U.S. GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST DATED July 31, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
ARTICLE I NAME, FORMATION AND DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||
Section 1.01. Name |
1 | |||
Section 1.02. Formation of the Trust |
1 | |||
Section 1.03. Definitions |
1 | |||
ARTICLE II BENEFICIAL INTEREST |
3 | |||
Section 2.01. Shares of Beneficial Ownership Interest |
3 | |||
Section 2.02. Issuance of Shares |
3 | |||
Section 2.03. Ownership and Transfer of Shares |
3 | |||
Section 2.04. Treasury Shares |
4 | |||
Section 2.05. Establishment of Series |
4 | |||
Section 2.06. Investment in the Trust |
4 | |||
Section 2.07. Assets and Liabilities of Series |
5 | |||
Section 2.08. No Preemptive or Other Rights |
6 | |||
Section 2.09. Personal Liability of Shareholders |
6 | |||
Section 2.10. Assent to Trust Instrument |
6 | |||
ARTICLE III THE TRUSTEES |
6 | |||
Section 3.01. Management of the Trust |
6 | |||
Section 3.02. Initial Trustees |
7 | |||
Section 3.03. Term of Office of Trustees |
7 | |||
Section 3.04. Vacancies and Appointment of Trustees |
7 | |||
Section 3.05. Temporary Absence of Trustee |
8 | |||
Section 3.06. Number of Trustees |
8 | |||
Section 3.07. Effect of Vacancy of a Trustee |
8 | |||
Section 3.08. Ownership of Assets of the Trust |
8 | |||
Section 3.09. Compensation |
9 | |||
ARTICLE IV POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES |
9 | |||
Section 4.01. Powers |
9 | |||
Section 4.02. Issuance and Repurchase of Shares |
12 | |||
Section 4.03. Trustees and Officers as Shareholders |
12 | |||
Section 4.04. Action by the Trustees |
13 |
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Section 4.05. Chairman of the Trustees |
13 | |||
Section 4.06. Principal Transactions |
13 | |||
ARTICLE V EXPENSES OF THE TRUST |
14 | |||
Section 5.01. Payment of Expenses by the Trust |
14 | |||
Section 5.02. Payment of Expenses by Shareholders |
14 | |||
ARTICLE VI CONTRACTS WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS |
15 | |||
Section 6.01. Investment Advisory Contracts |
15 | |||
Section 6.02. Distribution Contracts |
15 | |||
Section 6.03. Custody Agreements |
16 | |||
Section 6.04. Administration Agreement |
16 | |||
Section 6.05. Other Contracts |
16 | |||
Section 6.06. Parties to Contracts with Service Providers |
16 | |||
Section 6.06. Provisions and Amendments |
17 | |||
ARTICLE VII SHAREHOLDERS’ VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS |
17 | |||
Section 7.01. Voting Powers |
17 | |||
Section 7.02. Meetings of the Shareholders |
18 | |||
Section 7.03. Quorum and Required Vote |
18 | |||
ARTICLE VIII DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS |
19 | |||
Section 8.01. Distributions |
19 | |||
Section 8.02. Redemptions and Repurchases |
19 | |||
Section 8.03. Determination of Net Asset Value |
21 | |||
Section 8.04. Suspension of the Right of Redemption |
21 | |||
ARTICLE IX LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION |
21 | |||
Section 9.01. Limitation of Liability |
21 | |||
Section 9.02. Indemnification |
22 | |||
Section 9.03. Indemnification of Shareholders |
23 | |||
Section 9.04. No Bond Required of Trustees |
23 | |||
Section 9.05. No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, Etc. |
23 | |||
Section 9.06. Reliance on Experts, Etc. |
24 | |||
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS |
24 |
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Section 10.01. Trust Not a Partnership |
24 | |||
Section 10.02. Trustee Action |
24 | |||
Section 10.03. Establishment of Record Dates |
25 | |||
Section 10.04. Termination of Trust |
25 | |||
Section 10.05. Reorganization |
26 | |||
Section 10.06. Filing of Copies; References; Headings |
27 | |||
Section 10.07. Applicable Law |
27 | |||
Section 10.08. Amendments |
28 | |||
Section 10.09. Derivative Actions |
28 | |||
Section 10.10. Fiscal Year |
28 | |||
Section 10.11. Provisions in Conflict with Law |
28 |
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U.S. GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Dated July 31, 2008
This AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST (hereinafter “Trust Instrument”) is made July 31, 2008
(together with all other persons from time to time duly elected, qualified and serving as Trustees
in accordance with Article III hereof, the “Trustees”).
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to establish a statutory trust for the investment and
reinvestment of funds contributed thereto by investors;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees declare that all money and property contributed to the trust
hereunder shall be held and managed in trust under this Trust Instrument as herein set forth below.
ARTICLE I
NAME, FORMATION AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. Name. The name of the trust created hereby is the “U.S. Global
Investors Funds,” and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust (as defined below) under
that name or any other name or names as they may from time to time determine in their discretion.
Any name change shall become effective on the execution by a majority of the Trustees of an
instrument setting forth the new name and the filing of a certificate of amendment pursuant to
Section 3810(b)(1) of the Delaware Act. Any such instrument shall not require the approval of the
Shareholders but shall have the status of an amendment to this Trust Instrument.
Section 1.02. Formation of the Trust. The Trust was formed by the Trustee or
Trustees filing the Trust’s certificate of trust with the office of the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware in accordance with Section 3810 of the Delaware Act. It is the intention of the
parties hereto that the Trust created thereby and governed hereby constitutes a statutory trust
under the Delaware Act and that this Trust Instrument constitutes its governing instrument.
Section 1.03. Definitions. Wherever used herein, unless otherwise required by the
context or specifically provided:
(a) The term “By-Laws” means the By-Laws referred to in Article IV, Section 4.01(e) hereof, as
from time to time amended;
(b) The term “Commission” has the meaning given it in the 1940 Act (as defined below). The
terms “Affiliated Person,” “Assignment,” “Interested Person,” and “Principal Underwriter” shall
have the meanings given them in the 1940 Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order
or orders of the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted by or interpretive releases of the
Commission thereunder;
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(c) The term “Covered Person” has the meaning set forth in Article IX, Section 9.02;
(d) The term “Custodian” means any party furnishing services to the Trust pursuant to any
agreement described in Article VI, Section 6.03;
(e) The term “Delaware Act” refers to Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code entitled
“Treatment of Delaware Statutory Trusts,” as it may be amended from time to time;
(f) The term “Majority Shareholder Vote” means “the vote of a majority of the outstanding
Voting Securities” as defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act;
(g) The term “Net Asset Value” means the net asset value of each Series (as defined below) of
the Trust determined in the manner provided in Article VIII, Section 8.03 hereof;
(h) The term “Outstanding Shares” means those Shares (as defined below) shown from time to
time in the books of the Trust or its transfer agent as then issued and outstanding, but shall not
include Shares which have been redeemed or repurchased by the Trust and which are at the time held
in the treasury of the Trust;
(i) The term “Series” means a series of Shares of the Trust established in accordance with the
provisions of Article II, Section 2.05 hereof;
(j) The term “Shareholder” means a record owner of Outstanding Shares of the Trust;
(k) The term “Shares” means the equal proportionate transferable units of beneficial interest
into which the beneficial interest of each Series of the Trust or class thereof shall be divided
and may include fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares;
(l) “Tax Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any
successor statute;
(m) The term “Trust” refers to the U.S. Global Investors Funds and all Series of the U.S.
Global Investors Funds, and reference to the Trust, when applicable to one or more Series of the
Trust, shall refer to any such Series;
(n) The term “Trustee” or “Trustees” means the person or persons who has or have signed this
Trust Instrument, so long as he, she or they shall continue in office in accordance with the terms
hereof, and all other persons who may from time to time be duly qualified and serving as Trustees
in accordance with the provisions of Article III hereof, and reference herein to a Trustee or to
the Trustees shall refer to the individual Trustees in their capacity as Trustees hereunder;
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(o) The term “Trust Property” means any and all property, real or personal, tangible or
intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of one or more of the Trust or any Series,
or the Trustees on behalf of the Trust or any Series; and
(p) The term “1940 Act” refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to
time.
ARTICLE II
BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 2.01. Shares of Beneficial Ownership Interest. The beneficial interest in
the Trust shall be divided into such transferable Shares of one or more separate and distinct
Series or classes of a Series as the Trustees shall from time to time create and establish. The
number of Shares of each Series, and class thereof, authorized hereunder is unlimited. Each Share
shall have no par value. All Shares issued hereunder, including, without limitation, Shares issued
in connection with a dividend in Shares or a split or reverse split of Shares, shall be fully paid
and nonassessable.
