[FORM OF]
FIDELITY BEACON STREET TRUST
TRUST INSTRUMENT, made as of ____________________ by Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx 3d, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx (the "Trustees").
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to establish a business trust for the
investment and reinvestment of funds contributed thereto;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees declare that all money and property
contributed to the trust hereunder shall be held and managed in trust
under this Trust Instrument as herein set forth below.
ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
NAME
Section 1.01. The name of the trust created hereby is the "Fidelity
Beacon Street. Trust"
DEFINITIONS.
Section 1.02. Wherever used herein, unless otherwise required by the
context or specifically provided:
(a) "Bylaws" means the Bylaws referred to in Article IV, Section
4.01(e) hereof, as from time to time amended;
(b) The term "Commission" has the meaning given it in the 1940 Act.
The terms "Affiliated Person," "Assignment," "Interested Person" and
"Principal Underwriter" shall have the meanings given them in the 1940
Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders
of the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted or interpretive
releases of the Commission thereunder. "Majority Shareholder Vote"
shall have the same meaning as the term "vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities" is given in the 1940 Act, as modified
by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Commission
or any rules or regulations adopted or interpretive releases of the
Commission thereunder.
(c) The "Delaware Act" refers to Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the
Delaware Code entitled "Treatment of Delaware Business Trusts," as it
may be amended from time to time.
(d) "Net Asset Value" means the net asset value of each Series of the
Trust determined in the manner provided in Article IX, Section 9.03
hereof;
(e) "Outstanding Shares" means those Shares shown from time to time
in the books of the Trust or its Transfer Agent as then issued and
outstanding, but shall not include Shares which have been redeemed or
repurchased by the Trust and which are at the time held in the
treasury of the Trust;
(f) "Series" means a series of Shares of the Trust established in
accordance with the provisions of Article II, Section 2.06 hereof.
(g) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Outstanding Shares of the
Trust;
(h) "Shares" means the equal proportionate transferable units of
beneficial interest into which the beneficial interest of each Series
of the Trust or class thereof shall be divided and may include
fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares;
(i) The "Trust" refers to Fidelity Beacon Street Trust and reference
to the Trust, when applicable to one or more Series of the Trust,
shall refer to any such Series;
(j) The "Trustees" means the person or persons who has or have signed
this Trust Instrument, so long as he or they shall continue in office
in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other persons who may
from time to time be duly qualified and serving as Trustees in
accordance with the provisions of Article III hereof and reference
herein to a Trustee or to the Trustees shall refer to the individual
Trustees in their capacity as Trustees hereunder;
(k) "Trust Property" means any and all property, real or personal,
tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account
of one or more of the Trust or any Series, or the Trustees on behalf
of the Trust or any Series.
(l) The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended from time to time.
ARTICLE II
BENEFICIAL INTEREST
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 2.01. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided
into such transferable Shares of one or more separate and distinct
Series or classes of a Series as the Trustees shall from time to time
create and establish. The number of Shares of each Series, and class
thereof, authorized hereunder is unlimited. Each Share shall have no
par value. All Shares issued hereunder, including without
limitation, Shares issued in connection with a dividend in Shares or a
split or reverse split of Shares, shall be fully paid and
nonassessable.
ISSUANCE OF SHARES
Section 2.02. The Trustees in their discretion may, from time to
time, without vote of the Shareholders, issue Shares, in addition to
the then issued and outstanding Shares and Shares held in the
treasury, to such party or parties and for such amount and type of
consideration, subject to applicable law, including cash or
securities, at such time or times and on such terms as the Trustees
may deem appropriate, and may in such manner acquire other assets
(including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection
with, the assumption of liabilities) and businesses. In connection
with any issuance of Shares, the Trustees may issue fractional Shares
and Shares held in the treasury. The Trustees may from time to time
divide or combine the Shares into a greater or lesser number without
thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the Trust.
Contributions to the Trust may be accepted for, and Shares shall be
redeemed as, whole Shares and/or 1/1,000th of a Share or integral
multiples thereof.
REGISTER OF SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES
Section 2.03. A register shall be kept at the principal office of
the Trust or an office of the Trust's transfer agent which shall
contain the names and addresses of the Shareholders of each Series,
the number of Shares of that Series (or any class or classes thereof)
held by them respectively and a record of all transfers thereof. As
to Shares for which no certificate has been issued, such register
shall be conclusive as to who are the holders of the Shares and who
shall be entitled to receive dividends or other distributions or
otherwise to exercise or enjoy the rights of Shareholders. No
Shareholder shall be entitled to receive payment of any dividend or
other distribution, nor to have notice given to him as herein or in
the Bylaws provided, until he has given his address to the transfer
agent or such other officer or agent of the Trustees as shall keep the
said register for entry thereon. The Trustees, in their discretion,
may authorize the issuance of share certificates and promulgate
appropriate rules and regulations as to their use. Such certificates
may be issuable for any purpose limited in the Trustees discretion.
In the event that one or more certificates are issued, whether in the
name of a shareholder or a nominee, such certificate or certificates
shall constitute evidence of ownership of Shares for all purposes,
including transfer, assignment or sale of such Shares, subject to such
limitations as the Trustees may, in their discretion, prescribe.
TRANSFER OF SHARES
Section 2.04. Except as otherwise provided by the Trustees, Shares
shall be transferable on the records of the Trust only by the record
holder thereof or by his agent thereunto duly authorized in writing,
upon delivery to the Trustees or the Trust's transfer agent of a duly
executed instrument of transfer, together with a Share certificate, if
one is outstanding, and such evidence of the genuineness of each such
execution and authorization and of such other matters as may be
required by the Trustees. Upon such delivery the transfer shall be
recorded on the register of the Trust. 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, nor
any transfer agent or registrar nor any officer, employee or agent of
the Trust shall be affected by any notice of the proposed transfer.
TREASURY SHARES
Section 2.05. Shares held in the treasury shall, until reissued
pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof, not confer any voting rights on the
Trustees, nor shall such Shares be entitled to any dividends or other
distributions declared with respect to the Shares.
ESTABLISHMENT OF SERIES
Section 2.06. The Trust created hereby shall consist of one or more
Series and separate and distinct records shall be maintained by the
Trust for each Series and the assets associated with any such Series
shall be held and accounted for separately from the assets of the
Trust or any other Series. The Trustees shall have full power and
authority, in their sole discretion, and without obtaining any prior
authorization or vote of the Shareholders of any Series of the Trust,
to establish and designate and to change in any manner any such Series
of Shares or any classes of initial or additional Series and to fix
such preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges of such Series
or classes thereof as the Trustees may from time to time determine, to
divide or combine the Shares or any Series or classes thereof into a
greater or lesser number, to classify or reclassify any issued Shares
or any Series or classes thereof into one or more Series or classes of
Shares, and to take such other action with respect to the Shares as
the Trustees may deem desirable. The establishment and designation of
any Series shall be effective upon the adoption of a resolution by a
majority of the Trustees setting forth such establishment and
designation and the relative rights and preferences of the Shares of
such Series. A Series may issue any number of Shares and need not
issue shares. At any time that there are no Shares outstanding of any
particular Series previously established and designated, the Trustees
may by a majority vote abolish that Series and the establishment and
designation thereof.
