▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ MULTIPLE DISCIPLINE ACCOUNT TRUST
MASTER TRUST AGREEMENT
JUNE 24, 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I - NAME AND DEFINITIONS .....................................................1
Section 1.1 Name and Principal Office ...........................................1
Section 1.2 Definitions .........................................................1
(a) "By-Laws" ..............................................................1
(b) "class" ................................................................1
(c) "Commission" ...........................................................1
(d) "Declaration of Trust" .................................................1
(e) "1940 Act" .............................................................1
(f) "Shareholder" ..........................................................2
(g) "Shares" ...............................................................2
(h) "Sub-Trust" or "Series" ................................................2
(i) "Trust" ................................................................2
(j) "Trustees" .............................................................2
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE OF TRUST ........................................................2
ARTICLE III - THE TRUSTEES ...........................................................2
Section 3.1 Number, Designation, Election, Term, etc. ...........................2
(a) Trustees ...............................................................2
(b) Number .................................................................2
(c) Election and Term ......................................................2
(d) Resignation and Retirement .............................................2
(e) Removal ................................................................3
(f) Vacancies ..............................................................3
(g) Effect of Death, Resignation, etc ......................................3
(h) No Accounting ..........................................................3
Section 3.2 Powers of Trustees ..................................................3
(a) Investments ............................................................4
(b) Disposition of Assets ..................................................4
(c) Ownership Powers .......................................................5
(d) Subscription ...........................................................5
(e) Form of Holding ........................................................5
(f) Reorganization, etc ....................................................5
(g) Voting Trusts, etc .....................................................5
(h) Compromise .............................................................5
(i) Partnerships, etc ......................................................5
(j) Borrowing and Security .................................................5
(k) Guarantees, etc ........................................................5
(l) Insurance ..............................................................5
(m) Pensions, etc ..........................................................6
(n) Distribution Plans .....................................................6
Section 3.3 Certain Contracts ...................................................6
(a) Advisory ...............................................................6
(i)
(b) Administration .........................................................6
(c) Distribution ...........................................................6
(d) Custodian and Depository ...............................................7
(e) Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agency ................................7
(f) Shareholder Servicing ..................................................7
(g) Accounting .............................................................7
Section 3.4 Payment of Trust Expenses and Compensation of Trustees ..............8
Section 3.5 Ownership of Assets of the Trust ....................................8
Section 3.6 Action by Trustees ..................................................8
ARTICLE IV - SHARES ..................................................................8
Section 4.1 Description of Shares ...............................................8
Section 4.2 Establishment and Designation of Sub-Trusts and Classes ............10
(a) Assets Belonging to Sub-Trusts ........................................10
(b) Liabilities Belonging to Sub-Trusts ...................................11
(c) Dividends .............................................................11
(d) Liquidation ...........................................................12
(e) Voting ................................................................12
(f) Redemption by Shareholder .............................................12
(g) Redemption by Trust ...................................................12
(h) Net Asset Value .......................................................13
(i) Transfer ..............................................................13
(j) Equality ..............................................................13
(k) Fractions .............................................................14
(l) Conversion Rights .....................................................14
(m) Class Differences .....................................................14
Section 4.3 Ownership of Shares ................................................14
Section 4.4 Investments in the Trust ...........................................14
Section 4.5 No Pre-emptive Rights ..............................................14
Section 4.6 Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal Liability ..............14
Section 4.7 No Appraisal Rights ................................................15
ARTICLE V - SHAREHOLDERS' VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS ................................15
Section 5.1 Voting Powers ......................................................15
Section 5.2 Meetings ...........................................................16
Section 5.3 Record Dates .......................................................16
Section 5.4 Quorum and Required Vote ...........................................16
Section 5.5 Action by Written Consent ..........................................17
Section 5.6 Inspection of Records ..............................................17
Section 5.7 Additional Provisions ..............................................17
Section 5.8 Shareholder Communications .........................................17
ARTICLE VI - LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION ...............................18
Section 6.1 Trustees, Shareholders, etc. Not Personally Liable; Notice .........18
Section 6.2 Trustee's Good Faith Action; Expert Advice; No Bond or Surety ......18
Section 6.3 Indemnification of Shareholders ....................................19
Section 6.4 Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, etc .........................19
(ii)
Section 6.5 Compromise Payment .................................................20
Section 6.6 Indemnification Not Exclusive, etc .................................20
Section 6.7 Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees ...................20
ARTICLE VII - MISCELLANEOUS .........................................................20
Section 7.1 Duration and Termination of Trust ..................................20
Section 7.2 Reorganization .....................................................21
Section 7.3 Amendments .........................................................21
Section 7.4 Filing of Copies; References; Headings .............................21
Section 7.5 Applicable Law .....................................................22
Section 7.6 Integration ........................................................22
Section 7.7 Resident Agent .....................................................22
(iii)
MASTER TRUST AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST made at Boston, Massachusetts this 24th
day of June, 2002, by the Trustees hereunder, and by the holders of shares of
beneficial interest to be issued hereunder as hereinafter provided.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS this Trust has been formed to carry on the business of an
investment company; and
WHEREAS this Trust is authorized to issue its shares of beneficial interest
in separate series, each separate series to be a Sub-Trust hereunder, and to
issue classes of Shares of any Sub-Trust or divide Shares of any Sub-Trust into
two or more classes, all in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set
forth; and
WHEREAS the Trustees have agreed to manage all property coming into their
hands as trustees of a Massachusetts business trust in accordance with the
provisions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby declare that they will hold all cash,
securities and other assets which they may from time to time acquire in any
manner as Trustees hereunder IN TRUST to manage and dispose of the same upon the
following terms and conditions for the benefit of the holders from time to time
of shares of beneficial interest in this Trust and the Sub-Trusts created
hereunder as hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE I - NAME AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Name and Principal Office. This Trust shall be known as "▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multiple Discipline Account Trust" and the Trustees shall conduct the
business of the Trust under that name or any other name or names as they may
from time to time determine. The principal office of the Trust shall be located
at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ or at such other
location as the Trustees may from time to time determine.
Section 1.2 Definitions. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by
the context or specifically provided:
(a) "By-Laws" shall mean the By-Laws of the Trust as amended from time to time;
(b) "class" refers to any class of Shares of any Series or Sub-Trust established
and designated under or in accordance with the provisions of Article IV;
(c) "Commission" shall have the meaning given it in the 1940 Act;
(d) "Declaration of Trust" shall mean this Master Trust Agreement as amended or
restated from time to time;
(e) "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules and
Regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time;
(f) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Shares;
(g) "Shares" refers to the transferable units of interest into which the
beneficial interest in the Trust and each Sub-Trust of the Trust and/or any
class of any Sub-Trust (as the context may require) shall be divided from time
to time;
(h) "Sub-Trust" or "Series" refers to a series of Shares established and
designated under or in accordance with the provisions of Article IV;
(i) "Trust" refers to the Massachusetts business trust established by this
Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time, inclusive of each and every
Sub-Trust established hereunder; and
(j) "Trustees" refers to the Trustee or Trustees of the Trust and of each
Sub-Trust hereunder named herein or elected in accordance with Article III.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE OF TRUST
The purpose of the Trust is to operate as an investment company and to
offer Shareholders of the Trust and each Sub-Trust of the Trust one or more
investment programs primarily in securities and debt instruments.
ARTICLE III - THE TRUSTEES
Section 3.1 Number, Designation, Election, Term, etc.
(a) Trustees. The initial Trustee hereof and of each Sub-Trust hereunder shall
be ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
(b) Number. The Trustees serving as such, whether named above or hereafter
becoming Trustees, may increase or decrease the number of Trustees to a number
other than the number theretofore determined. No decrease in the number of
Trustees shall have the effect of removing any Trustee from office prior to the
expiration of such Trustee's term, but the number of Trustees may be decreased
in conjunction with the removal of a Trustee pursuant to subsection (e) of this
Section 3.1.
