FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER TRUST AGREEMENT
FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER TRUST AGREEMENT
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FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER TRUST AGREEMENT
OF
THIS FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER TRUST AGREEMENT is made and entered into this 24th day of April, 2023, by the Trustees named below, and by the holders of shares of beneficial interest to be issued hereunder as hereinafter provided.
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, Victory Portfolios III (formerly known as "USAA Mutual Funds Trust") ("Trust") was formed on June 21, 1993 to carry on the business of an investment company; and
WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue its Shares of beneficial interest in separate series, each separate series to be a Sub-Trust hereunder, and to issue Classes of Shares of any Sub- Trust or divide Shares of any Sub-Trust into two or more Classes, all in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees have agreed to manage all property coming into their hands as trustees of a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (12 Del. C. ss.3801, et seq.), as from time to time amended and including any successor statute of similar import (the "Act"), and the provisions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, Section 7.3 of the Trust's Master Trust Agreement dated June 21, 1993, as amended on September 8, 1993, May 3, 1994, April 20, 2006, September 22, 2015 and February 25, 2016, provides that the Agreement may be amended at any time so long as such amendment does not adversely affect the rights of any Shareholder and so long as such amendment is not in contravention of applicable law, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by an instrument in writing signed by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to amend and restate the Agreement to reflect the new name of the Trust and to clarify certain provisions of the Agreement; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby declare that they will hold all cash, securities and other assets which they may from time to time acquire in any manner as Trustees hereunder IN TRUST to manage and dispose of the same upon the following terms and conditions for the benefit of the holders from time to time of Shares of beneficial interest in the Trust and the Sub- Trusts created hereunder as hereinafter set forth.
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ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 NAME AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE. This Trust shall be known as "Victory Portfolios III" and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any other name or names as they may from time to time determine. The Trustees may, without Shareholder approval, change the name of any Sub-Trust or Class and adopt such other name as they deem proper. Any name change of any Sub-Trust or Class shall become effective upon approval by the Trustees of such change or any document reflecting such change. Any name change of the Trust shall become effective upon the filing of a certificate of amendment under the Delaware Act reflecting such change. Any such action shall have the status of an amendment to this Declaration of Trust. In the event of any name change, the Trustees shall cause notice to be given to the affected Shareholders, which notice will be deemed given if the changed name is reflected in any registration statement as filed with the Commission. The principal office of the Trust shall be located at such location as the Trustees may from time to time determine.
SECTION 1.2 DEFINITIONS. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided:
(a)"Act" shall have the meaning given to it in the recitals of this Declaration
of Trust;
(b)"By-Laws" shall mean the By-Laws of the Trust as amended from time to
time;
(c)"Class" refers to any class of Shares of any Series or Sub-Trust established and designated under or in accordance with the provisions of Article IV;
(d)"Commission" shall have the meaning given it in the 1940 Act;
(e)"Declaration of Trust" shall mean this Master Trust Agreement as amended or restated from time to time;
(f)"Majority of the Outstanding Voting Shares" of the Trust or Sub-Trust shall mean the vote, at the annual or a special meeting of Shareholders duly called, (A) of 67 per centum or more of the Shares of the Trust or Sub-Trust present at such meeting, if holders of more than 50 per centum of the outstanding Shares of the Trust or Sub-Trust are present or represented by proxy; or (B) of more than 50 per centum of the outstanding voting Shares of the Trust or Sub-Trust, whichever is the less.
(g)"Net Asset Value" means the net asset value of each Sub-Trust or Class thereof, determined as provided in Article IV, Section 4.2(g).
(h)"1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Rules and Regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive, no-action, interpretive or other relief therefrom, all as amended from time to time. References herein to specific sections of the
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1940 Act shall be deemed to include such rules and regulations as are applicable to such sections as determined by the Trustees or their designee;
(i)"person" means a natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, association, partnership (whether general, limited or otherwise), joint venture or any other entity.
(j)"Shareholder" means a beneficial owner of record of Shares;
(k)"Shares" refers to the transferable units of interest into which the beneficial interest in the Trust and each Sub-Trust of the Trust and/or any Class of any Sub-Trust (as the context may require) shall be divided from time to time;
(l)"Sub-Trust" or "Series" refers to a series of Shares established and designated under or in accordance with the provisions of Article IV; "Trust" refers to the Delaware statutory trust established by this Declaration of Trust, inclusive of each and every Sub-Trust established hereunder; and
(n)"Trustees" refers to the trustees of the Trust named herein or elected in accordance with Article III.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE OF TRUST
The purposes of the Trust are (i) to operate as an investment company and to offer Shareholders of the Trust and each Sub-Trust of the Trust one or more investment programs primarily in securities and debt instruments, and (ii) to engage in such activities that are necessary, suitable, incidental or convenient to the accomplishment of the foregoing.
ARTICLE III
THE TRUSTEES
SECTION 3.1 NUMBER, DESIGNATION, ELECTION, TERM, ETC.
(a)Trustees. The Trustees hereof shall consist of the persons elected by the shareholders or appointed by the Board of Trustees from time to time.
(b)Number. The Trustees serving as such, whether named herein or hereafter becoming Trustees, may increase or decrease the number of Trustees to a number other than the number theretofore determined. No decrease in the number of Trustees shall have the effect of removing any Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his term, but the number of Trustees may be decreased in conjunction with the removal of a Trustee pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section 3.1.
(c)Election and Term. Shareholders shall not be entitled to elect Trustees except as required by the 1940 Act or under this Declaration of Trust. Each Trustee,
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whether named herein or hereafter becoming a Trustee, shall serve as a Trustee of the Trust during the lifetime of this Trust and until its termination as hereinafter provided except as such Trustee sooner dies, resigns, retires or is removed. Subject to Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act, the Trustees may elect successors and may, pursuant to Section 3. I (f) hereof, appoint Trustees to fill vacancies.
(d)Resignation and Retirement. Any Trustee may resign his trust or retire as a Trustee of the Trust, by written instrument signed by him and delivered to the other Trustees or to any officer of the Trust, and such resignation or retirement shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified in such instrument and shall be effective as to the Trust and each Sub-Trust hereunder.
(e)Removal. Any Trustee may be removed with or without cause at any time:
(i)by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees in office immediately prior to such removal, specifying the date upon which such removal shall become effective; or (ii) by vote of Shareholders holding not less than two-thirds of the Shares then outstanding, cast in person or by proxy at any meeting called for the purpose; or (iii) by a written declaration signed by Shareholders holding not less than two-thirds of the Shares then outstanding and filed with the minutes of the Trust. Any such removal shall be effective as to the Trust and each Sub-Trust hereunder.
(f)Vacancies. Whenever a vacancy exists in the Board of Trustees, regardless of the reason for such vacancy, the remaining Trustees shall appoint any person as they determine in their sole discretion to fill that vacancy, consistent with the limitations under the 1940 Act. Such appointment shall be made by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees or by a resolution of the Trustees, duly adopted and recorded in the records of the Trust, specifying the effective date of the appointment. The Trustees may appoint a new Trustee as provided above in anticipation of a vacancy expected to occur because of the retirement, resignation or removal of a Trustee, or an increase in number of Trustees, provided that such appointment shall become effective only at or after the expected vacancy occurs. Upon the appointment and/or election of a successor Trustee, the trust estate shall vest in the new Trustee, together with the continuing Trustees, without any further act or conveyance, and he shall be deemed a Trustee hereunder.
(g)Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. The death, resignation, retirement, removal or incapacity of the Trustees or any one of them shall cause a Trustee to cease to be a trustee of the Trust but shall not operate to annul or terminate the Trust or any Sub- Trust hereunder or to revoke or terminate any existing agency or contract created or entered into pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of Trust.
