<PAGE>
Exhibit (a)(1)
MFS MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
--------------------------
AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARATION OF TRUST
Dated as of November 6, 2000
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ARTICLE I--Name and Definitions.......................................... 1
Section 1.1. Name
Section 1.2. Definitions
ARTICLE II--Trustees..................................................... 3
Section 2.1. Number of Trustees
Section 2.2. Term of Office of Trustees
Section 2.3. Resignation and Appointment of Trustees
Section 2.4. Vacancies
Section 2.5. Delegation of Power to Other Trustees
ARTICLE III--Powers of Trustees.......................................... 5
Section 3.1. General
Section 3.2. Investments
Section 3.3. Legal Title
Section 3.4. Issuance and Repurchase of Securities
Section 3.5. Borrowing Money; Lending Trust Property
Section 3.6. Delegation; Committees
Section 3.7. Collection and Payment
Section 3.8. Expenses
Section 3.9. Manner of Acting; By-Laws
Section 3.10. Miscellaneous Powers
Section 3.11. Principal Transactions
Section 3.12. Trustees and Officers as Shareholders
ARTICLE IV--Investment Adviser, Distributor and Transfer Agent........... 8
Section 4.1. Investment Adviser
Section 4.2. Distributor
Section 4.3. Transfer Agent
Section 4.4. Parties to Contract
ARTICLE V--Limitations of Liability of Shareholders, Trustees and Others 9
Section 5.1. No Personal Liability of Shareholders,
Trustees, etc.
Section 5.2. Non-Liability of Trustees, etc.
Section 5.3. Mandatory Indemnification
Section 5.4. No Bond Required of Trustees
Section 5.5. No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust
Instruments, etc.
Section 5.6. Reliance on Experts, etc.
ARTICLE VI--Shares of Beneficial Interest................................ 12
Section 6.1. Beneficial Interest
Section 6.2. Rights of Shareholders
Section 6.3. Trust Only
Section 6.4. Issuance of Shares
Section 6.5. Register of Shares
Section 6.6. Transfer of Shares
Section 6.7. Notices
Section 6.8. Voting Powers
ARTICLE VII--Determination of Net Asset Value, Net Income and
Distributions ............................................ 16
ARTICLE VIII--Duration; Termination of Trust; Amendment; Mergers, Etc. .. 16
Section 8.1. Duration
Section 8.2. Termination of Trust
Section 8.3. Amendment Procedure
Section 8.4. Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets
Section 8.5. Incorporation and Reorganization
Section 8.6. Conversion
Section 8.7. Certain Transactions
ARTICLE IX--Reports to Shareholders...................................... 20
ARTICLE X--Miscellaneous................................................. 20
Section 10.1. Filing
Section 10.2. Governing Law
Section 10.3. Counterparts
Section 10.4. Reliance by Third Parties
Section 10.5. Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations
SIGNATURE PAGE........................................................... 22
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AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
MFS MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
Dated as of November 6, 2000
AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST made November 6, 2000 by the
Trustees:
WHEREAS, by a Declaration of Trust dated September 18, 1986, as amended
and restated November 13, 1986 (the "Declaration"), the Trustees established a
trust for the investment and reinvestment of funds contributed thereto known as
MFS Municipal Income Trust (the "Trust"); and
WHEREAS, the Declaration provides that a restated Declaration integrating
into a single instrument all of the provisions of the Declaration which are then
in effect and operative, may be executed from time to time by a majority of the
Trustees; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to amend and to simultaneously restate the
Declaration so that this Amended and Restated Declaration, on the date of its
filing in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the
"Effective Date"), shall contain all of the provisions of the Declaration which
are then in effect and operative;
NOW THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby amend and restate the Declaration, and,
on the Effective Date, the following provisions shall constitute all of the
provisions of the Declaration which are then in effect and operative.
ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Name. The name of the trust created hereby is the "MFS
Municipal Income Trust."
Section 1.2 Definitions. Wherever they are used herein, the following
terms have the following respective meanings:
(a) "By-Laws" means the By-Laws referred to in Section 3.9 hereof, as from
time to time amended.
(b) The terms "Commission," "Interested Person," and "Majority Shareholder
Vote," (the 67% or 50% requirement of the third sentence of Section 2(a)(42) of
the 1940 Act, whichever may be applicable) have the meanings given them in the
1940 Act.
(c) The terms "Class" and "Class of Shares" refer to the division of
Shares into two or more classes as provided in Section 6.1 hereof.
(d) "Declaration" means this Declaration of Trust as amended and restated
from time to time. Reference in this Declaration of Trust to "Declaration,"
"hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" shall be deemed to refer to this Declaration
rather than the article or section in which such words appear.
(e) "Effective Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the third
"Whereas" clause herein.
(f) "Investment Adviser" means a party furnishing services to the Trust
pursuant to any contract described in Section 4.1 hereof.
(g) The "1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules
and Regulations thereunder, as amended from time to time.
(h) "Person" means and includes individuals, corporations, partnerships,
trusts, associations, joint ventures and other entities, whether or not legal
entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof,
whether domestic or foreign.
(i) The terms "Series" and "Series of Shares" refer to the division of
Shares representing any Class into two or more Series as provided in Section 6.1
hereof.
(j) "Shareholder" means a record owner of outstanding Shares.
(k) "Shares" means the shares of beneficial interest into which the
beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time or, if more
than one Class or Series of Shares is authorized by the Trustees, the shares of
beneficial interest into which each Class or Series of Shares shall be divided
from time to time, and includes fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares.
(l) "Statement" means a certificate signed by any officer of the Trust
setting forth the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of a
Class or Classes of Shares and any Series thereof, as described in Section 6.1
hereof.
(m) "Transfer Agent" means the party, other than the Trust, to a contract
described in Section 4.3 hereof.
(n) The "Trust" means the entity specified in Section 1.1 above.
(o) The "Trust Property" means any and all property, real or personal,
tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of the
Trust or the Trustees.