Section 2.02. Issuance of Shares. The Trustees in their discretion may, from time
to time, without a vote of the Shareholders, issue Shares, in addition to the then-issued and
outstanding Shares and Shares held in the treasury, to such party or parties and for such amount
and type of consideration, subject to applicable law, including cash or securities, at such time or
times and on such terms as the Trustees may deem appropriate, and may in such manner acquire other
assets (including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection with, the assumption of
liabilities) and businesses. In connection with any issuance of Shares, the Trustees may issue
fractional Shares and Shares held in the treasury. The Trustees from time to time may divide or
combine the Shares into a greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate
beneficial interests in the Trust. Contributions to the Trust may be accepted for, and Shares
shall be redeemed as, whole Shares and/or 1/1,000th of a Share or integral multiples thereof.
Section 2.03. Ownership and Transfer of Shares. The Trust or a transfer agent for
the Trust shall maintain a register containing the names and addresses of the Shareholders of each
Series and class thereof, the number of Shares of each Series and class held by such Shareholders,
and a record of all Share transfers. The register shall be conclusive as to the identity of
Shareholders of record and the number of Shares held by them from time to time. The Trustees may
authorize the issuance of certificates representing Shares and adopt rules governing their use.
The Trustees may make rules governing the transfer of Shares, whether or not represented by
certificates. Except as otherwise provided by the Trustees, Shares shall be transferable on the
books of the Trust only by the holder of record thereof or by his duly authorized agent upon
delivery to the Trustees or the Trust’s transfer agent of a duly executed instrument of transfer,
together with a Share certificate if one is outstanding, and such evidence of the genuineness of
each such execution and authorization and of such other matters as may be required by the Trustees.
Upon such delivery, and subject to any further requirements specified by the Trustees or contained
in
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the By-Laws, the transfer shall be recorded on the books of the Trust. Until a transfer is so
recorded, the Shareholder of record of Shares shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for
all purposes hereunder and neither the Trustees nor the Trust, nor any transfer agent or registrar
or any officer, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be affected by any notice of a proposed
transfer.
Section 2.04. Treasury Shares. Shares held in the treasury shall, until reissued
pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof, not confer any voting rights on the Trustees, nor shall such
Shares be entitled to any dividends or other distributions declared with respect to the Shares.
Section 2.05. Establishment of Series. The Trust created hereby shall consist of
one or more Series, and separate and distinct records shall be maintained by the Trust of each
Series and the assets associated with any such Series shall be held and accounted for separately
from the assets of the Trust or any other Series. The Trustees shall have full power and
authority, in their sole discretion, and without obtaining any prior authorization or vote of the
Shareholders of any Series of the Trust, to establish and designate and to change in any manner
such Series of Shares or any classes of initial or additional Series and to fix such preferences,
voting powers, rights and privileges of such Series or classes thereof as the Trustees may from
time to time determine, to divide and combine the Shares or any Series or classes thereof into a
greater or lesser number, to classify or reclassify any issued Shares or any Series or classes
thereof into one or more Series or classes of Shares, to abolish any one or more Series or classes
of Shares or to take such other action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may deem
desirable. The establishment and designation of any Series shall be effective upon the adoption of
a resolution by a majority of the Trustees setting forth such establishment and designation and the
relative rights and preferences of the Shares of such Series. A Series may issue any number of
Shares and need not issue Shares.
All references to Shares in this Trust Instrument shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all
Series, or classes thereof, as the context may require. All provisions herein relating to the
Trust shall apply equally to each Series of the Trust, and each class thereof, except as the
context otherwise requires.
Each Share of a Series of the Trust shall represent an equal beneficial interest in the net
assets of such Series. Each holder of Shares of a Series shall be entitled to receive his pro rata
share of distributions of income and capital gains, if any, made with respect to such Series. Upon
redemption of his Shares, such Shareholder shall be paid solely out of the funds and property of
such Series of the Trust.
Section 2.06. Investment in the Trust. The Trustees shall accept investments in
any Series of the Trust from such persons and on such terms as they may from time to time
authorize. At the Trustees’ discretion, such investments, subject to applicable law, may be in the
form of cash or securities in which the affected Series is authorized to invest, valued as provided
in Article VIII, Section 8.03 hereof. Investments in a Series shall be credited to each
Shareholder’s account in the form of full or fractional Shares at a Net Asset Value per Share
determined after the investment is received; provided, however, that the Trustees may, in their
sole discretion, (a) fix
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the Net Asset Value per Share of the initial capital contribution or (b) impose a sales charge or
other fee in connection with investments in the Trust in such manner and at such time as determined
by the Trustees. The Trustees shall have the right to refuse to accept investments in any Series
at any time without any cause or reason therefor whatsoever.
Section 2.07. Assets and Liabilities of Series. All consideration received by the
Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Series, together with all assets in which
such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof,
including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds
or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall
be held and accounted for separately from the other assets of the Trust and of every other Series
and may be referred to herein as “assets belonging to” that Series. The assets belonging to a
particular Series shall belong to that Series for all purposes, and to no other Series, subject
only to the rights of creditors of that Series. In addition, any assets, income, earnings, profits
or funds, or payments and proceeds with respect thereto, which are not readily identifiable as
belonging to any particular Series shall be allocated by the Trustees between and among one or more
of the Series in such manner as the Trustees, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable.
Each such allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all
purposes, and such assets, income, earnings, profits or funds, or payments and proceeds with
respect thereto shall be assets belonging to that Series. The assets belonging to a particular
Series shall be so recorded upon the books of the Trust, and shall be held by the Trustees in trust
for the benefit of the holders of Shares of that Series. The assets belonging to each particular
Series shall be charged with the liabilities of that Series and all expenses, costs, charges, and
reserves attributable to that Series. Any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges, or
reserves of the Trust which are not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular Series shall
be allocated and charged by the Trustees between or among any one or more of the Series in such
manner as the Trustees, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable. Each such allocation
shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all purposes.
Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.07, but subject to the right
of the Trustees in their discretion to allocate general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges, or
reserves as herein provided, the debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses incurred, contracted
for or otherwise existing with respect to a particular Series shall be enforceable against the
assets of such Series and not against the assets of any other Series or the assets of the Trust
generally. Notice of this contractual limitation on inter-Series liabilities may, in the Trustee’s
sole discretion, be set forth in the certificate of trust of the Trust (whether originally or by
amendment) as filed or to be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
pursuant to the Delaware Act, and upon the giving of such notice in the certificate of trust, the
statutory provisions of Section 3804 of the Delaware Act relating to limitations on liabilities
among Series (and the statutory effect under Section 3804 of setting forth such notice in the
certificate of trust) shall become applicable to the Trust and each Series. Any person extending
credit to, contracting with or having any claim against any Series may look only to the assets of
that Series to satisfy or enforce any debt, liability, obligation or expense incurred, contracted
for or otherwise existing with respect to that Series. No Shareholder or former
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Shareholder of any Series shall have a claim on, or any right to, any assets allocated or
belonging to any other Series.
Section 2.08. No Preemptive or Other Rights. Shareholders shall have no preemptive
or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust or the
Trustees, whether of the same or other Series. In addition, Shares shall not entitle Shareholders
to preference, appraisal, conversion or exchange rights (except as specified herein or as specified
by the Trustees when creating the Shares, as in preferred shares).
Section 2.09. Personal Liability of Shareholders. Each Shareholder of the Trust
and of each Series shall not be personally liable for debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses
incurred by, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to, the Trust or by or on behalf of
any Series. The Trustees shall have no power to bind any Shareholder personally or to call upon
any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the
Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay by way of subscription for any Shares or
otherwise. Every note, bond, contract or other undertaking issued by or on behalf of the Trust or
the Trustees relating to the Trust or to a Series shall include a recitation limiting the
obligation represented thereby to the Trust or to one or more Series and its or their assets (but
the omission of such a recitation shall not operate to bind any Shareholder or Trustee of the
Trust). Shareholders shall have the same limitation of personal liability as is extended to
shareholders of a private corporation for profit incorporated in the State of Delaware. Every
written obligation of the Trust or any Series shall contain a statement to the effect that such
obligation may only be enforced against the assets of the appropriate Series or all Series;
however, the omission of such statement shall not operate to bind or create personal liability for
any Shareholder or Trustee.
Section 2.10. Assent to Trust Instrument. Every Shareholder, by virtue of having
purchased a Share, shall become a Shareholder and shall be held to have expressly assented and
agreed to be bound by the terms hereof.
