AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT OF COMPASS DIVERSIFIED TRUST AMONG COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC as Sponsor, THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE) as Delaware Trustee, AND THE REGULAR TRUSTEES NAMED HEREIN Dated as of April 25, 2006
EXHIBIT 3.5
AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT
OF
AMONG
COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC
as Sponsor,
THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE)
as Delaware Trustee,
AND
THE REGULAR TRUSTEES NAMED HEREIN
Dated as
of April 25, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
ARTICLE I DEFINED TERMS |
1 | |||
Section 1.1 Definitions |
1 | |||
ARTICLE II ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TRUST |
8 | |||
Section 2.1 Name |
8 | |||
Section 2.2 Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal Place of Business |
8 | |||
Section 2.3 Trust to Be Sole Owner of Sponsor Interests |
8 | |||
Section 2.4 Authorized Shares |
9 | |||
Section 2.5 Shareholders to be Bound |
9 | |||
Section 2.6 Issuance of Additional Shares |
9 | |||
Section 2.7 Repurchase of Outstanding Shares at Direction of the Sponsor |
9 | |||
Section 2.8 Agreement of Trust |
10 | |||
Section 2.9 Authorization to Enter into Certain Transactions |
10 | |||
Section 2.10 Title to Trust Property |
12 | |||
Section 2.11 Certain Covenants of the Sponsor |
12 | |||
ARTICLE III DISTRIBUTIONS |
12 | |||
Section 3.1 Distributions |
12 | |||
Section 3.2 Payment Procedures |
13 | |||
Section 3.3 Tax Returns and Reports |
13 | |||
ARTICLE IV SHARE CERTIFICATES |
13 | |||
Section 4.1 Share Certificates |
13 | |||
Section 4.2 Share Register |
14 | |||
Section 4.3 Transfer of Shares |
14 | |||
Section 4.4 Mutilated, Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Share Certificates |
14 | |||
Section 4.5 Rights of Shareholders |
14 | |||
ARTICLE V MEETINGS; VOTING |
15 | |||
Section 5.1 Annual Meetings of Shareholders |
15 | |||
Section 5.2 Special Meetings of Shareholders |
15 | |||
Section 5.3 Place of Meeting |
15 | |||
Section 5.4 Notice of Meeting |
15 | |||
Section 5.5 Quorum and Adjournment |
17 |
i
Page | ||||
Section 5.6 Voting |
17 | |||
Section 5.7 Proxies |
18 | |||
Section 5.8 Notice of Shareholder Business and Nominations |
18 | |||
Section 5.9 Procedure for Election of Directors; Voting |
21 | |||
Section 5.10 Inspectors of Elections; Opening and Closing the Polls |
22 | |||
Section 5.11 Confidential Shareholder Voting |
22 | |||
Section 5.12 Waiver of Notice |
22 | |||
Section 5.13 Remote Communication |
23 | |||
Section 5.14 Action by Written Consent |
23 | |||
Section 5.15 Inspection of Records |
23 | |||
ARTICLE VI RIGHT OF SHAREHOLDERS TO ENFORCE PROVISIONS OF SPONSOR AGREEMENTS
AND BRING DERIVATIVE ACTION |
24 | |||
Section 6.1 Right to Institute Legal Proceeding |
24 | |||
Section 6.2 Ten Percent (10%) or More Shareholder |
25 | |||
ARTICLE VII SHAREHOLDER VOTE REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH CERTAIN
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS OR TRANSACTIONS |
25 | |||
Section 7.1 Vote Generally Required |
25 | |||
Section 7.2 Vote for Business Combinations |
25 | |||
Section 7.3 Power of Continuing Directors |
25 | |||
Section 7.4 No Effect on Fiduciary Obligations |
26 | |||
ARTICLE VIII THE TRUSTEES |
26 | |||
Section 8.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities |
26 | |||
Section 8.2 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Shares |
28 | |||
Section 8.3 May Hold Shares |
28 | |||
Section 8.4 Compensation; Indemnity; Fees |
28 | |||
Section 8.5 Delaware Trustee Required; Eligibility of Trustees |
29 | |||
Section 8.6 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor |
29 | |||
Section 8.7 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor |
30 | |||
Section 8.8 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business |
30 | |||
Section 8.9 Number of Trustees |
31 | |||
Section 8.10 Delegation of Power |
31 | |||
Section 8.11 Resignation and Appointment of Regular Trustees |
31 | |||
ARTICLE IX TERMINATION AND DISSOLUTION |
32 |
ii
Page | ||||
Section 9.1 Termination or Dissolution |
32 | |||
Section 9.2 Circumstances Under Which Shares Shall Be Voluntarily Exchanged for
Sponsor Interests |
32 | |||
Section 9.3 Circumstances Under Which Shares Shall Be Mandatorily Exchanged for
Sponsor Interests |
32 | |||
Section 9.4 Early Termination |
33 | |||
Section 9.5 Termination of Obligations |
33 | |||
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
34 | |||
Section 10.1 Limitation of Rights of Shareholders |
34 | |||
Section 10.2 Amendment |
34 | |||
Section 10.3 Separability |
35 | |||
Section 10.4 Specific Performance |
35 | |||
Section 10.5 Governing Law |
35 | |||
Section 10.6 Successors |
36 | |||
Section 10.7 Headings |
36 | |||
Section 10.8 Communications, Notices and Demands |
36 | |||
Section 10.9 Counterpart Execution |
37 | |||
EXHIBIT A — FORM OF SHARE CERTIFICATE |
A-1 |
iii
AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT (as amended, revised, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time, this “Agreement”),
dated as of April 25, 2006 is entered into by and among
COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), THE
BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE), a Delaware banking corporation, as Delaware trustee (in such capacity,
the “Delaware Trustee”), and MR. I. XXXXXX XXXXXXX and XX. XXXXX X. XXXXXXXXXXX, as the initial
regular trustees and XX. XXXX X. XXXXXXXXX, as replacement regular trustee for MR. I. XXXXXX
XXXXXXX (each a “Regular Trustee”, together “Regular Trustees” and, collectively with the Delaware
Trustee, the “Trustees”). The Sponsor and the Trustees hereby agree as follows:
WHEREAS, the Sponsor and the Trustees, heretofore duly declared and established Compass
Diversified Trust (the “Trust”), a statutory trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, by
entering into a trust agreement, dated as of November 18, 2005 (the “Original Agreement”), and by
executing and filing of a Certificate of Trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
on November 18, 2005, for the purpose of owning the Sponsor Interests (as defined herein) and
issuing Shares (as defined herein) of the Trust, in one or more series, each Share representing an
undivided beneficial interest in the Trust Property;
WHEREAS, the Sponsor and the Trustees desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement in
its entirety as set forth herein to provide for, among other things, the operation of the Trust,
the issuance of the Shares and the holding of the Sponsor Interests;
WHEREAS, the Sponsor and the Trustees intend that the Trust function as a pass-through entity
structured to give the Shareholders (as defined herein) similar rights and obligations, to the
extent provided herein, as if they held Sponsor Interests (as defined herein) directly and the
Sponsor and the Trustees further intend that this Agreement, including the grant of rights to the
Sponsor, the Board of Directors (as defined herein) and certain other Persons, be interpreted
consistent with such intention;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for
other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, each party,
for the benefit of the other party, hereby amends and restates the Original Agreement in its
entirety and agrees as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINED TERMS
Section 1.1 Definitions
For all purposes of this Agreement (as defined herein), except as otherwise expressly provided
or unless the context otherwise requires:
1
(i) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and
include the plural as well as the singular;
(ii) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section” or an
“Exhibit” refers to an Article, Section or an Exhibit, as the case may be, of this Agreement; and
(iii) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to
this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
“1933 Act Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9 hereof.
“1934 Act Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9 hereof.
“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“462(b) Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9 hereof.
“Acquirer” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3 hereof.
“Acquisition Exchange” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3 hereof.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person, (ii) any officer, director,
general member, member or trustee of such Person. For purposes of this definition, the terms
“controlling,” “controlled by” or “under common control with” shall mean, with respect to any
Persons, the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise, or the power to elect at least fifty percent (50%) of the directors,
managers, general members or Persons exercising similar authority with respect to such Person.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Allocation Interests” has the meaning set forth in the Sponsor Agreement.
“Associate” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 of the Rules and Regulations
promulgated under the Exchange Act.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the Rules and
Regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Sponsor or any committee thereof that
has been duly authorized by the Board of Directors to make a decision on the matter in question or
bind the Sponsor as to the matter in question.
2
“Business Combination” means:
(i) any merger or consolidation of the Trust with (A) an Interested Shareholder, or (B) any
other Person (whether or not itself an Interested Shareholder) that is, or after such merger or
consolidation would be, an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Shareholder; or
(ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one
transaction or a series of transactions) to or with, or proposed by or on behalf of, an Interested
Shareholder or an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Shareholder of any property or assets of
the Trust having an aggregate Fair Market Value as of the date of consummation of the transaction
giving rise to the Business Combination of not less than ten percent (10%) of the Net Investment
Value as of such date;
(iii) the issuance or transfer by the Trust, the Sponsor or any Subsidiary thereof (in one
transaction or a series of transactions) of any securities of the Trust to, or proposed by or on
behalf of, an Interested Shareholder or an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Shareholder in
exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate Fair
Market Value as of the date of consummation of the transaction giving rise to the Business
Combination of not less than ten percent (10%) of the Net Investment Value as of such date; or
(iv) any spin-off or split-up of any kind of the Trust thereof proposed by or on behalf of an
Interested Shareholder or an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Shareholder; or
(v) any reclassification of the Shares (including any reverse split of Shares) or
recapitalization of the Trust or any merger or consolidation of the Trust with the Sponsor or any
Subsidiary thereof, or any other transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an
Interested Shareholder), that has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the
proportionate share of Outstanding Shares which is beneficially owned by an Interested Shareholder
or an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Shareholder; or
(v) any agreement, contract or other arrangement providing for any one or more of the actions
specified in clauses (i) through (iv) above.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks in The
City of New York are required, permitted or authorized, by applicable law or executive order, to be
closed for regular banking business.
