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As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 27, 2010
1933 Act File No. 333-165353
1940 Act File No. 811-22393
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
x
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
o
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1
x
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
x
Amendment No. 7
x
Blackstone / GSO Senior Floating
Rate Term Fund
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
280 Park Avenue
11th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(Address of
Principal Executive Offices)
(212) 503-2100
(Registrants
Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Marisa Beeney
GSO Capital Partners LP
280 Park Avenue
11th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Sarah
E. Cogan
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
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Joseph
A. Hall, Esq.
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
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425
Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
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450
Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
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Approximate
Date of Proposed Public Offering
:
As soon as practicable
after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the
securities being registered on this form are offered on a delayed or continuous
basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than
securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the
following box.
o
It is proposed
that this filing will become effective when declared effective (check
appropriate box):
o
when declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c).
If appropriate, check the
following box:
o
This post-effective amendment designates
a new effective date for a previously filed registration statement.
x
This form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant
to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933 of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering (Reg. No. 333-165353).
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Title
of Securities Being Registered
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Amount
Being
Registered
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Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
per Unit
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Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
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Amount
of
Registration
Fee (1)
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|
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Common
Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.001 par value
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|
16,100,000 Shares
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|
$
|
20.00
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|
$
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322,000,000
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|
$
|
22,958.60
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|
|
|
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(1)
All fees have been previously paid.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Rule 462(d) Filing
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-165353) of Blackstone / GSO Senior Floating Rate Term, a Delaware statutory trust (the Registrant), being filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The contents of the Registration Statement on Form N-2 (Reg. No. 333-165353) filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission and declared effective on May 25, 2010 are incorporated herein by reference. The sole purpose of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 is to add a new exhibit a(3), the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated May 25, 2010, and accordingly, this amendment shall become effective immediately upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits
The Registrant has not conducted any business as of the date of this filing, other than in connection with its organization. Financial
statements indicating that the Registrant has met the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were filed in Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333- 165353) and are incorporated by reference herein.
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Exhibits
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(a)(1)
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Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated March 4, 2010(2)
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(a)(2)
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Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated April 26, 2010(4)
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(a)(3)
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Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated May 25, 2010(1)
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(b)
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By-Laws(4)
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(c)
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Not Applicable
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(d)
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Articles V and VIII of Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust are incorporated herein by reference
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(e)
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Form of Dividend Reinvestment Plan(6)
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(f)
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Not Applicable
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(g)
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Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and the Adviser(6)
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(h)(1)
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Form of Underwriting Agreement(6)
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(h)(2)
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Form of Master Agreement Among Underwriters(3)
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(h)(3)
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Form of Master Selected Dealers Agreement(3)
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(h)(4)
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Form of Marketing and Structuring Fee Agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated(3)
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(h)(5)
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Form of Structuring Fee Agreement with Citigroup Global Markets Inc.(3)
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(h)(6)
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Form of Structuring Fee Agreement with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC(3)
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(h)(7)
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Form of Structuring Fee Agreement with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated(3)
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(h)(8)
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Form of Structuring Fee Agreement with UBS Securities LLC(3)
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(i)
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Not Applicable
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(j)
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Form of Custody Agreement(3)
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(k)(1)
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Form of Services Agreement for Transfer Agent Services(3)
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(k)(2)
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Form of Marketing, Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement(6)
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(k)(3)
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Form of Distribution Assistance Agreement(6)
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(l)
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Opinion and Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.(7)
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(m)
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Not Applicable
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C-1
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Exhibits
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(n)(1)
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Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm(1)
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(n)(2)
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Consent of Proposed TrusteeEdward H. D'Alelio(3)
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(n)(3)
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Consent of Proposed TrusteeMichael Holland(3)
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(n)(4)
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Consent of Proposed TrusteeThomas W. Jasper(3)
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(n)(5)
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Consent of Proposed TrusteeJohn R. O'Neill(3)
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(o)
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Not Applicable
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(p)
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Subscription Agreement(3)
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(q)
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Not Applicable
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(r)(1)
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Code of Ethics of the Fund(6)
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(r)(2)
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Code of Ethics of the Adviser(6)
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(1)
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Filed
herewith.
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(2)
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Filed
on March 8, 2010 with Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-165353 and 811-22393) and incorporated by
reference herein.
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(3)
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Filed
on April 26, 2010 with Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-165353 and 811-22393) and are incorporated by reference herein.
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(4)
-
Filed
on April 27, 2010 with Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-165353 and 811-22393) and are incorporated by reference herein.
-
(5)
-
Filed
on April 30, 2010 with Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-165353 and 811-22393) and are incorporated by reference herein.
-
(6)
-
Filed
on May 21, 2010 with Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2
(File Nos. 333-165353 and 811-22393) and are incorporated by reference herein.
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(7)
-
Filed
on May 25, 2010 with Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2
(File Nos. 333-165353 and 811-22393) and are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 26. Marketing Arrangements
See the Form of Underwriting Agreement, the Form of Master Agreement Among Underwriters, the Form of Master Selected Dealers Agreement,
the Form of Market and Structuring Fee Agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, the Form of Structuring Fee Agreement with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., the Form of
Structuring Fee Agreement with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, the Form of Structuring Fee Agreement with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and the Form of Structuring Fee
Agreement with UBS Securities LLC, filed as Exhibit (h)(1), Exhibit (h)(2), Exhibit (h)(3), Exhibit (h)(4), Exhibit (h)(5), Exhibit (h)(6),
Exhibit (h)(7) and Exhibit (h)(8), respectively, to the Registration Statement previously filed on Form N-2 (File No. 333-165353).
C-2
Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table shows the fees and expenses, other than underwriting discount, to be paid by us in connection with the sale and
distribution of the securities being registered hereby (including the expenses for the common shares of beneficial interest registered in the previously filed Registration Statement (File
No. 333-165353)).
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Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee
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$
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22,959
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New York Stock Exchange listing fees
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30,000
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Financial Industry Regulatory Authority fees
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32,700
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Printing and engraving expenses
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75,000
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Accounting fees and expenses
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7,000
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Legal fees and expenses
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500,000
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Blue Sky filing fees and expenses
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0
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Trustees' fee
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0
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Transfer agent's fee
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5,000
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Miscellaneous
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8,146
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Total
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$
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680,805
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Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control
None.
Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities
The following table shows the number of holders of securities of the Registrant as of April 20, 2010.
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Title of Class
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Number of
Record Holders
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Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.001 per share
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1
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Item 30. Indemnification
Article V of the Registrant's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, filed as Exhibit (a)(3) to this
Registration Statement, provides that:
SECTION 5.1
No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, etc.
No Shareholder of the Trust shall be
subject in such capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person in connection with Trust Property or the acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust. Shareholders shall have the same
limitation of personal liability as is extended to stockholders of a private corporation for profit incorporated under the Delaware General Corporation Law. No Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be
subject in such capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, save only liability to the Trust or its Shareholders arising from bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or
reckless disregard for his duty to such Person; and, subject to the foregoing exception, all such Persons shall look solely to the Trust Property for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in
connection with the affairs of the Trust. If any Shareholder, Trustee or officer, as such, of the Trust, is made a party to any suit or proceeding to enforce any such liability, subject to the
foregoing exception, he shall not, on account thereof, be held to any personal liability. Any repeal or modification of this Section 5.1 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a
Trustee or officer of the Trust existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.
C-3
SECTION 5.2
Mandatory Indemnification.
(a) The Trust hereby agrees to indemnify each person who at
any time serves as a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust (each such person being an "indemnitee") against any liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in
compromise or as fines and penalties, and reasonable counsel fees reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether
civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or investigative body in which he may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which he may be or may have been threatened,
while acting in any capacity set forth in this Article V by reason of his having acted in any such capacity, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall not have acted in good faith
in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust or, in the case of any criminal proceeding, as to which he shall have had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct
was unlawful, provided, however, that no indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder against any liability to any person or any expense of such indemnitee arising by reason of (i) willful
misconduct, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence, or (iv) reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his position (the conduct referred to in such
clauses (i) through (iv) being sometimes referred to herein as "
disabling conduct
"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any
action, suit or other proceeding voluntarily prosecuted by any indemnitee as plaintiff, indemnification shall be mandatory only if the prosecution of such action, suit or other proceeding by such
indemnitee (1) was authorized by a majority of the Trustees or (2) was instituted by the indemnitee to enforce his or her rights to indemnification hereunder in a case in which the
indemnitee is found to be entitled to such indemnification. The rights to indemnification set forth in this Declaration shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Trustee or officer of the
Trust and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. No amendment or restatement of this Declaration or repeal of any of its provisions shall
limit or eliminate any of the benefits provided to any person who at any time is or was a Trustee or officer of the Trust or otherwise entitled to indemnification hereunder in respect of any act or
omission that occurred prior to such amendment, restatement or repeal.
(b) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no indemnification shall be made hereunder unless there has been a determination (i) by a final decision on the merits by a court
or other body of competent jurisdiction before whom the issue of entitlement to indemnification hereunder was brought that such indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder or, (ii) in
the absence of such a decision, by (1) a majority vote of a quorum of those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) nor
parties to the proceeding ("
Disinterested Non-Party Trustees
"), that the indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, or
(2) if such quorum is not obtainable or even if obtainable, if such majority so directs, independent legal counsel in a written opinion concludes that the indemnitee should be entitled to
indemnification hereunder. All determinations to make advance payments in connection with the expense of defending any proceeding shall be authorized and made in accordance with the immediately
succeeding paragraph (c) below.
