Published on May 7, 2008
Exhibit
3.1
EMERSON
ELECTRIC CO.
BYLAWS
As
Amended through February 5, 2008
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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ARTICLE
I
OFFICES; DEFINITIONS
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1
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Section
1.
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Registered
Office
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1
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Section
2.
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Other
Offices
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1
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Section
3.
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Definitions
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1
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ARTICLE
II
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
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1
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Section
1.
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Place
of Meeting
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1
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Section
2.
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Annual
Meeting
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1
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Section
3.
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Special
Meetings.
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1
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Section
4.
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Notice
of Meetings
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2
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Section
5.
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List
of Shareholders Entitled to Vote
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2
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Section
6.
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Quorum
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2
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Section
7.
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Requisite
Vote
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2
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Section
8.
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Voting
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3
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Section
9.
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Notice
of Shareholder Business at Annual Meetings
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3
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ARTICLE
III
DIRECTORS
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4
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Section
1.
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Number;
Classification; Nominations; Election; Term of Office.
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4
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Section
2.
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Filling
of Vacancies
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5
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Section
3.
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Qualifications
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5
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Section
4.
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Removal
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5
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Section
5.
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General
Powers
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5
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Section
6.
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Place
of Meetings
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6
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Section
7.
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Regular
Annual Meeting
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6
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Section
8.
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Additional
Regular Meetings
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6
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Section
9.
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Special
Meetings
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6
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Section
10.
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Place
of Meetings
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6
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Section
11.
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Notices
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6
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Section
12.
|
Quorum
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6
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Section
13.
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Compensation
of Directors
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7
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Section
14.
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Executive
Committee
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7
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Section
15.
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Finance
Committee
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7
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Section
16.
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Other
Committees of the Board
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7
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Section
17.
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Committees-General
Rules
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7
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Section
18.
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Directors
Emeritus and Advisory Directors
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7
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ARTICLE
IV
NOTICES
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8
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Section
1.
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Service
of Notice
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8
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Section
2.
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Waiver
of Notices
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8
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ARTICLE
V
OFFICERS
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8
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Section
1.
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Titles
|
8
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Section
2.
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Election
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8
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Section
3.
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Term
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9
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-i-
Section
4.
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Chairman
of the Board
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9
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Section
5.
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President
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9
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Section
6.
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Vice
Chairmen of the Board
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9
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Section
7.
|
Vice
Presidents
|
9
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Section
8.
|
Secretary
and Assistant Secretaries
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10
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Section
9.
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Treasurer
and Assistant Treasurers
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10
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Section
10.
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Controller
and Assistant Controllers
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10
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Section
11.
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Appointed
Officers
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10
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ARTICLE
VI
SHARES
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10
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Section
1.
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Certificates
of Shares and Uncertificated Shares
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10
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Section
2.
|
Signatures
on Certificates
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11
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Section
3.
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Transfer
Agents and Registrars; Facsimile Signatures
|
11
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Section
4.
|
Lost
Certificates
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11
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Section
5.
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Transfer
of Shares
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11
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Section
6.
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Registered
Shareholders
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12
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Section
7.
|
Interested
Shareholders
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12
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ARTICLE
VII
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND
AGENTS
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12
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Section
1.
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Actions
Involving Directors, Officers or Employees
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12
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Section
2.
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Actions
Involving Agents
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13
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Section
3.
|
Determination
of Right to Indemnification in Certain Instances.
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13
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Section
4.
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Advance
Payment of Expenses
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13
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Section
5.
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Successful
Defense.
|
14
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Section
6.
|
Not
Exclusive Right
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14
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Section
7.
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Insurance
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14
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Section
8.
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Subsidiaries
of Corporation
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14
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Section
9.
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Spousal
Indemnification
|
15
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ARTICLE
VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
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15
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Section
1.
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Dividends
|
15
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Section
2.
|
Checks
|
15
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Section
3.
|
Fiscal
Year
|
15
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Section
4.
|
Seal
|
15
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Section
5.
|
Closing
of Transfer Books and Fixing of Record Dates
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15
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ARTICLE
IX
AMENDMENTS
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16
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-ii-
EMERSON
ELECTRIC CO.
*
* * *
*
BYLAWS
*
* * *
*
ARTICLE
I
OFFICES;
DEFINITIONS
Section
1. Registered
Office.
The
registered office of Emerson Electric Co. (the “Corporation”) shall be located
in the County of St. Louis, State of Missouri.
Section
2. Other
Offices.
The
Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without
the State of Missouri as the Board may, from time to time, determine or the
business of the Corporation may require.
Section
3. Definitions.
Unless
the context otherwise requires, defined terms herein shall have the meaning
ascribed thereto in the Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles”).
ARTICLE
II
MEETINGS
OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section
1. Place
of Meeting.
All
meetings of the shareholders shall be held at such place within or without
the
State of Missouri as may be, from time to time, fixed or determined by the
Board.
Section
2. Annual
Meeting.
