Exhibit (a)
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
JUNE 17, 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I
The Trust
1.1 Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
ARTICLE II
Trustees
2.1 Number and Qualification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2 Term and Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.3 Resignation and Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.4 Vacancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.5 Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.6 Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ARTICLE III
Powers and Duties of Trustees
3.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.2 Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.3 Legal Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.4 Issuance and Repurchase of Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.5 Borrow Money or Utilize Leverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.6 Delegation; Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.7 Collection and Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.8 Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.9 By-Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.10 Miscellaneous Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.11 Further Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.12 Trustee Action by Written Consent . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
ARTICLE IV
Advisory, Management and Distribution Arrangements
4.1 Advisory and Management Arrangements . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.2 Distribution Arrangements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.3 Parties to Contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
ARTICLE V
Limitations of Liability
and Indemnification
5.1 No Personal Liability of Shareholders,
Trustees, etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.2 Mandatory Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5.3 No Bond Required of Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.4 No Duty of Investigation; Notice in
Trust Instruments, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.5 Reliance on Experts, etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.6 Indemnification of Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
ARTICLE VI
Shares of Beneficial Interest
6.1 Beneficial Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6.2 Other Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6.3 Rights of Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6.4 Trust Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6.5 Issuance of Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6.6 Register of Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6.7 Transfer Agent and Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.8 Transfer of Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.9 Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
ARTICLE VII
Custodians
7.1 Appointment and Duties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
7.2 Central Certificate System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
ARTICLE VIII
Redemption
8.1 Redemptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
8.2 Disclosure of Holding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
ARTICLE IX
Determination of Net Asset Value
Net Income and Distributions
9.1 Net Asset Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
9.2 Distributions to Shareholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
9.3 Power to Modify Foregoing Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . 25
ARTICLE X
Shareholders
10.1 Meetings of Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
10.2 Voting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
10.3 Notice of Meeting and Record Date . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
10.4 Quorum and Required Vote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
10.5 Proxies, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
10.6 Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
10.7 Inspection of Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
10.8 Shareholder Action by Written Consent . . . . . . . . . . 29
ARTICLE XI
Duration: Termination of Trust;
Amendment; Mergers, Etc.
11.1 Duration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
11.2 Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
11.3 Amendment Procedure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
11.4 Merger, Consolidation and
Sale of Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
11.5 Incorporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
11.6 Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
11.7 Certain Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous
12.1 Filing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
12.2 Resident Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
12.3 Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
12.4 Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
12.5 Reliance by Third Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
12.6 Provisions in Conflict with
Law or Regulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST made as
of the 17th day of June, 1999, by the Trustees hereunder, and by the holders
of shares of beneficial interest issued hereunder as hereinafter provided.
WHEREAS, this Trust has been formed to carry on business as set
forth more particularly hereinafter;
WHEREAS, this Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of
its shares of beneficial interest all in accordance with the provisions
hereinafter set forth;
WHEREAS, the Trustees have agreed to manage all property coming
into their hands as Trustees of a Delaware business trust in accordance
with the provisions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto intend that the Trust created by this
Declaration and the Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State
of the State of Delaware on February 17, 1999 shall constitute a business
trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act and that this Declaration shall
constitute the governing instrument of such business trust.
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 this Trust as
hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE I
The Trust
1.1 Name. This Trust shall be known as the "THE BLACKROCK
STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST" 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.
1.2 Definitions. As used in this Declaration, the following
terms shall have the following meanings:
The terms "Affiliated Person", "Assignment", "Commission",
"Interested Person" and "Principal Underwriter" shall have the meanings
given them in the 1940 Act.
"By-Laws" shall mean the By-Laws of the Trust as amended from
time to time by the Trustees.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Declaration" shall mean this Agreement and Declaration of Trust,
as amended or amended and restated from time to time.
"Delaware Business Trust Statute" shall mean the provisions of
the Delaware Business Trust Act, 12 Del. C. section3801, et. seq., as such
Act may be amended from time to time.
"Fundamental Policies" shall mean the investment policies and
restrictions as set forth from time to time in any Prospectus or contained
in any current Registration Statement of the Trust filed with the
Commission or as otherwise adopted by the Trustees and the Shareholders in
accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and designated as
fundamental policies therein as they may be amended in accordance with the
requirements of the 1940 Act.
"Majority Shareholder Vote" shall mean a vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities (as such term is defined in the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇)
of the Trust.
"Person" shall mean and include individuals, corporations,
partnerships, trusts, limited liability companies, associations, joint
ventures and other entities, whether or not legal entities, and governments
and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.
"Prospectus" shall mean the currently effective Prospectus of the
Trust, if any, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Shareholders" shall mean as of any particular time the holders
of record of outstanding Shares of the Trust, at such time.
"Shares" shall mean the transferable units of beneficial interest
into which the beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time
to time and includes fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares. In
addition, Shares also means any preferred shares or preferred units of
beneficial interest which may be issued from time to time, as described
herein. All references to Shares shall be deemed to be Shares of any or
all series or classes as the context may require.
"Trust" shall mean the trust established by this Declaration, as
amended from time to time, inclusive of each such amendment.
"Trustees" shall mean the signatories to this Declaration, so
long as they shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof,
and all other persons who at the time in question have been duly elected or
appointed and have qualified as trustees in accordance with the provisions
hereof and are then in office.
"Trust Property" shall mean as of any particular time any and all
property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, which at such time is
owned or held by or for the account of the Trust or the Trustees in such
capacity.
The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and exemptions granted
therefrom, as amended from time to time.
ARTICLE II
Trustees
2.1 Number and Qualification. Prior to a public offering of
Shares there may be a sole Trustee. Thereafter, the number of Trustees
shall be no less than three or more than fifteen, provided, however, that
the number of Trustees may be increased or decreased by a written
instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees then in office. No
reduction in the number of Trustees shall have the effect of removing any
Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his term. An individual
nominated as a Trustee shall be at least 21 years of age and not older than
80 years of age at the time of nomination and not under legal disability.
Trustees need not own Shares and may succeed themselves in office.
2.2 Term and Election. The Board of Trustees shall be divided
into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class
shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total
number of trustees constituting the entire Board of Trustees. Within the
limits above specified, the number of the Trustees in each class shall be
determined by resolution of the Board of Trustees. The term of office of
all of the Trustees shall expire on the date of the first annual or special
meeting of Shareholders following the effective date of the Registration
Statement relating to the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. The term of office of the first class shall expire on the date of
the second annual meeting of Shareholders or special meeting in lieu
thereof. The term of office of the second class shall expire on the date
of the third annual meeting of Shareholders or special meeting in lieu
thereof. The term of office of the third class shall expire on the date of
the fourth annual meeting of Shareholders or special meeting in lieu
thereof. Upon expiration of the term of office of each class as set forth
above, the number of Trustees in such class, as determined by the Board of
Trustees, shall be elected for a term expiring on the date of the third
annual meeting of Shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof following
such expiration to succeed the Trustees whose terms of office expire. The
Trustees shall be elected at an annual meeting of the Shareholders or
special meeting in lieu thereof called for that purpose, except as provided
in Section 2.3 of this Article and each Trustee elected shall hold office
until his or her successor shall have been elected and shall have
qualified.