(p) The "Trustees" means the persons who have signed the Declaration, so
long as they shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof, and
all other persons who may from time to time be duly elected, qualified and
serving as Trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof, and reference
herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall refer to such person or persons in
their capacity as trustees hereunder.
ARTICLE II
TRUSTEES
Section 2.1. Number of Trustees. Subject to the voting powers of one or
more Classes or Series of Shares as set forth in this Declaration and in any
Statement, the number of Trustees shall be such number as shall be fixed from
time to time by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees,
provided, however, that the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than
three (3). No reduction in the number of Trustees shall have the effect of
removing any Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his term unless the
Trustee is specifically removed pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Article II at
the time of the decrease.
Section 2.2. Term of Office of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall be
divided into three classes. The number of Trustees in each class shall be
determined by resolution of the Board of Trustees. The term of office of all of
the Trustees shall expire on the date of the first annual meeting of
shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof following the first date of
effectiveness of this Declaration (September 18, 1986). The term of office of
the first class shall expire on the date of the second annual meeting of
shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof. The term of office of the
second class shall expire on the date of the third annual meeting of
shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof. The term of office of the third
class shall expire on the date of the fourth annual meeting of shareholders or
special meeting in lieu thereof. Upon expiration of the term of office of each
class as set forth above, the number of Trustees in such class, as determined by
the Board of Trustees, shall be elected for a term expiring on the date of the
third annual meeting of shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof
following such expiration to succeed the Trustees whose terms of office expire.
The Trustees shall be elected at an annual meeting of the shareholders or
special meeting in lieu thereof called for that purpose, except as provided in
Section 2.3 of this Article; provided, however, if so provided in any Statement
relating to a Class or Classes of Shares and any Series thereof designated by
the Trustees pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof, such Class or Classes of Shares,
voting as a Class at an annual meeting of the Shareholders or special meeting in
lieu thereof called for such purpose, may elect at least two (2) Trustees at all
times, and, provided, further, that under the conditions enumerated in such
Statement, such Class or Classes of Shares voting as a Class shall be entitled
to elect at least a majority of the Trustees pursuant to the designations and
powers, preferences and rights and the qualifications, limitations and
restrictions of such Class or Classes of Shares as determined in accordance with
the Statement relating to such Class or Classes of Shares.
Each Trustee elected shall hold office until his successor shall have been
elected and shall have qualified; except (a) that any Trustee may resign his
trust (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in
writing 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 (provided the aggregate number of Trustees after
such removal shall not be less than the number required by Section 2.1 hereof)
with cause, at any time by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of
the remaining Trustees, specifying the date when such removal shall become
effective; (c) that any Trustee who requests in writing to be retired or who has
become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument
signed by a majority of the other Trustees, specifying the date of his
retirement; and (d) subject to the voting powers of one or more Classes or
Series of Shares as set forth in this Declaration and in any Statement, a
Trustee may be removed at any meeting of Shareholders by a vote of two-thirds of
the outstanding Shares of the Classes or Series entitled to vote for the
election of such Trustee. Upon the resignation or removal of a Trustee, or his
otherwise ceasing to be a Trustee, he shall execute and deliver such documents
as the remaining Trustees shall require for the purpose of conveying to the
Trust or the remaining Trustees any Trust property held in the name of the
resigning or removed Trustee. Upon the incapacity or death of any Trustee, his
legal representative shall execute and deliver on his behalf such documents as
the remaining Trustees shall require as provided in the preceding sentence.
Section 2.3. Resignation and Appointment of Trustees. In case of the
declination, death, resignation, retirement, removal or inability of any of the
Trustees, or in case a vacancy shall, by reason of an increase in number, or for
any other reason, exist, the remaining Trustees shall fill such vacancy by
appointing such other person as they in their discretion shall see fit. Such
appointment shall be evidenced by a written instrument signed by a majority of
the Trustees in office. Any such appointment shall not become effective,
however, until the person named in the written instrument of appointment shall
have accepted in writing such appointment and agreed in writing to be bound by
the terms of the Declaration. Within twelve months of such appointment, the
Trustees shall cause notice of such appointment to be mailed to each Shareholder
at his address as recorded on the books of the Trustees. An appointment of a
Trustee may be made by the Trustees then in office and notice thereof mailed to
Shareholders as aforesaid 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. The power of appointment is subject to the voting power of one or more
Classes or Series of Shares as set forth in this Declaration and in any
Statement, and is subject to the provisions of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act.
Section 2.4. Vacancies. The death, declination, resignation, retirement,
removal or incapacity of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to
annul the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms
of this Declaration. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees shall occur,
until such vacancy is filled as provided in Section 2.3, the Trustees in office,
regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees
and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by the Declaration.
A written instrument certifying the existence of such vacancy signed by a
majority of the Trustees shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such
vacancy.
Section 2.5. Delegation of Power to Other Trustees. Any Trustee may, by
power of attorney, delegate his power for a period not exceeding six (6) months
at any one time to any other Trustee or Trustees; provided that in no case shall
less than two (2) Trustees personally exercise the powers granted to the
Trustees under the Declaration except as herein otherwise expressly provided.
ARTICLE III
POWERS OF TRUSTEES
Section 3.1. General. 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 the Declaration. 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, and in any and all commonwealths, territories, dependencies, colonies,
possessions, agencies or instrumentalities of the United States of America and
of foreign governments, and to do all such other things and execute all such
instruments as the Trustees 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 the Declaration, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of
power to the Trustees.
The enumeration of any specific power herein shall not be construed as limiting
the aforesaid power. Such powers of the Trustees may be exercised without order
of or resort to any court.
