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EXHIBIT (A)(1)
PREMIER NORTH CAROLINA MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
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AUGUST 10, 1999
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PREMIER NORTH CAROLINA MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND
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AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
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AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST made at Boston, Massachusetts, this
10th day of August, 1999, by the Trustees hereunder, and by the holders of
shares of beneficial interest to be issued hereunder as hereinafter provided.
WITNESSETH that
WHEREAS, this Trust has been formed to carry on the business of an
investment company; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees have agreed to manage all property coming into
their hands as trustees of a Massachusetts business trust in accordance with the
provisions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby declare that they will hold all
cash, securities and other assets which they may from time to time acquire in
any manner as Trustees hereunder IN TRUST to manage and dispose of the same upon
the following terms and conditions for the pro rata benefit of the holders from
time to time of Shares in this Trust as hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
NAME
SECTION 1. This Trust shall be known as "Premier North Carolina
Municipal Income Fund" and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust
under that name or any other name as they may from time to time determine.
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DEFINITIONS
SECTION 2. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the
context or specifically provided:
(a) The "Trust" refers to the Massachusetts business trust
established by this Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended from
time to time;
(b) "Trustees" refers to the Trustees of the Trust named
herein or elected in accordance with Article IV;
(c) "Shares" means the equal proportionate transferable units
of interest into which the beneficial interest in the Trust shall be
divided from time to time or, if more than one class or series of
Shares is authorized by the Trustees, the equal proportionate
transferable units into which each class or series of shares shall be
divided from time to time;
(d) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Shares;
(e) The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of
1940 and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as amended from time
to time;
(f) The terms "Affiliated Person", "Assignment", "Commission",
"Interested Person", "Principal Underwriter" and "Majority Shareholder
Vote" (the 67% or 50% requirement of the third sentence of Section
2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act, whichever may be applicable) shall have the
applicable meanings given them in the 1940 Act;
(g) "Declaration of Trust" shall mean this Agreement and
Declaration of Trust as amended or restated from time to time;
(h) "By-Laws" shall mean the By-Laws of the Trust as amended
from time to time;
(i) The term "class" or "class of Shares" refers to the
division of Shares into two or more classes as provided in Article III,
Section 1 hereof; and
(j) The term "series" or "series of Shares" refers to the
division of Shares representing any class into two or more series as
provided in Article III, Section 1 hereof.
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ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Trust is to provide investors a managed investment
primarily in securities, commodities and debt instruments and other securities
and rights of a financial character.
ARTICLE III
SHARES
DIVISION OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
SECTION 1. The Trustees may, without Shareholder approval, authorize
one or more classes of Shares (which classes may be divided into two or more
series), Shares of each such class or series having such preferences, voting
powers, terms of redemption, if any, and special or relative rights or
privileges (including conversion rights, if any) as the Trustees may determine
and as shall be set forth in the By-Laws. The number of Shares of each class or
series authorized shall be unlimited, except as the By-Laws may otherwise
provide, and the Shares so authorized may be represented in part by fractional
shares. The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares of any
class or series into a greater or lesser number without thereby changing the
proportionate beneficial interest in the class or series.
OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
SECTION 2. The ownership of Shares shall be recorded on the books of
the Trust or its transfer or similar agent. No certificates certifying the
ownership of Shares shall be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise
determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider
appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, the transfer of Shares and
similar matters. The record books of the Trust as kept by the Trust or any
transfer or similar agent of the Trust, as the case may be, shall be conclusive
as to who are the Shareholders of each class or series and as to the number of
Shares of each class or series held from time to time by each Shareholder.
INVESTMENTS IN THE TRUST
SECTION 3. The Trustees shall accept investments in the Trust from such
persons and on such terms and, subject to any requirements of law, for such
consideration, which may consist of cash or tangible or intangible property or a
combination thereof, as they or the By-Laws from time to time authorize.
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NO PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
SECTION 4. Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other right to
receive, purchase or subscribe for any additional Shares or other securities
issued by the Trust.