ARTICLE III
THE TRUSTEES
Section 3.01. Management of the Trust. The Trustees shall have exclusive and
absolute control over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust to the same extent as
if the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust Property and business in their own right, but
with such powers of delegation as may be permitted by this Trust Instrument. The Trustees shall
have the power to conduct the business of the Trust and carry on its operations in any and all of
its branches and maintain offices both within and without the State of Delaware, in any and all
states of the United States of America, in the District of Columbia, in any and all commonwealths,
territories, dependencies, colonies, or possessions of the United States of America, and in any
foreign jurisdiction and to do all such other things and execute all such instruments as they deem
necessary, proper or desirable in order to promote the interests of the Trust although such things
are not herein specifically mentioned. Any determination as to what is in the interests of the
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Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive. In construing the provisions of this
Trust Instrument, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.
The enumeration of any specific power in this Trust Instrument shall not be construed as
limiting the aforesaid power. The powers of the Trustees may be exercised without order of or
resort to any court.
Except for the Trustees named herein or appointed to fill vacancies pursuant to Section 3.04
of this Article III, the Trustees shall be elected by the Shareholders owning of record a plurality
of the Shares voting at a meeting of Shareholders. Such a meeting shall be held on a date fixed by
the Trustees. In the event that less than a majority of the Trustees holding office have been
elected by Shareholders, the Trustees then in office will call a Shareholders’ meeting for the
election of Trustees.
Section 3.02. Initial Trustees. Prior to a public offering of Shares, there may be
a sole initial Trustee. The initial Trustee shall be the person named herein. Thereafter, the
number of Trustees (other than the initial Trustees) shall be fixed from time to time by a majority
of the Trustees, subject to Section 3.06 of this Article III. On a date fixed by the Trustees, the
Shareholders shall elect additional Trustees subject to Section 3.06 of this Article III.
Section 3.03. Term of Office of Trustees. Each Trustee shall hold office for life,
or until his successor is elected, or until the Trust’s termination as herein provided, except
that: (a) any Trustee may resign his or her position as Trustee by written instrument signed by him
and delivered to the other Trustees, which shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later
date as is specified therein; (b) any Trustee may be removed at any time by a vote of at least
two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal, specifying the date when such removal
shall become effective; (c) any Trustee who dies, becomes physically or mentally incapacitated by
reason of disease or otherwise, or is otherwise unable to serve, may be retired by written
instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees, specifying the date of his retirement; (d)
any Trustee who has attained a mandatory retirement age or term limit established pursuant to, or
is otherwise required to retire in accordance with, any written policy adopted from time to time by
the Trustees, shall automatically and without action of such Trustee or the remaining Trustees, be
deemed to have retired in accordance with the terms of such policy, effective as of the date
determined in accordance with such policy; and (e) a Trustee may be removed at any meeting of the
Shareholders of the Trust by a vote of Shareholders owning at least a majority of the outstanding
Shares, cast in person or by proxy at a meeting called for that purpose.
Section 3.04. Vacancies and Appointment of Trustees. Any vacancy or anticipated
vacancy caused by any reason, including but not limited to, in the case of declination to serve,
death, resignation, retirement, removal, physical or mental incapacity by reason of disease or
otherwise, or a Trustee is otherwise unable to serve, or an increase in the number of Trustees, a
vacancy shall occur. Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Trustees shall occur, the other Trustees
shall have all the powers hereunder and the certificate of the other Trustees of such vacancy shall
be conclusive. In the case of an existing vacancy, the remaining Trustees shall fill such vacancy
by appointing such other person as they in their discretion shall see fit consistent with the
7
limitations under the 1940 Act. Such appointment shall be evidenced by a written instrument signed
by a majority of the Trustees in office or by resolution of the Trustees, duly adopted, which shall
be recorded in the minutes of a meeting of the Trustees, whereupon the appointment shall take
effect. The Trustees may leave a vacancy unfilled or may reduce the number of Trustees, provided
that the reduction does not result in less than the minimum number provided by Section 3.06 of this
Article III.
An appointment of a Trustee may be made by the Trustees then in office in anticipation of a
vacancy to occur by reason of retirement, resignation or increase in number of Trustees effective
at a later date, provided that said appointment shall become effective only at or after the
effective date of said retirement, resignation or increase in number of Trustees. As soon as any
Trustee appointed pursuant to this Section 3.04 shall have accepted such appointment, the trust
estate shall vest in the new Trustee, together with the continuing Trustees, without any further
act or conveyance, and he shall be deemed a Trustee hereunder. The power to appoint a Trustee
pursuant to this Section 3.04 is subject to the provisions of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act.
Section 3.05. Temporary Absence of Trustee. Any Trustee may, by power of attorney,
delegate his power for a period not exceeding six (6) months at any one time to any other Trustee
or Trustees, provided that in no case shall less than two (2) Trustees personally exercise the
other powers hereunder except as herein otherwise expressly provided. Until a vacancy among the
Trustees is filled, or while any Trustee is absent pursuant to this Section 3.05, the remaining
Trustees shall have all powers hereunder, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
Section 3.06. Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees shall be set initially at
one (1), and thereafter shall be such number as shall be fixed from time to time by a majority of
the Trustees, provided, however, that the number of Trustees shall in no event be more than fifteen
(15) or less than three (3) and shall comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act and other
applicable laws. No reduction of the number of Trustees shall have the effect of removing a
Trustee prior to the expiration of his term.
Section 3.07. Effect of Vacancy of a Trustee. Any vacancy for any reason,
including but not limited to the declination to serve, death, resignation, retirement, removal,
incapacity or inability of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to terminate the
Trust, annul this Trust Instrument or revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of
this Trust Instrument.
Section 3.08. Ownership of Assets of the Trust. The assets of the Trust and of
each Series shall be held separate and apart from any assets now or hereafter held in any capacity
other than as Trustee hereunder by the Trustees or any successor Trustees. Legal title in and
beneficial ownership of all of the assets of the Trust and the right to conduct any business shall
at all times be considered as vested in the Trustees on behalf of the Trust, except that the
Trustees may cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by, or in the name of, the Trust,
or in the name of any person as nominee (including a Custodian). No Shareholder shall be deemed to
have a severable ownership in any individual asset of the Trust or of any Series or any right of
partition or possession thereof, but each Shareholder shall have, except as otherwise provided for
herein, a
8
proportionate undivided beneficial interest in the Trust or Series. The Shares shall be personal
property giving only the rights specifically set forth in this Trust Instrument. The Trust, or at
the determination of the Trustees one or more of the Trustees or a nominee acting for and on behalf
of the Trust, shall be deemed to hold legal title and beneficial ownership of any income earned on
securities of the Trust issued by any business entities formed, organized, or existing under the
laws of any jurisdiction, including the laws of any foreign country. Upon the resignation or
removal of a Trustee, or his otherwise ceasing to be a Trustee, he shall automatically cease to
have any right, title or interest in any of the Trust property, and the right, title and interest
of such Trustee in the Trust property shall vest automatically in the remaining Trustees. To the
extent permitted by law, such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not
conveying documents have been executed and delivered. Upon the incapacity or death of any Trustee,
his legal representative shall execute and deliver on his behalf such documents as the remaining
Trustees shall require as provided in the preceding sentence.
Section 3.09. Compensation. The Trustees as such shall be entitled to reasonable
compensation from the Trust, and they may periodically fix the amount of such compensation.
Nothing herein shall in any way prevent the employment of any Trustee for advisory, management,
legal, accounting, investment banking or other services and payment for the same by the Trust.