“Chairman” has the meaning set forth in the Sponsor Agreement.
“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Continuing Director” means (i) any director of the Sponsor who (A) is neither the Interested
Shareholder involved in the Business Combination as to which a determination of Continuing
Directors is provided hereunder, nor an Affiliate, Associate, employee, agent or nominee of such
Interested Shareholder, or a relative of any of the
3
foregoing, and (B) was a director of the Board of Directors prior to the time that such
Interested Shareholder became an Interested Shareholder, or (ii) any successor of a Continuing
Director described in clause (i) above who is recommended or elected to succeed a Continuing
Director by the affirmative vote of a majority of Continuing Directors then on the Board of
Directors.
“Delaware Statutory Trust Act” means chapter 38 of title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. C.
Section 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time.
“Delaware Trustee” means the Person identified as the “Delaware Trustee” in the preamble to
this Agreement solely in its capacity as Delaware Trustee of the Trust and not in its individual
capacity, or its successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor Delaware Trustee
appointed as herein provided.
“Depositary Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9 hereof.
“Distributions” means amounts payable in respect of the Shares as provided in Section 3.1
hereof.
“Early Termination Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4 hereof.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date:
(i) in the case of Shares, the average of the closing sale prices for such Shares during the
ten (10) Business Days immediately preceding such date:
(A) | as reported for composite transactions by the Nasdaq National Market; | ||
(B) | if such Shares are not so reported by the Nasdaq National Market, the price of Shares as reported, quoted or listed on any other principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange; | ||
(C) | if such equity securities are not so reported, quoted or listed, the last quoted bid price for Shares in the over-the-counter market as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or a similar organization; or |
(ii) if Shares are not so reported, quoted or listed, or in the case of any other Property,
the fair market value of such Shares or such Property on the date in question as determined by a
majority of the Board of Directors in good faith; provided, that if the Manager shall dispute any
such determination of fair market value by the Board of Directors, fair market value shall be
determined by the investment banking or professional valuation firm selected by the Board of
Directors from among no fewer than three qualified candidates provided by the Manager.
4
“Fiscal Quarter” means the Sponsor’s fiscal quarter for purposes of its reporting obligations
under the Exchange Act.
“Future Investments” means contractual commitments to invest represented by definitive
agreements.
“Indemnified Persons” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4 hereof.
“Initial Board” has the meaning set forth in the Sponsor Agreement.
“Interested Shareholder” means, as of any date, any Person (other than the Manager and its
Affiliates, the Trust, the Sponsor or any Subsidiary of the Sponsor, any employee benefit plan
maintained by the Sponsor or any Subsidiary thereof or any trustee or fiduciary with respect to any
such plan when acting in such capacity) that:
(i) is, or was at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to such date, the
Beneficial Owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the then Outstanding Shares and who did not
become the Beneficial Owner of such amount of Shares pursuant to a transaction that was approved by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors; or
(ii) is an assignee of, or has otherwise succeeded to, any Outstanding Shares of which an
Interested Shareholder was the Beneficial Owner at any time within the three-year period
immediately prior to such date, if such assignment or succession occurred in the course of a
transaction, or series of transactions, not involving a public offering within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
For the purpose of determining whether a Person is an Interested Shareholder, the Shares that may
be issuable or exchangeable by the Trust to the Interested Shareholder pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or
otherwise, shall be included, but not any other Shares that may be issuable or exchangeable by the
Trust pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion
rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, to any Person who is not the Interested Shareholder.
“Managed Subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in the Management Services Agreement.
“Management Services Agreement” means the Management Services Agreement, entered into by and
among the Manager, the Sponsor and other parties thereto, dated as of the date hereof, as amended
or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Manager” means Compass Diversified Management LLC, and any successor thereto, in its capacity
as manager under the Management Services Agreement or in its capacity as holder of the Allocation
Interests in the Sponsor, as the case may be.
“Market Value ” means, as of any date, the product of (i) the average number of Outstanding
Shares, other than treasury Shares, during the last fifteen (15) Business Days
5
of the most recently completed Fiscal Quarter as of such date, multiplied by (ii) the volume
weighted average trading price per Share, as determined by reference to the relevant securities
exchange identified in clause (i) of the definition of Fair Market Value, over such fifteen (15)
Business Days.
“Nasdaq National Market” means the Nasdaq National Market or any successor thereto.
“Net Investment Value” means, as of any date, the sum of:
(i) the Market Value as of such date; plus
(ii) the amount of any borrowings (other than intercompany borrowings) of the Sponsor and its
Managed Subsidiaries (but not including borrowings on behalf of any Subsidiary of the Managed
Subsidiaries) as of such date; plus
(iii) the value of Future Investments of the Sponsor and/or any of its Subsidiaries other than
cash or cash equivalents, as calculated by the Manager and approved by a majority of the Continuing
Directors, as of such date; provided, that such Future Investments have not been outstanding for
more than two consecutive full Fiscal Quarters as of such date; less
(iv) the aggregate amount held by the Sponsor and its Managed Subsidiaries in cash or cash
equivalents (but not including cash or cash equivalents held specifically for the benefit of any
Subsidiary of a Managed Subsidiary) as of such date.
“Original Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Outstanding Shares” means, as of any date, all Shares theretofore executed and delivered,
including in electronic form, under this Agreement, except:
(i) Shares theretofore canceled or delivered for cancellation; and
(ii) Shares in exchange for or in lieu of which other Shares have been executed and delivered
pursuant to Section 4.5.
“Person” means any individual, partnership (whether general or limited), limited liability
company, corporation, trust, estate, association, nominee or other entity as well as any syndicate
or group deemed to be a person under Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.
“Property” means all real and personal property acquired by the Trust, including cash, and any
improvements thereto, and shall include both tangible and intangible property.
“Registration Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9 hereof.
6
“Regular Trustee” means the Persons identified as the “Regular Trustee” in the preamble to
this Agreement, each solely in his own capacity as Regular Trustee of the Trust and not in his own
individual capacity, or such Regular Trustee’s successor in interest in such capacity, or any
successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor Regular Trustee appointed as herein
provided.
“Relevant Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.6 hereof.
“Rules and Regulations” means the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act or
the Securities Act.
“Secretary” has the meaning set forth in the Sponsor Agreement.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Share” means the shares of the Trust, each representing one undivided beneficial interest
issued by the Trust corresponding to one underlying Sponsor Interest held by the Trust.
“Share Certificate” means a certificate evidencing ownership of Shares, substantially in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
“Share Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.
“Shareholder” means a Person in whose name a Share Certificate representing a Share is
registered or a Person in whose name a book-entry position is maintained, such Person being a
beneficial owner of such Share within the meaning of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act.
“Sponsor” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Sponsor Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the Sponsor, as
amended, revised, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, dated as of the date
hereof, entered into by and between the Trust and the Manager.
“Sponsor Interest” means the Trust Interests.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, company, joint venture,
limited liability company, association or other Person in which such Person owns, directly or
indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding equity securities or interests, the
holders of which are generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors or other
governing body of such Person.
“Transfer Agent” means, with respect to the Shares and the Sponsor Interests, The Bank of New
York, Inc. or any successor(s) thereto.
“Trust” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof and which is continued hereby and
identified on the cover page of this Agreement.
7
“Trust Interest” has the meaning set forth in the Sponsor Agreement.
“Trust Property” means the Sponsor Interests owned by the Trust including any distribution
thereon, or any other property or assets relating thereto.
“Trust’s Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4 hereof.
“Trustees” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Voluntary Exchange” has the meaning set forth in section 9.2 hereof.
ARTICLE II
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TRUST
Section 2.1 Name
(a) The name of the Trust shall continue to be Compass Diversified Trust and all business of
the Trust shall be conducted in such name. The Sponsor, acting through the Board of Directors, may
change the name of the Trust upon ten (10) Business Days’ written notice to the Shareholders and
the Trustees, which name change shall be effective upon the filing by the Regular Trustees of a
certificate of amendment or a restated certificate pursuant to Section 3810 of the Delaware
Statutory Trust Act.
(b) The Regular Trustees shall take all action and do all things necessary to give effect to
the requirements of Section 9.5 of the Management Services Agreement.
Section 2.2 Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal Place of Business
The address of the Delaware Trustee in the State of Delaware is 502 Xxxxx Xxxx Center, Xxxxx
000 X.X. Xxx 0000, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, or such other address in the State of Delaware as the
Delaware Trustee may designate by written notice to the Shareholders and the Sponsor. The
principal executive offices of the Trust are Sixty Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000. The Sponsor, acting through the Board of Directors, may change the principal
executive offices of the Trust to any other place within or without the State of Delaware upon
written notice to the Trustees.
Section 2.3 Trust to Be Sole Owner of Sponsor Interests
(a) The Sponsor shall issue Sponsor Interests to the Trust and simultaneously therewith the
Trust shall issue Shares in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.3(b). Subject to
Sections 9.2 and 9.3, it is intended that the Trust shall be the sole holder and owner of one
hundred percent (100%) of the Sponsor Interests, and the Sponsor shall not issue, sell, or
otherwise transfer any of its Sponsor Interests to any Person other than the Trust. Subject to
Sections 9.2 and 9.3, the Trust shall not sell, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge or otherwise
transfer any of its Sponsor Interests to any other Person.
8
(b) At all times, the Trust shall have outstanding the identical number of Shares as the
number of Sponsor Interests that have been issued and are outstanding. At all times, the Trust
shall be the sole owner of the Trust Property and shall only own the Trust Property.