STATUS OF SHARES AND LIMITATION OF PERSONAL LIABILITY
SECTION 5. Shares shall be deemed to be personal property giving only
the rights provided in this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws. Every
Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall be held to have
expressly assented and agreed to the terms of this Declaration of Trust and the
By-Laws and to have become a party hereto and thereto. The death of a
Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall not operate to terminate
the same nor entitle the representative of any deceased Shareholder to an
accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the
Trustees, but only to the rights of said decedent under this Trust. Ownership of
Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any
part of the Trust property or right to call for a partition or division of the
same or for an accounting, nor shall the ownership of Shares constitute the
Shareholders partners. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer,
employee or agent of the Trust, shall have any power to bind personally any
Shareholder, nor except as specifically provided herein 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.
ARTICLE IV
THE TRUSTEES
NUMBER OF TRUSTEES AND TERM OF OFFICE
SECTION 1. Subject to the voting powers of one or more classes or
series of Shares as set forth in the By-Laws, the number of Trustees shall be
such number as shall be fixed from time to time by a written instrument signed
by a majority of the Trustees, provided, however, that the number of Trustees
shall in no event be less than three (3). No reduction in the number of Trustees
shall have the effect of removing any Trustee from office prior to the
expiration of his or her term unless the Trustee is specifically removed
pursuant to Section 2 of this Article at the time of the decrease. The Board of
Trustees shall be divided into three classes. The number of Trustees in each
class shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Trustees. The initial
Trustees, each of whom shall serve until the first meeting of Shareholders at
which Trustees are elected and until his or her successor is elected and
qualified, or until he or she sooner dies, resigns or is removed, shall be Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx and such other persons as the Trustee or Trustees then in office
shall, prior to any sale of Shares pursuant to a public offering, appoint. The
term of office of all of the initial Trustees shall expire on the date of the
first annual meeting of Shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof, which
annual or special meeting shall be called to be held not more than fifteen
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months after Shares are first sold pursuant to a public offering. The term of
office of the first class shall expire on the date of the second annual meeting
of Shareholders or any special meeting in lieu thereof. The term of office of
the second class shall expire on the date of the third annual meeting of
Shareholders or any special meeting in lieu thereof. The term of office of the
third class shall expire on the date of the fourth annual meeting of
Shareholders or any special meeting in lieu thereof. Upon expiration of the term
of office of each class as set forth above, the number of Trustees in such
class, as determined by the Board of Trustees, shall be elected for a term
expiring on the date of the third annual meeting of Shareholders or any special
meeting in lieu thereof following such expiration to succeed the Trustees whose
terms of office expire. The Trustees shall be elected at an annual meeting of
the Shareholders or a special meeting in lieu thereof, except as provided in
Section 2 of this Article.
VACANCIES; REMOVAL
SECTION 2. Subject to the voting powers of one or more classes or
series of Shares as set forth in the By-Laws, any vacancies occurring in the
Board of Trustees may be filled by the Trustees if, immediately after filling
any such vacancy, at least two-thirds of the Trustees then holding office shall
have been elected to such office by the Shareholders. In the event that at any
time less than a majority of the Trustees then holding office were elected to
such office by the Shareholders, the Trustees shall call a meeting of
Shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees. At any meeting called for
such purpose and subject to the voting powers of one or more classes or series
of Shares as set forth in the By-Laws, a Trustee may be removed, with or without
cause, by vote of seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding Shares of the
classes or series entitled to vote for the election of such Trustee. By vote of
seventy-five percent (75%) of the Trustees then in office, the Trustees may
remove a Trustee with or without cause.
EFFECT OF DEATH, RESIGNATION, ETC. OF A TRUSTEE
SECTION 3. The death, declination, resignation, retirement, removal, or
incapacity of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to annul the
Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this
Declaration of Trust.
