THE ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ TRUST
TRUST INSTRUMENT
DATED JUNE 30, 1998
THE ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ TRUST
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I - NAME AND DEFINITION............................................. 1
Section 1.01 Name................................................. 1
Section 1.02 Definitions.......................................... 1
ARTICLE II - BENEFICIAL INTEREST............................................ 2
Section 2.01 Shares of Beneficial Interest........................ 2
Section 2.02 Issuance of Shares................................... 2
Section 2.03 Register of Shares and Share Certificates............ 3
Section 2.04 Transfer of Shares................................... 3
Section 2.05 Treasury Shares...................................... 3
Section 2.06 Establishment of Series.............................. 3
Section 2.07 Investment in the Trust.............................. 4
Section 2.08 Assets and Liabilities of Series..................... 4
Section 2.09 No Preemptive Rights................................. 5
Section 2.10 No Personal Liability of Shareholder................. 5
Section 2.11 Assent to Trust Instrument........................... 5
ARTICLE III - THE TRUSTEES.................................................. 6
Section 3.01 Management of the Trust.............................. 6
Section 3.02 Initial Trustees..................................... 6
Section 3.03 Term of Office....................................... 6
Section 3.04 Vacancies and Appointments........................... 7
Section 3.05 Temporary Absence.................................... 7
Section 3.06 Number of Trustees................................... 7
Section 3.07 Effect of Ending of a Trustee's Service.............. 7
Section 3.08 Ownership of Assets of the Trust..................... 7
ARTICLE IV - POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES......................................... 8
Section 4.01 Powers............................................... 8
Section 4.02 Issuance and Repurchase of Shares.................... 11
Section 4.03 Trustees and Officers as Shareholders................ 11
Section 4.04 Action by the Trustees............................... 11
Section 4.05 Chairman of the Trustees............................. 11
Section 4.06 Principal Transactions............................... 11
ARTICLE V - EXPENSES OF THE TRUST........................................... 12
ARTICLE VI - INVESTMENT ADVISER, PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER,
ADMINISTRATOR AND TRANSFER AGENT................................... 12
Section 6.01 Investment Adviser................................... 12
Section 6.02 Principal Underwriter................................ 13
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Section 6.03 Administration....................................... 13
Section 6.04 Transfer Agent....................................... 13
Section 6.05 Parties to Contract.................................. 13
Section 6.06 Provisions and Amendments............................ 14
ARTICLE VII - SHAREHOLDERS' VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS...................... 14
Section 7.01 Voting Powers........................................ 14
Section 7.02 Meetings............................................. 15
Section 7.03 Quorum and Required Vote............................. 15
ARTICLE VIII - CUSTODIAN.................................................... 16
Section 8.01 Appointment and Duties............................... 16
Section 8.02 Central Certificate System........................... 16
ARTICLE IX - DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS.................................. 17
Section 9.01 Distributions........................................ 17
Section 9.02 Redemptions.......................................... 17
Section 9.03 Determination of Net Asset Value and Valuation
of Portfolio Assets.................................. 17
Section 9.04 Suspension of the Right of Redemption................ 18
Section 9.05 Redemption of Shares in Order to Qualify
as Regulated Investment Company...................... 18
Section 9.06 Redemption of Small Accounts......................... 19
ARTICLE X - LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION..................... 19
Section 10.01 Limitation of Liability............................. 19
Section 10.02 Indemnification..................................... 19
Section 10.03 Shareholders........................................ 20
ARTICLE XI - MISCELLANEOUS.................................................. 21
Section 11.01 Trust Not A Partnership............................. 21
Section 11.02 Trustee's Good Faith Action, Expert Advice,
No Bond or Surety........................................ 21
Section 11.03 Establishment of Record Dates....................... 21
Section 11.04 Termination of Trust................................ 22
Section 11.05 Reorganization...................................... 23
Section 11.06 Filing of Copies, References, Headings.............. 23
Section 11.07 Applicable Law...................................... 24
Section 11.08 Amendments.......................................... 24
Section 11.09 Fiscal Year......................................... 24
Section 11.10 Name Reservation.................................... 24
Section 11.11 Provisions in Conflict With Law..................... 25
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THE ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ TRUST
JUNE 30, 1998
TRUST INSTRUMENT, made by ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
(the "Trustees").
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to establish a business trust for the
investment and reinvestment of funds contributed thereto;
NOW THEREFORE, the Trustees declare that all money and property
contributed to the trust hereunder shall be held and managed in trust under this
Trust Instrument as herein set forth below.
ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITION
SECTION 1.01 NAME. The name of the trust created hereby is "The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Trust."
SECTION 1.02 DEFINITIONS. Wherever used herein, unless otherwise
required by the context or specifically provided:
(a) The "1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
from time to time. Whenever reference is made hereunder to the 1940 Act, such
references shall be interpreted as including any applicable order or orders of
the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted by the Commission thereunder
or interpretive releases of the Commission staff;
(b) "Bylaws" means the Bylaws of the Trust as adopted by the Trustee,
as amended from time to time;
(c) "Commission" has the meaning given it in the 1940 Act. In addition,
"Affiliated Person," "Interested Person" and "Principal Underwriter" shall have
the respective meanings given them in the 1940 Act;
(d) "Delaware Act" means the Delaware Business Trust Act, to Chapter 38
of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, as amended from time to time;
(e) "Net Asset Value" means the net asset value of each Series of the
Trust determined in the manner provided in Article IX, Section 9.03 hereof;
(f) "Outstanding Shares" means those Shares shown from time to time in
the books of the Trust or its transfer agent as then issued and outstanding, but
shall not include Shares which have been redeemed or repurchased by the Trust
and which are at the time held in the treasury of the Trust;
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(g) "Series" means a series of Shares of the Trust established in
accordance with the provisions of Article II, Section 2.06 hereof;
(h) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Outstanding Shares of the
Trust;
(i) "Shares" means the equal proportionate transferable units of
beneficial interest into which the beneficial interest of each Series of the
Trust or class thereof shall be divided and may include fractions of Shares as
well as whole Shares;
(j) The "Trust" means The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust, a Delaware business trust, and
reference to the Trust when applicable to one or more Series of the Trust, shall
refer to any such Series;
(k) The "Trustees" means the person or persons who has or have signed
this Trust Instrument so long as he or they shall continue in office in
accordance with the terms hereof and all other persons who may from time to time
be duly qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the provisions of
Article III hereof, and reference herein to a Trustee or to the Trustees shall
refer to the individual Trustees in their respective capacity as Trustees
hereunder;
(l) "Trust Property" means any and all property, real or personal,
tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of one or
more of the Trust or any Series, or the Trustees on behalf of the Trust or any
Series.
ARTICLE II
BENEFICIAL INTEREST
SECTION 2.01 SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST. The beneficial interest in
the Trust shall be divided into such Shares of one or more separate and distinct
Series or classes of a Series as set forth in Section 2.06 or as the Trustees
shall otherwise from time to time create and establish as provided in Section
2.06. The number of Shares of each Series and class thereof authorized hereunder
is unlimited. Except as otherwise determined by the Trustees, each Share shall
have a par value of $.001. All Shares issued hereunder, including without
limitation Shares issued in connection with a dividend paid in Shares or a split
or reverse split of Shares, shall be fully paid and nonassessable.
SECTION 2.02 ISSUANCE OF SHARES. The Trustees in their discretion may,
from time to time, without a vote of the Shareholders, issue Shares, in addition
to the then issued and outstanding Shares and Shares held in the treasury, to
such party or parties and for such amount and type of consideration, subject to
applicable law, including cash or securities, at such time or times and on such
terms as the Trustees may deem appropriate, and may in such manner acquire other
assets (including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection with,
the assumption of liabilities) and businesses. In connection with any issuance
of Shares, the Trustees may issue fractional Shares and Shares held in the
treasury. The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares into a
greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial
interests in the Trust. Contributions to the Trust may be accepted for, and
Shares shall be redeemed as, whole Shares and/or 1/1000th of a Share or
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integral multiples thereof. The Trustees or any person the Trustees may
authorize for the purpose may, in their discretion, reject any application for
the issuance of shares.
