AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST OF BNY MELLON ETF TRUST II (a Massachusetts Business Trust) Dated as of June 24, 2024
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
(a Massachusetts Business Trust)
Dated as of June 24, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| Page | |||
| Section 6.4 | Delegation; Committees | 16 | |
| Section 6.5 | Collection and Payment | 16 | |
| Section 6.6 | Expenses | 16 | |
| Section 6.7 | Manner of Acting | 16 | |
| Section 6.8 | By-laws | 17 | |
| Section 6.9 | Principal Transactions | 17 | |
| Section 6.10 | Effect of Trustees' Determination | 17 | |
| ARTICLE VII | SERVICE PROVIDERS | 17 | |
| Section 7.1 | Investment Adviser and Administrator | 17 | |
| Section 7.2 | Underwriter; Transfer Agent; Shareholder Servicing Agent; Custodian | 17 | |
| Section 7.3 | Parties to Contract | 18 | |
| Section 7.4 | Further Authority of Trustees | 18 | |
| ARTICLE VIII | DISTRIBUTIONS; REDEMPTIONS; DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE | 18 | |
| Section 8.1 | Distributions | 18 | |
| Section 8.2 | Redemption of Shares | 19 | |
| Section 8.3 | Redemption Price | 19 | |
| Section 8.4 | Payment | 19 | |
| Section 8.5 | Redemption of Shareholder's Interest by Action of Trust | 19 | |
| Section 8.6 | Suspension of Right of Redemption | 20 | |
| Section 8.7 | Determination of Net Asset Value; Valuation of Portfolio Assets | 20 | |
| Section 8.8 | Reserves | 21 | |
| Section 8.9 | Determination by Trustees | 21 | |
| ARTICLE IX | LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION | 21 | |
| Section 9.1 | No Personal Liability of and Indemnification of Shareholders | 21 | |
| Section 9.2 | Limitation of Liability of Trustees and Others | 21 | |
| Section 9.3 | Experts; No Bond or Surety | 23 | |
| Section 9.4 | Liability of Third Persons Dealing with the Trust or Trustees | 23 | |
| Section 9.5 | Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses | 23 | |
| Section 9.6 | Further Indemnification | 24 | |
| Section 9.7 | Amendments and Modifications | 24 | |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| Page | |||
| Section 9.8 | Derivative and Direct Actions | 25 | |
| ARTICLE X | TERMINATION; MERGERS AND SALE OF ASSETS | 28 | |
| Section 10.1 | Termination of Trust or Series | 28 | |
| Section 10.2 | Sale of Assets; Merger; Reorganization | 29 | |
| Section 10.3 | Combination of Classes | 29 | |
| ARTICLE XI | AMENDMENTS; FILINGS; MISCELLANEOUS | 29 | |
| Section 11.1 | Amendments to Declaration | 29 | |
| Section 11.2 | Filings; Copies of Declaration; Counterparts; Headings | 30 | |
| Section 11.3 | Trustees May Resolve Ambiguities | 30 | |
| Section 11.4 | Applicable Law; Forum Selection; Jury Waiver | 30 | |
| Section 11.5 | Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations | 32 | |
| Section 11.6 | Writings | 32 | |
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AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
BNY MELLON ETF TRUST II
THIS AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST, made as of the 24th day of June, 2024 by the initial Trustee hereunder (“Initial Trustee”).
NOW, THEREFORE, the Initial Trustee and any successor Trustees elected or appointed in accordance with Article V hereof hereby declare that all cash, securities, and other assets and properties, which the Trust may from time to time acquire in any manner, will be held by the Trust and managed upon the following terms and conditions.
ARTICLE
I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Name. This Trust shall be known as “BNY Mellon ETF Trust II” and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any other name as they may from time to time determine.
Section 1.2 Definitions. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided, the following terms have the following respective meanings:
(a) “By-laws” means the By-laws of the Trust referred to in Section 6.8 hereof, as from time to time amended.
(b) “Class” means the one or more Shares (as defined below) of a Series (as defined below) of the Trust as may be established and designated as a Class from time to time by the Trustees pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof.
(c) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or any successor statute), as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as adopted or amended from time to time.
(d) “Commission” shall have the same meaning given to such term in the 1940 Act (as defined below).
(e) “Complaining Shareholder” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.8 hereof.
(f) “Declaration” means this Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time. Reference in this Agreement and Declaration of Trust to “Declaration,” “hereof,” “herein,” and “hereunder”
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shall be deemed to refer to this Declaration rather than exclusively to the article or section in which such words appear.
(g) “He,” “Him,” and “His” shall include the feminine and neuter, as well as the masculine, genders.
(h) “Interested Person” shall have the same meaning given to such term in the 1940 Act (as defined below).
(i) “1940 Act” refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (and any successor statute) and the rules thereunder, all as amended from time to time, as may apply to the Trust or a Series (as defined below) or a Class, including pursuant to any exemptive, interpretive or other relief or guidance issued by the Commission or the staff of the Commission under such Act.
(j) “Outstanding Shares” means those Shares (as defined below) shown from time to time on the books of the Trust or its transfer agent as then issued and outstanding, but shall not include Shares which have been redeemed, repurchased, cancelled, or terminated by the Trust.
(k) “Person” means and includes natural persons, corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, business trusts, limited liability partnerships, statutory trusts, limited liability companies, trusts, associations, joint ventures, estates, nominees, and any other entity in its own or any representative capacity, whether or not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof, in each case whether domestic or foreign.
(l) “Prospectus” means the prospectus and statement of additional information with respect to the Trust or one or more Series (as defined below) or Classes as the context shall require, as contained in the most recent effective registration statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Trust or one or more such Series or Classes, as the same may be supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with the requirements of the federal securities laws.
(m) “Series” individually or collectively means each Series of Shares (as defined below) as may be established and designated from time to time by the Trustees pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof.
(n) “Shareholder” means a record owner of Outstanding Shares, provided however that solely for the purposes of Sections 9.8 and 11.4(d) hereof, the term “Shareholder” shall mean a record owner or a beneficial owner of Outstanding Shares.
(o) “Shares” means the units of interest into which the beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time, including the Shares of any and all Series and Classes which may be established and designated by the Trustees, and includes
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fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares. Any references to Shares in this Declaration shall be deemed to include references to Shares of any or all Series or Classes as the context may require.
(p) “Trust” refers to the voluntary association with transferable shares established by this Declaration, as the same may be amended from time to time.
(q) “Trust Property” means any and all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of the Trust or any Series, as the context may require.
(r) “Trustees” means, at any time, the person or persons who have signed this Declaration and all other persons who may from time to time be duly qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the provisions of Article V hereof, in each case if they shall at that time continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof, and reference herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall refer to such person or persons in his capacity or their capacities as Trustees hereunder.
ARTICLE
II
NATURE AND PURPOSE OF TRUST
The Trust set forth in this instrument shall be deemed made in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and it is created under and is to be governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of said Commonwealth as a voluntary association with transferable shares (commonly known as a business trust) of the type referred to in Chapter 182 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trust is not intended to be, shall not be deemed to be, and shall not be treated as, a general or a limited partnership, joint venture, corporation, or joint stock company, nor shall the Trustees or Shareholders or any of them for any purpose be deemed to be, or be treated in any way whatsoever as though they were, liable or responsible hereunder as partners or joint venturers. The purpose of the Trust is to engage in, operate, and carry on the business of an open-end management investment company through one or more Series, and to do any and all acts or things as are necessary, convenient, appropriate, incidental, or customary in connection therewith and, without limiting the foregoing or the other provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by a Massachusetts business trust.
ARTICLE
III
REGISTERED AGENT; PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS
The registered agent of the Trust is CT Corporation at its office at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇. The principal place of business of the Trust is 240
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Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10007. The Trustees may, from time to time, change the registered agent of the Trust and the principal place of business of the Trust.
ARTICLE
IV
BENEFICIAL INTERESTS; SHAREHOLDERS
Section 4.1 Shares of Beneficial Interest. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided into such Shares of beneficial interest, of such Series or Classes, and of such designations and par values (if any) and with such rights, preferences, privileges, limitations, restrictions, and such other relative terms as shall be determined by the Trustees from time to time. The number of Shares is unlimited. The Trustees shall have full power and authority to take such action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may deem desirable.