2.3 Resignation and Removal. Any of the Trustees may resign
their trust (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an
instrument in writing signed by such Trustee and delivered or mailed to the
Chairman, if any, the President or the Secretary and such resignation shall
be effective upon such delivery, or at a later date according to the terms
of the instrument. Any of the Trustees may be removed (provided the
aggregate number of Trustees after such removal shall not be less than the
minimum number required by Section 2.1 hereof) by the action of two-thirds
of the remaining Trustees or the holders of two thirds of the Shares. Upon
the resignation or removal of a Trustee, each such resigning or removed
Trustee shall execute and deliver such documents as the remaining Trustees
shall require for the purpose of conveying to the Trust or the remaining
Trustees any Trust Property held in the name of such resigning or removed
Trustee. Upon the incapacity or death of any Trustee, such Trustee's legal
representative shall execute and deliver on such Trustee's behalf such
documents as the remaining Trustees shall require as provided in the
preceding sentence.
2.4 Vacancies. The term of office of a Trustee shall terminate
and a vacancy shall occur in the event of the death, resignation,
bankruptcy, adjudicated incompetence or other incapacity to perform the
duties of the office, or removal, of a Trustee. Whenever a vacancy in the
Board of Trustees shall occur, the remaining Trustees may fill such vacancy
by appointing an individual having the qualifications described in this
Article by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees then
in office or by election by the Shareholders, or may leave such vacancy
unfilled or may reduce the number of Trustees (provided the aggregate
number of Trustees after such reduction shall not be less than the minimum
number required by Section 2.1 hereof). Any vacancy created by an increase
in Trustees may be filled by the appointment of an individual having the
qualifications described in this Article made by a written instrument
signed by a majority of the Trustees then in office or by election by the
Shareholders. No vacancy shall operate to annul this Declaration or to
revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this
Declaration. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees shall occur,
until such vacancy is filled as provided herein, the Trustees in office,
regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the
Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by
this Declaration.
2.5 Meetings. Meetings of the Trustees shall be held from time
to time upon the call of the Chairman, if any, the President, the Secretary
or any two Trustees. Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held without
call or notice at a time and place fixed by the By-Laws or by resolution of
the Trustees. Notice of any other meeting shall be mailed not less than 48
hours before the meeting or otherwise actually delivered orally or in
writing not less than 24 hours before the meeting, but may be waived in
writing by any Trustee either before or after such meeting. The attendance
of a Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such
meeting except where a Trustee attends a meeting for the express purpose of
objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting
has not been properly called or convened. The Trustees may act with or
without a meeting. A quorum for all meetings of the Trustees shall be a
majority of the Trustees. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration,
any action of the Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority
of the Trustees present (a quorum being present) or without a meeting by
written consent of a majority of the Trustees.
Any committee of the Trustees, including an executive committee,
if any, may act with or without a meeting. A quorum for all meetings of
any such committee shall be a majority of the members thereof. Unless
provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of any such committee
may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the members present (a
quorum being present) or without a meeting by written consent of a majority
of the members.
With respect to actions of the Trustees and any committee of the
Trustees, Trustees who are Interested Persons in any action to be taken may
be counted for quorum purposes under this Section and shall be entitled to
vote to the extent not prohibited by the 1940 Act.
All or any one or more Trustees may participate in a meeting of
the Trustees or any committee thereof by means of a conference telephone or
similar communications equipment by means of which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other; participation in a
meeting pursuant to any such communications system shall constitute
presence in person at such meeting.
2.6 Officers. The Trustees shall elect a President, a Secretary
and a Treasurer and may elect a Chairman who shall serve at the pleasure of
the Trustees or until their successors are elected. The Trustees may elect
or appoint or may authorize the Chairman, if any, or President to appoint
such other officers or agents with such powers as the Trustees may deem to
be advisable. A Chairman shall, and the President, Secretary and Treasurer
may, but need not, be a Trustee.
ARTICLE III
Powers and Duties of Trustees
3.1 General. The Trustees shall owe to the Trust and its
Shareholders the same fiduciary duties as owed by directors of corporations
to such corporations and their stockholders under the general corporation
law of the State of Delaware. 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 Declaration. The Trustees may
perform such acts as in their sole discretion are proper for conducting the
business of the Trust. The enumeration of any specific power herein shall
not be construed as limiting the aforesaid power. Such powers of the
Trustees may be exercised without order of or resort to any court.
3.2 Investments. The Trustees shall have power, subject to the
Fundamental Policies in effect from time to time with respect to the Trust
to:
(a) manage, conduct, operate and carry on the business of
an investment company;
(b) subscribe for, invest in, reinvest in, purchase or
otherwise acquire, hold, pledge, sell, assign, transfer, exchange,
distribute or otherwise deal in or dispose of any and all sorts of
property, tangible or intangible, including but not limited to securities
of any type whatsoever, whether equity or non-equity, of any issuer,
evidences of indebtedness of any person and any other rights, interests,
instruments or property of any sort and to exercise any and all rights,
powers and privileges of ownership or interest in respect of any and all
such investments of every kind and description, including, without
limitation, the right to consent and otherwise act with respect thereto,
with power to designate one or more Persons to exercise any of said rights,
powers and privileges in respect of any of said investments. The Trustees
shall not be limited by any law limiting the investments which may be made
by fiduciaries.
3.3 Legal Title. Legal title to all the Trust Property shall be
vested in the Trustees as joint tenants except that the Trustees shall have
power to cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by or in the
name of one or more of the Trustees, or in the name of the Trust, or in the
name of any other Person as nominee, custodian or pledgee, on such terms as
the Trustees may determine, provided that the interest of the Trust therein
is appropriately protected.
The right, title and interest of the Trustees in the Trust
Property shall vest automatically in each person who may hereafter become a
Trustee upon his due election and qualification. Upon the ceasing of any
person to be a Trustee for any reason, such person shall automatically
cease to have any right, title or interest in any of the Trust Property,
and the right, title and interest of such Trustee in the Trust Property
shall vest automatically in the remaining Trustees. Such vesting and
cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents
have been executed and delivered.
3.4 Issuance and Repurchase of Shares. The Trustees shall have
the power to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire,
hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, transfer, and otherwise deal in, Shares,
including Shares in fractional denominations, and, subject to the more
detailed provisions set forth in Articles VIII and IX, to apply to any such
repurchase, redemption, retirement, cancellation or acquisition of Shares
any funds or property whether capital or surplus or otherwise, to the full
extent now or hereafter permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware
governing business corporations.
3.5 Borrow Money or Utilize Leverage. Subject to the
Fundamental Policies in effect from time to time with respect to the Trust,
the Trustees shall have the power to borrow money or otherwise obtain
credit or utilize leverage to the maximum extent permitted by law or
regulation as such may be needed from time to time and to secure the same
by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the assets of
the Trust, including the lending of portfolio securities, and to endorse,
guarantee, or undertake the performance of any obligation, contract or
engagement of any other person, firm, association or corporation.
