UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 


 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  September 21, 2015 (September 15, 2015)

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

North Dakota

 

001-35624

 

45-0311232

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

1400 31st Avenue SW, Suite 60
Post Office Box 1988
Minot, ND 58702-1988

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

(701) 837-4738

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed from last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o                  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o                  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o                  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o                  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01                                            Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On September 15, 2015, the Board of Trustees approved, and the Company entered into, Indemnification Agreements (“Agreement”) with each of the Trustees and the following executive officers, senior vice presidents and officers of the Company (collectively, the “Indemnities”): Timothy P. Mihalick, Chief Executive Officer and President; Ted E. Holmes, Chief Financial Officer and EVP; Diane K. Bryantt, Chief Operating Officer and EVP; Mark W. Reiling, Chief Investment Officer and EVP; Michael A. Bosh, General Counsel and EVP; Charles A. Greenberg, Senior Vice President, Commercial and Senior Housing Asset Management; Andrew Martin, Senior Vice President, Residential Property Management; Joy S. Newborg, Chief Compliance Officer, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary; and Nancy B. Andersen, Vice President and Principal Accounting Officer.

 

These Agreements supplement the rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and related rights provided in the Company’s Articles of Amendment and Third Restated Declaration of Trust (“Declaration of Trust”). The Agreements generally provide that the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitees to the fullest extent permitted by law, subject to certain exceptions, against judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with their services as a Trustee or officer and also provide rights to advancement of expenses and contribution. An Agreement terminates the later of: (1) the date the Indemnitee is no longer a Trustee or employee of the Company and (2) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any actual or possible proceeding, as defined in the Agreement.

 

The above description of the Agreements is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Agreement, which is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.02                                            Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

(e)                                   On September 16, 2015, the Compensation Committee (“Committee”) granted one-year, two-year and three-year restricted stock awards (“Awards”) to executive officers pursuant to the terms of the 2015 Incentive Plan and the Company’s revised long-term incentive program. The Awards measure long-term performance on a future one-year, two-year or three-year basis, as applicable, utilizing total shareholder return (“TSR”), both relative and absolute.

 

Relative TSR will be measured by the degree of the Company’s under or over performance relative to the MSCI US REIT Index, and absolute TSR will be measured by the compounded annual growth rate (“CAGR”) per share and unit, based on the common share price before the start of the performance period compared to the price at the end of the performance period. The performance period for the one-year Award is May 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016, for the two-year Award is May 1, 2015 through April 30, 2017 and for the three-year Award is May 1, 2015 through April 30, 2018. Performance goals for each Award are set at the following levels:

 

Metric

 

Threshold

 

Target

 

High

Relative TSR (67%)

 

90% of Index

 

105% of Index

 

120% of Index

Absolute TSR (33%)

 

10% CAGR

 

12% CAGR

 

14% CAGR

 

To the extent deemed earned, Awards will be payable in restricted shares, 50% of which will vest at the conclusion of the performance period and 50% of which will vest on the first anniversary of the end of the performance period.

 

Awards were granted to the named executive officers as follows:

 

Recipient

 

Award Type

 

Maximum No. of Shares That Can
Be Earned

 

Timothy P. Mihalick

 

1 Year Award

 

121,491

 

 

 

2 Year Award

 

121,491

 

 

 

3 Year Award

 

121,491

 

Ted E. Holmes

 

1 Year Award

 

44,049

 

 

 

2 Year Award

 

44,049

 

 

 

3 Year Award

 

44,049

 

Diane K. Bryantt

 

1 Year Award

 

60,328

 

 

 

2 Year Award

 

60,328

 

 

 

3 Year Award

 

60,328

 

Mark W. Reiling

 

1 Year Award

 

50,274

 

 

 

2 Year Award

 

50,274

 

 

 

3 Year Award

 

50,274

 

Michael A. Bosh

 

1 Year Award

 

47,445

 

 

 

2 Year Award

 

47,445

 

 

 

3 Year Award

 

47,445

 

 

2



 

The above description of the Awards is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Awards, which are filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.2 for the one-year Award, Exhibit 10.3 for the two-year Award and Exhibit 10.4 for the three-year Award, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03                                            Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

(a)                                  Effective September 15, 2015, the Board of Trustees revised the Company’s bylaws by adopting the Fourth Restated Trustee’s Regulations (Bylaws) (“Revised Bylaws”). The Revised Bylaws generally provide the procedure for shareholders holding 10% of the outstanding common shares to call a special meeting, a right provided for in the Declaration of Trust; revise and implement advance notice requirements applicable to shareholder proposals and trustee nominations; provide the manner shareholders can act by written consent; as well as provide that the duties of certain committees are as provided for in their charters or as the Board may prescribe.

 

The above description of the Revised Bylaws is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Revised Bylaws, which is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 3.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.07                                            Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

On September 15, 2015, the Company held its 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”).  As of July 17, 2015, the record date for shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, there were 125,519,557 common shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.  Of the shares entitled to vote, 99,647,153, or approximately 79.38% of the shares, were present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, constituting a quorum under the Declaration of Trust.  There were four matters presented and voted on at the Annual meeting.  Set forth below is a brief description of each matter voted on at the Annual Meeting and the final voting results with respect to each such matter.

 

Proposal 1 —Election of nine nominees to serve on the Board of Trustees for a one-year term and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

 

Nominee

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

35,112,886

 

Jeffrey P. Caira

 

62,271,982

 

2,038,618

 

223,667

 

 

 

Linda J. Hall

 

63,128,771

 

1,178,995

 

226,501

 

 

 

Terrance P. Maxwell

 

56,704,574

 

7,585,048

 

244,645

 

 

 

Timothy P. Mihalick

 

63,264,914

 

1,047,181

 

222,172

 

 

 

Jeffrey L. Miller

 

63,295,059

 

1,012,694

 

226,514

 

 

 

Pamela J. Moret

 

63,382,236

 

937,182

 

214,849

 

 

 

Stephen L. Stenehjem

 

62,306,098

 

2,036,621

 

191,548

 

 

 

John D. Stewart

 

63,254,785

 

1,051,192

 

228,290

 

 

 

Jeffrey K. Woodbury

 

63,358,925

 

953,711

 

221,631

 

 

 

 

The shareholders elected all nine of the nominees as trustees.

 

3



 

Proposal 2 —Non-binding advisory resolution on executive compensation.

 

 

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-
Votes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Votes Cast

 

62,052,421

 

2,103,857

 

377,989

 

35,112,886

 

 

The shareholders approved the non-binding advisory resolution on executive compensation.

 

Proposal 3 —Approval of the 2015 Incentive Award Plan.

 

 

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-
Votes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Votes Cast

 

61,929,061

 

2,187,318

 

417,888

 

35,112,886

 

 

The shareholders approved the 2015 Incentive Award Plan.

 

Proposal 4 —Ratification of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2016.

 

 

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-
Votes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Votes Cast

 

98,817,737

 

521,739

 

307,677

 

0

 

 

The shareholders ratified the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Item 9.01                                            Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)                                  Exhibits

 

Exhibit 

 

 

Number

 

Description

 

 

 

3.2

 

Fourth Restated Trustee’s Regulations (Bylaws) of Investors Real Estate Trust, adopted on September 15, 2015

10.1

 

The form of Indemnification Agreement

10.2

 

The form of Stock Award Agreement (one-year measurement period)

10.3

 

The form of Stock Award Agreement (two-year measurement period)

10.4

 

The form of Stock Award Agreement (three-year measurement period)

 

4



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST

 

 

 

Date: September 21, 2015

By:

/s/ Timothy P. Mihalick

 

 

Timothy P. Mihalick

 

 

President & Chief Executive Officer

 

5


Exhibit 3.2

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST

 

Fourth Restated Trustees’ Regulations (Bylaws)
(Adopted September 15, 2015)

 

ARTICLE I - OFFICE AND RECORDS

 

Section 1.  The principal office of Investors Real Estate Trust (the “Trust”) shall be in Minot, North Dakota.  The Trust may also have offices at such other places as the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) may from time to time designate.

 

Section 2.  The original or a certified copy of these Bylaws, including all amendments, shall be kept at the principal office of the Trust and be available during usual business hours for inspection and copying.

 

Section 3.  The Trust shall keep correct and complete books and records of accounts of its transactions, and minutes and other records of the proceedings or other actions of the Board and of any committees of the Board.

 

Section 4.  The Trust shall maintain at its principal office (or at such other office or agency of the Trust as may be specified by the Board) a Share Ledger containing the names and addresses of all shareholders and the number of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust held by each shareholder.

 

ARTICLE II - TRUSTEES

 

Section 1.  The number of Trustees shall not be less than 5, nor more than 15, as from time to time determined by the Board.

 

Section 2.  The Board shall elect one of the Trustees as Chairman of the Board, who shall act as chairman at all meetings of the Board, shall have the power to appoint committees of the Board, and may perform administrative acts on behalf of the Board except to the extent that the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws specifically require such acts to be performed by a majority of the Board.

 

Section 3.  The Board may elect one or more Trustees as a Vice Chairman of the Board.  The First Vice Chairman shall exercise the power and duties of the Chairman in his or her absence or, in the case of a vacancy in that office, until a new Chairman shall be elected.

 

Section 4.  The Board shall elect a Secretary, who need not be a Trustee, who shall keep minutes and have the usual responsibilities of a secretary.

 



 

Section 5.  Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such times as the Board determines, but not less frequently than each quarter.

 

Section 6.  Special meetings of the Board shall be held whenever called by the Chairman, or by any 3 other Trustees, at such time and place as may be designated in the notice of the meeting.

 

Section 7.  At least 24 hour written notice shall be given of the time and place of any regular or special meeting of the Board. If the notice is sent by mail or fax or electronic mail, it shall be deemed to have been given when deposited in the mail or transmitted by fax or by electronic mail directed to an address, telephone number or electronic mail address, as the case may be, which the Trustee has designated for the receipt of such notice.  Notice of an adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place of the adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which such adjournment action is taken.

 

Section 8.  A majority of the Trustees in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  The acts of a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the acts of the Board.  The Trustees may, in lieu of a meeting, take any action which would be lawful if done at a meeting by having a certificate describing such action signed by all of the Trustees in office and depositing such certificate in the minute book of the Trust.

 

Section 9.  Trustees must be individuals at least 21 years of age and less than 74 years of age upon the date of the annual shareholder meeting at which such individual is elected as a Trustee.

 

ARTICLE III - SHAREHOLDERS

 

Section 1.  Meetings of the shareholders shall be held at such place in Minot, North Dakota or elsewhere as may be fixed by the Board.

 

Section 2.  Annual Shareholder Meeting. An annual meeting of shareholders for the election of Trustees shall be held within six months of the end of the Trust’s fiscal year, at such time and place as the Board shall from time to time fix.

 

Section 3.  Special Shareholder Meeting.