Section 4.2 Issuance of Shares. (a) Shares may be issued from time to time to such Persons (including, without limitation, any Trustee, officer, or agent of the Trust, or any Person in which a Trustee, officer, or agent of the Trust has an interest) either for cash or for such other consideration (which may be in any one or more instances a certain specified consideration or certain specified considerations) and on such terms as the Trustees, from time to time, may deem advisable, and the Trust may, in connection with an issuance of Shares, acquire other assets (including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection with, the assumption of liabilities), and all Shares so 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. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Trust may issue Shares of any Series or Class only in lots of an aggregate number of Shares as shall be determined and changed from time to time to be called creation units or such other term as the Trustees shall determine (as so defined, “Creation Units”), and in connection with the issuance of such Creation Units, to charge transaction or creation fees or other similar fees. The Trust shall have the right to refuse to issue Shares to any Person at any time and without any reason therefor whatsoever.
(b) The Trust may issue Shares in fractional denominations to the same extent as its whole Shares, and Shares in fractional denominations shall be Shares having proportionately to the respective fractions represented thereby all the rights of whole Shares, including, without limitation, the right to vote, the right to receive dividends and distributions, and the right to participate upon termination of the Trust.
(c) Any Shares issued by the Trust which have been purchased, redeemed, or otherwise reacquired by the Trust shall be retired automatically and shall have the status of unissued Shares.
Section 4.3 Rights of Shareholders. The ownership of the Trust Property of every description and the right to conduct any business herein described is vested
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exclusively in the Trustees, acting in the name of the Trust, subject to Section 5.6 hereof. The Shareholders shall have no right or title in or to the Trust Property or to call for any partition or division of any property, profits, rights, or interests of the Trust or any Series and the Shareholders shall have no interest therein other than the beneficial interest conferred by their Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, unless expressly set forth therein and authorized by the Trustees, Shareholders shall have no rights, privileges, claims, or remedies under any contract or agreement entered into by the Trust or any Series with any service provider or other agent to or contractor with the Trust or a Series, including, without limitation, any third party beneficiary rights. The death, incapacity, dissolution, termination, or bankruptcy of a Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall neither operate to terminate the Trust or any Series nor entitle the representative of any such Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust, any Series, or the Trustees, but shall entitle such representative only to the rights of said Shareholder under this Declaration. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee, or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any Shareholder, 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, provided however that any sales loads or charges, creation or redemption fees, account fees, or any other fees or charges not prohibited as charges to Shareholders under applicable law shall not be deemed to be an assessment for the purposes of this Declaration. The Shares shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth in this Declaration. The holders of Shares shall not, as such holders, have any appraisal rights with respect to their Shares, and, except as the Trustees may determine from time to time, shall have no right to acquire, purchase, or subscribe for any Shares or securities of the Trust that it may hereafter issue or sell, or have any preference, preemptive, conversion, or exchange rights. Every Shareholder, by virtue of purchasing Shares and becoming a Shareholder, shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of this Declaration and to any By-laws adopted hereunder and shall be bound thereby.
Section 4.4 Ownership and Transfer of Shares; Small Accounts. (a) The ownership and transfer of Shares shall be recorded on the books of the Trust or, if there is a transfer or similar agent with respect to such Shares, on the books and records of such transfer or similar agent with respect to such Shares, which records shall be maintained separately for the Shares of each Series or Class of the Trust. No certificates representing the ownership of Shares shall be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules or impose such restrictions as they consider necessary or appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, transfer of Shares, and similar matters. The record books of the Trust, as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent of the Trust, shall be conclusive as to who are the holders of Shares and as to the number of Shares held from time to time by each Shareholder. No Shareholder shall be entitled to receive any payment of a dividend or distribution, or to have notice given to him as provided herein or in the By-laws, until he has provided such information as shall be required to the Trust or, as applicable, the Trust’s transfer or similar agent with respect to his Shares.
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(b) In the event any certificates representing Outstanding Shares are at any time outstanding, the Trustees may at any time or from time to time determine that Shares shall no longer be represented by certificates, and in connection therewith, upon written notice to any Shareholder holding certificates representing Outstanding Shares, such certificates shall be cancelled, provided that such cancellation shall not affect the ownership by such Shareholder of such Outstanding Shares, and following such cancellation, ownership and transfer of such Outstanding Shares shall be recorded by book entry on the books of the Trust or its transfer or similar agent.
(c) The Trustees may establish, from time to time, one or more minimum investment amounts for Shareholder accounts, which may differ within and among any Series or Classes, and may impose account fees on (which may be satisfied by involuntarily redeeming the requisite number of Shares in any such account in the amount of such fee), and/or require the involuntary redemption of, Shares held in those accounts if the net asset value of which for any reason falls below such established minimum investment amounts, or may authorize the Trust to convert any such Shares in such account to Shares of another Class or Series, or take any other such action with respect to minimum investment amounts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the Trustees, in each case upon such terms as shall be established by the Trustees.
Section 4.5 Voting by Shareholders. (a) Shareholders shall not have the power to vote on any matter except: (i) for the election or removal of Trustees to the extent and as provided in Article V hereof, and (ii) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by law or as the Trustees may consider and determine necessary or desirable.
(b) Each whole Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote as to any matter on which the holder is entitled to vote, and each fractional Share shall entitle the holder thereof to a proportionate fractional vote. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees or on any other matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy. Until Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders of the Trust or such Series or Class, and may take any action required or permitted by law, this Declaration, or the By-laws of the Trust, to be taken by Shareholders of the Trust, such Series, or Class.
Only Shareholders who are owners of record on the books of the Trust on the applicable record date will be entitled to vote on a matter. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trust shall be entitled to rely on any vote cast by a Shareholder, and without any further or independent investigation, shall deem any vote cast by a Shareholder that holds of record Shares on behalf of one or more beneficial owners of Shares to have been taken in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations governing the relationship between the Shareholder and its beneficial owners, and/or any contractual provision, or other arrangement, with any beneficial owner of Shares holding through such Shareholder.
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(c) On any matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders of the Trust, all Shares of all Series and Classes then entitled to be voted by their holders shall be voted together, except that (i) when required by the 1940 Act, this Declaration, or a Designation (as defined in Section 4.9 below) to be voted by individual Series or Class, Shares shall be voted by individual Series or Class, and (ii) when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects only the interests of Shareholders of one or more Series or Classes, only Shareholders of such one or more Series or Classes shall be entitled to vote thereon.
Section 4.6 Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders of the Trust or any one or more Series or Classes may be called and held from time to time for the purpose of taking action upon any matter requiring the vote or authority of the Shareholders as herein provided or upon any other matter deemed by the Trustees to be necessary or desirable. The Trustees may set in the By-laws, or may otherwise establish, provisions relating to the calling and holding of meetings (including the holding of meetings by electronic or other similar means); notice of meetings; record dates; place of meetings; conduct of meetings; voting by proxy; postponement, adjournment, or cancellation of meetings; and related matters.
Section 4.7 Quorum and Action. (a) The Trustees shall set forth in the By-laws the quorum required for the transaction of business by the Shareholders at a meeting, which quorum requirement may vary by Series or Class or by the action to be taken at the meeting, and which shall in no event be less than the holders of thirty percent (30%) of the Shares entitled to vote at such meeting or on such action. If a quorum is present when a duly called and held meeting is convened, the Trust may continue to transact business until adjournment, even though the withdrawal of a number of Shareholders originally present leaves less than the proportion or number otherwise required for a quorum.
(b) The Shareholders shall take action by the affirmative vote of the holders of Shares representing a majority, except in the case of the election of Trustees which shall only require a plurality, of votes cast at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present, except as may be otherwise required by applicable law or any provision of this Declaration, a Designation as defined in Section 4.9 below, or the By-laws.
Section 4.8 Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting of Shareholders. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Shareholders may be taken, if so directed by the Trustees, without a meeting by written action executed by Shareholders, as of a specified record date, holding not less than the minimum number of Shares that would have been necessary to take the action at a meeting, assuming that all of the Shareholders entitled to vote on that action were present and voting at that meeting. The written action shall be effective when it has been executed by the requisite number of Shareholders and delivered to the Secretary of the Trust, unless a different effective time is provided in the written action. Such consent may be executed and delivered by electronic means in accordance with any procedures that may be adopted by the Trustees from time to time.