(h)No Accounting. Except to the extent required by the 1940 Act or under circumstances which would justify his removal for cause, no person ceasing to be a trustee of the Trust as a result of his death, resignation, retirement, removal or incapacity (nor the estate of any such person) shall be required to make an accounting to the Shareholders or remaining Trustees upon such cessation.
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SECTION 3.2 POWERS OF TRUSTEES. Subject to the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the business of the Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and they shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out that responsibility and the purpose of the Trust. The Trustees in all instances shall act as principals, and are and shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute any and all contracts and instruments that they may consider necessary or appropriate in connection with the management of the Trust. The Trustees shall not be bound or limited by present or future laws or customs with regard to investment by trustees or fiduciaries, but shall have full authority and absolute power and control over the assets of the Trust and the business of the Trust to the same extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the assets of the Trust and the business in their own right, including such authority, power and control to do all acts and things as they, in their sole discretion, shall deem proper to accomplish the purposes of this Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees may adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust providing for the conduct of the business and affairs of the Trust and may amend and repeal them to the extent that such By-Laws do not reserve that right to the Shareholders; they may from time to time in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1 hereof establish Sub-Trusts, each such Sub-Trust to operate as a separate and distinct investment medium and with separately defined investment objectives and policies and distinct investment purposes; they may from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof establish Series or establish Classes of Shares of any Series or Sub-Trust or divide the Shares of any Series or Sub-Trust into Classes; they may as they consider appropriate designate employees and agents who may be denominated as officers with titles, including, but not limited to, "president," "vice president," "treasurer," "secretary," "assistant secretary," "assistant treasurer," "managing director," "chairman of the board" and "vice chairman of the board" and who in such capacity may act for and on behalf of the Trust, as and to the extent authorized by the Trustees, and appoint and terminate agents and consultants and hire and terminate employees, any one or more of the foregoing of whom may be a Trustee, and may provide for the compensation of all of the foregoing; they may appoint from their own number, and terminate, any one or more committees consisting of two or more Trustees, including without implied limitation an executive committee, which may, when the Trustees are not in session and subject to the 1940 Act, exercise some or all of the power and authority of the Trustees as the Trustees may determine; in accordance with Section 3.3 they may employ one or more advisers, administrators, depositories and custodians and may authorize any depository or custodian to employ subcustodians or agents and to deposit all or any part of such assets in a system or systems for the central handling of securities and debt instruments, retain transfer, dividend, accounting or Shareholder servicing agents or any of the foregoing, provide for the distribution of Shares by the Trust through one or more distributors, principal underwriters or otherwise, and subject to Section 5.3, set record dates or times for the determination of Shareholders or various of them with respect to various matters; they may compensate or provide for the compensation of the Trustees, officers, advisers, administrators, custodians, other agents, consultants and employees of the Trust or the Trustees on such terms as they deem appropriate; and in general they may delegate to any officer of the Trust, to any committee of the Trustees and to any employee, adviser, administrator, distributor, depository, custodian, transfer and dividend disbursing agent, or any other agent or consultant of the Trust such authority, powers, functions and duties as they consider desirable or appropriate for the conduct of the business and affairs of the Trust, including without implied limitation the power and authority to act in the name of the
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Trust and any Sub-Trust and of the Trustees, to sign documents and to act as attorney-in-fact for the Trustees.
The Trustees have the power to construe and interpret this Declaration of Trust and to act upon any such construction or interpretation. Any construction or interpretation of this Declaration of Trust by the Trustees and any action taken pursuant thereto and any determination as to what is in the interests of the Trust, a Sub-Trust, or the Shareholders made by the Trustees in good faith shall, in each case, be conclusive and binding on all Shareholders and all other persons for all purposes. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein or required by applicable law, including the 1940 Act, the Trustees shall act in their sole discretion and may take any action or exercise any power without any vote or consent of the Shareholders.
Without limiting the foregoing and to the extent not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or other applicable law, the Trustees shall have power and authority for and on behalf of the Trust and each separate Sub-Trust established hereunder:
(a)Investments. To invest and reinvest cash and other property, and to hold cash or other property uninvested without in any event being bound or limited by any present or future law or custom in regard to investments by trustees;
(b)Disposition of Assets. To sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, write options on and lease any or all of the assets of the Trust;
(c)Ownership Powers. To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or other securities, debt instruments or property, including any interest in any derivatives contracts, repurchase agreements, or other instrument; to execute and deliver proxies or powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities, debt instruments or property as the Trustees shall deem proper; and to otherwise act with respect thereto and to do all acts for the preservation, protection, improvement and enhancement in the value of all such assets;
(d)Subscription. To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities or debt instruments;
(e)Form of Holding. To hold any security, debt instrument or property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form, or in the name of the Trustees or of the Trust or of any Sub-Trust or in the name of a custodian, subcustodian or other depositary or a nominee or nominees or otherwise;
(f)Reorganization, etc. To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer, any security or debt instrument of which is or was held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase or sale of property by such corporation or issuer, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security or debt instrument held in the Trust;
(g)Voting Trusts, etc. To join with other holders of any securities or debt instruments in acting through a committee, depositary, voting trustee or otherwise, and in
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that connection to deposit any security or debt instrument with, or transfer any security or debt instrument to, any such committee, depositary or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with relation to any security or debt instrument (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and compensation of such committee, depositary or trustee as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(h)Compromise. To compromise, arbitrate or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust or any Sub-Trust or any matter in controversy, including but not limited to claims for taxes;
(i)Partnerships, etc. To enter into joint ventures, general or limited partnerships, limited liability companies and any other combinations or associations;
(j)Borrowing and Security. To borrow funds and to mortgage and pledge the assets of the Trust or any part thereof to secure obligations arising in connection with such borrowing;
(k)Guarantees, etc. To endorse or guarantee the payment of any notes or other obligations of any person; to make contracts of guaranty or suretyship, or otherwise assume liability for payment thereof; and to mortgage and pledge the Trust property or any part thereof to secure any of or all such obligations;
(l)Insurance. To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust property such insurance as they may deem necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the business, including, without limitation, insurance policies insuring the assets of the Trust and payment of distributions and principal on its portfolio investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees, agents, consultants, investment advisers, managers, administrators, distributors, principal underwriters, or independent contractors, or any thereof (or any person connected therewith), of the Trust individually against all claims and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding, being or having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by any such person in any such capacity, including any action taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute negligence, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability;
(m)Pensions, etc. To pay pensions for faithful service, as deemed appropriate by the Trustees, and to adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing, share bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and benefit plants, trusts and provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust;
(n)Distribution Plans. To adopt on behalf of the Trust or any Sub-Trust, including with respect to any Class thereof, a plan of distribution and related agreements thereto pursuant to the terms of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and to make payments from
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the assets of the Trust or the relevant Sub-Trust or Sub-Trusts pursuant to said Rule 12b-1 Plan;
(o)Declaration of Distributions. To declare and make distributions of income and capital gains to Shareholders; and
(p)Shares. To issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, cancel, retire, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, transfer, dispose of and otherwise deal in Shares pursuant to applicable federal law; to establish terms and conditions including any fees or expenses regarding the issuance, sale, repurchase, redemption, cancellation, retirement, acquisition, holding, resale, reissuance, disposition of or dealing in Shares, and to apply to any such repurchase redemption, retirement, cancellation, or acquisition of Shares any funds or property of the Trust or of any particular Sub-Trust with respect to which such Shares are issued, whether capital surplus or otherwise.