SECTION 2.03 REGISTER OF SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES. A register
shall be kept at the principal office of the Trust or an office of the Trust's
transfer agent which shall contain the names and addresses of the Shareholders
of each Series, the number of Shares of that Series (or any class or classes
thereof) held by them respectively and a record of all transfers thereof. No
share certificates shall be issued by the Trust except as the Trustees may
otherwise authorize, and the persons indicated as shareholders in such register
shall be entitled to receive dividends or other distributions or otherwise to
exercise or enjoy the rights of Shareholders. No Shareholder shall be entitled
to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution, nor to have notice
given to him as herein or in the Bylaws provided, until he has given his address
to the transfer agent or such officer or other agent of the Trustees as shall
keep the said register for entry thereon.
SECTION 2.04 TRANSFER OF SHARES. Except as otherwise provided by the
Trustees, Shares shall be transferable on the records of the Trust only by the
record holder thereof or by his agent thereunto duly authorized in writing, upon
delivery to the Trustees or the Trust's transfer agent of a duly executed
instrument of transfer and such evidence of the genuineness of such execution
and authorization and of such other matters as may be required by the Trustees.
Upon such delivery the transfer shall be recorded on the register of the Trust.
Until such record is made, the Shareholder of record shall be deemed to be the
holder of such Shares for all purposes hereunder and neither the Trustees nor
the Trust, nor any transfer agent or registrar nor any officer, employee or
agent of the Trust shall be affected by any notice of the proposed transfer.
SECTION 2.05 TREASURY SHARES. Shares held in the treasury shall, until
reissued pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof, not confer any voting rights on the
Trustees, nor shall such Shares be entitled to any dividends or other
distributions declared with respect to the Shares.
SECTION 2.06 ESTABLISHMENT OF SERIES AND CLASSES. The Trust created
hereby shall consist initially of one Series which is specified by name on
Schedule A attached hereto, and such Series shall initially consist of such
classes of Shares as are designated on Schedule A. Such initial Series (or class
thereof, as applicable) shall have the investment objectives, purposes and
policies, and such relative rights, powers, duties and other attributes, as are
specified in the Registration Statement and related prospectus and statement of
additional information approved by the Trustees in connection with the
registration and offer of Shares of such Series (or class thereof). Distinct
records shall be maintained by the Trust for each Series and the assets and
liabilities associated with the Series shall be held and accounted for
separately from the assets and liabilities of the Trust or any other Series. The
Trustees shall have full power and authority, in their sole discretion and
without obtaining any prior authorization or vote of the Shareholders of any
Series, to establish and designate and to change in any manner any Series or any
classes of initial or additional Series and to fix such preferences, voting
powers, rights and privileges of such Series or classes thereof as the Trustees
may from time to time determine, to divide or combine the Shares or any Series
or classes thereof into a greater or lesser number, to classify or reclassify
any issued Shares or any Series or classes thereof into one or more Series or
classes of Shares, and to take such other action with respect to the Shares as
the Trustees may deem
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desirable. The establishment and designation of any Series (other than those
established pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 2.06) shall be
effective upon the adoption of a resolution by a majority of the Trustees
setting forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights and
preferences of the Shares of such Series. A Series may issue any number of
Shares, but need not issue Shares. At any time that there are no Shares
outstanding of any particular Series previously established and designated, the
Trustees may by a majority vote abolish that Series and the establishment and
designation thereof.
All references to Shares in this Trust Instrument shall be deemed to be
Shares of any or all Series, or classes thereof as the context may require. All
provisions herein relating to the Trust shall apply equally to each Series of
the Trust, and each class thereof, except as the context otherwise requires.
Each Share of a Series of the Trust shall represent an equal beneficial
interest in the net assets of such Series. Each holder of Shares of a Series
shall be entitled to receive his proportionate share of all distributions made
with respect to such Series, based upon the number of full and fractional Shares
of the Series held. Upon redemption of his Shares, such Shareholder shall be
paid solely out of the funds and property of such Series of the Trust.
SECTION 2.07 INVESTMENT IN THE TRUST. The Trustees shall accept
investments in any Series from such persons and on such terms as they may from
time to time authorize. At the Trustees' discretion, such investments, subject
to applicable law, may be in the form of cash or securities in which the
affected Series is authorized to invest, valued as provided in Article IX
Section 9.03 hereof. Investments in a Series shall be credited to each
Shareholder's account in the form of full and fractional Shares at the net asset
value per Share next determined after the investment is received or accepted as
may be determined by the Trustees; provided, however, that the Trustees may, in
their sole discretion, (a) fix minimum amounts for initial and subsequent
investments or (b) impose a sales charge upon investments in such manner and at
such time determined by the Trustees.
SECTION 2.08 ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF SERIES. All consideration
received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Series,
together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested,
all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof including any proceeds
derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or
payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the
same may be, shall be held and accounted for separately from the other assets of
the Trust and of every other Series and may be referred to herein as "assets
belonging to" that Series. The assets belonging to a particular Series shall
belong to that Series for all purposes, and to no other Series, and shall be
subject only to the rights of creditors of that Series. In addition, any assets,
income, earnings, profits or funds, or payments and proceeds with respect
thereto, which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular
Series shall be allocated by the Trustees between and among one or more of the
Series in such manner as the Trustees, in their sole discretion, deem fair and
equitable. Each such allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the
Shareholders of all Series for all purposes, and such assets, income, earnings,
profits or funds, or payments and proceeds with respect thereto shall be assets
belonging to that Series. The assets belonging to a particular Series shall be
so recorded upon the books of the Trust, and
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shall be held by the Trustees in trust for the benefit of the holders of Shares
of that Series. The assets belonging to each particular Series shall be charged
with the liabilities of that Series and all expenses, costs, charges and
reserves attributable to that Series. Any general liabilities, expenses, costs,
charges or reserves of the Trust which are not readily identifiable as belonging
to any particular Series shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees between
or among any one or more of the Series in such manner as the Trustees in their
sole discretion deem fair and equitable. Each such allocation shall be
conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all purposes.
Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.08, but subject
to the right of the Trustees in their discretion to allocate general
liabilities, expenses, costs, changes or reserves as herein provided, the debts,
liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise
existing with respect to a particular Series shall be enforceable against the
assets of such Series only, and not against the assets of the Trust generally.
Notice of this contractual limitation on inter-Series liabilities may, in the
Trustee's sole discretion, be set forth in the certificate of trust of the Trust
(whether originally or by amendment) as filed or to be filed in the Office of
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the Delaware Act,
and upon the giving of such notice in the certificate of trust, the statutory
provisions of Section 3804 of the Delaware Act relating to limitations on
inter-Series liabilities (and the statutory effect under Section 3804 of setting
forth such notice in the certificate of trust) shall become applicable to the
Trust and each Series. Any person extending credit to, contracting with or
having any claim against any Series may look only to the assets of that Series
to satisfy or enforce any debt, with respect to that Series. No Shareholder or
former Shareholder of any Series shall have a claim on or any right to any
assets allocated or belonging to any other Series.
SECTION 2.09 NO PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS. Shareholders shall have no
preemptive or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other
securities issued by the Trust or the Trustees, whether of the same or other
Series.
SECTION 2.10 NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDER. No Shareholder shall
be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, obligation and expenses
incurred by, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to, the Trust or
by or on behalf of any Series. The Trustees shall have no power to bind any
Shareholder personally or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any
sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at
any time personally agree to pay by way of subscription for any Shares or
otherwise. Every note, bond, contract or other understanding issued by or on
behalf of the Trust or the Trustees relating to the Trust or to a Series shall
include a recitation limiting the obligation represented thereby to the Trust or
to one or more Series and its or their assets (but the omission of such a
recitation shall not operate to bind any Shareholder or Trustee of the Trust).
SECTION 2.11 ASSENT TO TRUST INSTRUMENT. Every Shareholder, by virtue
of having purchased a Share shall become a Shareholder and shall be held to have
expressly assented and agreed to be bound by the terms hereof.