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Series and Classes of Shares.
(a) Series. The Trustees have heretofore established the Series listed on the Trust’s Designation of Series in effect as of the date hereof, and the Trustees may from time to time authorize the division of Shares into additional Series. The relative rights, preferences, privileges, limitations, restrictions and other relative terms of any Series shall be established and designated by the Trustees, and may be modified by the Trustees from time to time, upon and subject to the following provisions:
(i) Subject to variations between Classes of Shares of a Series, all Shares shall be identical except that there may be such variations as shall be fixed and determined from time to time between different Series, including, without limitation, as to qualifications for ownership, minimum purchase amounts, minimum account size, purchase price, fees and expenses, redemptions, creation and redemption fees, conversions and exchanges, and special and relative rights as to dividends and on liquidation, and each Series shall have such business purpose or investment objective as shall be determined by the Trustees. Each Share of a Series shall represent a beneficial interest in the net assets allocated or belonging to such Series only, and such interest shall not extend to the assets of the Trust generally (except to the extent that General Assets (as defined below) are allocated to such Series).
(ii) The number of authorized Shares of each Series and the number of Shares of each Series that may be issued shall be unlimited. The Trustees may divide or combine any issued or unissued Shares of any Series into a greater or lesser number; classify or reclassify any issued or unissued Shares into one or more Series; terminate any one or more Series; change the name or other designation of a Series; and take such other action with respect to the Series as the Trustees may deem desirable.
(iii) 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 (collectively, the “Assets”), shall irrevocably belong to that Series for all purposes, subject only to the rights of creditors of such Series, and shall be so recorded upon the books of the Trust. Such Assets, together with any General Assets (as hereinafter defined) allocated to that Series as provided in the following sentence, are herein referred to as “Assets belonging to” that Series. In the event that there are any assets, income, earnings, profits, or proceeds thereof, funds or payments which are not readily identifiable as Assets belonging to any particular Series (collectively, the “General Assets”), the Trustees shall allocate such General Assets to and among any one or more of the Series created from time to time in such manner and on such basis as they deem fair and equitable; and any
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General Assets allocated to a particular Series shall be Assets belonging to that Series. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all purposes. Separate and distinct records shall be maintained for each Series and the Assets belonging to each Series shall be held and accounted for in such separate and distinct records separately from the Assets belonging to all other Series and the General Assets of the Trust not allocated to such Series.
(iv) The Assets belonging to a particular Series shall be charged with the debts, liabilities, and obligations of the Trust in respect of that Series and with all expenses, costs, charges, and reserves attributable to that Series (collectively, the “Liabilities”), which Liabilities shall be recorded upon the books of the Trust. Such Liabilities together with any General Liabilities (as hereinafter defined) allocated to that Series as provided in the following sentence, are herein referred to as “Liabilities belonging to” that Series. In the event there are any debts, liabilities, obligations, expenses, costs, charges, or reserves of the Trust that are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Series (collectively, the “General Liabilities”), the Trustees shall allocate and charge such General Liabilities to and among any one or more of the Series created from time to time in such manner and on such basis as they deem fair and equitable; and any General Liabilities so allocated to a particular Series shall belong to that Series. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon all concerned for all purposes. Without limiting the foregoing, but subject to the right of the Trustees to allocate General Liabilities as herein provided, the Liabilities belonging to a particular Series shall be enforceable only against the Assets belonging to such Series and not against the assets of the Trust generally or against the Assets belonging to any other Series, and none of the General Liabilities incurred, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to the Trust generally or any Liabilities incurred, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to any other Series shall be enforceable against the Assets belonging to such Series. Any person extending credit to, contracting with, or having any claim against any Series may look only to the Assets belonging to that Series to satisfy or enforce any Liability belonging to that Series. No Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series, in such capacity, shall have a claim on or any right to any Assets belonging to any other Series.
(b) Classes. The Trustees may from time to time authorize the division of Shares of the Trust or any Series into Classes. The relative rights, preferences, privileges, limitations, restrictions, and other relative terms of a Class shall be established and designated by the Trustees and may be modified by the Trustees from time to time. All Shares of a Class of a Series shall be identical with each other and with the Shares of each other Class of the same Series except for such variations between Classes as may be authorized by the Trustees from time to time and not prohibited by the 1940 Act, including, without limitation, as to qualifications for ownership, minimum purchase amounts, minimum account size, purchase price, fees and expenses, redemptions, conversions and exchanges , and special and relative rights as to dividends and on liquidation. The number
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of authorized Shares of each Class and the number of Shares of each Class that may be issued shall be unlimited. The Trustees may divide or combine the issued or unissued Shares of any Class into a greater or lesser number; classify or reclassify any issued or unissued Shares of any Class into one or more Classes; combine two or more Classes of a Series into a single Class of such Series; terminate any one or more Classes of Shares; change the name or other designation of a Class; and take such other action with respect to the Classes as the Trustees may deem desirable. To the extent necessary or appropriate to give effect to the preferences and special or relative rights and privileges of any Classes, the Trustees may allocate assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of a Series to a particular Class of that Series or apportion the same among two or more Classes of that Series.
(c) Establishment and Designation of Series and Classes The establishment and designation of any Series or Class of Shares shall be made either by the vote of a majority of the Trustees or upon the execution by a majority of the Trustees of an instrument, in each case setting forth such establishment and designation, the effective date of such establishment and designation and the relative rights, preferences, privileges, limitations, restrictions, and other relative terms of such Series and/or Class, whether directly in such resolution or instrument or by reference to one or more documents or instruments outside this Declaration and outside the resolutions, as the same may be in effect from time to time, including any Prospectus relating to such Series or Class. Any such instrument executed by a majority of the Trustees, or, with respect to an establishment and designation made by vote of the Trustees, an instrument setting forth such resolutions and certified by either the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Trust (in each case, a “Designation”), shall further be filed in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.2 hereof. Additions or modifications to a Designation, including, without limitation, any termination of an existing Series or Class, shall be made in the same manner as is permitted for the establishment and designation of such Series or Class.
Section 4.10 Disclosure of Shareholder Holdings. The holders of Shares or other securities of the Trust shall upon demand disclose to the Trust 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; to comply with the requirements of any other law or regulation; or as the Trustees may otherwise decide, and ownership of Shares may be disclosed by the Trust if so required by applicable law or as the Trustees may otherwise decide.
Section 4.11 Access to Trust Records. Except to the extent otherwise required by law, Shareholders shall only have such right to inspect the records, documents, accounts, and books of the Trust as may be granted from time to time by the Trustees.
Section 4.12 Communications with Shareholders. Any notices, reports, statements, or communications with Shareholders of any kind required under this Declaration, including any such communications with Shareholders or their counsel or other representatives required under Section 9.8 hereof, or otherwise made by the Trust or
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its agents on behalf of the Trust shall be governed by the provisions pertaining thereto in the By-laws.
Section 5.1 Management of the Trust. The business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed under the direction of the Trustees, and they shall have all powers necessary and desirable to carry out that responsibility, including, without limitation, those powers described more fully in Article VI hereof.
Section 5.2 Qualification and Number. Each Trustee shall be a natural person. A Trustee need not be a citizen of the United States or a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By action of the Initial Trustee or by action of a majority of the Trustees as may then be in office, the Trustees may from time to time establish the number of Trustees. No decrease in the number of Trustees shall have the effect of removing any Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his term, but the number of Trustees may be decreased in conjunction with the removal of a Trustee pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof. At all times at least one Trustee may be an Interested Person of the Trust.
Section 5.3 Term and Election. Except as provided in Section 5.4 below, a Trustee shall hold office for a term of 15 calendar years; provided, however, that the Trustees may unanimously consent to extend the term of any Trustee beyond 15 years for up to three additional calendar years pursuant to policies and provisions, either in the Trust’s By-Laws or in a separate policy approved by the Trustees, permitting and governing such extensions to the term of office. Any Trustee vacancy among the Trustees who are not deemed to be Interested Persons of the Trust may be filled by the affirmative action of a majority of the Trustees then in office who are not deemed to be Interested Persons of the Trust, except as prohibited by the 1940 Act. If for any reason there are no Trustees who are not deemed to be Interested Persons of the Trust then in office, vacancies may be filled by the affirmative action of the Trustees who are deemed to be Interested Persons of the Trust, subject to any required shareholder approval pursuant to the 1940 Act. Any Trustee vacancy among the Trustees who are deemed to be Interested Persons of the Trust may be filled by the affirmative action of a majority of the Trustees who are deemed to be Interested Persons of the Trust then in office, except as prohibited by the 1940 Act. If for any reason there are no Trustees who are deemed to be Interested Persons of the Trust then in office, vacancies may be filled by the affirmative action of the President of the Trust elected pursuant to Section 6.2(b)(iii) hereof, subject to any required shareholder approval pursuant to the 1940 Act.
