From: Merritt_W._Tumanis@fc1.glfn.org Organization: Great Lakes Free-Net, Battle Creek, MI, USA Date: Mon, 07 Mar 1994 10:26:49 EDT Bylaws of Great Lakes Free Net Article I Offices 1.01 Principal Office. The principal office of the corporation shall be at such place within the state of Michigan as the board of directors may determine from time to time. 1.02 Other offices. The board of directors may establish other offices in the state of Michigan. Article II Members There shall be no members. Article III Board 3.01 General Powers. The business, property, and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by the board of directors. 3.02 Number. There shall be not less than 15 nor more than 40 directors on the board as shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors. 3.03 Term. Directors shall be elected for a term of three years except the initially appointed directors shall serve initial terms as set forth. One third of the initially appointed directors shall have an initial term of one year. One third of the initially appointed directors shall have an initial term of two years. One third of the initially appointed directors shall be appointed to a full term. If new director positions are subsequently created by the board of directors, the initial terms of such directors shall be set so that no more than one third of the director's terms expire in any year. 3.04 Tenure. Directors shall be elected at each annual directors meeting to hold office until the end of the director's term and until the director's successor is elected and qualified, or until the director's death, resignation, or removal. 3.05 Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by providing written notice to the Corporation. The resignation will be effective on receipt of the notice or at a later time designated in the notice. A successor shall be appointed as provided in these bylaws. 3.06 Removal. Any director may be removed with cause by the remaining directors of the board. Three consecutive unexcussed absences may constitute such cause. 3.07 Board Vacancies. A vacancy on the board may be filled with a person selected by the remaining directors of the board. 3.08 Annual Meeting. An annual meeting shall be held each year on the second Tuesday in June of each year at 5:00 p.m. If the annual meeting is not held at that time, the board shall cause the meeting to be held as soon thereafter as is convenient. 3.09 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the board may be held at the time and place as determined by resolution of the board without notice other than the resolution. 3.10 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board may be called by the president or any three directors at a time and place as determined by those persons authorized to call special meetings. Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be given to each director in any manner at least three days before the meeting. 3.11 Statement of Purpose. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the board need by specified in the notice for that meeting. 3.12 Waiver of Notice. The attendance of a director at a board meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. In addition, the director may submit a signed waiver of notice that shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting. 3.13 Meeting by Telephone or Similar Equipment. A director may participate in a meeting by conference telephone or any similar communications equipment through which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this section constitutes presence in person at the meeting. 3.14 Quorum. Twelve (12) directors then in office constitutes a quorum for the transaction of any business at any meeting of the board. Actions voted on by a majority of directors present at a meeting where a quorum is present shall constitute authorized actions of the board. 3.15 Consent to Corporate Actions. Any action required or permitted to be taken pursuant to authorization of the board may be taken without a meeting if, before or after the action, all directors consent to the action in writing. Written consents shall be filed with the minutes of the Board's proceeding. A director may consent to an action by entering his consent in a computer designated by the board to receive such consents. Such a consent shall constitute a written consent and the board secretary shall note the consent so received in the minutes of the Board's proceedings. 3.16 Ethical Standards. Directors, officers, and agents of the corporation are expected to disclose or avoid activities and interests that may conflict or lead to a conflict between the best interest of the corporation and the interests of such director, officer, or agent. Violation of this ethical standard may result in termination of the relationship with the corporation. Article IV Committees 4.01 General Powers. The board, by resolution adopted by a vote of a majority of its directors, may designate one or more committees, each committee consisting of one or more persons. The board may also designate one or more persons as alternate committee members who may replace an absent or disqualified member at a committee meeting. If a committee member is absent or disqualified from voting, then members present at a meeting who are not disqualifed from voting may, whether or not they constitute a quorum, unanimously appoint an alternate committee member to act at the committee meeting in place of the absent or disqualified member. All committees designated by the board shall serve at the pleasure of the board. A committee designated by the board may excercise any powers of the board in managing the corporation's business and affairs, to the extent provided by resolution of the board. However, no committee shall have the power to (a) amend the articles of incorporation; (b) adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation; (c) amend the bylaws of the corporation; (d) fill vacancies of the board. 4.02 Meetings. Committees shall meet as directed by the board, and their meetings shall be governed by the rules provided in article III for meetings of the board. Minutes shall be recorded at each committee meeting and shall be presented to the board. 