The
annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held on the first Tuesday in
February of each year if not a legal holiday, or, if a legal holiday, then
on
the next business day following, at such hour as may be specified in the notice
of the meeting; provided, however, that the day fixed for such meeting in any
year may be changed by resolution of the Board to such other day not a legal
holiday as the Board may deem desirable or appropriate. At the annual meeting
the shareholders shall elect Directors in accordance with Article 5 of the
Articles of Incorporation and Article III of these Bylaws, and shall transact
such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. If no other
place for the annual meeting is determined by the Board of Directors and
specified in the notice of such meeting, the annual meeting shall be held at
the
principal offices of the Corporation at 8000 West Florissant Avenue, St. Louis,
Missouri.
Section
3. Special
Meetings.
(a) Unless
otherwise limited by statute or by the Articles, special meetings of the
shareholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called at any time by the
Chairman of the Board or a majority of the Board.
-1-
(b) A
special
meeting may also be called by the holders of not less than 85% of all of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote at such meeting, upon written request
delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation. Such request shall state the
purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Upon receipt of any such request,
it shall be the duty of the Secretary to call a special meeting of the
shareholders to be held at any time, not less than ten (10) nor more than
seventy (70) days thereafter, as the Secretary may fix. If the Secretary shall
neglect to issue such call, the person or persons making the request may issue
the call.
Section
4. Notice
of Meetings.
Written
notice of every meeting of the shareholders, specifying the place, date and
hour
of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes
for which the meeting is called shall be delivered or mailed, postage prepaid,
by or at the direction of the Secretary, not less than ten (10) nor more than
seventy (70) days before the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record
entitled to vote at such meeting.
Section
5. List
of Shareholders Entitled to Vote.
At
least ten (10) days before each meeting of the shareholders, a complete list
of
the shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting shall be prepared and arranged
in alphabetical order with the address of each shareholder and the number of
shares held by each, which list, for a period of ten (10) days prior to such
meeting, shall be kept on file at the registered office of the Corporation
and
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 original share ledger or transfer
book, or a duplicate thereof kept in the State of Missouri, shall be prima
facie
evidence as to who are the shareholders entitled to examine such list or share
ledger or transfer book or to vote at any meeting of the shareholders. Failure
to comply with the above requirements in respect of lists of shareholders shall
not affect the validity of any action taken at such meeting.
Section
6. Quorum.
The
holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote,
present in person or represented by proxy, shall be requisite and shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of the shareholders for the transaction
of
business, except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles or by these Bylaws.
The shareholders present at a meeting at which a quorum is present may continue
to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of such
number of shareholders as to reduce the remaining shareholders to less than
a
quorum. Whether or not a quorum is present, the chairman of the meeting or
a
majority of the shareholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or
by
proxy, shall have power, except as otherwise provided by statute, successively
to adjourn the meeting to such time and place as they may determine, to a date
not longer than ninety (90) days after each such adjournment, and no notice
of
any such adjournment need be given to shareholders other than the announcement
of the adjournment at the meeting. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum
shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might
have
been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
Section
7. Requisite
Vote.
When a
quorum is present or represented at any meeting, the vote of the holders of
a
majority of the shares entitled to vote which are present in person or
represented by proxy shall decide any questions brought before such meeting,
unless the question is one upon which, by express provision of law, the Articles
or by these Bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express
provisions shall govern and control the decision of such question.
-2-
Section
8. Voting.
Each
shareholder shall, at every meeting of the shareholders, be entitled to one
vote
in person or by proxy for each share having voting power held by such
shareholder, but no proxy shall be voted after eleven (11) months from the
date
of its execution unless otherwise provided in the proxy. In each election for
Directors, no shareholder shall be entitled to vote cumulatively or to cumulate
his votes.
Section
9. Notice
of Shareholder Business at Annual Meetings.
At any
annual meeting of shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall
have been properly brought before the meeting. In addition to any other
requirements imposed by or pursuant to law, the Articles or these Bylaws, each
item of business to be properly brought before an annual meeting must (a) be
specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or
at
the direction of the Board or the persons calling the meeting pursuant to the
Articles; (b) be otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the
direction of the Board; or (c) be otherwise properly brought before the meeting
by a shareholder. 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. To be timely, a shareholder's
notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive
offices of the Corporation not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior
to
the annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event less than 100 days'
notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting is given
or
made to shareholders, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so received
not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which
such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public
disclosure was made. For purposes of these Bylaws “public disclosure” shall mean
disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones, Associated Press,
Reuters 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 “1934
Act”). A shareholder's notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter
he or she proposes to bring before the annual meeting (a) a brief description
of
the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for
conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b) the name and address, as
they appear on the Corporation's books, of the shareholder(s) proposing such
business, (c) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are
beneficially owned by the proposing shareholder(s), and (d) any material
interest of the proposing shareholder(s) in such business. Notwithstanding
anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, but subject to Article III, Section
1(c) hereof, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section. The chairman of the
annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the annual
meeting that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in
accordance with the provisions of this Section; and if he or she should so
determine, shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly
brought before the annual meeting shall not be transacted. The chairman of
the
meeting shall have absolute authority to decide questions of compliance with
the
foregoing procedures, and his or her ruling thereon shall be final and
conclusive. The provisions of this Section 9 shall also govern what constitutes
timely notice for purposes of Rule 14a-4(c) under the 1934 Act.