Section 5.4 Resignation, Retirement and Removal. Any Trustee may resign or retire as a Trustee by an instrument in writing signed by him and delivered or mailed to the chair, if any, the President or the Secretary of the Trust, and such resignation or retirement shall be effective upon such delivery, or at a later date according to the terms of the
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instrument. The Trustees may adopt policies from time to time relating to the terms of office and/or retirement of the Trustees. Any Trustee who has become incapacitated by illness or injury, as determined by a majority of the other Trustees, or declared incompetent by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees. Except as aforesaid, any Trustee may be removed from office with or without cause and only (i) by action of at least a majority of the Outstanding Shares, or (ii) by the action of at least a majority of the other Trustees, specifying the date when such removal shall become effective. Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement to which the Trust is a party or in a written policy adopted by the Trustees, no resigned, retired, or removed Trustee shall have any right to any compensation for any period following his resignation, retirement, or removal, or any right to damages on account of such resignation, retirement, or removal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all Trustees shall have a mandatory retirement age, and shall retire on the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of 75 years; provided, however, that the Trustees may unanimously consent to extend the term of any Trustee for up to three additional calendar years pursuant to policies and provisions, either in the Trust’s By-Laws or in a separate policy approved by the Trustees, permitting and governing such extensions to the term of office.
Section 5.5 Vacancies. The death, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity of one or more of the Trustees, or all of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust 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 in Section 5.3 herein, or the number of Trustees as fixed is reduced, the Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees, and during the period during which any such vacancy shall occur, only the Trustees then in office shall be counted for the purposes of the existence of a quorum or any action to be taken by such Trustees.
Section 5.6 Ownership of Trust Property. The Trust Property 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. All right, title, and interest in the Trust Property shall at all times be considered as automatically vested in the Trustees as shall be from time to time in office, provided however that the Trustees shall have the power and authority to cause legal title to any Trust Property or the Trust Property of any Series to be held by or in the name of the Trust or any such Series or nominee of the same, or in the name of any other Person, including without limitation, any custodian or sub-custodian or other financial intermediary or agent or nominee of the same appointed in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof, on such terms as the Trustees may determine. Upon the resignation, retirement, removal, incapacity, or death of a Trustee, such Trustee 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 without the execution or delivery of any conveyancing or other instruments. No Shareholder shall be
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deemed to have a severable ownership in any individual asset of the Trust or any Series or any right of partition or possession thereof.
Section 6.1 General ▇▇▇▇▇▇. The Trustees shall have exclusive and absolute control over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust but with full powers of delegation, except as may otherwise be expressly prohibited by this Declaration. The Trustees shall have the power to direct the business and affairs of the Trust and carry on the Trust's operations and maintain offices both within and outside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and to do or authorize all such other things and execute or authorize the execution of all such instruments as they deem necessary, proper, or desirable in order to promote the interests of the Trust. With respect to any power or authority of the Trustees hereunder, whether stated or implied, the Trustees shall have all further powers and authority as may be necessary, incidental, relative, conducive, appropriate, or desirable for the accomplishment, carrying out, or attainment of any action authorized by the Trustees. In construing the provisions of this Declaration, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees shall have power and authority to operate and carry on the business of an investment company and the Trustees shall exercise all the powers as are necessary, convenient, appropriate, incidental, or customary in connection therewith and may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by the trustees of a Massachusetts business trust. The enumeration of any specific power herein shall not be construed as limiting the aforesaid general powers. Whenever in this Declaration the Trustees are given authority to act on behalf of the Trust or to direct, authorize, or cause the Trust to take any action, such power and authority shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to any action of the Trust on behalf of any Series or Class.
Section 6.2 Certain Specific Powers. (a) Investments. The Trustees shall not in any way be bound or limited by present or future laws, rules, regulations, or customs in regard to investments by fiduciaries, but shall have full authority and power to authorize the Trust to make, invest and reinvest in, to buy or otherwise acquire, to hold, for investment or otherwise, to borrow, to sell, terminate, exercise, or otherwise dispose of, to lend or to pledge, to write, enter into, engage, trade, or deal in any and all investments or investment strategies as they may deem proper at any time and from time to time to accomplish the purpose of the Trust. In furtherance of, and in no way limiting, the foregoing, the Trustees shall have power and authority to authorize the Trust:
(i) to exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities or other assets;
(ii) to hold any security or property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, unregistered, or other negotiable form, or either in the Trust's name or in the name of a custodian or a nominee or nominees;
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(iii) to exercise all rights, powers and privileges of ownership or interest in all securities and other assets included in the Trust Property, including the right to vote thereon and otherwise act with respect thereto and to do all acts for the preservation, protection, improvement, and enhancement in value of all such assets;
(iv) to acquire (by purchase, lease, or otherwise) and to hold, use, maintain, develop, and dispose of (by sale or otherwise) any property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, including cash, securities, currencies, any commodities, and any interest therein;
(v) to borrow money for any purpose and in this connection issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness;
(vi) to secure borrowings by mortgaging, pledging, or otherwise subjecting as security, all or any portion of the Trust Property;
(vii) to endorse, guarantee, or undertake the performance of any obligation or engagement of any other Person;
(viii) to lend money or any other Trust Property;
(ix) to aid by further investment any corporation, company, trust, association, or firm, any obligation of or interest in which is included in the Trust Property or in the affairs of which the Trustees have any direct or indirect interest;
(x) to guarantee or become surety on any or all of the contracts, stocks, bonds, notes, debentures, and other obligations of any such corporation, company, trust, association, or firm;
(xi) to consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation, or merger of any corporation or issuer, any security or property of which is held in the Trust;
(xii) to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, or sale of property by such corporation or issuer;
(xiii) to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust; and
(xiv) to join with other security holders in acting through a committee, depositary, voting trustee, or otherwise, and in that connection to deposit any security with, or transfer any security to, any such committee, depositary or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with relation to any security (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and
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compensation of such committee, depositary, or trustee as the Trustees shall deem reasonable and proper.
(b) Additional Powers. The Trustees shall have the power and authority on behalf of the Trust:
(i) to employ, engage, or contract with, or make payments to, such Persons as the Trustees may deem desirable for the transaction of the business of the Trust or any Series, including, without limitation, any Trustee or officer of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee or officer is a member, whether as agents or independent contractors of the Trust or any Series, or as delegates of the Trustees, officers, or any other Person who may be involved with the management of the business affairs of the Trust or any Series, to have such titles, and such rights, powers, and duties as the Trustees may determine from time to time, and to terminate any such employment, engagement, or contract, or other relationship;
(ii) to authorize the Trust to enter into joint ventures, partnerships, and any other combinations or associations;
(iii) to elect and remove such officers as they consider appropriate;
(iv) to authorize the Trust to indemnify any Person with whom the Trust has dealings, including, without limitation, any service provider engaged pursuant to Article VII hereof, to such extent as the Trustees shall determine;
(v) to authorize the Trust to purchase, and pay for out of Trust Property, (A) insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees, and any other Persons, including, without limitation, any service provider engaged pursuant to Article VII hereof, against any or 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 the Trust would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability, (B) insurance for the protection of Trust Property, (C) insurance as may be required by applicable law, or (D) such other insurance as the Trustees shall deem advisable, in each case as the Trustees shall determine;
(vi) to authorize the Trust to establish pension, profit-sharing, share purchase, and other retirement, incentive, and benefit plans, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any Trustees, officers, employees, and agents of the Trust;
(vii) to authorize the Trust to guarantee indebtedness or contractual obligations of others;
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(viii) to determine and change the fiscal year of the Trust or any Series and the method by which its accounts shall be kept;
(ix) to 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; and
(x) to engage in any other lawful act or activity in connection with or incidental to any of the powers enumerated in this Declaration, 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 herein 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.