ARTICLE IV
POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES
Section 4.01. Powers. The Trustees in all instances shall act as principals, and
are and shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall have exclusive and
absolute control over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust to the same extent as
if the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust Property and business in their own right, but
with such powers of delegation as may be permitted by this Trust Instrument. The Trustees shall
have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute any and all contracts
and instruments that they may consider necessary or appropriate in connection with the management
of the Trust. The Trustees shall not in any way be bound or limited by present or future laws or
customs in regard to trust investments, but shall have full authority and power to make any and all
investments which they, in their sole discretion, shall deem proper to accomplish the purpose of
this Trust without recourse to any court or other authority. Subject to any applicable express
limitation in this Trust Instrument or the By-Laws of the Trust, the Trustees shall have power and
authority:
(a) To invest and reinvest cash and other property, and to hold cash or other property
uninvested, without in any event being bound or limited by any present or future law or custom in
regard to investments by trustees, and to sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate,
write options on and lease any or all the assets of the Trust; to invest in obligations and
securities of any kind, and without regard to whether they may mature before the possible
termination of the Trust; and to invest all or any part of its cash and other property in, or to
purchase, securities issued by an investment company registered under the 1940 Act or series
thereof, subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act;
9
(b) To operate as and carry on the business of an investment company registered under the 1940
Act, and exercise all of the powers necessary and appropriate to the conduct of such operations;
(c) To borrow money and in this connection issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness; to
secure borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the Trust Property;
to endorse, guarantee, or undertake the performance of an obligation or engagement of any other
person and to lend Trust Property;
(d) To provide for the distribution of interests of the Trust either through a principal
underwriter (as defined in Section 29(a)(29) of the 0000 Xxx) in the manner hereinafter provided
for or by the Trust itself, or both, or otherwise pursuant to a plan of distribution of any kind;
(e) To adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Trust Instrument providing for the conduct of
the business of the Trust and to amend and repeal them to the extent that they do not reserve that
right to the Shareholders; such By-Laws shall be deemed incorporated and included in this Trust
Instrument;
(f) To elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they consider
appropriate, any one or more of the foregoing of whom may be a Trustee, and may provide for the
compensation of all of the foregoing;
(g) To employ one or more banks, trust companies or companies that are members of a national
securities exchange or such other entities as the Commission may permit as custodians of any assets
of the Trust subject to any conditions set forth in this Trust Instrument or in the By-Laws;
(h) To retain one or more transfer agents and shareholder servicing agents, or both;
(i) To set record dates in the manner provided herein or in the By-Laws;
(j) To delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any officers of the Trust and to
any investment adviser, manager, Custodian, underwriter or other agent or independent contractor;
(k) To sell or exchange any or all of the assets of the Trust, subject to the provisions of
Article X, Section 10.04(b) hereof;
(l) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or
other securities or property; and to execute and deliver powers of attorney and proxies to such
person or persons as the Trustee shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power
and discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
10
(m) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out
of ownership of securities;
(n) To hold any security or property (i) in a form not indicating any trust, whether in
bearer, book entry, unregistered or other negotiable form; or (ii) either in the name of the Trust
or in the name of a Custodian or a nominee or nominees subject in either case to proper safeguards
according to the usual practice of Delaware business or statutory trusts or investment companies;
(o) To establish separate and distinct Series with separately defined investment objectives
and policies and distinct investment purposes in accordance with the provisions of Article II
hereof and to establish classes of such Series having relative rights, powers and duties as they
may provide consistent with applicable law;
(p) To the full extent permitted by Section 3804(a) of the Delaware Act, to allocate assets,
liabilities and expenses of the Trust to a particular Series or to apportion the same between or
among two or more Series, provided that any liabilities or expenses incurred by a particular Series
shall be payable solely out of the assets belonging to that Series as provided for in Article II
hereof;
(q) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger
of any corporation or concern, any security of which is or was held in the Trust; to consent to any
contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, or sale of property by such corporation or concern, and to pay
calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(r) To litigate, compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the
Trust or any matter in controversy including, but not limited to, claims for taxes;
(s) To make distributions of income and of capital gains to Shareholders in the manner
hereinafter provided;
(t) To establish, from time to time, a minimum investment for Shareholders in the Trust or in
one or more Series or class, and to require the redemption of the Shares of any Shareholder whose
investment is less than such minimum upon giving notice to such Shareholder;
(u) To establish one or more committees, to delegate any of the powers of the Trustees to said
committees and to adopt a committee charter providing for such responsibilities, membership
(including Trustees, officers or other agents of the Trust therein) and any other characteristics
of said committees as the Trustees may deem proper. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article
IV, and in addition to such provisions or any other provision of this Trust Instrument or of the
By-Laws, the Trustees may by resolution appoint a committee consisting of less than the whole
number of Trustees then in office, which committee may be
11
empowered to act for and bind the Trustees and the Trust, as if the acts of such committee
were the acts of all the Trustees then in office, with respect to the institution, prosecution,
dismissal, settlement, review or investigation of any action, suit or proceeding which shall be
pending or threatened to be brought before any court, administrative agency or other adjudicatory
body;
(v) To interpret the investment policies, practices or limitations of any Series;
(w) To establish a registered office and have a registered agent in the State of Delaware;
(x) In general, to carry on any other business in connection with or incidental to any of the
foregoing powers, to do everything necessary, suitable, or proper for the accomplishment of any
purpose or the attainment of any object or the furtherance of any power hereinbefore set forth,
either alone or in association with others, and to do every other act or thing incidental or
appurtenant to or growing out of or connected with the aforesaid business or purposes, objects or
powers.
The foregoing clauses shall be construed both as objects and power, and the foregoing
enumeration of specific powers shall not be held to limit or restrict in any manner the general
powers of the Trustees. Any action by one or more of the Trustees in their capacity as such
hereunder shall be deemed an action on behalf of the Trust or the applicable Series, and not an
action in an individual capacity.
The Trustees shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing before the possible
termination of the Trust.
No one dealing with the Trustees shall be under any obligation to make any inquiry concerning
the authority of the Trustees, or to see to the application of any payments made or property
transferred to the Trustees or upon their order.
Section 4.02. Issuance and Repurchase of Shares. The Trustees shall have the power
to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of,
suspend or terminate purchases and sales and otherwise deal in Shares and, subject to the
provisions set forth in Article II and Article VIII, to apply to any such repurchase, redemption,
retirement, cancellation, or acquisition of Shares any funds or property of the Trust, or the
particular Series of the Trust, with respect to which such Shares are issued.
Section 4.03. Trustees and Officers as Shareholders. Any Trustee, officer, or
agent of the Trust may acquire, own, and dispose of Shares to the same extent as if he were not a
Trustee, officer, or agent; and the Trustees may issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold
Shares and to buy such Shares from any such person or any firm or company in which he is
interested, subject only to the general limitations herein contained as to the sale and purchase of
such Shares; and all subject to any restrictions which may be contained in the By-Laws.
12
Section 4.04. Action by the Trustees. The Trustees shall act by majority vote at a
meeting duly called (including at a telephonic meeting, unless the 1940 Act requires that a
particular action be taken only at a meeting at which the Trustees are present in person) at which
a quorum is present or by written consent of a majority of the Trustees (or such greater number as
may be required by applicable law) without a meeting. At any meeting of the Trustees, a majority
of the Trustees shall constitute a quorum. Meetings of the Trustees may be called orally or in
writing by the Chairman (as defined below) or by any two (2) other Trustees. Notice of the time,
date and place of all meetings of the Trustees shall be given by the party calling the meeting to
each Trustee by telephone, facsimile or other electronic mechanism sent to his home or business
address at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the meeting or by written notice mailed to
his home or business address at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the meeting. Notice
need not be given to any Trustee who attends the meeting without objecting to the lack of notice or
who executes a written waiver of notice with respect to the meeting. Any meeting conducted by
telephone shall be deemed to take place at the principal office of the Trust, as determined by the
By-Laws or by the Trustees. Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Trustees by majority
vote may delegate to any one or more of their number their authority to approve particular matters
or take particular actions on behalf of the Trust.
Written consents or waivers of the Trustees may be executed in one or more counterparts.
Execution of a written consent or waiver and delivery thereof to the Trust may be accomplished by
facsimile or other similar electronic mechanism. Written consents must be filed with the records
of the meetings of the Trustees.
Any committee of the Trustees, including an executive committee, if any, may act with or
without a meeting. A quorum for all meetings of any such committee shall be one-third of the
members thereof. Unless provided otherwise in this Trust Instrument, any action of any such
committee may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the members present (a quorum being
present) or without a meeting by written consent of all of the members.
With respect to actions of the Trustees and any committee of the Trustees, Trustees who are
Interested Persons in any action to be taken may be counted for quorum purposes under this Section
and shall be entitled to vote to the extent not prohibited by the 1940 Act. For any committee of
the Trustees composed of one Trustee, a quorum shall be one.
Section 4.05. Chairman of the Trustees. The Trustees shall appoint one of their
number to be Chairman of the Board of Trustees (the “Chairman”). The Chairman shall preside at all
meetings of the Trustees, shall be responsible for the execution of policies established by the
Trustees and the administration of the Trust, and may be (but is not required to be) the chief
executive, financial, and/or accounting officer of the Trust.