 

A.                                     A special meeting of shareholders may be called by either the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chairman of the Board or the Board. Except as provided in Section 3(B) below, a special meeting of shareholders shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chairman of the Board or the Board, whoever has called the meeting. Subject to Section 3(B) below, a special meeting of shareholders shall also be called by the Secretary of the Trust to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the valid written request of one or more shareholders who, in the aggregate, are holders of ten percent or more of the then outstanding common shares entitled to vote on the matter(s) proposed to be voted on at such meeting (“Requisite Percentage”).

 



 

B.                                     Shareholder-Requested Special Meetings.

 

i.  In order for any shareholder(s) to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders:

 

(a) shareholders holding the Requisite Percentage shall submit a written notice of demand (“Special Meeting Request”) in proper form to the Secretary of the Trust at the Trust’s principal executive offices by registered mail, return receipt requested. Such Special Meeting Request shall be signed by shareholder(s) holding the Requisite Percentage, bearing the date of signature of each such shareholder. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall include:

 

(1)                                  the information required by Section 6(A)(i) of Article III in the case of a proposal of business and Section 6(B)(i) of Article III in the case of a nomination of a Trustee as if such special meeting was an annual meeting; and

 

(2)                                  documentary evidence that the requesting shareholders collectively own, as of the time the Special Meeting Request is submitted to the Secretary, the Requisite Percentage.

 

(3)                                  A shareholder that has requested the special meeting in response to a solicitation statement filed by another shareholder seeking support from the Requisite Percentage of shareholders for such special meeting pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) (“Solicited Shareholder”) is not required to provide the information under Section 3(B)(i)(a)(1) above except: (A) information under Sections 6(A)(i)(a) and 6(B)(i)(a), as applicable, but only as to the name and address of the Solicited Shareholder, and (B) information under Sections 6(A)(i)(e) and 6(B)(i)(b), as applicable, but only as to the ownership, beneficially and of record, of Trust Securities by the Solicited Shareholder.

 

(b)                                  If any information submitted as part of a Special Meeting Request pursuant to this Section 3(B) becomes inaccurate in any material respect, the Special Meeting Request may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 3(B). For the Special Meeting Request to remain valid, the requesting shareholders must:

 

(1)                                  promptly notify the Secretary of any inaccuracy or change in the Special Meeting Request (but in any event no later than two business days after any requesting shareholder becomes aware of such inaccuracy or change), including if any requesting shareholders have withdrawn from the Special Meeting Request; and

 

(2)                                  promptly update and supplement the Special Meeting Request, as necessary, and deliver the revised Special Meeting Request to the Secretary (but in any event no later than five business days after any requesting shareholder becomes aware of such

 



 

inaccuracy or change) so that the Special Meeting Request shall continue to be true, accurate and complete from the Delivery Date until the special meeting is held or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

(c)                                   When a Special Meeting Request in compliance with Section 3(B)(i) is received by the Secretary of the Trust for any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders, the Secretary shall inform the requesting shareholders of the reasonably estimated costs of preparing and mailing or delivering the notice of the special meeting (including the Trust’s proxy materials) (“Costs”). The Secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon shareholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraphs (a) and (b) above, the Secretary receives payment from the requesting shareholders of such Costs prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of such notice of the meeting (the date on which the Secretary receives both a valid Special Meeting Request and payment of the Costs is the “Delivery Date”).

 

ii.                                        Any requesting shareholder may revoke its participation in any Special Meeting Request at any time prior to the special meeting by delivering a written revocation to the Secretary.

 

iii.                                     Upon the Trust’s determination that: (a) the requesting shareholders own the Requisite Percentage; (b) the requesting shareholders have validly submitted a Special Meeting Request in accordance with these Bylaws, the Declaration of Trust and applicable law, including payment of the Costs; and (c) there is at least one matter proposed in the Special Meeting Request that may properly be considered at a shareholder meeting, the Secretary shall, within 30 days after the Delivery Date, call the special meeting, which shall be held at the place, date and time determined by the Board that is no later than 90 days after the Delivery Date. The business conducted at such special meeting shall be limited to the matters proposed in the Special Meeting Request which are matters that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders; provided that the Board may include additional matters to be considered by the shareholders at the meeting by including those matters in the notice of the special meeting of shareholders.

 

iv.                                    If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the Secretary pursuant to Section 3(B)(ii), and the result is that the requesting shareholders who have not revoked no longer hold the Requisite Percentage, then the Board shall have the discretion to determine whether or not to proceed with the special meeting.

 

v.                                       Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3(B) to the contrary, the Secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting if either: (a) the Delivery Date occurs during the period commencing ninety (90) days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders and ending on the date of the final adjournment of the next annual meeting of shareholders; or (b) the only matter to be voted on at the special meeting is substantially the same as a

 



 

matter voted on at any meeting of the shareholders held during the preceding twelve months, except if the matter relates to the election or removal of Trustees.

 

vi.                                    If neither any of the requesting shareholders is physically present at, nor a qualified representative representing the requesting shareholders at their request is physically present at, the special meeting to present the matters proposed in the Special Meeting Request and included in the Trust’s notice of meeting, the Trust is not required to present such matters for a vote at such meeting.

 

Section 4.  Written notice setting forth the date, time and place of each annual meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by law, the purpose(s) for which the meeting is called shall be given to each shareholder of record at least 15 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.  Notice of any meeting of shareholders sent by mail shall be deemed given when it is deposited in the mail addressed to the shareholder at the address appearing on the records of the Trust.  Notice of an adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place of the adjourned meeting is announced at the meeting at which the adjournment action is taken.

 

Section 5.  Order of Business at Shareholder Meetings.

 

A.                                     Annual Meetings of Shareholders . At any annual meeting of the shareholders, only such nominations of persons for election to the Board shall be made and only such other business shall be conducted or considered, as shall have been properly brought before the meeting.  For nominations to be properly made at an annual meeting, and proposals of other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting, nominations and proposals of other business must be: (i) specified in the Trust’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly made at the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board, or (iii) otherwise properly requested to be brought before the annual meeting by a shareholder who (x) was a shareholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in Section 6 of this Article III and at the time of the annual meeting, (y) is entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (z) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in Section 6 of this Article III, specifically including Section 6(A) in the case of a proposal of other business and Section 6(B) in the case of a nomination of a Trustee.  In addition, any shareholder proposal of other business to be voted on at an annual meeting must be a matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders. For the avoidance of doubt, clause (iii) of this Section 5(A) shall be the exclusive means for a shareholder to make nominations or other business proposals at an annual meeting of shareholders other than business properly included in the Trust’s proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

B.                                     Special Meetings of Shareholders . At any special meeting of the shareholders, only such nominations of persons for election to the Board shall be made and only such business shall be conducted or considered as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. For nominations to be properly made at a special meeting, and proposals of business to be properly brought before a special meeting, nominations and proposals of business must be (i) specified in the Trust’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board or other persons who called such meeting in accordance with Article III, Section 3; (ii) otherwise properly brought before the special meeting by or at the direction of the Board; or (iii) if the Trust’s notice of meeting provides for

 



 

the election of Trustees, shareholder nominations of persons for election to the Board otherwise properly requested to be brought before the special meeting by a shareholder who (x) was a shareholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in Section 6 of this Article III and at the time of the special meeting, (y) is entitled to vote at the special meeting and (z) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in Section 6 of this Article III, specifically including Section 6(B) for nomination of Trustees.  For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 5(B) of Article III shall be the exclusive means for a shareholder to make nominations or other business proposals at a special meeting of shareholders other than business properly included in the Trust’s proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

C.                                     General .  Except as otherwise provided by law, the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before an annual or special meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or other business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that no action shall be taken on such nomination or other proposal and such nomination or other proposal shall be disregarded.

 

Section 6.  Shareholder Proposals and Nominations.

 

A.                                     Shareholder Proposals . For shareholder proposals for other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting pursuant to Section 5(A)(iii) of Article III, the shareholder, or beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is made (“Requesting Shareholder”), shall submit a timely written notice (“Proposal Notice”) in proper form to the Secretary of the Trust at the Trust’s principal executive offices by registered mail, return receipt requested. Such Proposal Notice shall be signed by a shareholder entitled to submit a Proposal Notice under these Bylaws, bearing the date of signature of such shareholder. The date on which the Secretary receives a valid and complete Proposal Notice is referred to as the “Proposal Delivery Date”. The requirements of the Proposal Notice shall be as follows:

 

i.                                           Proposal Notice . The written Proposal Notice shall include:

 

(a)                                  the name and address of such shareholder as it appears on the Trust’s books, of such beneficial owner, if any, and of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith (collectively referred to as “Shareholder Group”), and the name of each nominee or similar custodian which holds any such shares or other securities of the Trust on behalf of such Shareholder Group (“Custodian”);

 

(b)                                  a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reason(s) for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest of the Shareholder Group in the proposal of such business;

 

(c)                                   a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between the Shareholder Group and any other person(s) (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by the Requesting Shareholder;

 



 

(d)                                  the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration);

 

(e)                                   the class, series and number of all shares of beneficial interest and other securities of the Trust and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Trust Securities”) which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by the Shareholder Group and by each Custodian, or any other agreement relating to the Trust Securities, including any of the following:

 

(1)                                  any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any Trust Securities or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any Trust Securities, or any derivative or synthetic arrangement having the characteristics of a long position in any Trust Securities, or any contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions designed to produce economic benefits and risks that correspond substantially to the ownership of any Trust Securities, including due to the fact that the value of such contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions is determined by reference to the price, value or volatility of any Trust Securities, whether or not such instrument, contract or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying Trust Securities, through the delivery of cash or other property, or otherwise, and without regard of whether the Shareholder Group may have entered into transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such instrument, contract or right or any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of Trust Securities (any of the foregoing, a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such Shareholder Group;

 

(2)                                  any proxy (other than a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act by way of a solicitation statement filed on Schedule 14A), contract, arrangement or understanding pursuant to which the Shareholder Group has a right to vote any Trust Securities;

 

(3)                                  any agreement, arrangement, understanding or otherwise, including any repurchase or similar so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, engaged in, directly or indirectly, by the Shareholder Group, the purpose or effect of which is to mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk (of ownership or otherwise) of any Trust Securities by, manage the risk of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Shareholder Group with respect to any Trust Securities, or which provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the price or value of any Trust Securities;

 



 

(4)                                  any rights to dividends or other distributions on any Trust Securities owned beneficially by the Shareholder Group that are separated or separable from the underlying Trust Securities;

 

(5)                                  any proportionate interest in any Trust Securities or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which the Requesting Shareholder is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner of such general or limited partnership;

 

(6)                                  any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) to which the Requesting Shareholder is entitled based on any increase or decrease in the value of Trust Securities or Derivative Instruments, if any; and

 

(7)                                  any direct or indirect interest of the Requesting Shareholder in any contract with the Trust or any affiliate of the Trust (including any collective bargaining agreement); and

 

(f)                                    any other information relating to the Requesting Shareholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the proposal pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(ii)                                   Timely Notice . For the Proposal Notice to be timely:

 

(a)                                  the Proposal Delivery Date of the Proposal Notice shall be no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and no later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the above, in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, the Proposal Delivery Date of the Proposal Notice must be no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and no later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, no later than by the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Trust.