(c) Election and Term. Trustees in addition to those named herein may become
such by election by Shareholders or the Trustees in office pursuant to Section
3.1(f). Each Trustee, whether named above or hereafter becoming a Trustee, shall
serve as a Trustee of the Trust and of each Sub-Trust hereunder during the
lifetime of this Trust and until its termination as hereinafter provided except
as such Trustee sooner dies, resigns, retires or is removed. Subject to Section
16(a) of the 1940 Act, the Trustees may elect their own successors and may,
pursuant to Section 3.1(f) hereof, appoint Trustees to fill vacancies.
(d) Resignation and Retirement. Any Trustee may resign or retire as a Trustee,
by written instrument signed by such Trustee and delivered to the other Trustees
or to any officer of the Trust, and such resignation or retirement shall take
effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified in such
instrument and shall be effective as to the Trust and each Sub-Trust
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hereunder. In addition, each Trustee shall be required to retire in accordance
with the terms of any retirement policy then in effect that has been approved by
vote of a majority of all Trustees.
(e) Removal. Any Trustee may be removed with or without cause at any time: (i)
by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees
in office immediately prior to such removal, specifying the date upon which such
removal shall become effective; or (ii) by vote of Shareholders holding not less
than two-thirds of the Shares then outstanding, cast in person or by proxy at
any meeting called for the purpose; or (iii) by a written declaration signed by
Shareholders holding not less than two-thirds of the Shares then outstanding and
filed with the Trust's custodian. Any such removal shall be effective as to the
Trust and each Sub-Trust hereunder.
(f) Vacancies. Any vacancy or anticipated vacancy resulting from any reason,
including without limitation the death, resignation, retirement, removal or
incapacity of any of the Trustees, or resulting from an increase in the number
of Trustees by the other Trustees may (but so long as there are at least two
remaining Trustees, need not unless required by the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) be filled by a
majority of the remaining Trustees, subject to the provisions of Section 16(a)
of the 1940 Act, through the appointment in writing of such other person as such
remaining Trustees in their discretion shall determine and such appointment
shall be effective upon the written acceptance of the person named therein to
serve as a Trustee and agreement by such person to be bound by the provisions of
this Declaration of Trust, except that any such appointment in anticipation of a
vacancy to occur by reason of retirement, resignation or increase in number of
Trustees to be effective at a later date shall become effective only at or after
the effective date of said retirement, resignation or increase in number of
Trustees. As soon as any Trustee so appointed shall have accepted such
appointment and shall have agreed in writing to be bound by this Declaration of
Trust and the appointment is effective, the Trust estate shall vest in the new
Trustee, together with the continuing Trustees, without any further act or
conveyance.
(g) Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. The death, resignation, retirement,
removal or incapacity of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to
annul or terminate the Trust or any Sub-Trust hereunder or to revoke or
terminate any existing agency or contract created or entered into pursuant to
the terms of this Declaration of Trust.
(h) No Accounting. Except to the extent required by the 1940 Act or under
circumstances which would justify removal for cause, no person ceasing to be a
Trustee as a result of death, resignation, retirement, removal or incapacity
(nor the estate of any such person) shall be required to make an accounting to
the Shareholders or remaining Trustees upon such cessation.
Section 3.2 Powers of Trustees. Subject to the provisions of this Declaration of
Trust, the business of the Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and they
shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out that responsibility
and the purpose of the Trust. The Trustees in all instances shall act as
principals, and are and shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The
Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make
and execute any and all contracts and instruments that they may consider
necessary or appropriate in connection with the management of the Trust. The
Trustees shall not be bound or limited by present or future laws or customs with
regard to investment by trustees or fiduciaries, but shall have full authority
and absolute power and control over the assets of the Trust and the business of
the Trust to the same
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extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the assets of the Trust and
the business in their own right, including such authority, power and control to
do all acts and things as they, in their uncontrolled discretion, shall deem
proper to accomplish the purposes of this Trust. Without limiting the foregoing,
the Trustees may adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust
providing for the conduct of the business and affairs of the Trust and may amend
and repeal them to the extent that such By-Laws do not reserve that right to the
Shareholders; they may ▇▇▇ or be sued in the name of the Trust; they may from
time to time in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1 hereof establish
Sub-Trusts, each such Sub-Trust to operate as a separate and distinct investment
medium and with separately defined investment objectives and policies and
distinct investment purposes; they may from time to time in accordance with the
provisions of Section 4.1 hereof establish classes of Shares of any Series or
Sub-Trust or divide the Shares of any Series or Sub-Trust into classes; they may
as they consider appropriate elect and remove officers and appoint and terminate
agents and consultants and hire and terminate employees, any one or more of the
foregoing of whom may be a Trustee, and may provide for the compensation of all
of the foregoing; they may appoint from their own number, and terminate, any one
or more committees consisting of two or more Trustees, including without implied
limitation an executive committee, which may, when the Trustees are not in
session and subject to the 1940 Act, exercise some or all of the power and
authority of the Trustees as the Trustees may determine; in accordance with
Section 3.3 they may employ one or more advisers, administrators, depositories
and custodians and may authorize any depository or custodian to employ
subcustodians or agents and to deposit all or any part of such assets in a
system or systems for the central handling of securities and debt instruments,
retain transfer, dividend, accounting or Shareholder servicing agents or any of
the foregoing, provide for the distribution of Shares by the Trust through one
or more distributors, principal underwriters or otherwise, and set record dates
or times for the determination of Shareholders or various of them with respect
to various matters; they may compensate or provide for the compensation of the
Trustees, officers, advisers, administrators, custodians, other agents,
consultants and employees of the Trust or the Trustees on such terms as they
deem appropriate; and in general they may delegate to any officer of the Trust,
to any committee of the Trustees and to any employee, adviser, administrator,
distributor, depository, custodian, transfer and dividend disbursing agent, or
any other agent or consultant of the Trust such authority, powers, functions and
duties as they consider desirable or appropriate for the conduct of the business
and affairs of the Trust, including without implied limitation, the power and
authority to act in the name of the Trust and any Sub-Trust and of the Trustees,
to sign documents and to act as attorney-in-fact for the Trustees.
