MONARCH FUNDS
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
FEBRUARY 7, 2003
MONARCH FUNDS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ARTICLE I NAME AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Name 1
Section 1.02 Definitions 1
ARTICLE II BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 2.01 Shares of Beneficial Interest 3
Section 2.02 Issuance of Shares 3
Section 2.03 Register of Shares and Share Certificates 3
Section 2.04 Transfer of Shares 3
Section 2.05 Treasury Shares 4
Section 2.06 Establishment of Series 4
Section 2.07 Investment in the Trust 4
Section 2.08 Assets and Liabilities of Series 5
Section 2.09 No Preemptive Rights 5
Section 2.10 No Personal Liability of Shareholder 5
Section 2.11 Assent to Trust Instrument 6
ARTICLE III THE TRUSTEES
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
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 12
Section 4.06 Principal Transactions 12
ARTICLE V EXPENSES OF THE TRUST 12
ARTICLE VI INVESTMENT ADVISER, PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER,
ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTERED AGENT
Section 6.01 Investment Adviser 13
Section 6.02 Principal Underwriter 13
Section 6.03 Administration 13
Section 6.04 Transfer Agent 14
Section 6.05 Registered Agent 14
Section 6.06 Parties to Contract 14
Section 6.07 Provisions and Amendments 14
ARTICLE VII SHAREHOLDERS' VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
Section 7.01 Voting Powers 14
Section 7.02 Meetings 15
Section 7.03 Quorum and Required Vote 15
ARTICLE VIII CUSTODIAN
Section 8.01 Appointment and Duties 16
Section 8.02 Central Certificate System 16
ARTICLE IX DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS
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
ARTICLE X LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 10.01 Limitation of Liability 19
Section 10.02 Indemnification 19
Section 10.03 Shareholders 20
ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.01 Trust Not A Partnership 21
Section 11.02 Trustee's Good Faith Action, Expert Advice,
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No Bond or Surety 21
Section 11.03 Establishment of Record Dates 21
Section 11.04 Termination of Series 22
Section 11.05 Reorganization of Series 22
Section 11.06 Filing of Copies, References, Headings 23
Section 11.07 Applicable Law 23
Section 11.08 Amendments 23
Section 11.09 Fiscal Year 23
Section 11.10 Provisions in Conflict With Law 24
ARTICLE XII PURPOSE OF THE TRUST 24
ARTICLE XIII PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS 24
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MONARCH FUNDS
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
THIS AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST made at Portland, Maine, this 7th
day of February, 2003 by the Trustees hereunder and by the holders of shares of
beneficial interest to be issued hereunder as hereinafter provided:
WITNESSETH that
WHEREAS, this Trust has been formed to carry on the business of an
investment company; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees have agreed to manage all property coming into their
hands as trustees of a Massachusetts voluntary association with transferable
shares 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 in this Trust as hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Name. The name of the trust created hereby is "Monarch Funds,"
and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any
other name as they may from time to time determine.
Section 1.02 Definitions. Wherever used herein, unless otherwise required
by the context or specifically provided:
(a) The "1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules
and Regulations thereunder, as amended from time to time.
(b) "Bylaws" means the Bylaws of the trust as adopted by the Trustees, as
amended from time to time.
(c) "Commission" has the meaning given it in the 1940 Act.
(d) "Affiliated Person," "Assignment," "Interested Person" and "Principal
Underwriter" shall have the respective meanings given them in the 1940 Act, as
modified or interpreted by the Commission under any applicable order, rule or
regulations of the Commission
thereunder. "Majority Shareholder Vote" shall have the same meaning as the term
"vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" is given in the 1940
Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the
Commission or any rules or regulations adopted by or interpretive releases of
the Commission thereunder.
(e) "Declaration of Trust" shall mean this Agreement and Declaration of
Trust, as amended or restated from time to time.
(f) "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 hereoff.
