Appointment of Underwriter Upon the execution of this Agreement and in consideration of the agreements on your part herein expressed and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, we hereby appoint you as the exclusive sales agent for our Shares and agree that we will deliver such Shares as you may sell. You agree to use your best efforts to promote the sale of Shares, but are not obligated to sell any specific number of Shares. However, the Fund and each series retain the right to make direct sales of its Shares without sales charges consistent with the terms of the then current prospectus and statement of additional information and applicable law, and to engage in other legally authorized transactions in its Shares which do not involve the sale of Shares to the general public. Such other transactions may include, without limitation, transactions between the Fund or any series or class and its shareholders only, transactions involving the reorganization of the Fund or any series, and transactions involving the merger or combination of the Fund or any series with another corporation or trust.