 

(c)                                   In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a Proposal Notice.

 

(iii)                                Update Requirement . If any information submitted as part of a Proposal Notice pursuant to this Section 6(A) becomes inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance

 



 

with this Section 6(A). For a Proposal Notice to remain valid, the Requesting Shareholder must:

 

(a)                                  promptly notify the Secretary of any inaccuracy or change in the Proposal Notice (but in any event no later than two business days after the Requesting Shareholder becomes aware of such inaccuracy or change); and

 

(b)                                  promptly update and supplement the Proposal Notice, as necessary, and deliver the revised Proposal Notice to the Secretary (but in any event no later than five business days after the Requesting Shareholder becomes aware of such inaccuracy or change) so that the Proposal Notice shall continue to be true, accurate and complete from the Notice Delivery Date until the meeting is held or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

(iv)                               Present at the Meeting . If neither the Requesting Shareholder who has given proper and timely notice as required herein is physically present at, nor a qualified representative representing the Requesting Shareholder at its request is physically present at, the meeting to present the business proposal proposed in the Proposal Notice, the Trust is not required to present such business proposal for a vote at such meeting. If the Requesting Shareholder who has given proper and timely notice as required herein intends to authorize another person to act for the Requesting Shareholder as a proxy to present the business proposal at the meeting, the Requesting Shareholder shall give notice of such authorization in writing to the Secretary not less than three business days before the date of the meeting, including the name and contact information for such person.

 

B.                                     Shareholder Nominations . For a shareholder nomination of a person for election to the Board to be properly brought before an annual meeting pursuant to Section 5(A)(iii) of Article III or before a special meeting pursuant to Section 5(B)(iii) of Article III, the Requesting Shareholder shall submit a timely written notice (“Nomination Notice”) in proper form to the Secretary of the Trust at the Trust’s principal executive offices by registered mail, return receipt requested. Such Nomination Notice shall be signed by a shareholder entitled to submit a Nomination Notice under these Bylaws, bearing the date of signature of such shareholder. The date on which the Secretary receives a valid and complete Nomination Notice is referred to as the “Nomination Delivery Date”. The requirements of the Nomination Notice shall be as follows:

 

i.                                           Nomination Notice . The written Nomination Notice shall include:

 

(a)                                  the same information as specified under Section 6(A)(i)(a) for the Shareholder Group submitting the Nomination Notice and Custodian to such Shareholder Group,

 

(b)                                  and same information as specified under Section 6(A)(i)(e) for the Shareholder Group submitting the Nomination Notice;

 

(c)                                   as to each person whom the Requesting Shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board (“Nominee”), all information relating to such Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy

 



 

statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of Trustees in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

(d)                                  as to each Nominee, a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among the Shareholder Group on the one hand and each Nominee, and the Nominee’s respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K if the Shareholder Group were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the Nominee were a Trustee or executive officer of such registrant;

 

(e)                                   as to each Nominee, the Nominee’s written consent to being named in the Trust’s proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Trustee if elected;

 

(f)                                    a questionnaire completed, signed and dated by each Nominee with respect to the Nominee’s background and qualifications (which questionnaire shall be provided to the Requesting Shareholder by the Secretary upon written request);

 

(g)                                   written representations signed and dated by each Nominee, whereby each Nominee shall represent that Nominee: (1) is not and will not become a party to (A) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such Nominee, if elected as a Trustee, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Trust therein or (B) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with the Nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a Trustee, with the Nominee’s fiduciary duties under applicable law; (2) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Trust with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a Trustee that has not been disclosed to the Trust therein; and (3) in Nominee’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance if elected as a Trustee of the Trust and will comply with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, resignation, confidentiality, share ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Trust publicly disclosed from time to time; and

 

(h)                                  any other information that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of Trustees in a contested election (even if an election contest is not involved) pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 



 

(ii)                               Timely Notice . For the Nomination Notice to be timely:

 

(a)                                  in regards to an annual meeting, the Nomination Delivery Date of the Nomination Notice must be by the time frames as provided under Section 6(A)(ii) above; provided, however, in the event that the number of Trustees to be elected to the Board at such annual meeting is increased by the Board, and there is no public announcement by the Trust naming all of the nominees for Trustee or specifying the size of the increased Board at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, then the Nomination Notice shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Trust.

 

(b)                                  in regards to a special meeting, the Nomination Delivery Date of the Nomination Notice shall be no earlier than the close of business on the 100th day prior to the date of such special meeting and no later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to the date of such special meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such special meeting is less than 70 days prior to the date of such special meeting, no later than by the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting.

 

(c)                                   In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of annual or special meeting, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a Nomination Notice as described above.

 

(iii)                                Update Requirement . If any information submitted as part of a Nomination Notice pursuant to this Section 6(B) becomes inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 6(B). For a Nomination Notice to remain valid, the Requesting Shareholder must:

 

(a)                                  promptly notify the Secretary of any inaccuracy or change in the Nomination Notice (but in any event no later than two business days after the Requesting Shareholder becomes aware of such inaccuracy or change); and

 

(b)                                  promptly update and supplement the Nomination Notice, as necessary, and deliver the revised Nomination Notice to the Secretary (but in any event no later than five business days after the Requesting Shareholder becomes aware of such inaccuracy or change) so that the Nomination Notice shall continue to be true, accurate and complete from the Delivery Date until the meeting is held or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

(iv)                               The Trust may require any proposed Nominee to furnish such other information as may be reasonably required by the Trust or the Board to determine the eligibility of such proposed Nominee to serve as an independent Trustee of the Trust

 



 

or that could be material to a reasonable shareholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such Nominee.

 

(v)                                  Present at the Meeting . If neither a Requesting Shareholder who has given proper and timely notice as required herein is physically present at, nor a qualified representative representing the Requesting Shareholder at its request is physically present at, the meeting to present the Nominee(s) as proposed in the Nominee Notice, the Trust is not required to present such Nominees for election at such meeting. If a Requesting Shareholder who has given proper and timely notice as required herein intends to authorize another person to act for the Requesting Shareholder as a proxy to present the nomination at the meeting, the Requesting Shareholder shall give notice of such authorization in writing to the Secretary not less than three business days before the date of the meeting, including the name and contact information for such person.

 

C.                                     Notwithstanding Sections 6(A) and (B) of this Article III, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 6; provided , however , that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to shareholder nominations or proposals under these Bylaws.

 

D.                                     Any shareholder proposal for other business made pursuant to a Proposal Notice under Section 6(A) must be a matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders.

 

E.                                      Notwithstanding the disclosure requirements of Sections 6(A) and (B) of this Article III, disclosures with respect to ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a shareholder solely as a result of being the shareholder of record or nominee directed to prepare and submit the notice required by Sections 6(A) and (B) of this Article III, as the case may be, on behalf of a beneficial owner will not be required.

 

F.                                       Nothing in this Article III shall be deemed to affect any (1) rights of shareholders to request inclusion of proposals in, or the right of the Trust to omit a proposal from, the Trust’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (2) rights of the holders of any series of preferred shares of the Trust if and to the extent provided for under law, the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws.

 

Section 7.  Every annual and special meeting of shareholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment, by the Chairman of the Board or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the Chairman of the Board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting: the Vice Chairman of the Board, if there be one, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, the Executive Vice Presidents and the Senior Vice Presidents in their order of rank and seniority, or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the shareholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or by proxy.  The Secretary, or, in the Secretary’s absence, an assistant secretary, or in the absence of both the Secretary and assistant secretaries, an

 



 

individual appointed by the Board or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary.  The Board may adopt rules, regulations and procedures governing any meeting of shareholders.  The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of shareholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may, to the extent not inconsistent with any rules, regulations and procedures adopted by the Board, prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to shareholders of record of the Trust, their duly authorized proxies or other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to shareholders of record of the Trust entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; (e) determining when the polls should be opened and closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g) removing any shareholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting rules, regulations or procedures as set forth by the Board or the chairman of the meeting; and (h) concluding the meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and place announced at the meeting. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of shareholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

Section 8.  Thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at any meeting represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at such meeting.

 

Section 9.  Proxies shall be executed in writing and filed with such officer or office of the Trust as may be designated in the notice of the meeting.  No revocation of a proxy, whether by voluntary action, death or incapacity of the shareholder granting it or otherwise, shall be effective until notice thereof has been received by the Trust.

 

Section 10.  The Board may appoint one or more judges of election, who need not be shareholders, to act at meetings of shareholders.  If a judge of election fails to appear or refuses to act at a meeting, the Chairman or other person designated to preside at the meeting of the shareholders shall appoint a substitute judge of election.  The judge of election shall determine the number of outstanding shares of the Trust as of the applicable record date, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and all questions relating to voting, and shall count the votes and shall determine the results of any voting.

 

Section 11.  For any lawful purpose, including, but without being limited thereto, the determination of the shareholders who are entitled to (a) receive notice of and vote at a meeting of the shareholders; (b) receive payment of a distribution; and (c) participate in the execution of written approvals, the Board may fix a record date which shall not be earlier than the date on which the record date is fixed, and shall not be more than 90 days preceding the meeting, payment, final date of written approvals or waivers, or other event to which the record date relates.  If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining the shareholders who are entitled to receive notice of or to vote at a meeting of the shareholders shall be the close of business on the twentieth day prior to the date of the meeting.

 



 

Section 12.  Only to the extent authorized by the Declaration of Trust and permitted by applicable law, action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares entitled to vote having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.

 

In the event of the delivery, as required by law, to the Trust of the requisite written consent or consents to take corporate action and/or any related revocation or revocations, the Trust shall engage independent inspectors of election for the purpose of performing promptly a ministerial review of the validity of the consents and revocations.  For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no action by written consent without a meeting shall be effective until the date as the independent inspectors certify to the Trust that the consents properly delivered to the Trust represent at least the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to take the corporate action.  Nothing contained in this Section 12 shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Trust, the Board or any shareholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any consent or revocation thereof, whether before or after the certification by the independent inspectors, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in the litigation).

 

Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each shareholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within 60 days of the earliest dated consent received in accordance with applicable law, a written consent or consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take such action are delivered to the Trust as required by law.

 

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

 

Section 1.  The Board shall appoint and designate the following officers (hereinafter sometimes defined as “Executive Officers”): Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, one or more Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents, and a Secretary.  The Board may also appoint and designate such other officers, assistant officers and agents, as necessary, in such manner as may be prescribed by the Board.

 

Section 2.  All officers and agents of the Trust, as between themselves and the Trust, have such authority and must perform such duties in the management of the Trust as may be provided in the Bylaws, or as may be determined by resolution of the Board not inconsistent with the Bylaws.