Section 2.4 Authorized Shares
The Trust shall be authorized to issue one class of Shares (in one or more series) in an
aggregate amount of up to five hundred million (500,000,000) of such Shares; any Shares of more
than one such series shall constitute one and the same class of security. The Trust is prohibited
from issuing any other class of equity securities, any debt securities or any derivative
securities. The aggregate number of Shares that are authorized may be increased from time to time
by an amendment of this Agreement upon the adoption of a resolution by the affirmative vote of at
least a majority of the Board of Directors declaring such amendment to be advisable and the
approval of such amendment by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then
Outstanding Shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of the Shareholders.
Section 2.5 Shareholders to be Bound
Every Shareholder, by holding and receiving a Share, agrees with the Trust to be bound by the
terms of this Agreement.
Section 2.6 Issuance of Additional Shares
The Sponsor shall have authority to authorize the issuance, from time to time, of authorized
but unissued Shares and cause the Trust to issue such additional Shares in exchange for and upon
receipt of an equal number of Sponsor Interests. Upon the issuance of such additional Shares, one
of the Regular Trustees shall execute in accordance with Section 4.2 one or more Share Certificates
in certificated, fully registered form and shall deliver such Share Certificates to the Transfer
Agent. The Trust may issue the Shares, in one or more series, in any manner, subject to applicable
law, that the Sponsor, acting through its Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, deems
appropriate and advisable.
Section 2.7 Repurchase of Outstanding Shares at Direction of the Sponsor
(a) From time to time and at the direction of the Sponsor, acting through the Board of
Directors, the Trust shall conduct a capital reduction, including the repurchase of any number of
Outstanding Shares, on similar terms to the capital reduction simultaneously conducted by the
Sponsor with respect to the Sponsor Interests and shall ensure that an identical number of Sponsor
Interests and Shares are issued and outstanding at any one time.
(b) Any Shares tendered and repurchased by the Trust in accordance with this Section 2.7 shall
not be deemed canceled pursuant to Section 3818 of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act but instead,
shall be deemed to be authorized and issued, but not outstanding, and may subsequently be sold or
transferred for due consideration.
9
Section 2.8 Agreement of Trust
The purposes of the Trust are to (i) issue Shares of beneficial interest in Trust Property,
each Share corresponding to one Sponsor Interest held by the Trust, (ii) own the Sponsor Interests
and (iii) engage in such other activities as are necessary, convenient or incidental hereto. Each
Shareholder registered on the books of the Trust shall be a “beneficial owner” within the meaning
of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. It is intended that the Trust shall qualify as a grantor trust
for U.S. federal income tax purposes; consistent with such treatment, the Trustees shall have no
power under this Agreement to vary the investment of the Trust. Subject to Article IX, the
Trustees are not authorized to sell, exchange, convey, pledge, encumber, or otherwise transfer,
assign or dispose of the Sponsor Interests held by the Trust nor invest or reinvest the assets of
the Trust. There shall be no implied duties or obligations of the Trustees hereunder. Any action
by the Trustees in accordance with their respective powers shall constitute the act of and serve to
bind the Trust. The Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the
Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities of the Sponsor, Manager, the Board of
Directors or the Regular Trustees set forth herein. The Delaware Trustee shall be one of the
Trustees of the Trust for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Section
3807 of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and for taking such actions as are required to be taken by
a Delaware trustee under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. The duties (including fiduciary
duties), liabilities and obligations of the Delaware Trustee shall be limited to (a) accepting
legal process served on the Trust in the State of Delaware and (b) the execution of any
certificates required to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware that the
Delaware Trustee is required to execute under Section 3811 of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and
there shall be no other duties (including fiduciary duties) or obligations, express or implied, at
law or in equity, of the Delaware Trustee. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the
Delaware Trustee shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of the Trust, the Sponsor, the
Regular Trustees, the Manager or the Board of Directors.
Section 2.9 Authorization to Enter into Certain Transactions
(a) The Sponsor is hereby authorized and directed, as an agent on behalf of the Trust, to
engage in the following activities:
(i) to prepare and file with the Commission and execute, in each case on behalf of the
Trust, (a) any registration statement from time to time on Form S-1 or any applicable form
at such time, as applicable (a “1933 Act Registration Statement”), including any
pre-effective or post-effective amendments thereto, including any preliminary prospectus,
prospectus, prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement relating
thereto, relating to the registration of any Shares under the Securities Act, (b) any
registration statement filed, from time to time, pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act (the “462(b) Registration Statement” and, together with the 1933 Act
Registration Statement, the “Registration Statements”), including any amendments thereto,
relating to the registration of any Shares under the Securities Act and (c) as applicable,
a registration statement on Form 8-A (a “1934 Act Registration
10
Statement”), including any pre-effective or post-effective amendments thereto,
relating to the registration of any Shares under Section 12(b) or (g) of the Exchange Act;
(ii) to prepare and file with the Nasdaq National Market and/or any other securities
exchange and execute, in each case on behalf of the Trust, a listing application and all
other applications, statements, certificates, agreements and other instruments as shall be
necessary or desirable to cause the Shares to be listed or quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market and/or any other securities exchange;
(iii) to prepare and file and execute, in each case on behalf of the Trust, such
applications, reports, surety bonds, irrevocable consents, appointments of attorney for
service of process and other papers, applications, filings and other documents as shall be
necessary or desirable to register the Shares under the securities or “blue sky” laws of
such jurisdictions as the Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust, may deem necessary or desirable;
(iv) to select underwriters or other purchasing or placement agents relating to the
public offering or any issuance of any Shares pursuant to any Registration Statements;
(v) to negotiate the terms and conditions of, and execute on behalf of the Trust, any
underwriting agreements or other purchase or placement agreements or other agreements
relating to the public or private offering of any Shares in exchange for Sponsor Interests,
including, without limitation, agreements relating to the registration of such Shares;
(vi) to execute and deliver, in each case on behalf of the Trust, such certifications
or reports required by the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 from time to time as may be necessary
or proper to the conduct of the business of the Trust;
(vii) to pay any filing, application or other fees associated with any of the
foregoing actions, including those to the Commission, the National Association of
Securities Dealers, any securities exchange, any agents or any other Person;
(viii) to select a transfer agent, including the Transfer Agent, and negotiate the
terms and conditions of, and execute on behalf of the Trust, a transfer agent agreement;
and
(ix) to select a custodian as holder of any Trust Property and negotiate the terms and
conditions of, and execute on behalf of the Trust, a custodian agreement;
(x) to negotiate the terms and conditions of, and execute on behalf of the Trust, a
depositary share agreement with a nationally recognized bank with combined capital and
surplus of $50 million or more for the purpose of
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establishing a depositary share program for the Shares of the Trust (the “Depositary
Agreement”) and to engage such nationally recognized bank as agent with respect thereto;
(xi) to negotiate the terms and conditions of, and execute on behalf of the Trust,
such agreements, documents and certificates, and to do such other acts and things as the
Sponsor may deem to be necessary or advisable in order to (w) give effect to any of the
foregoing, (x) in connection with the public offering or any future issuance of the Shares,
(y) carry out the purpose and intent of the Trust or (z) to comply or give effect to any
terms or provisions of this Agreement.
(b) It is hereby acknowledged and agreed that in connection with any execution, filing or
document referred to in clauses (i) — (ix) above, (A) any Regular Trustee or the Sponsor singly be,
and hereby is, authorized on behalf of the Trust to file and execute such document on behalf of the
Trust and (B) the Delaware Trustee shall not be required or be deemed necessary to join in any such
filing or action or execute on behalf of the Trust any such document or to take any such action.
Section 2.10 Title to Trust Property
Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times in the Trust and shall be held
and administered by the Regular Trustees for the benefit of the Trust and the Shareholders in
accordance with this Agreement. No Shareholder shall have legal title to any part of the Trust
Property, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the Trust Property.
Section 2.11 Certain Covenants of the Sponsor
The Sponsor shall use its best efforts, consistent with the terms and provisions of this
Agreement, to cause the Trust to remain classified as a “grantor trust” for U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
ARTICLE III
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 3.1
Distributions
The Regular Trustees shall pay Distributions, or cause the payment of Distributions, to the
Shareholders of all distributions received by the Trust with respect to the Sponsor Interests from
the Sponsor within five (5) Business Days of receipt thereof. Such Distributions shall be paid to
Shareholders appearing on the Share Register for the Outstanding Shares who are Shareholders as of
the record date established by the Sponsor for the payment of distributions on the Sponsor
Interests. Any such Distributions shall be allocated to Shareholders in the same proportions as
any such distributions were made per Sponsor Interest by the Sponsor.
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Section 3.2 Payment Procedures
Payments of Distributions in respect of the Shares shall be made by (i) check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the Share Register, or (ii)
wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account maintained by the Person entitled
thereto as specified in the Share Register.
Section 3.3 Tax Returns and Reports
The Regular Trustees shall prepare (or cause to be prepared), at the Trust’s expense, and file
or provide (or cause to be filed or provided) all U.S. federal, state and local tax and information
returns and reports required to be filed or provided to Shareholders by or in respect of the Trust.
In this regard, the Regular Trustees shall (a) prepare and file (or cause to be prepared or filed)
Form 1041 or the appropriate Internal Revenue Service form required to be filed in respect of the
Trust in each taxable year of the Trust and (b) prepare and furnish (or cause to be prepared and
furnished) a tax information statement or such other form or statement, if any, required to be
furnished in respect of the Trust in each taxable year of the Trust. The Regular Trustees shall
comply in all material respects with U.S. federal, state and local withholding and backup
withholding tax laws and information reporting requirements with respect to any payments to
Shareholders upon the Shares. To the extent that the Trust is required to withhold and pay over any
amounts to any authority with respect to Distributions or allocations to any Shareholder, the
amount withheld shall be deemed to be a distribution in the amount of the withholding to the
Shareholder. In the event of any claimed over-withholding, Shareholders shall be limited to an
action against the applicable taxing jurisdiction.