(c) The
Trust shall make advance payments in connection with the expenses of defending any action with respect to which indemnification might be sought hereunder if the
Trust receives a written affirmation by the indemnitee of the indemnitee's good faith belief that the standards of conduct necessary for indemnification have been met and a written undertaking to
reimburse the Trust unless it is subsequently determined that the indemnitee is entitled to such indemnification and if a majority of the Trustees determine that the applicable standards of conduct
necessary for indemnification appear to have been met. In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met: (i) the indemnitee shall provide adequate security for his undertaking,
(ii) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (iii) a majority of a quorum of the Disinterested Non-Party Trustees, or if a
majority vote of such quorum so direct, independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall conclude, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type
inquiry), that there is substantial reason to believe that the indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
C-4
(d) The
rights accruing to any indemnitee under these provisions shall not exclude any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under this Declaration, the
By-Laws of the Trust, any statute, agreement, vote of Shareholders or Trustees who are not Interested Persons or any other right to which he or she may be lawfully entitled.
(e) Subject
to any limitations provided by the 1940 Act and this Declaration, the Trust shall have the power and authority to indemnify and provide for the advance payment
of expenses to employees, agents and other Persons providing services to the Trust or serving in any capacity at the request of the Trust or provide for the advance payment of expenses for such
Persons, provided that such indemnification has been approved by a majority of the Trustees.
SECTION 5.3
No Bond Required of Trustees.
No Trustee shall, as such, be obligated to give any bond or
other security for the performance of any of his duties hereunder.
SECTION 5.4
No Duty of Investigation; No Notice in Trust Instruments, etc.
No purchaser, lender, transfer
agent or other person dealing with the Trustees or with any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be made
by the Trustees or by said officer, employee or agent or be liable for the application of money or property paid, loaned, or delivered to or on the order of the Trustees or of said officer, employee
or agent. Every obligation, contract, undertaking, instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust, and every other act or thing whatsoever executed in connection with the Trust shall be
conclusively taken to have been executed or done by the executors thereof only in their capacity as Trustees under this Declaration or in their capacity as officers, employees or agents of the Trust.
The Trustees may maintain insurance for the protection of the Trust Property, the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents in such amount as the Trustees shall deem adequate to cover
possible tort
liability, and such other insurance as the Trustees in their sole judgment shall deem advisable or is required by the 1940 Act.
SECTION 5.5
Reliance on Experts, etc.
Each Trustee and officer or employee of the Trust shall, in the
performance of its 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 the Trust's officers or employees or by any advisor, administrator, manager, distributor, selected dealer,
accountant, appraiser or other expert or consultant selected with reasonable care by the Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust, regardless of whether such counsel or expert may also be a
Trustee.
Section 8
of the Form of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit (h)(1) to this Registration Statement provides for each of the parties thereto, including the Registrant
and the underwriters, to indemnify the others, their directors, officers, agents, affiliates and persons who control them against certain liabilities in connection with the offering described herein,
including liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Insofar
as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
C-5
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Adviser
The descriptions of the Adviser under the caption "Management of the Fund" in the prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of
this registration statement are incorporated by reference herein. Information as to the directors and officers of the Adviser together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation
or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of the Adviser in the last two years, is included in its
application for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File No. 801-68243) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated herein by reference. The
Adviser's principal business address is 280 Park Avenue, 11
th
floor, New York, NY 10017.
Item 32. Locations of Accounts and Records
The accounts and records of the Registrant are maintained at the office of the Registrant at ALPS Fund Services, Inc.,
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado, 80203.
Item 33. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 34. Undertakings
(1) Registrant
undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended, if subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement, its net
asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement or its net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds
as stated in the prospectus.
(2) Not
applicable.
(3) Not
applicable.
(4) Not
applicable.
(5) Registrant
undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
the Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant Rule 497(h) shall be deemed to be a part of the
Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
Registrant
undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus will be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(6) Registrant
undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery within two business days of receipt of a written or oral
request, any Statement of Additional Information.
C-6
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York on the
27
th
day of May 2010.
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BLACKSTONE / GSO SENIOR
FLOATING RATE TERM FUND
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By:
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/s/ Daniel H. Smith, Jr.
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Name:
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Daniel H. Smith, Jr.
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Title:
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Trustee, Chief Executive Officer and President
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Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following person in the capacity and on the date indicated.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ Daniel H. Smith, Jr.
Daniel H. Smith, Jr.
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Trustee, Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer)
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May 27, 2010
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/s/ Eric Rosenberg
Eric Rosenberg
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Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
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May 27, 2010
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/s/ Edward H. D'Alelio
Edward H. D'Alelio
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Trustee
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May 27, 2010
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/s/ Michael Holland
Michael Holland
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Trustee
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May 27, 2010
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/s/ Thomas W. Jasper
Thomas W. Jasper
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Trustee
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May 27, 2010
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/s/ John R. O'Neill
John R. O'Neill
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Trustee
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May 27, 2010
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Schedule of Exhibits to Form N-2
Exhibit No.
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Exhibit
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(a)(3)
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Amended and
Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated May 25, 2010
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(n)(1)
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Consent of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
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QuickLinks
PART C OTHER INFORMATION
SIGNATURES
Exhibit
99(a)(3)
BLACKSTONE
/ GSO SENIOR FLOATING RATE TERM FUND
AMENDED
AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT
AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
Dated as of May 25,
2010
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE
I
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The
Trust
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Section 1.1
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Name
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1
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Section 1.2
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Trust Purpose
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1
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Section 1.3
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Definitions
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2
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ARTICLE
II
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Trustees
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Section 2.1
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Number and Qualification
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3
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Section 2.2
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Term and Election
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3
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Section 2.3
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Resignation and Removal
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4
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Section 2.4
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Vacancies
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5
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Section 2.5
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Meetings
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5
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Section 2.6
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Trustee Action by Written Consent
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6
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Section 2.7
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Officers
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6
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Section 2.8
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Principal Transactions
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6
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ARTICLE
III
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Powers
and Duties of Trustees
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Section 3.1
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General
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6
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Section 3.2
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Investments
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6
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Section 3.3
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Legal Title
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7
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Section 3.4
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Issuance and Repurchase of Shares
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7
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Section 3.5
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Borrow Money or Utilize Leverage
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7
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Section 3.6
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Delegation; Committees
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7
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Section 3.7
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Collection and Payment
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8
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Section 3.8
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Expenses
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8
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Section 3.9
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By-Laws
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8
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Section 3.10
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Miscellaneous Powers
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8
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Section 3.11
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Further Powers
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8
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ARTICLE
IV
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Advisory,
Management and Distribution Arrangements
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Section 4.1
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Advisory and Management Arrangements
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9
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Section 4.2
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Distribution Arrangements
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9
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Section 4.3
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Parties to Contract
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9
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i
ARTICLE V
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Limitations of Liability and
Indemnification
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Section 5.1
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No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, etc.
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10
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Section 5.2
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Mandatory Indemnification
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10
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Section 5.3
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No Bond Required of Trustees
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12
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Section 5.4
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No Duty of Investigation; No Notice in Trust Instruments,
etc.
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12
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Section 5.5
|
Reliance on Experts, etc.
|
12
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
VI
|
Shares
of Beneficial Interest
|
|
|
|
Section 6.1
|
Beneficial Interest
|
12
|
Section 6.2
|
Other Securities
|
12
|
Section 6.3
|
Rights of Shareholders
|
13
|
Section 6.4
|
Trust Only
|
13
|
Section 6.5
|
Issuance of Shares
|
13
|
Section 6.6
|
Register of Shares
|
13
|
Section 6.7
|
Transfer Agent and Registrar
|
14
|
Section 6.8
|
Transfer of Shares
|
14
|
Section 6.9
|
Notices
|
14
|
Section 6.10
|
Derivative Actions
|
14
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
VII
|
Custodians
|
|
|
|
Section 7.1
|
Appointment and Duties
|
15
|
Section 7.2
|
Central Certificate System
|
16
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
VIII
|
Redemption
|
|
|
|
Section 8.1
|
Redemptions
|
16
|
Section 8.2
|
Disclosure of Holding
|
16
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
IX
|
Determination
of Net Asset Value
|
|
|
|
Section 9.1
|
Net Asset Value
|
16
|
Section 9.2
|
Distributions to Shareholders
|
16
|
Section 9.3
|
Power to Modify Foregoing Procedures
|
17
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
X
|
Shareholders
|
|
|
|
Section 10.1
|
Meetings of Shareholders
|
17
|
Section 10.2
|
Voting
|
17
|
ii
Section 10.3
|
Notice of Meeting and Record Date
|
18
|
Section 10.4
|
Quorum and Required Vote
|
18
|
Section 10.5
|
Proxies, etc.
|
19
|
Section 10.6
|
Reports
|
19
|
Section 10.7
|
Inspection of Records
|
19
|
Section 10.8
|
Shareholder Action by Written Consent
|
19
|
Section 10.9
|
Delivery by Electronic Transmission or Otherwise
|
19
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
XI
|
Limited
Term of Existence; Amendment; Mergers, Etc.
|
|
|
|
Section 11.1
|
Limited Term of Existence
|
20
|
Section 11.2
|
Change of Dissolution Date
|
20
|
Section 11.3
|
Amendment Procedure
|
20
|
Section 11.4
|
[Intentionally Omitted]
|
21
|
Section 11.5
|
Subsidiaries
|
21
|
Section 11.6
|
Conversion
|
22
|
Section 11.7
|
Certain Transactions
|
22
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
XII
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
|
Section 12.1
|
Filing
|
23
|
Section 12.2
|
Resident Agent
|
23
|
Section 12.3
|
Governing Law
|
23
|
Section 12.4
|
Counterparts
|
24
|
Section 12.5
|
Reliance by Third Parties
|
24
|
Section 12.6
|
Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulation
|
24
|
iii
BLACKSTONE / GSO SENIOR FLOATING
RATE TERM FUND
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT
AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST made as of the 25th day of May, 2010, by the
Trustees hereunder, and by the holders of shares of beneficial interest issued
hereunder as hereinafter provided.