SECTION 3.3 CERTAIN CONTRACTS. Subject to compliance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, but notwithstanding any limitations of present and future law or custom in regard to delegation of powers by trustees generally, the Trustees may, at any time and from time to time and without limiting the generality of their powers and authority otherwise set forth herein, enter into one or more contracts with any one or more corporations, trusts, associations, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, other type of organizations, or individuals (a "Contracting Party") to provide for the performance and assumption of some or all of the following services, duties and responsibilities to, for or on behalf of the Trust and/or any Sub-Trust, and/or the Trustees, and to provide for the performance and assumption of such other services, duties and responsibilities in addition to those set forth below as the Trustees may determine appropriate:
(a)Advisory. Subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and in conformity with the stated policy of the Trustees with respect to the investments of the Trust or of the assets belonging to any Sub-Trust of the Trust (as that phrase is defined in subsection (a) of Section 4.2), to manage such investments and assets, make investment decisions with respect thereto, and to place purchase and sale orders for portfolio transactions relating to such investments and assets;
(b)Administration. Subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and in conformity with any policies of the Trustees with respect to the operations of the Trust and each Sub-Trust (including each Class thereof), to supervise all or any part of the operations of the Trust and each Sub-Trust, and to provide all or any part of the administrative and clerical personnel, office space and office equipment and services appropriate for the efficient administration and operations of the Trust and each Sub-Trust;
(c)Distribution. To distribute the Shares of the Trust and each Sub-Trust (including any Classes thereof), to be principal underwriter of such Shares, and/or to act as agent of the Trust and each Sub-Trust in the sale of Shares and the acceptance or rejection of orders for the purchase of Shares;
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(d)Custodian and Depository. To act as depository for and to maintain custody of the property of the Trust and each Sub-Trust and accounting records in connection therewith;
(e)Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agency. To maintain records of the ownership of outstanding Shares, the issuance and redemption and the transfer thereof, and to disburse any dividends declared by the Trustees and in accordance with the policies of the Trustees and/or the instructions of any particular Shareholder to reinvest any such dividends. Any person becoming entitled to any Shares in consequence of the death, bankruptcy, or incompetence of any Shareholder, or otherwise by operation of law, shall be recorded on the books of the Trust as the holder of such Shares upon production of the proper evidence thereof to the Trustees or the Trust's transfer agent, but until such record is made, the Shareholder of record shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for all purposes hereunder and neither the Trustees nor the Trust's transfer agent, or registrar, nor any officer, employee, or agent of the Trust shall be affected by any notice of such death, bankruptcy or incompetence, or other operation of law;
(f)Shareholder Servicing. To provide service with respect to the relationship of the Trust and its Shareholders, records with respect to Shareholders and their Shares, and similar matters; and
(g)Accounting. To handle all or any part of the accounting responsibilities, whether with respect to the Trust's properties, Shareholders or otherwise.
The same person may be the Contracting Party for some or all of the services, duties and responsibilities to, for and of the Trust and/or the Trustees, and the contracts with respect thereto may contain such terms interpretive of or in addition to the delineating of the services, duties and responsibilities provided for, including provisions that are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act relating to the standard of duty of and the rights to indemnification of the Contracting Party and other, as the Trustees may determine. Nothing herein shall preclude, prevent or limit the Trust or a Contracting Party from entering into sub-contractual arrangements relating to any of the matters referred to in Sections 3.3 (a) through (g) hereof.
The fact that:
(i)any of the Shareholders, Trustees or officers of the Trust is a shareholder, director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, manager, adviser, principal underwriter or distributor or agent of or for any Contracting Party, or of or for any parent or affiliate of any Contracting Party or that the
(ii)Contracting Party or any parent or affiliate thereof is a Shareholder or has an interest in the Trust or any Sub-Trust, or that
(iii)any Contracting Party may have a contract providing for the rendering of any similar services to one or more other corporations, trusts, associations, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies or other organizations, or have other business or interests,
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shall not affect the validity of any contract for the performance and assumption of services, duties and responsibilities to, for or of the Trust or any Sub-Trust and/or the Trustees or disqualify any Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust from voting upon or executing the same or create any liability or accountability to the Trust, any Sub-Trust or its Shareholders, provided that in the case of any relationship or interest referred to in the preceding clause (i) on the part of any Trustee or officer of the Trust either (x) the material facts as to such relationship or interest have been disclosed to or are known by the Trustees not having any such relationship or interest and the contract involved is approved in good faith by a majority of such Trustees not having any such relationship or interest (even though such unrelated or disinterested Trustees are less than a quorum of all of the Trustees), (y) the material facts as to such relationship or interest and as to the contract have been disclosed to or are known by the Shareholders entitled to vote thereon and the contract involved is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the Shareholders, or (z) the specific contract involved is fair to the Trust as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the Trustees or by the Shareholders.
SECTION 3.4 PAYMENT OF TRUST EXPENSES AND COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES. The Trustees are authorized to pay or to cause to be paid out of the principal or income of the Trust or any Sub-Trust, or partly out of principal and partly out of income, and to charge or allocate the same to, between or among such one or more of the Sub-Trusts and/or one or more Classes of Shares thereof that may be established and designated pursuant to Article IV, as the Trustees deem fair, all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities incurred or arising in connection with the Trust, any Sub-Trust and/or any Class of Shares thereof, or in connection with the management thereof, including, but not limited to, the Trustees' compensation and such expenses and charges for the services of the Trust's officers, employees, investment adviser, administrator, distributor, principal underwriter, auditor, counsel, depository, custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, accounting agent, Shareholder servicing agent, and such other agents, consultants, and independent contractors and such other expenses and charges as the Trustees may deem necessary or proper to incur. Without limiting the generality of any other provision hereof, the Trustees shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Trust for their services as Trustees of the Trust and may fix the amount of such compensation.
SECTION 3.5 COMPENSATION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS. Each committee member who is not an "interested person" of the Trust as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act of the Trust may receive such compensation from the Trust for services as the Trustees may determine. Each Trustee may receive such reimbursement for expenses as the Trustees may determine.
SECTION 3.6 OWNERSHIP OF ASSETS OF THE TRUST. Title to all of the assets of the Trust and of each Sub-Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trust.
SECTION 3.7 ACTION BY TRUSTEES. Except as otherwise provided by the 1940 Act or other applicable law, this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, any action to be taken by the Trustees on behalf of or with respect to the Trust or any Sub-Trust or Class thereof may be taken by a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting of Trustees (a quorum, consisting of at least one-half of the Trustees then in office, being present), within or without Delaware, including any meeting held by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by
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means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time, and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting, or by written consents of a majority of the Trustees then in office (or such larger or different number as may be required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law).
SECTION 3.8 LITIGATION. The Trustees shall have full power and authority, to authorize the Trust in the name and on behalf of the Trust or any Sub-Trust, to engage in and to prosecute, defend, compromise, settle, abandon, or adjust by arbitration or otherwise, any actions, suits, proceedings, disputes, claims and demands, including claims for taxes, relating to the Trust or any Sub-Trust or arising out of or relating to the Trustees' service to the Trust or any Sub-Trust, but consistent with the standard of care set forth in Articles III and VI hereof, will not have liability for failure to do so, and to pay or to satisfy out of the assets of the Trust or the related Sub-Trust any liabilities, losses, debts, claims or expenses (including without limitation attorneys' fees) incurred in connection therewith, including those of litigation, and such power shall include without limitation the power of the Trustees or any committee thereof, to the maximum extent permitted by law, to dismiss or terminate ( or cause the dismissal or termination of) any action, suit, proceeding, dispute, claim or demand, derivative or otherwise, relating to the business or affairs of the Trust or any Sub-Trust, brought by any person, including a Shareholder in its own name or in the name of the Trust or the related Sub-Trust, whether or not the Trust or any Sub- Trust or any of the Trustees may be named individually therein. To the maximum extent permitted by law, any exercise of the power described herein shall be final, binding on all persons (including Shareholders).