3.6 Delegation; Committees. The Trustees shall have the power,
consistent with their continuing exclusive authority over the management of
the Trust and the Trust Property, to delegate from time to time to such of
their number or to officers, employees or agents of the Trust the doing of
such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the
Trust or the names of the Trustees or otherwise as the Trustees may deem
expedient, to at least the same extent as such delegation is permitted to
directors of a Delaware business corporation and is permitted by the 1940
Act, as well as any further delegations the Trustees may determine to be
desirable, expedient or necessary in order to effect the purpose hereof.
The Trustees may designate an executive committee which shall have all
authority of the entire Board of Trustees except such committee cannot
declare dividends and cannot authorize removal of a trustee or any merger,
consolidation or sale of substantially all of the assets of the Trust.
3.7 Collection and Payment. The Trustees shall have power to
collect all property due to the Trust; to pay all claims, including taxes,
against the Trust Property or the Trust, the Trustees or any officer,
employee or agent of the Trust; to prosecute, defend, compromise or abandon
any claims relating to the Trust Property or the Trust, or the Trustees or
any officer, employee or agent of the Trust; to foreclose any security
interest securing any obligations, by virtue of which any property is owed
to the Trust; and to enter into releases, agreements and other instruments.
Except to the extent required for a Delaware business corporation, the
Shareholders shall have no power to vote as to whether or not a court
action, legal proceeding or claim should or should not be brought or
maintained derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the
Shareholders.
3.8 Expenses. The Trustees shall have power to incur and pay
out of the assets or income of the Trust any expenses which in the opinion
of the Trustees are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the
purposes of this Declaration, and the business of the Trust, and to pay
reasonable compensation from the funds of the Trust to themselves as
Trustees. The Trustees shall fix the compensation of all officers,
employees and Trustees. The Trustees may pay themselves such compensation
for special services, including legal, underwriting, syndicating and
brokerage services, as they in good faith may deem reasonable and
reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred by themselves on behalf of
the Trust. The Trustees shall have the power, as frequently as they may
determine, to cause each Shareholder to pay directly, in advance or
arrears, for charges of distribution, of the custodian or transfer,
Shareholder servicing or similar agent, a pro rata amount as defined from
time to time by the Trustees, by setting off such charges due from such
Shareholder from declared but unpaid dividends or distributions owed such
Shareholder and/or by reducing the number of shares in the account of such
Shareholder by that number of full and/or fractional Shares which
represents the outstanding amount of such charges due from such
Shareholder.
3.9 By-Laws. The Trustees may adopt and from time to time amend
or repeal the By-Laws for the conduct of the business of the Trust.
3.10 Miscellaneous Powers. The Trustees shall have the power
to: (a) employ or contract with such Persons as the Trustees may deem
desirable for the transaction of the business of the Trust; (b) enter into
joint ventures, partnerships and any other combinations or associations;
(c) purchase, and pay for out of Trust Property, insurance policies
insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees, agents,
investment advisors, distributors, selected dealers or independent
contractors of the Trust against all claims arising by reason of holding
any such position or by reason of any action taken or omitted by any such
Person in such capacity, whether or not constituting negligence, or whether
or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such Person against such
liability; (d) establish pension, profit-sharing, share purchase, and other
retirement, incentive and benefit plans for any Trustees, officers,
employees and agents of the Trust; (e) make donations, irrespective of
benefit to the Trust, for charitable, religious, educational, scientific,
civic or similar purposes; (f) to the extent permitted by law, indemnify
any Person with whom the Trust has dealings, including without limitation
any advisor, administrator, manager, transfer agent, custodian, distributor
or selected dealer, or any other person as the Trustees may see fit to such
extent as the Trustees shall determine; (g) guarantee indebtedness or
contractual obligations of others; (h) determine and change the fiscal year
of the Trust and the method in which its accounts shall be kept; (i)
notwithstanding the Fundamental Policies of the Trust, convert the Trust to
a master-feeder structure; provided, however, the Trust obtains the
approval of shareholders holding at least a majority of the Trust's Shares
present at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present and (j)
adopt a seal for the Trust but the absence of such seal shall not impair
the validity of any instrument executed on behalf of the Trust.
3.11 Further Powers. The Trustees shall have the 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, and in any and all commonwealths, territories,
dependencies, colonies, possessions, agencies or instrumentalities of the
United States of America and of foreign governments, 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 Declaration, the
presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees. The
Trustees will not be required to obtain any court order to deal with the
Trust Property.
3.12 Trustee Action by Written Consent. Any action which may be
taken by Trustees by vote may be taken without a meeting if the number of
Trustees required for approval of such action at a meeting of Trustees
consent to the action in writing and the written consents are filed with
the records of the meetings of Shareholders. Such consent shall be treated
for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Trustees.
ARTICLE IV
Advisory, Management and Distribution Arrangements
4.1 Advisory and Management Arrangements. Subject to the
requirements of applicable law as in effect from time to time, the Trustees
may in their discretion from time to time enter into advisory,
administration or management contracts whereby the other party to any such
contract shall undertake to furnish the Trustees such advisory,
administrative and management services, with respect to the Trust as the
Trustees shall from time to time consider desirable and all upon such terms
and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
Notwithstanding any provisions of this Declaration, the Trustees may
authorize any advisor, administrator or manager (subject to such general or
specific instructions as the Trustees may from time to time adopt) to
effect investment transactions with respect to the assets on behalf of the
Trustees to the full extent of the power of the Trustees to effect such
transactions or may authorize any officer, employee or Trustee to effect
such transactions pursuant to recommendations of any such advisor,
administrator or manager (and all without further action by the Trustees).
Any such investment transaction shall be deemed to have been authorized by
all of the Trustees.
4.2 Distribution Arrangements. Subject to compliance with the
1940 Act, the Trustees may retain underwriters and/or placement agents to
sell Trust Shares. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time
enter into one or more contracts, providing for the sale of the Shares of
the Trust, whereby the Trust may either agree to sell such 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 as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV or the By-Laws; and
such contract may also provide for the repurchase or sale of Shares of the
Trust by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust and may
provide that such other party may enter into selected dealer agreements
with registered securities dealers and brokers and servicing and similar
agreements with persons who are not registered securities dealers to
further the purposes of the distribution or repurchase of the Shares of the
Trust.
4.3 Parties to Contract. Any contract of the character
described in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of this Article IV or in Article VII
hereof may be entered into with any Person, although one or more of the
Trustees, officers or employees 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 voidable by reason of the
existence of any such relationship, 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 reasonable and fair and not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Article IV or the By-Laws. The same Person may
be the other party to contracts entered into pursuant to Sections 4.1 and
4.2 above or Article VII, 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 4.3.
ARTICLE V
Limitations of Liability
and Indemnification
5.1 No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, etc. No
Shareholder of the Trust shall be subject in such capacity to any personal
liability whatsoever to any Person in connection with Trust Property or the
acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust. Shareholders shall have the
same limitation of personal liability as is extended to stockholders of a
private corporation for profit incorporated under the general corporation
law of the State of Delaware. No Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be
subject in such capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any
Person, other than the Trust or its Shareholders, in connection with Trust
Property or the affairs of the Trust, save only liability to the Trust or
its Shareholders arising from bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross
negligence (negligence in the case of those Trustees or officers who are
directors, officers or employees of the Trust's investment advisor
("Affiliated Indemnitees")) or reckless disregard for his duty to such
Person; and, subject to the foregoing exception, all such Persons shall
look solely to the Trust Property for satisfaction of claims of any nature
arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust. If any Shareholder,
Trustee or officer, as such, of the Trust, is made a party to any suit or
proceeding to enforce any such liability, subject to the foregoing
exception, he shall not, on account thereof, be held to any personal
liability.
