certificates or a beneficial interest in shares representing
less than five percent of any class of such shares, then unless the shares,
voting trust certificates or beneficial interest of such plaintiff has
a fair value in excess of one hundred thirty-five thousand dollars, the
corporation in whose right such action is brought shall be entitled at
any stage of the proceedings before final judgement to require the plaintiff
to give security for the reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees,
which may be incurred by it, having jurisdiction of such action, shall
determine upon thereafter from time to time, be increased or decreased
in the discretion of the court having jurisdiction of such action, upon
showing that the security provided has or may become inadequate or excessive.
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