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ARTICLE III
THE TRUSTEES
SECTION 3.01 MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST. The Trustees shall have exclusive
and absolute control over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust
to the same extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust Property
and business in their own right, but with such powers of delegation as may be
permitted by this Trust Instrument. The Trustees shall have power to conduct the
business of the Trust and carry on its operations in any and all of its branches
and maintain offices both within and without the State of Delaware, in any and
all states of the United States of America, in the District of Columbia, in any
and all commonwealths, territories, dependencies, colonies, or possessions of
the United States of America, and in any foreign jurisdiction and to do all such
other things and execute all such instruments as they deem necessary, proper or
desirable in order to promote the interests of the Trust although such things
are not herein specifically mentioned. Any determination as to what is in the
interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive.
In construing the provisions of this Trust Instrument, the presumption shall be
in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.
The enumeration of any specific power in this Trust Instrument shall
not be construed as limiting the aforesaid power. The powers of the Trustees may
be exercised without order of or resort to any court.
Except for the Trustees named herein or appointed to fill vacancies
pursuant to Section 3.04 of this Article III and except as otherwise provided in
Section 3.02 of this Article III, the Trustees shall be elected by the
Shareholders owning of record a plurality of the Shares voting at a meeting of
Shareholders. Any Shareholder meeting held for such purpose shall be held on a
date fixed by the Trustees. In the event that less than a majority of the
Trustees holding office have been elected by Shareholders, the Trustees then in
office will call a Shareholders' meeting for the election of Trustees in
accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act.
SECTION 3.02 INITIAL TRUSTEES. The initial Trustees shall be the person
named herein. The initial Trustees shall appoint additional or substitute
Trustees at an organizational meeting of Trustees. Thereafter, Trustees shall be
appointed or elected as provided in Sections 3.01 and 3.04 of this Article III.
SECTION 3.03 TERM OF OFFICE. The Trustees shall hold office during the
lifetime of this Trust, and until its termination as herein provided; except (a)
that any Trustee may resign his trust by written instrument signed by him and
delivered to the other Trustees, which shall take effect upon such delivery or
upon such later date as is specified therein; (b) that any Trustee may be
removed at any time by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the
number of Trustees prior to such removal specifying the date when such removal
shall become effective; (c) that any Trustee who requests in writing to be
retired or who has died, become physically or mentally incapacitated by reason
of illness or otherwise, or is otherwise unable to serve, may be retired by
written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees, specifying the
date of his retirement; and (d) that a Trustee may be removed at any meeting of
the Shareholders of
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the Trust by a vote of Shareholders owning at least two-thirds of the
Outstanding Shares of the Trust.
SECTION 3.04 VACANCIES AND APPOINTMENTS. In case of a Trustee's
declination to serve, death, resignation, retirement, removal, physical or
mental incapacity by reason of illness, disease or otherwise, or if a Trustee is
otherwise unable to serve, or if there is an increase in the number of Trustees,
a vacancy shall occur. Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Trustees shall occur,
until such vacancy is filled, the other Trustees shall have all the powers
hereunder and the certificate of the other Trustees of such vacancy shall be
conclusive. In the case of a vacancy, the remaining Trustees shall fill such
vacancy by appointing such other person as they in their discretion see fit, to
the extent consistent with the limitations provided under the 1940 Act. Such
appointment shall be evidenced by a written instrument signed by a majority of
the Trustees in office or by resolution of the Trustees, duly adopted, which
shall be recorded in the minutes of a meeting of the Trustees, whereupon the
appointment shall take effect.
An appointment of a Trustee may be made by the Trustees then in office
in anticipation of a vacancy to occur by reason of retirement, resignation or
increase in number of Trustees effective at a later date, provided that said
appointment shall become effective only at or after the effective date of said
retirement, resignation or increase in number of Trustees. As soon as any person
appointed as a Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.04 shall have accepted this
Trust, the trust estate shall vest in the new Trustee or Trustees, together with
the continuing Trustees, without any further act or conveyance, and such person
shall be deemed a Trustee.
SECTION 3.05 TEMPORARY ABSENCE. Any Trustee may, by power of attorney,
delegate his power for a period not exceeding six months at any time to any
other Trustee or Trustees, provided that in no case shall fewer than two
Trustees personally exercise the other powers hereunder except as herein
otherwise expressly provided.
SECTION 3.06 NUMBER OF TRUSTEES. From and after the date of appointment
of Trustees by the initial Trustees named herein, the number of Trustees shall
be at least three (3), and thereafter shall be such number as shall be fixed
from time to time by a majority of the Trustees, provided, however, that the
number of Trustees shall in no event be more than twelve (12).
SECTION 3.07 EFFECT OF ENDING OF A TRUSTEE'S SERVICE. The declination
to serve, death, resignation, retirement, removal, incapacity, or inability of
the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to terminate the Trust or to
revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Trust
Instrument.
SECTION 3.08 OWNERSHIP OF ASSETS OF THE TRUST. The assets of the Trust
and of each Series shall be held separate and apart from any assets now or
hereafter held in any capacity other than as Trustee hereunder by the Trustees
or any successor Trustees. Legal title in all of the assets of the Trust and the
right to conduct any business shall at all times be considered as vested in the
Trustees on behalf of the Trust, except that the Trustees may cause legal title
to any Trust Property to be held by, or in the name of, the Trust or in the name
of any person as nominee. No Shareholder shall be deemed to have a severable
ownership in any individual asset of the Trust or of any Series or any right of
partition or possession thereof but each Shareholder
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shall have, except as otherwise provided for herein, a proportionate undivided
beneficial interest in the Trust or Series based upon the number of Shares
owned. The Shares shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically
set forth in this Trust Instrument.
ARTICLE IV
POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES
SECTION 4.01 POWERS. The Trustees in all instances shall act as
principals, and are and shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The
Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make
and execute any and all contracts and instruments that they may consider
necessary or appropriate in connection with the management of the Trust. The
Trustees shall not in any way be bound or limited by present or future laws or
customs in regard to trust investments, but shall have full authority and power
to make any and all investments which they, in their sole discretion, shall deem
proper to accomplish the purpose of this Trust without recourse to any court or
other authority. Subject to any applicable limitation in this Trust Instrument
or the Bylaws of the Trust, the Trustees shall have the power and authority:
(a) To invest and reinvest cash and other property (including
investment, notwithstanding any other provision hereof, of all of the assets of
any Series in a single open-end investment company, including investment by
means of transfer of such assets in exchange for an interest or interests in
such investment company), and to hold cash or other property of the Trust
uninvested, without in any event being bound or limited by any present or future
law or custom in regard to investments by trustees, and to sell, exchange, lend,
pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, write options on and lease any or all of the
assets of the Trust:
(b) To operate as and carry on the business of an investment company,
and exercise all the powers necessary and appropriate to the conduct of such
operations;
(c) To borrow money and in this connection issue notes or other
evidence of indebtedness; to secure borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or
otherwise subjecting as security the Trust Property; to endorse, guarantee, or
undertake the performance of an obligation or engagement of any other Person and
to lend Trust Property;
(d) To provide for the distribution of interests of the Trust either
through a principal underwriter in the manner hereinafter provided for or by the
Trust itself, or both, or otherwise pursuant to a plan of distribution of any
kind;
(e) To adopt Bylaws not inconsistent with this Trust Instrument
providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend and repeal
them to the extent that they do not reserve that right to the Shareholders; such
Bylaws shall be deemed incorporated and included in this Trust Instrument;
(f) To elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such
agents as they consider appropriate;
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(g) To employ one or more banks, trust companies or companies that are
members of a national securities exchange or such other entities as the
Commission may permit as custodians of any assets of the Trust subject to any
conditions set forth in this Trust Instrument or in the Bylaws;
(h) To retain one or more transfer agents and shareholder servicing
agents, or both;
(i) To set record dates in the manner provided herein or in the Bylaws;
(j) To delegate such authority as they consider desirable (with power
of subdelegation) to any officers or employees of the Trust and to any
investment adviser, manager, custodian, underwriter or other agent or
independent contractor;
(k) To sell or exchange any or all of the assets of the Trust, subject
to the provisions of Article XI, subsection 11.04(b) hereof;
(l) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with
respect to stock or other securities or property, and to execute and deliver
powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper,
granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to
securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(m) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which in
any manner arise out of ownership of securities;
(n) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any
trust, whether in bearer, book entry, unregistered or other negotiable form; or
either in the name of the Trust or in the name of a custodian or a nominee or
nominees, subject in either case to proper safeguards according to the usual
practice of Delaware business trusts or investment companies;
(o) To establish separate and distinct Series with separately defined
investment objectives and policies and distinct investment purposes in
accordance with the provisions of Article II hereof and to establish classes of
such Series having relative rights, powers and duties as they may provide
consistent with applicable law;
(p) Subject to the provisions of Section 3804 of the Delaware Act, to
allocate assets, liabilities and expenses of the Trust to a particular Series or
to apportion the same between or among two or more Series, provided that any
liabilities or expenses incurred by a particular Series shall be payable solely
out of the assets belonging to that Series as provided for in Article II hereof;
(q) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization,
consolidation or merger of any corporation or concern, any security of which is
held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, or
sale of property by such corporation or concern, and to pay calls or
subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;
9
(r) To compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or
against the Trust or any matter in controversy including, but not limited to,
claims for taxes;
(s) To make distributions of income and of capital gains to
Shareholders in the manner provided herein;
(t) To establish, from time to time, a minimum investment for
Shareholders in the Trust or in one or more Series or class, and to require the
redemption of the Shares of any Shareholders whose investment is less than such
minimum upon giving notice to such Shareholder;
(u) To establish one or more committees, to delegate any of the powers
of the Trustees to said committees and to adopt a committee charter providing
for such responsibilities, membership (including Trustees, officers or other
agents of the Trust therein) and any other characteristics of said committees as
the Trustees may deem proper. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article IV,
and in addition to such provisions or any other provision of this Trust
Instrument or of the Bylaws, the Trustees may by resolution appoint a committee
consisting of less than the whole number of Trustees then in office, which
committee may be empowered to act for and bind the Trustees and the Trust, as if
the acts of such committee were the acts of all the Trustees then in office,
with respect to the institution, prosecution, dismissal, settlement, review or
investigation of any action, suit or proceeding which shall be pending or
threatened to be brought before any court, administrative agency or other
adjudicatory body;
(v) To interpret the investment policies, practices or limitations of
any Series;
(w) To establish a registered office and have a registered agent in the
state of Delaware; and
(x) In general to carry on any other business in connection with or
incidental to any of the foregoing powers, to do everything necessary, suitable
or proper for the accomplishment of any purpose or the attainment of any object
or the furtherance of any power hereinbefore set forth, either alone or in
association with others, and to do every other act or thing incidental or
appurtenant to or growing out of or connected with the aforesaid business or
purposes, objects or powers.
The foregoing clauses shall be construed as objects and powers, and the
foregoing enumeration of specific powers shall not be held to limit or restrict
in any manner the general powers of the Trustees. Any action by one or more of
the Trustees in their capacity as such hereunder shall be deemed an action on
behalf of the Trust or the applicable Series, and not an action in an individual
capacity.
The Trustees shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing
before the possible termination of the Trust.
No one dealing with the Trustees shall be under any obligation to make
any inquiry concerning the authority of the Trustees, or to see the application
of any payments made or property transferred to the Trustees or upon their
order.
10
SECTION 4.02 ISSUANCE AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES. The Trustees shall have
the power to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire, hold,
resell, reissue, dispose of and otherwise deal in Shares and, subject to the
provisions set forth in Article II and Article IX, to apply to any such
repurchase, redemption, retirement, cancellation or acquisition of Shares any
funds or property of the Trust, or the particular Series of the Trust, with
respect to which such Shares are issued.
SECTION 4.03 TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS AS SHAREHOLDERS. Any Trustee,
officer or other agent of the Trust may acquire, own and dispose of Shares to
the same extent as if he were not a Trustee, officer or agent; and the Trustees
may issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold Shares to and buy such Shares
from any such person or any firm or company in which he is interested, subject
only to the general limitations herein contained as to the sale and purchase of
such Shares; and all subject to any restrictions which may be contained in the
Bylaws.
SECTION 4.04 ACTION BY THE TRUSTEES. In any action taken by the
Trustees hereunder, unless otherwise specified, the Trustees shall act by
majority vote at a meeting duly called or by unanimous written consent without a
meeting or by telephone meeting provided a quorum of Trustees participate in any
such telephone meeting, unless the 1940 Act requires that a particular action be
taken only at a meeting at which the Trustees are present in person. At any
meeting of the Trustees, a majority of the Trustees shall constitute a quorum.
Meetings of the Trustees may be called orally or in writing by the Chairman of
the Board of Trustees or by any two other Trustees. Notice of the time, date and
place of all meetings of the Trustees shall be given by the person calling the
meeting to each Trustee by telephone, facsimile or other electronic mechanism
sent to his home or business address at least twenty-four hours in advance of
the meeting or by written notice mailed to his home or business address at least
seventy-two hours in advance of the meeting. Notice need not be given to any
Trustee who attends the meeting without objecting to the lack of notice or who
executes a written waiver of notice with respect to the meeting. Any meeting
conducted by telephone shall be deemed to take place at the principal office of
the Trust, as determined by the Bylaws or by the Trustees. Subject to the
requirements of the 1940 Act, the Trustees by majority vote may delegate to any
one or more of their number their authority to approve particular matters or
take particular actions on behalf of the Trust. Written consents or waivers of
the Trustees may be executed in one or more counterparts. Execution of a written
consent or waiver and delivery thereof to the Trust may be accomplished by
facsimile or other similar electronic mechanism.
SECTION 4.05 CHAIRMAN OF THE TRUSTEES. The Trustees shall appoint one
of their number to be Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The Chairman shall
preside at all meetings of the Trustees, shall be responsible for the execution
of policies established by the Trustees and the administration of the Trust, and
may be (but is not required to be) the chief executive, financial and/or
accounting officer of the Trust.
SECTION 4.06 PRINCIPAL TRANSACTIONS. Except to the extent prohibited by
applicable law, the Trustees may, on behalf of the Trust, buy any securities
from or sell any securities to, or lend any assets of the Trust to, any Trustee
or officer of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee or officer is a
member acting as principal, or have any such dealings with any investment
adviser, administrator, distributor or transfer agent for the Trust or with any
Interested Person of
11
such person; and the Trust may employ any such person, or firm or company in
which such person is an Interested Person, as broker, legal counsel, registrar,
investment adviser, administrator, distributor, transfer agent, dividend
disbursing agent, custodian or in any other capacity upon customary terms.
ARTICLE V
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
Subject to the provisions of Article II, Section 2.08 hereof, the
Trustees are authorized to pay or cause to be paid from the Trust estate or the
assets belonging to the appropriate Series, expenses and disbursements,
including, without limitation, interest charges, taxes, brokerage fees and
commissions; expenses of issue, repurchase and redemption of Shares; certain
insurance premiums; applicable fees, interest charges and expenses of third
parties, including the Trust's investment advisers, managers, administrators,
distributors, custodian, transfer agent and fund accountant; fees of pricing,
interest, dividend, credit and other reporting services; costs of membership in
trade associations; telecommunications expenses; funds transmission expenses;
auditing, legal and compliance expenses; costs of forming the Trust and
maintaining its existence; costs of preparing and printing the Trust's
prospectuses, statements of additional information and shareholder reports and
delivering them to existing Shareholders; expenses of meetings of Shareholders
and proxy solicitations therefor; costs of maintaining books and accounts; costs
of reproduction, stationery and supplies; fees and expenses of the Trust's
trustees; compensation of the Trust's officers and employees and costs of other
personnel performing services for the Trust; costs of Trustee meetings;
Commission registration fees and related expenses; state or foreign securities
laws registration fees and related expenses and for such non-recurring items as
may arise, including litigation to which the Trust (or a Trustee acting as such)
is a party, and for all losses and liabilities by them incurred in administering
the Trust, and for the payment of such expenses, disbursements, losses and
liabilities the Trustees shall have a lien on the assets belonging to the
appropriate Series, or in the case of an expense allocable to more than one
Series, on the assets of each such Series, prior to any rights or interests of
the Shareholders thereto. This section shall not preclude the Trust from
directly paying any of the aforementioned fees and expenses.