 

Section 3.  Any number of offices or functions of those offices may be held or exercised by the same person.  If a document must be signed by persons holding different offices or functions and a person holds or exercises more than one of those offices or functions, that person may sign the documents in more than one capacity, but only if the document indicates each capacity in which the person signs.

 



 

Section 4.  The appointment of a person as an officer or agent does not, of itself, create contract rights.  However, the Trust may enter into a contract with an officer or agent.  The resignation or removal of an officer or agent is without prejudice to any contractual rights or obligations.

 

Section 5.  An officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Trust.  The resignation is effective without acceptance when the notice is given to the Trust, unless a later effective date is specified in the notice.

 

An officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board.

 

A vacancy in an office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or other cause may be filled in any manner by the Board.

 

Section 6.  Unless prohibited by a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, an officer appointed by the Board may, without the approval of the Board, delegate some or all of the duties and powers of an office to other persons.  An officer who delegates the duties or powers of an office remains subject to the standard of conduct for an officer with respect to the discharge of all duties and powers so delegated.

 

Section 7.  Unless prohibited by a resolution of the Board, any Executive Officer may execute any contracts, leases, or other documents requiring execution by the Trust.

 

Section 8.  The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board and the shareholders in appropriate minute books and shall give all notices on behalf of the Trust including notice of the meetings of the Board and the shareholders and shall perform all of the customary duties of a secretary.

 

ARTICLE V - COMMITTEES

 

Section 1.  Executive Committee.   The Board may annually elect an Executive Committee consisting of at least 3 Trustees.  The Executive Committee shall have the authority and duties prescribed in these Bylaws and such other authority and duties as may be prescribed by the Board.  The Board may also appoint other agents for the performance of the business of the Trust, and each shall have such authority and duties as the Board prescribes.  The Executive Committee may act on behalf of the Board.

 

Section 2.  Audit Committee.   At least annually, the Board shall elect an Audit Committee of at least 3 Trustees, all of whom shall be Independent Trustees.  The Audit Committee shall perform all duties as set forth in the written Audit Committee Charter as amended by the Board from time to time, and such other duties and tasks as the Board may prescribe.

 

Section 3.  Nominating and Governance Committee.   At least annually, the Board shall elect a Nominating and Governance Committee consisting of at least 3 Trustees, all of whom shall be Independent Trustees.  The Nominating and Governance Committee shall perform all duties as set forth in the written Nominating and Governance Committee Charter

 



 

as amended by the Board from time to time, and such other duties and tasks as the Board may prescribe.

 

Section 4.  Compensation Committee.   At least annually, the Board shall elect a Compensation Committee consisting of at least 3 Trustees, all of whom shall be Independent Trustees. The Compensation Committee shall perform all duties as set forth in the written Compensation Committee Charter as amended by the Board from time to time, and such other duties and tasks as the Board may prescribe.

 

ARTICLE VI - SHARES

 

Section 1.  The interests of shareholders in the Trust shall be divided into shares of beneficial interest, which may be certificated or uncertificated.  Any certificate representing shares shall state (a) that it represents shares in the Trust; (b) the name of the registered owner of the shares represented thereby; and (c) the number of shares which the certificate represents.  The interest of a shareholder in the Trust also may be evidenced by registration in the holder’s name in uncertificated, book-entry form on the books of the Trust in accordance with a direct registration system approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission and by any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Trust’s shares may from time to time be quoted or listed.

 

Section 2.  Each share certificate shall be signed by a duly authorized agent of the Trust provided, however, that such signature may be a facsimile signature on any certificate which contains the manual signature of a person authorized to sign on behalf of a transfer agent acting for the Trust.

 

Section 3.  Shares may be transferred only by the registered owner of the shares as reflected on the Share Ledger of the Trust, or by an attorney duly authorized in writing by the registered owner.  If such shares are issued in certificated form, then those shares may be transferred only upon surrender of the share certificate properly endorsed, which certificate shall be canceled at the time of transfer, and the Trust shall issue a new certificate or evidence of the issuance of uncertificated shares to the shareholder entitled thereto, and shall record the transaction upon the books of the Trust.  If the shares are issued in uncertificated form, then upon the receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered owner of the shares or an attorney duly authorized in writing by the registered owner, such uncertificated shares shall be canceled, and the issuance of new equivalent uncertificated shares or certificated shares shall be made to the shareholder entitled thereto and the transaction shall be recorded upon the books of the Trust.  The Board may prescribe the requirements for any transfer of shares otherwise than by an assignment validly executed by the registered owner or his attorney duly authorized as herein provided.

 

Section 4.  The Board may establish transfer offices each in the charge of a transfer agent appointed by the Board, where the shares of the Trust shall be transferable, and a registry office in the charge of a registrar appointed by the Board where the shares shall be registered.  If a transfer agent shall be appointed, no certificate for a share will be valid unless countersigned by such transfer agent.

 



 

Section 5.  The holder of any share certificate shall immediately notify the Trust or its transfer agent of any mutilation, loss, or destruction thereof, whereupon the Trust may issue (i) a new certificate or certificates or (ii) uncertificated shares in place of any certificate or certificates previously issued by the Trust and alleged to have been mutilated, lost or destroyed, upon surrender of the mutilated certificate, or in the case of loss or destruction of a certificate, upon satisfactory proof of such loss or destruction of certificate and the deposit of indemnity by way of a bond or otherwise in such form and amount and with such surety as the Board may require, to indemnify the Trust against loss or liability by reason of the issuance of such new certificate or certificates or uncertificated shares.

 

Section 6.  The share certificates issued hereunder shall contain any Legend required by the Declaration of Trust and shall be in such form as the Board prescribes.

 

ARTICLE VII - POLICIES

 

Section 1.  Definitions.   Terms not otherwise defined in the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws shall have the following definitions:

 

A.                                     ACQUISITION EXPENSES : Expenses including but not limited to legal fees and expenses, travel and communications expenses, costs of appraisals, nonrefundable option payments on property not acquired, accounting fees and expenses, title insurance, and miscellaneous expenses related to selection and acquisition of properties, whether or not acquired.

 

B.                                     ACQUISITION FEE : The total of all fees and commissions paid by any party to any party in connection with making or investing in mortgage loans or the purchase, development or construction of property by the Trust.  Included in the computation of such fees or commissions shall be any real estate commission, selection fee, development fee, construction fee, nonrecurring management fee, loan fees or points or any fee of a similar nature, however designated.  Excluded shall be development fees and construction fees paid to persons not affiliated with the Trust in connection with the actual development and construction of a project.

 

C.                                     AFFILIATE : Each person that directly, or indirectly through one of more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, any person.

 

D.                                     AVERAGE INVESTED ASSETS : For any period the average of the aggregate book value of the assets of the Trust invested, directly or indirectly, in equity interests in and loans secured by real estate, before reserves for depreciation or bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves computed by taking the average of such values at the end of each month during such period.

 

E.                                      NET ASSETS : The total assets at cost before deducting depreciation or other non-cash reserves less total liabilities, calculated at least quarterly on a basis consistently applied.

 



 

F.                                       NET INCOME : For any period total revenues applicable to such period, less the expenses applicable to such period other than additions to reserves for depreciation or bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves.

 

G.                                     ORGANIZATION AND OFFERING EXPENSES : All expenses incurred by and to be paid from the assets of the Trust in connection with and in preparing the Trust for registration and subsequently offering and distributing it to the public, including, but not limited to, total underwriting and brokerage discounts and commissions (including fees of the underwriters’ attorneys), expenses for printing, engraving, mailing, salaries of employees while engaged in sales activity, charges of transfer agents, registrars, Trustees, escrow holders, depositories, experts, expenses of qualification of the sale of the securities under Federal and State laws, including taxes and fees, accountants’ and attorneys’ fees.

 

H.                                    PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT : Disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service, including the Dow Jones News Service and the Associated Press, or in a document publicly filed by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

I.                                         TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES : Aggregate expenses of every character paid or incurred by the Trust as determined under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, but excluding: (i) the expenses of raising capital such as Organization and Offering Expenses, legal, audit, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, registration and other fees, printing and such other expenses, and tax incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration, and stock exchange listing of the Trust’s shares; (ii) interest payments; (iii) taxes; (iv) non-cash expenditures such as depreciation, amortization and bad debt reserves; (v) incentive fees; and (vi) Acquisition Fees, Acquisition Expenses, real estate commissions on resale of property and other expenses connected with the acquisition, disposition, and ownership of real estate interests, mortgage loans, or other property (such as the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, maintenance, repair, and improvement of property.

 

Section 2.  Investment Policies.

 

A.                                     The primary investment objectives of the Trust are to obtain current income and capital appreciation for the shareholders.

 

B.                                     The Independent Trustees shall review the investment policies of the Trust with sufficient frequency and at least annually to determine that the policies being followed by the Trust at any time are in the best interests of its shareholders.  Each such determination and the basis therefore shall be set forth in the minutes of the Board.

 

C.                                     The Trust shall not invest in equity securities unless a majority of the Board (including a majority of Independent Trustees) not otherwise interested in such transaction approve the transaction as being fair, competitive, and commercially reasonable.

 

D.                                     The Trust shall not invest more than 10% of its total assets in unimproved real property or mortgage loans on unimproved real property.  For purposes of this subsection, “unimproved real property” shall mean real property that has the following three

 



 

characteristics: (i) an equity interest in real property which was not acquired for the purpose of producing rental or other operating income; (ii) has no development or construction in process on such land; and (iii) no development or construction on such land is planned in good faith to commence on such land within 1 year.

 

E.                                      The Trust shall not invest in commodities or commodity future contracts.  Such limitation is not intended to apply to future contracts, when used solely for hedging purposed in connection with the Trust’s ordinary business of investing in real estate assets and mortgages.

 

F.                                       The Trust shall not invest in or make mortgage loans unless an appraisal is obtained concerning the underlying property, except for those loans insured or guaranteed by a government or government agency.  In cases in which a majority of the Independent Trustees so determine, and in all cases in which the transaction is with a Trustee or Affiliate, such an appraisal must be obtained from an independent expert concerning the underlying property.  This appraisal shall be maintained in the Trust’s records for at least 5 years, and shall be available for inspection and duplication by any shareholder.  In addition to the appraisal, a mortgagee’s or owner’s title insurance policy or commitment as to the priority of the mortgage or the condition of the title must be obtained.  Further, the Board shall observe the following policies in connection with investing in or making mortgage loans:

 

i.  The Trust shall not invest in real estate contracts of sale, otherwise known as land sale contracts, unless such contracts of sale are in recordable form and appropriately recorded in the chain of title.

 

ii.  The Trust shall not make or invest in mortgage loans, including construction loans, on any one property if the aggregate amount of all mortgage loans outstanding on the property, including the loans of the Trust, would exceed an amount equal to 85% of the appraised value of the property as determined by appraisal unless substantial justification exists because of the presence of other underwriting criteria.  For purposes of this subsection, the “aggregate amount of all mortgage loans outstanding on the property, including the loans of the Trust,” shall include all interest (excluding contingent participation in income and/or appreciation in value of the mortgaged property), the current payment of which may be deferred pursuant to the terms of such loans, to the extent that deferred interest on each loan exceeds 5% per annum of the principal balance of the loan.

