AMERICAN
HIGHLAND CATTLE ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS
October 17, 2023
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1.
Name. The By-laws are adopted for the American Highland Cattle
Association, (formerly known as the “American Scotch Highland Breeders Association”),
a South Dakota corporation.
SECTION 2. Members. Membership in this Association
shall be unlimited in number and shall consist of such classes of membership
and with such membership fees as shall from time to time be determined by the
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide for non-transferable
life memberships and classes of voting and non-voting memberships, as the Board
deems appropriate. Voting members must own or have owned cattle registered by
the Association. The Board of Directors shall publish, in writing, the terms
and conditions of membership (by class) from time to time and shall enforce its
policies so as to protect the Association and its members. Members shall be
those who adhere to the purposes of the Association. The Board of Directors may
decline or terminate membership to any person for reasons it considers
appropriate for the welfare of the corporation or the breed of Highland cattle.
ARTICLE II
RIGHTS AND
LIABILITIES OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1.
Property Interest of Directors. No director of the Association shall
have any right, title or interest in or to any property or assets of the
Association either prior to or at the time of any liquidation or dissolution of
the Association, all of which properties and assets shall at the time of any
liquidation or dissolution vest in the 501(c) 3 Highland Cattle Foundation.
SECTION 2. Non-Liabilities of Debts. The private
property of the directors shall be exempt from execution or other liability for
any debts of the Association, and no director shall be liable or responsible
for any debts or liabilities of the Association and are indemnified for certain
actions as set forth in Article XII herein.
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
SECTION 1. General Powers.
The business and affairs of the Association shall be managed by a Board of nine
(9) elected at large directors plus one regional director selected by each
affiliated regional association sanctioned by the national Association. The
maximum number of directors shall be twenty-one (21). All directors must be members
in good standing of the Association.
SECTION
2. At Large Directors. There shall
be three classes of at large directors, of equal or nearly equal size, and the
classes shall be known as Class I, Class II, and Class III Directors. Three of
the nine at large directors referred to above shall be elected each year at the
annual meeting, terms to run for three years until election of their
successors. After serving two
consecutive elected terms a director shall not be eligible for re-election for
one year, save as hereinafter provided.
SECTION 3.
Nomination of Candidates. Candidates for directors at large shall be
nominated by a Nominations Committee. The Nominations Committee shall be
appointed by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of the Governance
Committee or upon its own motion, and shall consist of at least three board
members and up to three other active members in the Association. All
nominations shall be of persons that are willing to serve the Association; whom
will represent the Association, its members and the Highland cattle breed with
integrity; and whom will adhere to the purposes of the Association consistent
with the By-laws. In each fall and winter issue of The Bagpipe, a nomination form shall be included so members at
large may nominate a candidate(s) for the Board of Directors at large for
consideration by the Nominations Committee. These nominations must be received
by the Association prior to January 31st of the current election
year. Nominees for director at large must be active members of the Association
and willing to serve for at least three (3) years. The nominees shall be
contacted and interviewed by the Nominations Committee and the Nominations
Committee shall be given written acceptance by all candidates of their
willingness to serve. The Nominations Committee shall put forward at least two
names for each open position if possible. The candidates with the highest
number of votes will fill the open positions.
SECTION 4. Vacancies. Vacancies among at large
directors occurring between regular annual elections may be filled by
appointment by a majority of the other directors. The successor at large
director shall complete the term of the position vacated. Vacancies among
regional directors shall be filled by the region in which the vacancy occurs.
Vacant terms filled with less than one year remaining shall not be counted as a
term for the successor director completing said vacancy.
SECTION 5.
Regional Directors. The
regional associations affiliated with AHCA shall have the right to nominate and
elect a director from its membership to serve on the Board of the Association.
A regional director must be a member in good standing of this Association. The
term of a regional director shall be for three years. After serving two
consecutive three year terms, a regional director shall not be eligible for
re-election for one year. The regional association shall advise the Association
in writing, by way of a certified copy of the regional association’s membership
minutes, of its elected representative who shall become a regional director.
