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EXHIBIT (m)(1)
E-XXXXXX INTERNET FUND
A SERIES OF E-XXXXXX FUNDS
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS A SHARES)
Distribution Plan (the "Plan") by and between e-xxxxxx Funds (the
"Trust") for e-xxxxxx Internet Fund (the "Fund") Class A shares (the "Class A
shares") and Sunstone Distribution Services, LLC (the "Distributor").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust has entered into a distribution agreement with the
Distributor pursuant to which the Distributor will distribute shares of the Fund
issued by the Trust;
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to adopt this Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("Investment Company Act"),
pursuant to which the Fund will pay a distribution fee to, or at the direction
of, Sunstone in connection with the Class A shares of the Fund; and
WHEREAS, a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a
majority who are not "interested persons" of the Trust (as defined in the
Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the "Rule 12b-1
Trustees"), have determined by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on this Plan that there is a reasonable likelihood that
adoption of this Plan will benefit the Fund and its Class A shareholders.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts, and the Distributor xxxxxx
agrees to the terms of, this Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act on the following terms and conditions:
1. Payment for Distribution Activities
The Fund shall pay to the Distributor a distribution fee not to exceed
.25 of 1% per annum of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares of the
Fund for the performance of Distribution Activities as described below. The Fund
shall calculate and accrue daily amounts payable by the Class A shares of the
Fund hereunder and shall pay such amounts monthly or at such other intervals as
the Board of Trustees may determine. Amounts payable under the Plan shall be
subject to the limitations of Rule 2830 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
Only distribution expenditures properly attributable to the sale of
Class A shares of the Fund will be used to justify any fee paid by the Trust
with respect to that Fund pursuant to this Plan, and, to the extent that such
expenditures relate to more than one Fund, the expenditures will be allocated
between or among the affected Funds in a manner deemed appropriate by the Board
of Trustees of the Trust.
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The Distributor shall spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on
Distribution Activities which include, among others:
(a) compensating the Distributor under the Distribution Agreement;
(b) amounts paid to broker-dealers or other financial institutions for
performing services under a selected dealer agreement with the
Distributor for the sale of Class A shares of the Fund, including sales
commissions and trailer commissions paid to, or on account of, agents
and indirect and overhead costs associated with Distribution
Activities;
(c) amounts paid to broker-dealers or other financial institutions for
performing services under a selected dealer agreement with the Adviser
or the Fund for the sale of Class A shares of the Fund, including sales
commissions and trailer commissions paid to, or on account of, agents
and indirect and overhead costs associated with Distribution;
(d) costs of printing and mailing of Fund prospectuses, statements of
additional information, any supplements thereto and shareholder reports
for prospective Fund shareholders;
(e) services relating to the development, preparation, printing and
mailing of Fund advertisements, sales literature and other promotional
materials describing and/or relating to the Fund and including
materials intended for broker-dealer only use or retail;
(f) holding seminars and sales meetings designed to promote the
distribution of the Class A Shares of the Fund;
(g) obtaining information and providing explanations to prospective
shareholders regarding the investment objective and policies and other
information about the Fund, including the performance of the Fund;
(h) training sales personnel regarding the Trust and the Fund; and
(i) financing any other activity that the Trust's Board of Trustees
determines is primarily intended to result in the sale of Class A
shares.
2. Quarterly Reports; Additional Information
The Distributor or an appropriate officer of the Trust will provide to
the Board of Trustees of the Trust for review, at least quarterly, a written
report specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended for Distribution
Activities and the purposes for which such expenditures were made in compliance
with the requirements of Rule 12b-1. The Distributor will provide to the Board
of Trustees of the Trust such additional information as they shall from time to
time reasonably request, including information about Distribution Activities
undertaken or to be undertaken by the Distributor.
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3. Effectiveness; Continuation
If approved by a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees and a
majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees, the Plan shall, unless earlier terminated
in accordance with its terms, continue in full force and effect thereafter for
so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a
majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Rule 12b-1
Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on the continuation of the Plan.
4. Termination
This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the
Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Class A shares of
the Fund.
5. Amendments
The Plan may not be amended to change the distribution expenses to be
paid as provided for in Section 1 hereof so as to increase materially the
amounts payable under this Plan unless such amendment shall be approved by the
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the
Investment Company Act) of the Class A shares of the Fund. All material
amendments of the Plan shall be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees
of the Trust and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person
at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan.
6. Rule 12b-1 Trustees
While the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Rule
12b-1 Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees.
7. Records
The Trust shall preserve copies of the Plan and any related agreements
and all reports made pursuant to Section 2 hereof, for a period of not less than
six years from the date of effectiveness of the Plan, such agreements or
reports, and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.
Dated: March 24, 2000
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