ARTICLE IV
SHARES
SECTION 4.1 DESCRIPTION OF SHARES. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided into Shares, all with $.001 par value, but the Trustees shall have the authority from time to time to issue Shares in one or more Series (each of which Series of Shares shall represent the beneficial interest in a separate and distinct Sub-Trust of the Trust, including without limitation each Sub-Trust specifically established and designated in Section 4.2), as they deem necessary or desirable. For all purposes under this Declaration of Trust or otherwise, including, without implied limitation, (i) with respect to the rights of creditors and (ii) for purposes of interpreting the relevant rights of each Sub-Trust and the Shareholders of each Sub-Trust, each Sub-Trust established hereunder shall be deemed to be a separate trust. Notice of the limitation of liabilities of a Sub- Trust shall be set forth in the certificate of trust of the Trust, and debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to a particular Sub-Trust shall be enforceable against the assets of such Sub-Trust only, and not against the assets of the Trust generally. The Trustees shall have exclusive power, without the requirement of Shareholder approval, to establish and designate such separate and distinct Sub-Trusts, and to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences as between the Shares of the separate Sub-Trusts as to right of redemption and the price, terms and manner of redemption, special and relative rights as to dividends and other distributions and on liquidation, sinking or purchase fund provisions, conversion rights, and conditions under which the several Sub-Trusts shall have separate voting rights or no voting rights. The Trustees shall have full power and authority, without the requirement of Shareholder approval, to change in any manner Shares of any Sub-Trust or Class
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with such preferences, terms of conversion, voting powers, rights and privileges as the Trustees may determine (but the Trustees may not change outstanding Shares in a manner materially adverse to the Shareholders without a shareholder vote).
In addition, the Trustees shall have exclusive power, without the requirement of Shareholder approval, to issue Classes of Shares of any Sub-Trust or divide the Shares of any Sub-Trust into Classes, each Class having such different dividend, liquidation, voting and other rights as the Trustees may determine in their sole discretion, and may establish and designate the specific Classes of Shares of each Sub-Trust. The fact that a Sub-Trust shall have initially been established and designated without any specific establishment or designation of Classes (i.e., that all Shares of such Sub-Trust are initially of a single Class), or that a Sub-Trust shall have more than one established and designated Class, shall not limit the authority of the Trustees to establish and designate separate Classes, or one or more further Classes, of said Sub-Trust without approval of the holders of the initial Class thereof, or previously established and designated Class or Classes thereof, provided that the establishment and designation of such further separate Classes would not adversely affect the rights of the holders of the initial or previously established and designated Class or Classes.
The number of authorized Shares and the number of Shares of each Sub-Trust or Class thereof that may be issued is unlimited, and the Trustees may issue Shares of any Sub-Trust or Class thereof for such consideration and on such terms as they may determine (or for no consideration if pursuant to a Share dividend or split-up), all without action or approval of the Shareholders. All Shares when so issued on the terms determined by the Trustees shall be fully paid and non-assessable (but may be subject to mandatory contribution back to the Trust as provided in subsection (h) of Section 4.2). The Trustees may classify or reclassify any unissued Shares or any Shares previously issued and reacquired of any Sub-Trust or Class thereof into one or more Sub-Trusts or Classes thereof that may be established and designated from time to time. The Trustees may hold as treasury Shares, reissue for such consideration and on such terms as they may determine, or cancel, at their discretion from time to time, any Shares of any Sub-Trust or Class thereof reacquired by the Trust.
The Trustees may from time to time close the transfer books or establish record dates and times for the purposes of determining the holders of Shares entitled to be treated as such, to the extent provided or referred to in Section 5.3.
The establishment and designation of any additional Sub-Trust or any Class of Shares of the Trust shall be effective upon the adoption by a majority of the then Trustees of a resolution that sets forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights and preferences of such Sub-Trust or Class of the Trust, whether directly in such resolution or by reference to another document, including, without limitation, any registration statement of the Trust, or as otherwise provided in such resolution.
At any time that there are no Shares outstanding of any particular Sub-Trust or Class previously established and designated, the Trustees may abolish that Sub-Trust or Class and the establishment and designation thereof. Each resolution establishing and designating any Sub-Trust shall have the status of an amendment to this Declaration of Trust.
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Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust, and any organization in which any such person is interested may acquire, own, hold and dispose of Shares of any Sub-Trust (including any Classes thereof) of the Trust to the same extent as if such person were not a Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust; and the Trust may issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold and may purchase Shares of any Sub-Trust (including any Classes thereof) from any such person or any such organization subject only to the general limitations, restrictions or other provisions applicable to the sale or purchase of Shares of such Sub-Trust (including any Classes thereof) generally.
SECTION 4.2 ESTABLISHMENT AND DESIGNATION OF SUB-TRUSTS AND CLASSES. The Trustees have established and designated Sub-Trusts as listed in Appendix A to this Agreement, each of which consists of certain Classes of Shares. The Shares of each Sub- Trust and any Shares of any further Sub-Trust or Class thereof that may from time to time be established and designated by the Trustees shall (unless the Trustees otherwise determine with respect to some further Sub-Trust at the time of establishing and designating the same) have the following relative rights and preferences:
(a)Assets Belonging to Sub-Trusts. All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Sub-Trust or any Classes thereof, together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall be held by the Trustees in trust for the benefit of the holders of Shares of that Sub-Trust or Class thereof and shall irrevocably belong to that Sub-Trust (and be allocable to any Classes thereof) for all purposes, and shall be so recorded upon the books of account of the Trust. Separate and distinct records shall be maintained for each Sub-Trust and the assets associated with a Sub-Trust shall be held and accounted for separately from the other assets of the Trust, or any other Sub-Trust. Such consideration, assets, income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds, in whatever form the same may be, together with any General Items (as hereinafter defined) allocated to that Sub-Trust as provided in the following sentence, are herein referred to as "assets belonging to" that Sub- Trust (and allocable to any Classes thereof). In the event that there are any assets, income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, funds, or payments which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Sub-Trust (collectively "General Items"), the Trustees shall allocate such General Items to and among any one or more of the Sub-Trusts established and designated from time to time in such manner and on such basis as they, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable; and any General Items so allocated to a particular Sub-Trust shall belong to that Sub-Trust (and be allocable to any Classes thereof). Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the holders of all Shares of all Sub-Trusts (including any Classes thereof) for all purposes.
(b)Liabilities belonging to Sub-Trusts. The assets belonging to each particular Sub-Trust shall be charged with the liabilities in respect of that Sub-Trust and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves belonging to that Sub-Trust, and any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the Trust which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Sub-Trust shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees to and
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among any one or more of the Sub-Trusts established and designated from time to time in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion shall determine. In addition, the liabilities in respect of a particular Class of Shares of a particular Sub-Trust and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves belonging to that Class of Shares, and any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of that particular Sub-Trust which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Class of Shares of that Sub-Trust shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among any one or more of the Classes of Shares of that Sub-Trust established and designated from time to time in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion shall determine. The liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves allocated and so charged to a Sub-Trust or Class thereof are herein referred to as "liabilities belonging to" that Sub-Trust or Class thereof. Each allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders, creditors and any other persons dealing with the Trust or any Sub-Trust (including any Classes thereof) for all purposes. Any creditor of any Sub-Trust may look only to the assets of that Sub-Trust to satisfy such creditor's debt.