SECTION 6. Removal of Directors. Any director may be
removed with cause by the unanimous consent of the remaining board members. If
any director, at large or regional, be absent from more than two successive
regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, said absence not being excused by a
majority of the other directors, the remaining directors may declare his or her
position vacant. In the event a director is absent from three consecutive
(regular or special) meetings, or three out of four meetings (regular or
special) this shall cause the automatic removal of the director.
SECTION 7. Quorum. A majority of directors shall
constitute a quorum. The act of a majority of the directors present at the
meeting, at which a quorum is present, shall be the act of the Board, unless a
greater number is required by law or these By-laws. However, the
directors may act without a meeting if the action is approved in writing,
by facsimile, or by authenticated electronic signature.
SECTION 8. Meeting Participation. Any member of the
AHCA who is not a director may attend board meetings. The Board may invite any
persons who are not directors to attend board meetings, with voice but without
vote.
SECTION 9.
Directors Emeritus. Upon recommendation by the
Nominations Committee, or upon its own motion, the Board of Directors may elect
one or more Directors-Emeritus of the Association, with the right to attend all
regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors, or any committee of the
Board of Directors. Said Director(s) Emeritus shall have no power to make
motions or to vote, and shall not be counted as a director for purposes of
quorum, and shall not be required to be provided notices of any meeting.
SECTION
10. Compensation. Directors of the
Association shall receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses,
as approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of
Directors from time to time.
ARTICLE
IV
ANNUAL
MEETING OF MEMBERS
SECTION
1. Regular Annual Meeting. The Secretary shall give at least thirty days
written notice of the time, date and location of the regular annual meeting of
members, which meeting shall be held once in each fiscal year, as determined by
the President, in conjunction with the annual convention whenever possible. The
fiscal year shall be June 1st to May 31st. A quorum shall
consist of all members present. The members shall elect the at large directors,
and may fill any unfilled vacancies among the at large directors on the Board,
pass upon reports of the previous fiscal year, and transact such other business
as may come before them.
SECTION
2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of members may be called by the President
or by a majority of the Board of Directors, on at least 30 days written notice
by the Secretary. The notice shall specify the time, date and place of meeting,
and the purpose thereof and be sent to all members. No business shall be
transacted at such special meetings save that specified in the notice. A
quorum shall consist of those voting members present.
SECTION
3. Order of Business. The order of business at any regular membership meeting
and so far as possible at all other meetings shall be as follows:
a.) Calling to order and proof of quorum;
b.) Proof of Notice of Meeting;
c.) Reading and action on any unapproved minutes;
d.) Reports of officers and committees;
e.) Unfinished business;
f.) Acknowledgment of regional directors and election
of at large directors;
g.) New business; and
h.) Adjournment.
ARTICLE
V
MEETINGS
OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1. Regular Annual Meeting. A
regular annual meeting of directors shall be held within two months of the
regular annual meeting of members each year. The Board shall elect officers
including: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and such other
officers as the Board of Directors deems necessary, at this annual meeting. Notice
shall be given to the members of the officers elected, as soon as is
practical.
SECTION
2. Regular Board Meetings. The Board
of Directors may provide by resolution the time and place for holding
additional regular meetings of the Board without other notice than the
resolution, provided that there be at least three such additional regular
meetings of the Board between the regular annual meetings of the Board. The Secretary
shall notify the directors of the time and place of said meetings.
SECTION
3. Special Meetings. Special
meetings of the Board may be called by action of any three (3) members of the
Board, or by the President. The Secretary shall give at least 30 days written
notice of special meetings of the Board, unless this period is shortened by
unanimous written consent of all board members. Notices here and elsewhere, as
to both members and directors, shall be deemed given when deposited in the
United States mail addressed to the member or director at the last address
shown on the records of the Association. Any director may waive notice of any
meeting, in writing. The attendance of a director at any meeting shall
constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends
a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any
business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. The business
to be transacted at a special meeting need not be specified in the Notice or
the Waiver of Notice, unless otherwise required by law, or elsewhere in these
By-laws. Amending of these By-laws and the Articles of Incorporation shall
require specific notice of all proposed changes and actions to be taken.