POWERS
SECTION 4. Subject to the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the
business of the Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and they shall have all
powers necessary or convenient to carry out that responsibility. Without
limiting the foregoing, the Trustees may adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with
this Declaration of Trust providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust
and may amend and repeal them to the extent that such By-Laws do not reserve
that right to the Shareholders of one or more classes or series. Subject to the
voting power of one or more classes or series of shares as set forth in the
By-Laws, the Trustees may fill vacancies in or add to their number, including
vacancies resulting from increases in their
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number, and may elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such
agents as they consider appropriate; they may appoint from their own number, and
terminate, any one or more committees consisting of two or more Trustees,
including an executive committee which may, when the Trustees are not in
session, exercise some or all of the power and authority of the Trustees as the
Trustees may determine; they may appoint an advisory board, the members of which
shall not be Trustees and need not be Shareholders, they may employ one or more
custodians of the assets of the Trust and may authorize such custodians to
employ subcustodians and to deposit all or any part of such assets in a system
or systems for the central handling of securities, retain a transfer agent or a
Shareholder services agent, or both, provide for the distribution of Shares by
the Trust, through one or more principal underwriters or otherwise, set record
dates for the determination of Shareholders with respect to various matters, and
in general delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any officer of
the Trust, to any committee of the Trustees and to any agent or employee of the
Trust or to any such custodian or underwriter.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees shall have power and
authority:
(a) To invest and reinvest cash, and to hold cash uninvested;
(b) To sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate,
write options on and lease any or all of the assets of the Trust;
(c) 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 proxies or powers of attorney to such person or
persons as the Trustees 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;
(d) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise
which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities;
(e) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating
any trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form, or
in the name of the Trustees or of the Trust or in the name of a
custodian, subcustodian or other depository or a nominee or nominees or
otherwise;
(f) To the extent necessary or appropriate to give effect to
the preferences, special or relative rights and privileges of any
classes or series of Shares, to allocate assets, liabilities, income
and expenses of the Trust to a particular class or classes or series of
Shares or to apportion the same among two or more classes or series;
(g) To consent to or participate in any plan for the
reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer,
any security of which is or was
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held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage,
purchase or sale of property by such corporation or issuer, and to pay
calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in Trust;
(h) To join with other security holders in acting through a
committee, depositary, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that
connection to deposit any security with, or transfer any security to,
any such committee, depositary or trustee, and to delegate to them such
power and authority with relation to any security (whether or not so
deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to
agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and compensation
of such committee, depositary or trustee as the Trustees shall deem
proper;
(i) To compromise, arbitrate or otherwise adjust claims in
favor of or against the Trust on any matter in controversy, including
but not limited to claims for taxes;
(j) To enter into joint ventures, general or limited
partnerships, limited liability companies, and any other combinations
or associations;
(k) To borrow funds;
(l) To endorse or guarantee the payment of any notes or other
obligations of any person; to make contracts of guaranty or suretyship,
or otherwise assume liability for payment thereof; and to mortgage and
pledge the Trust property or any part thereof to secure any of or all
of such obligations;
(m) To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust property
such insurance as they may deem necessary or appropriate for the
conduct of the business of the Trust, including, without limitation,
insurance policies insuring the assets of the Trust and payment of
distributions and principal on its portfolio investments, and insurance
policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees,
agents, investment advisors or managers, principal underwriters or
independent contractors of the Trust individually against all claims
and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding, being or
having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action
alleged to have been taken or omitted by any such person as
Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee, agent, investment adviser or
manager, principal underwriter or independent contractor, including any
action taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute
negligence, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify
such person against such liability; and
(n) To pay pensions for faithful service, as deemed
appropriate by the Trustees, and to adopt, establish and carry out
pension, profit-sharing, share bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift
and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans, trusts
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and provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity
contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits,
for any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the
Trust.
(o) To purchase or otherwise acquire Shares.
The Trustees shall not in any way be bound or limited by any present or
future law or custom in regard to investments by Trustees. Except as otherwise
provided herein or from time to time in the By-Laws, any action to be taken by
the Trustees may be taken by a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting of
the Trustees (a quorum being present), within or without Massachusetts. Except
as otherwise provided herein or from time to time in the By-Laws, any action to
be taken by the Trustees may be taken at a meeting held by means of a conference
telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time and
participation by such means shall constitute a presence in person at a meeting,
or by written consents of a majority of the Trustees then in office (or such
greater number as may be required by this Declaration of Trust or otherwise).
PAYMENT OF EXPENSE BY TRUST
SECTION 5. The Trustees are authorized to pay, or to cause to be paid
out of the principal or income of the Trust, or partly out of principal and
partly out of income, as they deem fair, all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and
liabilities incurred or arising in connection with the Trust, or in connection
with the management thereof, including, but not limited to, the Trustees'
compensation and such expenses and charges for the services of the Trust's
officers, employees, investment adviser, or manager, principal underwriter,
auditor, counsel, custodian, transfer agent, Shareholder servicing agent, and
such other agents or independent contractors and such other expenses and charges
as the Trustees may deem necessary or proper to incur.