The Trustees shall have full discretion, to the extent not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, to determine which items shall be treated as income and which items as capital; and each such determination and allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders.
(c)Dividends. Dividends and distributions on Shares of a particular Sub-Trust or any Class thereof may be paid with such frequency as the Trustees may determine, which may be daily or otherwise pursuant to a standing resolution or resolutions adopted only once or with such frequency as the Trustees may determine, to the holders of Shares of that Sub-Trust or Class, from such of the income and capital gains, accrued or realized, from the assets belonging to that Sub-Trust, or in the case of a Class, belonging to that Sub-Trust and allocable to that Class, as the Trustees may determine, after providing for actual and accrued liabilities belonging to that Sub-Trust or Class. All dividends and distributions on Shares of a particular Sub-Trust or Class thereof shall be distributed PRO RATA to the holders of Shares of that Sub-Trust or Class in proportion to the number of Shares of that Sub-Trust or Class held by such holders at the date and time of record established for the payment of such dividends or distributions, except that in connection with any dividend or distribution program or procedure the Trustees may determine that no dividend or distribution shall be payable on Shares as to which the Shareholder's purchase order and/or payment have not been received by the time or times established by the Trustees under such program or procedure. Such dividends and distributions may be made in cash or Shares of that Sub-Trust or Class or a combination thereof as determined by the Trustees or pursuant to any program that the Trustees may have in effect at the time for the election by each Shareholder of the mode of the making of such dividend or distribution to that Shareholder. Any such dividend or distribution paid in Shares will be paid at the net asset value thereof as determined in accordance with subsection (h) of this Section 4.2.
The Trustees shall have full discretion to determine which items shall be treated as income and which items as capital; and each such determination and allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders.
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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, but subject to applicable federal law, including the 1940 Act, any dividend or distribution may be paid in cash and/or securities or other property, and composition of any such distribution shall be determined by the Trustees (or by any officer of the Trust or any other person or persons to whom such authority has been delegated by the Trustees) and may be different among Shareholders, including differences among Shareholders of the same Sub-Trust or Class.
(d)Liquidation. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the Trust, subject to Section 7.1 hereof, the holders of Shares of each Sub-Trust or any Class thereof that has been established and designated shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Trustees, the excess of the assets belonging to that Sub-Trust, or in the case of a Class, belonging to that Sub-Trust and allocable to that Class, over the liabilities belonging to that Sub-Trust or Class. The assets so distributable to the holders of Shares of any particular Sub-Trust or Class thereof shall be distributed among such holders in proportion to the number of Shares of that Sub-Trust or Class thereof held by them and recorded on the books of the Trust. The liquidation of any particular Sub-Trust or Class thereof may be authorized at any time by vote of a majority of the Trustees then in office.
(e)Voting. On each matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, each holder of a Share shall be entitled to one vote for each whole Share standing in his name on the books of the Trust irrespective of the Series thereof or Class thereof and all Shares of all Series and Classes thereof shall vote together as a single Class; provided, however, that as to any matter (i) with respect to which a separate vote of one or more Series or Classes thereof is required by the 1940 Act or the provisions of any writing establishing and designating the Sub-Trust or Class, such requirements as to a separate vote by such Series or Class thereof shall apply in lieu of all Shares of all Series and Classes thereof voting together; and (ii) as to any matter which affects the interests of one or more particular Series or Classes thereof, only the holders of Shares of the one or more affected Series or Classes shall be entitled to vote, and each such Series or Class shall vote as a separate Class.
(f)Redemption by Shareholder. Each holder of Shares of a particular Sub- Trust or any Class thereof shall have the right at such times as may be permitted by the Trust to require the Trust to redeem all or any part of his Shares of that Sub-Trust or Class thereof at a redemption price equal to the net asset value per Share of that Sub-Trust or Class thereof next determined in accordance with subsection (h) of this Section 4.2 after the Shares are properly tendered for redemption, subject to any contingent deferred sales charge or redemption charge in effect at the time of redemption; provided, however, that the Trustees may determine that the Shares of any Sub-Trust or Class hereafter established shall be redeemable only in aggregations of Shares of such number established by the Trustees or pursuant to procedures established by the Trustees. Payment of the redemption price shall be in cash; provided, however, that if the Trustees determine, which determination shall be conclusive, that conditions exist which make payment wholly in cash unwise or undesirable, the Trust may, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, make payment wholly or partly in securities or other assets belonging to the Sub-Trust of which the Shares being redeemed are part at the value of such securities or assets used in such determination of net asset value.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust may postpone payment of the redemption price and may suspend the right of the holders of Shares of any Sub-Trust or Class thereof to require the Trust to redeem Shares of that Sub-Trust during any period or at any time when and to the extent permissible under the 1940 Act.
(g)Redemption by Trust. Each Share of each Sub-Trust or Class thereof that has been established and designated is subject to redemption by the Trust at the redemption price which would be applicable if such Share was then being redeemed by the Shareholder pursuant to subsection (f) of this Section 4.2: (i) at any time, in the sole discretion of the Trustees, or (ii) upon such other conditions as may from time to time be determined by the Trustees and set forth in the then current Prospectus of the Trust. Upon such redemption the holders of the Shares so redeemed shall have no further right with respect thereto other than to receive payment of such redemption price.
(h)Net Asset Value. The Trustees shall cause the Net Asset Value of Shares of each Sub-Trust or Class to be determined from time to time in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations. The Trustees may delegate the power and duty to determine Net Asset Value per Share to one or more Trustees or officers of the Trust or to an investment manager, administrator or investment adviser, custodian, depository or other agent appointed for such purpose. The Net Asset Value of Shares shall be determined separately for each Sub-Trust or Class at such times as may be prescribed by the Trustees or, in the absence of action by the Trustees as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day for all or part of which such Exchange is open for regular trading.
(i)Transfer. All Shares of each particular Sub-Trust or Class thereof shall be transferable, but transfers of Shares of a particular Sub-Trust or Class thereof will be recorded on the Share transfer records of the Trust applicable to that Sub-Trust or Class only at such times as Shareholders shall have the right to require the Trust to redeem Shares of that Sub-Trust or Class and at such other times as may be permitted by the Trustees.
(j)Equality. Except as provided herein or in any instrument designating and establishing any Class of Shares or any Sub-Trust, all Shares of each particular Sub-Trust or Class thereof shall represent an equal proportionate interest in the assets belonging to that Sub-Trust, or in the case of a Class, belonging to that Sub-Trust and allocable to that Class, subject to the liabilities belonging to that Sub-Trust or Class, and each Share of any particular Sub-Trust or Class shall be equal to each other Share of that Sub-Trust or Class and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation, and other rights; but the provisions of this sentence shall not restrict any distinctions permissible under subsection (c) of this Section 4.2 that may exist with respect to dividends and distributions on Shares of the same Sub-Trust or Class. The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares of any particular Sub-Trust or Class into a greater or lesser number of Shares of that Sub- Trust or Class without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interest in the assets belonging to that Sub-Trust or Class or in any way affecting the rights of Shares of any other Sub-Trust or Class.
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(k)Fractions. Any fractional Share of any Sub-Trust or Class, if any such fractional Share is outstanding, shall carry proportionately all the rights and obligations of a whole Share of that Sub-Trust or Class, including rights and obligations with respect to voting, receipt of dividends and distributions, redemption of Shares, and liquidation of the Trust.
(l)Conversion Rights. Subject to compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Trustees shall have the authority to provide that holders of Shares of any Sub-Trust or Class thereof shall have the right to convert said Shares into another Class of Shares of the same Sub-Trust or into Shares of one or more other Sub-Trusts or Classes thereof in accordance with such requirements and procedures as may be established by the Trustees.