Section 3.2. Investments. (a) The Trustees shall have the power to:
(i) conduct, operate and carry on the business of an investment company;
(ii) subscribe for, invest in, reinvest in, purchase or otherwise acquire,
own, hold, pledge, sell, assign, transfer, exchange, distribute, lend or
otherwise deal in or dispose of United States and foreign currencies, any form
of gold and other precious metals, commodity contracts, options, contracts for
the future acquisition or delivery of securities and securities of every nature
and kind, including, without limitation, all types of bonds, debentures, stocks,
negotiable or non-negotiable instruments, obligations, evidences of
indebtedness, certificates of deposit or indebtedness, commercial paper,
repurchase agreements, bankers' acceptances, and other securities of any kind,
issued, created, guaranteed or sponsored by any and all Persons, including,
without limitation, states, territories and possessions of the United States and
the District of Columbia and any political subdivisions, agencies or
instrumentalities thereof and the United States Government, any foreign
government, any political subdivisions thereof or any agencies or
instrumentalities, or by any bank or savings institution, or by any corporation
or organization organized under the laws of the United States or of any state,
territory or possession thereof, or by any corporation or organization organized
under any foreign law, or in "when issued" contracts for any such securities, or
retain Trust assets in cash and from time to time change the investments of the
assets of the Trust; and to exercise any and all rights, powers and privileges
of ownership or interest in respect of any and all such investments of every
kind and description, including, without limitation, the right to consent and
otherwise act with respect thereto, with power to designate one or more persons,
firms, associations or corporations to exercise any of said rights, powers and
privileges in respect of any of said instruments.
(iii) 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, and to do every other act or
thing incidental or appurtenant to or connected with the aforesaid purposes,
objects or powers.
(b) The Trustees shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing
before the possible termination of the Trust, nor shall the Trustees be limited
by any law limiting the investments which may be made by fiduciaries.
Section 3.3. Legal Title. Legal title to all the Trust Property shall be
vested in the Trustees as joint tenants except that the Trustees shall have
power to cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by or in the name of
one or more of the Trustees, or in the name of the Trust, or in the name of any
other Person as nominee, on such terms as the Trustees may determine. The right,
title and interest of the Trustees in the Trust Property shall vest
automatically in each Person who may hereafter become a Trustee. Upon the
resignation, removal or death of a Trustee he shall automatically cease to have
any right, title or interest in any of the Trust Property, and the right, title
and interest of such Trustee in the Trust Property shall vest automatically in
the remaining Trustees. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective
whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered.
Section 3.4. Issuance and Repurchase of Securities. The Trustees shall
have the power to issue, sell, repurchase, retire, cancel, acquire, hold,
resell, reissue, dispose of, transfer, and otherwise deal in Shares and, subject
to the provisions set forth in Articles VII and VIII hereof, to apply to any
such retirement, cancellation or acquisition of Shares any funds or property of
the Trust whether capital or surplus or otherwise, to the full extent now or
hereafter permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts governing
business corporations.
Section 3.5. Borrowing Money; Lending Trust Property. The Trustees shall
have power to borrow money or otherwise obtain credit and to secure the same by
mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the assets of the
Trust, to endorse, guarantee, or undertake the performance of any obligation,
contract or engagement of any other Person and to lend Trust property.
Section 3.6. Delegation; Committees. The Trustees shall have power to
delegate from time to time to such of their number or to officers, employees or
agents of the Trust the doing of such things and the execution of such
instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Trustees or
otherwise as the Trustees may deem expedient.
Section 3.7. Collection and Payment. The Trustees shall have power to
collect all property due to the Trust; to pay all claims, including taxes,
against the Trust Property; to prosecute, defend, compromise or abandon any
claims relating to the Trust Property; to foreclose any security interest
securing any obligations by virtue of which any property is owed to the Trust;
and to enter into releases, agreements and other instruments.
Section 3.8. Expenses. The Trustees shall have the power to incur and pay
any expenses which in the opinion of the Trustees are necessary or incidental to
carry out any of the purposes of the Declaration, and to pay reasonable
compensation from the funds of the Trust to themselves as Trustees. The Trustees
shall fix the compensation of all officers, employees and Trustees.
Section 3.9. Manner of Acting; By-Laws. Except as otherwise provided
herein or in the By-Laws, any action to be taken by the Trustees may be taken by
a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting of Trustees (a quorum being
present), including any meeting held by means of a conference telephone circuit
or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating
in the meeting can hear each other, or by written consents of all the Trustees.
The Trustees may adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration to provide
for the conduct of the business of the Trust and may amend or repeal such
By-Laws to the extent such power is not reserved to the Shareholders.
Section 3.10. Miscellaneous Powers. The Trustees shall have the power to:
(a) employ or contract with such Persons as the Trustees may deem desirable for
the transaction of the business of the Trust; (b) enter into joint ventures,
partnerships and any other combinations or associations; (c) remove Trustees or
fill vacancies in or add to their number, elect and remove such officers and
appoint and terminate such agents or employees as they consider appropriate, and
appoint from their own number, and terminate, any one or more committees which
may exercise some or all of the power and authority of the Trustees as the
Trustees may determine; (d) purchase, and pay for out of Trust Property,
insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees,
agents, investment advisers, distributors, selected dealers or independent
contractors of the Trust against all claims arising by reason of holding any
such position or by reason of any action taken or omitted by any such Person in
such capacity, whether or not constituting negligence, or whether or not the
Trust would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability; (e)
establish pension, profit sharing, share purchase, and other retirement,
incentive and benefit plans for any Trustees, officers, employees and agents of
the Trust; (f) to the extent permitted by law, indemnify any person with whom
the Trust has dealings, including the Investment Adviser, Distributor, Transfer
Agent, and selected dealers, to such extent as the Trustees shall determine; (g)
guarantee indebtedness or contractual obligations of others; (h) determine and
change the fiscal year of the Trust and the method by which its accounts shall
be kept; and (i) adopt a seal for the Trust but the absence of such seal shall
not impair the validity of any instrument executed on behalf of the Trust.
Section 3.11. Principal Transactions. Except in transactions permitted by
the 1940 Act, or any order of exemption issued by the Commission, the Trustees
shall not, on behalf of the Trust, buy any securities (other than shares) from
or sell any securities (other than Shares) 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 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 the
Investment Adviser, Distributor, or Transfer Agent or with any Interested Person
of such Person; but the Trust may employ any such Person, or firm or company in
which such Person is an Interested Person, as broker, legal counsel, registrar,
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent or custodian upon customary terms.