Without limiting the foregoing and to the extent not inconsistent with the
1940 Act or other applicable law, the Trustees shall have power and authority
for and on behalf of the Trust and each separate Sub-Trust established
hereunder:
(a) Investments. To invest and reinvest cash and other property, and to hold
cash or other property uninvested without in any event being bound or limited by
any present or future law or custom in regard to investments by trustees;
(b) Disposition of Assets. To sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage,
hypothecate, write options on and lease any or all of the assets of the Trust;
4
(c) Ownership Powers. To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of
ownership, with respect to stock or other securities, debt instruments or
property; and to execute and deliver proxies or powers of attorney to such
person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or
persons such power and discretion with relation to securities, debt instruments
or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(d) Subscription. To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise
which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities or debt instruments;
(e) Form of Holding. To hold any security, debt instrument or property in a form
not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable
form, or in the name of the Trustees or of the Trust or of any Sub-Trust or in
the name of a custodian, subcustodian or other depository or a nominee or
nominees or otherwise;
(f) Reorganization, etc. To consent to or participate in any plan for the
reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer, any
security or debt instrument of which is or was held in the Trust; to consent to
any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase or sale of property by such corporation
or issuer, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security or
debt instrument held in the Trust;
(g) Voting Trusts, etc. To join with other holders of any securities or debt
instruments in acting through a committee, depositary, voting trustee or
otherwise, and in that connection to deposit any security or debt instrument
with, or transfer any security or debt instrument to, any such committee,
depositary or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with
relation to any security or debt instrument (whether or not so deposited or
transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay,
such portion of the expenses and compensation of such committee, depositary or
trustee as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(h) Compromise. To compromise, arbitrate or otherwise adjust claims in favor of
or against the Trust or any Sub-Trust or any matter in controversy, including
but not limited to claims for taxes;
(i) Partnerships, etc. To enter into joint ventures, general or limited
partnerships and any other combinations or associations;
(j) Borrowing and Security. To borrow funds and to mortgage and pledge the
assets of the Trust or any part thereof to secure obligations arising in
connection with such borrowing;
(k) Guarantees, etc. To endorse or guarantee the payment of any notes or other
obligations of any person; to make contracts of guaranty or suretyship, or
otherwise assume liability for payment thereof; and to mortgage and pledge the
Trust property or any part thereof to secure any of or all such obligations;
(l) Insurance. To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust property such
insurance and/or bonding as they may deem necessary or appropriate for the
conduct of the business, including, without limitation, insurance policies
insuring the assets of the Trust and payment of distributions and principal on
its portfolio investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders,
Trustees, officers, employees, agents, consultants, investment advisers,
managers, administrators,
5
distributors, principal underwriters, or independent contractors, or any thereof
(or any person connected therewith), of the Trust individually against all
claims and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding, being or
having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged to
have been taken or omitted by any such person in any such capacity, including
any action taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute negligence,
whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such person against
such liability; and
(m) Pensions, etc. To pay pensions for faithful service, as deemed appropriate
by the Trustees, and to adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing,
share bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and
benefit plans, trusts and provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance
and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other
benefits, for any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the
Trust.
(n) Distribution Plans. To adopt on behalf of the Trust or any Sub-Trust with
respect to any class thereof a plan of distribution and related agreements
thereto pursuant to the terms of Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act and to make payments
from the assets of the Trust or the relevant Sub-Trust or Sub-Trusts pursuant to
said Rule 12b-1 Plan.
Section 3.3 Certain Contracts. Subject to compliance with the provisions of
the 1940 Act, but notwithstanding any limitations of present and future law or
custom in regard to delegation of powers by trustees generally, the Trustees
may, at any time and from time to time and without limiting the generality of
their powers and authority otherwise set forth herein, enter into one or more
contracts with any one or more corporations, trusts, associations, partnerships,
limited partnerships, other type of organizations, or individuals (a
"Contracting Party"), to provide for the performance and assumption of some or
all of the following services, duties and responsibilities to, for or on behalf
of the Trust and/or any Sub-Trust, and/or the Trustees, and to provide for the
performance and assumption of such other services, duties and responsibilities
in addition to those set forth below as the Trustees may determine appropriate:
(a) Advisory. Subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and in
conformity with the stated policy of the Trustees with respect to the
investments of the Trust or of the assets belonging to any Sub-Trust of the
Trust (as that phrase is defined in subsection (a) of Section 4.2), to manage
such investments and assets, make investment decisions with respect thereto, and
to place purchase and sale orders for portfolio transactions relating to such
investments and assets;
(b) Administration. Subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and in
conformity with any policies of the Trustees with respect to the operations of
the Trust and each Sub-Trust (including each class thereof), to supervise all or
any part of the operations of the Trust and each Sub-Trust, and to provide all
or any part of the administrative and clerical personnel, office space and
office equipment and services appropriate for the efficient administration and
operations of the Trust and each Sub-Trust;
(c) Distribution. To distribute the Shares of the Trust and each Sub-Trust
(including any classes thereof), to the principal underwriter of such Shares,
and/or to act as agent of the Trust and each Sub-Trust in the sale of Shares and
the acceptance or rejection of orders for the purchase of Shares;
6
(d) Custodian and Depository. To act as depository for and to maintain custody
of the property of the Trust and each Sub-Trust and accounting records in
connection therewith;
(e) Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agency. To maintain records of the
ownership of outstanding Shares, the issuance and redemption and the transfer
thereof, and to disburse any dividends declared by the Trustees and in
accordance with the policies of the Trustees and/or the instructions of any
particular Shareholder to reinvest any such dividends;
(f) Shareholder Servicing. To provide service with respect to the relationship
of the Trust and its Shareholders, records with respect to Shareholders and
their Shares, and similar matters; and
(g) Accounting. To handle all or any part of the accounting responsibilities,
whether with respect to the Trust's properties, Shareholders or otherwise.
The same person may be the Contracting Party for some or all of the
services, duties and responsibilities to, for and of the Trust and/or the
Trustees, and the contracts with respect thereto may contain such terms
interpretive of or in addition to the delineation of the services, duties and
responsibilities provided for, including provisions that are not inconsistent
with the 1940 Act relating to the standard of duty of and the rights to
indemnification of the Contracting Party and others, as the Trustees may
determine. Nothing herein shall preclude, prevent or limit the Trust or a
Contracting Party from entering into sub-contractual arrangements relating to
any of the matters referred to in Sections 3.3(a) through (g) hereof.
The fact that:
(i) any of the Shareholders, Trustees or officers of the Trust is a
shareholder, director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, manager, adviser,
principal underwriter or distributor or agent of or for any Contracting Party,
or of or for any parent or affiliate of any Contracting Party or that the
Contracting Party or any parent or affiliate thereof is a Shareholder or has an
interest in the Trust or any Sub-Trust, or that
(ii) any Contracting Party may have a contract providing for the
rendering of any similar services to one or more other corporations, trusts,
associations, partnerships, limited partnerships or other organizations, or have
other business or interests,
shall not affect the validity of any contract for the performance and assumption
of services, duties and responsibilities to, for or of the Trust or any
Sub-Trust and/or the Trustees or disqualify any Shareholder, Trustee or officer
of the Trust from voting upon or executing the same or create any liability or
accountability to the Trust, any Sub-Trust or its Shareholders, provided that in
the case of any relationship or interest referred to in the preceding clause (i)
on the part of any Trustee or officer of the Trust either (x) the material facts
as to such relationship or interest have been disclosed to or are known by the
Trustees not having any such relationship or interest and the contract involved
is approved in good faith by a majority of such Trustees not having any such
relationship or interest (even though such unrelated or disinterested Trustees
are less than a quorum of all of the Trustees), (y) the material facts as to
such relationship or interest and as to the contract have been disclosed to or
are known by the Shareholders entitled to vote thereon and the contract involved
is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the
7
Shareholders, or (z) the specific contract involved is fair to the Trust as of
the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the Trustees or by the
Shareholders.
Section 3.4 Payment of Trust Expenses and Compensation of Trustees. The
Trustees are authorized to pay or to cause to be paid out of the principal or
income of the Trust or any Sub-Trust, or partly out of principal and partly out
of income, and to charge or allocate the same to, between or among such one or
more of the Sub-Trusts and/or one or more classes of Shares thereof that may be
established and designated pursuant to Article IV, as the Trustees deem fair,
all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities incurred or arising in
connection with the Trust, any Sub-Trust and/or any class of Shares thereof, or
in connection with the management thereof, including, but not limited to, the
Trustees' compensation and such expenses and charges for the services of the
Trust's officers, employees, investment adviser, administrator, distributor,
principal underwriter, auditor, counsel, depository, custodian, transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent, accounting agent, Shareholder servicing agent, and
such other agents, consultants, and independent contractors and such other
expenses and charges as the Trustees may deem necessary or proper to incur.
Without limiting the generality of any other provision hereof, the Trustees
shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Trust for their services
as Trustees and may fix the amount of such compensation.