-3-
ARTICLE
III
DIRECTORS
Section
1. Number;
Classification; Nominations; Election; Term of Office.
(a) The
Board
shall consist of such number of Directors as the Board may from time to time
determine, provided that in no event shall the number of Directors be less
than
three (3), and provided further that no reduction in the number of Directors
shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent Director.
(b) The
Board
of Directors (herein the “Board”) shall be divided into three classes, as nearly
equal in number as possible. In the event of any increase in the number of
Directors, the additional Director(s) shall be added to such class(es) as may
be
necessary so that all classes shall be as nearly equal in number as possible.
In
the event of any decrease in the number of Directors, all classes of Directors
shall be decreased as nearly equally as may be possible. Subject to the
foregoing, the Board shall determine the class(es) to which any additional
Director(s) shall be added and the class(es) which shall be decreased in the
event of any decrease in the number of Directors. At each annual meeting of
shareholders the successors to the class of Directors whose term shall then
expire shall be elected for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual
meeting after such election.
(c) In
addition to the qualifications set out in Section 3 of this Article III, in
order to be qualified for election as a Director, persons must be nominated
in
accordance with the following procedure:
Nominations
of persons for election to the Board of the Corporation may be made at a meeting
of shareholders by or at the direction of the Board or by any shareholder of
the
Corporation entitled to vote for the election of Directors at the meeting who
complies with the procedures set forth in this Section 1(c). In order for
persons nominated to the Board, other than those persons nominated by or at
the
direction of the Board, to be qualified to serve on the Board, such nominations
shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the
Corporation. To be timely, a shareholder's notice shall be delivered to or
mailed and received by the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 90 days
nor more than 120 days prior to the meeting; provided, however, that in the
event less than 100 days' notice or prior public disclosure of the date of
the
meeting is given or made to shareholders, notice by the shareholder to be timely
must be so received not later than the close of business on the 10th day
following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed
or
such public disclosure was made. Such shareholder's notice shall set forth
(i)
as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or
re-election as a Director, (A) the name, age, business address and residence
address of such person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of such
person, (C) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are
beneficially owned by such person, (D) any other information relating to such
person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election
of Directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation
14A
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (including without
limitation such person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement
as a nominee and to serving as a Director if elected) and (E) if the
shareholder(s) making the nomination is an Interested Person, details of any
relationship, agreement or understanding between the shareholder(s) and the
nominee; and (ii) as to the shareholder(s) making the nomination (A) the name
and address, as they appear on the Corporation's books, of such shareholder(s)
and (B) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially
owned by such shareholder(s). At the request of the Board, any person nominated
by the Board for election as a Director shall furnish to the Secretary of the
Corporation that information required to be set forth in a shareholder's notice
of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No person shall be qualified for
election as a Director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with
the procedures set forth in this Section 1(c). The chairman of a meeting shall,
if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination
was
not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Bylaws, and if
he
or she should so determine, shall so declare to the meeting, and the defective
nomination shall be disregarded. The chairman of a meeting shall have absolute
authority to decide questions of compliance with the foregoing procedures,
and
his or her ruling thereon shall be final and conclusive.
-4-
(d) Directors
shall be elected at annual meetings of the shareholders, except as provided
in
Section 2 of this Article III, and each Director shall hold office until his
or
her successor is elected and qualified.
Section
2. Filling
of Vacancies.
Vacancies and newly created directorships shall be filled only by a majority
of
the remaining Directors, though less than a quorum, and each person so elected
shall be a Director until his or her successor is elected by the shareholders,
who may make such election at the next annual meeting of the shareholders at
which Directors of his or her class are elected or at any special meeting of
shareholders duly called for that purpose and held prior thereto.
Section
3. Qualifications.
Directors must be nominated in accordance with the procedure set out in Section
1(c) of this Article III. Directors need not be shareholders. No person shall
be
eligible for election as a Director, either under Section 1 or Section 2 of
this
Article III, if such person's seventy-second (72d) birthday shall fall on a
date
prior to the commencement of the Term for which such Director is to be elected
or appointed; provided, however, that this limitation shall not apply to Mr.
D.
C. Farrell until the annual meeting of shareholders held in 2009. No person
shall be qualified to be elected and to hold office as a Director if such person
is determined by a majority of the whole Board to have acted in a manner
contrary to the best interests of the Corporation, including, but not limited
to, violation of either State or Federal law, maintenance of interests not
properly authorized and in conflict with the interests of the Corporation,
or
breach of any agreement between such Director and the Corporation relating
to
such Director's services as a Director, employee or agent of the
Corporation.
Section
4. Removal.
By
action of a majority of the whole Board, any Director may be removed from office
for cause if such Director shall at the time of such removal fail to meet the
qualifications for election as a Director as set forth under Article III,
Section 3 hereof. Notice of the proposed removal shall be given to all Directors
of the Corporation prior to action thereon. Directors may be otherwise removed
only in the manner prescribed in the Articles.
Section
5. General
Powers.
The
property and business of the Corporation shall be controlled and managed by
its
Board of Directors which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and
do
all such lawful acts and things as are not, by law, the Articles or by these
Bylaws, directed or required to be exercised and done by the shareholders or
the
Continuing Directors.