WHEREAS, this Trust has been
formed to carry on business as set forth more particularly hereinafter;
WHEREAS, this Trust is
authorized to issue an unlimited number of its shares of beneficial interest
all in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth;
WHEREAS, this Declaration
amends and restates in its entirety that certain Amended and Restated Agreement
and Declaration of Trust dated as of May 25, 2010;
WHEREAS, the Trustees have
agreed to manage all property coming into their hands as Trustees of a Delaware
statutory trust in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto
intend that the Trust shall constitute a statutory trust under the Delaware
Statutory Trust Act and that this Declaration and the By-laws shall constitute
the governing instrument of such statutory trust.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees
hereby declare that they will hold all cash, securities, and other assets which
they may from time to time acquire in any manner as Trustees hereunder IN TRUST
to manage and dispose of the same upon the following terms and conditions for
the benefit of the holders from time to time of shares of beneficial interest
in this Trust as hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE
I
The
Trust
Section 1.1
Name
. This Trust shall be known as the Blackstone
/ GSO Senior Floating Rate Term Fund and the Trustees shall conduct the
business of the Trust under that name or any other name or names as they may
from time to time determine. Any name
change shall become effective upon the execution by a majority of the then
Trustees of an instrument setting forth the new name and the filing of a
certificate of amendment pursuant to Section 3810(b) of the Delaware
Statutory Trust Statute (as defined below).
Any such instrument shall not require the approval of the Shareholders,
but shall have the status of an amendment to this Declaration.
Section 1.2
Trust Purpose
. The purpose of the Trust is to conduct,
operate and carry on the business of a closed end management investment company
registered under the 1940 Act (as defined below). In furtherance of the foregoing, it shall be
the purpose of the Trust to do everything necessary, suitable, convenient or
proper for the conduct, promotion and attainment of any businesses and purposes
which at any time may be incidental or may appear conducive or
1
expedient for the
accomplishment of the business of a closed end management investment company
registered under the 1940 Act and which may be engaged in or carried on by a
trust organized under the Delaware Statutory Trust Statute, and in connection
therewith the Trust shall have the power and authority to engage in the
foregoing and may exercise all of the powers conferred by the laws of the State
of Delaware upon a Delaware statutory trust.
Section 1.3
Definitions
. As used in this Declaration, the following
terms shall have the following meanings:
The
1940 Act
refers
to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder and exemptions granted therefrom, as amended from time
to time.
The terms
Affiliated
Person
,
Assignment
,
Commission
,
Interested Person
and
Principal Underwriter
shall have the meanings given them in the
1940 Act.
By-Laws
shall mean
the By-Laws of the Trust as amended from time to time by the Trustees.
Code
shall mean the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated
thereunder.
Commission
shall
mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Continuing Trustee
shall mean any member of the Board of Trustees who either (a) has been a
member of the Board of Trustees for a period of at least thirty-six months (or
since the commencement of the Trusts operations, if less than thirty-six
months) or (b) was nominated to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees
by a majority of the Continuing Trustees then members of the Board of Trustees.
Declaration
shall
mean this Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended,
supplemented or amended and restated from time to time.
Delaware Statutory Trust
Statute
shall mean the provisions of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12
Del.
C.
§ 3801,
et
seq.
, as such Act may be amended from time
to time.
Delaware General
Corporation Law
means the Delaware General Corporation Law, 8
Del.
C.
§ 100,
et
seq.
, as amended from time to time.
Fundamental Policies
shall mean the investment policies and restrictions as set forth from time to
time in any Prospectus or contained in any current Registration Statement on Form N-2
of the Trust filed with the Commission and designated as fundamental policies
therein, as they may be amended from time to time in accordance with the
requirements of the 1940 Act.
Majority Shareholder
Vote
shall mean a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
(as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust with each class and
series of Shares voting together as a single class, except to the extent
otherwise required by the 1940 Act or this Declaration with respect to any one
or more classes or series of Shares, in which case the
2
applicable
proportion of such classes or series of Shares voting as a separate class or
series, as the case may be, also will be required.
Person
shall mean
and include individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, limited liability
companies, associations, joint ventures and other entities, whether or not
legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.
Prospectus
shall
mean the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Trust, if
any, as in effect from time to time under the Securities Act.
Securities Act
shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Shareholders
shall
mean as of any particular time the holders of record of outstanding Shares of
the Trust, at such time.
Shares
shall mean
the transferable units of beneficial interest into which the beneficial
interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time and includes fractions
of Shares as well as whole Shares. In
addition, Shares also means any preferred shares or preferred units of
beneficial interest which may be issued from time to time, as described herein. All references to Shares shall be deemed to
be Shares of any or all series or classes as the context may require.
Trust
shall mean
the trust governed by this Declaration and the By-laws, as amended from time to
time, inclusive of each such amendment.
Trust Property
shall mean as of any particular time any and all property, real or personal,
tangible or intangible, which at such time is owned or held by or for the
account of the Trust or the Trustees in such capacity.
Trustees
shall mean
the signatories to this Declaration, so long as they shall continue in office
in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other persons who at the time in
question have been duly elected or appointed and have qualified as trustees in
accordance with the provisions hereof and are then in office.
ARTICLE
II
Trustees
Section 2.1
Number and Qualification
. Prior to a public offering of Shares there
may be a sole Trustee. Thereafter, the
number of Trustees shall be determined by a written instrument signed by a
majority of the Trustees then in office, provided that the number of Trustees
shall be no less than two or more than fifteen.
No reduction in the number of Trustees shall have the effect of removing
any Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his term. An individual nominated as a Trustee shall be
at least 21 years of age and not older than 80 years of age at the time of
nomination and not under legal disability.
Trustees need not own Shares and may succeed themselves in office.
Section 2.2
Term and Election
. Until the first annual meeting of Shareholders
following the effective date of the Registration Statement relating to the
Shares under the
3
Securities Act, the
Board of Trustees shall consist of one class, the term of which shall expire on
the date of such meeting. If the board
of Trustees consists of at least three members, then, commencing with the first
annual meeting of Shareholders following the effective date of the Registration
Statement relating to the Shares under the Securities Act, the Board of
Trustees shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II
and Class III. Each class shall
consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of
trustees constituting the entire Board of Trustees. Within the limits above specified, the number
of the Trustees in each class shall be determined by resolution of the Board of
Trustees. The term of office of the
first class shall expire on the date of the second annual meeting of
Shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof following the effective date of
the Registration Statement relating to the Shares under the Securities
Act. The term of office of the second
class shall expire on the date of the third annual meeting of Shareholders or
special meeting in lieu thereof following the effective date of the initial
Registration Statement relating to the Shares under the Securities Act. The term of office of the third class shall
expire on the date of the fourth annual meeting of Shareholders or special
meeting in lieu thereof following the effective date of the initial
Registration Statement relating to the Shares under the Securities Act. Upon expiration of the term of office of each
class as set forth above, the number of Trustees in such class, as determined
by the Board of Trustees, shall be elected for a term expiring on the date of
the third annual meeting of Shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof
following such expiration to succeed the Trustees whose terms of office expire. The Trustees shall be elected at an annual
meeting of the Shareholders or special meeting in lieu thereof called for that
purpose, except as provided in Section 2.3 of this Article, and each
Trustee elected shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been
elected and shall have qualified. The
term of office of a Trustee shall terminate and a vacancy shall occur in the
event of the death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, adjudicated
incompetence or other incapacity to perform the duties of the office, or
removal, of a Trustee.
Section 2.3
Resignation and Removal
. Any of the Trustees may resign their trust
(without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing
signed by such Trustee and delivered or mailed to the Trustees or the Chairman,
if any, the President or the Secretary and such resignation shall be effective
upon such delivery, or at a later date according to the terms of the
instrument. Any of the Trustees may be
removed (provided the aggregate number of Trustees after such removal shall not
be less than the minimum number required by Section 2.1 hereof) for cause
only, and not without cause, and only by action taken by a majority of the
remaining Trustees followed by the holders of at least a majority of the Shares
then entitled to vote in an election of such Trustee. Upon the resignation or removal of a Trustee,
each such resigning or removed Trustee 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 such resigning
or removed Trustee. Upon the incapacity
or death of any Trustee, such Trustees legal representative shall execute and
deliver on such Trustees behalf such documents as the remaining Trustees shall
require as provided in the preceding sentence.
Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement with the
Trust, no Trustee resigning and no Trustee removed shall have any right to any
compensation for any period following the effective date of his resignation or
removal, or any right to damages on account of a removal.
4
Section 2.4
Vacancies
. Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Trustees
shall occur, the remaining Trustees may fill such vacancy by appointing an
individual having the qualifications described in this Article by a
written instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees then in office or may
leave such vacancy unfilled or may reduce the number of Trustees; provided the
aggregate number of Trustees after such reduction shall not be less than the
minimum number required by Section 2.1 hereof; provided, further, that if
the Shareholders of any class or series of Shares are entitled separately to
elect one or more Trustees, a majority of the remaining Trustees or the sole
remaining Trustee elected by that class or series may fill any vacancy among
the number of Trustees elected by that class or series. Any vacancy created by an increase in
Trustees may be filled by the appointment of an individual having the
qualifications described in this Article made by a written instrument
signed by a majority of the Trustees then in office. No vacancy shall operate to annul this
Declaration or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of
this Declaration. Whenever a vacancy in
the number of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled as provided
herein, the Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the
powers granted to the Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon
the Trustees by this Declaration.
Section 2.5
Meetings
. Meetings of the Trustees shall be held from
time to time upon the call of the Chairman, if any, or the President 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 given by the Secretary and shall be
delivered to the Tru
stees orally or via
electronic transmission not less than 24 hours, or in writing not less than 72
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 wai
ver 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 properly called or convened.