(g) "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 by the Trust or which have
been repurchased by the Trust and which are at the time held in the treasury of
the Trust.
(h) "Series" or "Series of Shares" refers to the one or more separate
investment portfolios of the Trust into which the assets and liabilities of the
Trust may be divided and the Shares of the Trust representing the beneficial
interest of Shareholders in such respective portfolios.
(i) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Outstanding Shares of the Trust.
(j) "Shares" means the equal proportionate transferable units of interest
into which the beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to
time or, if more than one Series or Class of Shares is authorized by the
Trustees, the equal proportionate transferable units into which each Series or
Class of Shares shall be divided from time to time.
(k) "Trust" refers to the Massachusetts business trust established by this
Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time.
(l) "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
IV hereof, and reference herein to a Trustee or to the Trustees shall refer
respectively to each individual Trustee, or the Trustees, collectively, in each
case in their capacity as Trustees hereunder.
(m) "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.
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ARTICLE II
BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 2.01 Shares of Beneficial Interest. The beneficial interest in the
Trust shall be divided into such transferable Shares of one or more separate and
distinct Series or classes of a Series as the Trustees shall from time to time
create and establish. The number of Shares of each Series, and class thereof,
authorized hereunder is unlimited. Each Share shall have no par value. All
Shares issued hereunder, including without limitation, Shares issued in
connection with a dividend in Shares or a split or reverse split of Shares,
shall be fully paid and nonassessable.
Section 2.02 Issuance of Shares. The Trustees in their discretion may, from
time to time, without vote of the Shareholders, issue Shares, in addition to the
then issued and outstanding Shares and Shares held in the treasury, to such
party or parties and for such amount and type of consideration, subject to
applicable law, including cash or securities, at such time or times and on such
terms as the Trustees may deem appropriate, and may in such manner acquire other
assets (including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection with,
the assumption of liabilities) and businesses. In connection with any issuance
of Shares, the Trustees may issue fractional Shares and may issues Shares held
in the treasury. The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares
into a greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate
beneficial interests in the Trust. Contributions to the Trust may be accepted
for, and Shares shall be redeemed as, whole Shares and/or 1/1,000th of a Share
or integral multiples thereof.
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 that 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. 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 upon delivery to
the Trustees or the Trust's transfer agent of a duly executed instrument or
instruction 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
or the transfer agent. 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.
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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. The Trust created hereby shall
consist of one or more Series. Separate and distinct records shall be maintained
by the Trust for each Series, and the assets associated with any such Series
shall be held and accounted for separately from the assets of the Trust or any
other Series. The Trustees shall have full power and authority, in their sole
discretion, and without obtaining any prior authorization or vote of the
Shareholders of any Series of the Trust, (a) to establish and designate, and to
change in any manner, any such Series of Shares or any classes of initial or
additional Series and (b) to fix such preferences, voting powers, rights and
privileges of such Series or classes thereof as the Trustees may from time to
time determine, (c) to divide or combine the Shares or any Series or classes
thereof into a greater or lesser number, (d) to classify or reclassify any
issued Shares or any Series or classes thereof into one or more Series or
classes of Shares, and (e) to take such other action with respect to the Shares
as the Trustees may deem desirable. The establishment and designation of any
Series shall be effective upon the adoption of a resolution by a majority of the
Trustees setting forth such establishment and designation and the relative
rights and preferences of the Shares of such Series. A Series may issue any
number of Shares but need not issue shares. Without limiting any other power of
the Trustees hereunder, at any time that there are no Shares outstanding of any
particular Series previously established and designated, the Trustees may by a
majority vote abolish that Series and the establishment and designation thereof.
All references to Shares in this Trust Instrument shall be deemed to be
Shares of any or all Series, or classes thereof, as the context may require. All
provisions herein relating to the Trust shall apply equally to each Series of
the Trust, and each class thereof, except as the context otherwise requires.