ARTICLE IV
SHARE CERTIFICATES
Section 4.1 Share Certificates
The Shares shall be issued in electronic book-entry form or shall be otherwise evidenced by
the Share Certificates that are issued substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. Each Share
Certificate shall bear a serial number, shall exhibit the Shareholder’s name and the number of
Shares evidenced thereby and shall be executed on behalf of the Trust by manual or facsimile
signature of one of the Regular Trustees. Share Certificates bearing the manual or facsimile
signatures of individuals who were, at the time when such signatures shall have been affixed,
authorized to sign on behalf of the Trust, shall be validly issued and entitled to the benefit of
this Agreement, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them shall have ceased to be so
authorized prior to the delivery of such Share Certificates or did not hold such offices at the
date of delivery of such Share Certificates. A transferee of a Share Certificate shall become a
Shareholder, and shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Shareholder
hereunder, upon due registration of such Share Certificate in such transferee’s name pursuant to
Section 4.4.
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Section 4.2 Share Register
The Sponsor shall retain the Transfer Agent to keep a register or registers (herein referred
to as the “Share Register”) in which shall be recorded the name and address of each Person owning
the Outstanding Shares as maintained by the Transfer Agent electronically with respect to any
Shares issued in book-entry form or as otherwise evidenced by each Share Certificate evidencing
Shares issued by the Trust, the number of Shares evidenced by each such Share Certificate, the date
of issuance thereof and, in the case of cancellation, the date of cancellation. Except as otherwise
expressly required by law, the Person or entity in whose name Shares stand on the Share Register of
the Trust shall be deemed the Beneficial Owner and Shareholder of record thereof for all purposes.
Section 4.3 Transfer of Shares
Registration of transfers of Shares shall be made only in the Share Register of the Trust upon
request of the registered Shareholder of such Shares, or of his attorney thereunto authorized by
power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Transfer Agent, and upon the surrender of the
Share Certificate or Share Certificates or the corresponding book-entry position evidencing such
Shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a stock power duly executed, together with such proof of
authenticity of signatures as the Transfer Agent may reasonably require, or as properly presented
for transfer by a depositary or clearing agent with respect to any book-entry position of Shares.
All Share Certificates surrendered for transfer shall be canceled before new Share Certificates for
the transferred Shares shall be issued. Upon surrender for registration of transfer, and
cancellation, of any Share Certificate, one of the Regular Trustees shall execute in the name of
the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Share Certificates.
Section 4.4 Mutilated, Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Share Certificates
Each Shareholder of record of Shares shall promptly notify the Trust of any mutilation, loss
or destruction of any Share Certificate of which such Shareholder is the recordholder. The Sponsor
may, in its discretion, cause the Transfer Agent to issue a new Share Certificate in place of any
Share Certificate theretofore issued by it and alleged to have been mutilated, lost, stolen or
destroyed, upon surrender of the mutilated Share Certificate or, in the case of loss, theft or
destruction of the Share Certificate, upon satisfactory proof of such loss, theft or destruction,
and the Sponsor may, in its discretion, require the Shareholder of record of the Shares evidenced
by the lost, stolen or destroyed Share Certificate, or his legal representative, to give the
Transfer Agent a bond sufficient to indemnify the Transfer Agent against any claim made against it
on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such Share Certificate or the issuance
of such new Share Certificate.
Section 4.5 Rights of Shareholders
The legal title to the Trust Property is vested exclusively in the Trust in accordance with
Section 2.10, and the Shareholders shall not have any right or title
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therein other than the undivided beneficial interest in the Trust Property conferred by their
Shares and they shall have no right to call for any partition or division of Property, profits or
rights of the Trust except as described below. The Shares shall be personal property giving only
the rights specifically set forth therein and in this Agreement. The Shares shall have no
preemptive or similar rights and, when issued and delivered to Shareholders against payment of the
purchase price therefor and otherwise in accordance with this Agreement, shall be deemed validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in Trust Property.
Shareholders, in their capacities as such, shall be entitled to the benefits provided in this
Agreement and to the same limitation of personal liability extended to shareholders of private
corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS; VOTING
Section 5.1 Annual Meetings of Shareholders
The annual meeting of Shareholders to direct the voting of the Trust, as a member of the
Sponsor, shall be called by the Sponsor, pursuant to the Sponsor Agreement, and held at such date,
at such time and at such place (if any) within or without the State of Delaware as may be
designated by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors. Any other business may
be transacted at the annual meeting; provided, that it is properly brought before the meeting.
Section 5.2 Special Meetings of Shareholders
Special meetings of Shareholders shall be held on such date, at such time and at such place
(if any) within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the
Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. Special meetings of Shareholders may be
called at any time only by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or by the Board of Directors
pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors. Business transacted at
any special meeting of Shareholders shall be limited to the purpose stated in the notice relating
thereto.
Section 5.3 Place of Meeting
The Board of Directors may designate the place (if any) of meeting for any meeting of
Shareholders. If no designation is made by the Board of Directors, the place of meeting shall be
the principal executive office of the Sponsor. In lieu of holding any meeting of Shareholders at a
designated place, the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that any meeting of
Shareholders may be held solely by means of remote communication.
Section 5.4 Notice of Meeting
(a) A notice of meeting, stating the place (if any), day and hour of the meeting, and the
means of remote communication, if any, by which Shareholders and
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proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting (the “Trust’s
Notice”), shall be prepared and delivered by the Sponsor not less than twenty (20) days and not
more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally, by mail or, to the
extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, electronically, to each Shareholder of
record. In the case of special meetings, the notice shall state the purpose or purposes for which
such special meeting is called. Such further notice shall be given as may be required by applicable
law. Any previously scheduled meeting of the Shareholders may be postponed, and (unless this
Agreement otherwise provides) any special meeting of the Shareholders may be canceled, by
resolution of the Board of Directors upon public notice given prior to the time previously
scheduled for such meeting of Shareholders.
(b) The Trust’s Notice to Shareholders shall be given personally, by mail or, to the extent
and in the manner permitted by applicable law, electronically to each Shareholder of record. If
mailed, such notice shall be delivered by postage prepaid envelope directed to each holder at such
Shareholder’s address as it appears in the records of the Trust and shall be deemed given when
deposited in the United States mail.
Any Trust’s Notice to Shareholders given by the Trust pursuant to this Section 5.4 shall be
effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the Shareholder to whom the
notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the Shareholder by written notice to the
Trust and shall also be deemed revoked if (1) the Trust is unable to deliver by electronic
transmission two consecutive notices given by the Trust in accordance with such consent, and (2)
such inability becomes known to the Secretary of the Sponsor, the Transfer Agent or other person
responsible for the giving of notice; provided, that, the inadvertent failure to treat such
inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.
Notice given by electronic transmission pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed given: (1)
if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a facsimile telecommunication number at which
the Shareholder has consented to receive notice; (2) if by electronic mail, when directed to an
electronic mail address at which the Shareholder has consented to receive notice; (3) if by posting
on an electronic network together with separate notice to the Shareholder of such specific posting,
upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and (4) if by any
other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the Shareholder. An affidavit of the
Secretary or an assistant Secretary or of the Transfer Agent or other agent of the Sponsor that the
notice has been given by personal delivery, mail or a form of electronic transmission shall, in the
absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
(c) In order that the Trust may determine the Shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at
any meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record
date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date
is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) or
fewer than twenty (20) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the
Board of Directors, the record date for determining Shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote
at any meeting of
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Shareholders or any adjournment thereof shall be at the close of business on the day next
preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the
day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
Section 5.5 Quorum and Adjournment
Except as otherwise provided by applicable law or by this Agreement, the Shareholders present
in person or by proxy holding a majority of the then Outstanding Shares entitled to vote, shall
constitute a quorum at a meeting of Shareholders. The Chairman or the holders of a majority of the
then Outstanding Shares entitled to vote so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time,
whether or not there is such a quorum. The Shareholders present at a duly organized meeting at
which a quorum is present in person or by proxy may continue to transact business until
adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Shareholders to leave less than a quorum.
When a meeting is adjourned to another time and place, if any, unless otherwise provided by
this Agreement, notice need not be given of the reconvened meeting if the date, time and place, if
any, thereof and the means of remote communication, if any, by which Shareholders and proxyholders
may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such reconvened meeting are announced at the
meeting at which the adjournment is taken. If the time, date and place of the reconvened meeting
are not announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, then the Secretary of the
Sponsor shall give written notice of the time, date and place of the reconvened meeting not less
than twenty (20) days prior to the date of the reconvened meeting.
At the reconvened meeting, the Shareholders may transact any business that might have been
transacted at the original meeting. A determination of Shareholders of record entitled to notice of
or to vote at a meeting of Shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of such meeting; provided,
however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the reconvened meeting. If an
adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days or if, after an adjournment, a new record date is
fixed for the reconvened meeting, a notice of the reconvened meeting shall be given to each
Shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 5.6 Voting
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.6 and Section 5.7, the Shareholders shall have
the exclusive and absolute right to direct the Regular Trustees with respect to the voting of the
Trust on all matters that it, as holder of the Sponsor Interests, is entitled to vote upon under
the terms of the Sponsor Agreement or applicable law and the Regular Trustees shall cause the Trust
to vote its Sponsor Interests as so directed by the Shareholders.
(b) When the Trust is required or permitted to vote with respect to the Sponsor Interests, the
Sponsor shall prepare and deliver to the Regular Trustees the form of proxy materials to enable the
Regular Trustees to solicit from the Shareholders the manner in which the Shareholders desire the
Regular Trustees to vote their Shares.
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Shareholders shall be entitled to one vote for each Share in respect of any matter as to which
the Trust as a member of the Sponsor is entitled to vote as provided in the Sponsor Agreement.
(c) All Shares shall, to the extent practicable under the circumstances, be voted in the same
proportion as the Shares are directed to be voted by the Shareholders, including for purposes of
determining a quorum, in favor of, in opposition to or abstaining from the matter voted upon. If
such calculation of votes would require a fractional vote, the Regular Trustees shall vote the next
lower number of whole Shares.