SECTION
4. Quorum. A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a
quorum, provided that if less than a majority of the directors become present
at said meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting
from time to time. The Secretary shall notify any absent director and the Board
of the time and place of such adjourned meeting. The act of a majority of the
directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of
the Board.
SECTION
5. Meetings by Telephone, Videoconference or Other Electronic Means.
Directors may participate in Board or committee meetings, if the meeting is
designated as a teleconference meeting by the President or the appropriate
committee chair at the time the meeting is called, by conference telephone,
videoconferencing, or other similar communications equipment, through which all
persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation
in a meeting pursuant to this section constitutes presence in person at the
meeting and such persons shall be counted for quorum purposes. Any form of
participation in a meeting allowed by South Dakota law, now or in the future,
shall be allowed by these By-laws.
SECTION
6. Consent 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.
SECTION 7. Committees. There
shall be standing committees of the Board of Directors as follows: Finance
& Audit; Show; Governance; and Breed Protection & Promotion. The Board
of Directors may establish, from time to time, such other committees as
it sees fit for a duration it deems appropriate. The President shall
appoint a chairman of each committee. Said chairperson shall report to the
Board with respect to the subject matters of his or her committee. The
chairperson and members of each committee shall establish their own meeting
schedules.
SECTION 8.
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of the current President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, as established by the Board from time to time. All members shall serve during the term as outlined in Article VI, Section 3 and all shall be voting members of the committee. Any actions taken by the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Board as a whole at the next regular meeting or special meeting. The Executive Committee may only commit the Association to an expenditure of $5,000.00 or less without Board approval, unless such expenditure was previously acted upon by the Board. The Executive Committee shall not be able to change or impose rules and regulations or make changes to the approved budgets or the By-laws. The Executive Committee may also deal with those tasks assigned by the Board and handle personnel matters on an ongoing basis, subject to review of the Board.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
SECTION 1. The principal officers of the
Association shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such
other officers as the Board may from time to time direct. The Secretary and
Treasurer may be the same person. The President, Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer shall be members of the Board.
SECTION
2. Nomination of Candidates. Candidates for directors
at large shall be nominated by a Nominations Committee, the Governance Committee,
or any member of the Board. The Nominations Committee shall be appointed by the
Board of Directors upon recommendation of the Governance Committee or upon its
own motion, and shall consist of at least three board members and up to three
other active members in the Association. All nominations shall be of persons
that are willing to serve the Association; whom will represent the Association,
its members and the Highland cattle breed with integrity; and whom will adhere
to the purposes of the Association consistent with these By-laws. In each fall
and winter issue of The Bagpipe, a nomination form shall be included so
members at large may nominate a candidate(s) for the Board of Directors at
large for consideration by the Nominations Committee. These nominations must be
received by the Association prior to January 31st of the current
election year. Nominees for director at large must be active members of the
Association and willing to serve for at least three (3) years. The nominees
shall be contacted and interviewed by the Nominations Committee and the
Nominations Committee shall be given written acceptance by all candidates of
their willingness to serve. The Nominations Committee shall put forward at
least two names for each open position if possible. The candidates with the
highest number of votes will fill the open positions.
SECTION 3. Election and Terms. The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected at the regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors. The President and Vice President may each serve a single two year term until their successors are elected. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by the Board for a term of two years. The Secretary and Treasurer may serve up to two consecutive terms or as long as they are eligible to be on the Board, whichever amount of time is shorter. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected to serve when the term begins with an even-numbered year. The President and Vice President shall be elected to serve when the term begins with an odd-numbered year. Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and other officers the Board may elect from time to time may serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, without limit of terms. In the event of any vacancy that may occur by reason of expiration of term, death, incapacity, removal or resignation, the vacancy shall be filled by the vote of a majority of the Board. Any and all officers of the Association may be removed by the majority vote of the Board.