OWNERSHIP OF ASSETS OF THE TRUST
SECTION 6. Title to all of the assets of the Trust shall at all times
be considered as vested in the Trustees.
ADVISORY, MANAGEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION
SECTION 7. Subject to a favorable Majority Shareholder Vote, the
Trustees may, at any time and from time to time, contract for exclusive or
nonexclusive advisory and/or management services with any corporation, trust,
association or other organization (the "Adviser"), every such contract to comply
with such requirements and restrictions as may be set forth in the By-Laws; and
any such contract may contain such other terms interpretive of or in addition to
said requirements and restrictions as the Trustees may determine, including,
without limitation, authority to determine from time to time what investments
shall be
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purchased, held, sold or exchanged and what portion, if any, of the assets of
the Trust shall be held uninvested and to make changes in the Trust's
investments. The Trustees may also, at any time and from time to time, contract
with the Adviser or any other corporation, trust, association or other
organization, appointing it exclusive or nonexclusive distributor or principal
underwriter for the Shares, every such contract to comply with such requirements
and restrictions as may be set forth in the By-Laws; and any such contract may
contain such other terms interpretive of or in addition to said requirements and
restrictions as the Trustees may determine.
The fact that:
(i) any of the Shareholders, Trustees or officers of
the Trust is a shareholder, director, officer, partner,
trustee, employee, manager, adviser, principal underwriter or
distributor or agent of or for any corporation, trust,
association or other organization, or of or for any parent or
affiliate of any organization, with which an advisory or
management contract, or principal underwriter's or
distributor's contract, or transfer, Shareholder services or
other agency contract may have been or may hereafter be made
or that any such organization, or any parent or affiliate
thereof, is a Shareholder or has an interest in the Trust, or
that
(ii) any corporation, trust, association or other
organization with which an advisory or management contract or
principal underwriter's or distributor's contract or transfer,
Shareholder services or other agency contract may have been or
may hereafter be made also has an advisory or management
contract, or principal underwriter's or distributor's contract
or transfer, Shareholder services or other agency contract
with one or more other corporations, trusts, associations or
other organizations, or has other business or interests
shall not affect the validity of any such contract or disqualify any
Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust from voting upon or executing the
same or create any liability or accountability to the Trust or its Shareholders.
ARTICLE V
SHAREHOLDERS' VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
VOTING POWERS
SECTION 1. Subject to the voting powers of one or more classes or
series of Shares as set forth in the By-Laws, the Shareholders shall have power
to vote only (i) for the election or removal of Trustees as provided in Article
IV, Section 1 or Section 2, (ii) with respect to
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any Adviser as provided in Article IV, Section 7, (iii) with respect to any
termination of this Trust to the extent and as provided in Article IX, Section
4,(iv) with respect to any amendment of this Declaration of Trust to the extent
and as provided in Article IX, Section 7, (v) to the same extent as the
stockholders of a Massachusetts business corporation as to whether or not a
court action, proceeding or claim should or should not be brought or maintained
derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the Shareholders,
and (vi) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be
required by law, this Declaration of Trust, the By-Laws or any registration of
the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor agency)
or any state, or as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable. Each whole
Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to
vote and each fractional Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional
vote, except as otherwise provided in the By-Laws. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Declaration of Trust, on any matter submitted to a vote of
Shareholders, all Shares of the Trust then entitled to vote shall, except as
otherwise provided in the By-Laws or required by law, be voted in the aggregate
as a single class without regard to classes or series of Shares. There shall be
no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person
or by proxy. A proxy with respect to Shares held in the name of two or more
persons shall be valid if executed by any one of them unless at or prior to
exercise of the proxy the Trust receives a specific written notice to the
contrary from any one of them. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf
of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its
exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger.
Until Shares of a particular class or series are issued, the Trustees may
exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required by law,
this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws to be taken by Shareholders as to such
class or series.
VOTING POWER AND MEETINGS
SECTION 2. There shall be an annual meeting of the Shareholders on the
date fixed in the By-Laws at the office of the Trust in Boston, Massachusetts,
or at such other place as may be designated in the call thereof, which call
shall be made by the Trustees. In the event that such meeting is not held in any
year on the date fixed in the By-Laws, whether the omission be by oversight or
otherwise, a subsequent special meeting may be called by the Trustees and held
in lieu of the annual meeting with the same effect as though held on such date.