Each Share of a Series of the Trust shall represent an equal beneficial
interest in the net assets of such Series. Each holder of Shares of a Series
shall be entitled to receive his pro rata share of all distributions made with
respect to such Series. Upon redemption of his Shares, such Shareholder shall be
paid solely out of the funds and property of such Series of the Trust.
Section 2.07 Investment in the Trust. The Trustees shall accept investments
in any Series or class of a Series of the Trust from such persons and on such
terms as they may from time to time authorize. At the Trustees' discretion, such
investments, subject to applicable law, may be in the form of cash or securities
in which the affected Series is authorized to invest, valued as provided in
Article IX, Section 9.03 hereof. Investments in a Series shall be credited to
each Shareholder's account in the form of full Shares at the Net Asset Value per
Share next determined after the investment is received or accepted, as may be
determined by the Trustees; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Trustees may, in their
sole discretion, (a) fix the Net Asset Value per Share of the initial capital
contribution, (b) impose a sales charge upon investments in the Trust in such
manner and at such time determined by the Trustees, or (c) issue fractional
Shares.
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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, subject only to the rights of
creditors of that Series. In addition, any assets, income, earnings, profits or
funds, or payments and proceeds with respect thereto, which are not readily
identifiable as belonging to any particular Series shall be allocated by the
Trustees between and among one or more of the Series in such manner as the
Trustees, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable. Each such
allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series
for all purposes, and such assets, income, earnings, profits or funds, or
payments and proceeds with respect thereto shall be assets belonging to that
Series. The assets belonging to a particular Series shall be so recorded upon
the books of the Trust, and shall be held by the Trustees in trust for the
benefit of the holders of Shares of that Series. The assets belonging to each
particular Series shall be charged with the liabilities of that Series and all
expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to that Series. Any general
liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the Trust which are not
determined by the Trustees or the authorized agents of the Trust 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. 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 of the
Trust and of any Series 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 undertaking issued
by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees relating to the Trust or to a
Series shall include a recitation limiting the obligation represented thereby to
the Trust or to one or more Series and its or their assets (but the omission of
such a recitation shall not operate to bind any Shareholder or Trustee of the
Trust).
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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.
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 Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
in any and all states of the United States of America, in the District of
Columbia, in any and all commonwealths, territories, dependencies, colonies, or
possessions of the United States of America, and in any foreign jurisdiction,
and to do all such other things and execute all such instruments as they deem
necessary, proper or desirable in order to promote the interests of the Trust
although such things are not herein specifically mentioned. Any determination as
to what is in the interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith
shall be conclusive. In construing the provisions of this Trust Instrument, the
presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.
The enumeration of any specific power in this Trust Instrument shall not be
construed as limiting the aforesaid power. The powers of the Trustees may be
exercised without order of or resort to any court.
Except for the Trustees named herein or appointed to fill vacancies
pursuant to Section 3.04 of this Article III, the Trustees shall be elected by
the Shareholders owning of record a plurality of the Shares voting at a meeting
of Shareholders. Such a meeting shall be held on a date fixed by the Trustees.
In the event that less than a majority of the Trustees holding office have been
elected by Shareholders, the Trustees then in office will call a Shareholders'
meeting for the election of Trustees.
SECTION 3.02 INITIAL TRUSTEES. The initial Trustees shall be the persons
named herein. On a date fixed by the Trustees, the Shareholders shall elect at
least three (3) but not more than twelve (12) Trustees, as specified by the
Trustees pursuant to Section 3.06 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 in office immediately 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,
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become physically or mentally incapacitated by reason of disease or otherwise,
or is otherwise unable to serve, may be retired by written instrument signed by
a majority of the other Trustees, specifying the date of his retirement; and (d)
that a Trustee may be removed at any meeting of the Shareholders of the Trust by
a vote of Shareholders owning at least two-thirds of the Outstanding Shares.