(c) The foregoing enumeration of the powers and authority of the Trustees shall be read as broadly and liberally as possible, it being the intent of the foregoing in no way to limit the Trustees’ powers and authority.
Section 6.3 Issuance and Repurchase of Shares. The Trustees shall have the power to authorize the Trust to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, transfer, and otherwise deal in Shares and in any options, warrants, or other rights to purchase Shares or any other interests in the Trust other than Shares.
Section 6.4 Delegation; Committees. The Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to time to one or more of their number or to officers, employees, agents, or independent contractors 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, except to the extent such delegation is prohibited by applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, and notwithstanding any provisions herein to the contrary, the Trustees may by resolution appoint committees consisting of one or more, but fewer than all, of the Trustees then in office and such other members as the Trustees shall approve, which committees may be empowered to act for and bind the Trustees and the Trust, as if the acts of such committees were the acts of all the Trustees then in office.
Section 6.5 Collection and Payment. The Trustees shall have the power to authorize the Trust or its agents, in the name of the Trust or in the name of the Trustees, or in the name of one or more of the Trustees, to: collect all money or other property due to the Trust; to pay all claims, including taxes, against the Trust Property; to prosecute, defend, arbitrate, compromise, or abandon any claims relating to the Trust Property; to foreclose any security interest securing any obligations, by virtue of which any money or other property is owed to the Trust; and to enter into releases, agreements, and other instruments; but the Trustees shall have no liability for failing to authorize any of the foregoing.
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Expenses. The Trustees shall have the power to authorize the Trust to incur and pay any expenses which, in the opinion of the Trustees, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of this Declaration, to pay reasonable compensation from the funds of the Trust to themselves as Trustees and to reimburse themselves from the funds of the Trust for their expenses and disbursements. Trustees shall evaluate their compensation annually. The Trustees shall approve the compensation of all officers, employees, and Trustees.
Section 6.7 Manner of Acting. Except as otherwise provided herein, under applicable law or in the By-laws, any action to be taken or determination made by the Trustees may be taken or made by a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting of Trustees (a quorum being present), including any meeting held by means of a conference telephone circuit or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, or by written consents of a majority of Trustees then in office. Any such action or determination may be made by reference to one or more documents or instruments or policies or procedures outside this Declaration and outside the resolutions of the Trustees. Except as set forth specifically in this Declaration, any action that may be taken by the Trustees may be taken by them in their sole discretion and without the vote or consent of Shareholders.
Section 6.8 By-laws. The Trustees may adopt By-laws not inconsistent with this Declaration to provide for the conduct of the business of the Trust and shall have the exclusive power to amend or repeal such By-laws.
Section 6.9 Principal Transactions. Except in transactions not permitted by the 1940 Act, the Trustees may authorize the Trust to buy any securities or other assets from, or sell or lend any securities or other assets of the Trust to, any affiliate of the Trust or any account managed by an affiliate of the Trust, 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 service provider engaged pursuant to Article VII hereof or affiliate of the Trust or any account managed by an affiliate of the Trust.
Section 6.10 Effect of Trustees' Determination. Any action taken or determination made by or pursuant to the direction of the Trustees in good faith and consistent with the provisions of this Declaration shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Trust, every holder at any time of Shares and any other Person.
Section 7.1 Investment Adviser and Administrator. The Trust may enter into a contract or contracts with one or more Persons, to act as investment adviser, investment sub-adviser, manager, administrator, sub-administrator, or other agent or independent contractor to the Trust or Series, and as such to perform such functions as the Trustees may
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deem reasonable and proper, including, without limitation, investment advisory, management, research, valuation of assets, clerical, and administrative functions, under such terms and conditions, and for such compensation, as the Trustees may deem advisable. The Trustees may also authorize or direct any adviser or sub-adviser to employ one or more sub-advisers from time to time and any administrator to employ one or more sub-administrators from time to time, upon such terms and conditions as shall be approved by the Trustees.
Section 7.2 Underwriter; Transfer Agent; Shareholder Servicing Agent; Custodian. The Trust may enter into a contract or contracts with one or more Persons to act as underwriters, distributors, or placement agents whereby the Trust may either agree to sell Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class to the other party or parties to the contract or appoint such other party or parties its sales agent or agents for such Shares and with such other provisions as the Trustees may deem reasonable and proper, and the Trust may from time to time enter into transfer agency, sub-transfer agency, and/or shareholder servicing contract(s), in each case with such terms and conditions, and providing for such compensation, as the Trustees may deem advisable.
All securities and cash of the Trust shall be held pursuant to a written contract or contracts with one or more custodians and subcustodians or shall otherwise be held in accordance with the 1940 Act.
Section 7.3 Parties to Contract. Any contract of the character described in this Article VII may be entered into with any Person, including, without limitation, the investment adviser, any investment sub-adviser, or an affiliate of the investment adviser or sub-adviser, although one or more of the Trustees, officers, or Shareholders of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract, or otherwise interested in such 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 not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article VII or the By-laws. The same Person may be a party to more than one contract entered into pursuant to this 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 Article VII.
Section 7.4 Further Authority of Trustees. The authority of the Trustees hereunder to authorize the Trust to enter into contracts or other agreements or arrangements shall include the authority of the Trustees to modify, amend, waive any provision of, supplement, assign all or a portion of, novate, or terminate such contracts, agreements, or arrangements. The enumeration of any specific contracts in this Article VII shall in no way be deemed to limit the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in Section 6.2 hereof to authorize the Trust to employ, contract with, or make payments to such Persons as the Trustees may deem desirable for the transaction of the business of the Trust.
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DISTRIBUTIONS; REDEMPTIONS; DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
Section 8.1 Distributions. The Trustees (or any committee so authorized by the Trustees) may from time to time declare and authorize the payment of, or may prescribe and set forth in a duly adopted vote or votes of the Trustees or committee, the bases and time or frequency, which may be monthly or otherwise, for the declaration and payment of, such dividends and distributions on Shares of a particular Series as they may deem necessary or desirable, after providing for actual and accrued expenses and liabilities (including such reserves as the Trustees may establish) determined in accordance with good accounting practices. All dividends and distributions on Shares of a particular Series shall be distributed only from the Assets belonging to that Series, as such term is defined in Section 4.9 hereof, and shall be distributed pro rata to the Shareholders of that Series in proportion to the number of Shares of that Series held by such Shareholders at the date and time of record for the payment of such dividends or distributions, subject to any variations with respect to Classes of Shares of such Series, if any, and in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act and the Code. Such distributions may be paid in cash and/or in securities or other property, and the composition of any such distribution shall be determined by the Trustees and may be different among Shareholders (including differences among Shareholders in the same Series or Class).
Section 8.2 Redemption of Shares. All Shares of the Trust shall be redeemable at the redemption price determined in the manner set out in this Declaration, provided however that if the Trustees determine, pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof to issue Shares of any Series or Class in Creation Units, then only Shares of such Series or Class aggregating a Creation Unit shall be redeemable hereunder, and unless the Trustees otherwise determine, there shall be no redemption of partial or fractional Creation Units. The Trust shall redeem the Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class at the price determined as hereinafter set forth, at such offices or agencies and in accordance with such conditions, not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, regarding the redemption of Shares as may be described in the applicable Prospectus.
Section 8.3 Redemption Price. Shares of each Series and Class shall be redeemed at their net asset value determined as set forth in Section 8.7 hereof as of such time as the Trustees shall have theretofore prescribed, less such fees and/or charges, if any, as may be established by the Trustees from time to time.
Section 8.4 Payment. Payment of the redemption price of Shares of any Series or Class shall be made in cash or in property or any combination thereof, out of the Assets belonging to such Series, as such term is defined in Section 4.9 hereof, and the composition of any such payment may be different among Shareholders (including differences among Shareholders in the same Series or Class), at such time and in the manner as may be specified from time to time in the applicable Prospectus. In no event shall the Trust be
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liable for any delay of any other Person in transferring securities or other property selected for delivery as all or part of any such payment.