Section 5.7 Proxies
At all meetings of Shareholders, a Shareholder may vote by proxy as may be permitted by
applicable law; provided, that, no proxy shall be voted after three (3) years from its date, unless
the proxy provides for a longer period in accordance with this Agreement. Any proxy to be used at a
meeting of Shareholders must be filed with the Secretary of the Sponsor or his or her
representative at or before the time of the meeting. A Shareholder may revoke any proxy which is
not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary a
revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date.
Section 5.8 Notice of Shareholder Business and Nominations
(a) Annual Meetings of Shareholders
(i) Except in the case of the Initial Board, nominations of individuals for election
by the Trust to the Board of Directors, other than the Manager’s appointed directors for so
long as the Manager is entitled to appoint directors to the Board of Directors pursuant to
the terms of the Sponsor Agreement, and the proposal of business to be considered by
Shareholders, may be made at an annual meeting of Shareholders (A) pursuant to the Trust’s
Notice of meeting delivered pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof, (B) by or at the direction of
the Board of Directors or (C) by any Shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting,
who complies with the notice procedures set forth in clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section
5.8(a).
In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination for election of a
director of the Sponsor to be made by a Shareholder (other than the Manager’s appointed
directors) or for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a
Shareholder, such Shareholder must (A) be a Shareholder of record on both (1) the date of
the delivery of such nomination or the date of the giving of the notice provided for in
this Section 5.8(a) and (2) the record date for the determination of Shareholders entitled
to vote at such annual meeting, and (B) have given timely notice thereof in proper written
form in accordance with the requirements of this Section 5.8 (a) to the Secretary.
(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting
by a Shareholder pursuant to this Section 5.8(a)(i)(C), a Shareholder must have given
timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary and,
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in the case of business other than nominations, such other business must otherwise be
a proper matter for Shareholder action. Except to the extent otherwise required by
applicable law, to be timely, a Shareholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at
the principal executive offices of the Sponsor not less than one hundred and twenty (120)
days nor more than one hundred and fifty (150) days prior to the first anniversary of the
preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that, in the event that the date of the
annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than seventy (70) days after
such anniversary date, notice by a Shareholder must be so delivered not earlier than the
close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual
meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement
of the date of such meeting is first made by the Trust. In the case of the first annual
meeting of Shareholders, a Shareholder’s notice shall be timely if it is delivered to the
Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Sponsor not earlier than the one
hundred and twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close
of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the
tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting
is first made. In no event shall the public announcement or an adjournment or postponement
of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a Shareholder’s notice as
described in this Section 5.8(a).
Subject to Section 5.8(a)(i), such Shareholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to
each individual whom the Shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a
director of the Sponsor, all information relating to such individual that is required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or
is otherwise required, pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, including such
individual’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to
serving as a director of the Sponsor if elected; (B) as to any other business that the
Shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business
desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including
the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration), the reasons for conducting such
business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such Shareholder and
the Beneficial Owner or holder of Shares, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and
(C) as to the Shareholder giving the notice and the Beneficial Owner, if any, on whose
behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (1) the name and address of such Shareholder as
they appear on the Trust’s books and of such Beneficial Owner, (2) the number of, and
evidence of such number of, Shares which are owned beneficially and of record by such
Shareholder and such Beneficial Owner, (3) a representation that the Shareholder or
Beneficial Owner, if any, intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose
such business or nomination, and (4) a representation whether the Shareholder or the
Beneficial Owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (i) to deliver a
proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Trust’s
Outstanding Shares required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or
(ii) otherwise to solicit proxies from Shareholders in support of
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such proposal or nomination. The foregoing notice requirements shall be deemed
satisfied by a Shareholder if the Shareholder has notified the Trust of his or her
intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any
successor thereof) promulgated under the Exchange Act and such Shareholder’s proposal has
been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Trust to solicit proxies
for such annual meeting. The Trust may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other
information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed
nominee to serve as a director of the Sponsor or on any committee of the Board of
Directors.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of clause (ii) of this Section
5.8(a) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the
Board of Directors is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the
nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by
the Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first
anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a Shareholder’s notice required by this
Section 5.8 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new
positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the
principal executive offices of the Sponsor not later than the close of business on the
tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the
Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust.
(b) Special Meeting of Shareholders
Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of Shareholders as shall have been
brought before the meeting pursuant to the Trust’s Notice of meeting pursuant to Section 5.4 of
this Agreement. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors by the Trust,
other than the Manager’s appointed directors, for so long as the Manager is entitled to appoint
directors of the Board of Directors pursuant to the terms of the Sponsor Agreement, may be made at
a special meeting of Shareholders at which the Shareholders are to direct the Regular Trustees with
respect to the Trust’s election of directors pursuant to the Trust’s Notice of meeting (i) by or at
the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any Shareholder who is entitled to vote at the
meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 5.8.
In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination for election by the Trust
of a director to be made by a Shareholder, such Shareholder must (A) be a Shareholder of record on
both (1) the date of the delivery of such nomination and (2) the record date for the determination
of Shareholders entitled to vote at such special meeting, and (B) have given timely notice thereof
in proper written form in accordance with the requirements of this Section 5.8(b) to the Secretary.
In the event the Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust calls a special meeting of Shareholders for
the purpose of their voting to direct the Trust with respect to its electing one or more directors
to the Board of Directors, any such Shareholder may nominate such number of individuals for
election by the Trust to such position(s) as are specified in the
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Trust’s Notice of Meeting, if the Shareholder’s notice as required by clause (ii) of Section
5.8(a) of this Agreement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of
the Sponsor not earlier than the one hundred and twentieth (120th) day prior to such special
meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to
such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is
first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of
Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an
adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a
Shareholder’s notice as described above.
(c) General
(i) Only individuals who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in
this Section 5.8 shall be eligible to be considered for election by the Trust as directors
of the Sponsor at a meeting of Shareholders and only such business shall be conducted at a
meeting of Shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with
the procedures set forth in this Section 5.8. Except as otherwise provided by applicable
law or this Section 5.8, the Chairman shall have the power and duty to determine whether a
nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance
with the procedures set forth in this Section 5.8 and, if any proposed nomination or
business is not in compliance with this Section 5.8, to declare that such defective
proposal or nomination shall be disregarded.
(ii) For purposes of this Section 5.8, “Public Announcement” shall mean disclosure in
a press release reported by the Dow Xxxxx News Service, Associated Press or comparable
national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Trust with the Commission
pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.8, a Shareholder
shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the Rules and
Regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 5.8. Nothing
in this Section 5.8 shall be deemed to affect any rights of Shareholders to request
inclusion of proposals in the Trust’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the
Exchange Act.
Section 5.9 Procedure for Election of Directors; Voting
The election of directors by the Trust submitted to Shareholders at any meeting shall be
decided by a plurality of the votes cast thereon. The Regular Trustees shall cause the Trust to
vote the Sponsor Interests in accordance with section 5.6. Except as otherwise provided by
applicable law or this Agreement, all matters other than the election of directors by the Trust
submitted to Shareholders at any meeting shall be decided by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the then Outstanding Shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting of
Shareholders.
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The vote on any matter at a meeting, including the election of directors by the Trust, shall
be by written ballot. Each ballot shall be signed by shareholder voting, or by such Shareholder’s
proxy, and shall state the number of Shares voted.
Section 5.10 Inspectors of Elections; Opening and Closing the Polls
(a) The Board of Directors by resolution shall appoint one or more inspectors, which inspector
or inspectors shall not be directors, officers or employees of the Sponsor, to act at the meeting
and make a written report thereof. One or more individuals may be designated as alternate
inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been so
appointed to act, or if all inspectors or alternates who have been appointed are unable to act, at
a meeting of Shareholders, the Chairman shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting.
Each such inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully
to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her
ability. The inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware as if the Trust were a Delaware corporation.
(b) The Chairman shall fix and announce at the meeting the date and time of the opening and
the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the Shareholders will vote at the meeting.
Section 5.11 Confidential Shareholder Voting
All proxies, ballots and votes, in each case to the extent they disclose the specific vote of
an identified Shareholder, shall be tabulated and certified by an independent tabulator, inspector
of elections and/or other independent parties and shall not be disclosed to any director, officer
or employee of the Sponsor or Trustee; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any
and all proxies, ballots and voting tabulations may be disclosed: (a) as necessary to meet legal
requirements or to assist in the pursuit or defense of legal action; (b) if the Sponsor concludes
in good faith that a bona fide dispute exists as to the authenticity of one or more proxies,
ballots or votes, or as to the accuracy of any tabulation of such proxies, ballots or votes; (c) in
the event of a proxy, consent or other solicitation in opposition to the voting recommendation of
the Board of Directors; and (d) if a Shareholder requests or consents to disclosure of such
Shareholder’s vote or writes comments on such Shareholder’s proxy card or ballot.
Section 5.12 Waiver of Notice
Whenever any notice is required to be given to any Shareholder by the terms of this Agreement,
a waiver thereof in a writing, signed by the Shareholder or Shareholders entitled to notice,
whether such waiver is given before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to
the giving of such notice. If such a waiver is given by electronic transmission, the electronic
transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined
that the electronic transmission was authorized by the Shareholder. Neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual or special meeting of Shareholders need be specified
in any written waiver
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of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission of such meeting. Notice of any meeting of
Shareholders need not be given to any Shareholder if waived by such Shareholder either in a writing
signed by such Shareholder or by electronic transmission, whether such waiver is given before or
after such meeting is held.
Section 5.13 Remote Communication
For the purposes of this Agreement, if authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole
discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt,
Shareholders and proxyholders may, by means of remote communication:
(a) participate in a meeting of Shareholders; and
(b) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be deemed present in person and vote at
a meeting of Shareholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by
means of remote communication;
provided, however, that (i) the Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust, shall implement reasonable
measures to verify that each Person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of
remote communication is a Shareholder or proxyholder, (ii) the Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust,
shall implement reasonable measures to provide such Shareholders and proxyholders a reasonable
opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to Shareholders,
including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially and
concurrently with such proceedings, and (iii) if any Shareholder or proxyholder votes or takes
other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action
shall be maintained by the Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust.
