<PAGE> 1
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SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission
Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
</TABLE>
REALTY REFUND TRUST
(NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT, IF OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: .......
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: ..........
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): ............
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: ......................
(5) Total fee paid: .......................................................
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid: ...............................................
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: .........................
(3) Filing Party: .........................................................
(4) Date Filed: ...........................................................
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<PAGE> 2
REALTY REFUND TRUST
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Realty
ReFund Trust will be held at the InnSuites Hotel Scottsdale El Dorado Park
Resort, 7707 East McDowell Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257 on Tuesday, June 9,
1998 at 9:00 a.m., local time, for the purpose of considering and acting upon:
1. The election of six (6) Trustees, each to hold office until the time
specified in the accompanying proxy statement and until his successor
shall be elected and qualified;
2. The adoption and approval of the Second Amended and Restated Declaration
of Trust of Realty ReFund Trust; and
3. The transaction of any other business which properly may come before the
meeting and any adjournments thereof.
Shareholders of Realty ReFund Trust of record at the close of business on
April 23, 1998 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments
thereof.
By order of the Board of Trustees
GREGORY D. BRUHN
Secretary
Cleveland, Ohio
April , 1998
SHAREHOLDERS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY
IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED
STATES.
<PAGE> 3
April , 1998
REALTY REFUND TRUST
925 Euclid Avenue
Suite 1750
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
PROXY STATEMENT
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Trustees of Realty ReFund Trust
(the "Trust") for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June
9, 1998 and any adjournments thereof.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 23, 1998 (the
record date) will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any
adjournments thereof. At that date the Trust had issued and outstanding
Shares of Beneficial Interest ("Common Shares"). Each such Common
Share is entitled to one vote on all matters properly coming before the Annual
Meeting. At least Common Shares must be represented at the Annual
Meeting in person or by proxy in order to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business.
Common Shares represented by properly executed proxies will be voted in
accordance with the specifications made thereon. If no specification is made,
proxies will be voted for the election of the Trustee nominees named herein and
for the approval of the Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust. The
election of Trustees requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding Common Shares entitled to vote present in person or by proxy at the
Annual Meeting. The adoption of the Second Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Common Shares then
outstanding and entitled to vote, whether or not present in person or by proxy
at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes, unless a broker's
authority to vote on a particular matter is limited, are tabulated in
determining the votes present at a meeting. Consequently, an abstention or a
broker non-vote (assuming a broker has unlimited authority to vote on the
matter) has the same effect as a vote against a Trustee nominee or a proposal,
as each abstention or broker non-vote would be one less vote for a Trustee
nominee or for approval of a proposal.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy were first mailed
to shareholders on or about April , 1998.
ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
At the Annual Meeting, subject to shareholder approval of the Second
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, two Trustees are to be elected to
terms of one year, two Trustees are to be elected to terms of two years and two
Trustees are to be elected to terms of three years, in each case as designated
below and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. If
the Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust is not approved, then six
Trustees are to be elected to terms of one year, expiring at the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders and until their respective successors are duly elected
and qualified. Unless a shareholder requests that voting of the proxy be
withheld for any one or more of the nominees for Trustee in accordance with the
instructions set forth on the proxy, it presently is intended that Common Shares
represented by proxies solicited hereby will be voted for the election as
Trustees of the six nominees named in the table below. All nominees have
consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and to serve if elected. Should
any nominee subsequently decline or be unable to accept such nomination or to
serve as a Trustee, an event which the Trustees do not now expect, the persons
voting the Common Shares represented by proxies solicited hereby may either vote
such Common Shares for a slate of six persons which includes a substitute
nominee or for a reduced number of nominees, as they may deem advisable.
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<PAGE> 4
The information concerning the nominees set forth in the following table is
based in part on information received from the respective nominees and in part
on the Trust's records.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
DURING PAST FIVE YEARS,
AGE AS OF APRIL 23, 1998 FIRST
NAME OF NOMINEE AND DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BECAME TRUSTEE
- --------------- ------------------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C>
James F. Wirth Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the January 30, 1998**
Trust since January 30, 1998. Chairman and President
of InnSuites Hotels, L.L.C., and affiliated entities,
owners and operators of hotels, since 1980; Chairman
and President of Rare Earth Development Company, a
real estate development and investment company, since
1973. Age: 52.
Gregory D. Bruhn Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, January 30, 1998**
Treasurer and Secretary of the Trust since January 30,
1998. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of First Union Real Estate Mortgage and Equity
Investments, a real estate investment trust, from 1994
through 1996; Executive Vice President, Real Estate
Industries Division, Bank of America from 1992 through
1994. Age: 50.
Marc E. Berg Self-employed as a registered investment advisor since January 30, 1998**
1985. Age: 45.
Lee J. Flory* Vice President, Secretary and Director of The Grainger January 30, 1998**
Foundation, Inc., a private charitable organization,
since 1972. From 1969 until his retirement in 1991,
Vice President and Secretary of W.W. Grainger, Inc., a
nationwide distributor of maintenance, repair and
operating supplies. Age: 71.
Edward G. Hill* President of ABCO Foods, a division of Fleming January 30, 1998**
Companies, Inc., an owner and operator of grocery
stores, since 1984. Mr. Hill is retiring from this
position on April 30, 1998. Age: 54.
Steve Robson President and Chief Operating Officer of Robson ***
Communities and President of Scott Homes and Scott
Homes Multifamily, Inc., residential real estate
developers, since 1978. Age: 43.
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Member of the Audit Committee.
** Each of the nominees, except for Mr. Robson, were appointed as a Trustee on
January 30, 1998 in connection with consummation of certain transactions
approved at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on January 28, 1998.
*** Mr. Robson is not currently on the Board of Trustees.
Subject to shareholder approval of the Second Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust, Messrs. Wirth and Bruhn are nominated for terms of three
years, expiring at the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Messrs. Berg and
Flory are nominated for terms of two years, expiring at the 2000 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders, and Messrs. Hill and Robson are nominated for terms of one
year, expiring at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
The Trustees held three meetings during the year ended January 31, 1998.
The Trustees do not have a standing nominating or compensation committee. The
incumbent Trustees were not members of the Board of Trustees during the last
fiscal year.
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<PAGE> 5
The Audit Committee has the responsibility of recommending to the Trustees
the selection of the Trust's independent auditors, reviewing the scope and
results of audit and non-audit services, and reviewing internal accounting
controls. The Audit Committee met once during the last fiscal year.
COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The aggregate compensation, consisting exclusively of Trustees' fees, paid
by the Trust to all Trustees as a group for the year ended January 31, 1998 was
$ .
The Trust will pay Trustees' fees to each Trustee, other than Messrs. Wirth
and Bruhn, in the amount of $12,000 per year.
Messrs. Wirth and Bruhn received no compensation from the Trust during the
last fiscal year. Mr. Wirth has entered into an employment agreement with the
Trust described below under "Certain Transactions".
Alan M. Krause, former Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, and James
H. Berick, former Co-Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer, received no
compensation, as such, from the Trust in their respective capacities as
executive officers of the Trust during the last fiscal year. In lieu of any
compensation, the Trust entered into an Advisory Agreement with Mid-America
ReaFund Advisors, Inc. ("MARA"), a corporation then owned by Messrs. Krause and
Berick. The relationship among the Trust, MARA and Messrs. Krause and Berick is
substantially similar to the present relationship among the Trust, MARA and Mr.
Wirth described below under "Certain Transactions".
CHANGE IN CONTROL
In accordance with the terms of the Formation Agreement approved at the
1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on January 28, 1998, James F. Wirth,
Gregory D. Bruhn, Marc E. Berg, Mark J. Nasca, Lee J. Flory and Edward G. Hill
were appointed Trustees of the Trust, Mr. Wirth was appointed Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust and Mr. Bruhn was appointed
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of
the Trust, and the former Trustees (Alan M. Krause, James H. Berick, Alvin M.
Kendis, Frank L. Kennard and Samuel S. Pearlman) and executive officers (Alan M.
Krause, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, James H. Berick, Co-Chief
Executive Officer and Treasurer, and Christine Turk, Secretary) resigned, all
effective as of January 30, 1998. The current Trustees and executive officers of
the Trust beneficially own % of the outstanding Common Shares.
The Formation Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby were
undertaken in response to the decreasing viability of the Trust's historical
wrap-around mortgage lending strategy and to the maturation and winding down of
the Trust's existing investment portfolio. As a result of the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by the Formation Agreement, the investment focus
of the Trust has been redirected from its prior investment strategy of making
wrap-around mortgage loans to the equity ownership of hotel properties.
TRUST PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares total shareholder returns from the Trust over
the last five fiscal years to the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index ("S&P 500")
and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc.'s Total
Return Indexes for mortgage real estate investment trusts ("NAREIT"). Total
return values for the S&P 500, NAREIT and the Trust were calculated based upon
market weighting at the beginning of the period and include reinvestment of
dividends. The shareholder return shown on the following graph is not
necessarily indicative of future performance.
3
<PAGE> 6
The following graph shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any
general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any
filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, except to the extent the Trust specifically incorporates this information
by reference and otherwise shall not be deemed filed under such Acts.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Measurement Period
(Fiscal Year Covered) TRUST S&P 500 NAREIT
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1/31/93
1/31/94
1/31/95
1/31/96
1/31/97
1/31/98
</TABLE>
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
The Trust is a party to an Advisory Agreement under which the Trust
receives certain services from MARA, a corporation now owned by James F. Wirth
and his wife. The Advisory Agreement provides that MARA, under the supervision
of the Trustees, shall serve as investment adviser and consultant in connection
with the policy decisions to be made by the Trustees of the Trust and as
administrator of the day-to-day investment operations of the Trust. In return
for MARA's services, the Advisory Agreement provides, in part, that MARA is to
receive (a) a monthly fee of 1/12th of 1% of the appraised value of the total
assets of the Trust during the next preceding month; (b) 15% of the commitment
fees received by the Trust for any stand-by or gap commitment relating to a
mortgage loan which is not closed; and (c) an incentive fee equal to 10% of the
amount, if any, by which the net profits of the Trust exceed 8% of the monthly
average net worth of the Trust for the year, plus 10% of the net realized
capital gains of the Trust for such year less accumulated net realized capital
loss. MARA will refund to the Trust the amount, if any, by which the operating
expenses of the Trust in any fiscal year exceed the lesser of (i) 1.5% of the
appraised value of the total assets of the Trust for such fiscal year or (ii)
25% of the net income of the Trust for such fiscal year.
Mr. Wirth has an employment agreement with the Trust, expiring in December
2007, which provides that he will receive no compensation from the Trust in his
capacity as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer as long as the
Advisory Agreement is in effect. Should MARA no longer provide such services,
Mr. Wirth will then receive, as long as he continues to be employed pursuant to
his employment agreement, an amount equal to the full amount of the compensation
that would have been paid to MARA.
In connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Formation Agreement and approved at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held
on January 28, 1998, the Trust and
4
<PAGE> 7
Hospitality Corporation International, an Arizona corporation owned by Mr. and
Mrs. Wirth, formed RRF Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership. This
newly-formed limited partnership acquired substantially all of the interests in
five partnerships and one corporation controlled by Hospitality Corporation
International, Mr. Wirth and their affiliated entities, which collectively owned
and operated six hotel properties. The investors in those partnerships and that
corporation (which include Messrs. Wirth, Berg and Flory) received limited
partnership interests in RRF Limited Partnership in exchange for their interests
in the five partnerships and the corporation. The Trust became the sole 13%
general partner, and the investors in the five partnerships and the corporation
became the 87% limited partners, in RRF Limited Partnership. Another corporation
owned by Mr. and Mrs. Wirth, which owned and operated a hotel property, was
acquired directly by a newly-formed subsidiary of the Trust in a stock-for-stock
exchange. The limited partnership interests and Common Shares issued in exchange
for the seven hotel properties had an approximate aggregate value of
$35,608,000, which was determined by the parties as the result of arms-length
negotiations and was based upon the appraised value (as determined by
independent appraisals) of the seven hotel properties less outstanding debt to
be assumed. Mr. and Mrs. Wirth received consideration worth approximately
$ , Mr. Berg received consideration worth approximately $ ,
and Mr. Flory received consideration worth approximately $ . Mr. and
Mrs. Wirth first acquired their interests in the Flagstaff hotel property in
June 1996 for $ , and have made capital improvements and operating
subsidies of $ during the period of their ownership of such hotel
property. As described above, Mr. Wirth is now an executive officer and Trustee
of the Trust and Messrs. Berg and Flory are now Trustees of the Trust.
As of February 1, 1998, RRF Limited Partnership acquired all of the
membership interests in Tucson St. Mary's Suite Hospitality LLC, an Arizona
limited liability company owned by Mr. and Mrs. Wirth, which owned and operated
a hotel property. Mr. and Mrs. Wirth contributed their respective 50% membership
interests in Tucson St. Mary's Suite Hospitality LLC to the capital of RRF
Limited Partnership. The total consideration paid for those membership interests
was $10,820,000, including 35,452 limited partnership interests in RRF Limited
Partnership paid as advisory fees (of which 26,589, valued at $ , were
delivered to Mr. Berg, a Trustee of the Trust). Mr. and Mrs. Wirth first
acquired their membership interests in Tucson St. Mary's Suite Hospitality LLC
in May 1997 for $6,000,000, and have made capital improvements and operating
subsidies of $ during the period of their ownership of such hotel
property. The total consideration paid was determined by the parties as the
result of arms-length negotiations and was based upon an independent appraisal.
Mr. Wirth derives, and in the future will derive, benefits from the
operation of the Trust's hotel properties by Realty Hotel Lessee Corp., the
management of the Trust's hotel properties by InnSuites Innternational Hotels,
Inc. and the license agreements with InnSuites Licensing Corp. Mr. and Mrs.
Wirth are 100% owners of both InnSuites Innternational Hotels, Inc. and
InnSuites Licensing Corp. InnSuites Innternational Hotels, Inc. is, in turn, the
owner of 9.8% of the outstanding common stock of Realty Hotel Lessee Corp. The
Trust has leased each of its hotel properties to Realty Hotel Lessee Corp. under
substantially identical percentage leases. Realty Hotel Lessee Corp. has
contracted for certain property management services with InnSuites
Innternational Hotels, Inc. and has contracted for certain trademark and
licensing services with InnSuites Licensing Corp. InnSuites Innternational
Hotels, Inc. will receive an annual management fee of 2.5% of gross revenues
from Realty Hotel Lessee Corp. for its property management services. InnSuites
Licensing Corp. will receive an annual licensing fee of 2.5% of gross revenues
(1.25% for those hotel properties which also carry a third-party franchise, such
as Best Western or Holiday Inn) from Realty Hotel Lessee Corp. for its trademark
and licensing services. Such fees were determined through arms-length
negotiations between the Trust and each of Realty Hotel Lessee Corp., InnSuites
Innternational Hotels, Inc. and InnSuites Licensing Corp. The Trust believes
that such fees are commercially reasonable.
5
<PAGE> 8
ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARATION OF TRUST OF REALTY REFUND TRUST
General.
The Trustees have adopted resolutions approving, and authorizing the
submission to the shareholders for their approval of, the Trust's Second Amended
and Restated Declaration of Trust, in the form attached hereto as Annex A. The
Trustees recommend that the shareholders vote FOR this Proposal.
The following is a summary of the material changes to be effected by the
adoption of the Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, the full text
of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Annex A. SHAREHOLDERS ARE
ENCOURAGED TO READ THE ENTIRE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST
AS WELL AS THIS PROXY STATEMENT PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISION AS TO WHETHER TO
VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS PROPOSAL.
Share Ownership Limitation.
For the Trust to continue to qualify as a real estate investment trust (a
"REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Regulations thereunder,
all as amended (the "Code"), not more than 50% in value of its outstanding
capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals
(as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a
taxable year, and its capital stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more
persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a
proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Additionally, certain other
requirements must be satisfied.
To assure that five or fewer individuals do not own more than 50% in value
of the Trust's outstanding Common Shares, the Second Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust will provide that, subject to certain exceptions, no holder
may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the
Code, more than 4.9% (the "Ownership Limit") of the Trust's outstanding Common
Shares. Shareholders whose ownership exceeds the Ownership Limit at the date of
the Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust would be permitted to
continue to own Common Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit and, in the case
of a member of the Wirth Family (as defined in the Second Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust), may acquire additional shares pursuant to the exchange
rights provided to limited partners of RRF Limited Partnership by the Trust,
through any share option plan adopted by the Trust (a "Share Option Plan"), any
dividend reinvestment plan adopted by the Trust (a "Dividend Reinvestment Plan")
or from other sources so long as such acquisition does not result in such
shareholder owning, either directly or under the applicable attribution
provisions of the Code, more than 34.9% of the value of the then outstanding
Common Shares, and provided that he may not acquire additional Common Shares
from such sources such that the five largest beneficial owners of Common Shares
hold more than 49.6% of the value of the then outstanding Common Shares. In
addition, because rent from a Related Party Tenant (any tenant 10% of which is
owned, directly or constructively, by the Trust, including an owner of 10% or
more of the Trust) is not qualifying rent for purposes of the gross income tests
under the Code, the Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust will
provide that no individual or entity may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of
the attribution provisions of the Code (which differ from the attribution
provisions applied to the Ownership Limit), in excess of 9.8% of the outstanding
common shares of a tenant (the "Related Party Limit"). The Trustees may waive
the Ownership Limit and the Related Party Limit (such Related Party Limit will
be waived with respect to the shareholders who exceeded the Related Party Limit
at the date of the Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust) if an
opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service is provided to
the Trustees to the effect that such ownership will not then or in the future
jeopardize the Trust's status as a REIT. As a condition of such waiver, the
Trustees will require appropriate representations and undertakings from the
applicant with respect to preserving the REIT status of the Trust.