Section 3.12. Trustees and Officers as Shareholders. No officer, Trustee
or Member of the Advisory Board of the Trust, and no member, partner, officer,
director or trustee of the Investment Adviser or of the Distributor, and no
Investment Adviser or Distributor of the Trust, shall take a short position in
the securities issued by the Trust.
ARTICLE IV
INVESTMENT ADVISER, DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT
Section 4.1. Investment Adviser. Subject to a Majority Shareholder Vote,
the Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more
investment advisory or management contracts whereby a party to such contract
shall undertake to furnish the Trust such management, investment advisory,
statistical and research facilities and services, promotional activities, and
such other facilities and services, if any, as the Trustees shall from time to
time consider desirable and all upon such terms and conditions as the Trustees
may in their discretion determine. Notwithstanding any provisions of the
Declaration, the Trustees may delegate to the Investment Adviser authority
(subject to such general or specific instructions as the Trustees may from time
to time adopt) to effect purchases, sales, loans or exchanges of assets of the
Trust on behalf of the Trustees or may authorize any officer, employee or
Trustee to effect such purchases, sales, loans or exchanges pursuant to
recommendations of the Investment Adviser (and all without further action by the
Trustees). Any such purchases, sales, loans or exchanges shall be deemed to have
been authorized by all the Trustees.
Section 4.2. Distributor. The Trustees may in their discretion from time
to time enter into a contract, providing for the sale of Shares whereby the
Trust may either agree to sell the Shares to the other party to the contract or
appoint such other party its sales agent for such Shares. In either case, the
contract shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their
discretion determine not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV or
the By-Laws; and such contract may also provide for the repurchase or sale of
Shares by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust and may provide
that such other party may enter into selected dealer agreements with registered
securities dealers to further the purpose of the distribution of the Shares.
Section 4.3. Transfer Agent. The Trustees may in their discretion from
time to time enter into a transfer agency and shareholder service contract or
contracts whereby the other party to such contract shall undertake to furnish
transfer agency and/or shareholder services to the Trust. The contract or
contracts shall have such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their
discretion determine not inconsistent with the Declaration or the By-Laws. Such
services may be provided by one or more Persons.
Section 4.4. Parties to Contract. Any contract of the character described
in Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 of this Article IV or any Custodian contract, as
described in the By-Laws, may be entered into with any Person, although one or
more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, partner,
director, trustee, shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract,
and no such contract shall be invalidated or rendered voidable by reason of the
existence of any such relationship; nor shall any Person holding such
relationship be liable merely by reason of such relationship for any loss or
expense to the Trust under or by reason of said contract or accountable for any
profit realized directly or indirectly therefrom, provided that the contract
when entered into was not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV or
the By-Laws. The same Person may be the other party to contracts entered into
pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 above or Custodian contracts, and any
individual may be financially interested or otherwise affiliated with Persons
who are parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section 4.4.
ARTICLE V
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS,
TRUSTEES AND OTHERS
Section 5.1. No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, etc. Subject
to Section 5.3, no Shareholder shall be subject to any personal liability
whatsoever to any Person in connection with Trust Property or the acts,
obligations or affairs of the Trust. No Trustee, officer, employee or agent of
the Trust shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person,
other than the Trust or its Shareholders, in connection with Trust Property or
the affairs of the Trust, save only that arising from bad faith, willful
misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for his duty to such Person;
and all such Persons shall look solely to the Trust Property for satisfaction of
claims of any nature arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust. If any
Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee, or agent, as such, of the Trust, is
made a party to any suit or proceeding to enforce any such liability, he shall
not, on account thereof, be held to any personal liability. The Trust shall
indemnify and hold each Shareholder harmless from and against all claims and
liabilities to which such Shareholder may become subject by reason of his being
or having been a Shareholder, and shall reimburse such Shareholder for all legal
and other expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with any such claim
or liability. The rights accruing to a Shareholder under this Section 5.1 shall
not exclude any other right to which such Shareholder may be lawfully entitled,
nor shall anything herein contained restrict the right of the Trust to indemnify
or reimburse a Shareholder in any appropriate situation even though not
specifically provided herein.
Section 5.2. Non-Liability of Trustees, etc. Subject to Section 5.3, no
Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust,
its Shareholders, or to any Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee, or agent
thereof for any action or failure to act (including without limitation the
failure to compel in any way any former or acting Trustee to redress any breach
of trust) except for his own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of his duties.
Section 5.3. Mandatory Indemnification. (a) Subject to the exceptions and
limitations contained in paragraph (b) below:
(i) every person who is or has been a Trustee or officer of the Trust
shall be indemnified by the Trust against all 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; 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 Trustee or
officer:
(i) against any liability to the Trust or the Shareholders by reason of a
final adjudication by the court or other body before which the proceeding was
brought that he engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office;
(ii) with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been finally
adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his
action was in the best interest of the Trust;
(iii) in the event of a settlement involving a payment by a Trustee or
officer or other disposition not involving a final adjudication as provided in
paragraph (b) (i) or (b) (ii) above resulting in a payment by a Trustee or
officer, unless there has been either 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 by the
court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition or by a
reasonable determination, based upon a review of readily available facts (as
opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) that he did not engage in such conduct:
(A) by vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on
the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in
office act on the matter); or
(B) by written opinion of independent legal counsel.
(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against
by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any
other rights to which any Trustee or officer may now or hereafter be entitled,
shall continue as to a Person who has ceased to be such Trustee or officer and
shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such
Person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to
which personnel other than Trustees and officers may be entitled by contract or
otherwise under law.
(d) Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim,
action, suit, or proceeding of the character described in paragraph (a) of this
Section 5.3 shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such
amount if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification
under this Section 5.3, provided that either:
(i) such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate
security or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any such
advances; or
(ii) a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter
(provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on
the matter) or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall
determine, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full
trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the recipient
ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
As used in this Section 5.3, a "Disinterested Trustee" is one (i) who is
not an "Interested Person" of the Trust (including anyone who has been exempted
from being an "Interested Person" by any rule, regulation or order of the
Commission), and (ii) against whom none of such actions, suits or other
proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar
grounds is then or had been pending.