Section 3.5 Ownership of Assets of the Trust. Title to all of the assets of
the Trust and of each Sub-Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in
the Trustees.
Section 3.6 Action by Trustees. Except as otherwise provided by the 1940
Act or other applicable law, this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, any
action to be taken by the Trustees on behalf of or with respect to the Trust or
any Sub-Trust or class thereof may be taken by a majority of the Trustees
present at a meeting of Trustees (a quorum, consisting of at least one-half of
the Trustees then in office, being present), within or without Massachusetts,
including any meeting held by means of a conference telephone or other
communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the
meeting can hear each other at the same time, and participation by such means
shall constitute presence in person at a meeting, or by written consents of a
majority of the Trustees then in office (or such larger or different number as
may be required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law).
ARTICLE IV - SHARES
Section 4.1 Description of Shares. The beneficial interest in the Trust
shall be divided into Shares, all with $.001 par value, but the Trustees shall
have the authority from time to time to issue Shares in one or more Series (each
of which Series of Shares shall represent the beneficial interest in a separate
and distinct Sub-Trust of the Trust, including without limitation each Sub-Trust
specifically established and designated in Section 4.2), as they deem necessary
or desirable. For all purposes under this Declaration of Trust or otherwise,
including, without implied limitation, (i) with respect to the rights of
creditors and (ii) for purposes of interpreting the relevant rights of each
Sub-Trust and the Shareholders of each Sub-Trust, each Sub-Trust established
hereunder shall be deemed to be a separate trust. The Trustees shall have
exclusive power without the requirement of Shareholder approval to establish and
designate such separate and distinct Sub-Trusts, and to fix and determine the
relative rights and preferences as between the shares of the separate Sub-Trusts
as to right of redemption and the price, terms and manner of
8
redemption, special and relative rights as to dividends and other distributions
and on liquidation, sinking or purchase fund provisions, conversion rights, and
conditions under which the several Sub-Trusts shall have separate voting rights
or no voting rights.
In addition, the Trustees shall have exclusive power, without the
requirement of Shareholder approval, to issue classes of Shares of any Sub-Trust
or divide the Shares of any Sub-Trust into classes, each class having such
different dividend, liquidation, voting and other rights as the Trustees may
determine, and may establish and designate the specific classes of Shares of
each Sub-Trust. The fact that a Sub-Trust shall have initially been established
and designated without any specific establishment or designation of classes
(i.e., that all Shares of such Sub-Trust are initially of a single class), or
that a Sub-Trust shall have more than one established and designated class,
shall not limit the authority of the Trustees to establish and designate
separate classes, or one or more additional classes, of said Sub-Trust without
approval of the holders of the initial class thereof, or previously established
and designated class or classes thereof.
The number of authorized Shares and the number of Shares of each Sub-Trust
or class thereof that may be issued is unlimited, and the Trustees may issue
Shares of any Sub-Trust or class thereof for such consideration and on such
terms as they may determine (or for no consideration if pursuant to a Share
dividend or split-up), all without action or approval of the Shareholders. All
Shares when so issued on the terms determined by the Trustees shall be fully
paid and non-assessable (but may be subject to mandatory contribution back to
the Trust as provided in subsection (h) of Section 4.2). The Trustees may
classify or reclassify any unissued Shares or any Shares previously issued and
reacquired of any Sub-Trust or class thereof into one or more Sub-Trusts or
classes thereof that may be established and designated from time to time. The
Trustees may hold as treasury Shares, reissue for such consideration and on such
terms as they may determine, or cancel, at their discretion from time to time,
any Shares of any Sub-Trust or class thereof reacquired by the Trust.
The Trustees may from time to time close the transfer books or establish
record dates and times for the purposes of determining the holders of Shares
entitled to be treated as such, to the extent provided or referred to in Section
5.3.
The establishment and designation of any Sub-Trust or of any class of
Shares of any Sub-Trust in addition to those established and designated in
Section 4.2 shall be effective (i) upon the execution by a majority of the then
Trustees of an instrument setting forth such establishment and designation of
the relative rights and preferences of the Shares of such Sub-Trust or class,
(ii) upon the execution of an instrument in writing by an officer of the Trust
pursuant to the vote of a majority of the Trustees, or (iii) as otherwise
provided in either such instrument. At any time that there are no Shares
outstanding of any particular Sub-Trust or class previously established and
designated, the Trustees may by an instrument executed by a majority of their
number (or by an instrument executed by an officer of the Trust pursuant to the
vote of a majority of the Trustees) abolish that Sub-Trust or class and the
establishment and designation thereof. Each instrument establishing and
designating any Sub-Trust shall have the status of an amendment to this
Declaration of Trust.
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Any Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust, and any organization in
which any such person is interested may acquire, own, hold and dispose of Shares
of any Sub-Trust (including any classes thereof) of the Trust to the same extent
as if such person were not a Trustee, officer or other agent of the Trust; and
the Trust may issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold and may purchase
Shares of any Sub-Trust (including any classes thereof) from any such person or
any such organization subject only to the general limitations, restrictions or
other provisions applicable to the sale or purchase of Shares of such Sub-Trust
(including any classes thereof) generally.
Section 4.2 Establishment and Designation of Sub-Trusts and Classes.
Without limiting the authority of the Trustees set forth in Section 4.1 to
establish and designate any further Sub-Trusts or classes, the Trustees hereby
establish and designate the following Sub-Trusts and classes thereof: (i)
Multiple Discipline Account All Cap Fund, consisting of Classes A, B, L and Y,
(ii) Multiple Discipline Account Large Cap Fund, consisting of Classes A, B, L
and Y, (iii) Multiple Discipline Account Global Multi-Cap Fund, consisting of
Classes A, B, L and Y, (iv) Multiple Disciple Account Balanced Fund, consisting
of Classes A, B, L and Y, (v) Multiple Discipline Account Variable All Cap
Portfolio, consisting of a single class of Shares, (vi) Multiple Discipline
Account Variable Large Cap Portfolio, consisting of a single class of Shares,
(vii) Multiple Discipline Account Variable Global Multi-Cap Portfolio,
consisting of a single class of Shares, and (viii) Multiple Disciple Account
Variable Balanced Portfolio, consisting of a single class of Shares. The Shares
of such Sub-Trusts and classes thereof and any Shares of any further Sub-Trusts
or classes that may from time to time be established and designated by the
Trustees shall (unless the Trustees otherwise determine with respect to some
further Sub-Trust at the time of establishing and designating the same) have the
following relative rights and preferences:
(a) Assets Belonging to Sub-Trusts. All consideration received by the Trust for
the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Sub-Trust or any classes thereof,
together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested,
all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds
derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or
payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the
same may be, shall be held by the Trustees in trust for the benefit of the
holders of Shares of that Sub-Trust or class thereof and shall irrevocably
belong to that Sub-Trust (and be allocable to any classes thereof) for all
purposes, and shall be so recorded upon the books of account of the Trust. Such
consideration, assets, income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof,
including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such
assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such
proceeds, in whatever form the same may be, together with any General Items (as
hereinafter defined) allocated to that Sub-Trust as provided in the following
sentence, are herein referred to as "assets belonging to" that Sub-Trust (and
allocable to any classes thereof). In the event that there are any assets,
income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, funds, or payments which are
not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Sub-Trust (collectively
"General Items"), the Trustees shall allocate such General Items to and among
any one or more of the Sub-Trusts established and designated from time to time
in such manner and on such basis as they, in their sole discretion, deem fair
and equitable; and any General Items so allocated to a particular Sub-Trust
shall belong to that Sub-Trust (and be allocable to any classes thereof). Each
such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and
10
binding upon the holders of all Shares of all Sub-Trusts (including any classes
thereof) for all purposes.