SECTION 3.04 VACANCIES AND APPOINTMENTS. In case of the death, resignation,
retirement, removal, physical or mental incapacity by reason of disease or
otherwise of a Trustee, or a Trustee is otherwise unable to serve, or an
increase in the number of Trustees, a vacancy shall occur in the Board of
Trustees. Whenever a vacancy shall occur, then until such vacancy is filled the
other Trustees shall have all the powers hereunder and the confirmation by 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 shall see fit consistent with the limitations under
the 1940 Act. Such appointment shall be evidenced by a written instrument signed
by a majority of the Trustees in office or by resolution of the Trustees, duly
adopted, which shall be recorded in the minutes of a meeting of the Trustees,
whereupon the appointment shall take effect.
An appointment of a Trustee may be made by the Trustees then in office in
anticipation of a vacancy to occur by reason of retirement, resignation or
increase in number of Trustees effective at a later date, provided that said
appointment shall become effective only at or after the effective date of said
retirement, resignation or increase in number of Trustees. As soon as any
Trustee appointed pursuant to this Section 3.04 shall have accepted this trust,
the trust estate shall vest in the new Trustee or Trustees, together with the
continuing Trustees, without any further act or conveyance, and such appointee
shall be deemed a Trustee hereunder.
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 less than two Trustees
personally exercise the other powers hereunder except as herein otherwise
expressly provided.
SECTION 3.06 NUMBER OF TRUSTEES. 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 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
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the assets of the Trust and the right to conduct any business shall at all times
be considered as vested in the Trustees on behalf of the Trust, except that the
Trustees may cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by, or in the
name of the Trust, or in the name of any person as nominee. No Shareholder shall
be deemed to have a severable ownership in any individual asset of the Trust or
of any Series or any right of partition or possession thereof, but each
Shareholder shall have, except as otherwise provided for herein, a proportionate
undivided beneficial interest in the Trust or Series. The Shares shall be
personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth in this Trust
Instrument.
ARTICLE IV
POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES
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, and to hold cash or
other property uninvested, without in any event being bound or limited by any
present or future law or custom in regard to investments by trustees, and to
sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, write options on and lease
any or all of the assets of the Trust;
(b) To operate as and carry on the business of an investment company, and
exercise all the powers necessary and appropriate to the conduct of such
operations;
(c) To borrow money and in this connection issue notes or other evidence of
indebtedness; to secure borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise
subjecting as security the Trust Property; to endorse, guarantee, or undertake
the performance of an obligation or engagement of any other person and to lend
Trust Property;
(d) To provide for the distribution of interests of the Trust either
through a Principal Underwriter in the manner hereinafter provided for or by the
Trust itself, or both, or otherwise pursuant to a plan of distribution of any
kind;
(e) To adopt Bylaws not inconsistent with this Trust Instrument providing
for the conduct of the business of the Trust, and to amend and repeal them to
the extent that they do not reserve that right to the Shareholders; such Bylaws
shall be deemed incorporated and included in this Trust Instrument;
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(f) To elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents
as they consider appropriate;
(g) To employ one or more banks, trust companies or companies that are
members of a national securities exchange or such other entities as the
Commission may permit as custodians of any assets of the Trust subject to any
conditions set forth in this Trust Instrument or in the Bylaws;
(h) To retain one or more transfer agents and shareholder servicing agents,
or both;
(i) To set record dates in the manner provided herein or in the Bylaws;
(j) To delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any officers
of the Trust and to any investment adviser, manager, custodian, underwriter or
other agent or independent contractor;
(k) To sell or exchange any or all of the assets of the Trust, subject to
the provisions of Article XI;
(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 that 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
Massachusetts trust companies 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) 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;
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(q) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization,
consolidation or merger of any corporation or concern, any security of which is
held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, or
sale of property by such corporation or concern, and to pay calls or
subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(r) To compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or
against the Trust or any matter in controversy, including, but not limited to,
claims for taxes;
(s) To make distributions of income and of capital gains to Shareholders in
the manner 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 that 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
Commonwealth of Massachusetts; 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.