Section 8.5 Redemption of Shareholder's Interest by Action of Trust. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Trust may redeem some or all of the Shares of the Trust or one or more Series or Classes held by any Shareholder for any reason and under terms set by the Trustees, including by way of illustration, for the following reasons:
(a) the value of such Shares held by such Shareholder being less than the minimum amount established from time to time by the Trustees;
(b) the determination that direct or indirect ownership of Shares by any Person has become concentrated in such Shareholder to any extent that would disqualify that Series as a regulated investment company under the Code;
(c) the failure of a Shareholder to supply a tax identification or other identification or if the Trust is unable to verify a Shareholder’s identity;
(d) the failure of a Shareholder to pay when due for the purchase of Shares issued to such Shareholder;
(e) the failure of a Shareholder to meet or maintain the qualifications for ownership of a particular Class or Series of Shares;
(f) the payment of account fees or other charges, expenses and/or fees as set by the Trustees, including without limitation any small account fees permitted by Section 4.4 hereof;
(g) the determination that ownership of Shares by a particular Shareholder is not in the best interests of the remaining Shareholders of the Trust or applicable Series or Class;
(h) the failure of a holder of Shares or other securities of the Trust to comply with a demand pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof;
(i) in connection with the termination of any Series or Class of Shares; or
(j) when the Trust is requested or compelled to do so by governmental authority or applicable law.
Section 8.6 Suspension of Right of Redemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust may postpone payment of the redemption price and may suspend the right of the holders of Shares to require the Trust to redeem Shares to the extent permissible under the 1940 Act.
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Determination of Net Asset Value; Valuation of Portfolio Assets. The Trustees may from time to time prescribe such bases and times for determining the per Share net asset value of the Shares of the Trust or any Series or Class and may prescribe or approve the procedures and methods for determining the value of portfolio assets as they may deem necessary or desirable.
The Trust may suspend the determination of net asset value during any period when it may suspend the right of the holders of Shares to require the Trust to redeem Shares.
Section 8.8 Reserves. The Trustees may set apart, from time to time, out of any funds of the Trust or Series or of funds allocable to a Class thereof a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose, and may abolish any such reserve.
Section 8.9 Determination by Trustees. The Trustees may make, or may authorize any one or more officers to make, any determinations they deem necessary with respect to the provisions of this Article VIII, including, but not limited to, the following matters: the amount of the assets, obligations, liabilities, and expenses of the Trust; the amount of the net income of the Trust from dividends, capital gains, interest, or other sources for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends or distributions; which items are to be treated as income and which as capital; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges were created shall have been paid or discharged); the market value, or any other price to be applied in determining the market value, or the fair value, of any security or other asset owned or held by the Trust; the number of Shares of the Trust issued or issuable; the net asset value per Share; and any of the foregoing matters as it may pertain to any Series or Class.
ARTICLE
IX
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 9.1 No Personal Liability of and Indemnification of Shareholders. No personal liability for any debt, liability, or obligation, or expense incurred by, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to, the Trust or any Series or Class shall attach to any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder 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 of the Trust or, if the Trust has more than one Series, the applicable Series, to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability; provided, however, there shall be no liability or obligation of the Trust arising hereunder to reimburse any Shareholder for taxes paid by reason of such
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Shareholder's ownership of any Shares or for losses suffered by reason of any changes in value of any Trust assets. The Trust shall, upon request by the Shareholder or former Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon.
Section 9.2 Limitation of Liability of Trustees and Others. (a) No Liability except to Trust. No person who is or has been a Trustee, officer, or employee of the Trust shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, other than the Trust or any Series, in connection with the affairs of the Trust or any Series; and all Persons shall look solely to the Trust Property or property of a Series for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust or such Series, respectively.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate, Share, or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been executed or done only in or with respect to their or his or her capacity as Trustees or Trustee and neither such Trustees or Trustee nor the Shareholders shall be personally liable thereon.
All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or a Series shall look only to the Trust Property, or property of a Series, respectively, for payment under such credit, contract, or claim; and neither the Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor any of the Trust's officers, employees, or agents, whether past, present, or future, shall be personally liable therefor.
(b) Limitation of Liability to Trust. No person who is or has been a Trustee, officer, or employee of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust or to any Series for any action or failure to act (including without limitation the failure to compel in any way any former or acting Trustee to redress any breach of trust) except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of his or her duties involved in the conduct of the individual’s office, and for nothing else and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law.
(c) No Liability for Acts of Others. Without limiting the foregoing limitations of liability contained in this Section 9.2, a Trustee shall not be responsible for or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, employee, investment adviser, sub-adviser, principal underwriter, custodian, transfer agent, or other agent. or independent contractor of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible or liable for the act or omission of any other Trustee (or for the failure to compel in any way any former or acting Trustee to redress any breach of trust), except in the case of such Trustee’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
(d) Notice in Instruments. Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate, or undertaking made or issued by the Trustees or by any officers or officer on behalf of the Trust shall give notice that this Declaration is on file with the Secretary of State of the
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shall recite that the same was executed or made by or on behalf of the Trust by them as Trustees or as officers and not individually and that the obligations of such instrument are not binding upon any of them or the Shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust or the applicable Series, and may contain such further recitals as they or he or she may deem appropriate, but the omission thereof shall not operate to bind any Trustees or officers or Shareholders individually.
Section 9.3 Experts; No Bond or Surety. The Trustees may rely upon advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration and their duties as Trustees hereunder, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice. In discharging their duties, the Trustees, when acting in good faith, shall be entitled to rely upon the books of account and records of the Trust and upon written or oral reports made to the Trustees by any officer, employee, or agent of the Trust, any Trustee or committee of Trustees, or any counsel to the Trust, the Trustees, or any committee of Trustees, any independent registered public accounting firm, and (with respect to the subject matter of the contract involved) any officer, partner, or responsible employee of any other party to any contract entered into hereunder. The appointment, designation, or identification (including in any proxy or registration statement or other document) of a Trustee as chair of the Trustees, a member or chair of a committee of the Trustees, an expert on any topic or in any area (including an audit committee financial expert), or a lead independent Trustee, or as having experience, attributes or skills in any area, or any other appointment, designation, or identification of a Trustee, shall not impose on that person any standard of care or liability that is greater than that imposed on that person as a Trustee in the absence of the appointment, designation, or identification, and no Trustee who has special attributes, skills, experience, or expertise, or is appointed, designated, or identified as aforesaid, shall be held to a higher standard of care by virtue thereof. In addition, no appointment, designation, or identification of a Trustee as aforesaid shall affect in any way that Trustee's rights or entitlement to indemnification or advancement of expenses. The Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required.
Section 9.4 Liability of Third Persons Dealing with the Trust or Trustees. No Person dealing with the Trust or the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trust or Trustees or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or upon its order. The provisions of this Section 9.4 do not address or limit any claim that the Trust may have against any Person contracting with the Trust, or change any obligation owed to the Trust under any contract or otherwise.
Section 9.5 Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in this Section 9.5, every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, or employee of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees, or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor, or otherwise (hereinafter referred
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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 such a Trustee, director, officer, employee, or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof.
No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person to the extent such indemnification is prohibited by applicable federal law. Accordingly, Covered Persons will not be indemnified for liability for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of their duties involved in the conduct of their offices.
The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not 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 such a Covered Person, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
Subject to applicable federal law, expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit, or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under this Section 9.5 shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 9.5.
To the extent that any determination is required to be made as to whether a Covered Person engaged in conduct for which indemnification is not provided as described herein, or as to whether there is reason to believe that a Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification, the Person or Persons making the determination shall afford the Covered Person a rebuttable presumption that the Covered Person has not engaged in such conduct and that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
As used in this Section 9.5, the words “claim,” “action,” “suit” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, demands, actions, suits, investigations, regulatory inquiries, proceedings or any other occurrence of a similar nature, whether actual or threatened and whether civil, criminal, administrative, or other, including appeals, and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties, and other liabilities.
Section 9.6 Further Indemnification. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which any Covered Person or other Person may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law or prevent the Trust from entering into any contract to provide indemnification to any Covered Person or other Person. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust may, in connection with the acquisition of assets subject to liabilities pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof or a merger or consolidation pursuant to Section 10.2 hereof, assume the obligation to indemnify any Person including a Covered Person or otherwise
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contract to provide such indemnification, and such indemnification shall not be subject to the terms of this Article IX.
For the avoidance of doubt, no indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person to the extent such indemnification is prohibited by applicable federal law. Accordingly, Covered Persons will not be indemnified for liability for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of their duties involved in the conduct of their offices.