Any time there is more than one Trustee, a quorum for all meetings of
the Trustees shall be one-third, but not less than two, of the Trustees. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration
and except as required under the 1940 Act, any action of the Trustees may be taken
at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Trustees present (a quorum being
present) or without a meeting by written consent of a majority of the Trustees.
Any committee of the
Trustees, including an executive committee, if any, may act with or without a
meeting. A quorum for all meetings of
any such committee shall be one-third, but not less than two, of the members
thereof. Unless provided otherwise in
this Declaration, any action of any such 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 consent as provided in Section 2.6.
With respect to actions of
the Trustees and any committee of the Trustees, Trustees who are Interested
Persons in any action to be taken may be counted for quorum purposes under this
Section and shall be entitled to vote to the extent not prohibited by the
1940 Act.
All or any one or more
Trustees may participate in a meeting of the Trustees or any committee thereof
by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means
of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other;
participation in a meeting pursuant to any such communications system shall
constitute presence in person at such meeting.
5
Section 2.6
Trustee Action by Written
Consent
. Any action which may be
taken by Trustees by vote may be taken without a meeting if that number of the
Trustees, or members of a committee, as the case may be, required for approval
of such action at a meeting of the Trustees or of such committee consent to the
action in writing and the written consents are filed with the records of the
meetings of Trustees. Such consent shall
be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Trustees.
Section 2.7
Officers
. The Trustees shall elect a President, a
Secretary and a Treasurer and may elect a Chairman who shall serve at the
pleasure of the Trustees or until their successors are elected. The Trustees may elect or appoint or may
authorize the Chairman, if any, or President to appoint such other officers or
agents with such powers as the Trustees may deem to be advisable. A Chairman shall, and the President,
Secretary and Treasurer may, but need not, be a Trustee. All officers shall owe to the Trust and its
Shareholders the same fiduciary duties (and only such fiduciary duties) as owed
by officers of corporations to such corporations and their stockholders under
the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 2.8
Principal Transactions
. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable
law, the Trustees may, on behalf of the Trust, buy any securities from or sell
any securities to, or lend any assets of the Trust to, any Trustee or officer
of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee or officer is a member
acting as principal, or have any such dealings with any Affiliated Person of
the Trust, investment adviser, investment sub-adviser, distributor or transfer
agent for the Trust or with any Interested Person of such Affiliated Person or
other person; and the Trust may employ any such Affiliated Person or other
person, or firm or company in which such Affiliated Person or other person is
an Interested Person, as broker, legal counsel, registrar, investment advisor,
investment sub-advisor, distributor, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent,
custodian or in any other capacity upon customary terms.
ARTICLE
III
Powers
and Duties of Trustees
Section 3.1
General
. The Trustees shall owe to the Trust and its
Shareholders the same fiduciary duties (and only such fiduciary duties) as owed
by directors of corporations to such corporations and their stockholders under
the Delaware General Corporation Law.
The Trustees may perform such acts as in their sole discretion are
proper for conducting the business of the Trust. The enumeration of any specific power herein
shall not be construed as limiting the aforesaid power. Such powers of the Trustees may be exercised
without order of or resort to any court.
Section 3.2
Investments
. The Trustees shall have power, subject to the
Fundamental Policies in effect from time to time with respect to the Trust to:
(a) manage, conduct, operate and carry on
the business of an investment company;
(b) subscribe for, invest in, reinvest
in, purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, pledge, sell, assign, transfer,
exchange, distribute or otherwise deal in or dispose of any and all
6
sorts of property, tangible or intangible, including but not
limited to securities of any type whatsoever, whether equity or non-equity, of
any issuer, evidences of indebtedness of any person and any other rights,
interests, instruments or property of any sort and to exercise any and all
rights, powers and privileges of ownership or interest in respect of any and
all such investments of every kind and description, including, without
limitation, the right to consent and otherwise act with respect thereto, with
power to designate one or more Persons to exercise any of said rights, powers
and privileges in respect of any of said investments. The Trustees shall not be limited by any law
limiting the investments which may be made by fiduciaries.
Section 3.3
Legal Title
. Legal title to all the Trust Property shall
be vested in the Trust as a separate legal entity except that the Trustees
shall have power to cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by or in
the name of one or more of the Trustees, or in the name of any other Person as
nominee, custodian or pledgee, on such terms as the Trustees may determine,
provided that the interest of the Trust therein is appropriately protected.
To the extent any Trust
Property is titled in the name of one or more Trustees, the right, title and
interest of such Trustees in the Trust Property shall vest automatically in
each person who may hereafter become a Trustee upon his due election and
qualification. Upon the ceasing of any
person to be a Trustee for any reason, such person shall automatically cease to
have any right, title or interest in any of the Trust Property, and the right,
title and interest of such Trustee in the Trust Property shall vest
automatically in the remaining Trustees.
Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not
conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered.
Section 3.4
Issuance and Repurchase of
Shares
. The Trustees shall have the
power to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire, hold,
resell, reissue, dispose of, transfer, and otherwise deal in, Shares, including
Shares in fractional denominations, and, subject to the more detailed
provisions set forth in Articles VIII and IX, to apply to any such repurchase,
redemption, retirement, cancellation or acquisition of Shares any funds or
property.
Section 3.5
Borrow Money or Utilize Leverage
. Subject to the Fundamental Policies in effect
from time to time with respect to the Trust, the Trustees shall have the power
to borrow money or otherwise obtain credit or utilize leverage to the maximum
extent permitted by law or regulation as such may be needed from time to time
and to secure the same by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as
security the assets of the Trust, including the lending of portfolio
securities, and to endorse, guarantee, or undertake the performance of any obligation,
contract or engagement of any other person, firm, association or corporation.
Section 3.6
Delegation; Committees
. The Trustees shall have the power, consistent
with their continuing exclusive authority over the management of the Trust and
the Trust Property, to delegate from time to time to such of their number or to
officers, employees or agents of the Trust the doing of such things, including
any matters set forth in this Declaration, and the execution of such
instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Trustees or
otherwise as the Trustees may deem expedient.
The Trustees may designate one or more committees which shall have all
or such lesser portion of the authority of the entire Board of Trustees as the
Trustees shall determine from time to time except to the extent action by the
entire Board of Trustees or particular Trustees is required by the 1940 Act.
7
Section 3.7
Collection and Payment
. The Trustees shall have power to collect all
property due to the Trust; to pay all claims, including taxes, against the
Trust Property or the Trust, the Trustees or any officer, employee or agent of
the Trust; to prosecute, defend, compromise or abandon any claims relating to
the Trust Property or the Trust, or the Trustees or any officer, employee or
agent of the Trust; to foreclose any security interest securing any
obligations, by virtue of which any property is owed to the Trust; and to enter
into releases, agreements and other instruments.
Section 3.8
Expenses
. The Trustees shall have power to incur and
pay out of the assets or income of the Trust any expenses which in the opinion
of the Trustees are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of
this Declaration, and the business of the Trust, and to pay reasonable
compensation from the funds of the Trust to themselves as Trustees. The Trustees shall fix the compensation of
all officers, employees and Trustees.
The Trustees may pay themselves such compensation for special services,
including legal, underwriting, syndicating and brokerage services, as they in
good faith may deem reasonable and reimbursement for expenses reasonably
incurred by themselves on behalf of the Trust.
Section 3.9
By-Laws
. The Trustees shall have the exclusive
authority to adopt and from time to time amend or repeal By-Laws for the
conduct of the business of the Trust.
Section 3.10
Miscellaneous Powers
. The Trustees shall have the power to: (a) employ or contract with such Persons
as the Trustees may deem desirable for the transaction of the business of the
Trust; (b) enter into joint ventures, partnerships and any other
combinations or associations; (c) purchase, and pay for out of Trust
Property, insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers,
employees, agents, investment advisors, distributors, selected dealers or
independent contractors of the Trust against all claims arising by reason of
holding any such position or by reason of any action taken or omitted by any
such Person in such capacity, whether or not constituting negligence, or
whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such Person against
such liability; (d) establish pension, profit-sharing, share purchase, and
other retirement, incentive and benefit plans for any Trustees, officers,
employees and agents of the Trust; (e) make donations, irrespective of
benefit to the Trust, for charitable, religious, educational, scientific, civic
or similar purposes; (f) to the extent permitted by law, indemnify any
Person with whom the Trust has dealings, including without limitation any
advisor, administrator, manager, transfer agent, custodian, distributor or
selected dealer, or any other person as the Trustees may see fit to such extent
as the Trustees shall determine; (g) guarantee indebtedness or contractual
obligations of others; (h) determine and change the fiscal year of the
Trust and the method in which its accounts shall be kept; (i) notwithstanding
the Fundamental Policies of the Trust, convert the Trust to a master-feeder
structure; and (j) adopt a seal for the Trust but the absence of such seal
shall not impair the validity of any instrument executed on behalf of the
Trust.
Section 3.11
Further Powers
. The Trustees shall have the power to conduct
the business of the Trust and carry on its operations in any and all of its
branches and maintain offices both within and without the State of Delaware, in
any and all states of the United States of America, in the District of
Columbia, and in any and all commonwealths, territories, dependencies,
colonies, possessions, agencies or instrumentalities of the United States of
America and of foreign governments, and to do all such other things and execute
all such
8
instruments as they
deem necessary, proper or desirable in order to promote the interests of the
Trust although such things are not herein specifically mentioned. Any determination as to what is in the
interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be
conclusive. In construing the provisions
of this Declaration, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to
the Trustees.
ARTICLE
IV
Advisory,
Management and Distribution Arrangements
Section 4.1
Advisory and Management
Arrangements
. Subject to the
requirements of applicable law as in effect from time to time, the Trustees may
in their discretion from time to time enter into advisory, administration or management
contracts (including, in each case, one or more sub-advisory,
sub-administration or sub-management contracts) whereby the other party to any
such contract shall undertake to furnish such advisory, administrative and
management services with respect to the Trust as the Trustees shall from time
to time consider desirable and all upon such terms and conditions as the
Trustees may in their discretion determine.