Section 5.4. No Bond Required of Trustees. No Trustee shall be
obligated to give any bond or other security for the performance of any of
his duties hereunder.
Section 5.5. No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, etc.
No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other Person dealing with the Trustees
or any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be bound to make any
inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be made by the
Trustees or by said officer, employee or agent or be liable for the application
of money or property paid, loaned, or delivered to or on the order of the
Trustees or of said officer, employee or agent. Every obligation, contract,
instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust or undertaking, and
every other act or thing whatsoever executed in connection with the Trust shall
be conclusively presumed to have been executed or done by the executors thereof
only in their capacity as Trustees under the Declaration or in their capacity as
officers, employees or agents of the Trust. Every written obligation, contract,
instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust or undertaking made
or issued by the Trustees shall recite that the same is executed or made by them
not individually, but as Trustees under the Declaration, and that the
obligations of any such instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees or
Shareholders, individually, but bind only the trust estate, and may contain any
further recital which they or he may deem appropriate, but the omission of such
recital shall not operate to bind any of the Trustees or Shareholders
individually. The Trustees shall at all times maintain insurance for the
protection of the Trust Property, its Shareholders, Trustees, officers,
employees and agents in such amount as the Trustees shall deem adequate to cover
possible tort liability, and such other insurance as the Trustees in their sole
judgment shall deem advisable.
Section 5.6. Reliance on Experts, etc. Each Trustee and officer or
employee of the Trust shall, in the performance of his duties, be fully and
completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to act
resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other records
of the Trust, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the Trust by
any of its officers or employees or by the Investment Adviser, the Distributor,
Transfer Agent, selected dealers, accountants, appraisers or other experts or
consultants selected with reasonable care by the Trustees, officers or employees
of the Trust, regardless of whether such counsel or expert may also be a
Trustee.
ARTICLE VI
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 6.1. Beneficial Interest. The Trustees may, without Shareholder
approval, authorize one or more Classes of Shares with or without par value
(which Classes may be divided into two or more Series), Shares of each such
Class or Series having such preferences, voting powers, terms of redemption, if
any, and special or relative rights or privileges (including conversion rights,
if any) as the Trustees may determine.
As of the Effective Date, the Shares shall be divided into two Classes of
Shares, a Class of an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest,
without par value (the "Common Shares") and a Class of an unlimited number of
preferred shares of beneficial interest, without par value (the "Preferred
Shares"). All Shares outstanding as of the Effective Date shall be designated as
Common Shares.
The designations and powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications,
limitations and restrictions of the Common Shares are as follows and as set
forth elsewhere in this Declaration.
(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Shares, in
the event of the termination of the Trust the holders of the Common Shares
shall be entitled to receive pro rata the net distributable assets of the
Trust.
(b) The holders of the Common Shares shall not, as such holders,
have any right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any Common Shares or
securities of the Trust which it may hereafter issue or sell, other than
such right, if any, as the Trustees in their discretion may determine.
(c) Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Shares,
dividends or other distributions, when, as and if declared by the
Trustees, shall be shared equally by the holders of Common Shares on a
share for share basis. The Trustees may direct that any dividends or other
distributions or any portion thereof as declared and distributed shall be
paid in cash to the holder, or, alternatively, may direct that any such
dividends be reinvested in full and fractional Shares of the Trust if such
holder elects to have them reinvested.
(d) The Trustees may hold as treasury shares (of the same or some
other Series), reissue for such consideration and on such terms as they
may determine, or cancel any Common Shares of any Series reacquired by the
Trust at their discretion from time to time. Shares shall not entitle the
Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust.
The designations and powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications,
limitations and restrictions of the Preferred Shares shall be as set forth in
the Statement relating to the Preferred Shares.
All Shares issued hereunder including, without limitation, Shares issued in
connection with a dividend in Shares or a split of Shares, shall be fully paid
and non-assessable.
Section 6.2. Rights of Shareholders. The ownership of the Trust Property
of every description and the right to conduct any business hereinbefore
described are vested exclusively in the Trustees, and the Shareholders shall
have no interest therein other than the beneficial interest conferred by their
Shares, and they shall have no right to call for any partition or division of
any property, profits, rights or interests of the Trust nor can they be called
upon to assume any losses of the Trust or suffer an assessment of any kind by
virtue of their ownership of Shares. The Shares shall be personal property
giving only the rights in the Declaration specifically set forth. The Shares
shall not entitle the holder to preference, preemptive, appraisal, conversion or
exchange rights, except as the Trustees may determine with respect to any Class
or Series of Shares.
Section 6.3. Trust Only. It is the intention of the Trustees to create
only the relationship of Trustee and beneficiary between the Trustees and each
Shareholder from time to time. It is not the intention of the Trustees to create
a general partnership, limited partnership, joint stock association,
corporation, bailment or any form of legal relationship other than a trust.
Nothing in the Declaration shall be construed to make the Shareholders, either
by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members of a joint stock
association.
Section 6.4. 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, including cash
or property, at such time or times, and on such terms as the Trustees may deem
best, 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. The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the
Shares into a greater or lesser number without thereby changing their
proportionate beneficial interests in Trust. Contributions to the Trust may be
accepted for whole Shares and/or l/l,000ths of a Share or integral multiples
thereof.
Section 6.5. Register of Shares. A register shall be kept at the principal
office of the Trust or at an office of the Transfer Agent which shall contain
the names and addresses of the Shareholders and the number of Shares held by
them respectively and a record of all transfers thereof. Such register shall be
conclusive as to who are the holders of each Class and Series of Shares and who
shall be entitled to receive dividends or distributions or otherwise to exercise
or enjoy the rights of Shareholders. No Shareholder shall be entitled to receive
payment of any dividend or distribution, nor to have notice given to him as
herein or in the By-Laws provided, until he has given his address to the
Transfer Agent or such other officer or agent of the Trustees as shall keep the
said register for entry thereon. The Trustees, in their discretion, may
authorize the issuance of Share certificates and promulgate appropriate rules
and regulations as to their use.