ARTICLE VI
INVESTMENT ADVISER, PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER,
ADMINISTRATOR AND TRANSFER AGENT
SECTION 6.01 INVESTMENT ADVISER. (a) The Trustees may in their
discretion, from time to time, enter into an investment advisory contract or
contracts with respect to the Trust or any Series whereby the other party or
parties to such contract or contracts shall undertake to furnish the Trustees
with such investment advisory, statistical and research facilities and services
and such other facilities and services, if any, all upon such terms and
conditions (including any Shareholder vote) that may be required under the 1940
Act, as may be prescribed in the Bylaws, or as the Trustees may in their
discretion determine (such terms and conditions not to be inconsistent with the
provisions of this Trust Instrument or of the Bylaws). Notwithstanding any other
provision
12
of this Trust Instrument, the Trustees may authorize any investment adviser
(subject to such general or specific instructions as the Trustees may from time
to time adopt) to effect purchases, sales or exchanges of portfolio securities,
other investment instruments of the Trust, or other Trust Property on behalf of
the Trustees, or may authorize any officer, agent, or Trustee to effect such
purchases, sales or exchanges pursuant to recommendations of the investment
adviser (and all without further action by the Trustees). Any such purchases,
sales and exchanges shall be deemed to have been authorized by all of the
Trustees.
(b) The Trustees may authorize the investment adviser to employ, from
time to time, one or more sub-advisers to perform such of the acts and services
of the investment adviser, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed
upon between the investment adviser and sub- adviser (such terms and conditions
not to be inconsistent with the provisions of this Trust Instrument or of the
Bylaws). Any reference in this Trust Instrument to the investment adviser shall
be deemed to include such sub-advisers, unless the context otherwise requires;
provided that no Shareholder approval shall be required with respect to any
sub-adviser unless required under the 1940 Act or other law, contract or order
applicable to the Trust.
SECTION 6.02 PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER. The Trustees may in their
discretion from time to time enter into an exclusive or non-exclusive
underwriting contract or contracts providing for the sale of Shares, whereby the
Trust may either agree to sell Shares to the other party to the contract or
appoint such other party its sales agent for such Shares. In either case, the
contract shall be on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed in the
Bylaws and as the Trustees may in their discretion determine (such terms and
conditions not to be inconsistent with the provisions of this Trust Instrument
or of the Bylaws); and such contract may also provide for the repurchase or sale
of Shares by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust.
SECTION 6.03 ADMINISTRATION. The Trustees may in their discretion from
time to time enter into one or more management or administrative contracts
whereby the other party or parties shall undertake to furnish the Trustees with
management or administrative services. The contract or contracts shall be on
such terms and conditions as may be prescribed in the Bylaws and as the Trustees
may in their discretion determine (such terms and conditions not to be
inconsistent with the provisions of this Trust Instrument or of the Bylaws).
SECTION 6.04 TRANSFER AGENT. The Trustees may in their discretion from
time to time enter into one or more transfer agency and shareholder service
contracts whereby the other party or parties shall undertake to furnish the
Trustees with transfer agency and shareholder services. The contract or
contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed in the
Bylaws and as the Trustees may in their discretion determine (such terms and
conditions not to be inconsistent with the provisions of this Trust Instrument
or of the Bylaws).
SECTION 6.05 PARTIES TO CONTRACT. Any contract of the character
described in Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.03 and 6.04 of this Article VI or any
contract of the character described in Article VIII hereof may be entered into
with any corporation, firm, partnership, trust or association, although one or
more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director,
trustee, shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract, and no such
contract shall be invalidated or rendered void or voidable by reason of the
existence of any relationship, nor shall
13
any person holding such relationship be disqualified from voting on or executing
the same in his capacity as Shareholder and/or Trustee, nor shall any person
holding such relationship be liable merely by reason of such relationship for
any loss or expense to the Trust under or by reason of said contract or
accountable for any profit realized directly or indirectly therefrom, provided
that the contract when entered into was not inconsistent with the provisions of
this Article VI or Article VIII hereof or of the Bylaws. The same person
(including a corporation, firm, partnership, trust, or association) may be the
other party to contracts entered into pursuant to Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.03 and
6.04 of this Article VI or pursuant to Article VIII hereof and any individual
may be financially interested or otherwise affiliated with persons who are
parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section 6.05.
SECTION 6.06 PROVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS. Any contract entered into
pursuant to Section 6.01 or 6.02 of this Article VI shall be consistent with and
subject to the requirements of Section 15 of the 1940 Act, if applicable, or
other applicable Act of Congress hereafter enacted with respect to its
continuance in effect, its termination, and the method of authorization and
approval of such contract or renewal thereof, and no amendment to any contract
entered into pursuant to Section 6.01 of this Article VI shall be effective
unless assented to in a manner consistent with the requirements of said Section
15, as modified by any applicable rule, regulation or order of the Commission.
ARTICLE VII
SHAREHOLDERS' VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
SECTION 7.01 VOTING POWERS. (a) The Shareholders shall have power to
vote only (a) for the election of Trustees to the extent provided in Article
III, Section 3.01 hereof, (b) for the removal of Trustees to the extent provided
in Article III, Section 3.03(d) hereof, (c) with respect to any investment
advisory contract to the extent provided in Article VI, Section 6.01 hereof, (d)
with respect to an amendment of this Trust Instrument, to the extent provided in
Article XI, Section 11.08, and (e) with respect to such additional matters
relating to the Trust as may be required by law, by this Trust Instrument, or
any registration of the Trust with the Commission or any State, or as the
Trustees may consider desirable.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Section 7.01 or any other
provision of this Trust Instrument (including the Bylaws) which would by its
terms provide for or require a vote of Shareholders, the Trustees may take
action without a Shareholder vote if (i) the Trustees shall have obtained an
opinion of counsel that a vote or approval of such action by Shareholders is not
required under (A) the 1940 Act or any other applicable laws, or (B) any
registrations, undertakings or agreements of the Trust known to such counsel,
and the Trustees determine in good faith that the taking of such action without
a Shareholder vote would be consistent with the best interests of the
Shareholders.
(c) On any matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, all Shares
shall be voted separately by individual Series, and whenever the Trustees
determine that the matter affects only certain Series, may be submitted for a
vote by only such Series, except (i) when required by the 1940 Act, Shares shall
be voted in the aggregate and not by individual Series; and (ii) when the
14
Trustees have determined that the matter affects the interests of more than one
Series and that voting by shareholders of all Series would be consistent with
the 1940 Act, then the Shareholders of all such Series shall be entitled to vote
thereon (either by individual Series or by ▇▇▇▇▇▇ voted in the aggregate, as the
Trustees in their discretion may determine). The Trustees may also determine
that a matter affects only the interests of one or more classes of a Series, in
which case (or if required under the 1940 Act) such matter shall be voted on by
such class or classes. Each whole Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any
matter on which it is entitled to vote, and each fractional Share shall be
entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. There shall be no cumulative voting
in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy or in any
manner provided for in the Bylaws. A proxy may be given in writing. The Bylaws
may provide that proxies may also, or may instead, be given by any electronic or
telecommunications device or in any other manner. Notwithstanding anything else
herein or in the Bylaws, in the event a proposal by anyone other than the
officers or Trustees of the Trust is submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, or
in the event of any proxy contest or proxy solicitation or proposal in
opposition to any proposal by the officers or Trustees of the Trust, Shares may
be voted only in person or by written proxy. Until Shares are issued, the
Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action
required or permitted by law, this Trust Instrument or any of the Bylaws of the
Trust to be taken by Shareholders.