5.2 Mandatory Indemnification. (a) The Trust hereby agrees to
indemnify the Trustees and officers of the Trust (each such person being an
"indemnitee") against any liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid
in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and
reasonable counsel fees reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in
connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other
proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative
or investigative body in which he may be or may have been involved as a
party or otherwise or with which he may be or may have been threatened,
while acting in any capacity set forth above in this Section 5.2 by reason
of his having acted in any such capacity, except with respect to any matter
as to which he shall not have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief
that his action was in the best interest of the Trust or, in the case of
any criminal proceeding, as to which he shall have had reasonable cause to
believe that the conduct was unlawful, provided, however, that no
indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder against any liability to any
person or any expense of such indemnitee arising by reason of (i) willful
misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence (negligence in the case
of Affiliated Indemnitees), or (iv) reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his position (the conduct referred to in such
clauses (i) through (iv) being sometimes referred to herein as "disabling
conduct"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any action, suit
or other proceeding voluntarily prosecuted by any indemnitee as plaintiff,
indemnification shall be mandatory only if the prosecution of such action,
suit or other proceeding by such indemnitee was authorized by a majority of
the Trustees.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification shall
be made hereunder unless there has been a determination (i) by a final
decision on the merits by a court or other body of competent jurisdiction
before whom the issue of entitlement to indemnification hereunder was
brought that such indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder or,
(ii) in the absence of such a decision, by (1) a majority vote of a quorum
of those Trustees who are neither "interested persons" of the Trust (as
defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) nor parties to the proceeding
("Disinterested Non-Party Trustees"), that the indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification hereunder, or (2) if such quorum is not obtainable or even
if obtainable, if such majority so directs, independent legal counsel in a
written opinion conclude that the indemnitee should be entitled to
indemnification hereunder. All determinations to make advance payments in
connection with the expense of defending any proceeding shall be authorized
and made in accordance with the immediately succeeding paragraph (c) below.
(c) The Trust shall make advance payments in connection
with the expenses of defending any action with respect to which
indemnification might be sought hereunder if the Trust receives a written
affirmation by the indemnitee of the indemnitee's good faith belief that
the standards of conduct necessary for indemnification have been met and a
written undertaking to reimburse the Trust unless it is subsequently
determined that he is entitled to such indemnification and if a majority of
the Trustees determine that the applicable standards of conduct necessary
for indemnification appear to have been met. In addition, at least one of
the following conditions must be met: (i) the indemnitee shall provide
adequate security for his 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 Non-Party Trustees, or if a
majority vote of such quorum so direct, independent legal counsel in a
written opinion, shall conclude, based on a review of readily available
facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is substantial
reason to believe that the indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to
indemnification.
(d) The rights accruing to any indemnitee under these
provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he may be lawfully
entitled.
(e) Subject to any limitations provided by the 1940 Act and
this Declaration, the Trust shall have the power and authority to indemnify
other Persons providing services to the Trust to the full extent provided
by law as if the Trust were a corporation organized under the Delaware
General Corporation Law provided that such indemnification has been
approved by a majority of the Trustees.
5.3 No Bond Required of Trustees. No Trustee shall, as such, be
obligated to give any bond or other security for the performance of any of
his duties hereunder.
5.4 No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, etc.
No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other person dealing with the
Trustees or with any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be bound
to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting
to be made by the Trustees or by said officer, employee or agent or be
liable for the application of money or property paid, loaned, or delivered
to or on the order of the Trustees or of said officer, employee or agent.
Every obligation, contract, undertaking, instrument, certificate, Share,
other security of the Trust, and every other act or thing whatsoever
executed in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively taken to have
been executed or done by the executors thereof only in their capacity as
Trustees under this Declaration or in their capacity as officers, employees
or agents of the Trust. Every written obligation, contract, undertaking,
instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust made or issued
by the Trustees or by any officers, employees or agents of the Trust in
their capacity as such, shall contain an appropriate recital to the effect
that the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust
shall not personally be bound by or liable thereunder, nor shall resort be
had to their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation or
claim thereunder, and appropriate references shall be made therein to this
Declaration, and may contain any further recital which they may deem
appropriate, but the omission of such recital shall not operate to impose
personal liability on any of the Trustees, Shareholders, officers,
employees or agents of the Trust. The Trustees may maintain insurance for
the protection of the Trust Property, its Shareholders, Trustees, officers,
employees and agents in such amount as the Trustees shall deem adequate to
cover possible tort liability, and such other insurance as the Trustees in
their sole judgment shall deem advisable or is required by the 1940 Act.
5.5 Reliance on Experts, etc. Each Trustee and officer or
employee of the Trust shall, in the performance of its duties, be fully and
completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to
act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or
other records of the Trust, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports
made to the Trust by any of the Trust's officers or employees or by any
advisor, administrator, manager, distributor, selected dealer, accountant,
appraiser or other expert or consultant selected with reasonable care by
the Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust, regardless of whether
such counsel or expert may also be a Trustee.
5.6 Indemnification of Shareholders. If any Shareholder or
former Shareholder shall be held personally liable solely by reason of its
being or having been a Shareholder and not because of its acts or omissions
or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or its
heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or in the
case of any entity, its general successor) shall be entitled out of the
assets belonging to the Trust to be held harmless from and indemnified to
the maximum extent permitted by law against all loss and expense arising
from such liability. The Trust shall, upon request by such Shareholder,
assume the defense of any claim made against such Shareholder for any act
or obligation of the Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets
of the Trust.
ARTICLE VI
Shares of Beneficial Interest
6.1 Beneficial Interest. The interest of the beneficiaries
hereunder shall be divided into an unlimited number of transferable shares
of beneficial interest, par value $.001 per share. All Shares issued in
accordance with the terms hereof, including, without limitation, Shares
issued in connection with a dividend in Shares or a split of Shares, shall
be fully paid and, except as provided in the last sentence of Section 3.8,
nonassessable when the consideration determined by the Trustees (if any)
therefor shall have been received by the Trust.
6.2 Other Securities. The Trustees may authorize and issue such
other securities as they determine to be necessary, desirable or
appropriate including preferred interests, debt securities or other senior
securities subject to the Fundamental Policies and the requirements of the
1940 Act. To the extent that the Trustees authorize and issue preferred
shares they are hereby authorized and empowered to amend or supplement this
Declaration as is necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements
of the 1940 Act relating to such securities or as required to issue such
securities by rating agencies or other persons, all without the approval of
Shareholders. Any such supplement or amendment shall be filed as is
necessary. The Trustees are also authorized to take such actions and
retain such persons as they see fit to offer and sell such securities.
6.3 Rights of Shareholders. The Shares shall be personal
property giving only the rights in this Declaration specifically set forth.