Section 5.14 Action by Written Consent
For so long as the Trust remains the sole holder of Sponsor Interests, the Trust shall take
any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the members of the Sponsor, by
executing a written consent that shall reflect the vote of the Shareholders as required by the
terms of this Agreement, without such meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote. Proxy
materials completed by the Shareholders evidencing the result of a vote taken at a meeting of the
Shareholders with at least the minimum number of votes required to constitute an affirmative vote
of the Shareholders under this Agreement shall be delivered to the Sponsor indicating the vote or
action being approved or disapproved by such Shareholders with respect to those matters reserved to
the Shareholders by this Agreement.
Section 5.15 Inspection of Records
(a) The Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust, shall keep or cause to be kept at its principal
executive office appropriate books and records with respect to the Trust, including, without
limitation, all books and records necessary to provide to the Shareholders any information, lists
and copies of documents required to be provided pursuant to applicable law. Any books and records
maintained by or on behalf of the
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Trust in the regular course of its business, including, without limitation, the record of the
Shareholders, books of account and records of Trust proceedings, may be kept in electronic or any
other form; provided, that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible
written form within a reasonable period of time.
(b) The Secretary shall make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of Shareholders, a
complete list of the Shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order,
and showing the address of each Shareholder and the number of Shares registered in the name of each
Shareholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any Shareholder, for any purpose germane
to the meeting for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably
accessible electronic network; provided, that the information required to gain access to such list
is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the
principal place of business of the Trust. In the event that the Sponsor determines to make the list
available on an electronic network, the Sponsor may take reasonable steps to ensure that such
information is available only to Shareholders. The list shall be produced and kept at the time and
place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any Shareholder who is
present.
Any Shareholder or Beneficial Owner, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon
written demand stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual business hours to
inspect for any proper purpose, and to make copies and extracts from: (1) the Trust’s Share
Register, a list of the Shareholders, and its other books and records or (2) the Sponsor’s books
and records; provided, that as of the date of the making of the demand, inspection of such books
and records would not constitute a breach of any confidentiality agreement. In every instance where
a person purports to be a Beneficial Owner of Shares but who is not the holder of record as
identified on the Share Register, the demand shall state such Person’s status as a Beneficial Owner
of Shares, be accompanied by documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of Shares, and state that
such documentary evidence is a true and correct copy of what it purports to be. A proper purpose
shall mean a purpose reasonably related to such Person’s interest as a Shareholder or Beneficial
Owner of Shares.
ARTICLE VI
RIGHT OF SHAREHOLDERS TO ENFORCE PROVISIONS OF SPONSOR
AGREEMENTS AND BRING DERIVATIVE ACTION
AGREEMENTS AND BRING DERIVATIVE ACTION
Section 6.1 Right to Institute Legal Proceeding
Pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Sponsor Agreement, Shareholders have certain rights to
institute legal proceedings against the Sponsor to enforce the provisions of the Sponsor Agreement.
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Section 6.2 Ten Percent (10%) or More Shareholder
Subject to the requirements of Section 3816 of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and other
applicable law, for so long as the Trust remains the sole owner of Sponsor Interests, Shareholders
holding at least ten percent (10%) or more of the Outstanding Shares shall have the right to cause
the Trust to institute any legal proceeding for any remedy available to the Trust, as a holder of
Sponsor Interests, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Shareholders may direct the
time, method and place of conducting any such legal proceeding brought by the Trust.
Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to
give to any Person any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this
Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
SHAREHOLDER VOTE REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH CERTAIN
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS OR TRANSACTIONS
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS OR TRANSACTIONS
Section 7.1 Vote Generally Required
Except as provided in Sections 9.2 and 9.3 and subject to the provisions of Section 7.2
hereof, the Trust shall not (a) merge or consolidate with or into any limited liability company,
corporation, statutory trust, business trust or association, real estate investment trust,
common-law trust, or any other unincorporated business, including a partnership, or (b) sell, lease
or exchange all or substantially all of the Trust Property, unless the Sponsor, acting through the
Board of Directors, adopts a resolution, by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the
Sponsor’s Board of Directors, approving such action and unless such action shall be approved by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then Outstanding Shares outstanding and
entitled to vote thereon. The notice of the meeting at which such resolution is to be considered
shall so state.
Section 7.2 Vote for Business Combinations
The affirmative vote of the holders of record of Outstanding Shares representing at least
sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the then Outstanding Shares (excluding Shares held by
the Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Shareholder) shall be
required to approve any Business Combination. Such affirmative vote shall be required
notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that a lesser percentage may be
specified, by applicable law or in any agreement with any securities exchange or otherwise.
Section 7.3 Power of Continuing Directors
The Continuing Directors shall have the power and duty to determine, on the basis of
information known to them after reasonable inquiry, all facts necessary to determine compliance
with this Article VII, including, without limitation, (a) whether a Person is an
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Interested Shareholder, (b) the number of Shares beneficially owned by any Person, (c) whether
a Person is an Affiliate or Associate of another and (d) the Fair Market Value of the Shares, the
Sponsor Interests or any equity securities of any Subsidiary thereof; and the good faith
determination of the Continuing Directors on such matters shall be conclusive and binding for all
the purposes of this Article VII.
Section 7.4 No Effect on Fiduciary Obligations
Nothing contained in this Article VII shall be construed to relieve the directors of the Board
of Directors or an Interested Shareholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by applicable law.
ARTICLE VIII
THE TRUSTEES
Section 8.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities
(a) In addition to the duties and responsibilities provided for herein, the Regular Trustees
shall have the following exclusive duties:
(i) negotiate, execute and deliver the Sponsor Agreement on behalf of the Trust (which
may be executed by any one Regular Trustee);
(ii) to maintain bank accounts, brokerage accounts and other custody accounts that
receive Trust income and receipts from which Trust expenditures and distributions are
disbursed;
(iii) to maintain the Trust Property;
(iv) to maintain Trust records;
(v) to maintain an office for Trust business;
(vi) to originate, facilitate and review Trust reports and other Trust communications;
(vii) to execute documents and authorize Trust account transactions;
(viii) to retain accountants, attorneys, agents and other advisors in connection with
its duties under this Agreement;
(ix) to file reports and returns on behalf of the Trust with government agencies to
the extent required by applicable law and as specifically directed in writing by the
Sponsor; and
(x) to perform such other actions as are necessary to effect any of the foregoing
duties; provided, however, that no action may be taken by the Regular
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Trustees to the extent that such action would cause the Regular Trustees to be
considered to have the power to vary the investment of the Beneficial Owners or otherwise
to cause the Trust no longer to qualify as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
(b) The duties and responsibilities of the Trustees shall be as provided by this Agreement.
Except as provided in Section 2.8 or other express provisions hereof, the Sponsor and the Trustees
hereby acknowledge and agree that the Trustees are authorized, directed and instructed to act as
specifically authorized in writing by the Sponsor.
Any written instructions, notwithstanding any error in the transmission thereof or that such
instructions may not be genuine, shall, as against the Sponsor and in favor of the Trustees, be
conclusively deemed to be valid instructions from the Sponsor to the Trustees for the purposes of
this Agreement, if believed in good faith by the Trustees to be genuine and if not otherwise
insufficient on the face of such written instructions; provided, however, that a Trustee in its
discretion may decline to act upon any instructions where they are not received by such Trustee in
sufficient time for such Trustee to act upon or in accordance with such instructions, where such
Trustee has reasonable grounds for concluding that the same have not been accurately transmitted or
are not genuine or where such Trustee believes in good faith that complying with such instructions
is contrary to applicable law or might subject such Trustee to any liability. If a Trustee declines
to act upon any instructions for any reason set out in the preceding sentence, it shall notify (and
provide reasonable detail to) the Sponsor and the other Trustees in writing forthwith after it so
declines. In addition, the Delaware Trustee shall not be required to take or refrain from taking
any action if the Trustee shall have determined, or shall have been advised by counsel, that such
performance is likely to involve the Delaware Trustee in personal liability or is contrary to the
terms of this Agreement, any other document to which the Trust is a party or otherwise contrary to
law.
(c) The Trustees shall not be liable for any act or omission in the course of or connected
with their performance hereunder, except only that each Trustee shall be subject to liability and
assume the entire responsibility for direct damages suffered by the Sponsor or any other Person
occasioned by such Trustee’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct or the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of any of such Trustee’s directors, officers or employees in the rendering of
its performance hereunder, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(d) The Trustees shall incur no liability to anyone in acting upon any document, including any
certified items referenced herein, reasonably believed by them to be genuine (which is not
insufficient on its face) and to have been signed by the proper Person or Persons, including (i)
written instructions from the Sponsor, and (ii) a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Directors or other governing body of any corporate party, which shall be conclusive evidence that
such resolution has been duly adopted by such body and that the same is in full force and effect.
As to any fact or matter the manner of ascertainment of which is not specifically prescribed
herein, the Trustees may for all purposes hereof rely on a certificate, signed by the Sponsor, as
to such fact or
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matter, and such certificate, if relied upon by the Trustees in good faith, shall constitute
full protection to the Trustees for any action taken or omitted to be taken by them in good faith
in reliance thereon.
In no event shall the Trustees be liable to any Persons for (A) acting in accordance with
instructions from the Sponsor, (B) any damages in the nature of special, indirect or consequential
damages, however styled, including, without limitation, lost profits, or for any losses due to
forces beyond the control of such Trustee, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages,
acts of war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God
and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and
hardware) services provided to the Trustees by third parties or (C) the acts or omissions of their
nominees, correspondents, designees, agents or subagents appointed by them in good faith.
(e) In the event that the Trustees are unsure of the course of action to be taken by them
hereunder, the Trustees may request instructions from the Sponsor as to such course of action to be
taken. In the event that no instructions are provided within the time requested by the Trustees,
they shall have no duty or liability for their failure to take any action or for any action they
take in good faith and in accordance with the terms hereof.