-5-
Section
6. Place
of Meetings.
The
Board may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without
the
State of Missouri.
Section
7. Regular
Annual Meeting.
A
regular annual meeting of the Board, including newly elected Directors, shall
be
held immediately following the annual meeting of the shareholders and shall
be
held at the principal offices of the Corporation at 8000 West Florissant Avenue,
St. Louis, Missouri, unless another time or place shall be fixed therefor by
the
Directors. No notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the Directors in
order, legally, to constitute the meeting, provided a majority of the whole
Board shall be present. In the event such annual meeting of the Board is not
held at the time and place specified herein, or at such other time and place
as
may be fixed by the Directors, the meeting may be held at such time and place
as
shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for meetings of
the
Board, or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all of the
Directors.
Section
8. Additional
Regular Meetings.
Additional regular meetings of the Board shall be held once each month on the
first Tuesday thereof, or on such other day thereof as the Board may, by
resolution, prescribe, and at such hour of such day as shall be stated in the
notice of the meeting; provided that the Chairman, in his or her discretion,
may
dispense with any one or more of such meetings, by having notice of the
intention so to do given, by letter, facsimile or e-mail, to each Director
not
less than ten (10) days prior to the regularly scheduled date of each meeting
so
to be dispensed with. If the first Tuesday of any month shall be a legal
holiday, the regular meeting for such month shall be held on the Thursday
following, and if the Monday preceding the first Tuesday of any month shall
be a
legal holiday, the regular meeting for such month shall be held on the Wednesday
following, in each case unless the Board shall otherwise prescribe by
resolution. Notice of any regular meeting shall be given to each Director at
least forty-eight (48) hours in advance thereof, either personally, by mail,
facsimile, or e-mail.
Section
9. Special
Meetings.
Special
meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman on notice given personally,
by mail, by telephone, by e-mail or by facsimile to each Director given
twenty-four (24) hours in advance of such meeting. Special meetings shall be
called by the Chairman in like manner and on like notice on the written request
of any two Directors.
Section
10. Place
of Meetings.
Special
meetings and regular meetings of the Board, other than the regular annual
meeting, shall be held at such place within the City or County of St. Louis,
Missouri, as may be specified in the notice of such meeting; provided that
any
meeting may be held elsewhere, within or without the State of Missouri, pursuant
to resolution of the Board or pursuant to the call of the Chairman. Members
of
the Board and its Committees may participate in meetings by means of conference
telephone or similar communications equipment whereby all persons participating
in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute
presence at the meeting.
Section
11. Notices.
Notice
of
any meeting may be given by the Chairman, any Vice Chairman, the President,
any
Vice President or the Secretary and shall specify the time and place of the
meeting.
Section
12. Quorum.
At all
meetings of the Board a majority of Directors in office (the “whole Board”)
shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business,
and
the acts of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum
is present shall be the acts
of
the Board, except as otherwise may be specifically provided by law or by the
Articles. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board, the
Directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without
notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
A Director who may be disqualified, by reason of personal interest, from voting
on any particular matter before a meeting of the Board may nevertheless be
counted for the purpose of constituting a quorum of the
Board.
-6-
Section
13. Compensation
of Directors.
Directors, as such, shall receive for their services such compensation as may
be
fixed, from time to time, by resolution of the Board, together with a stipend
for attendance, and expenses of attendance, if any, for each meeting of the
Board or meetings of any committee on which the Directors may serve; provided
that nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Director from
serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation
therefor.
Section
14. Executive
Committee.
The
Board may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate
two
or more of its number to constitute an Executive Committee which, to the extent
provided in such resolution, shall have and exercise the authority of the Board
in the management and business of the Corporation.
Section
15. Finance
Committee.
The
Board may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate
two
or more of its number, one of whom shall be the Committee Chairman, as the
Finance Committee of the Board, which to the extent provided in such resolution
shall have and exercise the authority of the Board in the management and
business of the Corporation. The Committee shall study and consider financial
matters affecting the operations of the Corporation, including its long range
financial requirements, shall advise the Board in respect thereto, and shall
have such other duties as shall be specified by resolution of the
Board.
Section
16. Other
Committees of the Board.
The
Board may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate
two
or more of its members to constitute such other Committees of the Board as
the
Board by such resolution or resolutions may determine. To the extent provided
in
such resolution or resolutions, such Committees shall have and exercise the
authority of the Board in the management and business of the
Corporation.
Section
17. Committees-General
Rules.
Each
Committee of the Board shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and report
the same to the Board when required. Vacancies in the membership of each
Committee shall be filled by the Board at any regular or special meeting of
the
Board. A Director who may be disqualified, by reason of personal interest,
from
voting on any particular matter before a meeting of a Committee may nevertheless
be counted for the purpose of constituting a quorum of the Committee. At all
meetings of a Committee, a majority of the Committee members then in office
shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business, and the
acts
of a majority of the Committee members present at any meeting at which there
is
a quorum shall be the acts of the Committee.
Section
18. Directors
Emeritus and Advisory Directors.