All references to Shares in this Trust Instrument shall be deemed to
be Shares of any or all Series, or classes thereof, as the context may
require. All provisions herein relating to the Trust shall apply
equally to each Series of the Trust, and each class thereof, except as
the context otherwise requires.
Each Share of a Series of the Trust shall represent an equal
beneficial interest in the net assets of such Series. Each holder of
Shares of a Series shall be entitled to receive his pro rata share of
distributions of income and capital gains, if any, made with respect
to such Series. Upon redemption of his Shares, such Shareholder shall
be paid solely out of the funds and property of such Series of the
Trust.
INVESTMENT IN THE TRUST
Section 2.07. The Trustees shall accept investments in any Series of
the Trust from such persons and on such terms as they may from time to
time authorize. At the Trustees' discretion, such investments,
subject to applicable law, may be in the form of cash or securities in
which the affected Series is authorized to invest, valued as provided
in Article IX, Section 9.03 hereof. Investments in a Series shall be
credited to each Shareholder's account in the form of full Shares at
the Net Asset Value per Share next determined after the investment is
received; provided, however, that the Trustees may, in their sole
discretion, (a) fix the Net Asset Value per Share of the initial
capital contribution, (b) impose a sales charge upon investments in
the Trust in such manner and at such time determined by the Trustees
or (c) issue fractional Shares.
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF SERIES
Section 2.08. All consideration received by the Trust for the issue
or sale of Shares of a particular Series, together with all assets in
which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income,
earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds
derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any
funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in
whatever form the same may be, shall be held and accounted for
separately from the other assets of the Trust and of every other
Series and may be referred to herein as "assets belonging to" that
Series. The assets belonging to a particular Series shall belong to
that Series for all purposes, and to no other Series, subject only to
the rights of creditors of that Series. In addition, any assets,
income, earnings, profits or funds, or payments and proceeds with
respect thereto, which are not readily identifiable as belonging to
any particular Series shall be allocated by the Trustees between and
among one or more of the Series in such manner as the Trustees, in
their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable. Each such allocation
shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series
for all purposes, and such assets, income, earnings, profits or funds,
or payments and proceeds with respect thereto shall be assets
belonging to that Series. The assets belonging to a particular Series
shall be so recorded upon the books of the Trust, and shall be held by
the Trustees in trust for the benefit of the holders of Shares of that
Series. The assets belonging to each particular Series shall be
charged with the liabilities of that Series and all expenses, costs,
charges and reserves attributable to that Series. Any general
liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the Trust which
are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Series
shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees between or among any
one or more of the Series in such manner as the Trustees in their sole
discretion deem fair and equitable. Each such allocation shall be
conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all
purposes. Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this
Section 2.08, but subject to the right of the Trustees in their
discretion to allocate general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges
or reserves as herein provided, the debts, liabilities, obligations
and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with
respect to a particular Series shall be enforceable against the assets
of such Series only, and not against the assets of the Trust
generally. Notice of this limitation on inter-Series liabilities may,
in the Trustee's sole discretion, be set forth in the certificate of
trust of the Trust (whether originally or by amendment) as filed or to
be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware pursuant to the Delaware Act, and upon the giving of such
notice in the certificate of trust, the statutory provisions of
Section 3804 of the Delaware Act relating to limitations on
inter-Series liabilities (and the statutory effect under Section 3804
of setting forth such notice in the certificate of trust) shall become
applicable to the Trust and each Series. Any person extending credit
to, contracting with or having any claim against any Series may look
only to the assets of that Series to satisfy or enforce any debt,
liability, obligation or expense incurred, contracted for or otherwise
existing with respect to that Series. No Shareholder or former
Shareholder of any Series shall have a claim on or any right to any
assets allocated or belonging to any other Series.
NO PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
Section 2.09. Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other right
to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by
the Trust or the Trustees, whether of the same or other Series.
PERSONAL LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section 2.10. Each Shareholder of the Trust and of each Series shall
not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, obligations and
expenses incurred by, contracted for, or otherwise existing with
respect to, the Trust or by or on behalf of any Series. The Trustees
shall have no power to bind any Shareholder personally or to call upon
any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment
whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time
personally agree to pay by way of subscription for any Shares or
otherwise. Every note, bond, contract or other undertaking issued by
or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees relating to the Trust or to
a Series shall include a recitation limiting the obligation
represented thereby to the Trust or to one or more Series and its or
their assets (but the omission of such a recitation shall not operate
to bind any Shareholder or Trustee of the Trust).
ASSENT TO TRUST INSTRUMENT
Section 2.11. Every Shareholder, by virtue of having purchased a
Share shall become a Shareholder and shall be held to have expressly
assented and agreed to be bound by the terms hereof.
ARTICLE III
THE TRUSTEES
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
Section 3.01. The Trustees shall have exclusive and absolute control
over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust to the same
extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust Property
and business in their own right, but with such powers of delegation as
may be permitted by this Trust Instrument. The Trustees shall have
power to conduct the business of the Trust and carry on its operations
in any and all of its branches and maintain offices both within and
without the State of Delaware, in any and all states of the United
States of America, in the District of Columbia, in any and all
commonwealths, territories, dependencies, colonies, or possessions of
the United States of America, and in any foreign jurisdiction and to
do all such other things and execute all such instruments as they deem
necessary, proper or desirable in order to promote the interests of
the Trust although such things are not herein specifically mentioned.
Any determination as to what is in the interests of the Trust made by
the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive. In construing the
provisions of this Trust Instrument, the presumption shall be in favor
of a grant of power to the Trustees.
The enumeration of any specific power in this Trust Instrument shall
not be construed as limiting the aforesaid power. The powers of the
Trustees may be exercised without order of or resort to any court.
Except for the Trustees named herein or appointed to fill vacancies
pursuant to Section 3.04 of this Article III, the Trustees shall be
elected by the Shareholders owning of record a plurality of the Shares
voting at a meeting of Shareholders. Such a meeting shall be held on
a date fixed by the Trustees. In the event that less than a majority
of the Trustees holding office have been elected by Shareholders, the
Trustees then in office will call a Shareholders' meeting for the
election of Trustees.
INITIAL TRUSTEES
Section 3.02. The initial Trustees shall be the persons named
herein. On a date fixed by the Trustees, the Shareholders shall elect
at least three but not more than twelve Trustees, as specified by the
Trustees pursuant to Section 3.06 of this Article III.
TERM OF OFFICE OF TRUSTEES
Section 3.03. The Trustees shall hold office during the lifetime of
this Trust, and until its termination as herein provided; except (a)
that any Trustee may resign his trust by written instrument signed by
him and delivered to the other Trustees, which shall take effect upon
such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; (b)
that any Trustee may be removed at any time by written instrument,
signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such
removal, specifying the date when such removal shall become effective;
(c) that any Trustee who requests in writing to be retired or who has
died, become physically or mentally incapacitated by reason of disease
or otherwise, or is otherwise unable to serve, may be retired by
written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees,
specifying the date of his retirement; and (d) that a Trustee may be
removed at any meeting of the Shareholders of the Trust by a vote of
Shareholders owning at least two-thirds of the outstanding Shares.