The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership of Common
Shares may not apply if the Trustees determine that it is no longer in the best
interests of the Trust to continue to qualify as a REIT.
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<PAGE> 9
The Ownership Limit and the Related Party Limit will not be automatically
removed even if the REIT provisions of the Code are changed so as to eliminate
or increase any ownership concentration limitation. Any change in the Ownership
Limit would require a further amendment to the Declaration of Trust, even if the
Trustees determine that maintenance of REIT status is no longer in the best
interests of the Trust. Amendments to the Declaration of Trust require the
affirmative vote of holders owning not less than two-thirds of the outstanding
Common Shares.
If any purported transfer of Common Shares or any other event would
otherwise result in any person or entity violating the Ownership Limit or would
cause the Trust to be beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons, that
transfer will be void and of no force or effect as to the number of shares in
excess of the Ownership Limit, and the purported transferee (the "Prohibited
Transferee") will acquire no right or interest (or, in the case of any event
other than a purported transfer, the person or entity holding record title to
Common Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit (the "Prohibited Owner") will
cease to own any right or interest) in the excess Common Shares. In addition, if
any purported transfer of Common Shares or any other event would cause the Trust
to become "closely held" under the Code or otherwise to fail to qualify as a
REIT under the Code, that transfer will be void and of no force or effect as to
the number of Common Shares in excess of the number that could have been
transferred without that result, and the Prohibited Transferee will acquire no
right or interest (or, in the case of any event other than a transfer, the
Prohibited Owner will cease to own any right or interest) in the excess Common
Shares. Also, if any purported transfer of Common Shares or any other event
would otherwise cause the Trust to own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the
applicable attribution provisions of the Code, 10% or more, by vote or value, of
the ownership interests in Realty Hotel Lessee Corp. or in any sublessee, that
transfer or event will be void and of no force or effect as to the number of
Common Shares in excess of the number that could have been transferred or
affected by that event without that result, and the Prohibited Transferee will
acquire no right or interest (or, in the case of any event other than a
transfer, the Prohibited Owner will cease to own any right or interest) in the
excess Common Shares.
Any excess Common Shares arising from a prohibited transfer described above
will be transferred automatically to a trust, the beneficiary of which will be a
qualified charitable organization selected by the Trust (the "Beneficiary"). The
trustee of the trust, who will be designated by the Trust and be unaffiliated
with the Trust and any Prohibited Owner, will be empowered to sell the excess
Common Shares to a qualified person or entity and to distribute to the
applicable Prohibited Transferee an amount equal to the lesser of the price paid
by the Prohibited Transferee for those excess Common Shares or the sale proceeds
received for those Common Shares by the trust. The trustee will be empowered to
sell any excess Common Shares resulting from any event other than a transfer, or
from a transfer for no consideration, to a qualified person or entity and
distribute to the applicable Prohibited Owner an amount equal to the lesser of
the fair market value of those excess Common Shares on the date of the
triggering event or the sale proceeds received by the trust for those excess
Common Shares. Prior to a sale of any excess Common Shares by the trust, the
trustee will be entitled to receive, in trust for the benefit of the
Beneficiary, all dividends and other distributions paid by the Trust with
respect to those Common Shares, and also will be entitled to exercise all voting
rights with respect to those Common Shares.
All certificates representing Common Shares will bear a legend referring to
the restrictions described above.
Every owner of more than 4.9% (or such lower percentage as may be required
by the Code) of the outstanding Common Shares will be required to file, no later
than January 30 of each year, a written notice with the Trust containing the
information specified in the Declaration. In addition, each shareholder will be
required, upon demand, to disclose to the Trust in writing such information as
the Trust may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of that
shareholder's actual and constructive ownership on the Trust's status as a REIT
and to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limit.
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<PAGE> 10
In addition to preserving the Trust's status as a REIT, the Ownership Limit
and the Related Party Limit may prevent any person or small group of persons
from acquiring unilateral control of the Trust. The share ownership limitations
are not being proposed by the Trustees as part of an effort to adopt
anti-takeover measures, and the Trustees are not currently aware of any
threatened takeover of the Trust.
Staggered Terms for Trustees.
The Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust provides for the
Trust's Board of Trustees to be divided into three classes, with initial terms
of either one, two or three years, and thereafter for staggered three-year
terms. These staggered terms are proposed in an effort to balance two very
important concerns, the need for shareholders to express their opinions about
the Trustees' performance each year and the need for the Trustees to focus on
the Trust's long-term success. A classified Board of Trustees facilitates
continuity and stability of leadership by assuring that experienced personnel
familiar with the Trust and its business will be Trustees at all times. A
classified Board of Trustees also is intended to prevent precipitous changes in
the composition of the Board of Trustees, thereby serving to moderate
corresponding precipitous changes in the Trust's policies, business strategies
and operations. The classification of the Board of Trustees, together with
Trustee removal only for cause, could have a negative effect on any person
seeking to acquire control of the Trust. If the Second Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust is adopted, at least two years would be required in order
to change the membership of a majority of the Board of Trustees.
Ability to Issue Multiple Classes of Shares.
The Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust would authorize the
Trustees to establish one or more series of preferred shares and to determine,
with respect to any series of preferred shares, the preferences, rights and
other terms of such series. The Trustees believe the ability of the Trust to
issue one or more series of preferred shares will provide the Trust with
increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and
acquisitions, and in meeting other corporate needs which might arise. The
authorized preferred shares, as well as the Common Shares, would be available
for issuance without any further action by the Trust's shareholders, unless such
action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or
automated quotation system on which the Trust's securities may be listed or
traded. The Trust has no present intention to issue preferred shares.
OWNERSHIP OF COMMON SHARES
The following table sets forth information as of April 23, 1998 in respect
of any persons known to the Trustees to be the beneficial owner of more than 5%
of the Common Shares and the number of the Common Shares owned beneficially by
each Trustee, nominee and executive officer, and the Trustees, nominees and
executive officers as a group.
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<PAGE> 11
FIVE PERCENT BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF TRUSTEES, NOMINEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% OF
COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
NAME BENEFICIALLY OWNED COMMON SHARES
---- ------------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Dan Z. Bochner(1)
Mason E. Anderson(2)(3)
James F. Wirth(4)
Gregory D. Bruhn
Marc E. Berg(2)
Lee J. Flory(2)
Edward G. Hill
Steve Robson
Mark J. Nasca
Trustees, Nominees and Executive
Officers as a group (six persons)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Pursuant to Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13-D, dated December 26, 1996, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Mr. Bochner. The address for
Mr. Bochner is 1618 Cotner Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90025.
(2) Consists solely of Class A Limited Partnership Interests in RRF Limited
Partnership, which are convertible at any time, at the option of the holder
thereof, into Common Shares.
(3) The address for Mr. Anderson is 3024 West Sahuaro Drive, Phoenix, Arizona
85029.
(4) These Common Shares are owned jointly by Mr. Wirth and his wife. Mr. and
Mrs. Wirth also own Class B Limited Partnership Interests in RRF
Limited Partnership, the conversion of which is restricted and only at the
discretion of the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
(5) Less than one percent (1.0%).
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On August 14, 1997, Dan Z. Bochner, a shareholder of in excess of five
percent (5%) of the Common Shares, filed suit against the Trust and the Trustees
in the Court of Common Pleas for Cuyahoga County, Ohio, seeking damages in an
unspecified amount for alleged mismanagement of the Trust. Management of the
Trust and the Trustees believe the suit to be groundless, and intend to
vigorously defend the suit. On April 8, 1998, Mr. Bochner dismissed his suit
without prejudice. It is uncertain at this time whether he intends to refile the
suit at a later date.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Based on Trust records and information, the Trust believes that all
Securities and Exchange Commission filing requirements applicable to Trustees
and executive officers under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, were complied
with. Dan Z. Bochner, a beneficial owner of in excess of ten percent (10%) of
the Common Shares, did not furnish any Form 4s or a Form 5 to the Trust pursuant
to the requirements of Exchange Act Rule 16a-3(e) with respect to the fiscal
year ended January 31, 1998. The Trust has no information regarding whether Mr.
Bochner was required to file any such Form 4s or a Form 5 with respect to the
last fiscal year.
9
<PAGE> 12
SELECTION OF ACCOUNTANTS
The Trustees have selected Arthur Andersen LLP as independent auditors to
examine the books, records and accounts of the Trust for the fiscal year ending
January 31, 1999. Arthur Andersen LLP was the independent auditors of the Trust
for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998 and is considered by the Trustees to
be well qualified.
Representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP are expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so
and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
OTHER MATTERS
The Trustees know of no matters to be presented for action at the Annual
Meeting other than those described in this Proxy Statement. Should other matters
come before the meeting, the Common Shares represented by proxies solicited
hereby will be voted with respect thereto in accordance with the best judgment
of the proxy holders.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
If a shareholder intends to present a proposal at the next Annual Meeting
of Shareholders, it must be received by the Trust for consideration for
inclusion in the Trust's Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to that
meeting on or before December 31, 1998.
REVOCATION OF PROXIES
A proxy may be revoked at any time before a vote is taken or the authority
granted is otherwise exercised. Revocation may be accomplished by the execution
of a later proxy with regard to the same Common Shares or by giving notice in
writing or in open meeting.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, regular officers and
employees of the Trust may solicit the return of proxies by mail, telephone,
telegram or personal contact, for which they will not receive additional
compensation. The Trust will pay the cost of soliciting proxies in the
accompanying form. The Trust will reimburse brokers or other persons holding
Common Shares in their names or in the names of their nominees for their
reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy material to the beneficial owners of
such Common Shares. The Trust has retained Corporate Investor Communications,
Inc. to perform solicitation services in connection with this proxy statement.
For such services, Corporate Investor Communications will receive a fee of
approximately $ and will be reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket
expenses and indemnified against certain liabilities incurred in connection with
this proxy solicitation.
By order of the Board of Trustees
GREGORY D. BRUHN
Secretary
April , 1998
10
<PAGE> 13
ANNEX A
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
REALTY REFUND TRUST
June , 1998
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<PAGE> 14
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
REALTY REFUND TRUST
This Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust made as of this day
of June, 1998 by James F. Wirth, Marc E. Berg, Steve Robson, Gregory D. Bruhn,
Lee J. Flory and Edward G. Hill (such persons, so long as they shall continue in
office in accordance with the terms of this Declaration of Trust, and all other
persons who at the time in question have been duly elected or appointed as
trustees in accordance with the provisions of this Declaration of Trust and are
then in office, are hereinafter together called the "Trustees"),
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, this instrument amends and restates that certain First Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust made June 11, 1971 by James H. Berick, Chester F.
Collier, Glenn Golenberg, Sidney S. Hein, Alvin M. Kendis, Frank L. Kennard,
Alan M. Krause, Alfred Lerner, Maurice Saltzman, A. A. Sommer Sr. and Irving I.
Shore (the "Original Trustees"), which Declaration of Trust is hereby amended
and restated in its entirety pursuant to Section 13.1 thereof to read as
hereinafter provided; and
WHEREAS, the Original Trustees formed an unincorporated association in the
form of a business trust, known as Realty ReFund Trust, which trust has
qualified as a "real estate investment trust" under the REIT Provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby declare that they will hold all
property of every type and description which they are acquiring or may hereafter
acquire as such Trustees, together with the proceeds, rents and income thereof
and therefrom, in trust, to manage and dispose of the same for the benefit of
the holders of record from time to time of the certificates for Shares issued
and to be issued hereunder and in the manner and subject to the provisions
hereof, to wit:
ARTICLE I
THE TRUST
1.1 Name. The name of the trust created by this Declaration of Trust shall
be "Realty ReFund Trust" (hereinafter called the "Trust") and so far as may be
practicable the Trustees shall conduct the Trust's activities, execute all
documents and sue or be sued under that name, which name (and the word "Trust"
wherever used in this Declaration of Trust, except where the context otherwise
requires) shall refer to the Trustees in their capacity as Trustees, and not
individually or personally, and shall not refer to the officers, agents,
employees or Shareholders of the Trust or of such Trustees. Should the Trustees
determine that the use of such name is not practicable, legal or convenient,
they may use such other designation or they may adopt such other name for the
Trust as they deem proper and the Trust may hold property and conduct its
activities under such designation or name.
1.2 Location. The Trust shall maintain an office in Cleveland, Ohio, and
may maintain such other offices or places of business within or without the
State of Ohio as the Trustees may from time to time determine.
1.3 Nature of Trust. The Trust shall be an unincorporated association in
the form of a business trust. The Trust is not intended to be, shall not be
deemed to be and shall not be treated as, a general partnership, limited
partnership, joint venture, corporation or joint stock company (but nothing
herein shall preclude the Trust from being taxable as an association under the
REIT Provisions of the Internal Revenue Code). The Shareholders shall be
beneficiaries and their relationship to the Trustees shall be solely in that
capacity in accordance with the rights conferred upon them hereunder. The Trust
is intended to have the status of a "real estate investment trust" as that term
is defined in the REIT
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Provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and this Declaration of Trust and all
actions of the Trustees hereunder shall be construed in accordance with such
intent.
1.4 Definitions. As used in the Declaration of Trust, the following terms
and the singular or plural thereof, when appropriate, shall have the following
meanings unless the context hereof otherwise requires:
"Adviser" shall mean any Person appointed, employed or contracted with by
the Trustees under the provisions of Section 3.1 hereof.
"Affiliate" shall mean in respect of any Person (the "First Person"), any
other Person (a) who directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is
under common control with the First Person, or (b) who is a director, officer,
employee, partner or trustee of the First Person, or of which the First Person
is a director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, or (c) who directly or
indirectly beneficially owns, controls or holds with power to vote one percent
(1%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of the First Person, or of
which the First Person directly or indirectly beneficially owns, controls or
holds with power to vote one percent (1%) or more of the outstanding voting
securities.
"Appraisal" shall mean a determination of the fair market value, as of the
date of the Appraisal, of Real Property in its existing state or in a state to
be created, by any bank, insurance company or other Person which makes
appraisals in connection with its lending, investment, syndication, brokerage or
servicing activities (whether or not an Affiliate of the Adviser), or by a
disinterested Person having no economic interest in the Real Property provided
any such Person is, in the sole judgment of the Trustees, properly qualified to
make such a determination.
"Certificates of Deposit" shall mean evidences of deposits in, or
obligations of, banking institutions and savings institutions which are members
of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or of the Federal Home Loan Bank
System.
"Commercial Paper" shall mean indebtedness of the Trust evidenced by
unsecured promissory notes maturing not more than 270 days after the date of
issue.
"Declaration of Trust" shall mean this Second Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust as amended, restated or modified from time to time.
References in this Declaration of Trust to "Declaration," "hereof," "herein" and
"hereunder" shall be deemed to refer to the Declaration of Trust and shall not
be limited to the particular text, article or section in which such words
appear.
"Equity Investments in Real Property" shall mean investments in the
ownership of, or participations in the ownership of, Real Property including the
development thereof and any interest therein other than Mortgage Loans, or of
any type of interest in any corporate or other entity principally involved in
owning, developing, improving, financing, operating or managing Real Property.
"Government Securities" shall mean Securities which are obligations of, or
guaranteed by, the United States Government, any State or Territory of the
United States of America, or any agency or political subdivision thereof,
including, without limitation, all Government Securities from time to time
constituting qualified real estate investment trust assets under the Internal
Revenue Code.
"Mortgage Loans" shall mean loans evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds and
other evidences of indebtedness or obligations, which are negotiable or
non-negotiable and which are secured or collateralized by Mortgages.
"Mortgages" shall mean mortgages, deeds of trust or other security
interests in Real Property or on rights or interests, including leasehold
interests, in Real Property.
"Net Assets" shall mean the Total Assets of the Trust after deducting
therefrom any liabilities of the Trust except that depreciable assets shall be
included therein at the fair market value of such assets in the judgment of the
Trustees.
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"Non-Recourse Indebtedness" shall mean indebtedness of the Trust incurred
in connection with the acquisition of any asset wherein the liability of the
Trust is limited to the asset acquired and income and proceeds attributable
thereto or derived therefrom and which does not represent a general obligation
of the Trust.