Notwithstanding any provisions of this Declaration, the Trustees may
authorize any advisor, administrator or manager (subject to such general or
specific instructions as the Trustees may from time to time adopt) to exercise
any of the powers of the Trustees, including to effect investment transactions
with respect to the assets on behalf of the Trust to the full extent of the
power of the Trustees to effect such transactions or may authorize any officer,
employee or Trustee to effect such transactions pursuant to recommendations of
any such advisor, administrator or manager (and all without further action by
the Trustees) Any such investment
transaction shall be deemed to have been authorized by all of the Trustees.
Section 4.2
Distribution Arrangements
. Subject to compliance with the 1940 Act, the
Trustees may retain underwriters and/or placement agents to sell Shares and
other securities of the Trust. The
Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more
contracts, providing for the sale of securities of the Trust, whereby the Trust
may either agree to sell such securities to the other party to the contract or
appoint such other party its sales agent for such securities. In either case, the contract shall be on such
terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV or the By-Laws; and
such contract may also provide for the repurchase or sale of securities of the
Trust by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust and may provide
that such other party may enter into selected dealer agreements with registered
securities dealers and brokers and servicing and similar agreements with
persons who are not registered securities dealers to further the purposes of
the distribution or repurchase of the securities of the Trust.
Section 4.3
Parties to Contract
. Any contract of the character described in
Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of this Article IV or in Article VII hereof may
be entered into with any Person, although one or more of the Trustees, officers
or employees of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, or
member of such other party to the contract, and no such contract shall be
invalidated or rendered voidable by reason of the existence of any such
relationship, nor shall any Person holding such relationship be liable merely
by reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust under or by
reason of said contract or accountable for any profit realized directly or
indirectly therefrom, provided that the contract when entered into was
9
reasonable and fair
and not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV or the
By-Laws. The same Person may be the
other party to contracts entered into pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2 above or
Article VII, and any individual may be financially interested or otherwise
affiliated with Persons who are parties to any or all of the contracts
mentioned in this Section 4.3.
ARTICLE
V
Limitations
of Liability and Indemnification
Section 5.1
No Personal Liability of
Shareholders, Trustees, etc
. No
Shareholder of the Trust shall be subject in such capacity to any personal
liability whatsoever to any Person in connection with Trust Property or the
acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust.
Shareholders shall have the same limitation of personal liability as is
extended to stockholders of a private corporation for profit incorporated under
the Delaware General Corporation Law. No
Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be subject in such capacity to any
personal liability whatsoever to any Person, save only liability to the Trust
or its Shareholders arising from bad faith, willful misconduct, gross
negligence or reckless disregard for his duty to such Person; and, subject to
the foregoing exception, all such Persons shall look solely to the Trust
Property for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with
the affairs of the Trust. If any
Shareholder, Trustee or officer, as such, of the Trust, is made a party to any
suit or proceeding to enforce any such liability, subject to the foregoing
exception, he shall not, on account thereof, be held to any personal
liability. Any repeal or modification of
this Section 5.1 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a
Trustee or officer of the Trust existing at the time of such repeal or
modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal
or modification.
Section 5.2
Mandatory Indemnification
. (a) The Trust hereby agrees to indemnify
each person who at any time serves as a Trustee, officer or employee of the
Trust (each such person being an indemnitee) against any liabilities and
expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or
as fines and penalties, and reasonable counsel fees reasonably incurred by such
indemnitee in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or
other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative
or investigative body in which he may be or may have been involved as a party
or otherwise or with which he may be or may have been threatened, while acting
in any capacity set forth in this Article V by reason of his having acted
in any such capacity, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall
not have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in
the best interest of the Trust or, in the case of any criminal proceeding, as
to which he shall have had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was
unlawful, provided, however, that no indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder
against any liability to any person or any expense of such indemnitee arising
by reason of (i) willful misconduct, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross
negligence, or (iv) reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of his position (the conduct referred to in such clauses (i) through
(iv) being sometimes referred to herein as
disabling conduct
). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect
to any action, suit or other proceeding voluntarily prosecuted by any
indemnitee as plaintiff, indemnification shall be mandatory only if the
prosecution of such action, suit or other proceeding by such indemnitee (1) was
authorized by a majority of the Trustees or (2) was instituted by the
indemnitee to enforce his or her rights to indemnification hereunder in a case
in which the indemnitee is found to be entitled to such indemnification. The rights to indemnification set forth in
this Declaration shall continue as to a
10
person who has ceased
to be a Trustee or officer of the Trust and shall inure to the benefit of his
or her heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. No amendment or restatement of this
Declaration or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate any of
the benefits provided to any person who at any time is or was a Trustee or
officer of the Trust or otherwise entitled to indemnification hereunder in
respect of any act or omission that occurred prior to such amendment,
restatement or repeal.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification shall be
made hereunder unless there has been a determination (i) by a final
decision on the merits by a court or other body of competent jurisdiction
before whom the issue of entitlement to indemnification hereunder was brought
that such indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder or, (ii) in
the absence of such a decision, by (1) a majority vote of a quorum of
those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust (as defined in Section 2(a)(19)
of the 1940 Act) nor parties to the proceeding (
Disinterested Non-Party
Trustees
), that the indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder,
or (2) if such quorum is not obtainable or even if obtainable, if such
majority so directs, independent legal counsel in a written opinion concludes
that the indemnitee should be entitled to indemnification hereunder. All determinations to make advance payments
in connection with the expense of defending any proceeding shall be authorized
and made in accordance with the immediately succeeding paragraph (c) below.
(c) The Trust shall make advance payments in connection with
the expenses of defending any action with respect to which indemnification
might be sought hereunder if the Trust receives a written affirmation by the
indemnitee of the indemnitees good faith belief that the standards of conduct
necessary for indemnification have been met and a written undertaking to
reimburse the Trust unless it is subsequently determined that the indemnitee is
entitled to such indemnification and if a majority of the Trustees determine
that the applicable standards of conduct necessary for indemnification appear
to have been met. In addition, at least
one of the following conditions must be met: (i) the indemnitee shall
provide adequate security for his undertaking, (ii) the Trust shall be
insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (iii) a
majority of a quorum of the Disinterested Non-Party Trustees, or if a majority
vote of such quorum so direct, independent legal counsel in a written opinion,
shall conclude, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a
full trial-type inquiry), that there is substantial reason to believe that the
indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
(d) The rights accruing to any indemnitee under these
provisions shall not exclude any other right which any person may have or
hereafter acquire under this Declaration, the By-Laws of the Trust, any
statute, agreement, vote of Shareholders or Trustees who are not Interested
Persons or any other right to which he or she may be lawfully entitled.
(e) Subject to any limitations provided by the 1940 Act and
this Declaration, the Trust shall have the power and authority to indemnify and
provide for the advance payment of expenses to employees, agents and other
Persons providing services to the Trust or serving in any capacity at the
request of the Trust or provide for the advance payment of expenses for such
Persons, provided that such indemnification has been approved by a majority of
the Trustees.
11
Section 5.3
No Bond Required of Trustees
. No Trustee shall, as such, be obligated to
give any bond or other security for the performance of any of his duties hereunder.
Section 5.4
No Duty of Investigation; No
Notice in Trust Instruments, etc
. No
purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other person dealing with the Trustees or
with any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be bound to make any
inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be made by the
Trustees or by said officer, employee or agent or be liable for the application
of money or property paid, loaned, or delivered to or on the order of the
Trustees or of said officer, employee or agent.
Every obligation, contract, undertaking, instrument, certificate, Share,
other security of the Trust, and every other act or thing whatsoever executed
in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively taken to have been executed
or done by the executors thereof only in their capacity as Trustees under this
Declaration or in their capacity as officers, employees or agents of the
Trust. The Trustees may maintain
insurance for the protection of the Trust Property, the Shareholders, Trustees,
officers, employees and agents in such amount as the Trustees shall deem
adequate to cover possible tort liability, and such other insurance as the
Trustees in their sole judgment shall deem advisable or is required by the 1940
Act.
Section 5.5
Reliance on Experts, etc
. Each Trustee and officer or employee of the
Trust shall, in the performance of its 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
the Trusts officers or employees or by any advisor, administrator, manager,
distributor, selected dealer, accountant, appraiser or other expert or
consultant selected with reasonable care by the Trustees, officers or employees
of the Trust, regardless of whether such counsel or expert may also be a
Trustee.
ARTICLE
VI
Shares
of Beneficial Interest
Section 6.1
Beneficial Interest
. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall be
divided into an unlimited number of transferable shares of beneficial interest,
par value $.001 per share. All Shares
issued in accordance with the terms hereof, including, without limitation,
Shares issued in connection with a dividend in Shares or a split of Shares,
shall be fully paid and nonassessable when the consideration determined by the
Trustees (if any) therefor shall have been received by the Trust.
Section 6.2
Other Securities
. The Trustees may, subject to the Fundamental
Policies and the requirements of the 1940 Act, authorize and issue such other
securities of the Trust as they determine to be necessary, desirable or
appropriate, having such terms, rights, preferences, privileges, limitations
and restrictions as the Trustees see fit, including preferred interests, debt
securities or other senior securities.
To the extent that the Trustees authorize and issue preferred shares of
any class or series, they are hereby authorized and empowered to amend or
supplement this Declaration as they deem necessary or appropriate, including to
comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act or requirements imposed by the
rating agencies or other Persons, all without the approval of Shareholders. Any such supplement or amendment shall be
filed as is
12
necessary. The Trustees are also authorized to take such
actions and retain such persons as they see fit to offer and sell such
securities.