VACANCIES AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES
Section 3.04. In case of the declination to serve, death,
resignation, retirement, removal, physical or mental incapacity by
reason of disease or otherwise, or a Trustee is otherwise unable to
serve, or an increase in the number of Trustees, a vacancy shall
occur. Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Trustees shall occur, until
such vacancy is filled, the other Trustees shall have all the powers
hereunder and the certificate of the other Trustees of such vacancy
shall be conclusive. In the case of an existing vacancy, the
remaining Trustees shall fill such vacancy by appointing such other
person as they in their discretion shall see fit consistent with the
limitations under the 1940 Act. Such appointment shall be evidenced
by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees in office
or by resolution of the Trustees, duly adopted, which shall be
recorded in the minutes of a meeting of the Trustees, whereupon the
appointment shall take effect.
An appointment of a Trustee may be made by the Trustees then in office
in anticipation of a vacancy to occur by reason of retirement,
resignation or increase in number of Trustees effective at a later
date, provided that said appointment shall become effective only at or
after the effective date of said retirement, resignation or increase
in number of Trustees. As soon as any Trustee appointed pursuant to
this Section 3.04 shall have accepted this trust, or at such date as
may be specified in the acceptance whenever made, the trust estate
shall vest in the new Trustee or Trustees, together with the
continuing Trustees, without any further act or conveyance, and he
shall be deemed a Trustee hereunder. The power to appoint a Trustee
pursuant to this Section 3.04 is subject to the provisions of Section
16(a) of the 1940 Act.
TEMPORARY ABSENCE OF TRUSTEE
Section 3.05. Any Trustee may, by power of attorney, delegate his
power for a period not exceeding six months at any one time to any
other Trustee or Trustees, provided that in no case shall less than
two Trustees personally exercise the other powers hereunder except as
herein otherwise expressly provided.
NUMBER OF TRUSTEES
Section 3.06. The number of Trustees shall be at least three, and
thereafter shall be such number as shall be fixed from time to time by
a majority of the Trustees, provided, however, that the number of
Trustees shall in no event be more than twelve (12).
EFFECT OF DEATH, RESIGNATION, ETC. OF A TRUSTEE
Section 3.07. The declination to serve, death, resignation,
retirement, removal, incapacity, or inability of the Trustees, or any
one of them, shall not operate to terminate the Trust or to revoke any
existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Trust
Instrument.
OWNERSHIP OF ASSETS OF THE TRUST
Section 3.08. The assets of the Trust and of each Series shall be
held separate and apart from any assets now or hereafter held in any
capacity other than as Trustee hereunder by the Trustees or any
successor Trustees. Legal title in all of the assets of the Trust and
the right to conduct any business shall at all times be considered as
vested in the Trustees on behalf of the Trust, except that the
Trustees may cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by, or
in the name of the Trust, or in the name of any person as nominee. No
Shareholder shall be deemed to have a severable ownership in any
individual asset of the Trust or of any Series or any right of
partition or possession thereof, but each Shareholder shall have,
except as otherwise provided for herein, a proportionate undivided
beneficial interest in the Trust or Series. The Shares shall be
personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth in
this Trust Instrument.
ARTICLE IV
POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES
POWERS
Section 4.01. 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 in any way be bound
or limited by present or future laws or customs in regard to trust
investments, but shall have full authority and power to make any and
all investments which they, in their sole discretion, shall deem
proper to accomplish the purpose of this Trust without recourse to any
court or other authority. Subject to any applicable limitation in
this Trust Instrument or the Bylaws of the Trust, the Trustees shall
have power and authority:
(a) To invest and reinvest cash and other property, and to hold cash
or other property uninvested, without in any event being bound or
limited by any present or future law or custom in regard to
investments by trustees, and to sell, exchange, lend, pledge,
mortgage, hypothecate, write options on and lease any or all of the
assets of the Trust;
(b) To operate as and carry on the business of an investment company,
and exercise all the powers necessary and appropriate to the conduct
of such operations;
(c) To borrow money and in this connection issue notes or other
evidence of indebtedness; to secure borrowings by mortgaging, pledging
or otherwise subjecting as security the Trust Property; to endorse,
guarantee, or undertake the performance of an obligation or engagement
of any other Person and to lend Trust Property;
(d) To provide for the distribution of interests of the Trust either
through a principal underwriter in the manner hereinafter provided for
or by the Trust itself, or both, or otherwise pursuant to a plan of
distribution of any kind;
(e) To adopt Bylaws not inconsistent with this Trust Instrument
providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend
and repeal them to the extent that they do not reserve that right to
the Shareholders; such Bylaws shall be deemed incorporated and
included in this Trust Instrument;
(f) To elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such
agents as they consider appropriate;
(g) To employ one or more banks, trust companies or companies that
are members of a national securities exchange or such other entities
as the Commission may permit as custodians of any assets of the Trust
subject to any conditions set forth in this Trust Instrument or in the
Bylaws;
(h) To retain one or more transfer agents and shareholder servicing
agents, or both;
(i) To set record dates in the manner provided herein or in the
Bylaws;
(j) To delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any
officers of the Trust and to any investment adviser, manager,
custodian, underwriter or other agent or independent contractor;
(k) To sell or exchange any or all of the assets of the Trust,
subject to the provisions of Article XI, Section 11.04(b) hereof;
(l) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with
respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and
deliver powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees
shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and
discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustees
shall deem proper;
(m) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which
in any manner arise out of ownership of securities;
(n) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any
trust, whether in bearer, book entry, unregistered or other negotiable
form; or either in the name of the Trust or in the name of a custodian
or a nominee or nominees, subject in either case to proper safeguards
according to the usual practice of Delaware business trusts or
investment companies;
(o) To establish separate and distinct Series with separately defined
investment objectives and policies and distinct investment purposes in
accordance with the provisions of Article II hereof and to establish
classes of such Series having relative rights, powers and duties as
they may provide consistent with applicable law;
(p) Subject to the provisions of Section 3804 of the Delaware Act, to
allocate assets, liabilities and expenses of the Trust to a particular
Series or to apportion the same between or among two or more Series,
provided that any liabilities or expenses incurred by a particular
Series shall be payable solely out of the assets belonging to that
Series as provided for in Article II hereof;
(q) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization,
consolidation or merger of any corporation or concern, any security of
which is held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease,
mortgage, purchase, or sale of property by such corporation or
concern, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any
security held in the Trust;
(r) To compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of
or against the Trust or any matter in controversy including, but not
limited to, claims for taxes;
(s) To make distributions of income and of capital gains to
Shareholders in the manner hereinafter provided;
(t) To establish, from time to time, a minimum investment for
Shareholders in the Trust or in one or more Series or class, and to
require the redemption of the Shares of any Shareholders whose
investment is less than such minimum upon giving notice to such
Shareholder;
(u) To establish one or more committees, to delegate any of the
powers of the Trustees to said committees and to adopt a committee
charter providing for such responsibilities, membership (including
Trustees, officers or other agents of the Trust therein) and any other
characteristics of said committees as the Trustees may deem proper.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article IV, and in addition to
such provisions or any other provision of this Trust Instrument or of
the Bylaws, the Trustees may by resolution appoint a committee
consisting of less than the whole number of Trustees then in office,
which committee may be empowered to act for and bind the Trustees and
the Trust, as if the acts of such committee were the acts of all the
Trustees then in office, with respect to the institution, prosecution,
dismissal, settlement, review or investigation of any action, suit or
proceeding which shall be pending or threatened to be brought before
any court, administrative agency or other adjudicatory body;
(v) To interpret the investment policies, practices or limitations of
any Series;
(w) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, to invest all of the
assets of any series in a single open-end investment company,
including investment by means of a transfer of such assets in an
exchange for an interest or interests in such investment company;
(x) To establish a registered office and have a registered agent in
the state of Delaware; and
(y) In general to carry on any other business in connection with or
incidental to any of the foregoing powers, to do everything necessary,
suitable or proper for the accomplishment of any purpose or the
attainment of any object or the furtherance of any power hereinbefore
set forth, either alone or in association with others, and to do every
other act or thing incidental or appurtenant to or growing out of or
connected with the aforesaid business or purposes, objects or powers.