"Person" shall mean and include individuals, corporations, limited
partnerships, limited liability companies, general partnerships, joint stock
companies or associations, joint ventures, associations, companies, trusts,
banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts, or other entities whether
or not legal entities and governments and agencies and political subdivisions
thereof.
"Real Property" shall mean land, rights in land, interests (including,
without limitation, air rights and leasehold interests as lessee or lessor), and
buildings, structures, improvements, furniture and fixtures located on or used
in connection with land and rights in land, or interests therein, but not
including Mortgages, Mortgage Loans or interests therein.
"REIT Provisions of the Internal Revenue Code" shall mean the statutory
provisions presently contained in Part II, Subchapter M of Chapter 1, Sections
856 through 858 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now enacted or
hereafter amended, or successor statutes and regulations and rulings promulgated
thereunder; provided, however, that any such statute, regulation or ruling
enacted or promulgated after the date hereof which is by its terms applicable to
real estate investment trusts in existence on the date hereof only upon the
election of, or failure to elect otherwise by, such trust, shall be applicable
to this Trust only if this Trust shall so elect or fail to elect otherwise in
accordance with the terms thereof.
"Securities" shall mean any stock, shares, voting trust certificates,
bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or
unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise or in general any instruments
commonly known as "securities" or any certificates of interest, shares or
participations in temporary or interim certificates for, guarantees of or any
right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire any of the foregoing.
"Securities of the Trust" shall mean any Securities issued by the Trust.
"Shareholders" shall mean as of any particular time all holders of record
of outstanding Shares at such time.
"Shares" shall mean the shares of beneficial interest of the Trust as
described in Section 6.1.
"Short-Term" in relation to loans shall mean loans other than Long-Term or
Intermediate-Term loans.
"Total Assets of the Trust" shall mean the aggregate appraised value of all
of the assets included in the Trust Property, without deduction for mortgage
loans or other security interests to which such assets are subject or
subordinate and before provision for depreciation, depletion and amortization
but after provision for bad debt loss and similar reserves.
"Trust Property" shall mean as of any particular time any and all property,
real, personal or otherwise, tangible or intangible, which is transferred,
conveyed or paid to the Trust or Trustees and all rents, income, profits and
gains therefrom and which at such time is owned or held by, or for the account
of, the Trust or the Trustees.
ARTICLE II
POWERS OF TRUSTEES
2.1 General. The Trustees shall have, without other or further
authorization, full, exclusive and absolute power, control and authority over
the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust to the same extent as if
the Trustees were the sole and absolute owners of the Trust Property and
business in their own right, but with such powers of delegation as may be
permitted by this Declaration of Trust.
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The Trustees may do and perform such acts and things as in their sole judgment
and discretion are necessary and proper for conducting the business and affairs
of the Trust or promoting the interests of the Trust and the Shareholders. The
enumeration of any specific power or authority herein shall not be construed as
limiting the aforesaid power or authority or any specific power or authority.
The Trustees shall have the power to enter into commitments to make any
investment, purchase or acquisition, or to exercise any power authorized by this
Declaration of Trust. Such powers of the Trustees may be exercised without order
of or resort to any court.
2.2 Investments. The Trustees shall have power, for such consideration as
they may deem proper, to invest in, purchase or otherwise acquire, for cash or
other property or through the issuance of Securities of the Trust, and hold or
retain for investment full or participating interests of any type in real,
personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, property of any kind wherever
located; including, without limitation, the following: (a) Securities which are
secured by Mortgages; (b) rents, lease payments or other income from, or the
profits from, or the equity or ownership of, Real Property; (c) investments
secured by the pledge or transfer of Mortgage Loans; and (d) Securities of every
nature, whether or not secured by Mortgages.
In the exercise of their powers, 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 now or hereafter in effect limiting
the investments which may be held or retained by trustees or other fiduciaries,
but they shall have full authority and power to make any and all investments
within the limitations of this Declaration of Trust, that they, in their
absolute discretion, shall determine, and without liability for loss, even
though such investments shall be of a character or an amount not considered
proper for the investment of trust funds or which do not or may not produce
income.
2.3 Appraisals. If the Trustees should at any time purchase Real Property
(other than where such purchase results from a foreclosure or satisfaction of
indebtedness to the Trust or is made in connection with the acquisition of a
Mortgage Loan), the consideration paid for such Real Property shall be based
upon the fair market value of the property as determined by an Appraisal, as
determined in the discretion of the Trustees; provided, however, that in the
event that such purchase is made from an Affiliate of the Trust or the Adviser,
such Appraisal shall be made by a Person who is not an Affiliate of the Trust or
the Adviser.
2.4 Legal Title. Legal title to all the Trust Property shall be vested in
the Trustees as joint tenants and held by and transferred to the Trustees,
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 with
suitable reference to their trustee status, or in the name of the Trust, or in
the name of any other Person as nominee, on such terms, in such manner, and with
such powers as the Trustees may determine, so long as in their judgment the
interest of the Trust is adequately protected.
The right, title and interest of the Trustees in and to the Trust Property
shall vest automatically in all persons who may hereafter become Trustees upon
their due election and qualification without any further act. Upon the
resignation, removal or death of a Trustee he (and in the event of his death,
his estate) shall automatically cease to have any right, title or interest in or
to any of the Trust Property as a Trustee, and such right, title and interest of
such Trustee in and to the Trust Property shall vest automatically in the
remaining Trustees without any further act. Such vesting and cessation of title
shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and
delivered.
2.5 Disposition, Renting, etc. of Assets. The Trustees shall have power to
sell, grant security interests in, otherwise encumber, lease, exchange or
otherwise dispose of or grant options in respect of any and all Trust Property
free and clear of any and all trusts, at public or private sale, for cash or on
terms, without advertisement, and subject to such restrictions, stipulations,
agreements and reservations as they shall deem proper, including the power to
take back mortgages to secure the whole or any part of the purchase price of any
of the Trust Property sold or transferred by them, and to execute and
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deliver any deed or other instrument in connection with the foregoing. The
Trustees shall also have the power to:
(a) rent, lease or hire from others or to others, for terms which may
extend beyond the termination of this Declaration of Trust, any property or
rights to property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, and to
own, manage, use and hold such property and such rights;
(b) subdivide or improve Real Property and tear down, alter, repair or
make improvements thereon and grant easements in relation thereto;
(c) give consents and make contracts relating to Trust Property or its
use;
(d) release or dedicate any Trust Property; and
(e) develop, operate, pool, unitize, grant production payments out of
or lease or otherwise dispose of oil, gas and other mineral properties and
rights.
2.6 Financings; Issuance of Securities; Facsimiles. The Trustees shall
have power to lend money, whether secured or unsecured, to borrow or in any
other manner raise such sum or sums of money or other property as they shall
determine, in any amount and in any manner and on any terms, and to evidence the
same by Securities which may mature at any time or times even beyond the
possible date of termination of the Trust, to reacquire any such Securities, to
enter into other contracts on behalf of the Trust and to execute and deliver any
Mortgage, pledge or other instrument to secure any such Securities or other
obligations or contracts. Any such Securities, instruments or other obligations
of the Trust may, at the discretion of the Trustees, without vote of the
Shareholders, be convertible or exercisable into Shares at such time and on such
terms as the Trustees may prescribe.
The Trustees shall have power to issue any type of Securities of the Trust,
without vote of or other action by the Shareholders, to such Persons for such
cash, property, services, expenses or other consideration (including Securities
issued or created by, or interests in, any Person) at such time or times and in
such amounts and in such manner and on such terms as the Trustees may deem
advisable and to list any of the foregoing Securities of the Trust or any
depositary receipts representing such Securities on any securities exchange and
to purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, cancel, reissue, sell and transfer any
such Securities of the Trust or any depositary receipts representing such
Securities. The Trustees may authorize the use of facsimile signatures and/or a
facsimile seal of the Trust on Securities of the Trust or any depositary
receipts representing such Securities, provided that where facsimile signatures
are so used, one of the authorized signatures be manual or the Securities or any
such depositary receipts be manually countersigned or authenticated (except in
respect of any type of Security in respect of which then current commercial
practice does not require manual countersignature or manual authentication) by a
transfer agent or registrar or by an authenticating agent or trustee or similar
Person. In case any Person who shall have signed (or whose facsimile signature
shall appear on) Securities of the Trust or any such depositary receipts shall
have ceased to occupy the office or perform the function in respect of which
such signature was authorized before such Securities or any such depositary
receipts shall have been actually issued, such Securities or any such depositary
receipts may nevertheless be issued with the same effect as though such Person
had not ceased to occupy such office or perform such function.
2.7 Taxes. The Trustees shall have power to pay all taxes or assessments,
of whatever kind or nature, imposed upon or against the Trust or the Trustees in
connection with the Trust Property or upon or against the Trust Property or
income or any part thereof, to settle and compromise disputed tax liabilities,
and for the foregoing purposes to make such returns and do all such other acts
and things as may be deemed by the Trustees necessary or desirable.
2.8 Rights as Holder of Mortgages and Securities. The Trustees shall have
power to exercise all the rights, powers and privileges appertaining to the
ownership of all or any Mortgages or Securities forming part of the Trust
Property to the same extent that any individual might, and, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, to vote or give any consent, request or notice or
waive any notice either in
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person or by proxy or power of attorney for meetings or action generally or for
any particular meetings or action, and may include the exercise of discretionary
powers.
2.9 Delegation; Investment Committees. The Trustees shall have power,
consistent with their continuing exclusive authority over the management of the
Trust, the conduct of its affairs, and the management and disposition of Trust
Property, to delegate from time to time to such one or more of their number or
to officers, employees or agents of the Trust the doing of such things and the
execution of such deeds or other instruments either in the name of the Trust or
the names of the Trustees or as their attorney or attorneys or otherwise as the
Trustees may from time to time deem expedient, except that (i) powers of the
Trustees relating to the approval of Real Property and Mortgage investments for
the Trust may be delegated only to committees (hereinafter called "Investment
Committees") consisting of two or more Trustees, a majority of whom (subject to
Section 3.3 hereof) shall not be Affiliates of the Adviser, and (ii) powers of
the Trustees relating to the approval of transactions pursuant to Section 2.17
hereof may not be delegated to any person, attorney or committee.
2.10 Collection. The Trustees shall have power to collect, sue for,
receive and receipt for all sums of money or other property due to the Trust, to
consent to extensions of the time for payment, or to the renewal, of any
Securities or obligations; to engage or intervene in, prosecute, defend,
compound, compromise, abandon or adjust by arbitration or otherwise any actions,
suits, proceedings, disputes, claims, demands or things relating to the Trust
Property; to foreclose a Mortgage or other Security securing any notes,
debentures, bonds, obligations or contracts, by virtue of which any sums of
money are owed to the Trust; to exercise any power of sale held by them, and to
convey good title thereunder free of any and all trusts, and, in connection with
any such foreclosure or sale, to purchase or otherwise acquire title to any
property; to be parties to reorganizations and to transfer to and deposit with
any corporation, committee, voting trustee or other Person any Securities or
obligations of any corporation, trust, association or other organization, the
Securities of which form a part of the Trust Property, for the purpose of any
reorganization of any such corporation, trust, association or other
organization, or otherwise to participate in any arrangement for enforcing or
protecting the interests of the Trustees as the owners or holders of such
Securities or obligations and to pay any assessment levied in connection with
such reorganization or arrangement; to extend the time with or without security
for the payment or delivery of any debts or property and to execute and enter
into releases, agreements and other instruments; and to pay or satisfy any debts
or claims upon any evidence that the Trustees shall deem sufficient.
2.11 Expenses. The Trustees shall have power to incur and pay any charges
or expenses which in the opinion of the Trustees are necessary or incidental to
or proper for carrying out any of the purposes of this Declaration of Trust,
including specifically without limitation the expenses itemized in subsections
(a) through (h) of Section 3.2 and to reimburse others for the payment therefor,
and to pay appropriate compensation or fees from the funds of the Trust to
themselves as Trustees and to Persons with whom the Trust has contracted or
transacted business. The Trustees shall fix the compensation of all officers and
Trustees. The Trustees may be paid reasonable compensation for their general
services as Trustees and officers hereunder, and the Trustees may pay themselves
or any one or more of themselves such compensation for special services,
including legal services, as they in good faith may deem reasonable, and
reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred by themselves or any one or more
of themselves on behalf of the Trust.
2.12 Guaranties. The Trustees shall have power to endorse or guarantee the
payment of any notes or other obligations of any Person; to make contracts of
guaranty or suretyship, or otherwise assume liability for payment thereof; and
to mortgage and pledge the Trust Property or any part thereof to secure any of
or all such obligations.
2.13 Deposits. The Trustees shall have power to deposit any moneys or
Securities included in the Trust Property with any one or more banks, trust
companies or other banking institutions, including the Adviser, any Affiliate of
the Adviser, or any Affiliate of any Trustee, whether or not such deposits will
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<PAGE> 20
draw interest. Such deposits are to be subject to withdrawal in such manner as
the Trustees may determine, and the Trustees shall have no responsibility for
any loss which may occur by reason of the failure of the bank, trust company,
savings and loan association or other banking institution with whom the moneys
or Securities have been deposited.
2.14 Allocation. The Trustees shall have power to determine whether moneys
or other assets received by the Trust shall be charged or credited to income or
capital or allocated between income and capital, including the power to amortize
or fail to amortize any part or all of any premium or discount, to treat any
part or all the profit resulting from the maturity or sale of any asset, whether
purchased at a premium or at a discount, as income or capital or apportion the
same between income and capital, to apportion the sale price of any asset
between income and capital, and to determine in what manner any expenses or
disbursements are to be borne as between income and capital, whether or not in
the absence of the power and authority conferred by this Section 2.14 such
assets would be regarded as income or as capital or such expense or disbursement
would be charged to income or to capital; to treat any dividend or other
distribution on any investment as income or capital or apportion the same
between income and capital; to provide or fail to provide reserves for
depreciation, amortization or obsolescence in respect of any Trust Property in
such amounts and by such methods and for such purposes as they shall determine,
and to allocate to the shares of beneficial interest account less than all of
the consideration received for Shares (but not less than the par value thereof,
if any) and to allocate the balance thereof to paid-in capital, all as the
Trustees may reasonably deem proper.
2.15 Valuation. The Trustees shall have power to determine conclusively
the value of any of the Trust Property and of any services, Securities, assets
or other consideration hereafter to be acquired or disposed of by the Trust, and
to revalue the Trust Property.
2.16 Fiscal Year. The Trustees shall have power to determine the fiscal
year of the Trust and the method or form in which its accounts shall be kept and
from time to time to change the fiscal year or method or form of accounts.
2.17 Concerning the Trust and Certain Affiliates.
(a) The Trust shall not, directly or indirectly, lend any of its property
to, purchase or otherwise acquire any property from, or sell or otherwise
transfer any property to (i) the Adviser, (ii) any Trustee (in his individual
capacity), officer, director or employee of the Trust or the Adviser, (iii) any
Person holding beneficially, directly or indirectly, 1% or more of the
outstanding capital stock or other equity interests of the Adviser, and (iv) any
Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any of the
foregoing Persons unless such transaction (1) has been approved, after
disclosure of such relationship, by a majority of the Trustees who are not
Affiliates of any such Person (other than the Trust) who is a party to the
transaction; (2) is, in the opinion of such unaffiliated Trustees, on terms fair
and reasonable to the Trust and its Shareholders; and (3) is, in the opinion of
such unaffiliated Trustees, on terms at least favorable to the Trust and its
Shareholders as the terms for comparable transactions of which the Trustees have
knowledge with an entity not an Affiliate of the Trust. All commissions or
remuneration received by any such person in connection with any such transaction
shall be deducted from the fee paid to the Adviser. The price of any Mortgage
Loan purchased in such a transaction may not exceed the fair market value
thereof determined on the basis of prevailing interest rates for similar loans.
The price of any other property purchased in such transaction may not exceed the
fair market value thereof as determined by an independent appraisal. The
simultaneous acquisition by the Trust and any such Affiliate of participations
in a loan or other investment shall not be deemed to constitute the purchase or
sale of property by one or the other.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.17 to the contrary, there
shall be no restriction on transactions between the Trust and any Person named
in Subsection (a) of this Section 2.17 with regard to (i) the initial
investments of the Trust which are or may be described in a Registration
Statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933 in respect of the first public
offering of Securities of the Trust or
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(ii) purchases or sales of Securities of the Trust on the same terms then being
offered to all holders of any class of Securities of the Trust or to the public.
(c) Any Trustee or officer, employee or agent of the Trust may acquire,
own, hold and dispose of Securities of the Trust, for his individual account,
and may exercise all rights of a holder of such Securities to the same extent
and in the same manner as if he were not such a Trustee or officer, employee or
agent.