Section 8.2 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Shares
The recitals contained herein and in the Share Certificates shall not be taken as the
statements of the Trustees, and the Trustees do not assume any responsibility for their
correctness.
Section 8.3 May Hold Shares
Any Trustee or any other agent of any Trustee or the Trust, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Shares and may otherwise deal with the Trust with the
same rights it would have if it were not a Trustee or such other agent.
Section 8.4 Compensation; Indemnity; Fees
The Sponsor agrees:
(i) to pay the Delaware Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered
by it hereunder as the parties shall agree from time to time in writing (which compensation shall
not be limited by any provision of applicable law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an
express trust);
(ii) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustees upon request for
all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustees in accordance
with any provision of this Agreement (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its agents, counsel and experts), except any such expense, disbursement or advance
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been caused by its own gross negligence or
willful misconduct; and
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(iii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to indemnify and hold harmless (i)
the Trustees, (ii) any officer, director, shareholder, employee, representative or agent of the
Trustees, and (iii) any employee or agent of the Trust (collectively, the “Indemnified Person”)
from and against any loss, damage, liability, tax, penalty, expense or claim of any kind or nature
whatsoever incurred by such Indemnified Person by reason of the creation, operation or termination
of the Trust or any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith
on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the
scope of authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Agreement, except that no
Indemnified Person shall be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any loss, damage, liability,
tax, penalty, expense or claim of any kind or nature incurred by such Indemnified Person by reason
of gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.
Section 8.5 Delaware Trustee Required; Eligibility of Trustees
(a) There shall at all times be a Delaware Trustee hereunder with respect to the Shares. The
Delaware Trustee shall be either (i) a natural person who is at least 21 years of age and a
resident of the State of Delaware or (ii) a legal entity with its principal place of business in
the State of Delaware and that otherwise meets the requirements of applicable Delaware law that
shall act through one or more persons authorized to bind such entity. If at any time the Delaware
Trustee with respect to the Shares shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 8.5, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter
specified in this Article VIII.
(b) There shall at all times be at least one Regular Trustee hereunder with respect to the
Shares. The Regular Trustee shall be either a natural person who is at least 21 years of age or a
legal entity that shall act through one or more persons authorized to bind that entity.
Section 8.6 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor
(a) Subject to Sections 8.6(b) and 8.6(c), any Trustee (the “Relevant Trustee”) may be
appointed or removed without cause upon thirty (30) days prior notice to such Trustee by the
Sponsor.
(b) The Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section
8.6(a) until a successor possessing the qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Section 8.5
(a “Successor Delaware Trustee”) has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument
executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the removed
Delaware Trustee.
(c) A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his, her or its successor shall have
been appointed or until his, her or its death, removal, resignation, dissolution or liquidation.
Any Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an
instrument in writing with thirty (30) days notice signed by the Trustee and delivered to the
Sponsor and the Trust, which resignation shall take effect
29
upon such later date as is specified therein; provided, however, that no such resignation of
the Trustee that acts as the Delaware Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee
has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such Successor
Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning Delaware Trustee.
(d) If no Successor Delaware Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as
provided in this Section 8.6 within sixty (60) days after delivery pursuant to this Section 8.6 of
an instrument of resignation or removal, the Delaware Trustee resigning or being removed, as
applicable, may petition, at the expense of the Sponsor, any court of competent jurisdiction for
appointment of a Successor Delaware Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such
notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Delaware Trustee.
(e) No Delaware Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor
Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, in the event a
Regular Trustee or a Delaware Trustee who is a natural person dies or becomes, solely in the
opinion of the Sponsor, incompetent or incapacitated, the vacancy created by such death,
incompetence or incapacity may be filled by the Sponsor (with the successor in each case being a
Person who satisfies the eligibility requirement for the Regular Trustee or the Delaware Trustee,
as the case may be, set forth in Section 8.5).
(g) The indemnity provided to a Trustee under Section 8.4 shall survive any Trustee’s
resignation or removal and the termination of this Agreement.
Section 8.7 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a Successor Trustee, such Successor Trustee so
appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Trust and to the retiring Trustee an
instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring
Trustee shall become effective and such Successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or
conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee;
provided, that on the request of the Sponsor or the Successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall,
upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such Successor
Trustee all the rights and powers of the retiring Trustee.
(b) No Successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance
such Successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article VIII.
Section 8.8 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business
Any Person into which the Delaware Trustee or the Regular Trustee that is not a natural person
may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any
merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Relevant
30
Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate
trust business of such Relevant Trustee, shall be the successor of such Relevant Trustee hereunder;
provided, such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article VIII, without
the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
Section 8.9 Number of Trustees
(a) The number of Trustees shall be three; provided, that the Sponsor may increase or decrease
the number of Regular Trustees, subject to Section 8.5.
(b) If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of Regular Trustees is
not reduced pursuant to Section 8.9(a), or if the number of Trustees is increased pursuant to
Section 8.9(a), a vacancy shall occur. The vacancy shall be filled by a Successor Trustee appointed
in accordance with Section 8.6.
(c) The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, incompetence or incapacity to
perform the duties of a Trustee shall not operate to annul the Trust.
Section 8.10 Delegation of Power
(a) Any Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to
any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purpose of executing any
documents contemplated in Section 2.9.
(b) The Regular Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to time to such of their
number or to the Sponsor the doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in
the name of the Trust or the names of the Regular Trustees or otherwise as the Regular Trustees may
deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or contrary to
the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.
Section 8.11 Resignation and Appointment of Regular Trustees
(a) I. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx hereby resigns as a Regular Trustee of the Trust as of the close of
business on the first day upon which the Trust issues Shares.
(b) The Regular Trustees shall be Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, each an
individual and his successor shall be appointed by the Sponsor. Upon the resignation or removal of
either individual, the Sponsor shall appoint a successor Regular Trustee.
(c) Whenever a vacancy in the number of Regular Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is
filled by the appointment of a Regular Trustee in accordance with this Section 8.11 or Section 8.6,
the Regular Trustee(s) in office, if any, regardless of their number (and not withstanding any
other provision of this Agreement), shall have all the powers granted to the Regular Trustee and
shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Regular Trustee by this Agreement.
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ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION AND DISSOLUTION
Section 9.1 Termination or Dissolution
Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall continue without limitation of time. If
an Early Termination Event specified in Section 9.4 occurs, the Trust shall be dissolved, and one
Sponsor Interest shall be distributed to each Shareholder in exchange for each Outstanding Share.
Section 9.2 Circumstances Under Which Shares Shall Be Voluntarily Exchanged for Sponsor Interests
In the event that the Sponsor, acting through the Board of Directors, (i) determines that
either (A) the Trust or the Sponsor, or both, is, or is reasonably likely to be, treated as a
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (B) the Trust is, or is reasonably likely to be,
required to issue Schedules K-1 to Shareholders or (C) the existence of the Trust otherwise
results, or is reasonably likely to result, in a material tax detriment to the Trust, Shareholders,
the Sponsor or any member of the Sponsor and (ii) obtains an opinion of counsel to such effect, the
Sponsor, acting through the Board of Directors (a) shall declare a record date and deliver a
mandatory instruction to the Regular Trustees, together with any opinions of counsel or officers’
certificates of the Sponsor as the Regular Trustees may reasonably request, directing the Regular
Trustees to, subject to Section 3808(e) of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, (i) deliver one
Sponsor Interest to each Shareholder in exchange for each Outstanding Share (the “Voluntary
Exchange”) and (ii) dissolve the Trust and (b) shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such
Voluntary Exchange and shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such notice to the
Shareholders at least thirty (30) days prior to the Voluntary Exchange. Simultaneously with the
completion of such Voluntary Exchange, each Shareholder immediately prior to the completion of the
Voluntary Exchange shall be admitted to the Sponsor as a member in respect of a number of Sponsor
Interests previously held by the Trust equal in number to the Outstanding Shares previously held by
such Shareholder and each such member shall be issued a certificate evidencing the same, in
accordance with the provisions of the Sponsor Agreement. Immediately thereafter, the Trust shall be
deemed withdrawn from the Sponsor as a member in respect of such Sponsor Interest(s), and the Trust
shall tender its certificates evidencing Sponsor Interests to the Transfer Agent or Sponsor for
cancellation.
Section 9.3 Circumstances Under Which Shares Shall Be Mandatorily Exchanged for Sponsor Interests
If at any time one Person is the Beneficial Owner of more than ninety percent (90%) of the
then Outstanding Shares (the “Acquirer”), such Acquirer shall then have the right to direct the
Sponsor, acting through the Board of Directors, to (i) declare a record date and deliver a
mandatory instruction to the Regular Trustees, together with any opinions of counsel or officers’
certificates of the Sponsor as the Regular Trustees may
32
reasonably request, directing the Regular Trustees to (A) deliver one Sponsor Interest to each
Shareholder, including the Acquirer, in exchange for each Outstanding Share (the “Acquisition
Exchange”) and (B) dissolve the Trust and (ii) deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such
Acquisition Exchange and cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such notice to Shareholders at
least thirty (30) days prior to the Acquisition Exchange. Simultaneously with the completion of
such Acquisition Exchange, each Shareholder immediately prior to the completion of the Acquisition
Exchange shall, pursuant to the terms of the Sponsor Agreement, be admitted to the Sponsor as a
member in respect of a number of Sponsor Interests previously held by the Trust equal in number to
the Outstanding Shares previously held by such Shareholder and each such member shall be issued a
certificate evidencing the same, in accordance with the provisions of the Sponsor Agreement.
Immediately thereafter, the Trust shall be deemed withdrawn from the Sponsor as a member in respect
of such Sponsor Interest(s), and the Trust shall tender its certificates evidencing Sponsor
Interests to the Transfer Agent or Sponsor for cancellation.