Section 4.06. Principal Transactions. Except to the extent prohibited by
applicable law, the Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, may, in a manner consistent with applicable
legal requirements, buy any securities from or sell any securities to, or lend any assets of the
Trust to, any Trustee or officer of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee or officer is a
member acting as principal, or have any such dealings with any investment adviser, distributor or
transfer agent for
13
the Trust or with any Interested Person of such person; and the Trust may employ any such person,
or firm or company in which such person is an Interested Person, as broker, legal counsel,
registrar, investment adviser, distributor, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, or
Custodian, or in any other capacity upon customary terms.
ARTICLE V
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
Section 5.01. Payment of Expenses by the Trust. Subject to the provisions of
Article II, Section 2.07 hereof, the Trust or a particular Series shall pay, or shall reimburse the
Trustees from the assets belonging to all Series or the appropriate Series, for their expenses (or
the expenses of a class of such Series) and disbursements, including, without limitation, fees and
expenses of Trustees, interest expenses, taxes, fees and commissions of every kind, expenses of
pricing Trust portfolio securities, expenses of issue, repurchase and redemption of shares,
including expenses attributable to a program of periodic repurchases or redemptions, expenses of
registering and qualifying the Trust and its Shares under federal and state laws and regulations or
under the laws of any foreign jurisdiction, charges of third parties, including investment
advisers, managers, custodians, transfer agents, portfolio accounting and/or pricing agents, and
registrars, expenses of preparing and setting up in type prospectuses and statements of additional
information and other related Trust documents, expenses of printing and distributing prospectuses
sent to existing Shareholders, auditing and legal expenses, reports to Shareholders, expenses of
meetings of Shareholders and proxy solicitations therefor, insurance expenses, association
membership dues and for such non-recurring items as may arise, including litigation to which the
Trust (or a Trustee acting as such) is a party, and for all losses and liabilities incurred by them
in administering the Trust, and for the payment of such expenses, disbursements, losses and
liabilities the Trustees shall have a lien on the assets belonging to the appropriate Series, on
the assets of each such Series, prior to any rights or interests of the Shareholders thereto. This
Section 5.01 shall not preclude the Trust from directly paying any of the aforementioned fees and
expenses.
Section 5.02. Payment of Expenses by Shareholders. The Trustees shall have the
power, as frequently as they may determine, to cause each Shareholder, or each Shareholder of any
particular Series, to pay directly, in advance or arrears, for charges of the Trust’s Custodian or
transfer, shareholder servicing or similar agent, an amount fixed from time to time by the
Trustees, by setting off such charges due from such Shareholder from declared but unpaid dividends
owed such Shareholder and/or by reducing the number of Shares in the account of such Shareholder by
that number of full and/or fractional Shares which represents the outstanding amount of such
charges due from such Shareholder.
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ARTICLE VI
CONTRACTS WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS
Section 6.01. Investment Advisory Contracts. The Trustees may, in their
discretion, from time to time, enter into an investment advisory or management contract or
contracts with respect to the Trust or any Series; provided, however, that the initial approval and
entering into of such contract or contracts shall be subject to a Majority Shareholder Vote, if
required by the 1940 Act. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Trust Instrument, the
Trustees may authorize any investment adviser (subject to such general or specific instructions as
the Trustees from time to time may adopt) to effect purchases, sales or exchanges of portfolio
securities, other investment instruments of the Trust, or other Trust Property on behalf of the
Trustees, or may authorize any officer, agent, or Trustee to effect such purchases, sales, or
exchanges pursuant to recommendations of the investment adviser (and all without further action by
the Trustees). Any such purchases, sales, and exchanges shall be deemed to have been authorized by
all of the Trustees.
The Trustees may authorize, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, including
those relating to Shareholder approval, the investment adviser to employ, from time to time, one or
more sub-advisers to perform such of the acts and services of the investment adviser, and upon such
terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the investment adviser and sub-adviser. Any
reference in this Trust Instrument to the investment adviser shall be deemed to include such
sub-advisers, unless the context otherwise requires.
Section 6.02. Distribution Contracts. The Trustees may in their discretion from
time to time enter into an exclusive or nonexclusive underwriting contract or contracts providing
for the sale of Shares, whereby the Trust may either agree to sell Shares to the other party to the
contract or appoint such other party its sales agent for such Shares. In either case, the contract
shall be on such terms and conditions, if any, as may be prescribed in the By-Laws, and such
further terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Article VI or of the By-Laws; and such contract may also provide for
the repurchase or sale of Shares by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust. The
Trustees may adopt a plan or plans of distribution with respect to Shares of any Series or class
and enter into any related agreements, whereby the Series or class finances directly or indirectly
any activity that is primarily intended to result in sales of its Shares, subject to applicable
rules and regulations.
15
Section 6.03. Custody Agreements. The Trustees shall at all times place and
maintain the securities and similar investments of the Trust and of each Series in custody meeting
the requirements of Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. The Trustees, on
behalf of the Trust or any Series, may enter into an agreement with a Custodian on terms and
conditions acceptable to the Trustees providing for the Custodian, among other things, to: (a) hold
the securities and other assets of the Trust and deliver the same upon written order or oral order
confirmed in writing; (b) receive any moneys due to the Trust and deposit the same in its own
banking department or elsewhere as the Trustees may direct; (c) disburse such funds upon orders or
vouchers; and (d) employ one or more sub-custodians to perform such of the acts and services of the
Custodian subject to the approval of the Trustees.
The Trust also may employ such Custodian as its agent to (a) keep the books and accounts of
the Trust or of any Series or class and furnish clerical and accounting services; and (b) compute,
if authorized to do so by the Trustees, the Net Asset Value of any Series, or class thereof, in
accordance with the provisions hereof; all upon such basis of compensation as may be agreed upon
between the Trustees and the Custodian.
Section 6.04. Administration Agreement. The Trustees may in their discretion from
time to time enter into an administration agreement or, if the Trustees establish multiple Series
or classes, separate administration agreements with respect to each Series or class, whereby the
other party to such agreement shall undertake to manage the business affairs of the Trust or of a
Series or class thereof of the Trust and furnish the Trust or a Series or a class thereof with
office facilities, and shall be responsible for the ordinary clerical, bookkeeping and
recordkeeping services at such office facilities, and other facilities and services, if any, and
all upon such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
Section 6.05. Other Contracts. The Trustees, on behalf of the Trust or any Series
or class, may enter into one or more transfer agency agreements, Shareholder service agreements,
management contracts, or other similar agreement with any party or parties on terms and conditions
acceptable to the Trustees.
Section 6.06. Parties to Contracts with Service Providers. Any contract of the
character described in Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.04 and 6.05 of this Article VI may be entered
into with any corporation, firm, partnership, trust, or association, although one or more of the
Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, or member of
such other party to the contract, and no such contract shall be invalidated or rendered void or
voidable by reason of the existence of any such relationship. No person holding such relationship
shall be disqualified from voting on or executing the same in his capacity as Shareholder and/or
Trustee, nor shall any person holding such relationship be liable merely by reason of such
relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust under or by reason of said contract or
accountable for any profit realized directly or indirectly therefrom, provided that the contract
when entered into was not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article VI or of the By-Laws.
The same person (including a firm, corporation, partnership, trust or association) may be the other
party to contracts entered into pursuant to Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, and 6.04 of this Article VI,
and any
16
individual may be financially interested or otherwise affiliated with persons who are parties to
any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section 6.05.
Section 6.06. Provisions and Amendments. Any contract entered into pursuant to
Sections 6.01 or 6.02 of this Article VI shall be consistent with and subject to the requirements
of Section 15 of the 1940 Act or other applicable Act of Congress hereafter enacted with respect to
its continuance in effect, its termination, and the method of authorization and approval of such
contract or renewal thereof. No amendments to any contract, entered into pursuant to Section 6.01
of this Article VI shall be effective unless assented to in a manner consistent with the
requirements of said Section 15, as modified by any applicable rule, regulation or order of the
Commission.
ARTICLE VII
SHAREHOLDERS’ VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
Section 7.01. Voting Powers. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only (a)
for the election of Trustees as provided in Article III, Sections 3.01 and 3.02 hereof, (b) for the
removal of Trustees as provided in Article III, Section 3.03(d) hereof, (c) with respect to any
investment advisory or management contract as provided in Article VI, Sections 6.01 and 6.06
hereof, (d) the amendment of this Trust Instrument to the extent provided in Article X, Section 8,
(e) any termination of the Trust as provided by Article X, Section 4, and (f) with respect to such
additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by law, by this Trust Instrument, or
the By-Laws or any registration of the Trust with the Commission or any State, or as the Trustees
may consider necessary or desirable.