Section 6.6. Transfer of Shares. 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 Transfer Agent
of a duly executed instrument of transfer, together with any certificate or
certificates (if issued) for such Shares and such evidence of the genuineness of
each such execution and authorization and of other matters as may reasonably be
required. Upon such delivery the transfer shall be recorded on the 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 any Transfer Agent or registrar nor any officer, employee or agent
of the Trust shall be affected by any notice of the proposed transfer.
Any person becoming entitled to any Shares in consequence of the death,
bankruptcy, or incompetence of any Shareholder, or otherwise by operation of
law, shall be recorded on the register of Shares as the holder of such Shares
upon production of the proper evidence thereof to the Trustees or the Transfer
Agent; but 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 any Transfer Agent or registrar nor any officer or agent of the
Trust shall be affected by any notice of such death, bankruptcy or incompetence,
or other operation of law.
Section 6.7. Notices. Any and all notices to which any Shareholder may be
entitled and any and all communications shall be deemed duly served or given if
mailed, postage prepaid, addressed to any Shareholder of record at his last
known address as recorded on the register of the Trust.
Section 6.8. Voting Powers. Subject to the voting power of one or more
Classes or Series of Shares as set forth in this Declaration and in any
Statement, the Shareholders shall have power to vote only (i) for the election
of Trustees or for their removal as provided in Section 2.2 hereof, (ii) with
respect to any investment advisory or management contract as provided in Section
4.1 hereof, (iii) with respect to termination of the Trust as provided in
Section 8.2, (iv) with respect to any amendment of the Declaration to the extent
and as provided in Section 8.3, (v) with respect to any merger, consolidation,
conversion or sale of assets as provided in Sections 8.4, 8.5 and 8.7, (vi) with
respect to incorporation of the Trust to the extent and as provided in Section
8.5, (vii) to the same extent as the stockholders of a Massachusetts business
corporation as to whether or not a court action, proceeding or claim should or
should not be brought or maintained derivatively or as a class action on behalf
of the Trust or the Shareholders, and (viii) with respect to such additional
matters relating to the Trust as may be required by the Declaration, the
By-Laws, any Statement or any registration of the Trust with the Commission (or
any successor agency) or any state, or as the Trustees may consider necessary or
desirable. 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, except as otherwise provided in any Statement and
except that Shares held in the treasury of the Trust shall not be voted.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration, on any matter submitted
to a vote of Shareholders, all Shares of the Trust then entitled to vote shall,
except as otherwise provided in the By-Laws or any Statement or required by law,
be voted in the aggregate as a single Class without regard to Classes or Series
of Shares. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees.
Until Shares of a particular Class or Series are issued, the Trustees may
exercise all rights of Shareholders of such Class or Series and may take any
action required by law, the Declaration, the By-Laws or any Statement to be
taken by Shareholders as to such Class or Series. The By-Laws and any Statement
may include further provisions for Shareholders' votes and meetings and related
matters.
ARTICLE VII
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE,
NET INCOME AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Trustees, in their absolute discretion, may prescribe and shall set
forth in the By-Laws, in any Statement, or in a duly adopted vote of the
Trustees such bases and times for determining the per Share net asset value of
the Shares or any Class or Series of Shares or net income, or the declaration
and payment of dividends and distributions, as they may deem necessary or
desirable.
ARTICLE VIII
DURATION; TERMINATION OF TRUST; AMENDMENT; MERGERS, ETC.
Section 8.1. Duration. The Trust shall continue without limitation of
time but subject to the provisions of this Article VIII.
Section 8.2. Termination of Trust. (a) Subject to the voting powers of one
or more Classes or Series of Shares as set forth in this Declaration and in any
Statement, the Trust may be terminated (i) by the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than two-thirds of the Shares outstanding and entitled to
vote at any meeting of Shareholders, or (ii) by an instrument in writing,
without a meeting, signed by a majority of the Trustees and consented to by the
holders of not less than two-thirds of such Shares. Upon the termination of the
Trust:
(i) The Trust shall carry on no business except for the purpose of winding
up its affairs;
(ii) The Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of the Trust and
all the powers of the Trustees under this Declaration shall continue until the
affairs of the Trust shall have been wound up, including the power to fulfill or
discharge the contracts of the Trust, collect its assets, sell, convey, assign,
exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the remaining
Trust Property to one or more persons at public or private sale for
consideration which may consist in whole or in part of cash, securities or other
property of any kind, discharge or pay its liabilities, and to do all other acts
appropriate to liquidate its business; provided, that any sale, conveyance,
assignment, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all
the Trust Property shall require Shareholder approval in accordance with Section
8.4 hereof; and
(iii) After paying or adequately providing for the payment of all
liabilities, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding
agreements as they deem necessary for their protection, the Trustees may
distribute the remaining Trust Property, in cash or in kind or partly in cash
and partly in kind, among the Shareholders according to their respective rights
and as required or permitted by the preferences and special or relative rights
and privileges of any Class or Series of Shares.
(b) After termination of the Trust and distribution to the Shareholders as
herein provided, a majority of the Trustees shall execute and lodge among the
records of the Trust an instrument in writing setting forth the fact of such
termination, and the Trustees shall thereupon be discharged from all further
liabilities and duties hereunder, and the rights and interests of all
Shareholders shall thereupon cease.
Section 8.3. Amendment Procedure. (a) Except to the extent that any
Statement or applicable law may require a higher vote or the separate vote of
one or more Classes or Series of Shares, and except as provided in paragraph (c)
of this Section 8.3 this Declaration may be amended by a Majority Shareholder
Vote or by an instrument in writing, without a meeting, signed by a majority of
the Trustees and consented to by the holders of not less than a majority of the
Shares outstanding and entitled to vote. The Trustees may also amend this
Declaration without the vote or consent of Shareholders, to change the name of
the Trust, to supply any omission, to cure, correct or supplement any ambiguous,
defective or inconsistent provision hereof, to authorize one or more Classes or
Series of Shares or to make any additions and/or changes deemed necessary to
effectuate the designations and powers, preferences and rights, and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions adopted by the Trustees with
respect to any Class or Series of Shares so authorized pursuant to Article VI of
this Declaration, or if they deem it necessary to conform this Declaration to
the requirements of applicable federal laws or regulations or the requirements
of the regulated investment company provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, but
the Trustees shall not be liable for failing so to do.