The foregoing clauses shall be construed both as objects and powers,
and the foregoing enumeration of specific powers shall not be held to
limit or restrict in any manner the general powers of the Trustees.
Any action by one or more of the Trustees in their capacity as such
hereunder shall be deemed an action on behalf of the Trust or the
applicable Series, and not an action in an individual capacity.
The Trustees shall not be limited to investing in obligations
maturing before the possible termination of the Trust.
No one dealing with the Trustees shall be under any obligation to
make any inquiry concerning the authority of the Trustees, or to see
to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the
Trustees or upon their order.
ISSUANCE AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES
Section 4.02. The Trustees shall have the power to issue, sell,
repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell, reissue,
dispose of, and otherwise deal in Shares and, subject to the
provisions set forth in Article II and Article IX, to apply to any
such repurchase, redemption, retirement, cancellation or acquisition
of Shares any funds or property of the Trust, or the particular Series
of the Trust, with respect to which such Shares are issued.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS AS SHAREHOLDERS
Section 4.03. Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust may
acquire, own and dispose of Shares to the same extent as if he were
not a Trustee, officer or agent; and the Trustees may issue and sell
or cause to be issued and sold Shares to and buy such Shares from any
such person or any firm or company in which he is interested, subject
only to the general limitations herein contained as to the sale and
purchase of such Shares; and all subject to any restrictions which may
be contained in the Bylaws.
ACTION BY THE TRUSTEES
Section 4.04. The Trustees shall act by majority vote at a meeting
duly called or by unanimous written consent without a meeting or by
telephone meeting provided a quorum of Trustees participate in any
such telephone meeting, unless the 1940 Act requires that a particular
action be taken only at a meeting at which the Trustees are present in
person. At any meeting of the Trustees, a majority of the Trustees
shall constitute a quorum. Meetings of the Trustees may be called
orally or in writing by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees or by
any two other Trustees. Notice of the time, date and place of all
meetings of the Trustees shall be given by the party calling the
meeting to each Trustee by telephone, telefax, or telegram sent to his
home or business address at least twenty-four hours in advance of the
meeting or by written notice mailed to his home or business address at
least seventy-two hours in advance of the meeting. Notice need not be
given to any Trustee who attends the meeting without objecting to the
lack of notice or who executes a written waiver of notice with respect
to the meeting. Any meeting conducted by telephone shall be deemed to
take place at the principal office of the Trust, as determined by the
Bylaws or by the Trustees. Subject to the requirements of the 1940
Act, the Trustees by majority vote may delegate to any one or more of
their number their authority to approve particular matters or take
particular actions on behalf of the Trust. Written consents or
waivers of the Trustees may be executed in one or more counterparts.
Execution of a written consent or waiver and delivery thereof to the
Trust may be accomplished by telefax.
CHAIRMAN OF THE TRUSTEES
Section 4.05. The Trustees shall appoint one of their number to be
Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The Chairman shall preside at all
meetings of the Trustees, shall be responsible for the execution of
policies established by the Trustees and the administration of the
Trust, and may be (but is not required to be) the chief executive,
financial and/or accounting officer of the Trust.
PRINCIPAL TRANSACTIONS
Section 4.06. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, the
Trustees may, on behalf of the Trust, buy any securities from or sell
any securities to, or lend any assets of the Trust to, any Trustee or
officer of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee or officer
is a member acting as principal, or have any such dealings with any
investment adviser, distributor or transfer agent for the Trust or
with any Interested Person of such person; and the Trust may employ
any such person, or firm or company in which such person is an
Interested Person, as broker, legal counsel, registrar, investment
adviser, distributor, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent,
custodian or in any other capacity upon customary terms.
ARTICLE V
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
TRUSTEE REIMBURSEMENT
Section 5.01. Subject to the provisions of Article II, Section 2.08
hereof, the Trustees shall be reimbursed from the Trust estate or the
assets belonging to the appropriate Series for their expenses and
disbursements, including, without limitation, fees and expenses of
Trustees who are not Interested Persons of the Trust, interest
expense, taxes, fees and commissions of every kind, expenses of
pricing Trust portfolio securities, expenses of issue, repurchase and
redemption of shares, including expenses attributable to a program of
periodic repurchases or redemptions, expenses of registering and
qualifying the Trust and its Shares under Federal and State laws and
regulations or under the laws of any foreign jurisdiction, charges of
third parties, including investment advisers, managers, custodians,
transfer agents, portfolio accounting and/or pricing agents, and
registrars, expenses of preparing and setting up in type prospectuses
and statements of additional information and other related Trust
documents, expenses of printing and distributing prospectuses sent to
existing Shareholders, auditing and legal expenses, reports to
Shareholders, expenses of meetings of Shareholders and proxy
solicitations therefor, insurance expenses, association membership
dues and for such non-recurring items as may arise, including
litigation to which the Trust (or a Trustee acting as such) is a
party, and for all losses and liabilities by them incurred in
administering the Trust, and for the payment of such expenses,
disbursements, losses and liabilities the Trustees shall have a lien
on the assets belonging to the appropriate Series, or in the case of
an expense allocable to more than one Series, on the assets of each
such Series, prior to any rights or interests of the Shareholders
thereto. This section shall not preclude the Trust from directly
paying any of the aforementioned fees and expenses.
ARTICLE VI
INVESTMENT ADVISER, PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER AND TRANSFER AGENT
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Section 6.01. The Trustees may in their discretion, from time to
time, enter into an investment advisory or management contract or
contracts with respect to the Trust or any Series whereby the other
party or parties to such contract or contracts shall undertake to
furnish the Trustees with such management, investment advisory,
statistical and research facilities and services and such other
facilities and services, if any, and all upon such terms and
conditions, as the Trustees may in their discretion determine;
provided, however, that the initial approval and entering into of such
contract or contracts shall be subject to a Majority Shareholder Vote.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Trust Instrument, the
Trustees may authorize any investment adviser (subject to such general
or specific instructions as the Trustees may from time to time adopt)
to effect purchases, sales or exchanges of portfolio securities, other
investment instruments of the Trust, or other Trust Property on behalf
of the Trustees, or may authorize any officer, agent, or Trustee to
effect such purchases, sales or exchanges pursuant to recommendations
of the investment adviser (and all without further action by the
Trustees). Any such purchases, sales and exchanges shall be deemed to
have been authorized by all of the Trustees.