The ownership of the Trust Property of every description and the right to
conduct any business herein before described are vested exclusively in the
Trustees, and the Shareholders shall have no interest therein other than
the beneficial interest conferred by their Shares, and they shall have no
right to call for any partition or division of any property, profits,
rights or interests of the Trust nor can they be called upon to share or
assume any losses of the Trust or, subject to the right of the Trustees to
charge certain expenses directly to Shareholders, as provided in the last
sentence of Section 3.8, suffer an assessment of any kind by virtue of
their ownership of Shares. The Shares shall not entitle the holder to
preference, preemptive, appraisal, conversion or exchange rights (except as
specified in this Section 6.3, in Section 11.4 or as specified by the
Trustees when creating the Shares, as in preferred shares).
6.4 Trust Only. It is the intention of the Trustees to create
only the relationship of Trustee and beneficiary between the Trustees and
each Shareholder from time to time. It is not the intention of the
Trustees to create a general partnership, limited partnership, joint stock
association, corporation, bailment or any form of legal relationship other
than a trust. Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed to make the
Shareholders, either by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or
members of a joint stock association.
6.5 Issuance of Shares. The Trustees, in their discretion, may
from time to time without vote of the Shareholders issue Shares including
preferred shares that may have been established pursuant to Section 6.2, 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, including cash or property, at such time or times, and on
such terms as the Trustees may determine, 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. The
Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares into a greater
or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial
interest in such Shares. Issuances and redemptions of Shares may be made
in whole Shares and/or l/l,000ths of a Share or multiples thereof as the
Trustees may determine in such fractions thereof.
6.6 Register of Shares. A register shall be kept at the offices
of the Trust or any transfer agent duly appointed by the Trustees under the
direction of the Trustees which shall contain the names and addresses of
the Shareholders and the number of Shares held by them respectively and a
record of all transfers thereof. Separate registers shall be established
and maintained for each class. Each such register shall be conclusive as
to who are the holders of the Shares of the applicable class and who shall
be entitled to receive dividends or distributions or otherwise to exercise
or enjoy the rights of Shareholders. No Shareholder shall be entitled to
receive payment of any dividend or distribution, nor to have notice given
to him as herein provided, until he has given his address to a transfer
agent or such other officer or agent of the Trustees as shall keep the
register for entry thereon. It is not contemplated that certificates will
be issued for the Shares; however, the Trustees, in their discretion, may
authorize the issuance of share certificates and promulgate appropriate
fees therefore and rules and regulations as to their use.
6.7 Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Trustees shall have power
to employ a transfer agent or transfer agents, and a registrar or
registrars, with respect to the Shares. The transfer agent or transfer
agents may keep the applicable register and record therein, the original
issues and transfers, if any, of the said Shares. Any such transfer agents
and/or registrars shall perform the duties usually performed by transfer
agents and registrars of certificates of stock in a corporation, as
modified by the Trustees.
6.8 Transfer of Shares. Shares shall be transferable on the
records of the Trust only by the record holder thereof or by its agent
thereto duly authorized in writing, upon delivery to the Trustees or a
transfer agent of the Trust of a duly executed instrument of transfer,
together with such evidence of the genuineness of each such execution and
authorization and of other matters as may reasonably be required. Upon
such delivery the transfer shall be recorded on the applicable 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 hereof and neither
the Trustees 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.
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 applicable register of Shares as
the holder of such Shares upon production of the proper evidence thereof to
the Trustees or a transfer agent of the Trust, but until such record is
made, the Shareholder of record shall be deemed to be the holder of such
for all purposes hereof, and neither the Trustees nor any transfer agent or
registrar nor any officer or agent of the Trust shall be affected by any
notice of such death, bankruptcy or incompetence, or other operation of
law.
6.9 Notices. Any and all notices to which any Shareholder
hereunder may be entitled and any and all communications shall be deemed
duly served or given if mailed, postage prepaid, addressed to any
Shareholder of record at his last known address as recorded on the
applicable register of the Trust.
ARTICLE VII
Custodians
7.1 Appointment and Duties. The Trustees shall at all times
employ a custodian or custodians, meeting the qualifications for custodians
for portfolio securities of investment companies contained in the 1940 Act,
as custodian with respect to the assets of the Trust. Any custodian shall
have authority as agent of the Trust with respect to which it is acting as
determined by the custodian agreement or agreements, but subject to such
restrictions, limitations and other requirements, if any, as may be
contained in the By-Laws of the Trust and the 1940 Act:
(1) to hold the securities owned by the Trust and deliver the
same upon written order;
(2) to receive any receipt for any moneys due to the Trust and
deposit the same in its own banking department (if a bank) or
elsewhere as the Trustees may direct;
(3) to disburse such funds upon orders or vouchers;
(4) if authorized by the Trustees, to keep the books and
accounts of the Trust and furnish clerical and accounting services;
and
(5) if authorized to do so by the Trustees, to compute the net
income or net asset value of the Trust;
all upon such basis of compensation as may be agreed upon between the
Trustees and the custodian. If so directed by a Majority Shareholder Vote,
the custodian shall deliver and pay over all property of the Trust held by
it as specified in such vote.
The Trustees may also authorize each 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 meet the
qualifications for custodians contained in the 1940 Act.
7.2 Central Certificate System. 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,
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 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.
ARTICLE VIII
Redemption
8.1 Redemptions. The Shares of the Trust are not redeemable by
the holders.
8.2 Disclosure of Holding. The holders of Shares or other
securities of the Trust shall upon demand disclose to the Trustees in
writing such information with respect to direct and indirect ownership of
Shares or other securities of the Trust as the Trustees deem necessary to
comply with the provisions of the Code, or to comply with the requirements
of any other taxing or regulatory authority.
ARTICLE IX
Determination of Net Asset Value
Net Income and Distributions
9.1 Net Asset Value. The net asset value of each outstanding
Share of the Trust shall be determined at such time or times on such days
as the Trustees may determine, in accordance with the 1940 Act. The method
of determination of net asset value shall be determined by the Trustees and
shall be as set forth in the Prospectus or as may otherwise be determined
by the Trustees. The power and duty to make the net asset value
calculations may be delegated by the Trustees and shall be as generally set
forth in the Prospectus or as may otherwise be determined by the Trustees.
9.2 Distributions to Shareholders.
(a) The Trustees shall from time to time distribute ratably
among the Shareholders such proportion of the net profits, surplus
(including paid-in surplus), capital, or assets held by the Trustees as
they may deem proper. Such distribution may be made in cash or property
(including without limitation any type of obligations of the Trust or any
assets thereof) or any combination thereof, and the Trustees may distribute
ratably among the Shareholders additional Shares in such manner, at such
times, and on such terms as the Trustees may deem proper.
(b) In the event the Trust has outstanding more than one
class of Shares, the Trustees shall from time to time distribute ratably
among each class of Shareholders of the Trust such proportion of the net
profits, surplus (including paid-in surplus), capital or assets
attributable to such class held by the Trustees as they may deem proper or
as may otherwise be determined in the instrument creating such class of
Shares, and the Trustees may distribute ratably among the Shareholders of
each class of the Trust additional Shares of such class in such manner, at
such times, and on such terms as the Trustees may deem proper. Such
distributions to one class need not be ratable with respect to
distributions to Shares of any other class of the Trust.