SECTION 4.
President. The President shall be a member of the Board and shall:
a.) be the principal executive officer of the
Association and, unless otherwise determined by the members of the Board, shall
preside at all meetings of the members of the Board;
b.) sign any deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust,
notes, bonds, contracts or other instruments authorized by the Board to be
executed, except in cases in which the signing and execution thereof shall be
expressly delegated by the Board or by these By-laws to some other officer or
agent of the Association, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or
executed;
c.) perform, all duties incident to the office of
the President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board from time
to time; and
d.) cast a
vote only to break ties and may not make or move motions.
SECTION 5. Vice President. The Vice President
shall be a member of the Board and shall perform the duties of the President in
the absence of the President from the country or from any meeting of the
Association or Board of Directors, or in case of the inability of the President
to act for any reason whatsoever, until such absence or inability to act has
terminated.
SECTION 6.
Secretary. The Secretary
shall be a member of the Board and shall:
a.) perform all duties incident to the
office of Secretary, and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned
to him or her by the Board; and
b.) act as Secretary when there are
statutory or other matters of legal procedure that require the action of an
elected Secretary.
SECTION 7. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be a member of the Board
and shall:
a.) have charge and keep custody of and be
responsible for any disbursement from the money market or security funds of the
Association;
b.) review all
receipts and issuances of receipts for all moneys due and payable to the
Association from whatever source, and for prompt deposit of all such moneys in
the name of the Association in such bank or banks as shall be selected in
accordance with these By-laws;
c.) review
monthly income and expense reports and bank reconciliation reports as forwarded
by the Operations Manager on a monthly basis and transfer money between
accounts;
d.) assist
independent auditors in conducting their audit or review of the Association’s
books and records;
e.) present a
Treasurer’s Report at the annual convention, board meetings, in the Association
publication and any other venue that may be appropriate; and
f.) perform
all the duties incidental to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as
may be assigned from time to time by the Board.
SECTION 8.
Operations Manager. An Operations Manager may be appointed and/or be hired
by the Board of Directors to serve at the pleasure of the Board. He or she
shall receive such compensation as the Board of Directors shall from time to
time determine. The Board may increase, decrease, reassign or otherwise
delegate the duties provided under this section, as it deems necessary.
A. The Operations Manager shall hold the position of Assistant Secretary
and shall assist the Secretary of the Association in the performance of the
following duties:
i.) take and maintain the minutes of meetings of
Association members and of the Board in one or more books provided for that
purpose;
ii.) see that
all notices are duly given in accordance with these By-laws or as required by
law;
iii.) be
custodian of the Association records and of the seal of the Association and
affix the seal of the Association to documents, the execution of which on
behalf of the Association under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with
the provisions of these By-laws;
iv.) keep a register of the
names and addresses of all members; and
v.) keep on file at all times a complete copy of
the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Association containing all
amendments thereto which copy shall always be open to the inspection of any
director or member and at the expense of the Association forward a copy of the
By-laws and of all amendments thereto to each director or member.
B. The Operations Manager shall also
hold the position of Assistant Treasurer and shall assist the Treasurer of the
Association in the performance of the following duties:
i.) have
charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the
Association;
ii.) be
responsible for the receipt of and issuance of receipts for all moneys due and
payable to the Association from whatever source, and for prompt deposit of all
such moneys in the name of the Association in such bank or banks as shall be
selected in accordance with these By-laws;
iii.) be
responsible for all disbursements of the Association consistent with budgets
adopted by the Board from appropriate accounts;
iv.) assist
independent auditors in conducting their audit or review of the books provided
for that purpose;
v.) may have
charge of the property of the Association, and in the performance of his or her
duties but shall at all times be responsible to the President and Board of
Directors;
vi.) may see
that the property and liabilities of the Association are fully protected by
insurance, the amount thereof to be approved by the Board of Directors;
vii.) shall
deposit or cause to be deposited the Association’s funds and securities with
such depositories and custodians as the Board of Directors may from time to
time designate;
viii.) shall
be responsible for the receipt and recording of all funds, pay duly authorized bills,
make financial reports at meetings of the Association; and
ix.) may give
a surety bond, written by a corporate surety approved by the Board of
Directors, for the faithful performance of his or her duties, the expense of
which bond shall be borne by the Association.