The
Board may from time to time create one or more positions of Director Emeritus
and Advisory Director, and may fill such position or positions for such term
as
the Board deems proper. Each Director Emeritus and Advisory Director shall
have
the privilege of attending meetings of the Board but shall do so solely as
an
observer. Notice of such meetings to a Director Emeritus or Advisory Director
shall not be required under any applicable law, the Articles, or these Bylaws.
Each Director Emeritus and Advisory Director shall be entitled to receive such
compensation as may be fixed from time to time by the Board. No Director
Emeritus or Advisory Director shall be entitled to vote on any business coming
before the Board, nor shall they be counted as members of the Board for the
purpose of determining the number of Directors necessary to constitute a quorum,
for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present, or for any other
purpose whatsoever. In the case of a Director Emeritus or Advisory Director,
the
occurrence of any event which in the case of a Director would create a vacancy
on the Board, shall be deemed to create a vacancy in such position; but the
Board may declare the position terminated until such time as the Board shall
again deem it proper to create and to fill the position.
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ARTICLE
IV
NOTICES
Section
1. Service
of Notice.
Notices
to Directors and shareholders shall be in writing and delivered personally
or
mailed or sent by e-mail or facsimile transmission to the Directors or
shareholders at their addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation,
except that notice to Directors of a special meeting of the Board may be given
orally. Notice by mail shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same
shall be mailed; notice by e-mail when such notice is delivered to the
Director’s e-mail address; notice by facsimile transmission when
transmitted.
Section
2. Waiver
of Notices.
Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of law, the
Articles, or of these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person
or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated
therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.
ARTICLE
V
OFFICERS
Section
1. Titles.
The
Officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and shall
be a Chairman of the Board (herein the “Chairman”), a President, at least one
Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board may also elect one or
more Vice Chairmen of the Board (herein “Vice Chairmen”), additional Vice
Presidents, a Controller, one or more Assistant Controllers, and such other
officers as the Board may deem appropriate. Any two or more of the aforesaid
offices, except those of President and Vice President or President and
Secretary, may be held by the same person. Vice Presidents of the Corporation
may be given distinctive designations such as Executive Vice President, Group
Vice President, Senior Vice President and the like.
Section
2. Election.
The
Board, at its annual meeting immediately following each annual meeting of the
shareholders, shall elect a Chairman and a President, and may elect one or
more
Vice Chairmen, all of whom shall be Directors or Advisory Directors; and the
Board shall also at such annual meeting elect one or more Vice Presidents,
a
Secretary and a Treasurer, who may, but need not, be Directors or Advisory
Directors. The Board may elect such other officers and
agents as it shall determine necessary who shall hold their offices for such
terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be
determined from time to time by the Board. In connection with the election
of
any officer of the Corporation, the Board may determine that such officer,
in
addition to the title of the office to which he is elected, shall have a further
title such as Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Operating Officer or such
other title as the Board may designate, and the Board may prescribe powers
to be
exercised and duties to be performed by any such officer to whom any such
additional title of office is given in addition to those powers and duties
provided for by these Bylaws for such office.
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Section 3. Term. The officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualify. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board may be removed by the Board at any time with or without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board. Any vacancy occurring in any such office may be filled only by the Board.
Section
4. Chairman
of the Board.
The
Chairman shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. In addition
to
his or her duties as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman shall
be
responsible for the general and active management of the business and affairs
of
the Corporation, subject only to the control of the Board; shall have full
authority with respect to the signing and execution of deeds, bonds, mortgages,
contracts and other instruments of the Corporation; and, in the absence or
disability of a Vice Chairman or the President, shall exercise all of the powers
and discharge all of the duties of such Vice Chairman or the President. The
Chairman shall be Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board; shall
preside at all meetings of shareholders and Directors; and shall perform such
other duties as the Board may prescribe.
Section
5. President.
The
President shall be an executive officer of the Corporation. The President,
(i)
in the absence or disability of the Chairman, (a) shall preside at meetings
of
shareholders, (b) if a member of the Board of Directors, shall preside at
meetings of the Directors and shall otherwise exercise all the powers and
discharge all of the duties of the Chairman; and (ii) shall perform such other
duties as the Chairman or the Board shall prescribe. The President shall have
equal authority with the Chairman and the Vice Chairmen, if any, to sign and
execute deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts and other instruments of the
Corporation.
Section
6. Vice
Chairmen of the Board.
Vice
Chairmen, if any, may but need not be executive Officers of the Corporation.
In
the absence or disability of the Chairman and the President, the Vice Chairmen,
in order of their seniority with the Corporation, shall perform the duties
and
exercise the powers of the President. The Vice Chairmen shall perform such
other
duties, and have such other powers as the Chairman or the Board may, from time
to time, prescribe. Each Vice Chairman shall have equal authority with the
Chairman and the President with respect to the signing and execution of deeds,
bonds, mortgages, contracts and other instruments of the
Corporation.
Section
7. Vice
Presidents.
The
Vice President, or if there shall be more than one, the Vice Presidents in
order
of seniority, in the absence or disability of the Chairman, the President and
all Vice Chairmen, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the
President. Each Vice President shall perform such other duties and have such
other powers as the Chairman and the Board may, from time to time,
prescribe.