 

iii.  The Trust shall not make or invest in any mortgage loans that are subordinate to any mortgage or equity interest of a Trustee or Affiliate.

 

iv.  The policies outlined in (i) through (iii) above may be exceeded or avoided for a particular transaction provided a commercially reasonable justification exists and is approved by a majority of the Board (including a majority of the Independent Trustees) not otherwise interested in the transaction.

 

Section 3.  Borrowing Limitations.   The aggregate borrowings of the Trust, secured and unsecured, shall be reasonable in relation to the Net Assets of the Trust, and shall be reviewed by the Board at least quarterly.  The maximum amount of such borrowings in relation to the Net Assets shall, in the absence of a satisfactory showing that a higher level of

 



 

borrowing is appropriate, not exceed 300%.  Any excess in borrowing over such 300% level shall be approved by a majority of the Independent Trustees and disclosed to shareholders in the next quarterly report of the Trust, along with justification for such excess.

 

Section 4.  Policies for Fees, Compensation and Expenses.

 

A.                                     The Independent Trustees will determine, from time to time but at least annually, that the total fees and expenses of the Trust are reasonable in light of the investment performance of the Trust, its Net Assets, its Net Income, and the fees and expenses of other comparable unaffiliated real estate investment trusts.  Each such determination shall be reflected in the minutes of the meeting of the Board.

 

B.                                     The total of Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses shall be reasonable, and shall not exceed an amount equal to 7% of the contract price of the property, or in the case of a mortgage loan, 7% of the funds advanced.

 

C.                                     Notwithstanding the above, a majority of the Board (including a majority of the Independent Trustees) not otherwise interested in the transaction may approve fees, compensation and expenses in excess of the limits imposed by this Section 4 if they determine the transaction to be commercially competitive, fair and reasonable to the Trust.

 

D.                                     The Total Operating Expenses of the Trust shall (in the absence of a satisfactory showing to the contrary) be deemed to be excessive if they exceed in any fiscal year the greater of 2% of its Average Invested Assets or 25% of its net income for such year.  The Independent Trustees shall have the fiduciary responsibility of limiting such expenses to amounts that do not exceed such limitations unless such Independent Trustees shall have made a finding that, based on such unusual and non-recurring factors which they deem sufficient, a higher level of expenses is justified for such year.  Any such finding and the reasons in support thereof shall be reflected in the minutes of the meeting of the Board.

 

E.                                      Within 60 days after the end of any fiscal quarter of the Trust for which total operating expenses (for the 12 months then ended) exceeded 2% of average invested assets or 25% of net income, whichever is greater, there shall be sent to the shareholders of the Trust a written disclosure of such fact, together with an explanation of the factors the Independent Trustees considered in arriving at the conclusion that such higher operating expenses were justified.

 

Section 5.  Policies for Shares and Securities.

 

A.                                     The Trust shall not issue options or warrants to purchase its shares to the Trustees or any Affiliate, except on the same terms as such options or warrants are sold to the general public.  The Trust may issue options or warrants to persons not so connected with the Trust but not at exercise prices less than the fair market value of such securities on the date of grant and for consideration (which may include services) that in the judgment of the Independent Trustees has a market value less than the value of such option on the date of grant.  Options or warrants issuable to the Trustees or any Affiliate shall not exceed an amount equal to 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust on the date of grant of any options or warrants.

 



 

B.                                     Unless approved by a majority of the Independent Trustees, the Trust shall not issue its shares on a deferred payment basis or other similar arrangement.

 

C.                                     Unless approved by a majority of the Independent Trustees, the Trust shall not issue equity securities that are redeemable by the owner of the equity security.

 

D.                                     The Trust shall not issue debt securities unless the historical debt service coverage (in the most recently completed fiscal year) as adjusted for known changes is sufficient to properly service that higher level of debt.

 

ARTICLE VIII - MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 1.  The fiscal year of the Trust shall begin on May 1 of each year and shall end on April 30 th  of each year.

 

Section 2.  No Trustee, representative, or agent of the Trust shall have power or authority to borrow money on the Trust’s behalf, to pledge its credit or to buy, sell, or mortgage its real property or securities except within the scope and to the extent of authority expressly delegated by resolution of the Board.  Authority given by the Board for any of the above purposes may be general in scope or limited to specific instances.

 

Section 3.  The Board may, by resolution, designate the representative or representatives of the Trust who shall be authorized to act as signatory or signatories on the Trust’s bank accounts and shall designate the number of signatures required.  Any such signatory may, but need not, be a Trustee.

 

Section 4.  Whenever any written notice is required to be given to the Trustees or the shareholders, a waiver thereof in writing signed by a person entitled to such notice, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.  Attendance of a person either in person or by proxy at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting unless such person attends such meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 5.  All capitalized terms not otherwise defined in these Bylaws shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Declaration of Trust.

 

Section 6.  In the event that any provision in these regulations shall be construed to be inconsistent with the provision of the Declaration of Trust, the provisions of the Declaration of Trust shall control.

 

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS

 

These Bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the Board if notice of the proposed amendment is contained in the notice of meeting.  Amendments to these Bylaws may be made by the Board with or without a meeting, by written instrument signed by all of the Trustees and lodged among the records of the Trust.

 


Exhibit 10.1

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of September 16, 2015, by and between Investors Real Estate Trust, a North Dakota real estate investment trust (the “Trust”), and                          (“Indemnitee”).

 

WHEREAS, at the request of the Trust, Indemnitee currently serves as [a trustee] [and] [an officer] of the Trust and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of such service;

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is aware that competent and experienced persons are increasingly reluctant to serve as trustees, directors or officers of publicly-traded business entities unless they are protected by comprehensive indemnification and liability insurance, due to increased exposure to litigation costs and risks resulting from their service to such entities, and because the exposure frequently bears no reasonable relationship to the compensation of such trustees, directors and officers;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust has concluded that, to retain and attract talented and experienced individuals to serve or continue to serve as trustees or officers of the Trust, and to encourage such individuals to take the business risks necessary for the success of the Trust, it is necessary for the Trust contractually to indemnify trustees and officers and to assume for itself to the fullest extent permitted by law expenses and damages related to claims against such trustees and officers in connection with their service to the Trust;

 

WHEREAS, the Articles of Amendment and Third Restated Declaration of Trust of Investor Real Estate Trust (as adopted September 23, 2003, and as amended September 18, 2007, the “Declaration of Trust”) requires the Trust to indemnify, and pay or reimburse expenses of, its Trustees and officers to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law;

 

WHEREAS, the Trust desires and has requested Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve as a trustee or officer of the Trust free from undue concern for claims for damages arising out of or related to such services to the Trust;

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Trust on the condition that he or she be indemnified as herein provided;

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, and related rights, provided in the Declaration of Trust, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, it is intended that Indemnitee shall be paid promptly by the Trust all amounts necessary to effectuate in full the rights provided herein;

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve in such capacity, the Trust has agreed to indemnify Indemnitee and to promptly advance expenses and

 



 

costs incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such claims, suits or proceedings, to the maximum extent permitted by law; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and advance of expenses;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Trust and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

Section 1.                    Definitions .  For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)                                  “Change in Control” means a change in control of the Trust occurring after the Effective Date of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), whether or not the Trust is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if, after the Effective Date (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Trust representing 15% or more of the combined voting power of all of the Trust’s then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of trustees without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Trustees in office immediately prior to such person’s attaining such percentage interest; (ii) the Trust is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets, plan of liquidation or other reorganization not approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Trustees then in office, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Trustees in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Trustees thereafter; or (iii) at any time, a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees are not individuals (A) who were trustees as of the Effective Date or (B) whose election by the Board of Trustees or nomination for election by the Trust’s shareholders was approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the trustees then in office who were trustees as of the Effective Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved.

 

(b)          “Corporate Status” means the status of a person as a present or former trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Trust.  As a clarification and without limiting the circumstances in which Indemnitee may be serving at the request of the Trust, service by Indemnitee shall be deemed to be at the request of the Trust:  (i) if Indemnitee serves or served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (1) of which a majority of the voting power or equity interest is or was owned directly or indirectly by the Trust or (2) the management of which is controlled directly or indirectly

 

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by the Trust; and (ii) if, as a result of Indemnitee’s service to the Trust or any of its affiliated entities, Indemnitee is subject to duties by, or required to perform services for, an employee benefit plan or its participants or beneficiaries, including as deemed fiduciary thereof.

 

(c)           “Disinterested Trustee” means a trustee of the Trust who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification and/or advance of Expenses is sought by Indemnitee.

 

(d)          “Effective Date” means the date on which Indemnitee first began serving as [a trustee] [and] [an officer] of the Trust.

 

(e)           “Expenses” means any and all reasonable and out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, arbitration and mediation costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and any other disbursements or expenses incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in or otherwise participating in a Proceeding.  Expenses shall also include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding including, without limitation, the premium, security for and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond or other appeal bond or its equivalent.

 

(f)            “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation or trust law and neither is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent:  (i) the Trust or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to or participant or witness in the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Trust or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

(g)           “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing, claim, demand, discovery request or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Trust or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, except one pending or completed on or before the Effective Date, unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Trust and Indemnitee.  If Indemnitee reasonably believes that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, such situation shall also be considered a Proceeding.

 

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Section 2.                    Services by Indemnitee .  While Indemnitee serves in the capacity or capacities set forth in the first WHEREAS clause above, this Agreement shall not impose any independent obligation on Indemnitee or the Trust to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Trust.  This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Trust (or any other entity) and Indemnitee.

 

Section 3.                    General .  The Trust shall indemnify, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) otherwise to the maximum extent permitted by North Dakota law in effect on the Effective Date and as amended from time to time; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by North Dakota law, no change in North Dakota law shall have the effect of reducing the benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on North Dakota law as in effect on the Effective Date.  The rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3 shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement, including any additional indemnification permitted by the North Dakota Century Code.

 

Section 4.                    Standard for Indemnification .  If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Trust shall indemnify Indemnitee against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any such Proceeding unless it is established that (a) Indemnitee actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services, for the amount of the benefit or profit in money, property or services actually received; or (ii) a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to Indemnitee is entered in a Proceeding based on a finding in such Proceeding that Indemnitee’s action or failure to act was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in such Proceeding.

 

Section 5.                    Certain Limits on Indemnification .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6), Indemnitee shall not be entitled to:

 

(a)          indemnification hereunder if the Proceeding was one by or in the right of the Trust and Indemnitee is adjudged, in a final adjudication of the Proceeding not subject to further appeal, to be liable to the Trust;

 

(b)          indemnification hereunder if Indemnitee is adjudged, in a final adjudication of the Proceeding not subject to further appeal, to be liable on the basis that Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit or profit in any Proceeding charging improper personal benefit to Indemnitee, whether or not involving action in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status; or

 

(c)           indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder if the Proceeding was brought by Indemnitee, unless: (i) the Proceeding was brought to enforce indemnification under this Agreement, and then only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (ii) the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, a resolution of the shareholders entitled to vote generally in the election of trustees or of the Board of Trustees or an agreement approved by the Board of Trustees to which the Trust is a party expressly provide otherwise.