The Trustees may authorize, subject to applicable requirements of the
1940 Act, including those relating to Shareholder approval, the
investment adviser to employ, from time to time, one or more
sub-advisers to perform such of the acts and services of the
investment adviser, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be
agreed upon between the investment adviser and sub-adviser. Any
reference in this Trust Instrument to the investment adviser shall be
deemed to include such sub-advisers, unless the context otherwise
requires.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
Section 6.02. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time
enter into an exclusive or non-exclusive underwriting contract or
contracts providing for the sale of Shares, whereby the Trust may
either agree to sell Shares to the other party to the contract or
appoint such other party its sales agent for such Shares. In either
case, the contract shall be on such terms and conditions, if any, as
may be prescribed in the Bylaws, and such further terms and conditions
as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Article VI, or of the Bylaws; and such
contract may also provide for the repurchase or sale of Shares by such
other party as principal or as agent of the Trust.
TRANSFER AGENT
Section 6.03. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time
enter into one or more transfer agency and Shareholder service
contracts whereby the other party or parties shall undertake to
furnish the Trustees with transfer agency and Shareholder services.
The contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the
Trustees may in their discretion determine not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Trust Instrument or of the Bylaws.
PARTIES TO CONTRACT
Section 6.04. Any contract of the character described in Sections
6.01, 6.02 and 6.03 of this Article VI or any contract of the
character described in Article VIII hereof may be entered into with
any corporation, firm, partnership, trust or association, although one
or more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer,
director, trustee, shareholder, or member of such other party to the
contract, and no such contract shall be invalidated or rendered void
or voidable by reason of the existence of any relationship, nor shall
any person holding such relationship be disqualified from voting on or
executing the same in his capacity as Shareholder and/or Trustee, nor
shall any person holding such relationship be liable merely by reason
of such relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust under or by
reason of said contract or accountable for any profit realized
directly or indirectly therefrom, provided that the contract when
entered into was not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article
VI or Article VIII hereof or of the Bylaws. The same person
(including a firm, corporation, partnership, trust, or association)
may be the other party to contracts entered into pursuant to Sections
6.01, 6.02 and 6.03 of this Article VI or pursuant to Article VIII
hereof, and any individual may be financially interested or otherwise
affiliated with persons who are parties to any or all of the contracts
mentioned in this Section 6.04.
PROVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS
Section 6.05. Any contract entered into pursuant to Sections 6.01 or
6.02 of this Article VI shall be consistent with and subject to the
requirements of Section 15 of the 1940 Act or other applicable Act of
Congress hereafter enacted with respect to its continuance in effect,
its termination, and the method of authorization and approval of such
contract or renewal thereof, and no amendment to any contract, entered
into pursuant to Section 6.01 of this Article VI shall be effective
unless assented to in a manner consistent with the requirements of
said Section 15, as modified by any applicable rule, regulation or
order of the Commission.
ARTICLE VII
SHAREHOLDERS' VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
VOTING POWERS
Section 7.01. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only (i) for
the election of Trustees as provided in Article III, Sections 3.01 and
3.02 hereof, (ii) for the removal of Trustees as provided in Article
III, Section 3.03(d) hereof, (iii) with respect to any investment
advisory or management contract as provided in Article VI, Sections
6.01 and 6.05 hereof, and (iv) with respect to such additional matters
relating to the Trust as may be required by law, by this Trust
Instrument, or the Bylaws or any registration of the Trust with the
Commission or any State, or as the Trustees may consider desirable.
On any matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, all Shares
shall be voted separately by individual Series, except (i) when
required by the 1940 Act, Shares shall be voted in the aggregate and
not by individual Series; and (ii) when the Trustees have determined
that the matter affects the interests of more than one Series, then
the Shareholders of all such Series shall be entitled to vote thereon.
The Trustees may also determine that a matter affects only the
interests of one or more classes of a Series, in which case any such
matter shall be voted on by such class or classes. A shareholder of
each Series shall be entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset
value (number of shares owned times net asset value per share) of such
Series on any matter on which such shareholder is entitled to vote and
each fractional dollar amount shall be entitled to a proportionate
fractional vote. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election
of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy or in any
manner provided for in the Bylaws. A proxy may be given in writing.
The Bylaws may provide that proxies may also, or may instead, be given
by any electronic or telecommunications device or in any other manner.
Notwithstanding anything else herein or in the Bylaws, in the event a
proposal by anyone other than the officers or Trustees of the Trust is
submitted to a vote of the Shareholders of one or more Series or of
the Trust, or in the event of any proxy contest or proxy solicitation
or proposal in opposition to any proposal by the officers or Trustees
of the Trust, Shares may be voted only in person or by written proxy.
Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of
Shareholders and may take any action required or permitted by law,
this Trust Instrument or any of the Bylaws of the Trust to be taken by
Shareholders.
MEETINGS
Section 7.02. The first Shareholders' meeting shall be held in order
to elect Trustees as specified in Section 3.02 of Article III hereof
at the principal office of the Trust or such other place as the
Trustees may designate. Meetings may be held within or without the
State of Delaware. Special meetings of the Shareholders of any Series
may be called by the Trustees and shall be called by the Trustees upon
the written request of Shareholders owning at least one-tenth of the
Outstanding Shares entitled to vote. Whenever ten or more
Shareholders meeting the qualifications set forth in Section 16(c) of
the 1940 Act, as the same may be amended from time to time, seek the
opportunity of furnishing materials to the other Shareholders with a
view to obtaining signatures on such a request for a meeting, the
Trustees shall comply with the provisions of said Section 16(c) with
respect to providing such Shareholders access to the list of the
Shareholders of record of the Trust or the mailing of such materials
to such Shareholders of record, subject to any rights provided to the
Trust or any Trustees provided by said Section 16(c). Notice shall be
sent, by First Class Mail or such other means determined by the
Trustees, at least 15 days prior to any such meeting.
QUORUM AND REQUIRED VOTE
Section 7.03. One-third of Shares entitled to vote in person or by
proxy shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at a
Shareholders' meeting, except that where any provision of law or of
this Trust Instrument permits or requires that holders of any Series
shall vote as a Series (or that holders of a class shall vote as a
class), then one-third of the aggregate number of Shares of that
Series (or that class) entitled to vote shall be necessary to
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that Series (or
that class). Any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments.
Any adjourned session or sessions may be held, within a reasonable
time after the date set for the original meeting, without the
necessity of further notice. Except when a larger vote is required by
law or by any provision of this Trust Instrument or the Bylaws, a
majority of the Shares voted in person or by proxy shall decide any
questions and a plurality shall elect a Trustee, provided that where
any provision of law or of this Trust Instrument permits or requires
that the holders of any Series shall vote as a Series (or that the
holders of any class shall vote as a class), then a majority of the
Shares present in person or by proxy of that Series or, if required by
law, a Majority Shareholder Vote of that Series (or class), voted on
the matter in person or by proxy shall decide that matter insofar as
that Series (or class) is concerned. Shareholders may act by
unanimous written consent. Actions taken by Series (or class) may be
consented to unanimously in writing by Shareholders of that Series.