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Section
8. Secretary
and Assistant Secretaries.
The
Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board and all meetings of the
shareholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Corporation
and of the Board in books to be kept for that purpose, shall perform like duties
for Committees of the Board when required, and shall perform such other duties
as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman, any Vice Chairman, or the
President. The Secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Corporation
and affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and, when so affixed, it
shall be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of an Assistant
Secretary. The Assistant Secretary, or, if there be more than one, the Assistant
Secretaries, in the order determined by the Board, shall, in the absence or
disability of the Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of
the
Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as
the
Board may, from time to time, prescribe.
Section
9. Treasurer
and Assistant Treasurers.
The
Treasurer shall have charge of the funds of the Corporation; shall keep the
same
in depositories designated by the Board or by officers of the Corporation
authorized by the Board to make such designation; shall cause said funds to
be
disbursed upon checks, drafts, bills of exchange or orders for the payment
of
money signed in such manner as the Board or authorized officers of the
Corporation may, from time to time, direct; shall perform such other duties
as
directed by the Board, the Chairman or other senior officers; and, if required
by the Board, shall give bond for the faithful performance of his or her duties
in such form and amount as may be determined by the Board. The Assistant
Treasurer, or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers, in the
order
determined by the Board, shall, in the absence or disability of the Treasurer,
perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer, and shall have
such
other duties and powers as the Board may prescribe.
Section
10. Controller
and Assistant Controllers.
The
Controller, if one is elected by the Board, shall have charge of the accounting
records of the Corporation; shall keep full and accurate accounts of all
receipts and disbursements in books and records belonging to the Corporation;
shall maintain appropriate internal control and auditing of the Corporation;
and
shall perform such other duties as directed by the Board, the Chairman or other
senior officers. The Assistant Controller or, if there be more than one, the
Assistant Controllers, in the order determined by the Board, shall, in the
absence or disability of the Controller, perform the duties and exercise the
powers of the Controller and shall have such other duties and powers as the
Board may prescribe.
Section
11. Appointed
Officers.
In
addition to the corporate officers elected by the Board as hereinabove in this
Article V provided, the Chairman may, from time to time, appoint one or more
other persons as appointed officers who shall not be deemed to be corporate
officers, but may, respectively, be designated with such titles as the Chairman
may deem appropriate. The Chairman may prescribe the powers to be exercised
and
the duties to be performed by each such appointed officer, may designate the
term for which each such appointment is made, and may, from time to time,
terminate any or all of such appointments with or without cause. Such
appointments and termination of appointments shall be reported periodically
to
the Board.
ARTICLE
VI
SHARES
Section
1. Certificates
of Shares and Uncertificated Shares.
The
shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates in such form
as
the appropriate officers of the Corporation may from time to time prescribe;
provided that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some
or
all of any or all classes or series of stock of the Corporation shall be
uncertificated shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, every holder of
uncertificated shares of a class or series some but not all of which are
represented by certificates, shall be entitled, upon request, to a certificate
representing such shares. Every holder of uncertificated shares shall be
entitled to receive a statement of holdings as evidence of share ownership.
Shares represented by certificates shall be numbered and registered in a share
register as they are issued. Share certificates shall exhibit the name of the
registered holder, the number and class of shares and the series, if any,
represented thereby, the par value of each share or a statement that such shares
are without par value as the case may be, and any other information required
by
law, regulation or stock exchange rule. Except as otherwise expressly provided
by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated shares
and
the rights and obligations of the holders of certificated shares of the same
class and series shall be identical.
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Section
2. Signatures
on Certificates.
Every
share certificate shall be signed by the Chairman, the President or a Vice
President; and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer
or an
Assistant Treasurer; and shall be sealed with the Corporation's seal which
may
be facsimile, engraved or printed. The signature of any of the foregoing
officers on any share certificate may be a facsimile signature.
Section
3. Transfer
Agents and Registrars; Facsimile Signatures.
The
Board may appoint one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars (any
one of which may be appointed as both transfer agent and registrar) and may
require all certificates for shares to bear the signature or signatures of
any
of them, any of which signature or signatures may be facsimile. In case any
officer or officers of the Corporation who have signed, or whose facsimile
signature or signatures have been used on, any such certificate or certificates
shall cease to be such officer or officers, whether because of death,
resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates have been
delivered by the Corporation, such certificate or certificates may,
nevertheless, be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed
such certificate or certificates or whose facsimile signature or signatures
have
been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer or officers of the
Corporation.
Section
4. Lost
Certificates.
In case
of loss or destruction of any certificate of stock or other security of the
Corporation, another may be issued in its place upon satisfactory proof of
such
loss or destruction and upon the giving of a satisfactory bond of indemnity
to
the Corporation and to the transfer agents and registrars, if any, of such
stock
or other security, in such sum as the Board may provide. The Board may delegate
to any officer or officers of the Corporation, and such officer or officers
may
further delegate to a transfer agent or registrar, the authorization of the
issue of such new certificate or certificates and the approval of the form
and
amount of such indemnity bond and the surety thereon.
Section
5. Transfer
of Shares.