(d) The Trust shall not, in dealing with any Trustee, investment adviser,
officer or employee of the Trust, enter into any transaction contrary to the
obligations imposed upon such persons under the Declaration of Trust by courts
in Ohio having equity power.
(e) The Trust may make Construction Loans or other short-term investments
where an Affiliate has a commitment to provide the long-term financing, and may
make investments in Real Property on which an Affiliate has an existing mortgage
or other encumbrance. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.17 shall in no
way affect contracts for the furnishing of services to or by the Trust, nor
shall such provisions affect any other transactions, contracts, acts or dealings
(not prohibited by such foregoing provisions) between the Trust and any
Affiliate of the Trust or in which any Affiliate has an interest disclosed to
the Trust; and no Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have
any liability as a result of entering into any purchase or loan, contract for
services, or other transaction, contract, act or dealing not prohibited by such
foregoing provisions. However, any Person who (i) is an officer, director or
employee of the Adviser, (ii) holds beneficially, directly or indirectly, 1% or
more of the outstanding capital stock or other equity interests of the Adviser,
(iii) is an officer, director, employee, partner or trustee of a corporation,
partnership or trust which either holds beneficially, directly or indirectly, 1%
or more of the outstanding capital stock or other equity interests of the
Adviser or controls, is controlled by, or under common control with, the
Adviser, or (iv) controls, is controlled by, or under common control with the
Adviser, shall offer the Trust a right of first refusal to the full extent of
any investment opportunity available to such person which is consistent with the
investment policies of the Trust.
(f) The Trustees shall use their best efforts to obtain through the Adviser
or other Persons a continuing and suitable investment program, consistent with
the investment policies and objectives of the Trust, and the Trustees shall be
responsible for reviewing and approving or rejecting investment opportunities
for the Trust. Any Trustee or officer, employee, or agent of the Trust may, in
his personal capacity, or in a capacity of trustee, officer, director,
stockholder, partner, member, adviser or employee of any Person, have business
interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the
Trust, which interests and activities may be similar to those of the Trust and
include the acquisition, syndication, holding, management, operation or
disposition, for his own account or for the account of such Person, of interests
in Mortgages, interests in Real Property, or interests in Persons engaged in the
real estate business subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this Section
2.17, and each Trustee, officer, employee and agent of the Trust shall be free
of any obligation to present to the Trust any investment opportunity which comes
to him in any capacity other than solely as Trustee, officer, employee or agent
of the Trust, even if such opportunity is of a character which, if presented to
the Trust, could be taken by the Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
Trustee, Adviser, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall compete with the
Trust in (i) any transaction in which the Trust is engaged or (ii) any proposed
transaction which has been presented to the Trustees in writing for their
consideration to be acted upon by the Trust, and which has not been rejected by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees not interested in such
proposed transaction. Subject to the provisions of Article III hereof, any
Trustee or officer, employee or agent of the Trust may be interested as trustee,
officer, director, stockholder, partner, member, adviser or employee of, or
otherwise have a direct or indirect interest in, any Person who may be engaged
to render advice or services to the Trust, and may receive compensation from
such Person as well as compensation as Trustee, officer, employee or agent of
the Trust or otherwise hereunder. None of the activities referred to in this
paragraph shall be deemed to conflict with his duties and powers as Trustee,
officer, employee or agent of the Trust. To the extent that any other provision
of this Declaration of Trust conflicts or is otherwise contrary to the
provisions of this Section 2.17, the provisions of this Section shall be deemed
controlling.
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2.18 FHA Qualification. If the Trust shall be an "FHA Approved Mortgagee",
the Trustees shall have power to sell or otherwise dispose of any FHA loan or an
interest therein with the Trust owns in accordance with the provisions of the
National Housing Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations promulgated
thereunder. The Trustees shall have power to execute on behalf of the Trust, in
connection with any project in which FHA has insured the indebtedness, in whole
or in part, any and all Mortgages and other agreements, documents and forms
which may be required by FHA in connection with the approval by FHA of the
transfer of physical assets from any entity to the Trustees or the insurance by
FHA of any indebtedness on any project as to which the Trustees are or shall
become owners pursuant to this Declaration of Trust, and the provisions of any
such agreement shall be binding upon the Trust notwithstanding any conflict with
or limitation of this Declaration of Trust.
2.19 Power to Contract. Subject to the provisions of Sections 2.9 and 3.1
hereof in respect of delegation of authority by the Trustees, the Trustees shall
have power to appoint, employ or contract with any Person (including one or more
of themselves and any Person of which one or more of them may be an Affiliate,
subject to the applicable requirements of Section 2.17 hereof) as the Trustees
may deem necessary or desirable for the transaction of the business of the Trust
including any Person who, under the supervision of the Trustees, may, among
other things: serve as the Trust's investment adviser and consultant in
connection with policy decisions made by the Trustees; furnish reports to the
Trustees and provide research, economic and statistical data in connection with
the Trust's investments; act as consultant, accountant, mortgage loan originator
or servicer, correspondent, lender, technical adviser, attorney, broker,
property manager, underwriter, corporate fiduciary, escrow agent, depositary,
custodian or agent for collection, insurer or insurance agent, transfer agent or
registrar or warrant agent, or paying agent for Securities of the Trust, or in
any other capacity deemed by the Trustees necessary or desirable; investigate,
select, and, on behalf of the Trust, conduct relations with Persons acting in
such capacities and pay appropriate fees to, and enter into appropriate
contracts with, or employ, or retain services performed or to be performed by,
any of them in connection with the investments acquired, sold, or otherwise
disposed of, or committed, negotiated, or contemplated to be acquired, sold or
otherwise disposed of; substitute any other Person for any such Person; act as
attorney-in-fact or agent in the purchase or sale or other disposition of
investments and in the handling, prosecuting or settling of any claims of the
Trust, including the foreclosure or other enforcement of any mortgage or other
lien or other security securing investments and assist in the performance of
such ministerial functions necessary in the management of the Trust as may be
agreed upon with the Trustees or officers of the Trust.
2.20 Organization of Business Entities. The Trustees shall have power to
cause to be organized or assist in organizing any Person under the laws of any
jurisdiction to acquire the Trust Property or any part of parts thereof or to
carry on any business in which the Trust shall directly or indirectly have any
interest, and to cause the Trust to merge with such Person or any existing
Person or to sell, rent, lease, hire, convey, negotiate, assign, exchange or
transfer the Trust Property or any part or parts thereof to or with any such
Person or any existing Person in exchange for the Securities thereof or
otherwise, and to lend money to, subscribe for the Securities of, and enter into
any contracts with, any such Person in which the Trust holds or is about to
acquire Securities or any other interest.
2.21 Associations. The Trustees shall have power to enter into joint
ventures, general or limited partnerships, limited liability companies and any
other combinations or associations.
2.22 Insurance. The Trustees shall have power to purchase and pay for
entirely out of Trust Property insurance policies insuring the Shareholders,
Trustees, officers, employees, agents, investment advisers, including the
Adviser, or independent contractors of the Trust individually against all claims
and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding, being or having
held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged to have
been taken or omitted by any such Person as Shareholder, Trustee, officer,
employee, agent, investment adviser, or independent contractor including any
action taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute negligence, whether
or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such Person against such
liability.
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2.23 Pension and Other Plans. The Trustees shall have power to pay
pensions for faithful service, as deemed appropriate by the Trustees, and to
adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing, Share bonus, Share
purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans,
trusts and provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity
contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any or
all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust subject to
Section 4.3(k) hereof.
2.24 Reorganizations. The Trustees shall have power to participate in
reorganization, liquidation or bankruptcy proceedings in respect of any Person
and in connection therewith to delegate discretionary powers to any
reorganization, protective or similar committees.
2.25 Seal. The Trustees shall have power to adopt and use a seal for the
Trust, but the seal shall not be necessary to be placed on, and its absence
shall not impair the validity of, any document, instrument or other paper
executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Trust.
2.26 Charitable Contributions. The Trustees shall have power to make
donations, irrespective of benefit to the Trust, for the public welfare or for
community fund, hospital, charitable, religious, educational, scientific, civic
or similar purpose, and in time of war or other national emergency in aid
thereof.
2.27 Indemnification. In addition to the mandatory indemnification
provided for in Section 5.3 hereof, the Trustees shall have power to the extent
permitted by law to indemnify or enter into agreements in respect of
indemnification with any Person with whom the Trust has dealings, including,
without limitation, any investment adviser, including the Adviser, or
independent contractor, to such extent as the Trustees shall determine.
2.28 Remedies. Notwithstanding any provision in this Declaration of Trust,
when the Trustees deem that there is a significant risk that an obligor to the
Trust may default or is in default under the terms of any obligation to the
Trust, the Trustees shall have power to pursue any remedies permitted by law
which, in their sole judgment, are in the interests of the Trust, and the
Trustees shall have the power to enter into any investment, commitment or
obligation of the Trust resulting from the pursuit of such remedies or necessary
or desirable to dispose of property acquired in the pursuit of such remedies.
2.29 Further Powers. The Trustees shall have power to do all such other
matters and things and execute all such instruments as they deem necessary,
proper or desirable in order to carry out, promote or advance the interests of
the Trust although such matters or 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
Declaration of Trust, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to
the Trustees. The Trustees will not be required to obtain any court order to
deal with the Trust Property.
ARTICLE III
ADVISER
3.1 Appointment. The Trustees are responsible for the general investment
policy of the Trust and for the general supervision of the business of the Trust
conducted by officers, agents, employees, investment advisers or independent
contractors of the Trust. However, the Trustees are not required personally to
conduct all of the business of the Trust and consistent with their ultimate
responsibility as stated herein, the Trustees may appoint, employ or contract
with an Adviser, and may grant or delegate such authority to the Adviser
(pursuant to the terms of Section 2.19 hereof) or to any other Person the
services of whom are obtained by the Adviser, as the Trustees may, in their sole
discretion, deem to be necessary or desirable, without regard to whether such
authority is normally granted or delegated by trustees.
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3.2 Provisions of Agreement. The Trustees shall not enter into any
agreement with the Adviser pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.1 hereof
unless (i) such agreement has an initial term of not more than one year (except
that any such agreement entered into prior to the first public offering of
Securities of the Trust may have an initial term of not more than two years),
(ii) its renewal or extension provisions, if any, shall provide for renewals or
extension of not more than one year in length, (iii) such agreement can be
terminated upon no more than 60 days' written notice from the Trust, upon either
a vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not Affiliates of the Adviser, or
by a vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the Shares then
outstanding and entitled to vote, at a meeting duly called for such purpose and
(iv) such agreement shall limit the fees realized by the Adviser by requiring
that the Adviser must refund to the Trust at least annually the amount, if any,
by which the aggregate expenses of the Trust for such year (excluding (a) the
cost of borrowed money; (b) taxes on income and real property and all other
taxes applicable to the Trust; (c) legal, auditing, underwriting, transfer
agent's, warrant agent's, registrar's and indenture trustee's and other fees and
listing, registration, printing and other expenses and taxes incurred in
connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration and stock
exchange listing of the Trust's securities; (d) fees and expenses paid to
independent contractors employed by or on behalf of the Trust; (e) costs of
insurance; (f) expenses of organizing or terminating the Trust; (g) all expenses
connected with distributions and communications to holders of securities of the
Trust and the other bookkeeping and clerical work necessary in maintaining
relations with holders of securities, including the cost of printing and mailing
checks, certificates for securities, proxy solicitation materials and reports to
such holders; and (h) expenses directly connected with the acquisition,
disposition and ownership of mortgage loans or other property, including, to the
extent not paid by borrowers from the Trust, the costs of appraisal, legal
services, brokerage and sales commissions, as well as the costs of foreclosure,
maintenance, repair and improvement of property), exceed the lesser of:
(a) l 1/2% of the Net Assets of the Trust, including undisbursed
portions of closed loans and other closed investments of the Trust for such
year or
(b) 25% of the Trust's net income for such year, excluding provision
for realized capital gains and losses from the disposition of assets of the
Trust and before deducting regular and incentive advisory fees and
depreciation, depletion and amortization.
3.3 Independence of Trustees. After the first public offering of
Securities of the Trust not more than 49% of the total number of Trustees or of
the total number of members of any Investment Committee may be Affiliates of the
Adviser; provided, however, that if at any time the percentage of all Trustees
or of members of such Investment Committee who are Affiliates of the Adviser
becomes more than 49% of the total number of Trustees or members of such
Investment Committee then in office, because of the death, resignation, removal
or change in affiliation of a Trustee or member of such Investment Committee who
is not such an Affiliate, such requirement shall not be applicable for a period
of 60 days, during which time a majority of all the Trustees then in office
shall appoint a sufficient number of other individuals as Trustees or as members
of such Investment Committee so that there is again not more than 49% of the
total number of all Trustees or members of such Investment Committee then in
office who are Affiliates of the Adviser. The Trustees shall at all times
endeavor to comply with such requirement, but failure so to comply shall not
affect the validity or effectiveness of any action of the Trustees or of the
Investment Committee as the case may be.
3.4 Other Activities. The Adviser shall be required by the Trustees to use
its best efforts to present a continuing and suitable investment program to the
Trust which is consistent with the investment policies and objectives of the
Trust. The Adviser may administer the Trust as its sole and exclusive function
or it may engage in other activities including the rendering of advice to other
investors and the management of other investments, including but not limited to
other real estate investment trusts. The contract of the Adviser shall, however,
prohibit the Adviser and any Affiliate of the Adviser from entering into an
investment advisory contract with any other real estate investment trust the
investment policy of which is substantially similar to that of the Trust, and
shall prohibit the Adviser from entering
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into such a contract with any Person the investment policy of which is
substantially similar to that of the Trust. The Trustees may request the Adviser
to engage in certain other activities which complement the Trust's investments,
and the Adviser may provide services requested by the borrowers or prospective
borrowers of the Trust, and the Adviser may receive compensation or commissions
therefor from the Trust or other Persons. The Adviser shall be required to act
on a basis which is fair and reasonable to the Trust and the Shareholders in
selecting from among the particular investment opportunities that come to the
Adviser those investment opportunities which it presents to the Trust.
ARTICLE IV
INVESTMENTS
4.1 Statement of Investment Policy. The general purpose of the Trust is to
seek real estate investment trust income as defined in the REIT Provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code. The Trustees intend to make investments in such a
manner as to comply with the requirements of the REIT Provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code in respect of the composition of the Trust's investments and the
derivation of its income; provided, however, that no Trustee, director, officer,
employee or agent of the Trust or the Adviser shall be liable to any Person for
any act or omission resulting in the loss of tax benefits under the Internal
Revenue Code, except for that arising from his or its own bad faith, willful
misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or its duties or
actions not in good faith in the reasonable belief that such action was in the
best interest of the Trust.
ARTICLE V
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY
5.1 Liability to Third Persons. No Shareholder shall be subject to any
personal liability whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, to any other
Person in connection with Trust Property or the affairs of the Trust; and,
except in the case of breach of duty to the Trust or to Shareholders and subject
to the provisions of Section 5.2 hereof, no Trustee, officer, employee or agent
of the Trust shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in tort,
contract or otherwise, to any other Person in connection with Trust Property or
the affairs of the Trust and all such other 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 proceedings to
enforce any such liability, he shall not on account thereof be held to any
personal liability.
5.2 Liability to Trust or to Shareholders. No Trustee, officer, employee
or agent of the Trust shall be liable in damages to the Trust or to any
Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust 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 misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his
duties or for his failure to act in good faith in the reasonable belief that his
action was in the best interests of the Trust. No Trustee of the Trust shall be
liable in damages to the Trust or to any Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee
or agent of the Trust for any action he takes or fails to take as a Trustee
(including without limitation the failure to compel in any way any former or
acting Trustee to redress any breach of trust), unless it is proved by clear and
convincing evidence in a court of competent jurisdiction that his action or
failure to act involved an act or omission undertaken with deliberate intent to
cause injury to the Trust or undertaken with reckless disregard for the best
interests of the Trust. In determining what he reasonably believes to be in the
best interests of the Trust for purposes of this Article V, a Trustee shall
consider the interests of Shareholders and, in his discretion, may consider any
of the factors which a director of a corporation incorporated under the laws of
the State of Ohio may consider under Ohio law in the performance of his duties
as a director of such corporation.
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5.3 Indemnification. The Trust shall indemnify and hold each Shareholder
harmless from and against all claims and liabilities, whether they proceed to
judgment or are settled or otherwise brought to a conclusion, 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 5.3 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; provided, however, that the Trust shall have no
liability to reimburse Shareholders for taxes assessed against them by reason of
their ownership of Shares, nor for any losses suffered by reason of changes in
the market value of Securities of the Trust.