(c) Distributions pursuant to this Section 9.2 may be among
the Shareholders of record at the time of declaring a distribution or among
the Shareholders of record at such later date as the Trustees shall
determine and specify at the time of declaration.
(d) The Trustees may always retain from the net profits
such amount as they may deem necessary to pay the debts or expenses of the
Trust or to meet obligations of the Trust, or as they otherwise may deem
desirable to use in the conduct of its affairs or to retain for future
requirements or extensions of the business.
(e) Inasmuch as the computation of net income and gains for
Federal income tax purposes may vary from the computation thereof on the
books, the above provisions shall be interpreted to give the Trustees the
power in their discretion to distribute for any fiscal year as ordinary
dividends and as capital gains distributions, respectively, additional
amounts sufficient to enable the Trust to avoid or reduce liability for
taxes.
9.3 Power to Modify Foregoing Procedures. Notwithstanding any
of the foregoing provisions of this Article IX, the Trustees may prescribe,
in their absolute discretion except as may be required by the 1940 Act,
such other bases and times for determining the per share asset value of the
Trust's Shares or net income, or the declaration and payment of dividends
and distributions as they may deem necessary or desirable for any reason,
including to enable the Trust to comply with any provision of the 1940 Act,
or any securities association registered under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, or any order of exemption issued by the Commission, all as in
effect now or hereafter amended or modified.
ARTICLE X
Shareholders
10.1 Meetings of Shareholders. The Trust shall hold annual
meetings of the Shareholders. A special meeting of Shareholders may be
called at any time by a majority of the Trustees and shall be called by any
Trustee for any proper purpose upon written request of Shareholders of the
Trust holding in the aggregate not less than 51% of the outstanding Shares
of the Trust or class having voting rights, such request specifying the
purpose or purposes for which such meeting is to be called. Any
shareholder meeting, including a Special Meeting, shall be held within or
without the State of Delaware on such day and at such time as the Trustees
shall designate.
10.2 Voting. Shareholders shall have no power to vote on any
matter except matters on which a vote of Shareholders is required by
applicable law, this Declaration or resolution of the Trustees. Any matter
required to be submitted to Shareholders and affecting one or more classes
shall require separate approval by the required vote of Shareholders of
each affected class; provided, however, that to the extent required by the
1940 Act, there shall be no separate class votes on the election or removal
of Trustees, the selection of auditors for the Trust, approval of any
agreement or contract entered into by the Trust, approval of conversion of
the Trust to a master-feeder structure or any action to liquidate or
dissolve the Trust. Shareholders of a particular class shall not be
entitled to vote on any matter that affects only one or more other classes.
There shall be no cumulative voting in the election or removal of Trustees.
The Trustees shall cause each matter required or permitted to be voted upon
at a meeting or by written consent of Shareholders to be submitted to a
vote of all classes of outstanding Shares entitled to vote thereon, unless
the 1940 Act or other applicable law or regulations require that the
actions of the Shareholders be taken by a separate vote of one or more
classes, or the Trustees determine that any matter to be submitted to a
vote of Shareholders affects only the rights or interests of one or more
(but not all) classes of outstanding Shares, in which case only the
Shareholders of the class or classes so affected shall be entitled to vote
thereon.
10.3 Notice of Meeting and Record Date. Notice of all meetings
of Shareholders, stating the time, place and purposes of the meeting, shall
be given by the Trustees by mail to each Shareholder of record entitled to
vote thereat at its registered address, mailed at least 10 days before the
meeting or otherwise in compliance with applicable law. Only the business
stated in the notice of the meeting shall be considered at such meeting.
Any adjourned meeting may be held as adjourned one or more times without
further notice not later than 130 days after the record date. For the
purposes of determining the Shareholders who are entitled to notice of and
to vote at any meeting the Trustees may, without closing the transfer
books, fix a date not more than 100 days prior to the date of such meeting
of Shareholders as a record date for the determination of the Persons to be
treated as Shareholders of record for such purposes.
10.4 Quorum and Required Vote.
(a) The holders of a majority of outstanding Shares of the
Trust present in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at any
meeting of the Shareholders for purposes of conducting business on which a
vote of Shareholders of the Trust is being taken. The holders of a
majority of outstanding Shares of a class present in person or by proxy
shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Shareholders of such class
for purposes of conducting business on which a vote of Shareholders of such
class is being taken.
(b) Subject to any provision of applicable law requiring
greater or lesser votes, this Declaration or resolution of the Trustees
specifying a greater or lesser vote requirement for the transaction of any
item of business at any meeting of Shareholders, (i) the affirmative vote
of a majority of the Shares present in person or represented by proxy and
entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the Shareholders
with respect to such matter, and (ii) where a separate vote of any class is
required on any matter, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares of
such class present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall
be the act of the Shareholders of such class with respect to such matter.
10.5 Proxies, etc. At any meeting of Shareholders, any holder
of Shares entitled to vote thereat may vote by properly executed proxy,
provided that no proxy shall be voted at any meeting unless it shall have
been placed on file with the Secretary, or with such other officer or agent
of the Trust as the Secretary may direct, for verification prior to the
time at which such vote shall be taken. Pursuant to a resolution of a
majority of the Trustees, proxies may be solicited in the name of one or
more Trustees or one or more of the officers or employees of the Trust.
Only Shareholders of record shall be entitled to vote. Each full Share
shall be entitled to one vote and fractional Shares shall be entitled to a
vote of such fraction. When any Share is held jointly by several persons,
any one of them may vote at any meeting in person or by proxy in respect of
such Share, but if more than one of them shall be present at such meeting
in person or by proxy, and such joint owners or their proxies so present
disagree as to any vote to be cast, such vote shall not be received in
respect of such Share. 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. If the holder of any such Share is a minor or a person of
unsound mind, and subject to guardianship or to the legal control of any
other person as regards the charge or management of such Share, he may vote
by his guardian or such other person appointed or having such control, and
such vote may be given in person or by proxy.
10.6 Reports. The Trustees shall cause to be prepared at least
annually and more frequently to the extent and in the form required by law,
regulation or any exchange on which Trust Shares are listed a report of
operations containing a balance sheet and statement of income and
undistributed income of the Trust prepared in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles and an opinion of an independent public
accountant on such financial statements. Copies of such reports shall be
mailed to all Shareholders of record within the time required by the 1940
Act, and in any event within a reasonable period preceding the meeting of
Shareholders. The Trustees shall, in addition, furnish to the Shareholders
at least semi-annually to the extent required by law, interim reports
containing an unaudited balance sheet of the Trust as of the end of such
period and an unaudited statement of income and surplus for the period from
the beginning of the current fiscal year to the end of such period.
10.7 Inspection of Records. The records of the Trust shall be
open to inspection by Shareholders to the same extent as is permitted
shareholders of a Delaware business corporation.
10.8 Shareholder Action by Written Consent. Any action which
may be taken by Shareholders by vote may be taken without a meeting if the
holders entitled to vote thereon of the proportion of Shares required for
approval of such action at a meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Section
10.4 consent to the action in writing and the written consents are filed
with the records of the meetings of Shareholders. Such consent shall be
treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Shareholders.
ARTICLE XI
Duration: Termination of Trust;
Amendment; Mergers, Etc.