DERIVATIVE ACTIONS
Section 7.04. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3816 of the
Delaware Act, all matters relating to the bringing of derivative
actions in the right of the Trust shall be governed by the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to derivative
actions, and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were
a Delaware corporation and the Shareholders were shareholders of a
Delaware corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
CUSTODIAN
APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES
Section 8.01. The Trustees shall at all times employ a bank, a
company that is a member of a national securities exchange, or a trust
company, each having capital, surplus and undivided profits of at
least two million dollars ($2,000,000) as custodian with authority as
its agent, but subject to such restrictions, limitations and other
requirements, if any, as may be contained in the Bylaws of the Trust:
(1) to hold the securities owned by the Trust and deliver the same
upon written order or oral order confirmed in
writing;
(2) to receive and receipt for any moneys due to the Trust and
deposit the same in its own banking department or
elsewhere as the Trustees may direct; and
(3) to disburse such funds upon orders or vouchers;
and the Trust may also employ such custodian as its agent:
(4) to keep the books and accounts of the Trust or of any Series or
class and furnish clerical and accounting services;
and
(5) to compute, if authorized to do so by the Trustees, the Net Asset
Value of any Series, or class thereof, in
accordance with the provisions hereof;
all upon such basis of compensation as may be agreed upon between the
Trustees and the custodian.
The Trustees may also authorize the custodian to employ one or more
sub-custodians from time to time to perform such of the acts and
services of the custodian, and upon such terms and conditions, as may
be agreed upon between the custodian and such sub-custodian and
approved by the Trustees, provided that in every case such
sub-custodian shall be a bank, a company that is a member of a
national securities exchange, or a trust company organized under the
laws of the United States or one of the states thereof and having
capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least two million dollars
($2,000,000) or such other person as may be permitted by the
Commission, or otherwise in accordance with the 1940 Act.
CENTRAL CERTIFICATE SYSTEM
Section 8.02. Subject to such rules, regulations and orders as the
Commission may adopt, the Trustees may direct the custodian to deposit
all or any part of the securities owned by the Trust in a system for
the central handling of securities established by a national
securities exchange or a national securities association registered
with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or such other person as may be permitted by the Commission,
or otherwise in accordance with the 1940 Act, pursuant to which system
all securities of any particular class or series of any issuer
deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be
transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery
of such securities, provided that all such deposits shall be subject
to withdrawal only upon the order of the Trust or its custodians,
subcustodians or other agents.
ARTICLE IX
DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 9.01.
(a) The Trustees may from time to time declare and pay dividends or
other distributions with respect to any Series. The amount of such
dividends or distributions and the payment of them and whether they
are in cash or any other Trust Property shall be wholly in the
discretion of the Trustees.
(b) Dividends and other distributions may be paid or made to the
Shareholders of record at the time of declaring a dividend or other
distribution or among the Shareholders of record at such other date or
time or dates or times as the Trustees shall determine, which
dividends or distributions, at the election of the Trustees, may be
paid pursuant to a standing resolution or resolutions adopted only
once or with such frequency as the Trustees may determine. The
Trustees may adopt and offer to Shareholders such dividend
reinvestment plans, cash dividend payout plans or related plans as the
Trustees shall deem appropriate.
(c) Anything in this Trust Instrument to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Trustees may at any time declare and distribute a
stock dividend pro rata among the Shareholders of a particular Series,
or class thereof, as of the record date of that Series fixed as
provided in Section (b) hereof.
REDEMPTIONS
Section 9.02. In case any holder of record of Shares of a particular
Series desires to dispose of his Shares or any portion thereof, he may
deposit at the office of the transfer agent or other authorized agent
of that Series a written request or such other form of request as the
Trustees may from time to time authorize, requesting that the Series
purchase the Shares in accordance with this Section 9.02; and the
Shareholder so requesting shall be entitled to require the Series to
purchase, and the Series or the principal underwriter of the Series
shall purchase his said Xxxxxx, but only at the Net Asset Value
thereof (as described in Section 9.03 of this Article IX). The Series
shall make payment for any such Shares to be redeemed, as aforesaid,
in cash or property from the assets of that Series and payment for
such Shares shall be made by the Series or the principal underwriter
of the Series to the Shareholder of record within seven (7) days after
the date upon which the request is effective. Upon redemption, shares
shall become Treasury shares and may be re-issued from time to time.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND VALUATION OF PORTFOLIO ASSETS
Section 9.03. The term "Net Asset Value" of any Series shall mean
that amount by which the assets of that Series exceed its liabilities,
all as determined by or under the direction of the Trustees. Such
value shall be determined separately for each Series and shall be
determined on such days and at such times as the Trustees may
determine. Such determination shall be made with respect to
securities for which market quotations are readily available, at the
market value of such securities; and with respect to other securities
and assets, at the fair value as determined in good faith by the
Trustees; provided, however, that the Trustees, without Shareholder
approval, may alter the method of valuing portfolio securities insofar
as permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules, regulations and
interpretations thereof promulgated or issued by the Commission or
insofar as permitted by any Order of the Commission applicable to the
Series. The Trustees may delegate any of their powers and duties
under this Section 9.03 with respect to valuation of assets and
liabilities. The resulting amount, which shall represent the total
Net Asset Value of the particular Series, shall be divided by the
total number of shares of that Series outstanding at the time and the
quotient so obtained shall be the Net Asset Value per Share of that
Series. At any time, the Trustees may cause the Net Asset Value per
Share last determined to be determined again in similar manner and may
fix the time when such redetermined value shall become effective. If,
for any reason, the net income of any Series, determined at any time,
is a negative amount, the Trustees shall have the power with respect
to that Series (i) to offset each Shareholder's pro rata share of such
negative amount from the accrued dividend account of such Shareholder,
or (ii) to reduce the number of Outstanding Shares of such Series by
reducing the number of Shares in the account of each Shareholder by a
pro rata portion of that number of full and fractional Shares which
represents the amount of such excess negative net income, or (iii) to
cause to be recorded on the books of such Series an asset account in
the amount of such negative net income (provided that the same shall
thereupon become the property of such Series with respect to such
Series and shall not be paid to any Shareholder), which account may be
reduced by the amount, of dividends declared thereafter upon the
Outstanding Shares of such Series on the day such negative net income
is experienced, until such asset account is reduced to zero; (iv) to
combine the methods described in clauses (i) and (ii) and (iii) of
this sentence; or (v) to take any other action they deem appropriate,
in order to cause (or in order to assist in causing) the Net Asset
Value per Share of such Series to remain at a constant amount per
Outstanding Share immediately after each such determination and
declaration. The Trustees shall also have the power not to declare a
dividend out of net income for the purpose of causing the Net Asset
Value per Share to be increased. The Trustees shall not be required
to adopt, but may at any time adopt, discontinue or amend the practice
of maintaining the Net Asset Value per Share of the Series at a
constant amount.
SUSPENSION OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION
Section 9.04. The Trustees may declare a suspension of the right of
redemption or postpone the date of payment as permitted under the 1940
Act. Such suspension shall take effect at such time as the Trustees
shall specify but not later than the close of business on the business
day next following the declaration of suspension, and thereafter there
shall be no right of redemption or payment until the Trustees shall
declare the suspension at an end. In the case of a suspension of the
right of redemption, a Shareholder may either withdraw his request for
redemption or receive payment based on the Net Asset Value per Share
next determined after the termination of the suspension. In the event
that any Series is divided into classes, the provisions of this
Section 9.03, to the extent applicable as determined in the discretion
of the Trustees and consistent with applicable law, may be equally
applied to each such class.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES IN ORDER TO QUALIFY AS REGULATED INVESTMENT
COMPANY
Section 9.05. If the Trustees shall, at any time and in good faith,
be of the opinion that direct or indirect ownership of Shares of any
Series has or may become concentrated in any Person to an extent which
would disqualify any Series as a regulated investment company under
the Internal Revenue Code, then the Trustees shall have the power (but
not the obligation) by lot or other means deemed equitable by them (i)
to call for redemption by any such person of a number, or principal
amount, of Shares sufficient to maintain or bring the direct or
indirect ownership of Shares into conformity with the requirements for
such qualification and (ii) to refuse to transfer or issue Shares to
any person whose acquisition of the Shares in question would result in
such disqualification. The redemption shall be effected at the
redemption price and in the manner provided in this Article IX.