The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees, officers, employees and
agents (including those who serve at its request as directors, officers,
partners, trustees or the like of another Person in which it has any interest as
a shareholder, creditor or otherwise), against all liabilities and expenses,
including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines
and penalties, and counsel fees, reasonably incurred by him in connection with
the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding by the Trust
or any other Person, whether civil or criminal, in which he may be involved or
with which he may be threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of his
being or having been such a Trustee, officer, employee or agent, except in
respect of any matter as to which he shall have been adjudicated to have acted
in bad faith or with willful misconduct or reckless disregard of his duties or
gross negligence or not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief
that his action was in the best interests of the Trust; provided, however, that
as to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by such Trustee, officer,
employee or agent, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification
either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless the
Trust shall have received a written opinion from counsel approved by the
Trustees to the effect that if the foregoing matters had been adjudicated, they
would likely have been adjudicated in favor of such Trustee, officer, employee
or agent or unless a meeting of the Trustees at which a quorum consisting of
Trustees who are not parties to or threatened with such action, suit or other
proceeding shall make such a determination. The rights accruing to any Trustee,
officer, employee or agent under these provisions shall not exclude any other
right to which he may be lawfully entitled; provided, however, that no Trustee,
officer, employee or agent may satisfy any right of indemnity or reimbursement
granted herein or to which he may be otherwise entitled except out of the Trust
Property, and no Shareholder shall be personally liable to any Person in respect
of any claim for indemnity or reimbursement or otherwise. The Trustees may make
advance payments in connection with indemnification under this Section 5.3,
provided that the indemnified Trustee, officer, employee or agent shall have
given a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust in the event it is
subsequently determined that he is not entitled to such indemnification.
Any action taken by or conduct on the part of the Adviser, a Trustee,
officer, employee or agent of the Trust in conformity with or in good faith
reliance upon the provisions of Section 2.17 or Section 3.4 shall not, for the
purposes of this Trust (including, without limitation, Sections 5.1 and 5.2
hereof and this Section 5.3) constitute bad faith, willful misconduct, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of his duties, or failure to act in good faith
in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the Trust.
5.4 Surety Bonds. No Trustee shall, as such, be obligated to give any bond
or surety or other security for the performance of any of his duties.
5.5 Apparent Authority. Any act of the Trustees of officers of the Trust
purporting to be done in their capacity as such, shall, as to any Person dealing
with such Trustees or officers, be conclusively deemed to be within the purposes
of the Trust and within the powers of such Trustees and officers. 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
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purporting to be made by the Trustees or by such officer, employee or agent or
make inquiry concerning or be liable for the application of money or property
paid, loaned or delivered to or on the order of the Trustees or of such officer,
employee or agent.
5.6 Recitals. Any written instrument creating an obligation of the Trust
shall be conclusively taken to have been executed or done by a Trustee or
Trustees or an officer, employee or agent of the Trust only in their or his
capacity as Trustees or Trustee under this Declaration of Trust or in the
capacity of officer, employee or agent of the Trust. Any written instrument
creating an obligation of the Trust shall refer to this Declaration of Trust and
contain a recital to the effect that the obligations thereunder are not
personally binding upon, nor shall resort be had to the private property of, any
of the Trustees, Shareholders, officers, employees or agents of the Trust, but
the Trust Property or a specific portion thereof only shall be bound, and may
contain any further recital which they or he may deem appropriate, but the
omission of such recital shall not operate to impose personal liability on any
of the Trustees, Shareholders, officers, employees or agents of the Trust. The
Trustees shall, at all times, maintain insurance for the protection of the Trust
Property, its Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents in such
amounts as the Trustees shall deem adequate to cover all foreseeable tort
liability to the extent available at reasonable rates.
5.7 Reliance on Experts, etc. Each Trustee and each officer 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 Adviser, accountants, appraisers or other experts or
consultants selected with reasonable care by the Trustees or officers of the
Trust, regardless of whether such counsel or expert may also be a Trustee.
ARTICLE VI
SHARES
6.1 Description of Shares. The interests of the Shareholders hereunder
shall be divided into Shares of one or more classes. The number of shares
authorized hereunder is unlimited. Ownership of Shares shall be evidenced by
certificates. Except as otherwise provided in a resolution adopted pursuant to
Section 6.2, all Shares shall have equal non-cumulative voting, distribution,
liquidation and other rights, shall be without par value, and shall be fully
paid and nonassessable, and shall have no preference, conversion, exchange,
preemptive or redemption rights. Upon the issuance of Shares pursuant to Section
6.2, all Shares previously issued pursuant to this Section 6.1 shall be
reclassified and designated Common Shares or Class A Common Shares as specified
by Section 6.2.
6.2 Additional Shares. (a) The Trustees hereby are authorized expressly at
any time, and from time to time, to issue one or more additional classes or
series of Shares without par value, with such voting powers (subject to the
limitations hereinafter set forth), or without voting powers, as shall be
specified in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance thereof.
Upon the first issuance of Shares in accordance with the procedures set forth in
this Section 6.2(a), the Trustees shall reclassify and designate as Class A
Common Shares all Shares other than Preferred Shares which were outstanding
immediately prior to such issuance. Except as to voting powers as herein
described, all additional classes or series of Shares authorized by the Trustees
under this Section 6.2(a) shall be Common Shares and shall be identical in all
respects to the Class A Common Shares. The Trustees shall specify in a
resolution or resolutions the classes or series of such additional Common Shares
and the number and designation thereof. The resolution or resolutions shall
state the extent, if any, to which the holders of the Common Shares of such
class or series shall be entitled to vote in respect of the election of Trustees
or otherwise, including, without limitation, the extent, if any to which such
holders shall be entitled, voting as a series or as part of a kind or class, to
elect one or more Trustees upon the happening of a specific event or otherwise,
provided that the voting rights of such Common shares shall be no greater than
those required or recommended by (i) any stock exchange upon which any
Securities of the Trust
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shall be listed or (ii) any national securities association by which any
Securities of the Trust shall be authorized for a quotation or transaction
reporting. Further, in no event shall additional Common Shares issued by the
Trustees pursuant to this Section 6.2(a) carry greater voting rights than the
Class A Common Shares.
(b) The Trustees hereby are authorized expressly at any time, and from time
to time, to issue Preferred Shares, either without par value or with such par
value or par values as the Trustees shall specify in a resolution or resolutions
providing for the issuance thereof, in one or more classes or series, with such
voting powers (subject to the limitations hereinafter set forth), or without
voting powers, and with such designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations
or restrictions, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or
resolutions providing for the issuance thereof, and as are not otherwise stated
and expressed in this Declaration of Trust, including (without limiting the
generality thereof) the following as to each such class or series:
(i) the number of Shares to constitute such class or series
and the designation thereof,
(ii) the par value or absence of par value of Shares issued
in such class or series,
(iii) the dividends payable in respect of such class or
series, the rates or basis for determining such dividends, any
conditions and dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, the
preference, if any, of such dividends over, or the relation of such
dividends to, the dividends payable on any other kind, class or series
of Shares of the Trust (including Common Shares of any class or series),
whether such dividends shall be non-cumulative or cumulative, and, if
cumulative, the date or dates from which such dividends shall be
cumulative,
(iv) whether the Shares of such class or series shall have
the right to participate with the Shares of any other class or series in
the profits of the Trust, and, if so, the terms of such participation,
(v) whether the Shares of such class or series shall be
callable or redeemable, in addition to the Trust's right to acquire
Shares from time to time as set forth in Sections 8.3 and 8.5, at the
option of the Trust or the holder or both, or upon the happening of a
specified event, and, if callable or redeemable, the conditions giving
rise to the right of such call or redemption, whether such call or
redemption shall be for cash, property or rights, including Securities
of the Trust, and the times, prices, rates and adjustments and other
terms of such redemption,
(vi) whether the Trust shall be required to purchase or redeem
the Shares of such class or series on a certain date or dates or upon
the happening of a specified event, and, if so, the terms of such
purchase or redemption,
(vii) the terms and amounts of any sinking, retirement or
purchase fund provided for the purchase or redemption of Shares of such
class or series,
(viii) whether Shares of such class or series shall be
convertible into or exchangeable for Shares of another kind, class or
series, at the option of the Trust or of the holder, or both, or upon
the happening of a specified event, and, if provision be made for such
conversion or exchange, the terms, prices, rates, adjustments and any
other condition thereof,
(ix) the extent, if any, to which the holders of the Shares of
such class or series shall be entitled to vote in respect of the
election of Trustees or otherwise, including, without limitation, the
extent, if any, to which such holders shall be entitled, voting as a
series or as part of a kind or class, to elect one or more Trustees upon
the happening of a specific event or otherwise, provided that the voting
rights of such Shares shall be no greater than those required or
recommended by (1) any stock exchange upon which any Securities of the
Trust shall be listed or (2) any national securities association by
which any Securities of the Trust shall be authorized for quotation or
transaction reporting,
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(x) the restrictions, if any, on the issue or reissue of
Shares of such class or series or of any other class or series,
(xi) the extent, if any, to which the holders of the Shares of
such class or series shall be entitled to preemptive rights, and
(xii) the preferences, and the amounts thereof, of the holders
of the Shares of such class or series upon the voluntary or involuntary
dissolution of the Trust or any distribution of its assets.
If the first issuance of Preferred Shares under this Section 6.2(b) shall occur
prior to the first issuance of additional Common Shares under Section 6.2(a),
the Trustees shall reclassify and designate as Common Shares the Shares which
were outstanding immediately prior to the first issuance of Preferred Shares.
(c) Before the Trust shall issue any additional Shares of any class or
series, a certificate setting forth the resolution or resolutions of the
Trustees fixing the voting powers and number of Shares of such class or series
and the designations thereof, and, as to Preferred Shares, the preferences and
rights of such class or series and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof, shall be signed and acknowledged by the Chairman, a Vice
Chairman, the President, if any, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Trust and filed in accordance with the requirements of Ohio law for filing
amendments to this Declaration of Trust, whereupon the same shall be deemed to
be an amendment hereof.
Unless otherwise provided in any such resolution or resolutions, the number
of Shares of the class or series authorized by such resolution or resolutions
may be increased or decreased, but not below the number of Shares of such class
or series then outstanding, by a certificate, setting forth a resolution or
resolutions of the Trustees authorizing such increase or decrease, signed and
acknowledged by the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, the President, if any, the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Trust and filed in accordance with
the requirements of Ohio law for filing amendments to this Declaration of Trust.
Unless otherwise provided in such resolution or resolutions, any amendment to
such resolution or resolutions may be effected by a certificate, setting forth a
resolution of the Trustees authorizing such amendment and certifying that such
amendment has been approved by such votes, if any, as may be required pursuant
to Section 13.1, signed and acknowledged by the Chairman, a Vice Chairman, the
President, if any, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Trust and
filed in accordance with the requirements of Ohio law for filing amendments to
this Declaration of Trust. Any such amendment may, without limitation, cancel or
otherwise affect the right of the holder of the Shares of such class or series
to receive dividends which have accrued but have not been declared. Holders of
Common Shares shall not be entitled to vote on such amendments to any such
resolutions.
6.3 Certificates. Every Shareholder shall be entitled to receive a
certificate, in such form as the Trustees shall from time to time approve,
specifying the number of Shares held by such Shareholder. Certificates which
were validly issued prior to any Amendment to the Declaration of Trust that
authorizes the issuance of additional Shares shall remain valid. Upon the first
issuance of Common Shares in accordance with the procedure set forth in Section
6.2(a), all certificates representing Shares other than Preferred Shares then
outstanding automatically shall represent the newly designated Class A Common
Shares and upon transfer or exchange of any such certificates, new certificates
which shall bear the designation "Class A Common Shares" shall be issued to the
Shareholders. If the first issuance of Preferred Shares under Section 6.2(b)
shall occur prior to the first issuance of Common Shares under Section 6.2(a),
all certificates representing Shares then outstanding automatically shall
represent the newly designated "Common Shares" and upon transfer or exchange of
any such certificates, new certificates which shall bear the designation "Common
Shares" shall be issued to the Shareholders. Subject to Sections 6.5 and 8.5
hereof, such certificates shall be treated as negotiable and title thereto and
to the Shares represented thereby shall be transferred by delivery thereof to
the same extent in all respects as a stock certificate, and the shares
represented thereby, of an Ohio business corporation. Unless otherwise
determined by the Trustees, such certificates shall be signed by the Chairman or
a Vice Chairman, or the President, if any, and the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary and shall be counter-
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signed by a transfer agent, and registered by a registrar, if any, and such
signatures may be facsimile signatures in accordance with Section 2.6 hereof.
There shall be filed with each transfer agent a copy of the form of certificate
so approved by the Trustees, certified by the Chairman or the Secretary, and
such form shall continue to be used unless and until the Trustees approve some
other form.
In furtherance of the provisions of Section 8.5 hereof, each certificate
evidencing Shares shall contain a legend imprinted thereon to the following
effect, or such other legend as the Trustees may from time to time adopt.
"Provisions Relating to Redemption and Prohibition of Transfer of
Shares.
"If necessary to effect compliance by the Trust with certain
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, the shares represented by this
certificate are subject to redemption by the Trustees of the Trust and the
transfer thereof may be prohibited upon the terms and conditions set forth
in the Declaration of Trust. The Trust will furnish a copy of such terms
and conditions to the registered holder of this certificate upon request
and without charge."
6.4 Fractional Shares. In connection with any issuance of Shares, the
Trustees may issue fractional Shares or may provide for the issuance of scrip
including, without limitation, the time within which any such scrip must be
surrendered for exchange into full Shares and the rights, if any, of holders of
scrip upon the expiration of the time so fixed, the rights, if any, to receive
proportional distributions, and the rights, if any to redeem scrip for cash, or
the Trustees may in their discretion, or if they see fit at the option of each
holder, provide in lieu of scrip for the adjournment of the fractions in cash.
The provisions of Section 6.3 hereof relative to certificates for Shares shall
apply so far as applicable to such scrip, except that such scrip may in the
discretion of the Trustees be signed by a transfer agent alone.
6.5 Issuance of Units. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may issue from time to time units consisting
of different Securities of the Trust. Any Security issued in any such unit shall
have the same characteristics and shall entitle the registered holder thereof to
the same rights as any identical Securities issued by the Trustees, except that
the Trustees may provide (and may cause a notation to be placed on the
certificate representing such unit or Securities or the Trust issued in any such
unit) that for a specified period not to exceed one year after issuance,
Securities of the Trust issued in any such unit may be transferred on the books
of the Trust only in such unit.
6.6 Issuance of Warrants. The Trustees, in their discretion, may from time
to time issue warrants to purchase Shares (hereinafter referred to as
"Warrants") which shall entitle the holders thereof to subscribe to Shares at
such time or times and on such terms as the Trustees may prescribe including,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the times within which any
such Warrants may be exercised and the consideration to be paid for such Shares;
provided, however, that warrants may not be issued in connection with a private
financing with an exercise price per share less than 100% of fair market value
of the Shares at the date of issuance; for this purpose the determination of
fair market value of the Shares shall be made in the same manner as provided for
the redemption price of Securities in Section 8.5. Warrants may be issued to
such parties and for such consideration as the Trustees may from time to time
determine (including the issuance of detachable or nondetachable warrants as an
inducement to persons acquiring or underwriting notes, debentures, bonds,
instruments, Shares or other Securities of the Trust). The provisions of this
Article VI relative to certificates for Shares shall apply so far as appropriate
to such Warrants.
ARTICLE VII
RECORD AND TRANSFER OF SHARES
7.1 Share Register. A register shall be kept by or on behalf of the
Trustees, under the direction of the Trustees, which shall contain the names and
addresses of the Shareholders and the number of
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Shares held by them respectively and the numbers of the certificates
representing such Shares and a record of all transfers thereof. Only
Shareholders whose certificates are recorded on such register shall be entitled
to vote or to receive distributions or otherwise to exercise or enjoy the rights
of Shareholders. No Shareholder shall be entitled to receive any distribution,
nor to have notice to him as herein provided, until he has given his address to
a transfer agent or such other officer or agent of the Trust as shall keep the
register for entry thereon.
7.2 Transfer Agent. The Trustees shall have power to employ, within or
without the State of Ohio, a transfer agent or transfer agents and, if they so
determine, a registrar or registrars. The transfer agent or transfer agents may
keep the register and record therein the original issues and transfers of Shares
and countersign certificates for Shares issued to the persons entitled thereto.
Any such transfer agents and registrars shall perform the duties usually
performed by transfer agents and registrars of certificates of stock in a
corporation, except as modified by the Trustees. Any such transfer agents or
registrars may be Affiliates of a Trustee or of an officer, director or
shareholder of the Adviser. The provisions of Article VII relative to transfer
agents shall apply so far as appropriate to warrant agents.
7.3 Blank Certificates. In accordance with the usual customs of
corporations having a transfer agent, signed certificates for Shares in blank
may be deposited with any transfer agent of the Trust, to be used by such
transfer agent in accordance with authority conferred upon it as occasion may
require, and in so doing the signers of such certificates shall not be
responsible for any loss resulting therefrom.