(b) Liabilities Belonging to Sub-Trusts. The assets belonging to each particular
Sub-Trust shall be charged with the liabilities in respect of that Sub-Trust and
all expenses, costs, charges and reserves belonging to that Sub-Trust, and any
general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the Trust which are
not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Sub-Trust shall be
allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among any one or more of the
Sub-Trusts established and designated from time to time in such manner and on
such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. In
addition, the liabilities in respect of a particular class of Shares of a
particular Sub-Trust and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves belonging to
that class of Shares, and any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or
reserves of that particular Sub-Trust which are not readily identifiable as
belonging to any particular class of Shares of that Sub-Trust shall be allocated
and charged by the Trustees to and among any one or more of the classes of
Shares of that Sub-Trust established and designated from time to time in such
manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and
equitable. The liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves allocated and
so charged to a Sub-Trust or class thereof are herein referred to as
"liabilities belonging to" that Sub-Trust or class thereof. Each allocation of
liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the Trustees shall be
conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders, creditors and any other persons
dealing with the Trust or any Sub-Trust (including any classes thereof) for all
purposes. Any creditor of any Sub-Trust may look only to the assets of that
Sub-Trust to satisfy such creditor's debt.
The Trustees shall have full discretion, to the extent not inconsistent
with the 1940 Act, to determine which items shall be treated as income and which
items as capital; and each such determination and allocation shall be conclusive
and binding upon the Shareholders.
(c) Dividends. Dividends and distributions on Shares of a particular Sub-Trust
or any class thereof may be paid with such frequency as the Trustees may
determine, which may be daily or otherwise pursuant to a standing resolution or
resolutions adopted only once or with such frequency as the Trustees may
determine, to the holders of Shares of that Sub-Trust or class, from such of the
income and capital gains, accrued or realized, from the assets belonging to that
Sub-Trust, or in the case of a class, belonging to that Sub-Trust and allocable
to that class, as the Trustees may determine, after providing for actual and
accrued liabilities belonging to that Sub-Trust or class. All dividends and
distributions on Shares of a particular Sub-Trust or class thereof shall be
distributed pro rata to the holders of Shares of that Sub-Trust or class in
proportion to the number of Shares of that Sub-Trust or class held by such
holders at the date and time of record established for the payment of such
dividends or distributions, except that in connection with any dividend or
distribution program or procedure the Trustees may determine that no dividend or
distribution shall be payable on Shares as to which the Shareholder's purchase
order and/or payment have not been received by the time or times established by
the Trustees under such program or procedure. Such dividends and distributions
may be made in cash or Shares of that Sub-Trust or class or a combination
thereof as determined by the Trustees or pursuant to any program that the
Trustees may have in effect at the time for the election by each Shareholder of
the mode of the making of such dividend or distribution to that Shareholder. Any
such dividend or distribution paid in Shares will be paid at the net asset value
thereof as determined in accordance with subsection (h) of Section 4.2.
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The Trustees shall have full discretion to determine which items shall be
treated as income and which items as capital; and each such determination and
allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders.
(d) Liquidation. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the Trust,
the holders of Shares of each Sub-Trust or any class thereof that has been
established and designated shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by
the Trustees, the excess of the assets belonging to that Sub-Trust, or in the
case of a class, belonging to that Sub-Trust and allocable to that class, over
the liabilities belonging to that Sub-Trust or class. The assets so
distributable to the holders of Shares of any particular Sub-Trust or class
thereof shall be distributed among such holders in proportion to the number of
Shares of that Sub-Trust or class thereof held by them and recorded on the books
of the Trust. The liquidation of any particular Sub-Trust or class thereof may
be authorized at any time by vote of a majority of the Trustees then in office
without the approval of Shareholders.
(e) Voting. On each matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, each holder
of a Share shall be entitled to one vote for each whole Share standing in such
Shareholder's name on the books of the Trust irrespective of the Series thereof
or class thereof and all Shares of all Series and classes thereof shall vote
together as a single class; provided, however, that as to any matter (i) with
respect to which a separate vote of one or more Series or classes thereof is
required by the 1940 Act or the provisions of the writing establishing and
designating the Sub-Trust or class, such requirements as to a separate vote by
such Series or class thereof shall apply in lieu of all Shares of all Series and
classes thereof voting together; and (ii) as to any matter which affects the
interests of one or more particular Series or classes thereof, only the holders
of Shares of the one or more affected Series or classes shall be entitled to
vote, and each such Series or class shall vote as a separate class.
(f) Redemption by Shareholder. Each holder of Shares of a particular Sub-Trust
or any class thereof shall have the right at such times as may be permitted by
the Trust to require the Trust to redeem all or any part of such holder's Shares
of that Sub-Trust or class thereof at a redemption price equal to the net asset
value per Share of that Sub-Trust or class thereof next determined in accordance
with subsection (h) of this Section 4.2 after the Shares are properly tendered
for redemption, subject to any contingent deferred sales charge or redemption
charge in effect at the time of redemption. Payment of the redemption price
shall be in cash; provided, however, that if the Trustees determine, which
determination shall be conclusive, that conditions exist which make payment
wholly in cash unwise or undesirable, the Trust may, subject to the requirements
of the 1940 Act, make payment wholly or partly in securities or other assets
belonging to the Sub-Trust of which the Shares being redeemed are part at the
value of such securities or assets used in such determination of net asset
value.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust may postpone payment of the
redemption price and may suspend the right of the holders of Shares of any
Sub-Trust or class thereof to require the Trust to redeem Shares of that
Sub-Trust during any period or at any time when and to the extent permissible
under the 1940 Act.
(g) Redemption by Trust. Each Share of each Sub-Trust or class thereof that has
been established and designated is subject to redemption by the Trust at the
redemption price which would be
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applicable if such Share was then being redeemed by the Shareholder pursuant to
subsection (f) of this Section 4.2: (i) at any time, if the Trustees determine
in their sole discretion and by majority vote that failure to so redeem may have
materially adverse consequences to the Trust or any Sub-Trust or to the holders
of the Shares of the Trust or any Sub-Trust thereof or class thereof, or (ii)
upon such other conditions as may from time to time be determined by the
Trustees and set forth in the then current Prospectus of the Trust. Upon such
redemption the holders of the Shares so redeemed shall have no further right
with respect thereto other than to receive payment of such redemption price.
(h) Net Asset Value. The net asset value per Share of any Sub-Trust shall be (i)
in the case of a Sub-Trust whose Shares are not divided into classes, the
quotient obtained by dividing the value of the net assets of that Sub-Trust
(being the value of the assets belonging to that Sub-Trust less the liabilities
belonging to that Sub-Trust) by the total number of Shares of that Sub-Trust
outstanding, and (ii) in the case of a class of Shares of a Sub-Trust whose
Shares are divided into classes, the quotient obtained by dividing the value of
the net assets of that Sub-Trust allocable to such class (being the value of the
assets belonging to that Sub-Trust allocable to such class less the liabilities
belonging to such class) by the total number of Shares of such class
outstanding; all determined in accordance with the methods and procedures,
including without limitation those with respect to rounding, established by the
Trustees from time to time.
The Trustees may determine to maintain the net asset value per Share of any
Sub-Trust at a designated constant dollar amount and in connection therewith may
adopt procedures not inconsistent with the 1940 Act for the continuing
declarations of income attributable to that Sub-Trust as dividends payable in
additional Shares of that Sub-Trust at the designated constant dollar amount and
for the handling of any losses attributable to that Sub-Trust. Such procedures
may provide that in the event of any loss each Shareholder shall be deemed to
have contributed to the capital of the Trust attributable to that Sub-Trust such
Shareholder's pro rata portion of the total number of Shares required to be
cancelled in order to permit the net asset value per Share of that Sub-Trust to
be maintained, after reflecting such loss, at the designated constant dollar
amount. Each Shareholder of the Trust shall be deemed to have agreed, by making
an investment in any Sub-Trust with respect to which the Trustees shall have
adopted any such procedure, to make the contribution referred to in the
preceding sentence in the event of any such loss.