Special meetings of Shareholders of any or all classes or series may also be
called by the Trustees from time to time for the purpose of taking action upon
any matter requiring the vote or authority of the Shareholders of such class or
series as herein provided or upon any other matter deemed by the Trustees to be
necessary or desirable. Written notice of any meeting of Shareholders shall be
given or caused to be given by the Trustees by mailing such notice at least
seven days before such meeting, postage prepaid, stating the time, place and
purpose of the meeting, to each Shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting at
the Shareholder's address as it appears on the records of the Trust. If the
Trustees shall fail to call or give notice of any meeting of Shareholders for a
period of 30 days after written application by Shareholders holding at least 10%
of the Shares then outstanding of all classes and series entitled to vote at
such meeting
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requesting a meeting to be called for a purpose requiring action by the
Shareholders as provided herein or in the By-Laws, then Shareholders holding at
least 10% of the Shares then outstanding of all classes and series entitled to
vote at such meeting may call and give notice of such meeting, and thereupon the
meeting shall be held in the manner provided for herein in case of call thereof
by the Trustees. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Shareholder if a
written waiver of notice, executed by him or her before or after the meeting, is
filed with the records of the meeting, or to any Shareholder who attends the
meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement the lack of
notice to him or her.
QUORUM AND REQUIRED VOTE
SECTION 3. Thirty percent (30%) of the Shares entitled to vote on a
particular matter shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at a
Shareholders' meeting, except that where the By-Laws require that holders of any
class or series shall vote as an individual class or series, then thirty percent
(30%) of the aggregate number of Shares of that class or series entitled to vote
shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by
that class or series. Any lesser number, however, 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 different vote is required by any provision of
this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, a majority of the Shares voted shall
decide any questions and a plurality shall elect a Trustee, provided that where
the By-Laws require that the holders of any class or series shall vote as an
individual class or series a majority of the Shares of that class or series
voted on the matter (or a plurality with respect to the election of a Trustee)
shall decide that matter insofar as that class or series is concerned.
CONVERSION
SECTION 4. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration of
Trust, the conversion of the Trust from a "closed-end company" to an "open-end
company," as those terms are defined in Sections 5(a)(2) and 5(a)(1),
respectively, of the 1940 Act as in effect on August 1, 1999, together with any
necessary amendments to the Declaration of Trust to permit such a conversion,
shall require the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3%
of the Shares of each class entitled to vote. Such affirmative vote or consent
shall be in addition to the vote or consent of the holders of the Shares
otherwise required by law or by any agreement between the Trust and any national
securities exchange.
ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT
SECTION 5. Any action taken by Shareholders may be taken without a
meeting if a majority of Shareholders entitled to vote on the matter (or such
larger proportion thereof as shall be required by any express provision of this
Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws) consent to the action in writing and such
written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of
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Shareholders. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at
a meeting of Shareholders.
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 6. The By-Laws may include further provisions, not inconsistent
with this Declaration of Trust, regarding Shareholders' voting powers, the
conduct of meetings and related matters.
ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS AND DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
DISTRIBUTIONS
SECTION 1. The Trustees may, but need not, each year distribute to the
Shareholders of any or all classes or series such income and gains, accrued or
realized, as the Trustees may determine, after providing for actual and accrued
expenses and liabilities (including such reserves as the Trustees may establish)
determined in accordance with good accounting practices and subject to the
preferences, special or relative rights and privileges of the various classes or
series of Shares. The Trustees shall have full discretion to determine which
items shall be treated as income and which items as capital and their
determination shall be binding upon the Shareholders. Distributions of each
year's income, if any be made, may be made in one or more payments, which shall
be in Shares, in cash or otherwise and on a date or dates and as of a record
date or dates determined by the Trustees. At any time and from time to time in
their discretion, the Trustees may distribute to the Shareholders as of a record
date or dates determined by the Trustees, in Shares, in cash or otherwise, all
or part of any gains realized on the sale or disposition of property or
otherwise, or all or part of any other principal of the Trust. Each distribution
pursuant to this Section 1 to the Shareholders of a particular class or series
shall be made ratably according to the number of Shares of such class or series
held by the several Shareholders on the applicable record date thereof, provided
that no distribution need be made on Shares purchased pursuant to orders
received, or for which payment is made, after such time or times as the Trustees
may determine. Any such distribution paid in Shares will be paid at the net
asset value thereof as determined in accordance with Section 2 of this Article
VI, or at such other value as may be specified by the By-Laws or as the Trustees
may from time to time determine, subject to applicable laws and regulations then
in effect.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
SECTION 2. At such times as the Trust shall have outstanding only one
class or series of Shares, the term "net asset value" of the Shares shall mean:
(i) the value of all the assets of the Trust; (ii) less the total liabilities of
the Trust; (iii) divided by the number of Shares outstanding, in each case at
the time of each determination. Any fractions involved in the
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computation of net asset value per share shall be adjusted to the nearer cent
unless the Trustees shall determine to adjust such fractions to a fraction of a
cent. At such times as the Trust shall have outstanding more than one class or
series of Shares, the term "net asset value" of the Shares shall have such
meaning, with respect to the Shares of any particular class or series of Shares,
as shall from time to time be specified in the By-Laws.
The Trustees, or any officer or officers or agent of the Trust
designated for the purpose by the Trustees, shall determine the net asset value
of the Shares, and the Trustees shall fix the times as of which the net asset
value of the Shares shall be determined and shall fix the periods during which
any such net asset value shall be effective as to sales and other transactions
in the Shares, except as such times and periods for any such transaction may be
fixed by other provisions of this Declaration of Trust or by the By-Laws.
In valuing the portfolio investments for determination of net asset
value per share, securities for which market quotations are readily available
shall be valued at prices which, in the opinion of the Trustees, or any officer
or officers or agent of the Trust designated for the purpose by the Trustees,
most nearly represent the market value of such securities, which may, but need
not, be the most recent bid price obtained from one or more of the market makers
for such securities; other securities and assets shall be valued at fair value
as determined by or pursuant to the direction of the Trustees. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, short-term debt obligations, commercial paper and repurchase
agreements may be, but need not be, valued on the basis of quoted yields for
securities of comparable maturity, quality and type, or on the basis of
amortized cost. In determination of net asset value, dividends receivable and
accounts receivable for investments sold and for Shares sold shall be stated at
the amounts to be received therefor; and income receivable accrued daily on
bonds and notes owned shall be stated at the amount to be received. Any other
assets shall be stated at fair value as determined by the Trustees or such
officer, officers or agent pursuant to the Trustees' authority, except that no
value shall be assigned to goodwill, furniture, lists, reports, statistics or
other noncurrent assets other than real estate. Liabilities for accounts payable
for investments purchased shall be stated at the amounts payable therefor. In
determining net asset value of the Trust, the person or persons making such
determination on behalf of the Trust may include in liabilities such reserves,
estimated accrued expenses and contingencies as such person or persons may in
its, his, her or their best judgment deem fair and reasonable under the
circumstances. Any income, dividends and gains distributions payable by the
Trust shall be deducted as of such time or times on the record date therefor as
the Trustees shall determine.
The manner of determining the net assets of the Trust or of determining
the net asset value of the Shares may from time to time be altered as necessary
or desirable in the judgment of the Trustees to conform to any other method
prescribed or permitted by any applicable law or regulation.
Determinations under this Section 2 made in good faith and in
accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act shall be binding on all parties
concerned.
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ARTICLE VII
COMPENSATION AND LIMITATION
OF LIABILITY OF TRUSTEES
COMPENSATION
SECTION 1. The Trustees as such shall be entitled to reasonable
compensation from the Trust; they may fix the amount of their 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.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
SECTION 2. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event
for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, adviser or
principal underwriter of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the
act or omission of any other Trustee, but nothing herein contained shall protect
any Trustee against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject
by reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate, Share or
undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on
behalf of the Trust or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust
shall be conclusively deemed to have been executed or done only in or with
respect to their or his or her capacity as Trustees or Trustee, and such
Trustees or Trustee shall not be personally liable thereon.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
TRUSTEES, OFFICERS ETC.