7.4 Owner of Record. Any person becoming entitled to any Shares in
consequences of the death, bankruptcy or insolvency of any Shareholder, or
otherwise by operation of law, shall be recorded as the holder of such Shares
and receive a new certificate for the same upon production of the proper
evidence thereof and delivery of the existing certificate to the Trustees or a
transfer agent of the Trust. But until such record is made, the Shareholder of
record shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for all purposes hereof
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,
insolvency or other event.
7.5 Transfers of Shares. Shares shall be transferable on the records of
the Trust (other than by operation of law) only by the record holder thereof or
by his agent thereunto duly authorized in writing upon delivery to the Trust or
a transfer agent of the Trust of the certificate or certificates therefor, with
all transfer tax stamps affixed or duly provided for, properly endorsed or
accompanied by duly executed instrument or instruments of transfer, together
with such evidence of the genuineness of each such endorsement, execution and
authorization and of other matters as may reasonably be required by the Trust or
the transfer agent. Upon such delivery the transfer shall be recorded on the
register of the Trust and a new certificate for the Shares so transferred shall
be issued to the transferee, and, in case of a transfer of only a part of the
Shares represented by any certificate, a new certificate for the residue thereof
shall be issued to the transferor. But until such record is made, the
Shareholder of record shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for all
purposes hereof and neither the Trustees nor the Trust nor any transfer agent or
registrar nor any officer or agent of the Trust shall be affected by any notice
of the proposed transfer. This Section 7.5 and Section 7.4 hereof are subject in
all respects to the provisions of Sections 6.5 and 8.5 hereof.
7.6 Limitation of Fiduciary Responsibility. The Trustees shall not, nor
shall the Shareholders or any officer, transfer agent or other agent of the
Trust, be bound to see to the execution of any trust, express, implied or
constructive, or of any charge, pledge or equity to which any of the Shares or
any interest therein are subject, or to ascertain or inquire whether any sale or
transfer of any such Shares or interest therein are subject, ascertain or
inquire whether any sale or transfer of any such Shares or interest therein by
any such Shareholder or his personal representatives is authorized by such
trust, charge, pledge or equity, or to recognize any Person as having any
interest therein except the Persons recorded as such Shareholders. The receipt
of the Person in whose name any Share is recorded, or, if such Share is recorded
in the names of more than one Person, the receipt of any one of such Persons or
of the duly authorized agent of any such Person shall be a sufficient discharge
for all money, Securities
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and other property payable, issuable or deliverable in respect of such Share and
from all liability to see to the proper application thereof.
7.7 Notices. Any and all notices to which Shareholders hereunder may be
entitled and any and all communications shall be deemed duly served or given if
mailed, postage prepaid, addressed to Shareholder of record at their last known
post office address as recorded on the Share register provided for in Section
7.1 hereof.
7.8 Replacement of Certificates. In case of the loss, mutilation or
destruction of any certificate for Shares hereunder, the Trustees may issue or
cause to be issued a new certificate on such terms as they may deem fit.
ARTICLE VIII
CHARACTERISTICS OF SHARES; RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
8.1 General. 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 share or 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
specifically set forth in this Declaration of Trust, in any resolution adopted
pursuant to Section 6.2 and in the certificates for such Shares. Except as
otherwise provided in a resolution adopted pursuant to Section 6.2, the Shares
shall not entitle the holder to preference, preemptive, appraisal, conversion or
exchange rights of any kind.
8.2 Death of Shareholders. The death of a Shareholder during the
continuance of the Trust shall not terminate this Declaration of Trust nor give
such Shareholder's legal representatives a right to an accounting or a partition
of the Trust assets or to take any action in the courts or otherwise against
other Shareholders or the Trustees or the Trust Property, but shall simply
entitle the legal representatives of the deceased Shareholder to demand and
receive, pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.4 hereof, a new certificate for
Shares in place of the certificate held by the deceased Shareholder, and upon
the acceptance thereof such legal representative shall succeed to all the rights
of the deceased Shareholder under this Declaration of Trust.
8.3 Repurchase of Securities of the Trust. The Trustees may, on behalf of
the Trust, purchase or otherwise acquire outstanding Securities of the Trust
from time to time for such consideration and on such terms as they may deem
proper. Shares so purchased or acquired by the Trustees for the account of the
Trust shall not, so long as they belong to the Trust, receive distributions
(other than, at the option of the Trustees, distributions in Shares) or be
entitled to any voting rights. Such Shares may in the discretion of the Trustees
be cancelled and the number of Shares issued thereby reduced, or such Shares may
in the discretion of the Trustees be held in the treasury and may be disposed of
by the Trustees at such time or times, to such party or parties and for such
considerations as the Trustees may determine.
8.4 Trustees as Shareholders. Any Trustee in his individual capacity may
purchase and otherwise acquire or sell and otherwise dispose of Shares of other
Securities issued by the Trust, and may exercise all the rights of a Shareholder
to the same extent as though he were not a Trustee.
8.5 Restrictions on Transfer of Preferred Shares and Common Shares.
(a) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 8.5, the following terms
shall have the following meanings set forth below:
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(i) "Beneficial Ownership" shall mean ownership of Equity Shares by a
Person who would be treated as an owner of such Equity Shares either
directly or indirectly through the application of Section 544 of the
Internal Revenue Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Internal
Revenue Code. The terms "Beneficial Owner," "Beneficially Owns," and
"Beneficially Owned" shall have correlative meanings.
(ii) "Beneficiary" shall mean, with respect to any trust, one or more
organizations described in each of Section 170(b)(1)(A) (other than clause
(vii) or (viii) thereof) and Section 70(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code
that are named by the Corporation as the beneficiary or beneficiaries of
such trust, in accordance with Section (1) of Division C.II. hereof.
(iii) "Board of Trustees" shall mean the Board of Trustees of the
Trust.
(iv) "RRF, L.P. Agreement" shall mean the First Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of RRF Limited Partnership, a Delaware
limited partnership, of which the Trust is the general partner.
(v) "Constructive Ownership" shall mean ownership of Equity Shares by
a Person who would be treated as an owner of such Equity Shares either
directly or indirectly through the application of Section 318 of the
Internal Revenue Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Internal
Revenue Code. The terms "Constructive Owner," "Constructively Owns," and
"Constructively Owned" shall have correlative meanings.
(vi) "Equity Shares" shall mean and include all Preferred Shares and
Common Shares of the Trust as well as any Equity Shares that are held as
Shares-in-Trust in accordance with this Section 8.5.
(vii) "Exchange Rights" shall mean the rights granted under the RRF,
L.P. Agreement to the limited partners to exchange, under certain
circumstances, their limited partnership interests for common shares (or,
at the option of the trust, for cash).
(viii) "Existing Holder" shall mean (i) the Wirth Family and (ii) any
Person who, on the date hereof, beneficially owns Common Shares in excess
of the Ownership Limit.
(ix) "Existing Holder Limit" (i) for any Existing Holder who is an
Existing Holder by virtue of clause (ii) of the definition thereof, shall
mean the percentage of the outstanding Common Shares Beneficially Owned by
such Existing Holder on the date hereof. From and after the date hereof,
the secretary of the Trust shall maintain and, upon request, make available
to each Existing Holder, a schedule which sets forth the then current
Existing Holder Limits for each Existing Holder.
(x) "Market Price" on any date shall mean the average of the Closing
Price for the five consecutive Trading Days ending on such date. The
"Closing Price" on any date shall mean the last sale price, regular way,
or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the
closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in
the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to
securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or,
if the applicable Equity Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on
the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated
transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the
principal national securities exchange on which those Equity Shares are
listed or admitted to trading or, if those Equity Shares are not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted
price, or if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked
prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if
such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotations
system that may then be in use or, if the shares of Equity Shares are not
quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in those
Equity Shares selected by the Board of Trustees.
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(xi) "Non-Transfer Event" shall mean an event other than a purported
Transfer that would cause any Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively
Own Equity Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit, including, but not
limited to, the issuance, granting of any option or entering into of any
agreement for the sale, transfer or other disposition of Equity Shares or
the sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition of any securities or
rights convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Shares.
(xii) "Ownership Limit" shall mean 4.9% of the number of outstanding
shares of any class of Equity Shares.
(xiii) "Permitted Transferee" shall mean any Person designated as a
Permitted Transferee in accordance with this Section 8.5.
(xiv) "Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership,
estate, trust, a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used
exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section
509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, joint stock company or other entity
and also includes a "group" as that term is used for purposes of Section
12(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(xv) "Prohibited Owner" shall mean, with respect to any purported
Transfer or Non-Transfer Event, any Person who, but for this Section 8.5,
would own record title to Equity Shares.
(xvi) "Restriction Termination Date" shall mean the first day after
the date of this Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust on which
the Board of Trustees determines that it is no longer in the best interests
of the Trust to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT.
(xvii) "Shares-in-Trust" shall mean any Equity Shares designated as
Shares-in-Trust pursuant to this Section 8.5.
(xviii) "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which the principal national
securities exchange on which the applicable Equity Shares are listed or
admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if those
Equity Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange, shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or
a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized
or obligated by law or executive order to close.
(xix) "Transfer" (as a noun) shall mean any sale, transfer, gift,
assignment, devise or other disposition of Equity Shares, whether voluntary
or involuntary, whether of record, constructively or beneficially and
whether by operation of law or otherwise. "Transfer" (as a verb) shall have
the correlative meaning.
(xx) "Trustee" shall mean any Person or entity unaffiliated with both
the Trust and any Prohibited Owner, such Trustee to be designated by the
Corporation to act as trustee of any Trust, or any successor trustee
thereof.
(xxi) "Wirth Family" shall mean James F. Wirth, his spouse, lineal
descendants of James F. Wirth, any trust of which any of the foregoing are
grantors or beneficiaries and any Person owned and controlled by any of the
foregoing.
(xxii) "Wirth Family Limit" shall, initially, mean 34.9% of the number
of outstanding shares of any class of Equity Shares.
(b) Restriction on Transfers and Non-Transfer Event.
(i) Except as set forth in Section 8.5(g) below, from the date hereof
to the Restriction Termination Date, (A) no Person (other than an Existing
Holder) shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own outstanding Equity
Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit, but any Transfer or Non-Transfer
Event that, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or
Constructively Owning outstanding Equity Shares in excess of the Ownership
Limit shall be void AB INITIO
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as to the Transfer or Non-Transfer Event affecting that number of Equity
Shares which would be otherwise Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned
by such Person in excess of the Ownership Limit and the intended transferee
shall acquire no rights in such excess Equity Shares, (B) no Existing
Holder (that is not a member of the Wirth Family) shall Beneficially Own or
Constructively Own outstanding Equity Shares in excess of the Existing
Holder Limit, but any Transfer or Non-Transfer Event that, if effective,
would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning
outstanding Equity Shares in excess of the Existing Holder Limit shall be
void AB INITIO as to the Transfer or Non-Transfer Event affecting that
number of Equity Shares which would be otherwise Beneficially Owned or
Constructively Owned by such Person in excess of the Existing Holder Limit
and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such excess Equity
Shares, and (C) no Existing Holder that is a member of the Wirth Family
shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own outstanding Equity Shares in
excess of the Wirth Family Limit, but any Transfer or Non-Transfer Event
that, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or
Constructively Owning outstanding Equity Shares in excess of the Wirth
Family Limit shall be void AB INITIO as to the Transfer or Non-Transfer
Event affecting that number of Equity Shares which would be otherwise
Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by such Person in excess of the
Wirth Family Limit and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in
such excess Equity Shares.
(ii) Except as set forth in Section 8.5(g) below, from the date hereof
to the Restriction Termination Date, any Transfer or Non-Transfer Event
that, if effective, would result in any class of Equity Shares being
beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined without reference
to any rules of attribution) shall be void AB INITIO as to the Transfer or
Non-Transfer Event affecting that number of shares which would be otherwise
beneficially owned (determined without reference to any rules of
attribution) by the transferee, and the intended transferee shall acquire
no rights in such Equity Shares.
(iii) From the date hereof to the Restriction Termination Date, any
Transfer of or Non-Transfer Event affecting Equity Shares that, if
effective, would result in the Trust being "closely held" within the
meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code shall be void AB
INITIO as to the Transfer of or Non-Transfer Event affecting that number of
Equity Shares which would cause the Trust to be "closely held" within the
meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, and the intended
transferee shall acquire no rights in such Equity Shares.
(iv) From the date hereof to the Restriction Termination Date, any
Transfer of or Non-Transfer Event affecting Equity Shares that, if
effective, would cause the Trust to Constructively Own 10% or more of the
ownership interests in a tenant of the real property of the Trust or of any
direct or indirect subsidiary of the Trust (a "Subsidiary"), within the
meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, shall be void
AB INITIO as to the Transfer of or Non-Transfer Event affecting that number
of Equity Shares which would cause the Trust to Constructively Own 10% or
more of the ownership interests in a tenant of the Trust's or of a
Subsidiary's real property, within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of
the Internal Revenue Code, and the intended transferee shall acquire no
rights in such excess Equity Shares.
(c)(i) If, notwithstanding the other provisions contained in this Section
8.5, at any time after the date hereof and prior to the Restriction Termination
Date there is a purported Transfer or Non-Transfer Event such that any Person
(other than an Existing Holder) would either Beneficially Own or Constructively
Own Equity Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit, then, (i) except as set
forth in Section 8.5(g) below, the purported transferee shall acquire no right
or interest (or, in the case of a Non-Transfer Event, the Person holding record
title to the Equity Shares Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by such
Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner, shall cease to own any right or
interest) in such number of Equity Shares which would cause such Beneficial
Owner or Constructive Owner to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Equity
Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit, (ii) such number of Equity Shares in
excess of the Ownership Limit (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be
designated Shares-in-Trust and, in accordance with this Section 8.5, transferred
automatically by operation of the terms of this Section 8.5(c)(i) to a trust to
be held in accordance with Section 8.6, and
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(iii) the Prohibited Owner shall submit such number of Equity Shares to the
Trust for registration in the name of the Trustee. Such transfer to a trust and
the designation of shares as Shares-in-Trust shall be effective as of the close
of business on the business day prior to the date of the Transfer or
Non-Transfer Event, as the case may be.
(ii) If, notwithstanding the other provisions contained in this
Section 8.5, at any time after the Date hereof and prior to the Restriction
Termination Date, there is a purported Transfer or Non-Transfer Event that,
if effective, would (i) result in any class of the Equity Shares being
beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined without reference
to any rules of attribution), (ii) result in the Trust being "closely held"
within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (iii)
cause the Trust to Constructively Own 10% or more of the ownership
interests in a tenant of the Trust's or of a subsidiary's real property,
within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code,
then (x) the purported transferee shall not acquire any right or interest
(or, in the case of a Non-Transfer Event, the Person holding record title
to the Equity Shares with respect to which such Non-Transfer Event
occurred, shall cease to own any right or interest) in such number of
Equity Shares, the ownership of which by such purported transferee or
record holder would (A) result in any class of Equity Shares being
beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined without reference
to any rules of attribution), (B) result in the Trust being "closely held"
within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (C)
cause the Trust to Constructively Own 10% or more of the ownership
interests in a tenant of the Trust's or of a subsidiary's real property,
within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code,
(y) such number of Equity Shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share)
shall be designated Shares-in-Trust and, in accordance with this Section
8.5, transferred automatically by operation of the terms of this Section
8.5 to a Trust to be held in accordance with Section 8.6, and (z) the
Prohibited Owner shall submit such number of Equity Shares to the Trust for
registration in the name of the Trustee. Such transfer to a trust and the
designation of shares as Shares-in-Trust shall be effective as of the close
of business on the business day prior to the date of the Transfer or
Non-Transfer Event, as the case may be.
(d) If the Trust, or its designee, shall at any time determine in good
faith that a Transfer or Non-Transfer Event has taken place in violation of this
Section 8.5 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire
Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any Equity Shares in violation
of this Section 8.5, the Trust shall take such action as it considers advisable
to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or Non-Transfer Event or
acquisition, including, but not limited to, refusing to give effect to such
Transfer on the books of the Trust or instituting proceedings to enjoin such
Transfer or Non-Transfer Event or acquisition.
(e) Any Person who acquires or attempts to acquire Equity Shares in
violation of this Section 8.5, or any Person who owned Equity Shares that were
transferred to a trust pursuant to this Section 8.5, shall immediately give
written notice to the Trust of such event and shall provide to the Trust such
other information as the Trust may request in order to determine the effect, if
any, of such event on the Trust's status as a REIT.
(f) From the date hereof to the Restriction Termination Date:
(i) Every Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of more than 4.9%, or
such lower percentage as is specified pursuant to regulations issued under
the Internal Revenue Code, of the outstanding shares of any class of shares
of the Trust shall, within 30 days after January 1 of each year, provide to
the Trust a written statement or affidavit stating the name and address of
such Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner, the number of Equity Shares
Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned, and a description of how such
shares are held.