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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.
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. The Trustees shall act by majority
vote at a meeting duly called, or by unanimous written consent without a
meeting, or by telephone meeting provided a quorum of Trustees participate in
any such telephone meeting, unless the 1940 Act requires that a particular
action be taken only at a meeting at which the Trustees are present in person.
At any meeting of the Trustees, a majority of the Trustees shall constitute a
quorum. Meetings of the Trustees may be called orally or in writing by the
Chairman of the Board of Trustees or by any two other Trustees. Notice of the
time, date and place of all meetings of the Trustees shall be given by the party
calling the meeting, or the Secretary of the Trust 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.
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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 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
shall be reimbursed from the Trust estate or the assets belonging to the
appropriate Series for their 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 corporate
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 therefore; 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;
Securities and Exchange 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.
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ARTICLE VI
INVESTMENT ADVISER, PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER,
ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTERED AGENT
SECTION 6.01 INVESTMENT ADVISER. 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 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 of this
Trust Instrument, the Trustees may authorize any investment adviser (subject to
such general or specific instructions as the Trustees may from time to time
adopt) to effect purchases, sales or exchanges of portfolio securities, other
investment instruments of the Trust, or other Trust Property on behalf of the
Trustees, or may authorize any officer, agent, or Trustee to effect such
purchases, sales or exchanges pursuant to recommendations of the investment
adviser (and all without further action by the Trustees). Any such purchases,
sales and exchanges shall be deemed to have been authorized by all of the
Trustees.
The Trustees may authorize 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.
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).
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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 REGISTERED AGENT. The registered agent of the Trust is: CT
Corporation System, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
SECTION 6.06 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 any person holding such relationship be disqualified
from voting on or executing the same in his capacity as Shareholder and/or
Trustee, nor shall any person holding such relationship be liable merely by
reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust under or by
reason of said contract or accountable for any profit realized directly or
indirectly therefrom, provided that the contract when entered into was not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Article VI or Article VIII hereof or of
the Bylaws. The same person (including a firm, corporation, partnership, trust,
or association) may be the other party to contracts entered into pursuant to
Sections 6.01, 6.02, 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 6.07 PROVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS. Any contract entered into pursuant
to Sections 6.01 or 6.02 of this Article VI shall be consistent with and subject
to the requirements of Section 15 of the 1940 Act, 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 any applicable 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. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only
(a) for the election of Trustees as provided in Article III, Sections 3.01 and
3.02 hereof, (b) for the removal of Trustees as provided in Article III, Section
3.03(d) hereof, (c) with respect to any investment advisory contract, as
required under the 1940 Act or other applicable law, and (d) with respect to
such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be specifically required by
law, by this Trust
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Instrument, or the Bylaws, or any registration of the Trust with the Commission
or any State, or as the Trustees may consider desirable.
On any matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, all Shares shall be
voted separately by individual Series, except (i) when required by the 1940 Act,
Shares shall be voted in the aggregate and not by individual Series; and (ii)
when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects the interests of more
than one Series, then the Shareholders of all such Series shall be entitled to
vote thereon. The Trustees may also determine that a matter affects only the
interests of one or more classes of a Series, in which case any such matter
shall be voted on by such class or classes. 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 of one or more Series or of the Trust, or in the
event of any proxy contest or proxy solicitation or proposal in opposition to
any proposal by the officers or Trustees of the Trust, Shares may be voted only
in person or by written proxy. Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may
exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required or
permitted to be taken by Shareholders by law, this Trust Instrument or any of
the Bylaws of the Trust.