4.03 Consent to Committee Actions. Any action required or permitted to be taken pursuant to authorization of a committee may be taken without a meeting if, before or after the action, all members of the committee consent to the action in writing. Written consents shall be filed with the minutes of the committee's proceedings. A committee member may consent to an action by entering his consent in a computer designated by the committee to receive such consents. Such a consent shall constitute a written consent and the committee secretary shall note the consent so received in the minutes of the committee's proceedings. Article V Officers 5.01 Number. The officers of the corporation shall be appointed by the board. The officers shall be a president, a secretary, and a treasurer. There may also be a chairperson, vice president, and such other officers as the board deems appropriate. The president shall be a voting member of the board. Two or more offices may be held by the same person, but such person shall not execute, acknowledge, or verify an instrument in more than one capacity if the instrument is required by law or by the president or by the board to be executed, acknowledged, or verified by two or more officers. 5.02 Term of Office. Each officer shall hold office for the term appointed and until a successor is appointed and qualified. An officer may resign at any time by providing written notice to the corporation. Notice of resignation is effective on receipt or a later time designated in the notice. 5.03 Removal. An officer appointed by the board may be removed with or without cause by vote of a majority of the board. The removal shall be without prejudice to the person's contract rights, if any. Appointment to an office does not of itself create contract rights. 5.04 Vacancies. A vacancy in any office for any reason may be filled by the board. 5.05 President. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall have authority over the general control and management of the business and affairs of the corporation. The president shall have power to appoint or discharge employees, agents, or independent contractors, to determine their duties, and to fix their compensation. The president shall sign all corporate documents and agreements on behalf of the corporation, unless the president or the board instucts that the signing be done with or by some other officer, agent, or employee. The president shall see that all actions taken by the board are executed and shall perform all other duties incident to the office. This is subject, however, to the president's right and the right of the board to delegate any specific power to any other officer of the corporation. 5.06 Vice President. The vice president, if any, shall have the power to perform duties that may be assigned by the president or the board. If the president is absent or unable to perform his or her duties, the vice president shall perform the president's duties until the board directs otherwise. The vice president shall perform all duties incident to the office. 5.07 Chairperson. The chairperson, if elected, shall preside at all board meetings. The chairperson shall have the power to perform duties as may be assigned by the board. If the president is absent or unable to perform his or her duties, the chairperson shall perform the president's duties until the board directs otherwise. The chairperson shall perform all duties incident to the office. 5.08 Secretary. The secretary shall (a) keep minutes of board meetings; (b) be responsible for providing notice to each director as required by law,the articles of incorporation, or these bylaws; (c) be the custodian of the corporate records; (d) keep a register of the names and addresses of each officer and director; and (e) perform all duties incident to the office and and other duties assigned by the president or the board. 5.09 Treasurer. The treasurer shall (a) have charge and custody over corporate funds and securities; (b) keep accurate books and records of corporate receipts and disbursements; (c) deposit all moneys and securities received by the corporation at such depositories in the corporation's name that may be designated by the board; (d) complete all required corporate filings; and (e) perform all duties incident to the office and other duties assigned by the president or the board. Article VI Corporate Document Procedure All corporate documents (including stocks, bonds, agreements, insurance and annuity contracts, qualified and nonqualified deferred compensation plans, checks, notes, disbursements, loans, and other debt obligations) shall not be signed by any officer, designated agent, or attorney-in-fact unless authorized by the board or by these bylaws. Article VII Indemnification 7.01 Nonderivative Actions. Subject to all of the other provisions of this article, the corporation shall 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. This includes any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative proceeding, whether formal or informal (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation). Such indemnification shall apply only to a person who was or is a director or officer of the corporation or a volunteer who is volunteering services at the request of the corporation. The person shall be indemnified and held harmless against expenses (including attorney fees), judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding, if the person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. With respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the person must have had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction or on a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not by itself create a presumption that (a) the person did not act in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or (b) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the person had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. 