(i) Transfer. All Shares of each particular Sub-Trust or class thereof shall be
transferable, but transfers of Shares of a particular Sub-Trust or class thereof
will be recorded on the Share transfer records of the Trust applicable to that
Sub-Trust or class only at such times as Shareholders shall have the right to
require the Trust to redeem Shares of that Sub-Trust or class and at such other
times as may be permitted by the Trustees.
(j) Equality. Except as provided herein or in the instrument designating and
establishing any class of Shares or any Sub-Trust, all Shares of each particular
Sub-Trust or class thereof shall represent an equal proportionate interest in
the assets belonging to that Sub-Trust, or in the case of a class, belonging to
that Sub-Trust and allocable to that class, subject to the liabilities belonging
to that Sub-Trust or class, and each Share of any particular Sub-Trust or class
shall be equal to each other Share of that Sub-Trust or class; but the
provisions of this sentence shall not restrict any distinctions permissible
under subsection (c) of this Section 4.2 that may exist with
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respect to dividends and distributions on Shares of the same Sub-Trust or class.
The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares of any
particular Sub-Trust or class into a greater or lesser number of Shares of that
Sub-Trust or class without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial
interest in the assets belonging to that Sub-Trust or class or in any way
affecting the rights of Shares of any other Sub-Trust or class.
(k) Fractions. Any fractional Share of any Sub-Trust or class, if any such
fractional Share is outstanding, shall carry proportionately all the rights and
obligations of a whole Share of that Sub-Trust or class, including rights and
obligations with respect to voting, receipt of dividends and distributions,
redemption of Shares, and liquidation of the Trust.
(l) Conversion Rights. Subject to compliance with the requirements of the 1940
Act, the Trustees shall have the authority to provide that holders of Shares of
any Sub-Trust or class shall have the right to convert said Shares into Shares
of one or more other Sub-Trust or class in accordance with such requirements and
procedures as may be established by the Trustees.
(m) Class Differences. The relative rights and preferences of the classes of any
Sub-Trust may differ in such other respects as the Trustees may determine to be
appropriate in their sole discretion, provided that such differences are set
forth in the instrument establishing and designating such classes and executed
by a majority of the Trustees (or by an instrument executed by an officer of the
Trust pursuant to a vote of a majority of the Trustees).
Section 4.3 Ownership of Shares. The ownership of Shares shall be recorded
on the books of the Trust or of a transfer or similar agent for the Trust, which
books shall be maintained separately for the Shares of each Sub-Trust and each
class thereof that has been established and designated. No certificates
certifying the ownership of Shares need be issued except as the Trustees may
otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they
consider appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, the use of
facsimile signatures, the transfer of Shares and similar matters. The record
books of the Trust as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent, as the
case may be, shall be conclusive as to who are the Shareholders and as to the
number of Shares of each Sub-Trust and class thereof held from time to time by
each such Shareholder.
Section 4.4 Investments in the Trust. The Trustees may accept or reject
investments in the Trust and each Sub-Trust from such persons and on such terms
and for such consideration, not inconsistent with the provisions of the 1940
Act, as they from time to time authorize or determine. The Trustees may
authorize any distributor, principal underwriter, custodian, transfer agent or
other person to accept orders for the purchase of Shares that conform to such
authorized terms and to reject any purchase orders for Shares whether or not
conforming to such authorized terms.
Section 4.5 No Pre-emptive Rights. Shareholders shall have no pre-emptive
or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued
by the Trust or any Sub-Trust.
Section 4.6 Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal Liability. Shares
shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the rights provided in this
instrument. Every
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Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall be held to have
expressly assented and agreed to the terms hereof and to have become a party
hereto. The death of a Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall not
operate to terminate the Trust or any Sub-Trust thereof nor entitle the
representative of any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to take any
action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but only to the
rights of said decedent under this Trust. Ownership of Shares shall not entitle
the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust
property or right to call for a partition or division of the same or for an
accounting, nor shall the ownership of Shares constitute the Shareholders
partners. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent
of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any Shareholder, nor except
as specifically provided herein to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of
any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may
at any time personally agree to pay.
Section 4.7 No Appraisal Rights. Shareholders shall have no right to demand
payment for their shares or to any other rights of dissenting shareholders in
the event the Trust participates in any transaction which would give rise to
appraisal or dissenters' rights by a shareholder of a corporation organized
under Chapter 156B of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or
otherwise.
ARTICLE V - SHAREHOLDERS' VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
Section 5.1 Voting Powers. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only
(i) for the election or removal of Trustees as provided in Section 3.1, (ii)
with respect to any contract with a Contracting Party as provided in Section 3.3
as to which Shareholder approval is required by the 1940 Act, (iii) with respect
to any termination or reorganization of the Trust to the extent and as provided
in Sections 7.1 and 7.2, (iv) with respect to any amendment of this Declaration
of Trust to the extent and as provided in Section 7.3, (v) to the same extent as
the stockholders of a Massachusetts business corporation as to whether or not a
court action, proceeding or claim should or should not be brought or maintained
derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or any Sub-Trust
thereof or the Shareholders (provided, however, that a Shareholder shall not
institute or maintain a derivative action without making a prior demand on the
Trustees to determine whether to initiate such action on behalf of the Trust or
any relevant Sub-Trust, for purposes of which each Trustee who is not an
"interested person" of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act shall be
deemed to be independent and disinterested when making such determination, and
provided further that a Shareholder of a particular Sub-Trust shall not be
entitled to institute or maintain a derivative or class action on behalf of any
other Sub-Trust (or Shareholder of any other Sub-Trust) of the Trust) and (vi)
with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required
by the 1940 Act, this Declaration of Trust, the By-Laws or any registration of
the Trust with the Commission (or any successor agency) or any state, or as the
Trustees may consider necessary or desirable. There shall be no cumulative
voting in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy.
Proxies may be given by or on behalf of a Shareholder orally or in writing or
pursuant to any computerized, telephonic or other mechanical or electronic data
gathering process. A proxy with respect to Shares held in the name of two or
more persons shall be valid if executed or otherwise given by or on behalf of
any one of them unless at or prior to exercise of the proxy the Trust receives a
specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them. A proxy purporting
to be executed or otherwise given or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed
valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise and
15
the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger. Until Shares are
issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any
action required by law, this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws to be taken by
Shareholders.
Section 5.2 Meetings. No annual or regular meeting of Shareholders is
required. Special meetings of Shareholders may be called by the Trustees from
time to time for the purpose of taking action upon any matter requiring the vote
or authority of the Shareholders as herein provided or upon any other matter
deemed by the Trustees to be necessary or desirable. Written notice of any
meeting of Shareholders shall be given or caused to be given by the Trustees by
mailing such notice at least seven days before such meeting, postage prepaid,
stating the time, place and purpose of the meeting, to each Shareholder at the
Shareholder's address as it appears on the records of the Trust. The Trustees
shall promptly call and give notice of a meeting of Shareholders for the purpose
of voting upon removal of any Trustee of the Trust when requested to do so in
writing by Shareholders holding not less than 10% of the Shares then
outstanding. If the Trustees shall fail to call or give notice of any meeting of
Shareholders for a period of 30 days after written application by Shareholders
holding at least 10% of the Shares then outstanding requesting a meeting be
called for any other purpose requiring action by the Shareholders as provided
herein or in the By-Laws, then Shareholders holding at least 10% of the Shares
then outstanding may call and give notice of such meeting, and thereupon the
meeting shall be held in the manner provided for herein in case of call thereof
by the Trustees.