Section 6.3
Rights of Shareholders
. The Shares shall be personal property giving
only the rights in this Declaration specifically set forth. The ownership of the Trust Property of every
description and the right to conduct any business herein before described are
vested exclusively in the Trust, 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 not entitle the holder to preference, preemptive, appraisal, conversion
or exchange rights (except as specified in Section 11.4 or as specified by
the Trustees when creating the Shares, as in preferred shares).
Section 6.4
Trust Only
. It is the intention of the Trustees to create
only the relationship of Trustee and beneficiary between the Trustees and each
Shareholder from time to time. It is not
the intention of the Trustees to create a general partnership, limited
partnership, joint stock association, corporation, bailment or any form of
legal relationship other than a Delaware statutory trust. Nothing in this Declaration shall be
construed to make the Shareholders, either by themselves or with the Trustees,
partners or members of a joint stock association.
Section 6.5
Issuance of Shares
. The Trustees, in their discretion, may from
time to time without vote of the Shareholders issue Shares including preferred
shares that may have been established pursuant to Section 6.2, in addition
to the then issued and outstanding Shares and Shares held in the treasury, to
such party or parties and for such amount and type of consideration, including
cash or property, at such time or times, and on such terms as the Trustees may
determine, and may in such manner acquire other assets (including the
acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection with the assumption of,
liabilities) and businesses. The
Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares into a greater or
lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interest in
such Shares. Issuances and redemptions
of Shares may be made in whole Shares and/or 1/1,000ths of a Share or multiples
thereof as the Trustees may determine.
Section 6.6
Register of Shares
. A register shall be kept at the offices of
the Trust or any transfer agent duly appointed by the Trustees under the direction
of the Trustees which shall contain the names and addresses of the Shareholders
and the number of Shares held by them respectively and a record of all
transfers thereof. Separate registers
shall be established and maintained for each class or series of Shares. Each such register shall be conclusive as to
who are the holders of the Shares of the applicable class or series of Shares
and who shall be entitled to receive dividends or distributions or otherwise to
exercise or enjoy the rights of Shareholders.
No Shareholder shall be entitled to receive payment of any dividend or
distribution, nor to have notice given to him as herein provided, until he has
given his address to a transfer agent or such other officer or agent of the
Trustees as shall keep the register for entry thereon. It is not contemplated that certificates will
be issued for the Shares; however, the Trustees, in their discretion, may
authorize the issuance of share certificates and promulgate appropriate fees
therefore and rules and regulations as to their use.
13
Section 6.7
Transfer Agent and Registrar
. The Trustees shall have power to employ a
transfer agent or transfer agents, and a registrar or registrars, with respect
to the Shares. The transfer agent or
transfer agents may keep the applicable register and record therein, the
original issues and transfers, if any, of the said Shares. Any such transfer agents and/or registrars
shall perform the duties usually performed by transfer agents and registrars of
certificates of stock in a corporation, as modified by the Trustees.
Section 6.8
Transfer of Shares
. Except as otherwise provided by the Trustees,
Shares shall be transferable on the records of the Trust only by the record holder
thereof or by its agent thereto duly authorized in writing, upon delivery to
the Trustees or a transfer agent of the Trust of a duly executed instrument of
transfer, together with such evidence of the genuineness of each such execution
and authorization and of other matters (including compliance with any
securities laws and contractual restrictions) as may reasonably be
required. Upon such delivery the
transfer shall be recorded on the applicable register of the Trust. Until such
record is made, the Shareholder of record shall be deemed to be the holder of
such Shares for all purposes hereof and neither the Trustees nor any transfer
agent or registrar nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be
affected by any notice of the proposed transfer.
Any person becoming entitled
to any Shares in consequence of the death, bankruptcy, or incompetence of any
Shareholder, or otherwise by operation of law, shall be recorded on the
applicable register of Shares as the holder of such Shares upon production of
the proper evidence thereof 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 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 or incompetence, or other
operation of law.
Section 6.9
Notices
. Any and all notices to which any Shareholder
hereunder may be entitled and any and all communications shall be deemed duly
served or given if mailed, postage prepaid, addressed to any Shareholder of
record at his last known address as recorded on the applicable register of the
Trust.
Section 6.10
Derivative Actions
.
(a) No person, other than a Trustee, who
is not a Shareholder shall be entitled to bring any derivative action, suit or
other proceeding on behalf of the Trust.
No Shareholder may maintain a derivative action on behalf of the Trust unless
holders of a least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding Shares join in the
bringing of such action.
(b) In addition to the requirements set
forth in Section 3816 of the Delaware Statutory Trust Statute, a
Shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Trust only if the
following conditions are met: (i) the
Shareholder or Shareholders must make a pre-suit demand upon the Trustees to
bring the subject action unless an effort to cause the Trustees to bring such
an action is not likely to succeed; and a demand on the Trustees shall only be
deemed not likely to succeed and therefore excused if a majority of the
Trustees, or a majority of any committee established to consider the merits of
such action, has a personal financial interest in the transaction at issue, and
a Trustee shall not be deemed interested in a transaction or otherwise
disqualified from ruling on the merits of a Shareholder demand by virtue of the
fact that such
14
Trustee receives remuneration for his service as a Trustee of
the Trust or as a trustee or director of one or more investment companies that
are under common management with or otherwise affiliated with the Trust; and (ii) unless
a demand is not required under clause (i) of this paragraph, the Trustees
must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such Shareholder
request and to investigate the basis of such claim; and the Trustees shall be
entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the
request and may require an undertaking by the Shareholders making such request
to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that
the Trustees determine not to bring such action. For purposes of this Section 6.10, the
Trustees may designate a committee of one or more Trustees to consider a
Shareholder demand if necessary to create a committee with a majority of
Trustees who do not have a personal financial interest in the transaction at
issue.
ARTICLE
VII
Custodians
Section 7.1
Appointment and Duties
. The Trustees shall at all times employ a
custodian or custodians meeting the qualifications for custodians for portfolio
securities of investment companies contained in the 1940 Act, as custodian with
respect to the assets of the Trust. Any
custodian shall have authority as agent of the Trust as determined by the
custodian agreement or agreements, but subject to such restrictions,
limitations and other requirements, if any, as may be contained in the By-Laws
of the Trust and the 1940 Act, including without limitation authority:
(1) to hold
the securities owned by the Trust and deliver the same upon written order;
(2) to receive
any receipt for any moneys due to the Trust and deposit the same in its own
banking department (if a bank) or elsewhere as the Trustees may direct;
(3) to
disburse such funds upon orders or vouchers;
(4) if
authorized by the Trustees, to keep the books and accounts of the Trust and
furnish clerical and accounting services; and
(5) if
authorized to do so by the Trustees, to compute the net income or net asset
value of the Trust;
all upon
such basis of compensation as may be agreed upon between the Trustees and the
custodian.
The Trustees may also
authorize each custodian to employ one or more sub-custodians from time to time
to perform such of the acts and services of the custodian and upon such terms
and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the custodian and such
sub-custodian and approved by the Trustees, provided that in every case such
sub-custodian shall meet the qualifications for custodians contained in the
1940 Act.
15
Section 7.2
Central Certificate System
. Subject to such rules, regulations and orders
as the Commission may adopt, the Trustees may direct the custodian to deposit
all or any part of the securities owned by the Trust in a system for the
central handling of securities established by a national securities exchange or
a national securities association registered with the Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or such other Person as may be permitted by
the Commission, or otherwise in accordance with the 1940 Act, pursuant to which
system all securities of any particular class of any issuer deposited within
the system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by
bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of such securities, provided that
all such deposits shall be subject to withdrawal only upon the order of the
Trust.
ARTICLE
VIII
Redemption
Section 8.1
Redemptions
. The Shares of the Trust are not redeemable by
the holders.
Section 8.2
Disclosure of Holding
. The holders of Shares or other securities of
the Trust shall upon demand disclose to the Trustees in writing such
information with respect to direct and indirect ownership of Shares or other
securities of the Trust as the Trustees deem necessary to comply with the
provisions of the Code, the 1940 Act or other applicable laws or regulations,
or to comply with the requirements of any other taxing or regulatory authority.
ARTICLE
IX
Determination
of Net Asset Value
Net
Income and Distributions
Section 9.1
Net Asset Value
. The net asset value of each outstanding Share
of the Trust shall be determined at such time or times on such days as the
Trustees may determine, in accordance with the 1940 Act. The method of determination of net asset
value shall be determined by the Trustees and shall be as set forth in the
Prospectus or as may otherwise be determined by the Trustees. The power and duty to make the net asset
value calculations may be delegated by the Trustees and shall be as generally
set forth in the Prospectus or as may otherwise be determined by the Trustees.
Section 9.2
Distributions to Shareholders
. (a) The Trustees shall from time to time
distribute ratably among the Shareholders of any class of Shares, or any series
of any such class, in accordance with the number of outstanding full and
fractional Shares of such class or any series of such class, such proportion of
the net profits, surplus (including paid-in surplus), capital, or assets held
by the Trustees as they may deem proper or as may otherwise be determined in
accordance with this Declaration. Any
such distribution may be made in cash or property (including without limitation
any type of obligations of the Trust or any assets thereof) or Shares of any
class or series or any combination thereof, and the Trustees may distribute
ratably among the Shareholders of any class of shares or series of any such
class, in accordance with the number of outstanding full and fractional Shares
of such class or any series of such
16
class, additional
Shares of any class or series in such manner, at such times, and on such terms
as the Trustees may deem proper or as may otherwise be determined in accordance
with this Declaration.
(b) Distributions pursuant to this Section 9.2 may be
among the Shareholders of record of the applicable class or series of Shares at
the time of declaring a distribution or among the Shareholders of record at
such later date as the Trustees shall determine and specify.