Section 9.7 Amendments and Modifications. Without limiting the provisions of Section 11.1(b) hereof, in no event will any amendment, modification, or change to the provisions of this Declaration or the By-laws adversely affect in any manner the rights of any Covered Person to (a) indemnification under Section 9.5 hereof in connection with any proceeding in which such Covered Person becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of being or having been a Trustee, officer, or employee of the Trust or (b) any insurance payments under policies maintained by the Trust, in either case with respect to any act or omission of such Covered Person that occurred or is alleged to have occurred prior to the time of such amendment, modification, or change to this Declaration or the By-laws.
Section 9.8 Derivative and Direct Actions. (a) The purpose of this Section 9.8 is to protect the interests of the Trust and its Shareholders by establishing a process that will permit legitimate inquiries and claims to be made and considered while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to the Trust and its Shareholders as a result of spurious Shareholder claims, demands, and derivative actions.
(b) No Shareholder may bring a derivative or similar action or proceeding in the right of or name of or on behalf of the Trust or any Series to recover a judgment in its favor (a "derivative action") unless each of the following conditions is met:
(i) The Shareholder (the “Complaining Shareholder”) was a Shareholder of the Trust or, if brought in the right of or name of or on behalf of a Series, of the Series on behalf of or in the right of or name of which the derivative action is proposed to be brought (the "affected Series"), at the time of the action or failure to act complained of, or acquired the Shares afterwards by operation of law from a Person who was a Shareholder at that time;
(ii) The Complaining Shareholder was a Shareholder of the Trust or, if brought in the right of or name of or on behalf of a Series, the affected Series at the time the demand required by subparagraph (iii) below was made;
(iii) Prior to the commencement of such derivative action, the Complaining Shareholder has made a written demand on the Trustees requesting that the Trustees cause the Trust to file the action itself on behalf of the Trust or the affected Series (a "demand"), which demand shall include at least the following:
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(1) a copy of the proposed derivative complaint, setting forth a detailed description of the action or failure to act complained of, the facts upon which each such allegation is made, and the reasonably estimated damages or other relief sought;
(2) a statement to the effect that the Complaining Shareholder believes in good faith that the Complaining Shareholder will fairly and adequately represent the interests of similarly situated Shareholders in enforcing the rights of the Trust or, if applicable, the affected Series, and an explanation of why the Complaining Shareholder believes that to be the case;
(3) a certification that the requirements of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (b) have been met, as well as information and documentation reasonably designed to allow the Trustees to verify that certification;
(4) a list of all other derivative or class actions in which the Complaining Shareholder is or was a named plaintiff, the court in which such action was filed, the date of filing, the name of all counsel to any plaintiffs, and the outcome or current status of such actions;
(5) a certification by the Complaining Shareholder of the number of Shares of the Trust or, if brought in the right of or name of or on behalf of a Series, the affected Series owned beneficially or of record by the Complaining Shareholder at the time set forth in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (b) and an undertaking that the Complaining Shareholder will be a Shareholder of the Trust or, if applicable, the affected Series as of the commencement of and throughout the derivative action and will notify the Trust in writing of any sale, transfer, or other disposition by the Complaining Shareholder of any such Shares within three business days thereof; and
(6) an acknowledgment of the provisions of paragraphs (f), (h), (i), and (j) of this Section 9.8 below; and
(iv) the derivative action has not been barred in accordance with paragraph (d) below.
(c) Within 90 calendar days of the receipt of a Shareholder demand submitted in accordance with the requirements above, those Trustees who are independent for purposes of considering the demand (the "independent Trustees") will consider, with the assistance of counsel who may be retained by such Trustees on behalf and at the expense of the Trust, the merits of the claim and determine whether maintaining a suit would be in the best interests of the Trust or the affected Series, as applicable. If, during
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this 90-day period, those independent Trustees conclude that a determination as to the maintenance of a suit cannot reasonably be made within the 90-day period, those independent Trustees may extend the 90-day period by a period of time that the independent Trustees consider will be sufficient to permit them to make such a determination, not to exceed 60 calendar days from the end of the initial 90-day period (such 90-day period, as may be extended as provided hereunder, the "review period"). Notice of any such decision to extend the review period shall be sent to the Complaining Shareholder, or the Shareholder’s counsel if represented by counsel, in writing in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof, within five business days of any decision to extend the period. Trustees who are not deemed to be Interested Persons of the Trust are deemed independent for all purposes, including for the purpose of approving or dismissing a derivative action. A Trustee otherwise independent for purposes of considering the demand shall not be considered not to be independent solely by virtue of (i) the fact that such Trustee receives remuneration for his service as a Trustee of the Trust or as a trustee or director of one or more investment companies with the same or an affiliated investment adviser or underwriter, (ii) the amount of such remuneration, (iii) the fact that such Trustee was identified in the demand as a potential defendant or witness, or (iv) the fact that the Trustee approved the act being challenged in the demand if the act resulted in no material personal benefit to the Trustee or, if the Trustee is also a Shareholder, no material personal benefit that is not shared pro rata with other Shareholders.
(d) If the demand has been properly made under paragraph (b) of this Section 9.8, and a majority of the independent Trustees have considered the merits of the claim and have determined that maintaining a suit would not be in the best interests of the Trust or the affected Series, as applicable, the demand shall be rejected and the Complaining Shareholder shall not be permitted to maintain a derivative action unless the Shareholder first sustains the burden of proof to the court that the decision of the Trustees not to pursue the requested action was not a good faith exercise of their business judgment on behalf of the Trust (provided, however, that this provision does not apply to claims arising under the federal securities laws). If upon such consideration a majority of the independent Trustees determine that such a suit should be maintained, then the appropriate officers of the Trust shall either cause the Trust to commence that suit and such suit shall proceed directly rather than derivatively, or permit the Complaining Shareholder to proceed derivatively, provided however that any counsel representing the interests of the Trust or the affected Series shall be approved by the Trustees. The Trustees, or the appropriate officers of the Trust, shall inform the Complaining Shareholder of any decision reached under this paragraph (d) by sending in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof written notice to the Complaining Shareholder, or the Shareholder’s counsel, if represented by counsel, within five business days of such decision having been reached.
(e) If notice of a decision has not been sent to the Complaining Shareholder or the Shareholder’s counsel within the time permitted by paragraph (d) above, and subparagraphs (i) through (iv) of paragraph (b) above have been complied with, the
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Complaining Shareholder shall not be barred by this Declaration from commencing a derivative action.
(f) Each Complaining Shareholder whose demand is rejected pursuant to paragraph (d) above shall be responsible, jointly and severally, for the costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trust in connection with the Trust’s consideration of the demand if a court determines that the demand was made without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose.
(g) No Shareholder may bring a direct action claiming injury as a Shareholder of the Trust, or an affected Series, where the matters alleged (if true) would give rise to a claim by the Trust or by the Trust on behalf of an affected Series, unless the Shareholder has suffered an injury distinct from that suffered by the Shareholders of the Trust, or the affected Series, generally (provided, however, that this provision does not apply to claims arising under the federal securities laws). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, claims to vindicate a Shareholder’s contractual voting rights constitute direct claims only when the alleged injury to the Shareholder relating to the claim about his, her, or its voting rights is distinct from injury alleged to be suffered by the Shareholders of the Trust, or the affected Series, generally. A Shareholder bringing a direct claim must be a Shareholder of the Trust or, as applicable, the affected Series against which the direct action is brought at the time of the injury complained of, or have acquired the Shares afterwards by operation of law from a Person who was a Shareholder at that time.
(h) Each Shareholder who commences or maintains a derivative or direct action in violation of this Section 9.8 shall, jointly and severally, reimburse the Trust for the costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trust in connection with the action if the action is dismissed on the basis of the failure to comply with this Section 9.8. If a court determines that any derivative action has been brought without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose, the costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trust in connection with the action shall be borne, jointly and severally, by each Complaining Shareholder who commenced the action. If a court dismisses a direct action for failure to state a claim, the costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trust in connection with the action shall be borne, jointly and severally, by each Shareholder who commenced the action. This Section 9.8(h) does not apply to claims arising under the federal securities laws.
(i) The Trust shall be responsible for payment of attorneys’ fees and legal expenses incurred by a Shareholder bringing a derivative or direct action in any circumstances only if required by law. Any attorneys’ fees so incurred by a Shareholder that the Trust is obligated to pay shall be calculated using reasonable hourly rates.