SECTION 7.02 MEETINGS. The first Shareholders' meeting shall be held in
order to elect Trustees as specified in Section 3.02 of Article III hereof at
the principal office of the Trust or such other place as the Trustees may
designate. Meetings may be held within or without the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. Special meetings of the Shareholders of any Series may be called
by the Trustees and shall be called by the Trustees upon the written request of
Shareholders owning at least one-tenth of the Outstanding Shares entitled to
vote. Whenever ten or more Shareholders meeting the qualifications set forth in
Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, as the same may be amended from time to time,
seek the opportunity of furnishing materials to the other Shareholders with a
view to obtaining signatures on such a request for a meeting, the Trustees shall
comply with the provisions of said Section 16(c) with respect to providing such
Shareholders access to the list of the Shareholders of record of the Trust or
the mailing of such materials to such Shareholders of record, subject to any
rights provided to the Trust or any Trustees provided by said Section 16(c).
Notice shall be sent, by First Class Mail or such other means determined by the
Trustees, at least 15 days prior to any such meeting.
SECTION 7.03 QUORUM AND REQUIRED VOTE. One-third of Shares entitled to vote
in person or by proxy shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at a
Shareholders' meeting, except that where any provision of law or of this Trust
Instrument permits or requires that holders of any Series shall vote as a Series
(or that holders of a class shall vote as a class), then one-third of the
aggregate number of Shares of that Series (or that class) entitled to vote shall
be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that
Series (or that class). Any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments.
Any adjourned session or sessions may
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be held, within a reasonable time after the date set for the original meeting,
without the necessity of further notice. Except when a larger vote is required
by law or by any provision of this Trust Instrument or the Bylaws, a majority of
the Shares voted in person or by proxy shall decide any questions and a
plurality shall elect a Trustee, provided that where any provision of law or of
this Trust Instrument permits or requires that the holders of any Series shall
vote as a Series (or that the holders of any class shall vote as a class), then
a majority of the Shares present in person or by proxy of that Series (or
class), voted on the matter in person or by proxy shall decide that matter
insofar as that Series (or class) is concerned. Shareholders may act by
unanimous written consent. Actions taken by Series (or class) may be consented
to unanimously in writing by Shareholders of that Series (or class).
ARTICLE VIII
CUSTODIAN
SECTION 8.01 APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES. The Trustees shall at all times employ
a bank, a company that is a member of a national securities exchange, or a trust
company, qualified to act as custodian under applicable 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 qualified to act as custodian
under applicable law or such other person as may be permitted by the Commission
or otherwise in accordance with the 1940 Act.
SECTION 8.02 CENTRAL CERTIFICATE SYSTEM. Subject to such rules, regulations
and orders as the Commission may adopt, the Trustees may direct the custodian to
deposit all or any part of the securities owned by the Trust in a system for the
central handling of securities established by a national securities exchange or
a national securities association registered with the Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or such other person as may be
permitted by the Commission, or otherwise in accordance with the 1940 Act,
pursuant to which system all securities of any particular class or series of any
issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be
transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of such
securities, provided that all such deposits shall be subject to withdrawal only
upon the order of the Trust or its custodians, sub-custodians or other agents.
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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. The amount of such dividends or
distributions and the payment of them, and whether they are in cash or any other
Trust Property, shall be wholly in the discretion of the Trustees.
(b) Dividends and other distributions may be paid or made to the
Shareholders of record at the time of declaring a dividend or other distribution
or among the Shareholders of record at such other date or time or dates or times
as the Trustees shall determine, which dividends or distributions, at the
election of the Trustees, may be paid pursuant to a standing resolution or
resolutions adopted only once or with such frequency as the Trustees may
determine. The Trustees may adopt and offer to Shareholders such dividend
reinvestment plans, cash dividend payout plans or related plans, as the Trustees
shall deem appropriate.