SECTION 7.02 MEETINGS. Meetings of Shareholders may be held within or
without the State of Delaware. Special meetings of the Shareholders of any
Series for the purpose of voting upon the removal of a Trustee or Trustees may
be called by the Trustees and shall be called by the Trustees upon the written
request of Shareholders owning at least one tenth of the Outstanding Shares of
the Trust entitled to vote. Whenever ten or more Shareholders meeting the
qualifications set forth in Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, as the same may be
amended from time to time, seek the opportunity of furnishing materials to the
other Shareholders with a view to obtaining signatures on such a request for a
meeting, the Trustees shall comply with the provisions of said Section 16(c)
with respect to providing such Shareholders access to the list of the
Shareholders of record of the Trust or the mailing of such materials to such
Shareholders of record, subject to any rights provided to the Trust or any
Trustees provided by said Section 16(c). Notice shall be sent, by First Class
Mail or such other means determined by the Trustees, at least 10 days prior to
any such meeting. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.02,
the Trustees shall not be required to call a special meeting of the Shareholders
of any Series or to provide Shareholders seeking the opportunity of furnishing
the materials to other Shareholders with a view to obtaining signatures on a
request for a meeting except to the extent required under the 1940 Act.
SECTION 7.03 QUORUM AND REQUIRED VOTE. One-third of Shares outstanding
and entitled to vote in person or by proxy as of the record date for a
Shareholders' meeting shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at such
Shareholders' meeting, except that where any provision of law or of this Trust
Instrument permits or requires that holders of any Series shall vote as a Series
(or that holders of a class shall vote as a class), then one-third of the
aggregate number of Shares of that Series (or that class) entitled to vote shall
be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that
Series (or that class). Any meeting of Shareholders may be adjourned from time
to time by a majority of the votes properly cast upon the question of adjourning
a meeting to another date and time, whether or not a quorum is present. Any
15
adjourned session or sessions may be held, within a reasonable time after the
date set for the original meeting, without the necessity of further notice.
Except when a larger vote is required by law or by any provision of this Trust
Instrument or the Bylaws, a majority of the Shares voted in person or by proxy
at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall decide any questions and a
plurality shall elect a Trustee, provided that where any provision of law or of
this Trust Instrument permits or requires that the holders of any Series shall
vote as a Series (or that the holders of any class shall vote as a class), then
a majority of the Shares voted in person or by proxy at a meeting of that Series
(or class), at which a quorum is present shall decide that matter insofar as
that Series (or class) is concerned. Shareholders may act by unanimous written
consent, to the extent not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, and any such actions
taken by a Series (or class) may be consented to unanimously in writing by
Shareholders of that Series (or class).
ARTICLE VIII
CUSTODIAN
SECTION 8.01 APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES. The Trustees shall employ a bank,
a company that is a member of a national securities exchange, or a trust
company, that in each case shall have capital, surplus and undivided profits of
at least twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) and that is a member of the
Depository Trust Company (or such other person or entity as may be permitted to
act as custodian of the Trust's assets under the 1940 Act) as custodian with
authority as its agent, but subject to such restrictions, limitations and other
requirements, if any, as may be contained in the Bylaws of the Trust: (a) to
hold the securities owned by the Trust and deliver the same upon written order
or oral order confirmed in writing; (b) to receive and receipt for any moneys
due to the Trust and deposit the same in its own banking department or elsewhere
as the Trustees may direct; and (c) to disburse such funds upon orders or
vouchers.
The Trustees may also authorize the custodian to employ one or more
sub-custodians from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of the
custodian, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the
custodian and such sub-custodian and approved by the Trustees, provided that in
every case such sub-custodian shall be a bank, a company that is a member of a
national securities exchange, or a trust company organized under the laws of the
United States or one of the states thereof and having capital, surplus and
undivided profits of at least twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) and that is a
member of the Depository Trust Company or such other person or entity as may be
permitted by the Commission or is otherwise able to act as custodian of the
Trust's assets in accordance with the 1940 Act.
SECTION 8.02 CENTRAL CERTIFICATE SYSTEM. Subject to the 1940 Act and
such other rules, regulations and orders as the Commission may adopt, the
Trustees may direct the custodian to deposit all or any part of the securities
owned by the Trust in a system for the central handling of securities
established by a national securities exchange or a national securities
association registered with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, or such other person as may be permitted by the Commission, or
otherwise in accordance with the 1940 Act, pursuant to which system all
securities of any particular class or series of any issuer deposited within the
system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping
entry without physical delivery of such securities, provided that all such
deposits
16
shall be subject to withdrawal only upon the order of the Trust or its
custodians, sub-custodians or other agents.
ARTICLE IX
DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS
SECTION 9.01 DISTRIBUTIONS.
(a) The Trustees may from time to time declare and pay dividends or
other distributions with respect to any Series and/or class of a Series. The
amount of such dividends or distributions and the payment of them and whether
they are in cash or any other Trust Property shall be wholly in the discretion
of the Trustees.
(b) Dividends and other distributions may be paid or made to the
Shareholders of record at the time of declaring a dividend or other distribution
or among the Shareholders of record at such other date or time or dates or times
as the Trustees shall determine, which dividends or distributions, at the
election of the Trustees, may be paid pursuant to a standing resolution or
resolutions adopted only once or with such frequency as the Trustees may
determine. The Trustees may adopt and offer to Shareholders such dividend
reinvestment plans, cash dividend payout plans or related plans as the Trustees
shall deem appropriate.
(c) Anything in this Trust Instrument to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Trustees may at any time declare and distribute a share dividend to the
Shareholders of a particular Series, or class thereof, as of the record date of
that Series fixed as provided in Subsection 9.01(b) hereof.
SECTION 9.02 REDEMPTIONS. In case any holder of record of Shares of a
particular Series desires to dispose of his Shares or any portion thereof he may
deposit at the office of the transfer agent or other authorized agent of that
Series a written request or such other form of request as the Trustees may from
time to time authorize, requesting that the Series purchase the Shares in
accordance with this Section 9.02; and, subject to Section 9.04 hereof, the
Shareholder so requesting shall be entitled to require the Series to purchase,
and the Series or the principal underwriter of the Series shall purchase his
said ▇▇▇▇▇▇, but only at the Net Asset Value thereof (as described in Section
9.03 of this Article IX). The Series shall make payment for any such Shares to
be redeemed, as aforesaid, in cash or property from the assets of that Series
and, subject to Section 9.04 hereof, payment for such Shares shall be made by
the Series or the principal underwriter of the Series to the Shareholder of
record within seven (7) days after the date upon which the request is effective.
Upon redemption and unless otherwise determined by the Trustees shares shall
become Treasury shares and may be re-issued from time to time.
SECTION 9.03 DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND VALUATION OF
PORTFOLIO ASSETS. The term "Net Asset Value" of any Series shall mean that
amount by which the assets of that Series exceed its liabilities, all as
determined by or under the direction of the Trustees. The Trustees may delegate
any of their powers and duties under this Section 9.03 with respect to valuation
of assets and liabilities. Such value shall be determined separately for each
Series and shall be determined on such days and at such times as the Trustees
may determine. Such determination
17
shall be made with respect to securities for which market quotations are readily
available, at the market value of such securities; and with respect to other
securities and assets, at the fair value as determined in good faith by the
Trustees; provided, however, that the Trustees, without Shareholder approval,
may alter the method of valuing portfolio securities insofar as permitted under
the 1940 Act. The resulting amount, which shall represent the total Net Asset
Value of the particular Series, shall be divided by the total number of shares
of that Series outstanding at the time and the quotient so obtained shall be the
Net Asset Value per Share of that Series. At any time the Trustees may cause the
Net Asset Value per Share last determined to be determined again in similar
manner and may fix the time when such redetermined value shall become effective.
The Trustees shall not be required to adopt, but may at any time adopt,
discontinue or amend a practice of seeking to maintain the Net Asset Value per
Share of the Series at a constant amount. If, for any reason, the net income of
any Series, determined at any time, is a negative amount, the Trustees shall
have the power with respect to that Series (a) to offset each Shareholder's pro
rata share of such negative amount from the accrued dividend account of such
Shareholder, (b) to reduce the number of Outstanding Shares of such Series by
reducing the number of Shares in the account of each Shareholder by a pro rata
portion of that number of full and fractional Shares which represents the amount
of such excess negative net income, (c) to cause to be recorded on the books of
such Series an asset account in the amount of such negative net income (provided
that the same shall thereupon become the property of such Series with respect to
such Series and shall not be paid to any Shareholder), which account may be
reduced by the amount of dividends declared thereafter upon the Outstanding
Shares of such Series on the day such negative net income is experienced, until
such asset account is reduced to zero; (d) to combine the methods described in
clauses (a) and (b) and (c) of this sentence; or (e) to take any other action
they deem appropriate, in order to cause (or in order to assist in causing) the
Net Asset Value per Share of such Series to remain at a constant amount per
Outstanding Share immediately after each such determination and declaration. The
Trustees shall also have the power not to declare a dividend out of net income
for the purpose of causing the Net Asset Value per Share to be increased.