Upon
surrender to the Corporation, or a transfer agent of the Corporation, of a
certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of
succession, assignment or authority to transfer, the Corporation may issue
to
the person entitled thereto (a) a new certificate for such shares or (b) if
requested by the holder and such shares are of a class or series of stock which
may be uncertificated, (i) evidence of equivalent uncertificated
shares or (ii) both a new certificate and evidence of uncertificated shares
equaling in the aggregate the number of shares represented by the surrendered
certificate, and in any case, the Corporation shall cancel the old certificate
and record the transaction upon its books. Upon receipt by the Corporation,
or a
transfer agent of the Corporation, of proper transfer instructions for
uncertificated shares, accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment
or authority to transfer, the Corporation may issue to the person entitled
thereto (a) evidence of equivalent uncertificated shares or (b) if requested
by
the holder, (i) a certificate for such shares or (ii) both a certificate and
evidence of uncertificated shares equaling in the aggregate the number of shares
covered by such transfer instructions, and in any case, the Corporation shall
cancel the old uncertificated shares and record the transaction upon its books.
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Section 6. Registered Shareholders. The Corporation and its transfer agents shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares as the holder in fact thereof and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claims to, or interest in, such shares on the part of any other person and shall not be liable for any registration or transfer of shares which are registered, or to be registered, in the name of a fiduciary or the nominee of a fiduciary unless made with actual knowledge that a fiduciary, or nominee of a fiduciary, is committing a breach of trust in requesting such registration or transfer, or with knowledge of such facts that its participation therein amounts to bad faith.
Section
7. Interested
Shareholders.
The
provisions of these Bylaws, including without limitation the provisions of
this
Article VI as they apply to any Interested Person or shares beneficially owned
by such Interested Person, are subject to the provisions of Article 9 of the
Articles.
ARTICLE
VII
INDEMNIFICATION
OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS
Section
1. Actions
Involving Directors, Officers or Employees.
The
Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party (other than a
party
plaintiff suing on his own behalf or in the right of the Corporation), or who
is
threatened to be made such a party, to any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (including, but not limited to, an action by or in the right
of
the Corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a Director,
officer or employee of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request
of
the Corporation as a director, officer or employee of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action,
suit or proceeding; provided, that no such person shall be indemnified (a)
except to the extent that the aggregate of losses to be indemnified under the
provisions of this Article VII exceeds the amount of such losses for which
the
Director, officer or employee is insured pursuant to any directors and officers
liability insurance policy maintained by the Corporation; (b) in respect to
remuneration paid to such person if it shall be finally adjudged that such
remuneration was in violation of law; (c) on account of any suit in which
judgment is rendered against such person for an accounting of profits made
from
the purchase or sale by such person of securities of the Corporation pursuant
to
the provisions of Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act and amendments thereto or
similar provisions of any federal, state or local statutory law; (d) on account
of such person's conduct which is finally adjudged to have been knowingly
fraudulent, deliberately dishonest or willful misconduct; (e) if it shall be
finally adjudged that such indemnification is not lawful; and (f) as provided
in
subsection (b) of Section 5 of this Article VII.
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Section
2. Actions
Involving Agents.
The
Corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party (other than a party
plaintiff suing on his own behalf or in the right of the Corporation), or who
is
threatened to be made such a party, to any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (including, but not limited to, an action in the right of the
Corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is an agent of the
Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as an agent
of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts
paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection
with
such action, suit or proceeding, all to the full extent permitted by
law.
Section
3. Determination
of Right to Indemnification in Certain Instances.
(a) Any
indemnification under Section 1 of this Article VII (unless ordered by a court)
shall be made by the Corporation unless a determination is reasonably and
promptly made that indemnification of the director, officer or employee is
not
proper in the circumstances because he or she has not satisfied the conditions
to indemnification set forth in such Section 1. Such determination shall be
made
(1) by the Board by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Directors who
were
not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is
not
obtainable, or, even if obtainable, a quorum of disinterested Directors so
directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the
shareholders; provided, that no such determination shall preclude an action
brought in an appropriate court to challenge such determination.
(b) Any
indemnification under Section 2 of this Article VII (unless ordered by a court)
shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon
a
determination that indemnification of the agent is proper in the circumstances.
Such determination shall be made (1) by the Board by a majority vote of a quorum
consisting of Directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding,
or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, a quorum
of
disinterested Directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written
opinion, or (3) by the shareholders.
Section
4. Advance
Payment of Expenses.
Expenses incurred by an employee or agent in defending any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article may be paid
by
the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or
proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the employee or
agent to repay such amounts unless it shall ultimately be determined that he
or
she is entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this
Article. Expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending any action,
suit or proceeding referred to in Section 1 of this Article shall be paid by
the
Corporation as incurred; provided, however, that the Corporation shall have
first received an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to
repay such amounts unless it shall ultimately be determined that he or she
is
entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article.
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Section
5. Successful
Defense.
(a) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Article VII (but except as set forth in subsection
(b) of this Section), to the extent that a director, officer or employee of
the
Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise (including the
dismissal of an action without prejudice) in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in Section 1 of this Article VII, or in defense of any
claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection
therewith. This Section 5 shall not apply to the defense of any action suit
or
proceeding against, or to related expenses incurred by, an agent of the
Corporation; the eligibility of an agent of the Corporation for indemnification
by the Corporation shall be determined solely pursuant to the provisions of
Section 2 of this Article VII.