Section 5.3 Record Dates. For the purpose of determining the Shareholders
who are entitled to vote or act at any meeting or any adjournment thereof, or
who are entitled to participate in any dividend or distribution, or for the
purpose of any other action, the Trustees may from time to time close the
transfer books for such period, not exceeding 30 days (except at or in
connection with the termination of the Trust), as the Trustees may determine; or
without closing the transfer books the Trustees may fix a date and time not more
than 90 days prior to the date of any meeting of Shareholders or other action as
the date and time of record for the determination of Shareholders entitled to
vote at such meeting or any adjournment thereof or to be treated as Shareholders
of record for purposes of such other action, and any Shareholder who was a
Shareholder at the date and time so fixed shall be entitled to vote at such
meeting or any adjournment thereof or to be treated as a Shareholder of record
for purposes of such other action, even though such Shareholder has since that
date and time disposed of such Shareholder's Shares, and no Shareholder becoming
such after that date and time shall be so entitled to vote at such meeting or
any adjournment thereof or to be treated as a Shareholder of record for purposes
of such other action.
Section 5.4 Quorum and Required Vote. Except as otherwise provided by the
1940 Act or other applicable law, thirty percent of the Shares entitled to vote
shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at a Shareholders' meeting,
but any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments. Any meeting of
shareholders, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned for any
lawful purpose provided that no meeting shall be adjourned for more than six
months beyond the originally scheduled meeting date. Any adjourned session or
sessions may be held, within a reasonable time after the date set for the
original meeting without the necessity of further notice. A majority of the
Shares voted at a meeting of which a quorum is present shall decide any
questions and a plurality shall elect a Trustee, except when a different vote is
required
16
or permitted by any provision of the 1940 Act or other applicable law or by this
Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws.
Section 5.5 Action by Written Consent. Subject to the provisions of the
1940 Act and other applicable law, any action taken by Shareholders may be taken
without a meeting if a majority of Shareholders entitled to vote on the matter
(or such larger proportion thereof as shall be required by the 1940 Act or by
any express provision of this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws) consent to
the action in writing and such written consents are filed with the records of
the meetings of Shareholders. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as
a vote taken at a meeting of Shareholders.
Section 5.6 Inspection of Records. The records of the Trust shall be open
to inspection by Shareholders for any lawful purpose reasonably related to a
Shareholder's interest as a Shareholder. The Trustees may from time to time
establish reasonable standards including standards governing what information
and documents are to be furnished, at what time and location and at whose
expense with respect to Shareholder inspection of Trust records to the same
extent as is permitted stockholders of a Massachusetts business corporation
under the Massachusetts Business Corporation Law.
Section 5.7 Additional Provisions. The By-Laws may include further
provisions for Shareholders' votes and meetings and related matters not
inconsistent with the provisions hereof.
Section 5.8 Shareholder Communications. Whenever ten or more Shareholders
of record who have been such for at least six months preceding the date of
application, and who hold in the aggregate either Shares having a net asset
value of at least $25,000 or at least 1% of the outstanding Shares, whichever is
less, shall apply to the Trustees in writing, stating that they wish to
communicate with other Shareholders with a view to obtaining signatures to a
request for a Shareholder meeting and accompanied by a form of communication and
request which they wish to transmit, the Trustees shall within five business
days after receipt of such application either (1) afford to such applicants
access to a list of the names and addresses of all Shareholders as recorded on
the books of the Trust or Sub-Trust, as applicable; or (2) inform such
applicants as to the approximate number of Shareholders of record, and the
approximate cost of mailing to them the proposed communication and form of
request.
If the Trustees elect to follow the course specified in clause (2) above,
the Trustees, upon the written request of such applicants, accompanied by a
tender of the material to be mailed and of the reasonable expenses of mailing,
shall, with reasonable promptness, mail such material to all Shareholders of
record at their addresses as recorded on the books, unless within five business
days after such tender the Trustees shall mail to such applicants and file with
the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written
statement signed by at least a majority of the Trustees to the effect that in
their opinion either such material contains untrue statements of fact or omits
to state facts necessary to make the statements contained therein not
misleading, or would be in violation of applicable law, and specifying the basis
of such opinion. The Trustees shall thereafter comply with any order entered by
the Commission and the requirements of the 1940 Act and the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
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ARTICLE VI - LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Section 6.1 Trustees, Shareholders, etc. Not Personally Liable; Notice. All
persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the
Trust shall look only to the assets of the Sub-Trust with which such person
dealt for payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the
Shareholders of any Sub-Trust nor the Trustees, nor any of the Trust's officers,
employees or agents, whether past, present or future, nor any other Sub-Trust
shall be personally liable therefor. Every note, bond, contract, instrument,
certificate or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or
done by or on behalf of the Trust, any Sub-Trust or the Trustees or any of them
in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been executed
or done only by or for the Trust (or the Sub-Trust) or the Trustees and not
personally. Nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall protect any Trustee or
officer against any liability to the Trust or the Shareholders to which such
Trustee or officer would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of the office of Trustee or of such officer.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made or
issued by the Trustees or by any officers or officer shall give notice that this
Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and shall recite to the effect that the same was executed or made
by or on behalf of the Trust or by them as Trustees or Trustee or as officers or
officer and not individually and that the obligations of such instrument are not
binding upon any of them or the Shareholders individually but are binding only
upon the assets and property of the Trust, or the particular Sub-Trust in
question, as the case may be, but the omission thereof shall not operate to bind
any Trustees or Trustee or officers or officer or Shareholders or Shareholder
individually.
Section 6.2 Trustee's Good Faith Action; Expert Advice; No Bond or Surety.
The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretion hereunder shall be
binding upon everyone interested. A Trustee shall be liable for such Trustee's
own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and for nothing
else, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law.
Subject to the foregoing, (a) the Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in
any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee,
consultant, adviser, administrator, distributor or principal underwriter,
custodian or transfer, dividend disbursing, Shareholder servicing or accounting
agent of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or omission
of any other Trustee; (b) the Trustees may take advice of counsel or other
experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust
and their duties as Trustees, and shall be under no liability for any act or
omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice;
and (c) in discharging their duties, the Trustees, when acting in good faith,
shall be entitled to rely upon the books of account of the Trust and upon
written reports made to the Trustees by any officer appointed by them, any
independent public accountant, and (with respect to the subject matter of the
contract involved) any officer, partner or responsible employee of a Contracting
Party appointed by the Trustees pursuant to Section 3.3. The Trustees as such
shall not be required to give any bond or surety or any other security for the
performance of their duties.
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Section 6.3 Indemnification of Shareholders. In case any Shareholder (or
former Shareholder) of any Sub-Trust of the Trust shall be charged or held to be
personally liable for any obligation or liability of the Trust solely by reason
of being or having been a Shareholder and not because of such Shareholder's acts
or omissions or for some other reason, said Sub-Trust (upon proper and timely
request by the Shareholder) shall assume the defense against such charge and
satisfy any judgment thereon, and the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or such
Shareholder's heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or
in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general
successor) shall be entitled out of the assets of said Sub-Trust estate to be
held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from
such liability.