In the event that any Series is divided into classes, the provisions of
this Section 9.03, to the extent applicable as determined in the discretion of
the Trustees and consistent with the 1940 Act and other applicable law, may be
equally applied to each such class.
SECTION 9.04 SUSPENSION OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION. The Trustees may
declare a suspension of the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment
if permitted under the 1940 Act. Such suspension shall take effect at such time
as the Trustees shall specify but not later than the close of business on the
business day next following the declaration of suspension, and thereafter there
shall be no right of redemption or payment until the Trustees shall declare the
suspension at an end. In the case of a suspension of the right of redemption, a
Shareholder may either withdraw his request for redemption or receive payment
based on the Net Asset Value per Share next determined after the termination of
the suspension.
SECTION 9.05 REDEMPTION OF SHARES IN ORDER TO QUALIFY AS REGULATED
INVESTMENT COMPANY. If the Trustees shall, at any time and in good faith, be of
the opinion that direct or indirect ownership of Shares of any Series has or may
become concentrated in any Person to an
18
extent which would disqualify any Series as a regulated investment company under
the Internal Revenue Code, then the Trustees shall have the power (but not the
obligation) by lot or other means deemed equitable by them (a) to call for
redemption by any such person of a number, or principal amount, of Shares
sufficient to maintain or bring the direct or indirect ownership of Shares into
conformity with the requirements for such qualification and (b) to refuse to
transfer or issue Shares to any person whose acquisition of Shares in question
would result in such disqualification. The redemption shall be effected at the
redemption price and in the manner provided in this Article IX.
The holders of Shares shall upon demand disclose to the Trustees in
writing such information with respect to direct and indirect ownership of Shares
as the Trustees deem necessary to comply with the requirements of any taxing
authority or this Section 9.05.
SECTION 9.06 REDEMPTION OF SMALL ACCOUNTS. Subject to the
requirements of the 1940 Act, the Trustees may cause the Trust to redeem, at the
price and in the manner provided in this Article IX, Shares of any Series or
class of a Series held by any Shareholder (i) if such Shareholder is no longer
qualified to hold such Shares in accordance with such qualifications as may be
established by the Trustees, (ii) if the net asset value of such Shares is below
$500 or such other amount as determined by the Trustees or (iii) if otherwise
deemed by the Trustees to be in the best interest of the Trust or that
particular Series (or class) as a whole.
ARTICLE X
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 10.01 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Neither a Trustee nor an officer
of the Trust, when acting in such capacity, shall be personally liable to any
person other than the Trust or the Shareholders for any act, omission or
obligation of the Trust, any Trustee or any officer of the Trust. Neither a
Trustee nor an officer of the Trust shall be liable for any act or omission or
any conduct whatsoever in his capacity as Trustee or as an officer of the Trust,
provided that nothing contained herein or in the Delaware Act shall protect any
Trustee or any officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or to
Shareholders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee or officer of the Trust
hereunder.
SECTION 10.02 INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in Subsection
10.02(b):
(i) every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or officer of
the Trust (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person") shall be
indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against
liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him
in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he
becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or
having been a Trustee or officer and against amounts paid or incurred
by him in the settlement thereof;
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(ii) the words "claim," "action," "suit," or "proceeding"
shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil,
criminal or other, including appeals), actual or threatened while in
office or thereafter, and the words "liability" and "expenses" shall
include, without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts
paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.
(b) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:
(i) who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before
which the proceeding was brought (A) to be liable to the Trust or its
Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct
of his office or (B) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable
belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust; or
(ii) in the event of a settlement, unless there has been a
determination that such Trustee or officer did not engage in willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of his office, (A) by the court or other
body approving the settlement; (B) by at least a majority of those
Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor are
parties to the matter based upon a review of readily available facts
(as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or (C) by written opinion of
independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available
facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry).
(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured
against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be
exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or
hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any
rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel, other than Covered Persons,
and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
(d) Expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a
defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described in
Subsection (a) of this Section 10.02 may be paid by the Trust or Series from
time to time prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking
by or on behalf of such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him
to the Trust or Series if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to
indemnification under this Section 10.02; provided, however, that either (i)
such Covered Person shall have provided appropriate security for such
undertaking, (ii) the Trust is insured against losses arising out of any such
advance payments or (iii) either a majority of the Trustees who are neither
Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the matter, or independent legal
counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of
readily available facts (as opposed to a trial-type inquiry or full
investigation), that there is reason to believe that such Covered Person will be
found entitled to indemnification under this Section 10.02.
SECTION 10.03 SHAREHOLDERS. In case any Shareholder of any Series shall
be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a
Shareholder of such Series and
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not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder
or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal
representatives, or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate
or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets belonging to the
applicable Series to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and
expense arising from such liability. The Trust, on behalf of the affected
Series, shall, upon request by the Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim
made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Series and satisfy
any judgment thereon from the assets of the Series.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.01 TRUST NOT A PARTNERSHIP. It is hereby expressly declared
that a trust and not a partnership is created hereby. No Trustee hereunder shall
have any power to bind personally either the Trust officers or any Shareholder.
All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against
the Trust or the Trustees shall look only to the assets of the appropriate
Series or (if the Trustees shall have yet to have established Series) of the
Trust for payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the
Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor any of their agents, whether past, present or
future, shall be personally liable therefor. Nothing in this Trust Instrument
shall protect a Trustee against any liability to the Trust or a Shareholder to
which the Trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of the office of Trustee hereunder.
SECTION 11.02 TRUSTEE'S GOOD FAITH ACTION, EXPERT ADVICE, NO BOND OR
SURETY. The exercise by the Trustees or the officers of the Trust of their
powers and discretion hereunder in good faith and with reasonable care under the
circumstances then prevailing shall be binding upon everyone interested. Subject
to the provisions of Article X hereof and to Section 11.01 of this Article XI,
the Trustees and the officers of the Trust shall not be liable for errors of
judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees and the officers of the Trust
may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and
operation of this Trust Instrument, and subject to the provisions of Article X
hereof and Section 11.01 of this Article XI, shall be under no liability for any
act or omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such
advice. The Trustees and the officers of the Trust shall not be required to give
any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is obtained.
SECTION 11.03 ESTABLISHMENT OF RECORD DATES. The Trustees may close the
Share transfer books of the Trust for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days
preceding the date of any meeting of Shareholders, or the date for the payment
of any dividends or other distributions, or the date for the allotment of
rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of Shares shall go
into effect; or in lieu of closing the stock transfer books as aforesaid, the
Trustees may fix in advance a date, not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the
date of any meeting of Shareholders, or the date for payment of any dividend or
other distribution, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when
any change or conversion or exchange of Shares shall go into effect, as a record
date for the determination of the Shareholders entitled to notice of, and to
vote at, any such meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend
or other distribution,
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or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any
such change, conversion or exchange of Shares, and in such case such
Shareholders and only such Shareholders as shall be Shareholders of record on
the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such
meeting, or to receive payment of such dividend or other distribution, or to
receive such allotment or rights, or to exercise such rights, as the case may
be, notwithstanding any transfer of any Shares on the books of the Trust after
any such record date fixed as aforesaid.
SECTION 11.04 TERMINATION OF TRUST.
(a) This Trust shall continue without limitation of time but subject to
the provisions of Subsection 11.04(b).