 

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Section 6.                    Court-Ordered Indemnification .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as such court shall require, may order indemnification of Indemnitee by the Trust if such court determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, and the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper.

 

Section 7.                    Indemnification for Expenses of an Indemnitee Who is Wholly or Partially Successful .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, made a party to (or otherwise becomes a participant in) any Proceeding and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of such Proceeding, the Trust shall indemnify Indemnitee for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.  If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Trust shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each such claim, issue or matter, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis.  For purposes of this Section 7 and, without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

Section 8.                    Advance of Expenses for Indemnitee .  If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Trust shall, without requiring a preliminary determination of Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification hereunder, advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding.  The Trust shall make such advance within ten days after the receipt by the Trust of a statement or statements requesting such advance from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding and may be in the form of, in the reasonable discretion of Indemnitee (but without duplication), (a) payment of such Expenses directly to third parties on behalf of Indemnitee, (b) advance of funds to Indemnitee in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses or (c) reimbursement to Indemnitee for Indemnitee’s payment of such Expenses.  Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written affirmation by Indemnitee and a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof.  To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis.  The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and interest free and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitee’s financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to post security therefor.

 

Section 9.                    Indemnification and Advance of Expenses as a Witness or Other Participant .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is or may be, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, made a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding, whether instituted by the Trust or any other person, and to which Indemnitee

 

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is not a party, Indemnitee shall be advanced and indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith within ten days after the receipt by the Trust of a statement or statements requesting any such advance or indemnification from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding.  Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee.  In connection with any such advance of Expenses, the Trust may require Indemnitee to provide an undertaking and affirmation substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

Section 10.             Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification .

 

(a)                                  To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Trust a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary or appropriate to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.  Indemnitee may submit one or more such requests from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in Indemnitee’s sole discretion.  The officer of the Trust receiving any such request from Indemnitee shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Trustees in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

 

(b)                                  Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) above, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control has occurred, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Trustees, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, which Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Trustees or a committee of the Board of Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Trustees, or, if such a quorum cannot be obtained, then by a majority vote of a committee of the Board of Trustees consisting solely of one or more Disinterested Trustees and who were duly designated to act in the matter by a majority vote of the full Board of Trustees in which the designated trustees who are parties may participate, or, if the requisite quorum of the full Board of Trustees cannot be obtained therefor and the committee cannot be established, by a majority vote of the full Board of Trustees in which trustees who are parties may participate, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (ii) if a Change in Control has not occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Trustees or by the majority vote of a group or committee of Disinterested Trustees designated by the Disinterested Trustees to make the determination, (B) if Independent Counsel has been selected by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the selection procedure set forth in the preceding clause (i) and approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Trustees, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (C) if so directed by the Board of Trustees, by the shareholders of the Trust, other than trustees or officers who are parties to the Proceeding.  If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Trust shall make payment to Indemnitee within ten days after such determination.  Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary or appropriate to such determination in the discretion of the Board of Trustees or Independent Counsel if retained

 

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pursuant to clause (ii)(B) of this Section 10(b).  Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be borne by the Trust and the Trust shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

(c)                                   The Trust shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel, if one is appointed.

 

Section 11.             Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings .

 

(a)                                  In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Trust shall have the burden of overcoming that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption.

 

(b)                                  The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.

 

(c)                                   The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust or any other trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any other right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

Section 12.             Remedies of Indemnitee .

 

(a)                                  If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advance of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement within 60 days after receipt by the Trust of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 7 or 9 of this Agreement within ten days after receipt by the Trust of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification or advancement of Expenses pursuant to any other section of this Agreement or the Declaration of Trust or Bylaws of the Trust is not made within ten days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or advancement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court located in the State of North Dakota, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, or in an arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification or advance of Expenses.  Indemnitee shall commence a proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within one year following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this

 

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Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply to a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under Section 7 of this Agreement.  Except as set forth herein, the provisions of North Dakota law (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration.  The Trust shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

(b)                                  In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be, under this Agreement and the Trust shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be.  If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Trust for any advances pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).  The Trust shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Trust is bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Trust shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification that was not disclosed in connection with the determination.

 

(d)                                  In the event that Indemnitee is successful in seeking, pursuant to this Section 12, a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Trust, and shall be indemnified by the Trust for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in such judicial adjudication or arbitration.  If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advance of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.

 

Section 13.             Defense of the Underlying Proceeding .

 

(a)                                  Indemnitee shall notify the Trust promptly in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, request or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advance of Expenses hereunder and shall include with such notice a description of the nature of the Proceeding and a summary of the facts underlying the Proceeding.  The failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advance of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Trust’s ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Trust is thereby actually so prejudiced.

 

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(b)                                  Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 13(b) and of Section 13(c) below, the Trust shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Trust shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within 15 calendar days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 13(a) above.  The Trust shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee, or (ii) would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty, limitation or other obligation on Indemnitee.  This Section 13(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 12 of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, that Indemnitee may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Trust, or (iii) if the Trust fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Trust.  In addition, if the Trust fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Trust or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Trust (subject to Section 12(d) of this Agreement), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.

 

Section 14.             Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation.

 

(a)                                  The rights of indemnification and advance of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or Bylaws of the Trust, any agreement or a resolution of the shareholders entitled to vote generally in the election of trustees or of the Board of Trustees, or otherwise.  Unless consented to in writing by Indemnitee, no amendment, alteration or repeal of the Declaration of Trust or Bylaws of the Trust, this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, regardless of whether a claim with respect to such action or inaction is raised prior or subsequent to such amendment, alteration or repeal.  No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or

 

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otherwise.  The assertion of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prohibit the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

(b)                                  In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Trust shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Trust to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

Section 15.             Insurance.

 

(a)                                  The Trust will use its reasonable best efforts to acquire trustees and officers liability insurance, on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Board of Trustees, with the advice of counsel, covering Indemnitee or any claim made against Indemnitee by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status and covering the Trust for any indemnification or advance of Expenses made by the Trust to Indemnitee for any claims made against Indemnitee by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status.  In the event of a Change in Control, the Trust shall maintain in force any and all trustees and officers liability insurance policies that were maintained by the Trust immediately prior to the Change in Control for a period of six years with the insurance carrier or carriers and through the insurance broker in place at the time of the Change in Control; provided, however, (i) if the carriers will not offer the same policy and an expiring policy needs to be replaced, a policy substantially comparable in scope and amount shall be obtained and (ii) if any replacement insurance carrier is necessary to obtain a policy substantially comparable in scope and amount, such insurance carrier shall have an AM Best rating that is the same or better than the AM Best rating of the existing insurance carrier; provided, further, however, in no event shall the Trust be required to expend in the aggregate in excess of 250% of the annual premium or premiums paid by the Trust for trustees and officers liability insurance in effect on the date of the Change in Control.  In the event that 250% of the annual premium paid by the Trust for such existing trustees and officers liability insurance is insufficient for such coverage, the Trust shall spend up to that amount to purchase such lesser coverage as may be obtained with such amount.

 

(b)                                  Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the Trust shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee which would otherwise be indemnifiable hereunder arising out of the amount of any deductible or retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the coverage of any insurance referred to in Section 15(a).  The purchase, establishment and maintenance of any such insurance shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Trust or Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Trust and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Trust under any such insurance policies.  If, at the time the Trust receives notice from any source of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) the Trust has trustee and officer liability insurance in effect, the Trust shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.

 

(c)                                                           Indemnitee shall cooperate with the Trust or any insurance carrier of the Trust with respect to any Proceeding.

 

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Section 16.                                     Coordination of Payments .  The Trust shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as Expenses hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

 

Section 17.                                     Contribution .  If the indemnification provided in this Agreement is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason, other than for failure to satisfy the standard of conduct set forth in Section 4 or due to the provisions of Section 5, then, in respect to any Proceeding in which the Trust is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, the Trust, in lieu of indemnifying and holding harmless Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, penalties, and/or amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Trust hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.

 

Section 18.                                     Reports to Shareholders .  To the extent required by the North Dakota Century Code, the Trust shall report in writing to its shareholders the payment of any amounts for indemnification of, or advance of Expenses to, Indemnitee under this Agreement arising out of a Proceeding by or in the right of the Trust with the notice of the meeting of shareholders of the Trust next following the date of the payment of any such indemnification or advance of Expenses or prior to such meeting.

 

Section 19.                                     Duration of Agreement; Binding Effect .

 

(a)          This Agreement shall continue until and terminate on the later of (i) the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Trust and (ii) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any actual or possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement).

 

(b)          The indemnification and advance of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Trust), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust or a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Trust, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

 

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(c)           The Trust shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Trust, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Trust would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

(d)          The Trust and Indemnitee agree that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm.  Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled.  Indemnitee shall further be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertakings in connection therewith.  The Trust acknowledges that, in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court, and the Trust hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.

 

Section 20.                                     Severability .  If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

Section 21.                                     Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, (delivery of which may be by facsimile, or via e-mail as a portable document format (.pdf) or other electronic format), each of which will be deemed to be an original and it will not be necessary in making proof of this agreement or the terms of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart.  One such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought shall be sufficient to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

Section 22.                                     Headings .  The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

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Section 23.                                     Modification and Waiver .  No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto.  No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor, unless otherwise expressly stated, shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

Section 24.                                     Notices .  All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, on the day of such delivery, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:

 

(a)          If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto.

 

(b)          If to the Trust, to:

 

Investors Real Estate Trust

1400 31st Avenue SW, Suite 60, P.O. Box 1988

Minot, North Dakota 58701

 

or to such other address as may have been furnished in writing to Indemnitee by the Trust or to the Trust by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

 

Section 25.                                     Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of North Dakota, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

TRUST:

 

 

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDEMNITEE

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

Address:

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

AFFIRMATION AND UNDERTAKING TO REPAY EXPENSES ADVANCED

 

To:  The Board of Trustees of Investors Real Estate Trust

 

Re:  Affirmation and Undertaking

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This Affirmation and Undertaking is being provided pursuant to that certain Indemnification Agreement dated September 16, 2015, by and between Investors Real Estate Trust, a North Dakota real estate investment trust (the “Trust”), and the undersigned Indemnitee (the “Indemnification Agreement”), pursuant to which I am entitled to advance of Expenses in connection with [Description of Proceeding] (the “Proceeding”).

 

Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings specified in the Indemnification Agreement.

 

I am subject to the Proceeding by reason of my Corporate Status or by reason of alleged actions or omissions by me in such capacity.  I hereby affirm my good faith belief that at all times, insofar as I was involved as [a trustee] [and] [an officer] of the Trust, in any of the facts or events giving rise to the Proceeding, I (1) did not act with bad faith or active or deliberate dishonesty, (2) did not actually receive any improper personal benefit in money, property or services and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that any act or omission by me was unlawful.