(b) Indemnification
shall not be provided under this Section or under Section 1 of this Article
VII
in defense of an action, suit or proceeding brought by the Corporation against
an officer or employee; provided that such indemnification shall be provided
as
to such action, suit or proceeding brought in the right of the Corporation,
or
as to such action, suit or proceeding which arises as a result of or is related
to the acquisition of the Corporation in a transaction not approved by a
majority of its continuing Directors. “Continuing Directors”, for the purpose of
this Article VII, shall be those Directors holding office as Directors prior
to
the time of such acquisition, or any successors thereof approved as successors
by Directors in office prior to the time of such acquisition.
Section
6. Not
Exclusive Right.
The
indemnification provided by this Article VII shall not be deemed exclusive
of
any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under
any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors
or otherwise, both as to action in an official capacity and as to action in
another capacity while holding such office. Without limiting the generality
of
the foregoing, in the event of conflict between the provisions of this Article
VII and the provisions of any agreement adopted by the shareholders between
the
Corporation on the one hand, and any director, officer, employee or agent of
the
Corporation on the other, providing for indemnification, the terms of such
agreement shall prevail. Any indemnification, whether required under this Bylaw
or permitted by statute or otherwise, 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.
Section
7. Insurance.
The
Board shall have the power to cause the Corporation to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Director, officer, employee
or
agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against
him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, arising out of
his
or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power
to
indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this
Article.
Section
8. Subsidiaries
of Corporation.
For the
purposes of this Article VII, (a) any officer, Director, or employee of the
Corporation who shall serve as an officer, director, employee or agent of any
other corporation, joint venture, trust or other enterprise of which the
Corporation, directly or indirectly, is or was a stockholder or creditor, or
in
which the Corporation is or was in any way interested, or (b) any officer,
director, or employee of any subsidiary corporation, venture, trust or other
enterprise wholly owned by the Corporation, shall be deemed to be serving as
such director, officer, employee or agent at the request of the Corporation,
unless the Board shall determine otherwise. In all instances where any person
shall serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise of which the Corporation is or was
a
stockholder or creditor, or in which it is or was otherwise interested, if
it is
not otherwise established that such person is or was serving as such director,
officer, employee or agent at the request of the Corporation, the Board may
determine whether such service is or was at the request of the Corporation,
and
it shall not be necessary to show any actual or prior request for such
service.
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Section
9. Spousal
Indemnification.
The
spouse of a person entitled to indemnification under Section 1 hereof or who
is
granted indemnification under Section 2 hereof, shall be entitled to be so
indemnified; provided, that the spouse was or is a party (other than a party
plaintiff suing on his or her own behalf or in the right of the Corporation),
or
was or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending, or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative,
or investigative (including, but not limited to, an action by or in the right
of
the Corporation), solely by reason of the spousal relationship to the person
who
is entitled to indemnification under Section 1 hereof or who is granted
indemnification under Section 2 hereof.
ARTICLE
VIII
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
Section
1. Dividends.
Dividends upon the shares of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of
the
Articles, if any, may be declared by the Board at any regular or special
meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in
shares of the capital stock or other securities of the Corporation, in rights
or
warrants relating thereto, or in any other form authorized by law.
Section
2. Checks.
All
checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by
such
officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board, or officers
authorized by the Board, may, from time to time, designate.
Section
3. Fiscal
Year.
The
fiscal year of the Corporation shall commence on October 1, and close on
September 30.
Section
4. Seal.
The
Corporation's seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation,
the
numeral “1890” being the year of the incorporation of the Corporation, and the
words “Corporate Seal, Missouri”. The seal may be used by causing it, or a
facsimile thereof, to be impressed, affixed, reproduced or
otherwise.
Section
5. Closing
of Transfer Books and Fixing of Record Dates.
The
Board shall have power to close the share transfer books of the Corporation
for
a period not exceeding seventy (70) days preceding the date of any meeting
of
shareholders, or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for
the
allotment of rights, or the date when any change, conversion or exchange of
shares shall go into effect; provided, however, that, in lieu of closing the
share transfer books as aforesaid, the Board may fix in advance a date, not
exceeding seventy (70) days preceding the date of any meeting of shareholders,
or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment
of
rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of shares shall
go
into effect, as a record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled
to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting, and any adjournment thereof,
or
entitled to receive payment of any such dividend, or to any such allotment
of
rights, or to exercise rights in respect of any such change, conversion or
exchange of shares; and, in each such case, such shareholders and only such
shareholders as shall be shareholders of record on the date of closing the
share
transfer books, or on the record date so fixed, shall be entitled to notice
of,
and to vote at, such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or to receive payment
of such dividend, or to receive such allotment of rights, or to exercise such
rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares after
such date of closing of the share transfer books or such record date fixed
as
aforesaid.
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ARTICLE
IX
AMENDMENTS
These
Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed solely by a majority vote of the
members of the whole Board at any regular or special meeting thereof duly called
and convened.
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