(m)Class Differences. Subject to Section 4.1, the relative rights and preferences of the Classes of any Sub-Trust may differ in such other respects as the Trustees may determine to be appropriate in their sole discretion, provided that such differences are set forth in any resolution or instrument establishing and designating such Classes.
SECTION 4.3 OWNERSHIP OF SHARES. The ownership of Shares shall be recorded on the books of the Trust or of a transfer or similar agent for the Trust, which books shall be maintained separately for the Shares of each Sub-Trust and each Class thereof that has been established and designated. No certificates certifying the ownership of Shares need be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, the use of facsimile signatures, the transfer of Shares and similar matters. The record books of the Trust as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent, as the case may be, shall be conclusive as to who are the Shareholders and as to the number of Shares of each Sub-Trust and Class thereof held from time to time by each such Shareholder.
SECTION 4.4 INVESTMENTS IN THE TRUST. The Trustees may accept investments in the Trust and each Sub-Trust from such persons and on such terms and for such consideration, not inconsistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act, as they from time to time authorize. The Trustees may authorize any distributor, principal underwriter, custodian, transfer agent or other person to accept orders for the purchase of Shares that conform to such authorized terms and to reject any purchase orders for Shares whether or not conforming to such authorized terms.
SECTION 4.5 NO PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS. Shareholders shall have no pre- emptive or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust or any Sub-Trust.
SECTION 4.6 STATUS OF SHARES AND LIMITATION OF PERSONAL LIABILITY. Shares shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the rights provided in this Declaration of Trust. Every Shareholder by virtue of acquiring Shares shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms hereof and to have become a party hereto. The death, incapacity, dissolution, termination or bankruptcy of a Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall not operate to dissolve or terminate the Trust or any Sub-Trust thereof nor entitle the
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representative of such Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but only to the rights of such Shareholder under this Trust. Ownership of Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust property or right to call for a partition or division of the same or for an accounting, nor shall the ownership of Shares constitute the Shareholders partners. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any Shareholder, nor except as specifically provided herein to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay.
SECTION 4.7 NO APPRAISAL RIGHTS. Shareholders shall have no right to demand payment for their Shares or to any other rights of dissenting shareholders in the event the Trust participates in any transaction which would give rise to appraisal or dissenters' rights by a shareholder of a corporation organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or otherwise.
ARTICLE V
SHAREHOLDERS' VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
SECTION 5.1 VOTING POWERS. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only
(i)for the election or removal of Trustees as provided in Section 3.1, (ii) with respect to any contract with a Contracting Party as provided in Section 3.3 as to which Shareholder approval is required by the 1940 Act (subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission by rule, order or otherwise), (iii) with respect to any termination or reorganization of the Trust to the extent and as provided in Sections 7.1 and 7.2, (iv) with respect to any amendment of this Declaration of Trust to the extent and as provided in Section 7.3, and
(v)with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by the 1940 Act, this Declaration of Trust, the By-Laws or any registration of the Trust with the Commission (or any successor agency) or any state, or as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy. Proxies may be given orally or in writing or by any electronic or telecommunications device or in any other manner described in the By-Laws or in a resolution of the Trustees. A proxy with respect to Xxxxxx held in the name of two or more persons shall be valid if executed by any one of them unless at or prior to exercise of the proxy the Trust receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger. Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required by law, this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws to be taken by Shareholders.
SECTION 5.2 MEETINGS. No annual or regular meeting of Shareholders is required. Special meetings of Shareholders may be called by the Trustees from time to time for the purpose of taking action upon any matter requiring the vote or authority of the Shareholders as herein provided or upon any other matter deemed by the Trustees to be necessary or desirable. Written notice of any meeting of Shareholders shall be given or caused to be given by the Trustees by mail, facsimile or other electronic means at least seven days before such meeting, postage prepaid,
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stating the time, place and purpose of the meeting, to each Shareholder at the Shareholder's address as it appears on the records of the Trust. The Trustees shall promptly call and give notice of a meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of voting upon removal of any Trustee of the Trust when requested to do so in writing by Shareholders holding not less than 10% of the Shares then outstanding. If the Trustees shall fail to call or give notice of any meeting of Shareholders for a period of 30 days after written application by Shareholders holding at least I 0% of the Shares then outstanding requesting a meeting be called for any other purpose requiring action by the Shareholders as provided herein or in the By-Laws, then Shareholders holding at least 10% of the Shares then outstanding may call and give notice of such meeting, and thereupon the meeting shall be held in the manner provided for herein in case of call thereof by the Trustees.
SECTION 5.3 RECORD DATES. For the purpose of determining the Shareholders who are entitled to vote or act at any meeting or any adjournment thereof, or who are entitled to participate in any dividend or distribution, or for the purpose of any other action, the Trustees may from time to time close the transfer books for such period, not exceeding 30 days (except at or in connection with the termination of the Trust), as the Trustees may determine; or without closing the transfer books the Trustees may fix a date and time not more than 90 days prior to the date of any meeting of Shareholders or other action as the date and time of record for the determination of Shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting or any adjournment thereof or to be treated as Shareholders of record for purposes of such other action, and any Shareholder who was a Shareholder at the date and time so fixed shall be entitled to vote at such meeting or any adjournment thereof or to be treated as a Shareholder of record for purposes of such other action, even though he has since that date and time disposed of his Shares, and no Shareholder becoming such after that date and time shall be so entitled to vote at such meeting or any adjournment thereof or to be treated as a Shareholder of record for purposes of such other action.
SECTION 5.4 QUORUM AND REQUIRED VOTE. Except as otherwise provided by the 1940 Act or other applicable law or regulatory requirements, thirty percent of the Shares entitled to vote shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at a Shareholders' meeting, but any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no less than thirty-three and one-third percent of the Shares entitled to vote shall be a quorum with respect to any proposal, which is presented at a Shareholders' meeting and as to which a Class of Shares that is traded on a national securities exchange is entitled to vote, but any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments. Any meeting of shareholders, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned for any lawful purpose provided that no meeting shall be adjourned for more than six months beyond the originally scheduled meeting date. Any adjourned session or sessions may be held, within a reasonable time after the date set for the original meeting without the necessity of further notice. A majority of the Shares voted, at a meeting at which a quorum is present, shall decide any questions and a plurality shall elect a Trustee, except when a different vote is required or permitted by any provision of the 1940 Act or other applicable law or by this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws.
SECTION 5.5 ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act and other applicable law, any action taken by Shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a majority of Shareholders entitled to vote on the matter (or such larger proportion thereof as shall be required by the 1940 Act or by any express provision of this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws) consent to the action in writing and such written consents are filed with the
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records of the meetings of Shareholders. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Shareholders.
SECTION 5.6 INSPECTION OF RECORDS. The records of the Trust shall be open to inspection by Shareholders to the same extent as is permitted stockholders of a Delaware corporation under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
SECTION 5.7 ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS. The By-Laws may include further provisions for Shareholders' votes and meetings and related matters not inconsistent with the provisions hereof.