 

In consideration of the advance by the Trust for Expenses incurred by me in connection with the Proceeding (the “Advanced Expenses”), I hereby agree that if, in connection with the Proceeding, it is established that (1) an act or omission by me was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty or (2) I actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, I had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful, or I am otherwise not entitled to indemnification under North Dakota law, then I shall promptly reimburse the portion of the Advanced Expenses relating to the claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which the foregoing findings have been established.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Affirmation and Undertaking on this     day of                     , 20    .

 

 

Name:

 

 


Exhibit 10.2

 

[1 Year Measurement Period]

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST

 

Stock Award Agreement

 

THIS STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of the 16 th  day of September, 2015, governs the Stock Award granted by INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST, a North Dakota real estate investment trust (the “Company”) to [                   ] (the “Participant”), in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Company’s 2015 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  A copy of the Plan has been made available to the Participant.  All terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the Plan have the same meaning given them in the Plan.

 

1.                                       Grant of Stock Award.   In accordance with the Plan, and effective as of September 16, 2015 (the “Date of Grant”), the Company granted to the Participant, subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, a Stock Award of [      ] common shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”).  Up to two-thirds of the Shares will be earned to the extent that the performance objectives described in paragraph 2(a) are satisfied (the “Relative TSR Shares”) and up to one-third of the Shares will be earned to the extent that the performance objectives described in paragraph 2(b) are satisfied (the “Absolute TSR Shares”).

 

2.                                       Earning the Shares.   Pursuant to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the Participant will earn all or part of the Shares as follows:

 

(a)                                  The Relative TSR Shares will become Earned Shares based on the Company TSR for the Measurement Period as compared to the Index Return for the Measurement Period as follows:

 

(i)                                      If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is a positive percentage and the Index Return for the Measurement Period is a positive percentage, then:

 

(x)                                  If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is at least ninety percent (90%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then thirty-seven and one- half percent (37.5%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(y)                                  If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is at least one hundred five percent (105%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then fifty percent (50%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(z)                                   If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is at least one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then one hundred percent (100%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period relative to the Index Return falls between the goals set forth in (x) and (y) above or between the goals set forth in (y) and (z) above, then the number of Relative TSR Shares that become Earned Shares shall be determined using linear interpolation.

 



 

(ii)                                   If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is a negative percentage and the Index Return for the Measurement Period is a negative percentage, then:

 

(x)                                  If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is less than the Index Return for the Measurement Period by an amount that is not more than ten percent (10%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then thirty-seven and one-half percent (37.5%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.  For example, if the Index Return for the Measurement Period is negative eight percent (-8%), then thirty-seven and one-half percent (37.5%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is negative eight and eight-tenths percent (-8.8%).

 

(y)                                  If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is greater than the Index Return for the Measurement Period by an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then fifty percent (50%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.  For example, if the Index Return for the Measurement Period is negative eight percent (-8%), then fifty percent (50%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is negative seven and six-tenths percent (-7.6%).

 

(z)                                   If the company TSR for the Measurement Period is greater than the Index Return for the Measurement Period by an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then one hundred percent (100%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.  For example, if the Index Return for the Measurement Period is negative eight percent (-8%), then one hundred percent (100%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is negative six and four-tenths percent (-6.4%).

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the Company TSR is greater than the Index Return if, for example, the Company TSR is -8% and the Index Return is -10%.

 

If the Company TSR relative to the Index Return falls between the goals set forth in (x) and (y) above or between the goals set forth in (y) and (z) above, then the number of Relative TSR Shares that become Earned Shares shall be determined using linear interpolation.

 

(iii)                                Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its discretion, if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is a positive percentage and the Index Return for the Measurement Period is a negative percentage, then one hundred percent (100%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(iv)                               Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its discretion, if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is a negative percentage and the Index Return for the Measurement Period is a positive percentage, then none of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(b)                                  The Absolute TSR Shares will become Earned Shares based on the Company TSR for the Measurement Period as follows:

 

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(i)                                      If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is ten percent (10%) then thirty-seven and one-half percent (37.5%) of the Absolute TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(ii)                                   If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is twelve percent (12%), then fifty percent (50%) of the Absolute TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(iii)                                If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is fourteen percent (14%), then one hundred percent (100%) of the Absolute TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is more than ten percent (10%) but less than twelve percent (12%), or if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is more than twelve percent (12%) but less than fourteen percent (14%), then the number of Absolute TSR Shares that become Earned Shares shall be determined using linear interpolation.

 

If the Measurement Period ends on a Control Change Date, then the performance objectives for the Company TSR prescribed by this paragraph 2(b) may be adjusted as the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines is appropriate to reflect the termination of the Measurement Period before April 30, 2016.

 

(c)                                   As soon as practicable after the end of the Measurement Period, but in all events no later than March 15, 2017, the Committee shall determine and certify in writing the number of Shares that have become Earned Shares; provided, however , that if the Measurement Period ends on account of a Change in Control, the Committee’s determination and certification shall be made no later than the Control Change Date.

 

(d)                                  Except as provided in paragraphs 3(b) and 3(c), (i) no Shares will become Earned Shares unless the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until the last day of the Measurement Period and (ii) all of the Shares will be forfeited on the date that the Participant ceases to be employed by the Company or an Affiliate if such employment ends before the last day of the Measurement Period.

 

3.                                       Vesting in Earned Shares.   The Participant’s interest in the Earned Shares shall become vested and nonforfeitable in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph 3.

 

(a)                                  This paragraph 3(a) applies if a Change in Control does not occur before April 30, 2016.  If the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until April 30, 2016, then the Participant’s interest in 50% of the Earned Shares shall be vested and nonforfeitable as of such date.  If the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until April 30, 2017, then the Participant’s interest in the remaining Earned Shares shall be vested and nonforfeitable as of such date.

 

(b)                                  This paragraph 3(b) applies if the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until the date of a Qualifying Termination.  If the Qualifying Termination occurs before the last day of the Measurement

 

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Period, then (i) the Shares will remain outstanding until the last day of the Measurement Period, (ii) the number of Earned Shares shall be determined in accordance with paragraph 2 and (iii) the Participant will have a vested and nonforfeitable interest in a pro rata number of the Earned Shares.  The pro rata number of Earned Shares that vest shall be determined by multiplying the total number of Earned Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate on and after the first day of the Measurement Period and before the date of a Qualifying Termination and the denominator of which is 365.  If the Qualifying Termination occurs on or after the last day of the Measurement Period, then any Earned Shares that have not become vested and nonforfeitable shall be vested and nonforfeitable on the date of the Qualifying Termination.

 

(c)                                   This paragraph 3(c) applies if the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until a Control Change Date.  If the Control Change Date occurs before April 30, 2016, then (i) the number of Earned Shares shall be determined in accordance with paragraph 2 as of the Control Change Date and (ii) the Participant will have a vested and nonforfeitable interest in a pro rata number of the Earned Shares.  The pro rata number of Earned Shares that vest shall be determined by multiplying the total number of Earned Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate on and after the first day of the Measurement Period and before the Control Change Date and the denominator of which is 365.  If the Control Change Date occurs after April 30, 2016, and the Participant has remained in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until the Control Change Date, then any Earned Shares that have not become vested and nonforfeitable shall be vested and nonforfeitable on the Control Change Date.

 

Any Shares, including Earned Shares, that do not become vested and nonforfeitable in accordance with this paragraph 3 shall be forfeited.

 

4.                                       Transferability.   Shares that are not Earned Shares that have become vested in accordance with paragraph 3 may not be transferred; provided, however , that the Participant may transfer the Participant’s rights under this Agreement by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  Subject to the requirements of applicable securities laws, Earned Shares that have become vested in accordance with paragraph 3 may be transferred.

 

5.                                       Shareholder Rights.   On and after the Date of Grant and prior to the date that Shares are forfeited, the Participant shall have the right to vote the Shares.  Prior to the date that the Shares become vested and nonforfeitable in accordance with paragraph 3, any dividends or distributions on the Shares shall be accumulated, without interest, and paid when and only to the extent that, the Shares become Earned Shares and become vested and nonforfeitable.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentences, the Company shall retain custody of any certificates evidencing the Shares until the date the Shares become vested and nonforfeitable in accordance with paragraph 3 and the Participant hereby appoints the Company’s President and the Company’s Secretary as the Participant’s attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, with the power to transfer to the Company and cancel any Shares that are forfeited in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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6.                                       No Section 83(b) Election.   In consideration for the grant of the Stock Award evidenced by this Agreement, the Participant hereby agrees and covenants that the Participant will not make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the grant of the Stock Award or the issuance of the Shares.

 

7.                                       Definitions.   For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)                                  “Cause” means (i) the Participant’s willful conduct that is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or an Affiliate, monetarily or otherwise; (ii) the Participant’s material breach of written agreement between the Participant and the Company; (iii) the Participant’s breach of the Participant’s fiduciary duties to the Company or an Affiliate; (iv) the Participant’s conviction of any crime (or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendre to any crime) constituting a felony; or (v) the Participant’s entering into an agreement or consent decree or being the subject of any regulatory order that in any of such cases prohibits the Participant from serving as an officer or director of a company that has publicly traded securities.  A termination of the Participant shall not be for “Cause” unless the decision to terminate the Participant is set forth in a resolution of the Board to that effect and which specifies the particulars thereof and that is approved by a majority of the members of the Board (exclusive of the Participant if the Participant is a member of the Board) adopted at a meeting called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to the Participant and an opportunity for the Participant to be heard before the Board).  No act or failure to act by the Participant will be deemed “willful” if it was done or omitted to be done by the Participant in good faith or with a reasonable belief on the part of the Participant that the action or omission was in the best interests of the Company or an Affiliate.  Any act or failure to act by the Participant based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based on the advice of counsel to the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done or omitted to be done by the Participant in good faith and in the best interest of the Company and its Affiliates.

 

(b)                                  “Company TSR” means the compounded annual growth rate, expressed as a percentage (rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent (0.1%)) in the value of a common share of beneficial interest (“Common Share”) during the Measurement Period reflecting the appreciation/depreciation in the price per Common Share and dividends paid on a Common Share during the Measurement Period, including the reinvestment of dividends.  The Company TSR for the Measurement Period shall be calculated as follows:  (i) the average closing price for the 20 trading days ending on the last day of the Measurement Period plus dividends paid during the Measurement Period divided by (ii) the average closing price for the 20 trading days ending before the first day of the Measurement Period.  The Company TSR shall be calculated using information currently reported under “Comparative Returns” by Bloomberg L.P. or such other reporting service that the Committee may designate from time to time.”  If the Measurement Period ends on account of a Change in Control, the Company TSR for the Measurement Period shall be annualized for purposes of calculating the Company TSR.”