SECTION 1. The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers
(including persons who serve at the Trust's request as directors, officers or
trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a
shareholder, creditor or otherwise) (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered
Person") against all liabilities and expenses, including but not limited to
amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and
penalties, and counsel fees reasonably incurred by any Covered Person in
connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other
proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or
legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved
as a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been
threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been
such a
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Covered Person, except with respect to any matter as to which such Covered
Person shall have been finally adjudicated in a decision on the merits in any
such action, suit or other proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the
reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best interests of
the Trust and except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any
liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would
otherwise be subject by reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such
Covered Person's office. Expenses, including counsel fees so incurred by any
such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in
compromise or as fines or penalties), may be paid from time to time by the Trust
in advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person to repay
amounts so paid to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that indemnification
of such expenses is not authorized under this Article, PROVIDED, THAT (a) such
Covered Person shall provide security for his or her undertaking, (b) the Trust
shall be insured against losses arising by reason of such Covered Person's
failure to fulfil his or her undertaking, or (c) a majority of the Trustees who
are disinterested persons and who are not Interested Persons (provided that a
majority of such Trustees then in office act on the matter), or independent
legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based on a review of readily
available facts (but not a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to
believe such Covered Person ultimately will be entitled to indemnification.
COMPROMISE PAYMENT
SECTION 2. As to any matter disposed of (whether by a compromise
payment, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise) without an adjudication in a
decision on the merits by a court, or by any other body before which the
proceeding was brought, that such Covered Person either (a) did not act in good
faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best
interests of the Trust or (b) is liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by
reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office,
indemnification shall be provided if (a) approved as in the best interest of the
Trust, after notice that it involves such indemnification, by at least a
majority of the Trustees who are disinterested persons and are not Interested
Persons (provided that a majority of such Trustees then in office act on the
matter), upon a determination, based upon a review of readily available facts
(but not a full trial-type inquiry) that such Covered Person acted in good faith
in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best
interests of the Trust and is not liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by
reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office, or (b)
there has been obtained an opinion in writing of independent legal counsel,
based upon a review of readily available facts (but not a full trial-type
inquiry), to the effect that such Covered Person appears to have acted in good
faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best
interests of the Trust and that such indemnification would not protect such
Covered Person against any liability to the Trust to which such Covered Person
would
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otherwise be subject by reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or
her office. Any approval pursuant to this Section shall not prevent the recovery
from any Covered Person of any amount paid to such Covered Person in accordance
with this Section as indemnification if such Covered Person is subsequently
adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction not to have acted in good faith
in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best
interests of the Trust or to have been liable to the Trust or its Shareholders
by reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office.
INDEMNIFICATION NOT EXCLUSIVE
SECTION 3. The right of indemnification hereby provided shall not be
exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be
entitled. As used in this Article VIII, the term "Covered Person" shall include
such person's heirs, executors and administrators, and a "disinterested person"
is a person against whom none of the actions, suits or other proceedings in
question or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar
grounds is then or has been pending. Nothing contained in this Article shall
affect any rights to indemnification to which personnel of the Trust, other than
Trustees and officers, and other persons may be entitled by contract or
otherwise under law, nor the power of the Trust to purchase and maintain
liability insurance on behalf of such person.
SHAREHOLDERS
SECTION 4. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder shall be held
to be personally liable solely by reason of his or her being or having been a
Shareholder and not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some other
reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his or her 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 to
be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from
such liability.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
TRUSTEES, SHAREHOLDERS ETC. NOT PERSONALLY LIABLE; NOTICE
SECTION 1. All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having
any claim against the Trust shall look only to the assets of the Trust for
payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the Shareholders nor
the Trustees, nor any of the Trust's officers, employees or agents, whether
past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor. Nothing in this
Declaration of Trust shall protect any Trustee against any liability to
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which such Trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of wilful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of the office of Trustee.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made
or issued by the Trustees or by any officers or officer shall give notice that
this Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and shall recite that the same was executed or
made by or on behalf of the Trust or by them as Trustees or Trustee or as
officers or officer and not individually and that the obligations of such
instrument are not binding upon any of them or the Shareholders individually but
are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust, and may contain such
further recital as he or she or they may deem appropriate, but the omission
thereof shall not operate to bind any Trustee or officers or officer or
Shareholders or Shareholder individually.