7.02 Derivative Actions. Subject to all of the provisions of this article, the corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party to, 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 judgment in its favor because (a) the person was or is a director or officer of the corporation, or (b) the person is a volunteer who is volunteering services at the request of the corporation. The person shall be indemnified and held harmless against expenses (including actual and reasonable attorney fees) and amounts paid in settlement incurred by the person in connection with such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. However, indemnification shall not be made for any claim, issue, or matter in which the person has been found liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought has determined on application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for the expenses that the court considers proper. 7.03 Expenses of Successful Defense. To the extent that a person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in sections 7.01 or 7.02 of this article, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter in the action, suit, or proceeding, the person shall be indemnified against expenses (including actual and reasonable attorney fees) incurred in connection with the action and in any proceeding brought to enforce the mandatory indemnification provided by this article. 7.04 Contract Right; Limitation on Indemnity. The right to indemnification conferred in this article shall be a contract right and shall apply to services of a volunteer as well as in a person's capacity as a director or officer. Except as provided in section 7.03 of this article, the corporation shall have no obligations under this article to indemnify any person in connection with any proceeding, or part thereof, initiated by such person without authorization by the board. 7.05 Determination That Indemnification Is Proper. Any indemnification under sections 7.01 or 7.02 of this article (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case. The corporation must determine that indemnification of the person is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in sections 7.01 or 7.02, whichever is applicable. Such determination shall be made in any of the following ways: (a) By a majority vote of a quorum of the board consisting directors who were not parties to such action, suit, or proceeding. (b) If the quorum described in clause (a) above is not obtainable, then by a committee of directors who are not parties to the action. The committee shall consist of not less than two disinterested directors. (c) By independent legal counsel in a written opinion. 7.06 Proportionate Indemnity. If a person is entitled to indemnification under sections 7.01 or 7.02 of this article for a portion of expenses, including attorney fees, judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts paid in settlement, but not for the total amount,the corporation shall indemnify the person for the portion of the expenses, judgments, penalties, fines, or amounts paid in settlement for which the person is entitled to be indemnified. 7.07 Expense Advance. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding described in sections 7.01 or 7.02 of this article may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, on receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the person involved to repay the expenses, if it is ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. The undertaking shall be an unlimited general obligation of the person on whose behalf advances are made, but need not be secured. 7.08 Nonexclusivity of Rights. The indemnification or advancement of expenses provided under this article is not exclusive of other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under a contractual arrangement with the corporation. However, the total amount of expenses advanced or indemnified from all sources combined shall not exceed the amount of actual expenses incurred by the person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses. 7.09 Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation. The corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this article with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the corporation. 7.10 Former Directors and Officers. The indemnification provided in this articles continues for a person who has ceased to be a director, officer or volunteer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of that person. 7.11 Insurance. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who (a) was or is a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or (b) was or is a volunteer who performed volunteer services at the request of the corporation. Such insurance may protect against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by him or her in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have power to indemnify against such liability under this article or the laws of the state of Michigan. 7.12 Changes in Michigan Law. If there are any changes in the Michigan statutory provisions applicable to the corporation and relating to the subject matter of this article, then the indemnification to which any person shall be entitled shall be determined by such changed provisions, but only to the extent that any such change permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such provisions permitted the corporation to provide before any such change. Article VIII Compensation When authorized by the board, a person shall be reasonably compensated for services rendered to the corporation as an employee, agent, or independent contractor, except as prohibited by these bylaws. Directors and officers shall serve without compensation. Article IX Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the corporation shall end on December 31. Article X Amendments The board of directors at any regular or special meeting may amend or repeal these bylaws, or adopt new bylaws by vote of a majority of the directors, if notice setting forth the terms of the proposal has been given in accordance with any notice requirement for such meeting of the board. -- From: Merritt_W._Tumanis@fc1.glfn.org Organization: Great Lakes Free-Net, Battle Creek, MI, USA Date: Mon, 07 Mar 1994 10:26:49 EDT