(j) Any claim subject to this Section 9.8 shall be subject to Section 11.4 below.
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TERMINATION; MERGERS AND SALE OF ASSETS
Section 10.1 Termination of Trust or Series. (a) Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall continue without limitation of time. The Trust or any Series of the Trust may be terminated at any time by the Trustees by written notice to the Shareholders of the Trust or such Series as the case may be.
(b) Upon the requisite action of the Trustees to terminate the Trust or such Series, after paying or otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses, and liabilities, whether due or accrued or anticipated, as may be determined by the Trustees, which may include the establishment of a liquidating trust or similar vehicle, the Trust shall, in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees consider appropriate, reduce the remaining assets of the Trust or assets of the particular Series to distributable form in cash or other securities, or any combination thereof, and distribute the proceeds to the Shareholders of the Shares of the Trust or such Series in the manner determined by the Trustees, provided that Shareholders of a particular Series shall be entitled to receive a pro rata share of the net assets of such Series only, subject to any variations with respect to Classes of Shares of such Series, if any. Thereupon, 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 relating thereto or arising therefrom, and the right, title, and interest of all parties with respect to the Trust or such Series shall be canceled and discharged, and without limiting the foregoing, in the event that following the final distribution of the net assets of and the termination of the Trust or affected Series, as the case may be, the Trust or affected Series, receives or is entitled to receive any assets, the Trustees shall be under no obligation to distribute or provide for the distribution of such assets to the Shareholders of the Trust or affected Series, but may make such other arrangements for the distribution of such assets as they shall determine in their sole discretion to be reasonable or appropriate under the circumstances. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at their discretion, the Trustees may abandon any previously adopted plan to terminate the Trust or a Series at any time. The Trustees shall file or cause to be filed any instruments as may be required to be filed with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any other governmental office where such filing may be required in connection with the termination of the Trust or any Series.
(c) Any Class of the Trust may be terminated by the Trustees as provided in Article IV hereof.
Section 10.2 Sale of Assets; Merger; Reorganization. The Trustees may authorize the Trust or any Series or Class to merge or consolidate with or sell, lease, transfer, pledge, exchange, convey, or dispose of all or substantially all of the Trust Property (or all or substantially all of the Trust Property allocated or belonging to a particular Series or Class), including its goodwill, to any one or more business trusts, corporations, or other business entities or series or classes thereof (including another Series or Class of the Trust) upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration (which
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may include the assumption of some or all of the outstanding obligations and liabilities, accrued or contingent, whether known or unknown, of the Trust or such Series or Class) as the Trustees may determine. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this provision may be utilized to permit the Trust or any Series to pursue its investment program through one or more subsidiary vehicles or to operate in a master-feeder or fund of funds structure.
Section 10.3 Combination of Classes. The authority of the Trustees under this Article X with respect to the merger, consolidation, sale of assets, or reorganization of any Class or any Series is in addition to the authority of the Trustees under Section 4.9 hereof to combine two or more Classes of a Series into a single Class.
ARTICLE
XI
AMENDMENTS; FILINGS; MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.1 Amendments to Declaration. (a) The Trustees may by vote of a majority of the Trustees then in office amend or otherwise supplement the Declaration by making an amendment, a Declaration supplemental hereto, or an amended and restated Declaration, provided, however, that an amendment to any provision of Article V hereof shall require the vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Trustees then in office.
(b) Nothing contained in this Declaration shall permit the amendment of this Declaration to impair any exemption from or limitation of personal liability of any Person who is or has been a Shareholder, Trustee, officer, or employee of the Trust, or limit the rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses, or insurance provided in Article IX with respect to actions or omissions of Persons entitled to indemnification, advancement of expenses, or insurance under such Article prior to such amendment.
Section 11.2 Filings; Copies of Declaration; Counterparts; Headings. The original or a copy of this instrument and of each amendment and/or restatement hereto shall be kept in the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. An original or copy of this instrument, any amendment and/or restatement hereto, and any Designation executed in accordance with Section 4.9 hereof shall be filed by the Trustees with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as any other governmental office where such filing may from time to time be required, provided, however, that the failure to so file will not invalidate this instrument, any properly authorized amendment and/or restatement hereto, or Designation. 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, restatements, or Designations 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 instrument or of any such amendments, restatements, or Designations. This instrument and any such amendments, restatements, or Designations may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. Headings are placed herein for convenience of
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reference only, and in case of any conflict, the text of this instrument, rather than the headings, shall control.
Section 11.3 Trustees May Resolve Ambiguities. The Trustees may construe any of the provisions of this Declaration insofar as the same may appear to be ambiguous or inconsistent with any other provisions hereof, and any such construction hereof by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive as to the meaning to be given to such provisions.
Section 11.4 Applicable Law; Forum Selection; Jury Waiver. (a) The Trust set forth in this instrument is created under and is to be governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without reference to its conflicts of law rules, as a Massachusetts business trust, and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust specifically reserves the right to exercise any of the powers and privileges afforded to business trusts or actions that may be engaged in by business trusts, 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.
(b) Notwithstanding the first sentence of Section 11.4(a) hereof, there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees, or this Declaration any provisions of the laws (statutory or common) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (other than Chapter 182 of the Massachusetts General Laws) or any other state pertaining to trusts, including by way of illustration and without limitation, laws that relate to or regulate: (i) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges; (ii) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents, or employees of a trust; (iii) the necessity for obtaining a court or other governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding, or disposition of real or personal property; (iv) fees or other sums applicable to trustees, officers, agents, or employees of a trust; (v) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal; (vi) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount, or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the titling, storage or other manner of holding of trust assets; or (vii) the establishment of fiduciary or other standards or responsibilities or limitations on the acts or powers or authorities and powers of trustees.
(c) No provision of this Declaration shall be effective to require a waiver of compliance with any provision of, or restrict any shareholder rights expressly granted by, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the 1940 Act, or of any valid rule, regulation, or order of the Commission thereunder.
(d) Any action commenced by a Shareholder (i) directly against (A) the Trust or a Series, (B) its Trustees or officers related to, arising out of, or concerning the Trust, its business, or operations, or (C) otherwise related to, arising out of, or concerning the Trust, its business or operations or (ii) derivatively in the right or name of, or on behalf of, the Trust. or Series (collectively, the “Covered Actions”), shall be brought only in the
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U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Boston Division) or if such Covered Action may not be brought in that court, then such action shall be brought in the Business Litigation Session of Suffolk Superior Court in Massachusetts (the “Chosen Courts”). The Trust, its Trustees and officers, and its Shareholders each (X) consent to jurisdiction in the Chosen Courts; (Y) waive any objection to venue in any of the Chosen Courts; and (Z) waive any objection that any of the Chosen Courts is an inconvenient forum. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, if any Shareholder shall commence a Covered Action in any court other than a Chosen Court without the written consent of the Trust, then each such Shareholder shall be obligated, jointly and severally, to reimburse the Trust and any Trustee or officer of the Trust made a party to such proceeding, for the costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trust and any Trustee or officer of the Trust in connection with any successful motion to dismiss, stay, or transfer such action on the basis of the failure to comply with this Section 11.4(d). This Section 11.4(d) does not apply to claims arising under the federal securities laws.
(e) In any Covered Action, there shall be no right to a jury trial. THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS EXPRESSLY WAIVED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Section 11.5 Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations. (a) The provisions of this Declaration are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any such provision, in whole or in part, is in conflict with the 1940 Act, any applicable provisions of the Code, and the regulations thereunder, or with other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision, or the conflicting part or parts thereof, shall be deemed not to constitute 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 whole or in part, in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision, or such part or parts thereof, 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.
Section 11.6 Writings. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, except as the Trustees may otherwise determine:
(a) any requirements in this Declaration or in the By-laws that any action be taken by means of any writing, including, without limitation, any written instrument, any written consent, or any written agreement, shall be deemed to be satisfied by means of any electronic record in such form that is acceptable to the Trustees provided such form is capable of conversion into a written form within a reasonable time; and
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(b) any requirements in this Declaration or in the By-laws that any writing be signed shall be deemed to be satisfied by any electronic signature in such form that is acceptable to the Trustees.
Signature page follows
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole Trustee of the Trust, has executed this instrument as of the date first written above.
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