TRUSTEE'S GOOD FAITH ACTION, EXPERT ADVICE, NO BOND OR SURETY
SECTION 2. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretions
hereunder shall be binding upon everyone interested. A Trustee shall be liable
for his or her own wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and
for nothing else, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of
fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with
respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust, and shall be
under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for
failing to follow such advice. The Trustees shall not be required to give any
bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required.
LIABILITY OF THIRD PERSONS DEALING WITH TRUSTEES
SECTION 3. No person dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make
any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction made or to be made by the
Trustees or to see to the application of any payments made or property
transferred to the Trust or upon its order.
DURATION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST
SECTION 4. Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall
continue without limitation of time. Subject to the voting powers of one or more
classes or series of Shares as set forth in the By-Laws, the Trust may be
terminated at any time by vote of Shareholders holding at least 66 2/3% of the
Shares entitled to vote or by the Trustees by written notice to the
Shareholders.
Upon termination of the Trust, after paying or otherwise providing for
all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities, whether due or accrued or
anticipated as may be determined by the Trustees, the Trust shall in accordance
with such procedures as the Trustees consider
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appropriate reduce the remaining assets to distributable form in cash or shares
or other securities, or any combination thereof, and distribute the proceeds to
the Shareholders, ratably according to the number of Shares held by the several
Shareholders on the date of termination, except to the extent otherwise required
or permitted by the preferences and special or relative rights and privileges of
any classes or series of Shares.
FILING OF COPIES, REFERENCES, HEADINGS
SECTION 5. The original or a copy of this instrument and of each
amendment hereto shall be kept at the office of the Trust, where it may be
inspected by any Shareholder. A copy of this instrument and of each amendment
hereto shall be filed by the Trust with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and with the Clerk of the City of Boston, as well as any other
governmental office where such filing may from time to time be required. Anyone
dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer of the Trust as
to whether or not any such amendments 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 of the Trust to be a copy
of this instrument or of any such amendments. In this instrument and in any such
amendment, references to this instrument, and all expressions like "herein",
"hereof" and "hereunder", shall be deemed to refer to this instrument as amended
or affected by any such amendments. Headings are placed herein for convenience
of reference only and shall not be taken as a part hereof or control or affect
the meaning, construction or effect of this instrument. This instrument may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original.
APPLICABLE LAW
SECTION 6. This Declaration of Trust is made in The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and it is created under and is to be governed by and construed
and administered according to the laws of said Commonwealth. The Trust shall be
of the type commonly called a Massachusetts business trust, and without limiting
the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily
exercised by such a trust.
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 7. (a) Except to the extent that the By-Laws or applicable law
may require a higher vote or the separate vote of one or more classes or series
of Shares, and except as provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 7, this
Declaration of Trust may be amended at any time by an instrument in writing
signed by a majority of the then Trustees (1) when authorized so to do by a vote
of Shareholders holding a majority of the Shares entitled to vote or (2) without
Shareholder approval as may be necessary or desirable in order to authorize one
or more classes or series of Shares as in Section 1 of Article III. Amendments
having the purpose of changing the name of the Trust or of supplying any
omission, curing any ambiguity or
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curing, correcting or supplementing any defective or inconsistent provision
contained herein shall not require authorization by Shareholder vote.
(b) Except to the extent that the By-Laws or applicable law may require
a higher vote or the separate vote of one or more classes or series of Shares,
no amendment may be made under this Section 7 which shall amend, alter, change
or repeal any of the provisions of Article IV, Section 1, Article V, Section 4
or this paragraph (b) unless the amendment effecting such amendment, alteration,
change or repeal shall receive the affirmative vote or consent of at least
66 2/3% of the Shares entitled to vote. Such affirmative vote or consent shall
be in addition to the vote or consent of the holders of Shares otherwise
required by law or by the terms of any agreement between the Trust and any
national securities exchange.
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IN WITNESS HEREOF, all of the Trustees as aforesaid do hereto set their
hands this 10th day of August, 1999.
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
____________________________________________
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS )
)
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK ) ss.
Then personally appeared before me Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, who acknowledged
the foregoing instrument to be his free act and deed.
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
____________________________________________
Notary Public
My commission expires on: February 22, 2002
August 10, 1999
TRUSTEE AND ADDRESS
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
c/o Ropes & Xxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
TRUST ADDRESS
Premier North Carolina Municipal Income Fund
x/x Xxxxx & Xxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
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