ARTICLE VI
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 6.1 TRUSTEES, SHAREHOLDERS, ETC. NOT PERSONALLY LIABLE; NOTICE. All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust shall look only to the assets of the Sub-Trust with which such person dealt for payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the Shareholders of any Sub-trust nor the Trustees, nor any of the Trust's officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, nor any other Sub-Trust shall be personally liable therefor. Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust, any Sub-Trust or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been executed or done only by or for the Trust (or the Sub-Trust) or the Trustees and not personally. The Trustees and the Trust's officers, employees and agents shall not be liable to the Trust or the Shareholders; provided however, that nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall protect any Trustee or officer, employee or agent against any liability to the Trust or the Shareholders to which such Trustee or officer, employee or agent would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee or of such officer, employee or agent.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made or issued by the Trustees or by any officers or officer may contain a statement that the same was executed or made by or on behalf of the Trust or by them as Trustees or Trustee or as officers or officer and not individually and that the obligations of such instrument are not binding upon any of them or the Shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust, or the particular Sub-Trust in question, as the case may be, but the omission thereof shall not operate to bind any Trustees or Trustee or officers or officer or Shareholders or Shareholder individually or otherwise invalidate any such note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking.
SECTION 6.2 TRUSTEE'S GOOD FAITH ACTION; EXPERT ADVICE; NO BOND OR SURETY. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretion hereunder shall be binding upon everyone interested. A Trustee, when acting in such capacity, shall not be personally liable to any person, other than the Trust or a Shareholder to the extent provided in this Article VI, for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust, of such Trustee or of any other Trustee; provided, however, that nothing contained herein or in the Delaware Act shall protect any Trustee against any liability to the Trust or to any Shareholder to which he would otherwise be subject by
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reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of the Trustee hereunder. Subject to the foregoing: (a) the Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, consultant, adviser, administrator, distributor or principal underwriter, custodian or transfer, dividend disbursing, Shareholder servicing or accounting agent of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or omission of any other Trustee; (b) the Trustees may consider advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust and their duties as Trustees, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice; and (c) in discharging their duties, the Trustees, when acting in good faith, shall be entitled to rely upon the books of account of the Trust and upon written reports made to the Trustees by any officer appointed by them, any independent public accountant, and (with respect to the subject matter of the contract involved) any officer, partner or responsible employee of a Contracting Party appointed by the Trustees pursuant to Section 3.3. The Trustees as such shall not be required to give any bond or surety or any other security for the performance of their duties. To the extent that, at law or in equity, a Trustee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to a Shareholder, any such Trustee acting under this Declaration of Trust shall not be liable to the Trust or to any such Shareholder for the Trustee's good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration of Trust. The provisions of this Declaration of Trust, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of a Trustee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Shareholders to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Trustee.
SECTION 6.3 INDEMNIFICATION OF SHAREHOLDERS. In case any Shareholder (or former Shareholder) of any Sub-Trust of the Trust shall be charged or held to be personally liable for any obligation or liability of the Trust solely by reason of being or having been a Shareholder and not because of such Shareholder's acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Trust on behalf of said Sub-Trust (upon proper and timely request by the Shareholder) shall assume the defense against such charge and satisfy any judgment thereon, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets of said Sub-Trust estate to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability.
SECTION 6.4 INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, ETC.; ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Trust shall indemnify (from the assets of the Sub-Trust or Sub-Trusts in question) each of its Trustees, officers and employees (including persons who serve at the Trust's request as directors, trustees, officers or employees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise [hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person"]) against all liabilities, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and expenses, including reasonable accountants' and counsel fees, incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any claim, action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal or otherwise (including appeals), before any court or administrative, legislative or other body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer or employee, except with respect to any matter as to which it has been determined that such Covered Person had acted
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with willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office (such conduct referred to hereafter as "Disabling Conduct"). A determination that the Covered Person is entitled to indemnification may be made by (i) a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought that the person to be indemnified was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct,
(ii)dismissal of a court action or an administrative proceeding against a Covered Person for insufficiency of evidence of Disabling Conduct, or (iii) a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that the Covered Person was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct by (a) a vote of a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither "interested persons" of the Trust as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act nor parties to the proceeding, or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. Expenses, including accountants' and counsel fees so incurred by any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), may be paid from time to time from funds attributable to the Sub-Trust in question in advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding, provided that the Covered Person shall have undertaken to repay the amounts so paid to the Sub- Trust in question if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article VI and (i) the Covered Person shall have provided security for such undertaking, (ii) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (iii) a majority of a quorum of the disinterested Trustees who are not a party to the proceeding, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
SECTION 6.5 COMPROMISE PAYMENT. As to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by any such Covered Person referred to in Section 6.4, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no such indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless such indemnification shall be approved (a) by a majority of the disinterested Trustees who are not parties to the proceeding or (b) by an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. Approval by the Trustees pursuant to clause (a) or by independent legal counsel pursuant to clause (b) shall not prevent the recovery from any Covered Person of any amount paid to such Covered Person in accordance with any of such clauses as indemnification if such Covered Person is subsequently adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office.
SECTION 6.6 INDEMNIFICATION NOT EXCLUSIVE, ETC. The right of indemnification provided by this Article VI shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article VI, "Covered Person" shall include such person's heirs, executors and administrators, an "interested Covered Person" is one against whom the action, suit or other proceeding in question or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending or threatened, and a "disinterested" person is a person against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending or threatened. Nothing contained in this Article shall affect any rights to indemnification to which personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and officers, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law, nor the power of the Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of any such person.
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SECTION 6.7 LIABILITY OF THIRD PERSONS DEALING WITH TRUSTEES. No person dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trustees or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or upon its order.
SECTION 6.8 DISCRETION. Whenever in this Declaration of Trust the Trustees are permitted or required to make a decision (a) in their "sole discretion," "sole and absolute discretion," "full discretion" or "discretion," or under a similar grant of authority or latitude, the Trustees shall be entitled to consider only such interests and factors as they desire, whether reasonable or unreasonable, and may consider their own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interests of or factors affecting the Trust or the Shareholders, or (b) in their "good faith" or under another express standard, the Trustees shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standards imposed by this Declaration of Trust or by law or any other agreement contemplated herein. Each Shareholder and Trustee hereby agrees that any standard of care or duty imposed in this Declaration of Trust or any other agreement contemplated herein or under the Act or any other applicable law, rule or regulation shall be modified, waived or limited in each case as required to permit the Trustees to act under this Declaration of Trust or any other agreement contemplated herein and to make any decision pursuant to the authority prescribed in this Declaration of Trust.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1 DURATION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST. Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall continue without limitation of time and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no change, alteration or modification with respect to any Sub-Trust or Class thereof shall operate to terminate the Trust. The Trust may be terminated at any time by a majority of the Trustees then in office subject to a favorable vote of a Majority of the Outstanding Voting Shares of the Trust.
Upon termination, after paying or otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities, whether due or accrued or anticipated as may be determined by the Trustees, the Trust shall in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees consider appropriate reduce the remaining assets to distributable form in cash, securities or other property, or any combination thereof, and distribute the proceeds to the Shareholders, in conformity with the provisions of subsection (d) of Section 4.2.
SECTION 7.2 REORGANIZATION. The Trustees may sell, convey, merge and transfer the assets of the Trust, or the assets belonging to any one or more Sub-Trusts, to another trust, partnership, association or corporation organized under the laws of any state of the United States, or to the Trust to be held as assets belonging to another Sub-Trust of the Trust, in exchange for cash, shares or other securities (including, in the case of a transfer to another Sub-Trust of the Trust, Shares of such other Sub-Trust or any Class thereof) with such transfer either (1) being made subject to, or with the assumption by the transferee of, the liabilities belonging to each Sub- Trust the assets of which are so transferred, or (2) not being made subject to, or not with the assumption of, such liabilities; provided, however, that with respect to the Florida Tax- Free
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Income Fund and Florida Tax-Free Money Market Fund, no assets belonging to either such Sub- Trust shall be so transferred unless the terms of such transfer shall have first been approved at a meeting called for the purpose by the affirmative vote of the holders of a Majority of the Outstanding Voting Shares of the affected Sub-Trust. Following such transfer, the Trustees shall distribute such cash, shares or other securities among the Shareholders of the Sub-Trust (taking into account the differences among the Classes of Shares thereof, if any) the assets belonging to which have been so transferred; and if all of the assets of the Trust have been so transferred, the Trust shall be terminated.