C. The
Operations Manager shall maintain the Association’s breed registry and shall:
i.) issue or
cause to be issued all certificates of registration, transfers, gain
certification, F-1 certificate of registration, certificate of pedigree, embryo
transplant registration, AI certificate of registration or other certifications
which may be required by the rules and regulations from time to time adopted by
the Board; and
ii.) perform such other duties as may from time to
time be assigned to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the breed registry and
shall at all times be responsible to the President and Board of Directors.
SECTION 9. Assistant Operations Manager. An Assistant
Operations Manager may be appointed by the Board of Directors to serve at the
pleasure of the Board. In the event of inability of the Operations Manager to
serve for any reason, such Assistant Operations Manager may perform all the
duties of the Operations Manager for such period of inability to serve of the
Manager and, in addition thereto, such Assistant Operations Manager shall
perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the
Operations Manager or by the Board. He or she shall receive such compensation
as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine
SECTION
10. Bonds. The Board may require any
agent of the Association to give bond in such sum and with such surety, as it
shall determine.
SECTION 11. Compensation. When authorized by the Board, a person shall be
reasonably compensated for services rendered to the Association as an officer,
director, employee, or independent contractor, except where otherwise
prohibited by these By-laws. Officers
and directors may be reimbursed for their reasonable out of pocket expenses.
The Association shall follow its conflict of interest policy, consistent with
Internal Revenue Service regulations, when determining such compensation or
reimbursement.
ARTICLE VII
NON-PROFIT
OPERATION
The Association shall at all
times be operated on a not-for-profit basis, and no interest or dividends shall
be paid or payable by the Association to any director as such and shall be
operated for the purposes for which said association was created.
ARTICLE VIII
FINANCIAL
TRANSACTIONS
SECTION 1. Contracts. Except as otherwise provided in these
By-laws, the Board may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to
enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name and
on behalf of the Association and such authority may be general or confined to
specific instances.
SECTION
2. Checks, Drafts. Etc. All checks, drafts or other orders
for payment of money, and all notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness
issued in the name of the Association shall be signed by such officers, agent
or agents, employee or employees of the Association and in such manner as shall
from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board.
SECTION 3. Deposits. All funds of the Association
shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Association in such
financial institution or institutions as the Treasurer may select subject to
the Board’s approval.
SECTION 4. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the
Association shall begin on the first day of June of each and every such year
and shall end on the last day of May of each and every year except as otherwise
provided by resolution of the Board.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 1. Waiver of Notice. Any director may
waive in writing any notice of a meeting required to be given by these By-laws.
The attendance of a director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice
of such meeting by such director except in case a director shall attend a
meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business
on the grounds that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.
SECTION 2.
Rules and Regulations. The Board shall have power to make and adopt
such rules and regulations not inconsistent with law, the Articles of
Incorporation or these By-laws as it may deem advisable for the management of
the business and affairs of the Association. The Board of Directors shall adopt and publish
from time to time, rules and criteria concerning membership in the Association,
including membership fees. In addition, it shall adopt and publish from time to
time, rules and regulations concerning the registration of Highland cattle and
fees to be charged for such registration. The Board shall also adopt any and
all policies and procedures as may be required by the laws and/or regulations
of any state or the United States government, to which the Association is
subject.