(c) Anything in this Trust Instrument to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustees may at any time declare and distribute a stock dividend pro rata among
the Shareholders of a particular Series, or class thereof, as of the record date
of that Series fixed as provided in 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 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 payment for such Shares
shall be made by the Series or the Principal Underwriter of the Series to the
Shareholder of record within seven (7) days after the date upon which the
request is effective. Upon redemption, shares shall become Treasury shares and
may be reissued 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. Such value shall be determined separately for
each Series and shall be determined on such days and at such times as the
Trustees may determine. Such determination shall be made with respect to
securities for which market quotations are readily available, at the market
value of such
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securities; and with respect to other securities and assets, at the fair value
as determined in good faith by the Trustees; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
Trustees, without Shareholder approval, may alter the method of valuing
portfolio securities insofar as permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules,
regulations and interpretations thereof promulgated or issued by the Commission
or insofar as permitted by any order of the Commission applicable to the Series.
The Trustees may delegate any of their powers and duties under this Section 9.03
with respect to valuation of assets and liabilities. The resulting amount, which
shall represent the total Net Asset Value of the particular Series, shall be
divided by the total number of shares of that Series outstanding at the time and
the quotient so obtained shall be the Net Asset Value per Share of that Series.
At any time the Trustees may cause the Net Asset Value per Share last determined
to be determined again in similar manner and may fix the time when such
redetermined value shall become effective. If, for any reason, the net income of
any Series, determined at any time, is a negative amount, the Trustees shall
have the power with respect to that Series (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. The
Trustees shall not be required to adopt, but may at any time adopt, discontinue
or amend the practice of maintaining the Net Asset Value per Share of the Series
at a constant amount.
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
as permitted under the 1940 Act. Such suspension shall take effect at such time
as the Trustees shall specify but not later than the close of business on the
business day next following the declaration of suspension, and thereafter there
shall be no right of redemption or payment until the Trustees shall declare the
suspension at an end. In the case of a suspension of the right of redemption, a
Shareholder may either withdraw his request for redemption or receive payment
based on the Net Asset Value per Share next determined after the termination of
the suspension. In the event that any Series is divided into classes, the
provisions of this Section 9.03, to the extent applicable as determined in the
discretion of the Trustees and consistent with applicable law, may be equally
applied to each such class.
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
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indirect ownership of Shares of any Series has or may become concentrated in any
Person to an extent which would disqualify any Series as a regulated investment
company under the Internal Revenue Code, then the Trustees shall have the power
(but not the obligation) by lot or other means deemed equitable by them (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 or
regulatory authority.
ARTICLE X
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 10.01 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. A Trustee, when acting in such
capacity, shall not be personally liable to any person other than the Trust or
Shareholder for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust or any Trustee. A
Trustee shall not be liable for any act or omission or any conduct whatsoever in
his capacity as Trustee, provided that nothing contained herein or in the
Massachusetts law shall protect any Trustee 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 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;
(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:
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(i) who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the
proceeding was brought (A) to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of his office or (B) not to have acted in
good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of
the Trust; or
(ii) in the event of a settlement, unless there has been a determination
that such Trustee or officer did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of
his office, (A) by the court or other body approving the settlement; (B) by at
least a majority of those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the
Trust nor are parties to the matter based upon a review of readily available
facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or (C) by written opinion of
independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as
opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any Shareholder
may, by appropriate legal proceedings, challenge any such determination by the
Trustees or by independent counsel.
(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by
policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of
or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be
entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Covered Person
and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of
such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to
indemnification to which Trust personnel, other than Covered Persons, and other
persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
(d) Expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a
defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described in
Subsection 10.02(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 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 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
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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 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 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 shall not be
liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees 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 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, 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,
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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 SERIES.
(a) Each Series or class thereof shall continue without limitation of time
but subject to the provisions of this Section 11.04(b). The Trustees may provide
that any Series or class thereof shall have a limited life and shall
automatically terminate as determined by the Trustees.
(b) The Trustees may determine to terminate the operations of any Series or
class thereof. After such determination, the Trustees may require the redemption
of all Shares of a Series or class or take such other action, as they deem
necessary in order to eliminate all Outstanding Shares of that Series or class,
as the case may be.