The Trust, or any one or more Sub-Trusts, may, either as the successor, survivor, or non- survivor, (1) consolidate with one or more other trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, associations or corporations organized under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States, to form a new consolidated trust, partnership, limited liability company, association or corporation under the laws of which any one of the constituent entities is organized, or (2) merge into or transfer a substantial portion of its assets to one or more other trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, associations or corporations organized under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States, or have one or more such trusts, partnerships, associations or corporations merged into or transfer a substantial portion of its assets to it, any such consolidation, merger or transfer to be upon such terms and conditions as are specified in an agreement and plan of reorganization entered into by the Trust, or one or more Sub- Trusts as the case may be, in connection therewith. The Trustees may affect any such consolidation, merger or transfer without the approval of shareholders of a Sub-Trust affected thereby; provided, however, that with respect to the Florida Tax-Free Income Fund and Florida Tax-Free Money Market Fund, any such consolidation, merger or transfer shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of a Majority of the Outstanding Voting Shares of the affected Sub- Trust.
SECTION 7.3 AMENDMENTS. All rights granted to the Shareholders under this Declaration of Trust are granted subject to the reservation of the right to amend this Declaration of Trust as herein provided, except that no amendment shall repeal the limitations on personal liability of any Shareholder or Trustee or repeal the prohibition of assessment upon the Shareholders without the express consent of each Shareholder or Trustee involved. Subject to the foregoing, the provisions of this Declaration of Trust (whether or not related to the rights of Shareholders) may be amended at any time, so long as such amendment does not adversely affect the rights of any Shareholder with respect to which such amendment is or purports to be applicable and so long as such amendment is not in contravention of applicable law, including the 1940 Act, by an instrument in writing signed by a majority of the then Trustees (or by an officer of the Trust pursuant to the vote of a majority of such Trustees). Any amendment to this Declaration of Trust that adversely affects the rights of Shareholders may be adopted at any time by an instrument in writing signed by a majority of the then Trustees (or by an officer of the Trust pursuant to a vote of a majority of such Trustees) when authorized to do so by the vote in accordance with subsection (e) of Section 4.2 of Shareholders holding a majority of the Shares entitled to vote. Subject to the foregoing, any such amendment shall be effective as provided in the instrument containing the terms of such amendment or, if there is no provision therein with respect to effectiveness, upon the execution of such instrument and of a certificate (which may be a part of such instrument) executed by a Trustee or officer of the Trust to the effect that such amendment has been duly adopted.
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SECTION 7.4 FILING OF COPIES; REFERENCES; HEADINGS. The original or a copy of this instrument and of each amendment hereto shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer of the Trust as to whether or not any such amendments have been made, as to the identities of the Trustees and officers, and as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder; and, with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer of the Trust to be a copy of this instrument or of any such amendments. In this instrument and in any such amendment, references to this instrument, and all expressions like "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" shall be deemed to refer to this instrument as a whole as the same may be amended or affected by any such amendments. The masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and shall not be taken as a part hereof or control or affect the meaning, construction or effect of this instrument. This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original.
SECTION 7.5 APPLICABLE LAW. This Declaration of Trust is created under and is to be governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of the State of Delaware. The Trust shall be of the type referred to in Section 3801 of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and of the type commonly called a statutory trust, and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust.
Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 7.5, there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees, or this Declaration of Trust either the provisions of Section 3540 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code (or any successor provision) or any provisions of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Delaware (other than the Delaware Act) pertaining to trusts that relate to or regulate: (i) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges; (ii) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents, or employees of a trust; (iii) the necessity for obtaining a court or other governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding, or disposition of real or personal property (iv) fees or other sums applicable to trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust;
(v)the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal; (vi) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount, or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the titling, storage, or other manner of holding of trust assets; or (vii) the establishment of fiduciary or other standards or responsibilities or limitations on the acts or powers or liabilities or authorities and powers of trustees that are inconsistent with the limitations or liabilities or authorities and powers of the Trustees set forth or referenced in this Declaration of Trust.
SECTION 7.6 REGISTERED AGENT. The Corporation Trust Company, 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx xx Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 19801, is hereby designated as the registered agent for service of process on the Trust in Delaware. The address of the registered office of the Trust in the State of Delaware is c/o The Corporation Trust Company, 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx xx Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000.
SECTION 7.7 INTEGRATION. This Declaration of Trust constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereunto set their hands and seals for themselves and their assigns, as of the day and year first above written.
/s/ Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
/s/ Xxxx X. XxXxxxxx Xxxx X. XxXxxxxx
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
/s/ Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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Appendix A
Series* |
Launch Date |
Victory 500 Index Fund |
5/1/1996 |
Victory Aggressive Growth Fund |
10/19/1981 |
Victory California Bond Fund |
8/1/1989 |
Victory Capital Growth Fund |
10/27/2000 |
Victory Cornerstone Aggressive Fund |
6/8/2012 |
Victory Cornerstone Conservative Fund |
6/8/2012 |
Victory Cornerstone Equity Fund |
6/8/2012 |
Victory Cornerstone Moderate Fund |
9/1/1995 |
Victory Cornerstone Moderately Aggressive Fund |
8/15/1984 |
Victory Cornerstone Moderately Conservative Fund |
6/8/2012 |
Victory Emerging Markets Fund |
11/7/1994 |
Victory Extended Market Index Fund |
10/27/2000 |
Victory Global Equity Income Fund |
8/7/2015 |
Victory Global Managed Volatility Fund |
7/31/2008 |
Victory Government Securities Fund |
2/1/1991 |
Victory Growth & Income Fund |
6/1/1993 |
Victory Growth and Tax Strategy Fund |
1/11/1989 |
Victory Growth Fund |
1/30/1981 |
Victory High Income Fund |
8/2/1999 |
Victory Income Fund |
1/30/1981 |
Victory Income Stock Fund |
5/4/1987 |
Victory Core Plus Intermediate Bond Fund |
8/2/1999 |
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Fund |
7/11/1988 |
Victory Money Market Fund |
1/30/1981 |
Victory Nasdaq-100 Index Fund |
10/27/2000 |
Victory New York Bond Fund |
10/10/1990 |
Victory Precious Metals and Minerals Fund |
8/15/1984 |
Victory Science & Technology Fund |
8/1/1997 |
Victory Short-Term Bond Fund |
6/1/1993 |
Victory Small Cap Stock Fund |
8/2/1999 |
Victory Sustainable World Fund |
10/1/1992 |
Victory Target Managed Allocation Fund |
8/7/2015 |
Victory Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
7/31/2008 |
Victory Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
7/31/2008 |
Victory Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
7/31/2008 |
Victory Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
7/12/2013 |
Victory Target Retirement Income Fund |
7/31/2008 |
Victory Tax Exempt Intermediate-Term Fund |
3/19/1982 |
Victory Tax Exempt Long-Term Fund |
3/19/1982 |
Victory Tax Exempt Money Market Fund |
2/6/1984 |
Victory Tax Exempt Short-Term Fund |
3/19/1982 |
Victory Treasury Money Market Trust |
2/1/1991 |
Victory Ultra Short-Term Bond Fund |
10/18/2010 |
Victory Value Fund |
8/3/2001 |
Victory Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Fund |
10/10/1990 |
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