ARTICLE X
VOTING BY MAIL
Absentee
ballots may be used by members choosing not to attend the annual meeting or
special meetings of the membership. Such ballots are for the purpose of
expressing the member’s preferences on candidates for the Board of Directors,
for changes to the Articles of Incorporation, changes to the By-laws and for
other issues set forth in writing and provided to the membership in advance of
the meeting pursuant to the notice requirements for said meeting, set forth
herein. Absentee ballots may not be given for unspecified business or actions
that come before the membership. Absentee ballots will be counted along with
the ballots of those in attendance. Absentee ballots must be postmarked no later
than the Friday two weeks prior to the start of the week in which the meeting
or election is held. Ballots will be opened and counted the day of the annual
or special meeting with the ballots cast at the election.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
These By-laws may be amended by
two thirds of the directors at any regular or special meeting of directors, if
written notice of no less than 30 days is provided of such meeting, and shall
have contained a copy of the proposed amendment and the rationale for the amendment.
Only the members of the Association may amend the By-laws in any way that would
vary the terms or method of selection of directors. Furthermore, Articles I and
VII may only be amended by a vote of two thirds of the vote of members of the
Association.
ARTICLE XII
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 1. Non-derivative Actions. Subject to all of
the other provisions of this article, the Association 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
Association). Such indemnification shall apply to all persons described in the
indemnification provisions set forth in the Articles of Incorporation of the
Association. Said persons covered include, but are not necessarily limited to:
any person who was or is a director or officer of the Association or who was or
is serving at the request of the Association as a director, officer, partner,
trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic Association,
partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, whether for profit or
not for profit; or, all other non-director or non-officer volunteers serving
the Association, subject to the conditions set forth in Section 2 below. 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 Association.
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 Association, or (b) with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, the person had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct
was unlawful.
SECTION
2. Derivative Actions.
Subject to all of the provisions of this article, the Association 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 Association to procure a judgment in its favor because (a) the
person was or is a director or officer of the Association, or (b) the person
was or is serving at the request of the Association as a director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic
Association, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, whether or
not for profit, or (c) was or is a volunteer of the Association and if all of
the following are met:
a.) The volunteer was acting or reasonably
believed he or she was acting within his or her authority; and,
b.) The volunteer was acting in
good faith; and,
c.) The
volunteer’s conduct was not an intentional tort; and,
d.) The volunteer’s conduct was not a tort arising
out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle for which tort
liability may be imposed as provided in laws of South Dakota.
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 Association. However, indemnification shall not be made for
any claim, issue, or matter in which the person has been found liable to the
Association 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.
SECTION
3. 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 Section 1 or Section
2 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.
SECTION
4. Contract Right: Limitation on
Indemnity. The right to indemnification conferred in this
article shall be a contractual right and shall apply to services of a director
or officer as an employee or agent of the Association as well as in such
person’s capacity as a director or officer. Except as provided in Section 3 of
this article, the Association 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 of Directors.
SECTION 5. Determination that Indemnification is Proper.
Any indemnification under Sections 1 or 2 of this article (unless ordered by a
court) shall be made by the Association only as authorized in the specific
case. The Association 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 Section 1 or Section 2 herein, whichever is applicable.
Such determination shall be made in any of the following ways:
a.)
by a majority of a quorum of the Board consisting of 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; or
c.)
by independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
SECTION
6. Proportionate Indemnity.
If a person is entitled to indemnification under Section 1 or Section 2 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 Association 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.
SECTION 7. Expense Advance.
Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding
described in Section 1 or Section 2 of this article may be paid by the
Association 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 Association. The undertaking shall be an
unlimited general obligation of the person on whose behalf advances are made, but
need not be secured.
SECTION
8. Non-exclusivity 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 Association. 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.
SECTION
9. Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Association.
The Association 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 Association 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 Association.
SECTION 10. Former
Directors and Officers. The indemnification provided in this article
continues for a person who has ceased to be a director and/or officer and shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of that
person.
SECTION 11. Insurance. The Association
may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who (a) was or is a
director, officer, employee, or agent of the Association, or (b) was or is
serving at the request of the Association as a director, officer, employee, or
agent of another Association, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other
enterprise. 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 Association would have power to
indemnify against such liability under this article or the laws of the State of
South Dakota.
SECTION 12. Changes in Law.
If there are any changes in the statutory provisions applicable to the
Association 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 Association to provide broader indemnification rights than such provisions
permitted the Association to provide before any such change.