Section 9.4 Early Termination
The Trust shall dissolve upon the first to occur of any of the following events (each an
"Early Termination Event”):
(i) the occurrence of a Voluntary Exchange pursuant to Section 9.2 or an Acquisition Exchange
pursuant to Section 9.3;
(ii) the filing of a Certificate of Cancellation or its equivalent with respect to the Sponsor
or the failure of the Sponsor to revive its charter within ten (10) days following the revocation
of the Sponsor’s charter;
(iii) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution by a court of competent jurisdiction of
the Sponsor or the Trust; or
(iv) the written election of the Sponsor.
As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of any event referred to above, the Regular
Trustees shall notify the Delaware Trustee and then shall wind-up the Trust pursuant to Section
3808(e) of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and any one of the Regular Trustee shall execute and
file a Certificate of Cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
Section 9.5 Termination of Obligations
The respective obligations and responsibilities of the Trustees and the Trust continued hereby
shall terminate upon the latest to occur of the following:
(i) the payment of all expenses owed by the Trust pursuant to Section 3808 of the Delaware
Statutory Trust Act;
(ii) the discharge of all administrative duties of the Regular Trustees; and
33
(iii) the filing of a Certificate of Cancellation canceling the Trust’s Certificate of Trust
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware by one of the Regular Trustees.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 10.1 Limitation of Rights of Shareholders
The death or incapacity of any person having an interest, beneficial or otherwise, in Shares
shall not operate to terminate this Agreement, nor entitle the legal representatives or heirs of
such person or any Shareholder for such person to claim an accounting, take any action or bring any
proceeding in any court for a partition or winding-up of the arrangements contemplated hereby, nor
otherwise affect the rights, obligations and liabilities of the parties hereto or any of them.
Section 10.2 Amendment
This Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Sponsor, acting through the Board of
Directors, and by the Regular Trustees at the direction of the Sponsor, acting through the Board of
Directors; provided, however, that no such amendment shall alter the rights, powers or immunities
of the Delaware Trustee without its written consent; provided, further, that the Sponsor shall not,
and no Trustee shall, without the affirmative vote of a majority of the then Outstanding Shares
present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of the Shareholders (i) enter into or
consent to any amendment to this Agreement which would cause the Trust to fail or cease to qualify
for the exemption from the status of an “investment company” under the 1940 Act, (ii) cause the
Trust to fail to qualify as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (iii) cause the
Trust to issue a class of equity securities other than the Shares (it being understood that
separate series of the Shares shall not constitute a different class of equity security from the
Shares) or issue any debt securities or any derivative securities or amend the provision of Section
2.4 of this Agreement prohibiting such issuance, (iv) enter into or consent to any amendment to
this Agreement that would affect the exclusive and absolute right of the Shareholders to direct the
voting of the Trust, as a member of the Sponsor, pursuant to Section 5.6 of this Agreement, with
respect to all matters reserved for the vote of members of the Sponsor pursuant to the provisions
of the Sponsor Agreement or (v) effect the merger or consolidation of the Trust, effect the sale,
lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Trust Property and certain other Business
Combinations or transactions; provided, further, that Section 2.4, Section 3.1 and this Section
10.2 of this Agreement may not be amended without the affirmative vote of a majority of the then
Outstanding Shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of Shareholders.
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Section 10.3 Separability
In case any provision in this Agreement or in the Share Certificates or the application of
such provision to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Trust Agreement or in the
Shares Certificates or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than
those to which it is held invalid, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 10.4 Specific Performance
The Sponsor and the Trustees agree that each party to this Agreement would be irreparably
damaged if any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their
specific terms and that monetary damages would not provide an adequate remedy in such event.
Accordingly, it is agreed that, in addition to any other remedy to which the nonbreaching party may
be entitled, at law or in equity, each nonbreaching party shall be entitled to injunctive relief to
prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and specifically to enforce the terms and
provisions hereof in any action instituted in any court of the United States or any state thereof
having subject matter jurisdiction thereof.
Section 10.5 Governing Law
This Agreement and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by
such laws without regard to the principles of conflict of laws; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THERE SHALL
NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE PARTIES HEREUNDER OR THIS TRUST AGREEMENT ANY PROVISION OF THE LAWS
(COMMON OR STATUTORY) OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE PERTAINING TO TRUSTS (OTHER THAN THE DELAWARE
STATUTORY TRUST ACT) THAT RELATE TO OR REGULATE, IN A MANNER INCONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS HEREOF,
(A) THE FILING WITH ANY COURT OR GOVERNMENTAL BODY OR AGENCY OF TRUSTEE ACCOUNTS OR SCHEDULES OF
TRUSTEE FEES AND CHARGES, (B) AFFIRMATIVE REQUIREMENTS TO POST BONDS FOR TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, AGENTS
OR EMPLOYEES OF A TRUST, (C) THE NECESSITY FOR OBTAINING COURT OR OTHER GOVERNMENTAL APPROVAL
CONCERNING THE ACQUISITION, HOLDING OR DISPOSITION OF REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY, (D) FEES OR OTHER
SUMS PAYABLE TO TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES OF A TRUST, (E) THE ALLOCATION OF RECEIPTS
AND EXPENDITURES TO INCOME OR PRINCIPAL, (F) 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 OR INVESTING TRUST ASSETS OR (G) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FIDUCIARY OR OTHER
STANDARDS OF RESPONSIBILITY OR LIMITATIONS ON THE ACTS OR
35
POWERS OF TRUSTEES THAT ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THE LIMITATIONS OR AUTHORITIES AND POWERS OF THE
TRUSTEES HEREUNDER AS SET FORTH OR REFERENCED IN THIS AGREEMENT. SECTION 3540 OF TITLE 12 OF THE
DELAWARE CODE SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE TRUST.
Section 10.6 Successors
This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of any successor to the
Sponsor, the Trust or the Relevant Trustee, including any successor by operation of law.
Section 10.7 Headings
The Section and other headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and
are not intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this
Agreement or any provision hereof.
Section 10.8 Communications, Notices and Demands
(a) Subject to Sections 5.4 and 5.8, any communications, notices or payment demands which are
required or permitted to be given or served to or upon any Shareholder or the Sponsor by any
provision of this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered personally, or, when the same is
actually received, if sent either by registered or certified mail, postage and charges prepaid, or
by facsimile, if such facsimile is followed by a hard copy of the facsimile communication sent
promptly thereafter by registered or certified mail, postage and charges prepaid, addressed as
follows, or to such other address as such Person may from time to time specify by notice to the
Shareholders:
If to the Shareholder, to such Shareholder as such Shareholder’s name and address may
appear in the Share Register.
appear in the Share Register.
If to the Sponsor, to:
Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC
Sixty Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Facsimile No.: 203-221-8253
Sixty Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Facsimile No.: 203-221-8253
With a copy to:
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Facsimile No. 000-000-0000
0000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Facsimile No. 000-000-0000
36
And a copy to:
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Finger, P.A.
One Xxxxxx Square
000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
One Xxxxxx Square
000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
or to such other address as such Person may from time to time specify by notice to the other
parties hereto. Such communication, notice or demand to or upon a Shareholder shall be deemed to
have been sufficiently given, or made, for all purposes, upon hand delivery, mailing or
transmission.
(b) Any notice, demand or other communication which by any provision of this Agreement is
required or permitted to be given or served to or upon the Trust, the Delaware Trustee or the
Regular Trustees shall be given in writing (which may be by facsimile transmission) addressed
(until another address is published by the Trust) as follows: (a) with respect to the Delaware
Trustee, to The Bank of New York (Delaware), 502 Xxxxx Xxxx Center, Xxxxx 000 X.X. Xxx 0000,
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, and (b) with respect to each of the Regular Trustees, to him at the address
for notices to the Sponsor, marked “Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx” or “Attention: Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx.” Such notice, demand or other communication to or upon the Trust shall be deemed to
have been sufficiently given or made only upon actual receipt of the writing by the Trust.
Section 10.9 Counterpart Execution
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all of
the Parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall
constitute one agreement.
37
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Trust Agreement to be duly
executed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above
written.
COMPASS GROUP DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS LLC, as Sponsor |
||||||||
By: | /s/ I. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||||||
Name: I. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||||||||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE), | ||||||||
as Delaware Trustee | ||||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||||||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||||||
Title: | Senior Vice President | |||||||
/s/ I. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||||||||
Name: I. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, as Regular Trustee | ||||||||
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx | ||||||||
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, as Regular Trustee | ||||||||
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | ||||||||
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, as Regular Trustee |
EXHIBIT A — FORM OF SHARE CERTIFICATE
SPECIMEN
Number Series |
___Shares |
CREATED UNDER THE LAWS
OF
THE STATE OF DELAWARE
OF
THE STATE OF DELAWARE
This
Certifies that ___ is the owner of Shares of
___ the Trust with such rights and privileges as are set forth in the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust dated April 25, 2006 (the
“Trust Agreement”), as it may be amended from time to time.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE (THE “STATE ACTS”) OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION, AND ARE BEING OFFERED AND SOLD IN RELIANCE ON EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS. THE SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, BY ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR BY ANY OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
NEITHER THE SHARES NOR ANY PART THEREOF MAY BE OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED AT ANY TIME EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OR IN A TRANSACTION WHICH IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR FOR WHICH SUCH REGISTRATION IS OTHERWISE NOT REQUIRED AND (B) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER ANY APPLICABLE STATE ACTS OR IN A TRANSACTION WHICH IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH STATE ACTS OR FOR WHICH SUCH REGISTRATION OTHERWISE IS NOT REQUIRED.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE EVIDENCE THE PROPORTIONATE PORTION OF SUCH HOLDER’S SHARES IN THE TRUST. A STATEMENT OF THE RELATIVE RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES OF THE TRUST’S SHARES WILL BE
FURNISHED BY THE TRUST TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON REQUEST WITHOUT CHARGE.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said Trust has caused this Certificate to be signed by its Regular Trustee this ___day of ___, A.D. 2006.
COMPASS DIVERSIFIED TRUST |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | Regular Trustee | |||