(b) The Trustees may, subject to any necessary Shareholder, Trustee,
and regulatory approvals:
(i) sell and convey all or substantially all of the assets of
the Trust or any affected Series to another trust, partnership,
association or corporation, or to a separate series of shares thereof,
organized under the laws of any state which trust, partnership,
association or corporation is an open-end management investment company
as defined in the 1940 Act, or is a series thereof, for adequate
consideration which may include the assumption of all outstanding
obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or contingent, of the
Trust or any affected Series, and which may include shares of
beneficial interest, stock or other ownership interests of such trust,
partnership, association or corporation or of a series thereof;
(ii) enter into a plan of liquidation in order to terminate
and liquidate any Series (or class) of the Trust, or the Trust; or
(iii) at any time sell and convert into money all of the
assets of the Trust or any affected Series.
Upon making reasonable provision, in the determination of the Trustees, for the
payment of all liabilities by assumption or otherwise, the Trustees shall
distribute the remaining proceeds or assets (as the case may be) of each Series
(or class) ratably among the holders of Shares of the affected Series, based
upon the ratio that each Shareholder's Shares bears to the number of Shares of
such Series (or class) then outstanding.
(c) Upon completion of the distribution of the remaining proceeds or
the remaining assets as provided in Subsection 11.04(b), the Trust or any
affected Series shall terminate and the Trustees and the Trust shall be
discharged of any and all further liabilities and duties hereunder and the
right, title and interest of all parties with respect to the Trust or Series
shall be cancelled and discharged.
Upon termination of the Trust, following completion of winding up of
its business, the Trustees shall cause a certificate of cancellation of the
Trust's certificate of trust to be filed in
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accordance with the Delaware Act, which certificate of cancellation may be
signed by any one Trustee.
SECTION 11.05 REORGANIZATION.
(a) Notwithstanding anything else herein, the Trustees, in order to
change the form or jurisdiction of organization of the Trust, may (i) cause the
Trust to merge or consolidate with or into one or more trusts, partnerships
(general or limited), associations or corporations so long as the surviving or
resulting entity is an open-end management investment company under the 1940
Act, or is a series thereof, that will succeed to or assume the Trust's
registration under that Act and which is formed, organized or existing under the
laws of a state, commonwealth, possession or colony of the United States or (ii)
cause the Trust to incorporate under the laws of Delaware.
(b) The Trustees may, subject to a vote of a majority of the Trustees
and any shareholder vote required under the 1940 Act, if any, cause the Trust to
merge or consolidate with or into one or more Trusts, partnerships (general or
limited), associations, limited liability companies or corporations formed,
organized or existing under the laws of a state, commonwealth, possession or
colony of the United States.
(c) Any agreement of merger or consolidation or certificate of merger
or consolidation may be signed by a majority of Trustees and facsimile
signatures conveyed by electronic or telecommunication means shall be valid.
(d) Pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section
3815(f) of the Delaware Act, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Trust Instrument, an agreement of merger or consolidation
approved by the Trustees in accordance with paragraph (a) or (b) this Section
11.05 may effect any amendment to the Trust Instrument or effect the adoption of
a new trust instrument of the Trust if it is the surviving or resulting trust in
the merger or consolidation.
SECTION 11.06 FILING OF COPIES, REFERENCES, HEADINGS. The original or a
copy of this Trust Instrument and of each amendment hereof or Trust Instrument
supplemental hereto shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be
inspected by any Shareholder. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a
certificate by an officer or Trustee of the Trust as to whether or not any such
amendments or supplements have been made and as to any matters in connection
with the Trust hereunder, and with the same effect as if it were the original,
may rely on a copy certified by an officer or Trustee of the Trust to be a copy
of this Trust Instrument or of any such amendment or supplemental Trust
Instrument. In this Trust Instrument or in any such amendment or supplemental
Trust Instrument, references to this Trust Instrument, and all expressions such
as "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder," shall be deemed to refer to this Trust
Instrument as amended or affected by any such supplemental Trust Instrument. All
expressions such as "his," "he" and "him," shall be deemed to include the
feminine and neuter, as well as masculine, genders. Headings are placed herein
for convenience of reference only and in case of any conflict, the text of this
Trust Instrument, rather than the headings, shall control. This Trust Instrument
may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed an
original.
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SECTION 11.07 APPLICABLE LAW. The trust set forth in this instrument is
made in the State of Delaware, and the Trust and this Trust Instrument, and the
rights and obligations of the Trustees and Shareholders hereunder, are to be
governed by and construed and administered according to the Delaware Act and the
laws of said State; provided, however, that there shall not be applicable to the
Trust, the Trustees or this Trust Instrument (a) the provisions of Section 3540
of Title 12 of the Delaware Code or (b) any provisions of the laws (statutory or
common) of the State of Delaware (other than the Delaware Act) pertaining to
trusts which relate to or regulate (i) the filing with any court or governmental
body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges,
(ii) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or
employees of a trust, (iii) the necessity for obtaining court or other
governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real
or personal property, (iv) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers,
agents or employees of a trust, (v) the allocation of receipts and expenditures
to income or principal, (vi) restrictions or limitations on the permissible
nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to
the titling, storage or other manner of holding of trust assets, or (vii) the
establishment of fiduciary or other standards of responsibilities or limitations
on the acts or powers of trustees, which are inconsistent with the limitations
or liabilities or authorities and powers of the Trustees set forth or referenced
in this Trust Instrument. The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a
"business trust," and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may
exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust under
Delaware law. The Trust specifically reserves the right to exercise any of the
powers or privileges afforded to trusts or actions that may be engaged in by
trusts under the Delaware Act, and the absence of a specific reference herein to
any such power, privilege or action shall not imply that the Trust may not
exercise such power or privilege or take such actions.
SECTION 11.08 AMENDMENTS. Except as specifically provided herein, the
Trustees may, without shareholder vote, amend or otherwise supplement this Trust
Instrument by making an amendment, a Trust Instrument supplemental hereto or an
amended and restated trust instrument. Shareholders shall have the right to vote
(a) on any amendment which would affect their rights to vote granted in Section
7.01 of Article VII hereof, (b) on any amendment to this Section 11.08, (c) on
any amendment as may be required by law or by the Trust's registration statement
filed with the Commission and (d) on any amendment submitted to them by the
Trustees. Any amendment required or permitted to be submitted to Shareholders
which, as the Trustees determine, shall affect the Shareholders of one or more
Series shall be authorized by vote of the Shareholders of each Series affected
and no vote of shareholders of a Series not affected shall be required.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Trust Instrument, any amendment to
Article X hereof shall not limit the rights to indemnification or insurance
provided therein with respect to action or omission of Covered Persons prior to
such amendment.
SECTION 11.09 FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Trust shall end on a
specified date as set forth in the Bylaws, provided, however, that the Trustees
may change the fiscal year of the Trust.
SECTION 11.10 NAME RESERVATION. The Trustees on behalf of the Trust
acknowledge that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co., Inc. has licensed to the Trust the non-exclusive
right to use the word "▇▇▇▇▇▇▇" as part of the name of the Trust, and has
reserved the right to grant the non-exclusive use of the
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word "▇▇▇▇▇▇▇" or any derivative thereof to any other party. In addition,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co., Inc. reserves the right to grant the non-exclusive use of the
word "▇▇▇▇▇▇▇" to, and to withdraw such right from, any other business or other
enterprise. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co., Inc. reserves the right to withdraw from the Trust
the right to use said word "▇▇▇▇▇▇▇" and will withdraw such right if the Trust
ceases to employ, for any reason, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co., Inc., an affiliate or any
successor as adviser of the Trust.
SECTION 11.11 PROVISIONS IN CONFLICT WITH LAW. The provisions of this
Trust Instrument are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with the
advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in conflict with the 1940 Act,
the regulated investment company provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or with
other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed
never to have constituted a part of this Trust Instrument; provided, however,
that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this
Trust Instrument or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior
to such determination. If any provision of this Trust Instrument shall be held
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and
shall not in any matter affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any
other provision of this Trust Instrument in any jurisdiction.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the initial Trustees of the
Trust, have executed this instrument as of date first written above.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇, as Trustee
and not individually
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, as Trustee
and not individually
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SCHEDULE A
Ramirez Cash Money Market Fund
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ New York Tax-Free Money Market Fund
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