11.1 Duration. Subject to possible termination in accordance
with the provisions of Section 11.2 hereof, the Trust created hereby shall
have perpetual existence.
11.2 Termination.
(a) The Trust may be dissolved, after two thirds of the
Trustees have approved a resolution therefor, upon approval by a majority
of all the Shareholders voting as one class. Upon the dissolution of the
Trust:
(i) The Trust shall carry on no business except
for the purpose of winding up its affairs.
(ii) The Trustees shall proceed to wind up the
affairs of the Trust and all of the powers of the Trustees under
this Declaration shall continue until the affairs of the Trust
shall have been wound up, including the power to fulfill or
discharge the contracts of the Trust, collect its assets, sell,
convey, assign, exchange, merger where the Trust is not the
survivor, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the
remaining Trust Property to one or more Persons at public or
private sale for consideration which may consist in whole or in
part in cash, securities or other property of any kind, discharge
or pay its liabilities, and do all other acts appropriate to
liquidate its business; provided that any sale, conveyance,
assignment, exchange, merger in which the Trust is not the
survivor, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially
all the Trust Property of the Trust shall require approval of the
principal terms of the transaction and the nature and amount of
the consideration by Shareholders with the same vote as required
to open-end the Trust.
(iii) After paying or adequately providing for
the payment of all liabilities, and upon receipt of such
releases, indemnities and refunding agreements, as they deem
necessary for their protection, the Trustees may distribute the
remaining Trust Property, in cash or in kind or partly each,
among the Shareholders according to their respective rights.
(b) After the winding up and termination of the Trust and
distribution to the Shareholders as herein provided, a majority of the
Trustees shall execute and lodge among the records of the Trust an
instrument in writing setting forth the fact of such termination and shall
execute and file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State
of the State of Delaware. Upon termination of the Trust, the Trustees
shall thereupon be discharged from all further liabilities and duties
hereunder, and the rights and interests of all Shareholders shall thereupon
cease.
11.3 Amendment Procedure.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Section
11.3, this Declaration may be amended, after a majority of the Trustees
have approved a resolution therefor, by the affirmative vote of the holders
of not less than a majority of the affected Shares. The Trustees also may
amend this Declaration without any vote of Shareholders to divide the
Shares of the Trust into one or more classes or additional classes, to
change the name of the Trust or any class, to make any change that does not
adversely affect the relative rights or preferences of any Shareholder, as
they may deem necessary, to conform this Declaration to the requirements of
the 1940 Act or any other applicable federal laws or regulations including
pursuant to Section 6.2 or the requirements of the regulated investment
company provisions of the Code, but the Trustees shall not be liable for
failing to do so.
(b) No amendment may be made to this Section 11.3 or which
would change any rights with respect to any Shares of the Trust by reducing
the amount payable thereon upon liquidation of the Trust or by diminishing
or eliminating any voting rights pertaining thereto, except with the vote
of the holders of two-thirds of the Shares of the Trust. Nothing contained
in this Declaration shall permit the amendment of this Declaration to
impair the exemption from personal liability of the Shareholders, Trustees,
officers, employees and agents of the Trust or to permit assessments upon
Shareholders.
(c) An amendment duly adopted by the requisite vote of the
Board of Trustees and, if required, the Shareholders as aforesaid, shall
become effective at the time of such adoption or at such other time as may
be designated by the Board of Trustees or Shareholders, as the case may be.
A certification in recordable form signed by a majority of the Trustees
setting forth an amendment and reciting that it was duly adopted by the
Trustees and, if required, the Shareholders as aforesaid, or a copy of the
Declaration, as amended, in recordable form, and executed by a majority of
the Trustees, shall be conclusive evidence of such amendment when lodged
among the records of the Trust or at such other time designated by the
Board.
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, until such time as a
Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
covering the first public offering of Shares of the Trust shall have become
effective, this Declaration may be terminated or amended in any respect by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees or by an instrument
signed by a majority of the Trustees.
11.4 Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets. The Trust may
merge or consolidate with any other corporation, association, trust or
other organization or may sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all
of the Trust Property or the property, including its good will, upon such
terms and conditions and for such consideration when and as authorized by
two-thirds of the Trustees and approved by a majority vote of the affected
Shareholders and any such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or exchange
shall be determined for all purposes to have been accomplished under and
pursuant to the statutes of the State of Delaware.
11.5 Incorporation. Upon approval by Shareholders, the Trustees
may cause to be organized or assist in organizing a corporation or
corporations under the laws of any jurisdiction or any other trust,
partnership, association or other organization to take over all of the
Trust Property or to carry on any business in which the Trust shall
directly or indirectly have any interest, and to sell, convey and transfer
the Trust Property to any such corporation, trust, limited liability
company, association or organization in exchange for the shares or
securities thereof, or otherwise, and to lend money to, subscribe for the
shares or securities of, and enter into any contracts with any such
corporation, trust, limited liability company, partnership, association or
organization, or any corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability
company, association or organization in which the Trust holds or is about
to acquire shares or any other interests. The Trustees may also cause a
merger or consolidation between the Trust or any successor thereto and any
such corporation, trust, limited liability company, partnership,
association or other organization if and to the extent permitted by law, as
provided under the law then in effect. Nothing contained herein shall be
construed as requiring approval of Shareholders for the Trustees to
organize or assist in organizing one or more corporations, trusts, limited
liability companies, partnerships, associations or other organizations and
selling, conveying or transferring a portion of the Trust Property to such
organizations or entities.
11.6 Conversion. (a) The Trust may be converted at any time
from a "closed-end company" to an "open-end company" as those terms are
defined by the 1940 Act, upon the approval of such a proposal, together
with the necessary amendments to this Declaration to permit such a
conversion, by a majority of the Trustees then in office and by the holders
of not less than two-thirds (66-2/3%) of the Trust's outstanding Shares
entitled to vote, except that if such proposal is recommended by two-thirds
of the total number of Trustees then in office, such proposal may be
adopted by a Majority Shareholder Vote. From time to time, the Trustees
may consider recommending to the Shareholders a proposal to convert the
Trust from a "closed-end company" to an "open-end company." Upon the
recommendation and subsequent adoption of such a proposal and the necessary
amendments to this Declaration to permit such a conversion of the Trust's
outstanding Shares entitled to vote, the Trust shall, upon complying with
any requirements of the 1940 Act and state law, become an "open-end"
investment company. Such affirmative vote or consent shall be in addition
to the vote or consent of the holders of the Shares otherwise required by
law, or any agreement between the Trust and any national securities
exchange.
(b) The Trust may be converted at any time to a master-
feeder structure, upon the approval of such a proposal, together with the
necessary amendments to this Declaration to permit such a conversion, by a
majority of the Trustees then in office and by the holders of not less than
a majority of the Trust's outstanding Shares entitled to vote. From time
to time, the Trustees may consider recommending to the Shareholders a
proposal to convert the Trust to a master-feeder structure. Upon the
recommendation and subsequent adoption of such a proposal and the necessary
amendments to this Declaration to permit such a conversion of the Trust's
outstanding Shares entitled to vote, the Trust shall, upon complying with
any requirements of the 1940 Act and state law, convert to a master-feeder
structure.