(b) Except to the extent that any Statement or applicable law may require
a higher vote or the separate vote of one or more Classes or Series of Shares,
no amendment may be made under this Section 8.3 which would change any rights
with respect to any Shares by reducing the amount payable thereon upon
liquidation of the Trust or by diminishing or eliminating any voting rights
pertaining thereto, except with the vote or consent of the holders of two-thirds
of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Nothing contained in this
Declaration shall permit the amendment of this Declaration to impair the
exemption from personal liability of the Shareholders, Trustees, Officers,
employees and agents of the Trust or to permit assessment upon Shareholders.
(c) No amendment may be made under this Section 8.3 which shall amend,
alter, change or repeal any of the provisions of Sections 8.3, 8.4, 8.6 and 8.7
unless the amendment effecting such amendment, alteration, change or repeal
shall receive the affirmative vote or consent of sixty-six and two-thirds
percent (66 2/3%) of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Such
affirmative vote or consent shall be in addition to the vote or consent of the
holders of Shares otherwise required by law or by the terms of any Class or
Series of preferred stock, whether now or hereafter authorized, or any agreement
between the Trust and any national securities exchange.
(d) A certificate signed by a majority of the Trustees setting forth an
amendment and reciting that it was duly adopted by the Shareholders or by the
Trustees as aforesaid or a copy of the Declaration, as amended, and executed by
a majority of the Trustees, shall be conclusive evidence of such amendment when
lodged among the records of the Trust.
Section 8.4. Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets. The Trust may merge
or consolidate with any other corporation, association, trust or other
organization or may sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of the
Trust Property, including its good will, upon such terms and conditions and for
such consideration when and as authorized at any meeting of Shareholders called
for the purpose by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than
two-thirds of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote, or by an instrument
or instruments in writing without a meeting, consented to by the holders of not
less than two-thirds of such Shares, provided, however, that if such merger,
consolidation, sale, lease or exchange is recommended by the Trustees, the vote
or written consent of the holders of a majority of Shares outstanding and
entitled to vote, shall be sufficient authorization; and any such merger,
consolidation, sale, lease or exchange shall be deemed for all purposes to have
been accomplished under and pursuant to the statutes of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring approval
of shareholder for any sale of assets in the ordinary course of business of the
Trust.
Section 8.5. Incorporation and Reorganization. With the approval of the
holders of a majority of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote, the
Trustees may cause to be organized or assist in organizing a corporation or
corporations under the laws of any jurisdiction, or any other trust,
partnership, association or other organization to take over all of the Trust
Property or to carry on any business in which the Trust shall directly or
indirectly have any interest, and to sell, convey and transfer the Trust
Property to any such corporation, trust, partnership, association or
organization in exchange for the shares or securities thereof or otherwise and
to lend money to, subscribe for the shares or securities of, and enter into any
contracts with any such corporation, trust, partnership, association or
organization in which the Trust holds or is about to acquire shares or any other
interest. Subject to Section 8.4 hereof, the Trustees may also cause a merger or
consolidation between the Trust or any successor thereto and any such
corporation, trust, partnership, association or other organization if and to the
extent permitted by law as provided under the law then in effect. Nothing
contained herein shall be construed as requiring approval of Shareholders for
the Trustees to organize or assist in organizing one or more corporations,
trusts, partnerships, associations or other organizations and selling, conveying
or transferring a portion of the Trust Property to such organization or
entities.
Section 8.6. Conversion. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Declaration, the conversion of the Trust from a "closed-end company" to an
"open-end company," as those terms are defined in Sections 5(a)(2) and 5(a)(1),
respectively, of the 1940 Act as in effect on June 1, 1986, shall require the
affirmative vote or consent of the holders of sixty-six and two-thirds percent
(66 2/3%) of the Shares of each Class outstanding and entitled to vote. Such
affirmative vote or consent shall be in addition to the vote or consent of the
holders of the Shares otherwise required by law or by the terms of any Class or
Series of preferred stock, whether now or hereafter authorized, or any agreement
between the Trust and any national securities exchange.
Section 8.7. Certain Transactions. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Declaration and subject to the exceptions provided in paragraph (d) of
this Section, the types of transactions described in paragraph (c) of this
Section shall require the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of
sixty-six and two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the Shares outstanding and entitled to
vote, when a Principal Shareholder (as defined in paragraph (b) of this Section)
is a party to the transaction. Such affirmative vote or consent shall be in
addition to the vote or consent of the holders of Shares otherwise required by
law or by the terms of any Class or Series of preferred stock, whether now or
hereafter authorized, or any agreement between the Trust and any national
securities exchange.
(b) The term "Principal Shareholder" shall mean any corporation, person or
other entity which is the beneficial owner, directly or directly, of more than
five percent (5%) of the outstanding Shares and shall include any affiliate or
associate, as such terms are defined in clause (ii) below, of a Principal
Shareholder. For the purposes of this Section, in addition to the Shares which a
corporation, person or other entity beneficially owns directly, (a) any
corporation, person or other entity shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner
of any Shares (i) which it has the right to acquire pursuant to any agreement or
upon exercise of conversion rights or warrants, or otherwise (but excluding
share options granted by the Trust) or (ii) which are beneficially owned,
directly or indirectly (including Shares deemed owned through application of
clause (i) above), by any other corporation, person or entity with which its
"affiliate" or "associate" (as defined below) has any agreement, arrangement or
understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of
Shares, or which is its "affiliate", or "associate" as those terms are defined
in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 as in effect on December 1, 1986, and (b) the outstanding Shares
shall include Shares deemed owned through application of clauses (i) and (ii)
above but shall not include any other Shares which may be issuable pursuant to
any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights or warrants, or otherwise.