(c) The Trustees may always retain from the net profits such
amount as they may deem necessary to pay the debts or expenses of the Trust or
to meet obligations of the Trust, or as they otherwise may deem desirable to
use in the conduct of its affairs or to retain for future requirements or
extensions of the business.
(d) Inasmuch as the computation of net income and gains for
Federal income tax purposes may vary from the computation thereof on the books,
the above provisions shall be interpreted to give the Trustees the power in
their discretion to distribute for any fiscal year as ordinary dividends and as
capital gains distributions, respectively, additional amounts sufficient to enable
the Trust to avoid or reduce liability for taxes.
Section 9.3
Power to Modify Foregoing
Procedures
. Notwithstanding any of
the foregoing provisions of this Article IX, the Trustees may prescribe,
in their absolute discretion except as may be required by the 1940 Act, such
other bases and times for determining the per share asset value of the Trusts
Shares or net income, or the declaration and payment of dividends and
distributions as they may deem necessary or desirable for any reason, including
to enable the Trust to comply with any provision of the 1940 Act, or any
securities exchange or association registered under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, or any order of exemption issued by the Commission, all as
in effect now or hereafter amended or modified.
ARTICLE
X
Shareholders
Section 10.1
Meetings of Shareholders
. The Trust shall hold annual meetings of the
Shareholders. A special meeting of
Shareholders may be called at any time by a majority of the Trustees or the
President and shall be called by any Trustee for any proper purpose upon
written request of Shareholders of the Trust holding in the aggregate not less
than fifty-one percent (51%) of the outstanding Shares of the Trust or class or
series of Shares having voting rights on the matter, such request specifying
the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is to be called. Any shareholder meeting, including a Special
Meeting, shall be held within or without the State of Delaware on such day and
at such time as the Trustees shall designate.
Section 10.2
Voting
. Shareholders shall have no power to vote on
any matter except matters on which a vote of Shareholders is required by the
1940 Act, this Declaration or resolution of the Trustees. This Declaration expressly provides that no
matter for which voting, consent or other approval is required by the Statutory
Trust Act in the absence of the contrary provision in the Declaration shall
require any vote. Except as otherwise
provided herein, any matter required to be submitted to Shareholders and
affecting one or more classes or series of
17
Shares shall require
approval by the required vote of all the affected classes and series of Shares
voting together as a single class; provided, however, that as to any matter
with respect to which a separate vote of any class or series of Shares is required
by the 1940 Act, such requirement as to a separate vote by that class or series
of Shares shall apply in addition to a vote of all the affected classes and
series voting together as a single class.
Shareholders of a particular class or series of Shares shall not be
entitled to vote on any matter that affects only one or more other classes or
series of Shares. Each whole Share shall
be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and
each fractional Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional
vote. There shall be no cumulative
voting in the election or removal of Trustees.
Trustees shall be elected by a plurality of votes.
Section 10.3
Notice of Meeting and Record Date
. Any and all notices to which any Shareholder
hereunder may be entitled and any and all communications shall be deemed duly
served or given if presented personally to a Shareholder, left at his or her
residence or usual place of business or sent via United States mail or by
electronic transmission to a Shareholder at his or her address as it is
registered with the Trust. If mailed,
such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States
mail addressed to the Shareholder at his or her address as it is registered
with the Trust with postage thereon prepaid.
Notice of all meetings of Shareholders, stating the time, place and
purposes of the meeting, shall be given by the Trustees by mail to each
Shareholder of record entitled to vote thereat at its registered address,
mailed at least 10 days and not more than 90 days before the meeting or
otherwise in compliance with applicable law.
Only the business stated in the notice of the meeting shall be
considered at such meeting. Any meeting
of Shareholders, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned for any
lawful purpose by the Chairman, the Trustees (or their designees) or a majority
of the votes properly cast upon the question of adjourning a meeting. Any adjourned meeting may be held as
adjourned one or more times without further notice not later than 120 days
after the record date. For the purposes
of determining the Shareholders who are entitled to notice of and to vote at
any meeting the Trustees may, without closing the transfer books, fix a date
not more than 90 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of such meeting of
Shareholders as a record date for the determination of the Persons to be
treated as Shareholders of record for such purposes.
Section 10.4
Quorum and Required Vote
. (a) The holders of one third of the Shares
entitled to vote on any matter at a meeting present in person or by proxy shall
constitute a quorum at such meeting of the Shareholders for purposes of
conducting business on such matter. The
absence from any meeting, in person or by proxy, of a quorum of Shareholders
for action upon any given matter shall not prevent action at such meeting upon
any other matter or matters which may properly come before the meeting, if
there shall be present thereat, in person or by proxy, a quorum of Shareholders
in respect of such other matters.
(b)
Subject to any provision of
applicable law, this Declaration or a resolution of the Trustees specifying a
greater or a lesser vote requirement for the transaction of any item of
business at any meeting of Shareholders, (i) the affirmative vote of a
majority of the Shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled
to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the Shareholders with respect
to such matter, and (ii) where a separate vote of one or more classes or
series of Shares is required on any matter, the affirmative vote of a majority
of the Shares of such class or series of Shares present in person or
represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of the Shareholders of
such class or series with respect to such matter.
18
Section 10.5
Proxies, etc.
At any meeting of Shareholders, any holder of
Shares entitled to vote thereat may vote by properly executed or authorized
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 or
employees of the Trust. No proxy shall
be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof, unless otherwise
provided in the proxy. Only Shareholders
of record shall be entitled to vote. Each full Share shall be entitled to one
vote and fractional Shares shall be entitled to a vote of such fraction. When any Share 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 or authorized 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 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.
Section 10.6
Reports
.
The Trustees shall cause to be prepared at least annually and more
frequently to the extent and in the form required by law, regulation or any
exchange on which Trust Shares are listed a report of 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 public accountant on such financial statements. Copies of such reports shall be mailed to all
Shareholders of record within the time required by the 1940 Act, and in any
event within a reasonable period preceding the meeting of Shareholders. The Trustees shall, in addition, furnish to
the Shareholders at least semi-annually to the extent required by law, interim
reports containing an unaudited balance sheet of the Trust as of the end of
such period and an unaudited statement of income and surplus for the period
from the beginning of the current fiscal year to the end of such period.
Section 10.7
Inspection of Records
. The records of the Trust shall be open to
inspection by Shareholders to the extent permitted by Section 3819 of the
Delaware Statutory Trust Statute but subject to such reasonable regulation as
the Trustees may determine.
Section 10.8
Shareholder Action by Written Consent
. Any action which may be taken by Shareholders
by vote may be taken without a meeting if the holders entitled to vote thereon
of the proportion of Shares required for approval of such action at a meeting
of Shareholders pursuant to Section 10.4 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.
Section 10.9
Delivery by Electronic Transmission or
Otherwise
. Notwithstanding any
provision in this Declaration to the contrary, any notice, proxy, vote,
consent, instrument or writing of any kind or any signature referenced in, or
contemplated by, this Declaration or the By-laws may, in the sole discretion of
the Trustees, be given, granted or otherwise delivered by
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electronic
transmission (within the meaning of the Delaware Statutory Trust Statute),
including via the internet, or in any other manner permitted by applicable law.
ARTICLE XI
Limited
Term of Existence; Amendment; Mergers, Etc.
Section 11.1
Limited Term of Existence
. (a) Subject to Section 11.2 hereof,
The Trust created hereby shall have a limited period of existence and shall
dissolve at the close of business on May 31, 2020, except that the Trust
shall continue to exist for the purpose of paying, satisfying, and discharging
any existing debts or obligations, collecting and distributing its assets, and
doing all other acts required to liquidate and wind up its business and
affairs. After the close of business on May 31,
2020 or, if applicable, on the Extended Dissolution Date (as defined below)
determined pursuant to Section 11.2 hereof, the Trustees shall proceed to
wind up the affairs of the Trust and all of the powers of the Trustees under
this Declaration shall continue until the affairs of the Trust shall have been
wound up as contemplated by Section 3808(e) of the Delaware Statutory
Trust Statute. The Trustees may, to the
extent they deem appropriate, adopt a plan of liquidation at any time preceding
the anticipated dissolution date, which plan of liquidation may set forth the
terms and conditions for implementing the dissolution and liquidation of the
Trust under this Article XI.
Shareholders of the Trust shall not be entitled to vote on the adoption
of any such plan or the dissolution and liquidation of the Trust under this Article XI
except to the extent required by the 1940 Act.
(b)
After the winding up and
liquidation of the Trust, including the distribution to the Shareholders of any
assets of the Trust, 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 shall execute and file a certificate of cancellation with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Upon termination of the Trust, the Trustees
shall thereupon be discharged from all further liabilities and duties
hereunder, and the rights and interests of all Shareholders shall thereupon
cease.
Section 11.2
Change of Dissolution Date
. (a) The Trust may be dissolved prior to May 31,
2020 only upon approval of not less than a majority of the Trustees. Shareholders of the Trust shall not be
entitled to vote with respect thereto.
(b)
Notwithstanding Section 11.1(a),
prior to May 31, 2020 a majority of the Trustees, with the approval by a
Majority Shareholder Vote, may approve an extension of the dissolution date of
the Trust to a date after May 31, 2020 (the Extended Dissolution Date)
for a period of not more than two years or such shorter term as may be
reasonably determined. The Extended
Dissolution Date may similarly be extended one or more times by a majority of
the Trustees with the approval by a Majority Shareholder Vote.
Section 11.3
Amendment Procedure
. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of
this Section 11.3, this Declaration may be amended, after a majority of
the Trustees have approved a resolution therefor, by the affirmative vote
required by Section 10.4 of this Declaration. The Trustees also may amend this Declaration
without any vote of Shareholders of any class or series to divide the Shares of
the Trust into one or more series or additional series, or one or more
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classes of any such
series or series, to determine the rights, powers, preferences, limitations and
restrictions of any class or series of Shares, to change the name of the Trust
or any class or series of Shares, to make any change that does not materially
adversely affect the relative rights or preferences of any Shareholder, as they
may deem necessary, or to conform this Declaration to the requirements of the
1940 Act or any other applicable federal laws or regulations including pursuant
to Section 6.2 or the requirements of the regulated investment company
provisions of the Code, but the Trustees shall not be liable for failing to do
so.