The holders of Shares shall upon demand disclose to the Trustees in
writing such information with respect to direct and indirect ownership
of Shares as the Trustees deem necessary to comply with the provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code, or to comply with the requirements of
any other taxing authority.
ARTICLE X
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Section 10.01. Neither a Trustee nor an officer of the Trust when
acting in such capacity, shall be personally liable to any person
other than the Trust or a beneficial owner for any act, omission or
obligation of the Trust, any Trustee or any officer of the Trust.
Neither a Trustee nor an officer of the Trust shall be liable for any
act or omission or any conduct whatsoever in his capacity as Trustee
or officer of the Trust, provided that nothing contained herein or in
the Delaware Act shall protect any Trustee or any officer of the Trust
against any liability to the Trust or to Shareholders to which he
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved
in the conduct of the office of Trustee or Officer hereunder.
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 10.02.
(a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in Section
(b) below:
(i) every Person who is, or has been, a Trustee or officer of the
Trust (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person") shall be
indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law
against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid
by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in
which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his
being or having been a Trustee or officer and against amounts paid or
incurred by him in the settlement thereof;
(ii) the words "claim," "action," "suit," or "proceeding" shall
apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal or
other, including appeals), actual or threatened while in office or
thereafter, and the words "liability" and "expenses" shall include,
without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in
settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.
(b) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered
Person:
(i) who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which
the proceeding was brought (A) to be liable to the Trust or its
Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct
of his office or (B) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable
belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust; or
(ii) in the event of a settlement, unless there has been a
determination that such Trustee or officer did not engage in willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of his office,
(A) by the court or other body approving the settlement;
(B) by at least a majority of those Trustees who are neither
Interested Persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based
upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full
trial-type inquiry); or
(C) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a
review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type
inquiry);
provided, however, that any Shareholder may, by appropriate legal
proceedings, challenge any such determination by the Trustees or by
independent counsel.
(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured
against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall
not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered
Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person
who has ceased to be a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit
of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing
contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which
Trust personnel, other than Covered Persons, and other persons may be
entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
(d) Expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a
defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character
described in paragraph (a) of this Section 10.02 may be paid by the
Trust or Series from time to time prior to final disposition thereof
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person
that such amount will be paid over by him to the Trust or Series if it
is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification
under this Section 10.02; provided, however, that either (a) such
Covered Person shall have provided appropriate security for such
undertaking, (b) the Trust is insured against losses arising out of
any such advance payments or (c) either a majority of the Trustees who
are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the matter,
or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have
determined, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed
to a trial-type inquiry or full investigation), that there is reason
to believe that such Covered Person will be found entitled to
indemnification under this Section 10.02.
SHAREHOLDERS
Section 10.03. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of any
Series shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his
being or having been a Shareholder of such Series and not because of
his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or
former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other
legal representatives, or, in the case of a corporation or other
entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled
out of the assets belonging to the applicable Series to be held
harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising
from such liability. The Trust, on behalf of the affected Series,
shall, upon request by the Shareholder, assume the defense of any
claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the
Series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the Series.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
TRUST NOT A PARTNERSHIP
Section 11.01. It is hereby expressly declared that a trust and not
a partnership is created hereby. No Trustee hereunder shall have any
power to bind personally either the Trust's officers or any
Shareholder. All persons extending credit to, contracting with or
having any claim against the Trust or the Trustees shall look only to
the assets of the appropriate Series or (if the Trustees shall have
yet to have established Series) of the Trust for payment under such
credit, contract or claim; and neither the Shareholders nor the
Trustees, nor any of their agents, whether past, present or future,
shall be personally liable therefor. Nothing in this Trust Instrument
shall protect a Trustee against any liability to which the Trustee
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 hereunder.
TRUSTEE'S GOOD FAITH ACTION, EXPERT ADVICE, NO BOND OR SURETY
Section 11.02. The exercise by the Trustees or the officers of the
Trust of their powers and discretions hereunder in good faith and with
reasonable care under the circumstances then prevailing shall be
binding upon everyone interested. Subject to the provisions of
Article X hereof and to Section 11.01 of this Article XI, the Trustees
or the officers of the Trust shall not be liable for errors of
judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees and the officers of
the Trust may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to
the meaning and operation of this Trust Instrument, and subject to the
provisions of Article X hereof and Section 11.01 of this Article XI,
shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with
such advice or for failing to follow such advice. The Trustees and
the officers of the Trust shall not be required to give any bond as
such, nor any surety if a bond is obtained.
ESTABLISHMENT OF RECORD DATES
Section 11.03. The Trustees may close the Share transfer books of
the Trust for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the
date of any meeting of Shareholders, or the date for the payment of
any dividends or other distributions, or the date for the allotment of
rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of
Shares shall go into effect; or in lieu of closing the stock transfer
books as aforesaid, the Trustees may fix in advance a date, not
exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of
Shareholders, or the date for payment of any dividend or other
distribution, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date
when any change or conversion or exchange of Shares shall go into
effect, as a record date for the determination of the Shareholders
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting, or entitled
to receive payment of any such dividend or other distribution, or to
any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of
any such change, conversion or exchange of Shares, and in such case
such Shareholders and only such Shareholders as shall be Shareholders
of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of,
and to vote at, such meeting, or to receive payment of such dividend
or other distribution, or to receive such allotment or rights, or to
exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer
of any Shares on the books of the Trust after any such record date
fixed as aforesaid.
TERMINATION OF TRUST
Section 11.04.
(a) This Trust shall continue without limitation of time but subject
to the provisions of sub-section (b) of this Section 11.04.
(b) The Trustees may, subject to a Majority Shareholder Vote of each
Series affected by the matter or, if applicable, to a Majority
Shareholder Vote of the Trust, and subject to a vote of a majority of
the Trustees,
(i) sell and convey all or substantially all of the assets of the
Trust or any affected Series to another trust, partnership,
association or corporation, or to a separate series of shares thereof,
organized under the laws of any state which trust, partnership,
association or corporation is an open-end management investment
company as defined in the 1940 Act, or is a series thereof, for
adequate consideration which may include the assumption of all
outstanding obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or
contingent, of the Trust or any affected Series, and which may include
shares of beneficial interest, stock or other ownership interests of
such trust, partnership, association or corporation or of a series
thereof; or
(ii) at any time sell and convert into money all of the assets of the
Trust or any affected Series.
Upon making reasonable provision, in the determination of the
Trustees, for the payment of all such liabilities in either (i) or
(ii), by such assumption or otherwise, the Trustees shall distribute
the remaining proceeds or assets (as the case may be) of each Series
(or class) ratably among the holders of Shares of that Series then
outstanding.