On any matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, all Shares shall be voted separately by
individual Series or class, except: (a) when required by the 1940 Act, Shares shall be voted in
the aggregate and not by individual Series or class; and (b) when the Trustees have determined that
the matter affects the interests of more than one Series or class, then the Shareholders of all
such affected Series or class shall be entitled to vote thereon. The Trustees also may determine
that a matter affects only the interests of one (1) or more classes of a Series, in which case any
such matter shall be voted on by such class or classes. Each whole share shall be entitled to one
(1) vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote, and each fractional Share shall be
entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election
of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy or in any manner provided for in the
By-Laws. A proxy may be given in writing. The By-Laws may provide that proxies may also, or may
instead, be given by any electronic or telecommunications device or in any other manner.
Notwithstanding anything else herein or in the By-Laws, in the event a proposal by anyone other
than the officers or Trustees of the Trust is submitted to a vote of the Shareholders of one or
more Series of the Trust, or in the event of any proxy contest or proxy solicitation or proposal in
opposition to any proposal by the officers or Trustees of the Trust, Shares may be voted only in
person or by written proxy. Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of
Shareholders and may take any action required or permitted by law,
17
this Trust Instrument or any of the By-Laws of the Trust to be taken by Shareholders.
Meetings of Shareholders shall be called and notice thereof and record dates therefor shall be
given and set as provided in the Trust Instrument and the By-Laws.
Section 7.02. Meetings of the Shareholders. Shareholders’ meetings shall be held
at such time and place as the Trustees designate. Special meetings of the Shareholders of any
Series or class may be called by the Trustees on the written request of Shareholders owning at
least ten percent (10%) of the Outstanding Shares of such Series or class entitled to vote.
Shareholders shall be entitled to at least fifteen (15) days’ notice of any meeting, given as
determined by the Trustees.
Section 7.03. Quorum and Required Vote. One-third of Shares entitled to vote in
person or by proxy shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at a Shareholders’ meeting,
except that where any provision of law or of this Trust Instrument permits or requests that holders
of any Series shall vote as a Series (or that holders of a class shall vote as a class), then
one-third of the aggregate number of Shares of that Series (or that class) entitled to vote shall
be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transactions of business by that Series (or that
class). Any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments. Any adjourned session or sessions
may be held, within a reasonable time after the date set for the original meeting, without the
necessity of further notice. Except when a larger vote is required by law or by any provision of
this Trust Instrument or the By-Laws, a majority of the Shares voted in person or by proxy shall
decide any questions and a plurality shall elect a Trustee, provided that where any provision of
law or of this Trust Instrument permits or requires that the holders of any Series shall vote as a
Series (or that the holders of any class shall vote as a class), then a majority of the Shares
present in person or by proxy of that Series or, if required by law, subject to a Majority
Shareholder Vote of that Series (or class), voted on the matter in person or by proxy shall decide
the matter insofar as that Series (or class) is concerned. Shareholders may act by unanimous
written consent. Actions taken by Series (or class) may be consented to unanimously in writing by
Shareholders of that Series (or class).
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ARTICLE VIII
DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS
Section 8.01. Distributions.
(a) The Trustees from time to time may declare and pay dividends or other distributions with
respect to any Series. No dividend or distribution, including, without limitation, any
distribution paid upon termination of the Trust or of any Series (or class) with respect to, nor
any redemption or repurchase of, the Shares of any Series (or class) shall be effected by the Trust
other than from the assets held with respect to such Series, nor shall any Shareholder of any
particular Series otherwise have any right or claim against the assets held with respect to any
other Series except to the extent that such Shareholder has such a right or claim hereunder as a
Shareholder of such other Series. The Trustees shall have full discretion to determine which items
shall be treated as income and which items as capital; and each such determination and allocation
shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders. The amount of such dividends or
distributions and the payment of them and whether they are in cash or any other Trust Property
shall be wholly in the discretion of the Trustees.
(b) Dividends and other distributions may be paid or made to the Shareholders of record at the
time of declaring a dividend or other distribution or among the Shareholders of record at such
other date or time or dates or times as the Trustees shall determine, which dividends or
distributions, at the election of the Trustees, may be paid pursuant to a standing resolution or
resolutions adopted only once or with such frequency as the Trustees may determine. The Trustees
may adopt and offer to Shareholders such dividend reinvestment plans, cash dividend payout plans,
or related plans as the Trustees shall deem appropriate.
(c) Anything in this Trust Instrument to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustees at any
time may declare and distribute a stock dividend pro rata among the Shareholders of a particular
Series, or class thereof, as of the record date of that Series fixed as provided in paragraph (b)
of this Section 8.01.
Section 8.02. Redemptions and Repurchases. Any holder of Shares of the Trust may,
by presentation of a written request, together with his or her certificates, if any, for such
Shares, in proper form for transfer, at the office of the Trust, the adviser, the underwriter or
the distributors, or at a principal office of a transfer or shareholder services agent appointed by
the Trust (as the Trustees may determine), or in accordance with such other procedures for
redemption as the Trustees may from time to time authorize, redeem his or her Shares in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 8.02 for the net asset value thereof determined and computed in
accordance with the By-Laws, less any redemption charge the Trustees may establish or any
contingent deferred sales charge to which redemption of such Shares may be subject. Upon receipt
of such written request for redemption of Shares by the Trust, the adviser, the underwriter or the
distributor, or the Trust’s transfer or shareholder services agent, the Trust shall purchase such
Shares and shall pay therefore the net asset value thereof next determined after such receipt or
the net asset value thereof determined as of such other time fixed by the Trustees, as may be
19
permitted or required by the 1940 Act in each instance, less any applicable redemption charge or
contingent deferred sales charge. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Trust, in the
discretion of the Board of Trustees, may pay all or any portion of the repurchase price in
securities or other property (or any combination of securities, other property and cash) of
equivalent value. To the extent permitted by law, the Trustees may retain the proceeds of any
redemption of Shares required by them for payment of amounts due and owing by a Shareholder to the
Trust or any Series or class or any governmental authority. The Trustees may also postpone payment
of the redemption price and may suspend the right of the Shareholders to require any Series or
class to redeem Shares during any period of time when and to the extent permissible under the 0000
Xxx.
The obligation of the Trust to redeem its Shares as set forth in this Section 8.02 shall be
subject to the condition that, during any time of emergency, as hereinafter defined, such
obligation may be suspended by the Trust by or under authority of the Trustees for such period or
periods during such time of emergency as shall be determined by or under authority of the Trustees
as provided by Section 8.04. If there is such a suspension, any Shareholder may withdraw any
demand for redemption and any tender of Shares which has been received by the Trust during any such
period and any tender of Shares the applicable net asset value of which would but for such
suspension be calculated as of a time during such period. Upon such withdrawal, the Trust shall
return to the Shareholder the certificates therefore, if any. Shareholders who do not so withdraw
any such demand shall receive payment based on the net asset value next determined after the
termination of such suspension. For the purposes of any such suspension “time of emergency” shall
mean, either with respect to all Shares or any series of Shares, as appropriate, any period during
which:
(a) the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than for customary weekend and holiday
closings; or
(b) the Trustees or authorized officers of the Trust shall have determined, in compliance with
any applicable rules and regulations or orders of the Commission, either that trading on the New
York Stock Exchange is restricted, or that an emergency exists as a result of which (i) disposal by
the Trust of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or (ii) it is not reasonably
practicable for the Trust fairly to determine the current value of the net assets of the Trust or
of a series; or
(c) the suspension or postponement of such obligations is permitted by order of the
Commission.
The Trust may purchase, repurchase or redeem Shares in accordance with such other methods,
upon such other terms and subject to such other conditions as the Trustees may from time to time
authorize at a price not exceeding the net asset value of such Shares in effect when the purchase
or repurchase or any contract to purchase or repurchase is made. The Trustees may require
Shareholders to redeem Shares for any reason under terms set by the Trustees, including, but not
limited to, the failure of a Shareholder to supply a taxpayer identification number if
20
required to do so, or to have the minimum investment required, or to pay when due for the purchase
of Shares issued to him.
Section 8.03. Determination of Net Asset Value. The Trustees shall cause the Net
Asset Value per Share of each Series and class to be determined from time to time in a manner
consistent with applicable laws and regulations. The Trustees may delegate the power and duty to
determine the Net Asset Value per Share to one or more Trustees or officers of the Trust or to a
Custodian, depository, or other agent appointed for such purpose. The Net Asset Value per Share
shall be determined separately for each Series and class at times the Trustees prescribe, or, in
the absence of action by the Trustees, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange on each day for all or part of which such exchange is open for unrestricted trading.