(b)
No amendment may be made to Section 2.1,
Section 2.2, Section 2.3, Section 5.1, Section 5.2, Section 11.2(a),
this Section 11.3, Section 11.6 or Section 11.7 of this
Declaration and no amendment may be made to this Declaration which would change
any rights with respect to any 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 that this provision shall not
limit the ability of the Trustees to authorize, and to cause the Trust to
issue, other securities pursuant to Section 6.2), except after the
approval of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of each class of Shares
outstanding and entitled to vote on the matter, unless a majority of the
Trustees and seventy-five percent (75%) of the Continuing Trustees entitled to
vote on the matter approve such amendment, in which case approval by a Majority
Shareholder Vote shall be required.
Nothing contained in this Declaration shall permit the amendment of this
Declaration to impair the exemption from personal liability of the
Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust or to
permit assessments upon Shareholders.
(c)
An amendment duly adopted by
the requisite vote of the Board of Trustees and, if required, the Shareholders
as aforesaid, shall become effective at the time of such adoption or at such
other time as may be designated by the Board of Trustees or Shareholders, as
the case may be. A certification in
recordable form signed by a majority of the Trustees setting forth an amendment
and reciting that it was duly adopted by the Trustees and, if required, the
Shareholders as aforesaid, or a copy of the Declaration, as amended, in recordable
form, and executed by a majority of the Trustees, shall be conclusive evidence
of such amendment when lodged among the records of the Trust or at such other
time designated by the Board.
Notwithstanding any other
provision hereof, until such time as a Registration Statement under the
Securities Act, covering the first public offering of Shares of the Trust shall
have become effective, this Declaration may be terminated or amended in any
respect by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees or by an
instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees.
Section 11.4
[Intentionally omitted].
Section 11.5
Subsidiaries
.
Without approval by Shareholders, the Trustees may cause to be organized
or assist in organizing one or more corporations, trusts, partnerships,
associations or other organizations to take over all of the Trust Property or
to carry on any business in which the Trust shall directly or indirectly have
any interest and to sell, convey, and transfer all or a portion of the Trust
Property to any such corporation, trust, limited liability company, association
or organization in exchange for the shares or securities thereof, or otherwise,
and to lend money to, subscribe for the shares or securities of and enter into
any contracts with any such corporation, trust, limited liability company,
partnership, association or organization, or any
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corporation,
partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or organization in
which the Trust holds or is about to acquire shares or any other interests.
Section 11.6
Conversion
.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Declaration or the Bylaws,
the conversion of the Trust or any series of Shares from a closed-end company
to an open-end company, as those terms are defined in Sections 5(a)(2) and
5(a)(1), respectively, of the 1940 Act (as in effect on the date of this
Declaration), together with any necessary amendments to this Declaration to
permit such a conversion, shall require the affirmative vote or consent of a
majority of the Trustees, with the approval by a Majority Shareholder Vote. Any
affirmative vote or consent required under this Section 11.6 shall be in
addition to the vote or consent of the Shareholders otherwise required by
federal law or by any agreement between the Trust and any national securities
exchange.
Section 11.7
Certain Transactions
. (a) Except as otherwise provided in
paragraph (b) of this Section the affirmative vote or consent of at
least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Trustees of the Trust and at least
seventy-five percent (75%) of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote
thereon shall be necessary to authorize any of the following actions:
(i)
The merger, conversion, consolidation or share
exchange of the Trust or any series or class of Shares with or into any other
person or company (including, without limitation, a partnership, corporation,
joint venture, statutory or business trust, common law trust or any other
business organization) or of any such person or company with or into the Trust
or any series or class of Shares.
(ii)
The issuance or transfer by the Trust or any series
or class of Shares (in one or more series of transactions in any twelve-month
period) of any securities of the Trust or such series or class to any other
person or entity for cash, securities or other property (or combination
thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, excluding
(x) sales of any securities of the Trust or a series or class in connection
with a public offering thereof, (y) issuance of securities of the Trust or
a series or class pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan adopted by the
Trustees and (z) issuances of securities of the Trust or a series or class
upon the exercise of any stock subscription rights distributed by the Trust or
a series or class.
(iii)
The sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge,
transfer or other disposition by the Trust or any series or class of Shares (in
one or a series of transactions in any twelve-month period) to or with any
person of any assets of the Trust or such series or class having an aggregate
fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, except for transactions in securities
effected by the Trust or a series or class in the ordinary course of business.
(iv)
Any Shareholder proposal as to specific investment
decisions made or to be made with respect to the assets of the Trust or a
series or class of Shares.
(b)
Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in paragraph (a) of this Section 11.7, so long as each
action is approved by both a majority of the entire Board of Trustees and
seventy-five percent (75%) of the Continuing Trustees, and so long as all other
conditions and
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requirements,
if any, provided for in the Bylaws and applicable law have been satisfied, then
no Shareholder vote or consent shall be necessary or required to approve any of
the actions listed in paragraphs (a)(i), (a)(ii), (a)(iii) or (a)(iv) of
this Section 11.7, except to the extent such Shareholder vote or consent
is required by the 1940 Act or other federal law.
ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous
Section 12.1
Filing
. (a) This
Declaration and any amendment or supplement hereto shall be filed in such
places as may be required or as the Trustees deem appropriate. Each amendment
or supplement shall be accompanied by a certificate signed and acknowledged by
a Trustee stating that such action was duly taken in a manner provided herein,
and shall, upon insertion in the Trusts minute book, be conclusive evidence of
all amendments contained therein. A
restated Declaration, containing the original Declaration and all amendments
and supplements theretofore made, may be executed from time to time by a majority
of the Trustees and shall, upon insertion in the Trusts minute book, be
conclusive evidence of all amendments and supplements contained therein and may
thereafter be referred to in lieu of the original Declaration and the various
amendments and supplements thereto.
(b) The Trustees hereby
authorize and direct a Certificate of Trust, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A,
to be executed and filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware in accordance with the Delaware Statutory Trust Act.
Section 12.2
Resident Agent
. The Trust shall maintain a resident agent in
the State of Delaware, which agent shall initially be The Corporation Trust
Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The Trustees may designate a successor
resident agent, provided, however, that such appointment shall not become
effective until written notice thereof is delivered to the office of the
Secretary of the State.
Section 12.3
Governing Law
. The trust set forth in this instrument is
made in the State of Delaware, and the Trust and this Declaration, and the
rights and obligations of the Trustees and Shareholders hereunder, are to be
governed by and construed and administered according to the Delaware Statutory
Trust Statute and the laws of said State; provided, however, that there shall
not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees or this Declaration (a) the
provisions of Sections 3540 and 3561 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code or (b) any
provisions of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Delaware (other
than the Delaware Statutory Trust Statute) pertaining to trusts which relate to
or regulate: (i) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency
of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (ii) affirmative
requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a
trust, (iii) the necessity for obtaining court or other governmental
approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal
property, (iv) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents or
employees of a trust, (v) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to
income or principal, (vi) restrictions or limitations on the permissible
nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating
to the titling, storage or other manner of holding of trust assets, or (vii) the
establishment of fiduciary or other standards or responsibilities or
limitations on the acts or powers of trustees, which are inconsistent with the
limitations or liabilities or authorities and
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powers of the Trustees
set forth or referenced in this Declaration.
The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a statutory trust, and
without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which
are ordinarily exercised by such a trust under Delaware law. The Trust specifically reserves the right to
exercise any of the powers or privileges afforded to trusts or actions that may
be engaged in by trusts under the Delaware Statutory Trust Statute, and the
absence of a specific reference herein to any such power, privilege or action
shall not imply that the Trust may not exercise such power or privilege or take
such actions.
Section 12.4
Counterparts
.
This Declaration may be simultaneously executed in several counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts,
together, shall constitute one and the same instrument, which shall be
sufficiently evidenced by any such original counterpart.
Section 12.5
Reliance by Third Parties
. Any certificate 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
name of the Trust, (c) the due authorization of the execution of any
instrument or writing, (d) the form of any vote passed at a meeting of
Trustees or Shareholders, (e) the fact that the number of Trustees or
Shareholders present at any meeting or executing any written instrument
satisfies the requirements of this Declaration, (f) the form of any
By-Laws adopted by or the identity of any officers elected by the Trustees, or (g) the
existence of any fact or facts which in any manner relate to the affairs of the
Trust, shall be conclusive evidence as to the matters so certified in favor of
any person dealing with the Trustees and their successors.
Section 12.6
Provisions in Conflict with Law or
Regulation
. (a) The provisions
of this Declaration are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with
the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in conflict with the 1940
Act, the regulated investment company provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
or with other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall
be deemed never to have constituted a part of this Declaration; provided,
however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining
provisions of this Declaration or render invalid or improper any action taken
or omitted prior to such determination.
(b)
If any provision of this
Declaration shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such
invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such
jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provision in any other
jurisdiction or any other provision of this Declaration in any jurisdiction.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
undersigned have caused this Declaration to be executed as of the day and year
first above written.
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/s/
Edward H. DAlelio
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Edward
H. DAlelio, as Trustee
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/s/
Michael Holland
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Michael
Holland, as Trustee
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/s/
Thomas W. Jasper
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Thomas
W. Jasper, as Trustee
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/s/
John ONeill
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John
ONeill, as Trustee
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/s/
Daniel H. Smith, Jr.
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Daniel
H. Smith, Jr., as Trustee
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