(c) Upon completion of the distribution of the remaining proceeds or
the remaining assets as provided in sub-section (b), the Trust or any
affected Series shall terminate and the Trustees and the Trust shall
be discharged of any and all further liabilities and duties hereunder
and the right, title and interest of all parties with respect to the
Trust or Series shall be cancelled and discharged.
Upon termination of the Trust, following completion of winding up of
its business, the Trustees shall cause a certificate of cancellation
of the Trust's certificate of trust to be filed in accordance with the
Delaware Act, which certificate of cancellation may be signed by any
one Trustee.
REORGANIZATION
Section 11.05. (a) Notwithstanding anything else herein, the
Trustees, in order to change the form of organization of the Trust,
may, without prior Shareholder approval, (i) cause the Trust to merge
or consolidate with or into one or more trusts, partnerships (general
or limited), associations, limited liability companies or corporations
so long as the surviving or resulting entity is an open-end management
investment company under the 1940 Act, or is a series thereof, that
will succeed to or assume the Trust's registration under that Act and
which is formed, organized or existing under the laws of a state,
commonwealth possession or colony of the United States or (ii) cause
the Trust to incorporate under the laws of Delaware.
(b) The Trustees may, subject to a Majority Shareholder Vote of the
Trust, and subject to a vote of a majority of the Trustees, cause the
Trust to merge or consolidate with or into one or more trusts,
partnerships (general or limited), associations, limited liability
companies or corporations.
(c) Any agreement of merger or consolidation or certificate of merger
may be signed by a majority of Trustees and facsimile signatures
conveyed by electronic or telecommunication means shall be valid.
(d) Pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section
3815(f) of the Delaware Act, and notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Trust Instrument, an agreement of merger or
consolidation approved by the Trustees in accordance with paragraphs
(a) or (b) of this Section 11.05 may effect any amendment to the Trust
Instrument or effect the adoption of a new Trust Instrument of the
Trust if it is the surviving or resulting trust in the merger or
consolidation.
FILING OF COPIES, REFERENCES, HEADINGS
Section 11.06. The original or a copy of this Trust Instrument and
of each amendment hereof or Trust Instrument supplemental hereto shall
be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any
Shareholder. A supplemental trust instrument executed by any one
Trustee may be relied upon as a Supplement hereof. Anyone dealing
with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer or Trustee of
the Trust as to whether or not any such amendments or supplements have
been made and as to any matters in connection with the Trust
hereunder, and with the same effect as if it were the original, may
rely on a copy certified by an officer or Trustee of the Trust to be a
copy of this Trust Instrument or of any such amendment or supplemental
Trust Instrument. In this Trust Instrument or in any such amendment
or supplemental Trust Instrument, references to this Trust Instrument,
and all expressions like "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder," shall be
deemed to refer to this Trust Instrument as amended or affected by any
such supplemental Trust Instrument. All expressions like "his", "he"
and "him", shall be deemed to include the feminine and neuter, as well
as masculine, genders. Headings are placed herein for convenience of
reference only and in case of any conflict, the text of this Trust
Instrument, rather than the headings, shall control. This Trust
Instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which
shall be deemed an original.
APPLICABLE LAW
Section 11.07. The trust set forth in this instrument is made in the
State of Delaware, and the Trust and this Trust Instrument, and the
rights and obligations of the Trustees and Shareholders hereunder, are
to be governed by and construed and administered according to the
Delaware Act and the laws of said State; provided, however, that there
shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees or this Trust
Instrument (a) the provisions of Section 3540 of Title 12 of the
Delaware Code or (b) any provisions of the laws (statutory or common)
of the State of Delaware (other than the Delaware Act) pertaining to
trusts which relate to or regulate (i) the filing with any court or
governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of
trustee fees and charges, (ii) affirmative requirements to post bonds
for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (iii) the
necessity for obtaining court or other governmental approval
concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal
property, (iv) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers,
agents or employees of a trust, (v) the allocation of receipts and
expenditures to income 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 of trustees, which are inconsistent with the
limitations or liabilities or authorities and powers of the Trustees
set forth or referenced in this Trust Instrument. The Trust shall be
of the type commonly called a "business trust", and without limiting
the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are
ordinarily exercised by such a trust under Delaware law. The Trust
specifically reserves the right to exercise any of the powers or
privileges afforded to trusts or actions that may be engaged in by
trusts under the Delaware Act, and the absence of a specific reference
herein to any such power, privilege or action shall not imply that the
Trust may not exercise such power or privilege or take such actions.
AMENDMENTS
Section 11.08. Except as specifically provided herein, the Trustees
may, without shareholder vote, amend or otherwise supplement this
Trust Instrument by making an amendment, a Trust Instrument
supplemental hereto or an amended and restated Trust Instrument.
Shareholders shall have the right to vote (i) on any amendment which
would affect their right to vote granted in Section 7.01 of Article
VII hereof, (ii) on any amendment to this Section 11.08, (iii) on any
amendment as may be required by law or by the Trust's registration
statement filed with the Commission and (iv) on any amendment
submitted to them by the Trustees. Any amendment required or
permitted to be submitted to Shareholders which, as the Trustees
determine, shall affect the Shareholders of one or more Series shall
be authorized by vote of the Shareholders of each Series affected and
no vote of shareholders of a Series not affected shall be required.
Notwithstanding anything else herein, any amendment to Article 10
hereof shall not limit the rights to indemnification or insurance
provided therein with respect to action or omission of Covered Persons
prior to such amendment.
FISCAL YEAR
Section 11.09. The fiscal year of the Trust shall end on a specified
date as set forth in the Bylaws, provided, however, that the Trustees
may, without Shareholder approval, change the fiscal year of the
Trust.
USE OF THE WORD "FIDELITY"
Section 11.10. Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR") has
consented to, and granted a non-exclusive license for, the use by any
Series or by the Trust of the identifying word "Fidelity" or "Spartan"
in the name of any Series or of the Trust. Such consent is subject to
revocation by FMR in its discretion, if FMR or subsidiary or affiliate
thereof is not employed as the investment adviser of each Series of
the Trust. As between the Trust and FMR, FMR controls the use of the
name of the Trust insofar as such name contains the identifying word
"Fidelity" or "Spartan." FMR may, from time to time, use the
identifying word "Fidelity" or "Spartan" in other connections and for
other purposes, including, without limitation, in the names of other
investment companies, corporations or businesses which it may manage,
advise, sponsor or own or in which it may have a financial interest.
FMR may require the Trust or any Series thereof to cease using the
identifying word "Fidelity" or "Spartan" in the name of the Trust or
any Series thereof if the Trust or any Series thereof ceases to employ
FMR or a subsidiary or affiliate thereof as investment adviser.
PROVISIONS IN CONFLICT WITH LAW
Section 11.11. The provisions of this Trust Instrument are
severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of
counsel, that any of such provisions is in conflict with the 1940 Act,
the regulated investment company provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code or with other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting
provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of this
Trust Instrument; provided, however, that such determination shall not
affect any of the remaining provisions of this Trust Instrument or
render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such
determination. If any provision of this Trust Instrument shall be
held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such
jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provisions in any
other jurisdiction or any other provision of this Trust Instrument in
any jurisdiction.
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