Section 8.04. Suspension of the Right of Redemption. The Trustees may declare a
suspension of the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment as permitted under the 1940
Act. Such suspension shall take effect at such time as the Trustees shall specify but not later
than the close of business on the business day next following the declaration of suspension, and
thereafter there shall be no right of redemption or payment until the Trustees shall declare the
suspension at an end. In the case of a suspension of the right of redemption, a Shareholder may
either withdraw his request for redemption or receive payment based on the Net Asset Value per
Share next determined after the termination of the suspension.
ARTICLE IX
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 9.01. Limitation of Liability. All persons contracting with or having any
claim against the Trust or a particular Series shall look only to the assets of all Series or such
particular Series, respectively, for payment under such contract or claim; and neither the Trustees
nor, when acting in such capacity, any of the Trust’s officers, employees or agents, whether past,
present or future, shall be personally liable therefor. Every written instrument or obligation on
behalf of the Trust or any Series shall contain a statement to the foregoing effect, but the
absence of such statement shall not operate to make any Trustee or officer of the Trust liable
thereunder. Provided they have exercised reasonable care and have acted under the reasonable
belief that their actions are in the best interest of the Trust, the Trustees and officers of the
Trust shall not be responsible or liable for any act or omission, or for neglect or wrongdoing by
them or any officer, agent, employee, investment adviser or independent contractor of the Trust,
but nothing contained in this Trust Instrument or in the Delaware Act shall protect any Trustee or
officer of the Trust against liability to the Trust or to Shareholders to which he would otherwise
be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
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Section 9.02. Indemnification.
(a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in paragraph (b) below:
(i) every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or an officer, or employee of
the Trust (“Covered Person”) shall be indemnified by the Trust or the appropriate
Series (out of assets belonging to that Series) to the fullest extent permitted by
law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in
connection with any claim, action, suit, or proceeding in which he becomes involved
as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Covered Person and
against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof.
(ii) as used herein the words “claim,” “action,” “suit,” or “proceeding” shall
apply to all claims, actions, suits, or proceedings (civil, criminal,
administrative, or other, including appeals), actual or threatened, while in office
or thereafter, and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include, without
limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines,
penalties, and other liabilities.
(b) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:
(i) who shall have been finally adjudicated by a court or body before which the
proceeding was brought (A) to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of his office or (B) not to have acted in good faith
in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust; or
(ii) in the event of a settlement not involving a final adjudication (as
provided for in paragraph (b)(i)), unless there has been a determination that such
Trustee or officer did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
office:
(A) by the court or other body approving the settlement;
(B) by at least a majority of those Trustees who neither are Interested
Persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based upon a review of
readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or
(C) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review
of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry).
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(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies
maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights
to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has
ceased to be a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and
administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to
indemnification to which Trust personnel, other than Covered Persons, and other persons may be
entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
(d) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, expenses in connection with the
preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit, or proceeding of the
character described in paragraph (a) of this Section 9.02 may be paid by the Trust or Series from
time to time prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of any undertaking by or on behalf of
such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him to the Trust or Series if it
ultimately is determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 9.02;
provided, however, that either (a) such Covered Person shall have provided appropriate security for
such undertaking, (b) the Trust is insured against losses arising out of any such advance payments,
or (c) either a majority of the Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor
parties to the matter, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined,
based upon a review of readily-available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry or
investigation), that there is a reason to believe that such Covered Person will be found entitled
to indemnification under this Section 9.02.
Section 9.03. Indemnification of Shareholders. In case any Shareholder or former
Shareholder of any Series shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or
having been a Shareholder of such Series and not because of his acts or omissions or for some other
reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators, or other
legal representatives, or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other
general successor) shall be entitled, out of the assets belonging to the applicable Series, to be
held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The
Trust, on behalf of the affected Series, shall assume, upon request by the Shareholder, the defense
of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Series and satisfy any
judgment thereon from the assets of the Series.
Section 9.04. No Bond Required of Trustees. No Trustee shall be obligated to give
any bond or other security for the performance of any of his duties hereunder.
Section 9.05. No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, Etc. No
purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other person dealing with the Trustees or any officer,
employee or agent of the Trust or a Series thereof shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning
the validity of any transaction purporting to be made by the Trustees or by said officer, employee
or agent or be liable for the application of money or property paid, loaned, or delivered to or on
the order of the Trustees or of said officer, employee or agent. Every obligation, contract,
instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust or a Series thereof or undertaking, and
every other act or thing whatsoever executed in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively
presumed to have been executed or done by the executors thereof only in their capacity as Trustees
under this Trust
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Instrument or in their capacity as officers, employees or agents of the Trust or a Series thereof.
Every written obligation, contract, instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust or
a Series thereof or undertaking made or issued by the Trustees may recite that the same is executed
or made by them not individually, but as Trustees under the Trust Instrument, and that the
obligations of the Trust or a Series thereof under any such instrument are not binding upon any of
the Trustees or Shareholders individually, but bind only the Trust Property or the Trust Property
of the applicable Series, and may contain any further recital which they may deem appropriate, but
the omission of such recital shall not operate to bind the Trustees individually. The Trustees
shall at all times maintain insurance for the protection of the Trust Property or the Trust
Property of the applicable Series, its Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents in
such amount as the Trustees shall deem adequate to cover possible tort liability, and such other
insurance as the Trustees in their sole judgment shall deem advisable.
Section 9.06. Reliance on Experts, Etc. Each Trustee, officer or employee of the
Trust or a Series thereof shall, in the performance of his duties, powers and discretions
hereunder, be fully and completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to
act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Trust
or a Series thereof, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the Trust or a Series
thereof by any of its officers or employees or by the investment adviser, the administrator, the
distributor, transfer agent, selected dealers, accountants, appraisers or other experts or
consultants selected with reasonable care by the Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust,
regardless of whether such counsel or expert may also be a Trustee.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.01. Trust Not a Partnership. It is hereby expressly declared that a
trust and not a partnership is created hereby. No Trustee hereunder shall have any power to bind
personally either the Trust’s officers or any Shareholder. All persons extending credit to,
contracting with, or having any claim against the Trust or the Trustees shall look only to the
assets of the appropriate Series, or, if the Trustees shall have yet to have established the
Series, the Trust for payment under such credit, contract, or claim; and neither the Shareholders
nor the Trustees, nor any of their agents, whether past, present, or future, shall be personally
liable therefor. Nothing in this Trust Instrument shall protect a Trustee against any liability to
which the Trustee otherwise would be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee
hereunder.
Section 10.02. Trustee Action. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and
discretions hereunder in good faith and with reasonable care under the circumstances then
prevailing shall be binding upon everyone interested. Subject to the provisions of Article IX
hereof and to Section 10.01 of this Article X, the Trustees shall not be liable for errors of
judgment or mistakes of fact or law.
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Section 10.03. Establishment of Record Dates. For the purpose of determining the
Shareholders of any Series (or class) who are entitled to receive payment of any dividend or of any
other distribution, the Trustees may from time to time fix a date, which shall be before the date
for the payment of such dividend or such other payment, as the record date for determining the
Shareholders of such Series (or class) having the right to receive such dividend or distribution.
Without fixing a record date, the Trustees may for distribution purposes close the register or
transfer books for one or more Series (or classes) at any time prior to the payment of a
distribution. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as precluding the Trustees from setting
different record dates for different Series (or classes). The Trustees may fix in advance a date,
to be determined by the Trustees and no later than that permitted by applicable law, before the
date of any Shareholders’ meeting, or the date for the payment of any dividends or other
distributions, 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, or entitled to receive
payment of such dividend or other distribution, or to receive any such allotment of rights, or to
exercise such rights in respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of Shares.
Section 10.04. Termination of Trust.
(a) This Trust shall continue without limitation of time but subject to the provisions of
paragraph (b) of this Section 10.04.
(b) The Trustees, subject to a Majority Shareholder Vote of each Series affected by the
matter, or, if applicable, to a Majority Shareholder Vote of the Trust, and subject to a vote of a
majority of the Trustees, may:
(i) sell and convey all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust or any
affected Series to another trust, partnership, association, or corporation, or to a
separate series of shares thereof, organized under the laws of any state, which
trust, partnership, association, or corporation is an open-end management investment
company as defined in the 1940 Act, or is a series thereof, for adequate
consideration which may include the assumption of all outstanding obligations,
taxes, and other liabilities, accrued or contingent, of the Trust or any affected
Series, and which may include shares of beneficial interest, stock, or other
ownership interests of such trust, partnership, association, or corporation or of a
series thereof; or
(ii) at any time, sell and convert into money all of the assets of the Trust or
any affected series.