(c) This Section shall apply to the following transactions:
(i) The merger or consolidation of the Trust or any subsidiary of the
Trust with or into any Principal Shareholder.
(ii) The issuance of any securities of the Trust to any Principal
Shareholder for cash.
(iii) The sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of the
assets of the Trust to any Principal Shareholder (except assets
having an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000,
aggregating for the purpose of such computation all assets sold,
leased or exchanged in any series of similar transactions within a
twelve-month period).
(iv) The sale, lease or exchange to the Trust or any subsidiary thereof,
in exchange for securities of the Trust of any assets of any
Principal Shareholder (except assets having an aggregate fair market
value of less than $1,000,000, aggregating for the purposes of such
computation all assets sold, leased or exchanged in any series of
similar transactions within a twelve-month period).
(d) The provisions of this Section shall not be applicable to (i) any of
the transactions described in paragraph (c) of this Section if the Board of
Trustees of the Trust shall by resolution have approved a memorandum of
understanding with such Principal Shareholder with respect to and substantially
consistent with such transaction, or (ii) any such transaction with any
corporation of which a majority of the outstanding shares of all classes of
stock normally entitled to vote in elections of directors is owned of record or
beneficially by the Trust and its subsidiaries.
(e) The Board of Trustees shall have the power and duty to determine for
the purposes of this Section on the basis of information known to the Trust,
whether (i) a corporation, person or entity beneficially owns more than five
percent (5%) of the outstanding Shares, (ii) a corporation, person or entity is
an "affiliate" or "associate" (as defined above) of another, (iii) the assets
being acquired or leased to or by the Trust or any subsidiary thereof,
constitute a substantial part of the assets of the Trust and have an aggregate
fair market value of less than $1,000,000, and (iv) the memorandum of
understanding referred to in paragraph (d) hereof is substantially consistent
with the transaction covered thereby. Any such determination shall be conclusive
and binding for all purposes of this Section.
ARTICLE IX
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Trustees shall at least semi-annually submit to the Shareholders a
written financial report of the transactions of the Trust, including financial
statements which shall at least annually be certified by independent public
accountants.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.1. Filing. This Declaration and any amendment hereto and any
Statement shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and in such other places as may be required under the laws of
Massachusetts and may also be filed or recorded in such other places as the
Trustees deem appropriate. Each amendment so filed shall be accompanied by a
certificate signed and acknowledged by a Trustee stating that such action was
duly taken in a manner provided herein, and unless such amendment or such
certificate sets forth some later time for the effectiveness of such amendment,
such amendment shall be effective upon its filing. A restated Declaration,
integrating into a single instrument all of the provisions of the Declaration
which are then in effect and operative, may be executed from time to time by a
majority of the Trustees and shall, upon filing with the Secretary of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, be conclusive evidence of all amendments
contained therein and may thereafter be referred to in lieu of the original
Declaration and the various amendments thereto.
Section 10.2. Governing Law. This Declaration is executed by the Trustees
and delivered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and with reference to the
laws thereof, and the rights of all parties and the validity and construction of
every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the laws
of said State.
Section 10.3. Counterparts. This Declaration may be simultaneously
executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, and such counterparts, together, shall constitute one and the same
instrument, which shall be sufficiently evidenced by any such original
counterpart.
Section 10.4. Reliance by Third Parties. Any certificate executed by an
individual who, according to the records of the Trust appears to be a Trustee
hereunder, certifying to: (a) the number or identity of Trustees or
Shareholders, (b) the due authorization of the execution of any instrument or
writing, (c) the form of any vote passed at a meeting of Trustees or
Shareholders, (d) the fact that the number of Trustees or Shareholders present
at any meeting or executing any written instrument satisfies the requirements of
this Declaration, (e) the form of any By-Laws adopted by or the identity of any
officers elected by the Trustees, or (f) the existence of any fact or facts
which in any manner relate to the affairs of the Trust, shall be conclusive
evidence as to the matters so certified in favor of any Person dealing with the
Trustees and their successors.
Section 10.5. Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations. (a) The
provisions of the Declaration are severable, and if the Trustees shall
determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in
conflict with the 1940 Act, the regulated investment company provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code, or with other applicable laws and regulations, the
conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of the
Declaration; provided however, that such determination shall not affect any of
the remaining provisions of the Declaration or render invalid or improper any
action taken or omitted prior to such determination.
(b) If any provision of the Declaration shall be held invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall
attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner
affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of the
Declaration in any jurisdiction.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument as of
this 6th day of November, 2000.
J. Atwood Ives
---------------------------------
J. Atwood Ives, as
Trustee and not individually
500 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts
Lawrence T. Perera
---------------------------------
Lawrence T. Perera, as
Trustee and not individually
500 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts
Charles W . Schmidt
---------------------------------
Charles W . Schmidt, as
Trustee and not individually
500 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts
Arnold D. Scott
---------------------------------
Arnold D. Scott, as
Trustee and not individually
500 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts
Jeffrey L. Shames
---------------------------------
Jeffrey L. Shames, as
Trustee and not individually
500 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts
Elaine R. Smith
---------------------------------
Elaine R. Smith, as
Trustee and not individually
500 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts
William J. Poorvu
---------------------------------
William J. Poorvu, as
Trustee and not individually
500 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts
David B. Stone
---------------------------------
David B. Stone, as
Trustee and not individually
500 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts
<PAGE>
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
SUFFOLK, SS BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
November 6, 2000
Then personally appeared the above-named J. Atwood Ives, Lawrence T.
Perera, William J. Poorvu, Charles W . Schmidt, Arnold D. Scott, Jeffrey L.
Shames, Elaine R. Smith and David B. Stone, and who severally acknowledged
the foregoing instrument to be their free act and deed.
Before me,
Kathleen M. White
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Notary Public
My Commission Expires: July 26, 2007