Section 6.4 Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, etc. The Trust shall
indemnify (from the assets of the Sub-Trust or Sub-Trusts in question) each of
its Trustees and officers (including persons who serve at the Trust's request as
directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has
any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as
a "Covered Person")) against all liabilities, including but not limited to
amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and
penalties, and expenses, including reasonable accountants' and counsel fees,
incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of
any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any
court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be
or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such person may
be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of
being or having been such a Trustee or officer, director or trustee, except with
respect to any matter as to which it has been determined that such Covered
Person had acted with willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered
Person's office (such conduct referred to hereafter as "Disabling Conduct"). A
determination that the Covered Person is entitled to indemnification may be made
by (i) a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom the
proceeding was brought that the person to be indemnified was not liable by
reason of Disabling Conduct, (ii) dismissal of a court action or an
administrative proceeding against a Covered Person for insufficiency of evidence
of Disabling Conduct, or (iii) a reasonable determination, based upon a review
of the facts, that the indemnitee was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct
by (a) a vote of a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither "interested
persons" of the Trust as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act nor parties
to the proceeding, or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
Expenses, including accountants' and counsel fees so incurred by any such
Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in
compromise or as fines or penalties), may be paid from time to time by the
Sub-Trust in question in advance of the final disposition of any such action,
suit or proceeding, provided that the Covered Person shall have undertaken to
repay the amounts so paid to the Sub-Trust in question if it is ultimately
determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this
Article VI and (i) the Covered Person shall have provided security for such
undertaking, (ii) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of
any lawful advances, or (iii) a majority of a quorum of the disinterested
Trustees who are not a party to the proceeding, or an independent legal counsel
in a written opinion, shall have determined, based on a review of readily
available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason
to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to
indemnification.
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Section 6.5 Compromise Payment. As to any matter disposed of by a
compromise payment by any such Covered Person referred to in Section 6.4,
pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no such indemnification either for
said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless such
indemnification shall be approved (a) by a majority of the disinterested
Trustees who are not parties to the proceeding or (b) by an independent legal
counsel in a written opinion. Approval by the Trustees pursuant to clause (a) or
by independent legal counsel pursuant to clause (b) shall not prevent the
recovery from any Covered Person of any amount paid to such Covered Person in
accordance with any of such clauses as indemnification if such Covered Person is
subsequently adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been
liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of such Covered Person's office.
Section 6.6 Indemnification Not Exclusive, etc. The right of
indemnification provided by this Article VI shall not be exclusive of or affect
any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in
this Article VI, "Covered Person" shall include such person's heirs, executors
and administrators, an "interested Covered Person" is one against whom the
action, suit or other proceeding in question or another action, suit or other
proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending or
threatened, and a "disinterested" person is a person against whom none of such
actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding
on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending or threatened.
Nothing contained in this Article shall affect any rights to indemnification to
which personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and officers, and other
persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law, nor the power of the
Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of any such person.
Section 6.7 Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees. No person
dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the
validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trustees or to see to the
application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or upon
its order.
ARTICLE VII - MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1 Duration and Termination of Trust. Unless terminated as
provided herein, the Trust shall continue without limitation of time and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no change, alteration or
modification with respect to any Sub-Trust or class thereof shall operate to
terminate the Trust. The Trust may be terminated at any time by a majority of
the Trustees then in office subject to a favorable vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities, as defined in the 1940 Act.
Upon termination, after paying or otherwise providing for all charges,
taxes, expenses and liabilities, whether due or accrued or anticipated as may be
determined by the Trustees, the Trust shall, in accordance with such procedures
as the Trustees consider appropriate, reduce the remaining assets to
distributable form in cash, securities or other property, or any combination
thereof, and distribute the proceeds to the Shareholders in conformity with the
provisions of subsection (d) of Section 4.2.
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Section 7.2 Reorganization. The Trust, or any one or more Sub-Trusts, may,
either as the successor, survivor, or non-survivor, (1) consolidate or merge
with one or more other trusts, sub-trusts, partnerships, associations or
corporations organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or
any other state of the United States, to form a consolidated or merged trust,
partnership, limited liability company, association or corporation under the
laws of which any one of the constituent entities is organized with the Trust to
be the survivor or non-survivor of such consolidation or merger, or (2) transfer
a substantial portion of its assets to one or more other trusts, sub-trusts,
partnerships, limited liability companies, associations or corporations
organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any other state
of the United States, or have one or more such trusts, sub-trusts, partnerships,
limited liability companies, associations or corporations transfer a substantial
portion of its assets to it, any such consolidation, merger or transfer to be
upon such terms and conditions as are specified in an agreement and plan of
reorganization authorized and approved by the Trustees and entered into by the
Trust, or one or more Sub-Trusts as the case may be, in connection therewith.
Any such consolidation, merger or transfer may be authorized at any time by vote
of a majority of the Trustees then in office without the approval of
Shareholders.
Section 7.3 Amendments. All rights granted to the Shareholders under this
Declaration of Trust are granted subject to the reservation of the right to
amend this Declaration of Trust as herein provided, except that no amendment
shall repeal the limitations on personal liability of any Shareholder or Trustee
or repeal the prohibition of assessment upon the Shareholders without the
express consent of each Shareholder or Trustee involved. Subject to the
foregoing, the provisions of this Declaration of Trust (whether or not related
to the rights of Shareholders) may be amended at any time, so long as such
amendment does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Shareholder
with respect to which such amendment is or purports to be applicable and so long
as such amendment is not in contravention of applicable law, including the 1940
Act, by an instrument in writing signed by a majority of the then Trustees (or
by an officer of the Trust pursuant to the vote of a majority of such Trustees).
Any amendment to this Declaration of Trust that materially adversely affects the
rights of Shareholders may be adopted at any time by an instrument in writing
signed by a majority of the then Trustees (or by an officer of the Trust
pursuant to a vote of a majority of such Trustees) when authorized to do so by
the vote in accordance with subsection (e) of Section 4.2 of Shareholders as
specified in Section 5.4 hereof. Subject to the foregoing, any such amendment
shall be effective as of any prior or future time as provided in the instrument
containing the terms of such amendment or, if there is no provision therein with
respect to effectiveness, upon the execution of such instrument and of a
certificate (which may be a part of such instrument) executed by a Trustee or
officer of the Trust to the effect that such amendment has been duly adopted.
Section 7.4 Filing of Copies; References; Headings. The original or a copy
of this instrument and of each amendment hereto shall be kept at the office of
the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. Anyone dealing with the
Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer of the Trust as to whether or not
any such amendments have been made, as to the identities of the Trustees and
officers, and as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder; and,
with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by
an officer of the Trust to be a copy of this instrument or of any such
amendments. In this instrument and in any such amendment, references to this
instrument, and all expressions like
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"herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" shall be deemed to refer to this instrument
as a whole as the same may be amended or affected by any such amendments.
Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and shall not be
taken as a part hereof or control or affect the meaning, construction or effect
of this instrument. This instrument may be executed in any number of
counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original.
Section 7.5 Applicable Law. This Declaration of Trust is 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. The
Trust shall be of the type referred to in Section 1 of Chapter 182 of the
Massachusetts General Laws and of the type commonly called a Massachusetts
business trust, and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may
exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust.
Section 7.6 Integration. This Declaration of Trust constitutes the entire
agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.
Section 7.7 Resident Agent. The Trust shall maintain a resident agent in
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which agent shall initially be CT Corporation
System, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇. The Trustees may designate a
successor resident agent, provided, however, that such appointment shall not
become effective until written notice thereof is delivered to the office of the
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereunto has set his hand and seal in
the City of Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for himself and his assigns,
as of the day and year first above written.
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▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
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THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Suffolk County, ss
Then personally appeared before me the within-named ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, who
acknowledged the execution of the foregoing instrument to be his free act and
deed, before me, this ____ day of June, 2002.
/s/
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▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Notary Public
[Notarial Seal]
My commission expires:
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