Upon making reasonable provision, in the determination of the Trustees, for the payment of all
such liabilities in either (i) or (ii) of this Section 10.04(b), by such assumption or otherwise,
the Trustees shall distribute the remaining proceeds or assets (as the case may be) of each Series
(or class) ratably among the holders of Shares of that Series then outstanding.
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(c) The Trustees may take any of the actions specified in Sections 10.04(b)(i) and (ii) above
without obtaining the approval of shareholders if a majority of the Trustees determines that the
continuation of the Trust or Series (or class) is not in the best interests of the Trust, such
Series (or class), or their respective Shareholders as a result of factors or events adversely
affecting the ability of the Trust or such Series (or class) to conduct its business and operations
in an economically viable manner. Such factors and events may include the inability of the Trust
or a Series (or class) to maintain its assets at an appropriate size, changes in laws or
regulations governing the Trust or the Series (or class) or affecting assets of the type in which
the Trust or Series (or class) invests, or economic developments or trends having a significant
adverse impact on the business or operations of the Trust or such Series (or class).
(d) Upon completion of the distribution of the remaining proceeds or the remaining assets as
provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 10.04, the Trust or any affected Series shall terminate
and the Trustees and the Trust shall be discharged of any and all further liabilities and duties
hereunder and the right, title, and interest of all parties with respect to the Trust or Series
shall be canceled and discharged.
Upon termination of the Trust, following completion of winding up of the Trust’s business, the
Trustees shall cause a certificate of cancellation of the Trust’s certificate of trust to be filed
in accordance with the Delaware Act, which certificate of cancellation may be signed by any one
Trustee.
Section 10.05. Reorganization.
(a) Notwithstanding anything else herein but subject to applicable federal and state law, the
Trustees may, without any Shareholder vote or approval, (a) cause the Trust to merge or consolidate
with or into, or be reorganized as, another trust, or a corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, association, or other organization, organized under the laws of Delaware or any other
jurisdiction, or a segregated portfolio of assets (“series”) of any of the foregoing (each, as used
in this paragraph, an “Entity”), if the surviving or resulting Entity is the Trust or another
open-end management investment company, within the meaning of the 1940 Act, that will succeed to or
assume the Trust’s registration under the 1940 Act, (b) cause any Series to merge or consolidate
with or into, or be reorganized as, a newly organized Entity in a transaction or series of
transactions intended to qualify as a reorganization under section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Tax Code or
a successor provision, (c) cause the Trust to incorporate under the laws of Delaware or any other
jurisdiction, and/or (d) cause to be organized, or assist in organizing, an Entity to acquire all
or part of the Trust Property or of the Assets belonging to a Series or to carry on any business in
which the Trust directly or indirectly has any interest and to sell, convey, and transfer all or
part of the Trust Property or of the Assets belonging to a Series to any such Entity in exchange
for shares or other equity securities thereof or otherwise and to lend money to, subscribe for the
shares or other equity securities of, and enter into any contracts with any such Entity; provided
that the Trustees shall provide written notice to affected Shareholders of any transaction whereby
the Trust sells, conveys, or otherwise transfers all or part of the Trust Property or of the Assets
belonging to any Series to another Entity or the Trust or any Series merges or consolidates with or
into, or is reorganized as, another Entity. The transactions
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described in this Section 10.05 may be effected through share-for-share exchanges, transfers or
sale of assets, shareholder in-kind redemptions and purchases, exchange offers, or any other method
the Trustees approve.
(b) Any agreement of merger or consolidation or certificate of merger may be signed by a
majority of the Trustees, and facsimile signatures conveyed by electronic or telecommunication
means shall be valid. Pursuant to and in accordance with Section 3815(f) of the Delaware Act, an
agreement of merger or consolidation approved by the Trustees in accordance with this Section 10.05
may affect any amendment to this Trust Instrument or affect the adoption of a new trust instrument
of the Trust if it is the surviving or resulting trust in the merger or consolidation.
Section 10.06. Filing of Copies; References; Headings. The original or a copy of
this Trust Instrument and the original or a copy of each amendment hereof or Trust Instrument
supplemental hereto shall be kept at the office of the Trust, where it may be inspected by any
Shareholder. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer or Trustee of
the Trust as to whether or not any such amendments or supplements have been made and as to any
matters in connection with the Trust hereunder, and, with the same effect as if it were the
original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer or Trustee of the Trust to be a copy of this
Trust Instrument or of any such amendment or supplemental Trust Instrument, and references to this
Trust Instrument, and all expressions such as or similar to “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder”
shall be deemed to refer to this Trust Instrument as amended or affected by any such supplemental
Trust Instrument. All expressions such as or similar to “his,” “he,” and “him” shall be deemed to
include the feminine and neuter, as well as masculine, genders. Headings are placed herein for
convenience of reference only and, in case of any conflict, the text of this Trust Instrument,
rather than the headings, shall control. This Trust Instrument may be executed in any number of
counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original.
Section 10.07. Applicable Law. The trust set forth in this instrument is made in
the State of Delaware, and the Trust and this Trust Instrument, and the rights and obligations of
the Trustees and Shareholders hereunder, are to be governed by and construed and administered
according to the Delaware Act and the laws of said State; provided, however, that there shall not
be applicable to the Trust, the Trustee or this Trust Instrument (a) the provisions of Section 3540
of Title 12 of the Delaware Code or (b) any provisions of the laws (statutory or common) of the
State of Delaware (other than the Delaware Act) pertaining to trusts which relate to or regulate
(i) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of
trustee fees and charges, (ii) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers,
agents, or employees of a trust, (iii) the necessity for obtaining court or other governmental
approval concerning the acquisition, holding, or disposition of real or personal property, (iv)
fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents, or employees of a trust, (v) the
allocation of receipts and expenditures to income and principal, (vi) restrictions or limitations
on the permissible nature, amount, or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating
to the titling, storage, or other manner of holding of trust assets, or (vii) the establishment of
fiduciary or other standards or responsibilities or limitations on the acts or powers of trustees,
which are inconsistent with the limitations or liabilities or authorities and powers of the
Trustees set forth
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or referenced in this Trust Instrument. The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a “Delaware
statutory trust,” and, without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers or
privileges afforded to trusts or actions that may be engaged in by trusts under the Delaware Act,
and the absence of a specific reference herein to any such power, privilege, or action shall not
imply that the Trust may not exercise such power or privilege or take such actions.
Section 10.08. Amendments. Except as specifically provided herein, the Trustees,
without Shareholder vote, may amend or otherwise supplement this Trust Instrument by making an
amendment, a Trust Instrument supplemental hereto, or an amended and restated trust instrument.
Shareholders shall have the right to vote (i) on any amendment which would affect their right to
vote granted in Section 7.01 of Article VII hereof, (ii) on any amendment to this Section 10.08,
(iii) on any amendment as may be required by law or by the Trust’s registration statement filed
with the Commission, and (iv) on any amendment submitted to the Shareholders by the Trustees. Any
amendment required or permitted to be submitted to Shareholders which, as the Trustees determine,
shall affect the Shareholders of one or more Series shall be authorized by vote of the Shareholders
of each Series affected and no vote of Shareholders of a Series not affected shall be required.
Notwithstanding anything else herein, any amendment to Article IX hereof shall not limit the rights
to indemnification or insurance provided therein with respect to action or omission of Covered
Persons prior to such amendment.
Section 10.09. Derivative Actions. In addition to the requirements set forth in
Section 3816 of the Delaware Act, a Shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the
Trust only if the following conditions are met:
(a) Shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under the Delaware Act who hold at
least 10% of the Outstanding Shares of the Trust, or 10% of the Outstanding Shares of the Series or
class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such
action; and
(b) The Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such Shareholder
request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees shall be entitled to retain
counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking
by the Shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisers
in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
Section 10.10. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of each Series shall end on a
specified date as set forth in the By-Laws, provided, however, that the Trustees, without
Shareholder approval, may change the fiscal year of the Trust.
Section 10.11. Provisions in Conflict with Law. The provisions of this Trust
Instrument are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any
of such provisions is in conflict with the 1940 Act, with the regulated investment company
provisions of the Tax Code or with other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision
shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of this Trust Instrument; provided, however, that
such
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determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this Trust Instrument or render
invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination. If any provision of
this Trust Instrument shall be held invalid or improper, unenforceability shall attach only to such
provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provisions in any other
jurisdiction or any other provision of this Trust Instrument in any jurisdiction.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the initial Trustee of the Trust, has executed this
instrument the 31st day of July, 2008.
as Trustee and not individually |
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