(ii) Each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of
Equity Shares and each Person (including the shareholder of record) who is
holding Equity Shares for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall
provide to the Trust a written statement or affidavit stating such
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information as the Trust may request in order to determine the Trust's
status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limit as
applicable.
(g) The Ownership Limit shall not apply to the acquisition of Equity Shares
by an underwriter that participates in a public offering of such shares for a
period of 90 days following the purchase by such underwriter of such shares. In
addition, the Board of Trustees, upon receipt of a ruling from the Internal
Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel, in either case to the effect that the
Trust's status as a REIT would not be jeopardized thereby, may allow a Person to
own a certain amount in excess of the Ownership Limit if (i) the Board of
Trustees obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are
reasonably necessary to ascertain that no Person's Beneficial Ownership or
Constructive Ownership of Equity Shares could result in the Trust (a) losing its
REIT status for federal income tax purposes, or (b) being "related" to any
tenant or lessee under the REIT rules of the Internal Revenue Code, and (ii)
such Person agrees in writing that any violation or attempted violation that
could cause such a result will cause a transfer to a trust of Equity Shares
pursuant to this Section 8.5.
(h) Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, nothing
in this Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust shall preclude the
settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the New
York Stock Exchange.
8.6 Shares-in-Trust.
(a) Any Equity Shares transferred to a trust and designated Shares-in-Trust
pursuant to Section 8.5 shall be held for the exclusive benefit of the
Beneficiary. The Trust shall name a Beneficiary for each Trust within five days
after the Trust first has actual notice of the existence thereof. Any transfer
to a Trust, and designation of Equity Shares as Shares-in-Trust, shall be
effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of
the Transfer or Non-Transfer Event that results in the transfer to the Trust.
Shares-in-Trust shall continue to constitute issued and outstanding Equity
Shares of the Trust and shall be entitled to the same rights and privileges as
are all other issued and outstanding Equity Shares of the same class and series.
When transferred to a Permitted Transferee in accordance with this Section 8.6,
such Shares-in-Trust shall cease to be designated as Shares-in-Trust.
(b) The Trust, as record holder of Shares-in-Trust, shall be entitled to
receive all dividends and distributions declared by the Board of Trustees on
such Shares-in-Trust and shall hold such dividends and distributions in trust
for the benefit of the Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner with respect to
Shares-in-Trust shall repay to the Trust the amount of any dividends or
distributions received by it that (i) are attributable to those Shares-in-Trust
and (ii) the record date of which was on or after the date that such shares
became Shares-in-Trust. The Trust shall take all measures that it determines
reasonably necessary to recover the amount of any such dividend or distribution
paid to a Prohibited Owner, including, if necessary, withholding any portion of
future dividends or distributions payable on Equity Shares Beneficially Owned or
Constructively Owned by the Person who, but for the provisions of this Section
8.6, would Constructively Own or Beneficially Own the Shares-in-Trust; and, as
soon as reasonably practicable following the Trust's receipt or withholding
thereof, shall pay over to the Trust for the benefit of the Beneficiary the
dividends so received or withheld, as the case may be.
(c) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of, or any distribution of the assets of, the Trust, each holder
of Shares-in-Trust shall be entitled to receive, ratably with each other holder
of Equity Shares of the same class or series, that portion of the assets of the
Trust which is available for distribution to the holders of such class and
series of Equity Shares. The Trust shall distribute to the Prohibited Owner the
amounts received upon such liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, or
distribution; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Prohibited Owner shall not be entitled
to receive amounts pursuant to this Section 8.6 in excess of, in the case of a
purported Transfer in which the Prohibited Owner gave value for Equity Shares
and which Transfer resulted in the transfer of the shares to the Trust, the
price per share, if any, such Prohibited Owner paid for the Equity Shares and,
in the case of a Non-Transfer Event or Transfer in which the Prohibited Owner
did not give value for such shares (e.g., if the shares were received through a
gift or devise) and which Non-Transfer Event or
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Transfer, as the case may be, resulted in the transfer of shares to the Trust,
the price per share equal to the Market Price on the date of such Non-Transfer
Event or Transfer. Any remaining amount in such trust shall be distributed to
the Beneficiary.
(d) The Trustee shall be entitled to vote all Shares-in-Trust. Any vote by
a Prohibited Owner as a holder of Equity Shares prior to the discovery by the
Trust that the Equity Shares are Shares-in-Trust shall, so far as is practicable
under applicable law, be rescinded and shall be void AB INITIO with respect to
such Shares-in-Trust and the Prohibited Owner shall be deemed to have given, as
of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the Transfer
or Non-Transfer Event that results in the transfer to the Trust of Equity Shares
pursuant to this Section 8.6, an irrevocable proxy to the Trustee to vote the
Shares-in-Trust in the manner in which the Trustee, in its sole and absolute
discretion, considers advisable.
(e) Designation of Permitted Transferee. The Trustee shall have the
exclusive and absolute right to designate a Permitted Transferee of any
Shares-in-Trust. In an orderly fashion so as not to materially adversely affect
the Market Price of the Shares-in-Trust, the Trustee shall designate a Person as
Permitted Transferee, so long as (i) the Permitted Transferee so designated
purchases for valuable consideration (whether in a public or private sale) the
Shares-in-Trust and (ii) the Permitted Transferee so designated can acquire such
Shares-in-Trust without such acquisition resulting in a transfer to a trust and
the redesignation of such Equity Shares as Shares-in-Trust. Upon the designation
by the Trustee of a Permitted Transferee, the Trustee shall (i) cause to be
transferred to the Permitted Transferee that number of Shares-in-Trust acquired
by the Permitted Transferee, (ii) cause to be recorded on the books of the Trust
that the Permitted Transferee is the holder of record of such number of Equity
Shares, (iii) cause the Shares-in-Trust to be canceled, and (iv) distribute to
the Beneficiary any and all amounts held by the Trustee with respect to the
Shares-in-Trust after making any payment to the Prohibited Owner required under
Sections 8.6(c) and 8.6(f).
(f) Compensation to Record Holder of Equity Shares That Become
Shares-in-Trust. Any Prohibited Owner shall be entitled (following designation
of Equity Shares proposed or purported to be held by that Prohibited Owner as
Shares-in-Trust and subsequent designation of a Permitted Transferee or the
Trustee's acceptance of an offer to purchase such shares) to receive from the
Trustee following the sale or other disposition of such Shares-in-Trust the
lesser of (i) in the case of (a) a purported Transfer in which the Prohibited
Owner gave value for Equity Shares and which Transfer resulted in the transfer
of the shares to the Trust, the price per share, if any, such Prohibited Owner
paid for the Equity Shares, or (b) a Non-Transfer Event or Transfer in which the
Prohibited Owner did not give value for such shares (e.g., if the shares were
received through a gift or devise) and which Non-Transfer Event or Transfer, as
the case may be, resulted in the transfer of shares to the Trust, the price per
share equal to the Market Price on the date of such Non-Transfer Event or
Transfer, and (ii) the price per share received by the Trustee from the sale or
other disposition of such Shares-in Trust. Any amounts received by the Trustee
in respect of such Shares-in-Trust and in excess of such amounts to be paid to
the Prohibited Owner shall be distributed to the Beneficiary. Each Beneficiary
and Prohibited Owner waive any and all claims that they may have against the
Trustee and the Trust arising out of the disposition of Shares-in-Trust, except
for claims arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of, or any
failure to make payments in accordance with this Section 8.6, by such Trustee or
the Trust.
(g) Purchase Right in Shares-in-Trust. Shares-in-Trust shall be considered
to have been offered for sale to the Trust, or its designee, on the date of the
event that created such Shares-in-Trust status at a price per share equal to the
lesser of (i) the price per share in the event that created such Shares-in-
Trust status (or, in the case of a devise, gift or Non-Transfer Event, the
Market Price at the time of such devise, gift or Non-Transfer Event) and (ii)
the Market Price on the date the Trust, or its designee, accepts such offer. The
Trust shall have the right to accept such offer for a period of ninety days
after the later of (i) the date of the event which created such Shares-in-Trust
status and (ii) the date the Trust determines in good faith that an event
occurred that created such Shares-in-Trust status, if the Trust does not receive
a notice of such event.
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8.7 Remedies Not Limited.
Nothing contained in this Section 8.7 shall limit the authority of the
Trust to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect
the Trust and the interests of its shareholders by preservation of the Trust's
status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limit.
8.8 Ambiguity.
In the case of any ambiguity in the application of any provision of
Sections 8.5 to 8.7, including any definition contained herein, the Board of
Trustees shall have the power to determine the application of that provision.
8.9 Legend.
Each certificate for Equity Shares shall bear the following legend:
"The [Common Shares or Preferred Shares] represented by this
certificate are subject to restrictions on transfer for the purpose of the
Trust's maintenance of its status as a real estate investment trust under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). No Person may
(i) Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Common Shares in excess of 4.9%
of the number of outstanding Common Shares, (ii) Beneficially Own or
Constructively Own shares of any class or series of Preferred Shares in
excess of 9% of the number of outstanding shares of that class or series of
Preferred Shares, (iii) beneficially own Equity Shares that would result in
the Equity Shares being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons
(determined without reference to any rules of attribution), (iv)
Beneficially Own Equity Shares that would result in the Trust being
"closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code, or (v) Constructively Own
Equity Shares that would cause the Trust to Constructively Own 10% or more
of the ownership interests in a tenant of the Trust's or of a Subsidiary's
real property, within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code. Each
holder of Equity Shares is required to furnish the Trust such information
as the Trust may request pursuant to Section 6 of the Trust's Second
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust. Any Person who attempts to
Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Equity Shares in excess of the above
limitations must immediately notify the Trust in writing. If those
restrictions are violated, the Equity Shares represented hereby in excess
of those limitations will be transferred automatically by operation of the
Trust's Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust to a Trust and
will be designated Shares-in-Trust. All capitalized terms in this legend
have the meanings defined in the Trust's Second Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust, as they may be amended from time to time, a copy of
which, including the restrictions on transfer, will be sent without charge
to each shareholder who so requests."
8.10 Severability.
Each provision of Sections 8.5 to 8.9 shall be several, and an adverse
determination as to any such provision shall in no way affect the validity of
any other provision.
ARTICLE IX
SHAREHOLDERS
9.1 Meetings of Shareholders.
(a) Annual meetings of the Shareholders shall be held at such place within
or without the State of Ohio on such day and at such time as the Trustee shall
designate. The business transacted at such meeting shall include the election of
Trustees and may include the transaction of such other business as Shareholders
may be entitled to vote upon as hereinafter provided in this Article IX, or as
the Trustees may determine. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of
a majority of outstanding Shares representing a majority of the voting power of
all outstanding Shares entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum at any
annual or special meeting.
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(b) Special meetings of the Shareholders may be called at any time by a
majority of the Trustees and shall be called by any Trustee upon written request
of Shareholders holding outstanding Shares representing in the aggregate not
less than 20% of the voting power of all outstanding Shares entitled to vote
thereat, such request specifying the purpose or purposes for which such meeting
is to be called. Any such meeting shall be held at such place within or without
the State of Ohio on such day and at such time as the Trustees shall designate.
9.2 Notice of Meetings. Notice of all meetings of the Shareholders,
stating the time, place and purposes of the meeting, shall be given by the
Trustees by mail to each Shareholder entitled to vote thereat at his registered
address, mailed at least 10 days and not more than 60 days before the meeting.
Only the business stated in the notice of the meeting shall be considered at
such meeting. Any adjourned meeting may be held adjourned without further
notice.
9.3 Voting Rights of Shareholders. Except as otherwise provided in a
resolution adopted pursuant to Section 6.2, the Shareholders shall be entitled
to vote only upon the following matters: (a) election of Trustees as provided in
Sections 10.2 or Section 10.4 hereof; (b) termination of the agreement with the
Adviser as provided in Section 3.2 hereof; (c) amendment of this Declaration of
Trust or termination of this Trust as provided in Section 12.1 hereof. Except in
respect of the foregoing matters specified in this Section 9.3, no action taken
by the Shareholders at any meeting shall in any way bind the Trustees. Prior to
the first issuance of additional Shares in accordance with the procedure set
forth in Section 6.2, each Share shall be entitled to one vote. Upon the
reclassification of Shares pursuant to Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b), each
Share issued pursuant to Section 6.1 (and thereafter reclassified and designated
as a Class A Common Share or Common Share, as the case may be), shall be
entitled to one vote, and each additional Share issued pursuant to Section 6.2
will be entitled to such voting rights as shall have been specified by the
resolutions authorizing the class or series of such additional Share pursuant to
Section 6.2.
9.4 Record Date for Meetings. For the purpose of determining the
Shareholders who are entitled to vote or act at any meeting or any adjournment
thereof, or who are entitled to participate in any dividend or distribution, or
for the purpose of any other action, the Trustees may from time to time close
the transfer books for such period, not exceeding 30 days, as the Trustees may
determine; or without closing the transfer books the Trustee may fix a date not
more than 60 days prior to the date of any meeting of Shareholders or dividend
payment or other action as a record date for the determination of Shareholders
entitled to vote at such meeting or any adjournment thereof or to receive such
dividend or to be treated as Shareholders of record for purposes of such other
action, and any Shareholder who was a Shareholder at the time so fixed shall be
entitled to vote at such meeting or any adjournment thereof or to receive such
dividend, even though he has since that date disposed of his Shares, and no
Shareholder becoming such after that date shall be so entitled to vote at such
meeting or any adjournment thereof or to receive such dividend or to be treated
as Shareholders of record for purposes of such other action.
9.5 Proxies, etc. At any meeting of Shareholders, any holder of Shares
entitled to vote thereat may vote by proxy, provided that no proxy shall be
voted at any meeting unless it shall have been placed on file with the
Secretary, or with such other officer or agent of the Trust as the Secretary may
direct, for verification prior to the time at which such vote shall be taken.
Pursuant to a resolution of a majority of the Trustees, proxies may be solicited
in the name of one or more Trustees or one or more of the officers of the Trust.
Neither fractional Shares nor scrip fractional Shares shall be entitled to any
vote. When any Share entitled to vote is held jointly by several persons, any
one of them may vote at any meeting in person or by proxy in respect of such
Share, but if more than one of them shall be present at such meeting in person
or by proxy, and such joint owners or their proxies so present disagree as to
any vote to be cast, such vote shall not be received in respect of such Share. A
proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed
valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise, and the burden of proving
invalidity shall rest on the challenger. If the holder of any such Share is a
minor or a person of unsound mind, and subject to guardianship or to the legal
control of any
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other person as regards the charge or management of such Share, he may vote by
his guardian or such other person appointed or having such control, and such
vote may be given in person or by proxy.
9.6 Reports. The Trustees shall cause to be prepared at least annually a
report on operations containing a balance sheet and statement of income and
undistributed income of the Trust prepared in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles and an opinion of an independent certified public
accountant or independent public accountant on the financial statements based on
an examination of the books and records of the Trust, and made in accordance
with generally accepted auditing standards. A signed copy of such report and
opinion shall be filed with the Trustees within 90 days after the close of the
period covered thereby, and with any state securities or "Blue Sky"
administrator or other similar authority who requests that such report be filed.
Copies of such reports shall be mailed to all Shareholders of record within 120
days of the period covered by the report, and in any event within a reasonable
period preceding the annual meeting of Shareholders. The Trustees shall, in
addition, furnish to the Shareholders, promptly after the end of each of the
first three quarterly periods of every fiscal year, an interim report containing
an unaudited balance sheet of the Trust as at the end of such quarterly period
and a statement of income and surplus for the period from the beginning of the
current fiscal year to the end of such quarterly period. The Trustees shall also
file with any state securities or "Blue Sky" administrator or other similar
authority who requests it, a copy of said interim report.
9.7 Inspection of Records. The records of the Trust shall be open to
inspection by Shareholders to the same extent as is permitted shareholders of an
Ohio business corporation. Any federal or state securities or "Blue Sky"
administrator or other similar authority shall have the right, at reasonable
times during business hours and for purposes, to inspect the books of account of
the Trust and the records of the meetings of the Shareholders and Trustees.
9.8 Shareholder Action by Written Consent. Any action taken by
Shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a majority of Shareholders
holding outstanding Shares representing a majority of the voting power of all
outstanding Shares entitled to vote on the matter (or such larger proportion
thereof as shall be required by any express provision of this Declaration of
Trust) consent to the action in writing and the written consents are filed with
the records of the meetings of Shareholders. Such consent shall be treated for
all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Shareholders.
ARTICLE X
TRUSTEES
10.1 Number and Qualification. The number of Trustees shall be fixed from
time to time by written instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees then in
office; provided, however, that the number of Trustees shall in no event be less
than five. Any vacancy created by an increase in Trustees may be filled by the
appointment of an individual having the qualifications described in this Section
10.1 made by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees then in
office. Any such appointment shall not become effective, however, until the
individual 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 this
Declaration of Trust. No reduction in the number of Trustees shall have the
effect of removing any Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his term.
Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is
filled as provided in Section 10.4 hereof, the Trustees or Trustee continuing 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 this
Declaration of Trust. A Trustee shall be an individual at least 21 years of age
who is not under legal disability. The Trustees, in their capacity as Trustees,
shall not be required to devote their entire time to the business and affairs of
the Trust.
10.2 Terms and Election. Each Trustee named herein, or elected or
appointed as provided in Section 10.1 or 10.4 hereof prior to the first annual
meeting of Shareholders, shall (except in the event of resignations or removals
or vacancies pursuant to Section 10.3 or 10.4 hereof) hold office until his
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successor has been elected at such meeting and has qualified to serve as
Trustee. The Trustees shall be divided into three classes, to be denominated the
"Class A Trustees", the "Class B Trustees" and the "Class C Trustees", with the
number of Trustees of each such class being as equal as possible, and with each
Trustee to be nominated and elected for a term ending on the date of the third
annual meeting of shareholders following the annual meeting at which such
Trustee was elected; provided, however, that upon the ratification of this
Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust by the Shareholders of the
Trust, the Trustees shall by resolution designate the Trustees to serve
initially as Class A Trustees, Class B Trustees and Class C Trustees. The
initial Class A Trustees shall serve for a term expiring at the Annual Meeting
to be held in 1999, the initial Class B Trustees shall serve for a term expiring
at the Annual Meeting to be held in 2000, and the initial Class C Trustees shall
serve for a term expiring at the Annual Meeting to be held in 2001. Trustees may
succeed themselves in office. Except as otherwise provided in a resolution
adopted pursuant to Section 6.2, election of Trustees at an annual meeting shall
be by the affirmative vote of the holders of outstanding Shares representing at
least a majority of the voting power of all outstanding Shares entitled to vote
present in person or by proxy at such meeting. The election of any Trustee
(other than an individual who was serving as a Trustee immediately prior to such
election) pursuant to this Section 10.2 shall not become effective unless and
until such person shall have in writing accepted his election and agreed to be
bound by the terms of this Declaration of Trust. Such Trustee may but need not
own Shares.
10.3 Resignation and Removal. Any Trustee may resign his trust (without
need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by
him and delivered or mailed to the Chairman, the President, if any, or the
Secretary (referred to in Section 10.6 hereof) and such resignation shall be
effective upon such delivery, or at a later date according to the terms of the
notice. Any of the Trustees may be removed (provided the aggregate number of
Trustees after such removal shall not be less than the number required by
Section 10.1 hereof) with cause, by the action of two-thirds of the remaining
Trustees. 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.
10.4 Vacancies. The term of office of a Trustee shall terminate and a
vacancy shall occur in the event of the death, resignation, bankruptcy,
adjudicated incompetence or other incapacity to exercise the duties of the
office, or removal of a Trustee. No such vacancy shall operate to annul this
Declaration of Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the
terms of this Declaration of Trust, and title to any Trust Property held in the
name of any Trustee alone, jointly with one or more of the other Trustees or
otherwise, shall, in the event of the death, resignation, removal, bankruptcy,
adjudicated incompetence or other incapacity to exercise the duties of the
office of such Trustee, vest in the continuing or surviving Trustees without
necessity of any further act or conveyance. In the case of an existing vacancy
(other than by reason of increase in the number of Trustees) the holders of at
least a majority of the Shares entitled to vote, acting at any meeting of
Shareholders called for the purpose, or a majority of the Trustees continuing in
office acting by written instrument or instruments, may fill such vacancy, and
any Trustee so elected by the Trustees shall hold office until the next annual
meeting of Shareholders. Upon the effectiveness of any such appointment as
provided in this Section, the Trust Property shall vest in such new Trustee
jointly with the continuing or surviving Trustees without the necessity of any
further act or conveyance; provided, however, that no such election or
appointment as provided in this Section 10.4 shall become effective unless or
until the new Trustee shall have accepted in writing his appointment and agreed
to be bound by the terms of this Declaration of Trust. Until any vacancies are
filled, the remaining Trustee or Trustees (even though less than five) may
exercise the powers of the Trustees hereunder.
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10.5 Meetings. Meetings of the Trustees shall be held from time to time
upon the call of the Chairman, the President, if any, the Secretary, or any two
Trustees. Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held without call or notice at
a time and place fixed by the By-Laws or by resolution of the Trustees. Notice
of any other meeting shall be mailed or otherwise given not less than 24 hours
before the meeting but may be waived in writing by any Trustee either before or
after such meeting. The attendance of a Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a
waiver of notice of such meeting except where a Trustee attends a meeting for
the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the
ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. The Trustees
may act with or without a meeting. A quorum for all meetings of the Trustees
shall be a majority of the Trustees then in office. Subject to Section 2.17
hereof and unless specifically provided otherwise in this Declaration of Trust,
any action of the Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of
the Trustees. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other instrument or
writing executed by one or more of the Trustees or by any authorized Person
shall be valid and binding upon the Trustees and upon the Trust when authorized
or ratified by action of the Trustees as provided in this Declaration of Trust.
Any Investment Committee may act with or without a meeting. A quorum for
all meetings of any such Committee shall be a majority of members thereof in
office. Unless specifically provided otherwise in this Declaration of Trust, any
action of any Investment Committee may be taken at a meeting by vote of a
majority of the members present (a quorum being present) or without a meeting by
written consents of a majority of the members.
In respect of actions of the Trustees and any Investment Committee,
Trustees who are affiliated within the meaning of Section 2.17 hereof or
otherwise interested in any action to be taken may be counted for quorum
purposes under this Section 10.5 and shall be entitled to vote.
All or any one or more Trustees may participate in a meeting of the
Trustees or any committee there of by means of conference telephone or similar
communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the
meeting can hear each other and participation in a meeting pursuant to such
communications shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. The minutes
of any meeting of Trustees held by telephone shall be prepared in the same
manner as a meeting of Trustees held in person.
10.6 Officers. The Trustees shall annually elect a Chairman who shall be
the principal officer of the Trust. The Trustees may elect or appoint, from
among their number or otherwise, or may authorize the Chairman to appoint, one
or more Vice-Chairmen, a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer,
Secretary, Comptroller, one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant
Treasurers and such other officers or agents, who shall have such powers, duties
and responsibilities as the Trustees may deem to be advisable. Two or more
offices may be held by the same person.
10.7 By-Laws. The Trustees may adopt, and from time to time amend or
repeal, By-Laws for the conduct of the business of the Trust, and in such
By-Laws may define the duties of their officers, agents, employees and
representatives.
ARTICLE XI
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
11.1 General. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.2, (i) the Trustees
may from time to time declare and pay to the Shareholders, in proportion to
their respective ownership of Shares, out of the earnings, profits or surplus
(including paid-in capital), capital or assets in the hands of the Trustees,
such dividends or other distributions as they see fit; and (ii) the declaration
and payment of such dividends or other distributions and the determination of
earnings, profits, surplus (including paid-in capital) and capital available for
dividends and other purposes shall lie wholly in the discretion of the Trustees
and no Shareholder shall be entitled to receive or be paid any dividends or to
receive any distribution except as determined by the Trustees in the exercise of
said discretion of the Trustees and
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no Shareholder shall be entitled to receive or be paid any dividends or to
receive any distribution except as determined by the Trustees in the exercise of
said discretion. The Trustees shall endeavor from time to time to declare and
pay such dividends and distributions as shall be necessary for the Trust to
qualify as a real estate investment trust under the REIT Provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code. The Trustees may, in addition, from time to time in their
discretion, declare and pay as dividends or other distributions such additional
amounts, whether or not out of earnings, profits and surplus available therefor,
sufficient to enable the Trust to avoid or reduce its liability for Federal
income taxes, inasmuch as the computations of net income and gains for Federal
income tax purposes may vary from the computations thereof on the books of the
Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.2, any or all such dividends or
other distributions may be made, in whole or in part, in cash, property, or
other assets of the Trust, or in senior or subordinated, secured or unsecured,
evidences of indebtedness of the Trust, as the Trustees may in their sole
discretion from time to time determine. The Trustees may also distribute to the
Shareholders, in proportion to their respective ownership of Shares, additional
Shares in such manner and on such terms as they may deem proper.
11.2 Retained Earnings. The Trustees, except as provided in Section 11.1
hereof, may also distribute to the Shareholders, in proportion to their
respective ownership of Shares, additional Shares in such manner and on such
terms as they may deem proper.
11.3 Source of Distributions. Any distributions to Shareholders shall be
accompanied by a statement in writing advising the Shareholders of the source of
the funds so distributed so that distributions of ordinary income, return of
capital, and capital gains income will be clearly distinguished, or, if the
source of funds so distributed has not been determined, the communication shall
so state, in which event the statement of the source of funds shall be forwarded
to Shareholders promptly after the close of the fiscal year in which the
distribution was made.
ARTICLE XII
RECORDING OF DECLARATION OF TRUST
12.1 Amendment or Termination. The provisions of this Declaration of Trust
may be amended or altered (except as to the limitations of personal liability of
the Shareholders and Trustees and the prohibition of assessments upon
Shareholders), or the Trust may be terminated at any meeting of Shareholders
called for the purpose, by the affirmative vote of the holders of outstanding
Shares representing not less than two-thirds of the voting power of the Shares
then outstanding and entitled to vote, or by an instrument or instruments in
writing, without a meeting, signed by a majority of the Trustees and the holders
of outstanding Shares representing not less than two-thirds of the voting power
of such Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote; provided, however, that,
the Trustees may, from time to time by a two-thirds vote of the Trustees, amend
or alter the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, without the vote or assent
of the Shareholders, to the extent deemed by the Trustees in good faith to be
necessary to meet the requirements for qualification as a real estate investment
trust under the REIT Provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or any
interpretation thereof by a court or other governmental agency of competent
jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no amendment may be made
pursuant to this Section 12.1 which would change any rights in respect of any
outstanding Shares of the Trust 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 written consent of the holders of
outstanding Shares representing two-thirds of the voting power of the
outstanding Shares entitled to vote thereon, and (ii) except as otherwise
expressly provided in this Declaration, no amendment or action may be made
pursuant to this Section 12.1 which would change the powers, preferences or
rights expressly applicable to any class or series of Shares so as to affect
them adversely, except with the vote or written consent of holders of
outstanding Shares representing two-thirds of the voting power of the
outstanding Shares of such class or series. Upon the termination of the Trust
pursuant to this Section 12.1:
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(a) The Trust shall carry on no business except for the purpose of
winding up its affairs.
(b) The Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of the Trust and
all of the powers of the Trustees under this Declaration of Trust 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 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 of the Trust
Property shall require approval of the principal terms of the transactions
and the nature and amount of the consideration by affirmative vote of the
holders of outstanding Shares representing not less than a majority of the
voting power of all outstanding Shares entitled to vote.
(c) 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 each,
among the Shareholders [according to their respective rights] ratably in
accordance with the respective rights, restrictions and preferences of
their Shares.
Upon 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 right, title and interest of all
Shareholders shall cease and be cancelled and discharged.
12.2 Power to Effect Reorganization. The Trustees, after receiving an
affirmative vote of the holders of outstanding Shares representing not less than
a majority of the voting power of Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote
at any meeting of Shareholders, the notice for which included a statement of
such proposed action, may select or direct the organization of a corporation,
association, trust or other organization with which the Trust may merge, or
which shall take over the Trust Property and carry on the affairs of the Trust.
The Trustees may effect such merger or may sell, convey and transfer the Trust
Property to any such corporation, association, trust or organization in exchange
for shares or securities thereof, or beneficial interests therein with the
assumption by such transferee of the liabilities of the Trust; and thereupon the
Trustees shall terminate the Trust and deliver such shares, securities or
beneficial interest ratably among the Shareholders of this Trust in redemption
of their Shares in accordance with respective rights, restrictions and
preferences of their Shares.
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 Governing Law. This Declaration of Trust is executed by the Trustees
and delivered in the State of Ohio and with reference to the laws thereof, and
the rights of all parties and the validity, construction and effect of every
provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the laws of said
State.
13.2 Counterparts. This Declaration of Trust may be simultaneously executed
in several counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an
original, and such counterparts, together, shall constitute but one and the same
instrument, which shall be sufficiently evidenced by any such original
counterpart.
13.3 Reliance by Third Parties. Any certificates executed by an individual
who, according to the records of the Trust, or of any recording office in which
this Declaration may be recorded, 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
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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 of Trust, (e) the form of any
By-law 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 or any of them and the successors
of such person.
13.4 Provisions in Conflict With Law or Regulations. (a) The provisions of
this Declaration of Trust are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine,
with the advice of counsel, that any one or more of such provisions (the
"Conflicting Provisions") are in conflict with the REIT Provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code or with other applicable federal or state laws and
regulations, the Conflicting Provisions shall be deemed never to have
constituted a part of this Declaration of Trust; provided, however, that such
determination by the Trustees shall not affect or impair any of the remaining
revisions of this Declaration of Trust or render invalid or improper any action
taken or omitted (including by not limited to the election of Trustees) prior to
such determination.
(b) If any provisions of this Declaration of Trust 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 or render invalid or unenforceable such provision in any other
jurisdiction or any other provision of this Declaration of Trust in any
jurisdiction.
13.5 Section Headings. The section headings and Table of Contents have been
inserted for convenience and are not a part of this Declaration of Trust.
ARTICLE XIV
DURATION OF TRUST
14.1 Duration. Subject to possible termination in accordance with the
provisions of Article XIII hereof, the Trust created hereby shall continue
perpetually, except that if under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the
Trust hereafter acquires any property, such perpetual duration is not permitted,
the Trust shall terminate on the expiration of 20 years after the death of the
last survivor of the initial Trustees named herein and the following named
persons (provided, however, that as to Trust Property located in any
jurisdiction in which such duration is not permitted, the Trust created hereby
shall terminate on the latest date permitted by the law of such jurisdiction,
using the initial Trustees and the following named persons as measuring lives if
so permitted):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Michael G. Berick Randolph D. Lerner
14518 Shaker Boulevard 18020 South Woodland
Shaker Heights, Ohio Shaker Heights, Ohio
Born: January 1, 1960 Born: February 21, 1962
Daniel G. Berick Marc B. Insul
14518 Shaker Boulevard 21810 Halburton
Shaker Heights, Ohio Beachwood, Ohio
Born: June 25, 1962 Born: July 4, 1968
Robert G. Berick Linda S. Pearlman
14518 Shaker Boulevard 22659 Fairmont Boulevard
Shaker Heights, Ohio Shaker Heights, Ohio
Born: September 19, 1966 Born: August 9, 1966
Joshua J. G. Berick Caren E. Pearlman
14518 Shaker Boulevard 22659 Fairmont Boulevard
Shaker Heights, Ohio Shaker Heights, Ohio
Born: November 20, 1969 Born: April 18, 1969
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 47
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Nancy F. Lerner Maria T. Gillombardo
18020 South Woodland 3906 Tyndall Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio University Heights, Ohio
Born: May 11, 1960 Born: April 27, 1969
Gina M. Gillombardo Benjamin D. Zelman
3906 Tyndall Road 2710 Fairmont Boulevard
University Heights, Ohio Cleveland, Ohio
Born: October 19, 1970 Born: March 9, 1964
</TABLE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed these presents on the day
and year first above written.
Signed and acknowledged
in the presence of:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
- ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ James F. Wirth
- ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ Marc E. Berg
- ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ Steve Robson
- ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ Gregory D. Bruhn
- ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ Lee J. Flory
- ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------ Edward G. Hill
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 48
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
REALTY REFUND TRUST P R O X Y
------------------------------------ THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF
THE TRUSTEES
</TABLE>
The undersigned hereby appoints JAMES F. WIRTH AND GREGORY D.
BRUHN as proxies, each with the full power to appoint his
substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote,
as designated below, all the shares of beneficial interest of
Realty ReFund Trust held of record by the undersigned on April
23, 1998, at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on
June 9, 1998, or at any adjournments thereof.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1. Election of Trustees.
FOR all nominees listed below [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY [ ]
(except as marked to the contrary below) to vote for all nominees listed below
</TABLE>
James F. Wirth, Gregory D. Bruhn, Marc E. Berg, Lee J. Flory,
Edward G. Hill and Steve Robson
(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual
nominee, write that nominee's name on the space
provided below.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2. Adoption and approval of the Second Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust of Realty ReFund Trust FOR [
] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon
such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
(Continued, and to be signed, on the other side)
PLEASE
SIGN AND
RETURN
THIS
PROXY
WHETHER
OR NOT
YOU EXPECT
TO ATTEND
THE
MEETING
YOU MAY
NEVERTHELESS
VOTE IN
PERSON IF
YOU ATTEND
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER
DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION
IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ITEMS 1 AND 2.
Please sign exactly as name appears below. When shares are held
by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give
full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full
corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If
a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized
person.
Dated: , 1998
Signature
Signature if held jointly
Please Sign and Return the
Proxy Card Promptly
Proxy Card