(c) The Trustees may at any time, in contemplation of the termination a
Series: (i) sell and convey all or any portion of the assets of the affected
Series to another person organized under the laws of any jurisdiction, or to a
separate series of shares thereof, for adequate consideration, which may include
the assumption of all outstanding and contingent liabilities of any affected
Series, and which may include shares of beneficial interest, stock or other
ownership interest of such person or series thereof; or (ii) sell and convert
into money all or any portion of the assets of any affected Series. Upon paying
or making reasonable provision for the payment of all known liabilities any
affected Series, the Trustees shall distribute the remaining proceeds or assets
(as the case may be) ratably among the Shareholders of the affected Series
subject to Section 2.08 and the preferences, rights and privileges of each class
of the Series.
(d) At any time that there are no Outstanding Shares of a Series or a
class, the Trustees may, but shall not be required to, abolish the Series or
class, as applicable, and, if applicable, the establishment and designation
thereof.
(e) Upon completion of the distribution of the remaining proceeds or the
remaining assets of a Series as provided in Subsection 11.04(c), any affected
Series shall terminate. Upon the abolishment of a Series or a class as provided
in Subsection 11.04(d), a Series or a class, as applicable, shall terminate.
Upon such termination, 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 Series or class shall be canceled and
discharged.
SECTION 11.05 REORGANIZATION OF SERIES. Notwithstanding anything else in
this Trust Instrument, the Trustees may (i) cause any such Series to merge or
consolidate with or into one or more entities, if the surviving or resulting
entity is another company registered as an open-end, management investment
company under the 1940 Act, or a series thereof and (ii) cause any or all Shares
of a Series to be exchanged under or pursuant to any state of federal statute to
the extent permitted by law.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Trust
Instrument, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved by the Trustees in
accordance with this Section 11.05(b) may effect any amendment to the Trust
Instrument.
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 make and as to any matters in connection
with the Trust hereunder, and with the same effect as if it were the original,
may rely on a copy certified by an officer or Trustee of the Trust to be a copy
of this Trust Instrument or of any such amendment or supplemental Trust
Instrument. In this Trust Instrument or in any such amendment or supplemental
Trust Instrument, references to this Trust Instrument, and all expressions like
"herein," "hereof" and "hereunder," shall be deemed to refer to this Trust
Instrument as amended or affected by any such supplemental Trust Instrument. All
expressions like "his", "he" and "him", shall be deemed to include the feminine
and neuter, as well as masculine, genders. Headings are placed herein for
convenience of reference only and in case of any conflict, the text of this
Trust Instrument, rather than the headings, shall control. This Trust Instrument
may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original.
SECTION 11.07 APPLICABLE LAW. The trust set forth in this instrument 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 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 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 only have the right to
vote (a) on any amendment which would affect their right 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 submitted to Shareholders which, as the Trustees
determine, shall affect the Shareholders of one or more Series shall be
authorized by vote of the Shareholders of each Series affected and no vote of
shareholders of a Series not affected shall be required. Notwithstanding
anything else herein, any amendment to Article 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, without Shareholder approval, change the fiscal year of the Trust.
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SECTION 11.10 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 provisions in any other jurisdiction or any
other provision of this Trust Instrument in any jurisdiction.
ARTICLE XII
PURPOSE OF THE TRUST
The purpose of this Trust is to provide investors a continuous source of
managed investment in securities and other financial instruments.
ARTICLE XIII
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS
The Trust's principal place of business is: Two Portland Square, Portland,
Maine 04101.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being all of Trustees of the Trust,
have executed this instrument as of date first written above.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, as Trustee
and not individually
Two Portland Square
Portland, Maine 04101
/S/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------------------
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, as Trustee
and not individually
Two Portland Square
Portland, Maine 04101
/S/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
--------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, as Trustee
and not individually
Two Portland Square
Portland, Maine 04101
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