11.7 Certain Transactions. (a) Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Declaration and subject to the exceptions provided in
paragraph (d) of this Section, the types of transactions described in
paragraph (c) of this Section shall require the affirmative vote or consent
of the holders of seventy-five percent (75%) of the Shares of each class
outstanding and entitled to vote, voting as a class, when a Principal
Shareholder (as defined in paragraph (b) of this Section) is a party to the
transaction. Such affirmative vote or consent shall be in addition to the
vote or consent of the holders of Shares otherwise required by law or by
the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, whether now or
hereafter authorized, or any agreement between the Trust and any national
securities exchange.
(b) The term "Principal Shareholder" shall mean any corporation,
Person or other entity which is the beneficial owner, directly or
indirectly, of five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding Shares and
shall include any affiliate or associate, as such terms are defined in
clause (ii) below, of a Principal Shareholder. For the purposes of this
Section, in addition to the Shares which a corporation, Person or other
entity beneficially owns directly, (a) any corporation, Person or other
entity shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any Shares (i) which
it has the right to acquire pursuant to any agreement or upon exercise of
conversion rights or warrants, or otherwise (but excluding share options
granted by the Trust) or (ii) which are beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly (including Shares deemed owned through application of clause (i)
above), by any other corporation, Person or entity with which its
"affiliate" or "associate" (as defined below) has any agreement,
arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting
or disposing of Shares, or which is its "affiliate" or "associate" as those
terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (b) the outstanding Shares shall
include Shares deemed owned through application of clauses (i) and (ii)
above but shall not include any other Shares which may be issuable pursuant
to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights or warrants, or
otherwise.
(c) This Section shall apply to the following transactions:
(i) The merger or consolidation of the Trust or any subsidiary
of the Trust with or into any Principal Shareholder.
(ii) The issuance of any securities of the Trust to any
Principal Shareholder for cash(other than pursuant to any automatic
dividend reinvestment plan).
(iii) The sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part
of the assets of the Trust to any Principal Shareholder (except assets
having an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000, aggregating
for the purpose of such computation all assets sold, leased or exchanged in
any series of similar transactions within a twelve-month period.)
(iv) The sale, lease or exchange to the Trust or any subsidiary
thereof, in exchange for securities of the Trust of any assets of any
Principal Shareholder (except assets having an aggregate fair market value
of less than $1,000,000, aggregating for the purposes of such computation
all assets sold, leased or exchanged in any series of similar transactions
within a twelve-month period).
(d) The provisions of this Section shall not be applicable to (i) any
of the transactions described in paragraph (c) of this Section if two-
thirds of the Board of Trustees of the Trust shall by resolution have
approved a memorandum of understanding with such Principal Shareholder with
respect to and substantially consistent with such transaction, or (ii) any
such transaction with any corporation of which a majority of the
outstanding shares of all classes of a stock normally entitled to vote in
elections of directors is owned of record or beneficially by the Trust and
its subsidiaries.
(e) The Board of Trustees shall have the power and duty to determine
for the purposes of this Section on the basis of information known to the
Trust whether (i) a corporation, person or entity beneficially owns five
percent (5%) or more of the outstanding Shares, (ii) a corporation, person
or entity is an "affiliate" or "associate" (as defined above) of another,
(iii) the assets being acquired or leased to or by the Trust or any
subsidiary thereof constitute a substantial part of the assets of the Trust
and have an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000, and (iv)
the memorandum of understanding referred to in paragraph (d) hereof is
substantially consistent with the transaction covered thereby. Any such
determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes of this
Section.
ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous
12.1 Filing. (a) This Declaration and any amendment hereto
shall be filed in such places as may be required or as the Trustees deem
appropriate. Each amendment shall be accompanied by a certificate signed
and acknowledged by a Trustee stating that such action was duly taken in a
manner provided herein, and shall, upon insertion in the Trust's minute
book, be conclusive evidence of all amendments contained therein. A
restated Declaration, containing the original Declaration and all
amendments theretofore made, may be executed from time to time by a
majority of the Trustees and shall, upon insertion in the Trust's minute
book, be conclusive evidence of all amendments contained therein and may
thereafter be referred to in lieu of the original Declaration and the
various amendments thereto.
(b) The Trustees hereby authorize and direct a Certificate of Trust,
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, to be executed and filed with the
Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance
with the Delaware Business Trust Act.
12.2 Resident Agent. The Trust shall maintain a resident agent
in the State of Delaware, which agent shall initially be The Corporation
Trust Company, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ The Trustees
may designate a successor resident agent, provided, however, that such
appointment shall not become effective until written notice thereof is
delivered to the office of the Secretary of the State.
12.3 Governing Law. This Declaration is executed by the
Trustees and delivered in the State of Delaware and with reference to the
laws thereof, and the rights of all parties and the validity and
construction of every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed
according to laws of said State and reference shall be specifically made to
the business corporation law of the State of Delaware as to the
construction of matters not specifically covered herein or as to which an
ambiguity exists, although such law shall not be viewed as limiting the
powers otherwise granted to the Trustees hereunder and any ambiguity shall
be viewed in favor of such powers.
12.4 Counterparts. This Declaration may be simultaneously
executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, and such counterparts, together, shall constitute one and the
same instrument, which shall be sufficiently evidenced by any such original
counterpart.
12.5 Reliance by Third Parties. Any certificate executed by an
individual who, according to the records of the Trust, or of any recording
office in which this Declaration may be recorded, appears to be a Trustee
hereunder, certifying to: (a) the number or identity of Trustees or
Shareholders, (b) the name of the Trust, (c) the due authorization of the
execution of any instrument or writing, (d) the form of any vote passed at
a meeting of Trustees or Shareholders, (e) the fact that the number of
Trustees or Shareholders present at any meeting or executing any written
instrument satisfies the requirements of this Declaration, (f) the form of
any By Laws adopted by or the identity of any officers elected by the
Trustees, or (g) the existence of any fact or facts which in any manner
relate to the affairs of the Trust, shall be conclusive evidence as to the
matters so certified in favor of any person dealing with the Trustees and
their successors.
12.6 Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulation.
(a) The provisions of this Declaration 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 Declaration; provided, however, that such
determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this
Declaration or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior
to such determination.
(b) If any provision of this Declaration 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 provision in any other jurisdiction
or any other provision of this Declaration in any jurisdiction.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused these presents to
be executed as of the day and year first above written.
____________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
Sole Trustee
Exhibit A
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
OF
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
This Certificate of Trust of THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL
TRUST (the "Trust"), dated June 17, 1999, is being duly executed and filed
by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇, as sole trustee (the "Sole Trustee"), to form a
business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act (12 Del. C.
sections 3801, et seq.).
1. Name. The name of the business trust formed hereby is THE
BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST.
2. Registered Office; Registered Agent. The business address
of the registered office of the Trust in the State of Delaware is The
Corporation Trust Company, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ in the City of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇. The name of the Trust's registered agent at such address is The
Corporation Trust Company.
3. Address of Sole Trustee. The business address of the Sole
Trustee is ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇.
4. Effective Date. This Certificate of Trust shall be
effective upon the date and time of filing.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate
of Trust as of the date first above-written.
__________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
Sole Trustee