 

(c)                                   “Disability” means the Participant has been determined, by a physician selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Participant, to be unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental

 

5



 

impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

 

(d)                                  “Earned Shares” means the total of the Relative TSR Shares that are earned in accordance with paragraph 2(a) and the Absolute TSR Shares that are earned in accordance with paragraph 2(b).

 

(e)                                   “Good Reason” means, without the express written consent of the Participant (i) a change in the Participant’s position with the Company or an Affiliate which results in a material diminution of the Participant’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a material reduction by the Company or an Affiliate in the annual rate of the Participant’s base salary or (iii) a change in the location of the Participant’s principal office to a different place that is more than fifty miles from the Participant’s principal office immediately prior to such change.  A reduction in the Participant’s rate of annual base pay shall be material if the rate of annual base salary on any date is less than ninety percent (90%) of the Participant’s highest rate of annual base pay as in effect on any date in the preceding thirty-six (36) months; provided, however, that a reduction in the Participant’s rate of annual base pay shall be disregarded to the extent that the reduction is applied similarly to the Company’s other officers or other employees.  Notwithstanding the two preceding sentences, a change in the Participant’s duties or responsibilities or a reduction in the annual rate of the Participant’s base salary in connection with the Participant’s termination of employment (for Cause, Disability or retirement), shall not constitute Good Reason and the Participant shall not have Good Reason to resign solely because the Company does not have common shares or other securities that are publicly traded.  A resignation by the Participant shall not be with “Good Reason” unless the Participant gives the Company written notice specifying the event or condition that the Participant asserts constitutes Good Reason, the notice is given no more than ninety days after the occurrence of the event or initial existence of the condition that the Participant asserts constitutes Good Reason and the Company has failed to remedy or cure the event or condition during the thirty day period after such written notice is given to the Company.

 

(f)                                    “Index Return” means the total shareholder return reported on the MSCI US REIT Index for the Measurement Period, expressed as a percentage.

 

(g)                                   “Measurement Period” means the period beginning on May 1, 2015 and ending on the earlier of (i) April 30, 2016 or (ii) a Control Change Date.

 

(h)                                  “Qualifying Termination” means a termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates on account of (i) the Participant’s death, (ii) the Participant’s Disability, (iii) the Company’s termination of the Participant for a reason other than Cause or Disability or (iv) the Participant’s resignation with Good Reason.

 

8.                                       No Right to Continued Employment.   This Agreement and the grant of the Stock Award do not give the Participant any rights with respect to continued employment by the Company or an Affiliate.  This Agreement and the grant of the Stock Award shall not interfere with the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate the Participant’s employment.

 

6



 

9.                                       Change in Capital Structure.   In accordance with the terms of the Plan, the terms of this Agreement and the number and kind of Shares shall be adjusted as the Board determines to be equitably required in the event the Company effects one or more stock dividends, stock split-ups, subdivisions or consolidations of shares or other similar changes in capitalization.

 

10.                                Governing Law; Venue.   The laws of the State of North Dakota shall govern all matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement including, without limitation, its validity, interpretation, construction and performance but without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles that may require the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.  Any party bringing a legal action or proceeding against any other party arising out of or relating to this Agreement may bring the legal action or proceeding in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota or in any court of the State of North Dakota sitting in Minot, North Dakota.  Each party waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law (i) any objection it may now or later have to the laying of venue of any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought in a court described in the preceding sentence and (ii) any claim that any legal action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

11.                                Conflicts.   In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan as in effect on the Date of Grant and this Agreement, the provisions of the Plan shall govern.  All references herein to the Plan shall mean the Plan as in effect on the Date of Grant.

 

12.                                Participant Bound by Plan.   The Participant hereby acknowledges that a copy of the Plan has been made available to the Participant and the Participant agrees to be bound by all of the terms and provisions of the Plan.

 

13.                                Binding Effect.   Subject to the limitations stated above and in the Plan, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s successors in interest and the Company and any successors of the Company.

 

14.                                Recoupment.   The Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Participant’s rights in the Shares and any dividends or other distributions paid or payable with respect to the Shares are subject to recoupment or repayment if, and to the extent that, such action is required under applicable law or any Company recoupment or “clawback” policy.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Participant have executed this Stock Award Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

7


Exhibit 10.3

 

[2 Year Measurement Period]

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST

 

Stock Award Agreement

 

THIS STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of the 16 th  day of September, 2015, governs the Stock Award granted by INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST, a North Dakota real estate investment trust (the “Company”) to [             ] (the “Participant”), in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Company’s 2015 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  A copy of the Plan has been made available to the Participant.  All terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the Plan have the same meaning given them in the Plan.

 

1.                                       Grant of Stock Award.   In accordance with the Plan, and effective as of September 16, 2015 (the “Date of Grant”), the Company granted to the Participant, subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, a Stock Award of [      ] common shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”).  Up to two-thirds of the Shares will be earned to the extent that the performance objectives described in paragraph 2(a) are satisfied (the “Relative TSR Shares”) and up to one-third of the Shares will be earned to the extent that the performance objectives described in paragraph 2(b) are satisfied (the “Absolute TSR Shares”).

 

2.                                       Earning the Shares.   Pursuant to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the Participant will earn all or part of the Shares as follows:

 

(a)                                  The Relative TSR Shares will become Earned Shares based on the Company TSR for the Measurement Period as compared to the Index Return for the Measurement Period as follows:

 

(i)                                      If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is a positive percentage and the Index Return for the Measurement Period is a positive percentage, then:

 

(x)                                  If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is at least ninety percent (90%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then thirty-seven and one- half percent (37.5%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(y)                                  If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is at least one hundred five percent (105%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then fifty percent (50%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(z)                                   If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is at least one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then one hundred percent (100%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period relative to the Index Return falls between the goals set forth in (x) and (y) above or between the goals set forth in (y) and (z) above, then the number of Relative TSR Shares that become Earned Shares shall be determined using linear interpolation.

 



 

(ii)                                   If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is a negative percentage and the Index Return for the Measurement Period is a negative percentage, then:

 

(x)                                  If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is less than the Index Return for the Measurement Period by an amount that is not more than ten percent (10%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then thirty-seven and one-half percent (37.5%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.  For example, if the Index Return for the Measurement Period is negative eight percent (-8%), then thirty-seven and one-half percent (37.5%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is negative eight and eight-tenths percent (-8.8%).

 

(y)                                  If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is greater than the Index Return for the Measurement Period by an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then fifty percent (50%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.  For example, if the Index Return for the Measurement Period is negative eight percent (-8%), then fifty percent (50%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is negative seven and six-tenths percent (-7.6%)

 

(z)                                   If the company TSR for the Measurement Period is greater than the Index Return for the Measurement Period by an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then one hundred percent (100%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.  For example, if the Index Return for the Measurement Period is negative eight percent (-8%), then one hundred percent (100%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is negative six and four-tenths percent (-6.4%).

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the Company TSR is greater than the Index Return if, for example, the Company TSR is -8% and the Index Return is -10%.

 

If the Company TSR relative to the Index Return falls between the goals set forth in (x) and (y) above or between the goals set forth in (y) and (z) above, then the number of Relative TSR Shares that become Earned Shares shall be determined using linear interpolation.

 

(iii)                                Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its discretion, if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is a positive percentage and the Index Return for the Measurement Period is a negative percentage, then one hundred percent (100%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(iv)                               Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its discretion, if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is a negative percentage and the Index Return for the Measurement Period is a positive percentage, then none of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(b)                                  The Absolute TSR Shares will become Earned Shares based on the Company TSR for the Measurement Period as follows:

 

2



 

(i)                                      If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is ten percent (10%) then thirty-seven and one-half percent (37.5%) of the Absolute TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(ii)                                   If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is twelve percent (12%), then fifty percent (50%) of the Absolute TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(iii)                                If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is fourteen percent (14%), then one hundred percent (100%) of the Absolute TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is more than ten percent (10%) but less than twelve percent (12%), or if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is more than twelve percent (12%) but less than fourteen percent (14%), then the number of Absolute TSR Shares that become Earned Shares shall be determined using linear interpolation.

 

If the Measurement Period ends on a Control Change Date, then the performance objectives for the Company TSR prescribed by this paragraph 2(b) may be adjusted as the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines is appropriate to reflect the termination of the Measurement Period before April 30, 2017.

 

(c)                                   As soon as practicable after the end of the Measurement Period, but in all events no later than March 15, 2018, the Committee shall determine and certify in writing the number of Shares that have become Earned Shares; provided, however , that if the Measurement Period ends on account of a Change in Control, the Committee’s determination and certification shall be made no later than the Control Change Date.

 

(d)                                  Except as provided in paragraphs 3(b) and 3(c), (i) no Shares will become Earned Shares unless the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until the last day of the Measurement Period and (ii) all of the Shares will be forfeited on the date that the Participant ceases to be employed by the Company or an Affiliate if such employment ends before the last day of the Measurement Period.

 

3.                                       Vesting in Earned Shares.   The Participant’s interest in the Earned Shares shall become vested and nonforfeitable in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph 3.

 

(a)                                  This paragraph 3(a) applies if a Change in Control does not occur before April 30, 2017.  If the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until April 30, 2017, then the Participant’s interest in 50% of the Earned Shares shall be vested and nonforfeitable as of such date.  If the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until April 30, 2018, then the Participant’s interest in the remaining Earned Shares shall be vested and nonforfeitable as of such date.

 

(b)                                  This paragraph 3(b) applies if the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until the date of a Qualifying Termination.  If the Qualifying Termination occurs before the last day of the Measurement

 

3



 

Period, then (i) the Shares will remain outstanding until the last day of the Measurement Period, (ii) the number of Earned Shares shall be determined in accordance with paragraph 2 and (iii) the Participant will have a vested and nonforfeitable interest in a pro rata number of the Earned Shares.  The pro rata number of Earned Shares that vest shall be determined by multiplying the total number of Earned Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate on and after the first day of the Measurement Period and before the date of a Qualifying Termination and the denominator of which is 730.  If the Qualifying Termination occurs on or after the last day of the Measurement Period, then any Earned Shares that have not become vested and nonforfeitable shall be vested and nonforfeitable on the date of the Qualifying Termination.

 

(c)                                   This paragraph 3(c) applies if the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until a Control Change Date.  If the Control Change Date occurs before April 30, 2017, then (i) the number of Earned Shares shall be determined in accordance with paragraph 2 as of the Control Change Date and (ii) the Participant will have a vested and nonforfeitable interest in a pro rata number of the Earned Shares.  The pro rata number of Earned Shares that vest shall be determined by multiplying the total number of Earned Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate on and after the first day of the Measurement Period and before the Control Change Date and the denominator of which is 730.  If the Control Change Date occurs after April 30, 2017, and the Participant has remained in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until the Control Change Date, then any Earned Shares that have not become vested and nonforfeitable shall be vested and nonforfeitable on the Control Change Date.

 

Any Shares, including Earned Shares, that do not become vested and nonforfeitable in accordance with this paragraph 3 shall be forfeited.

 

4.                                       Transferability.   Shares that are not Earned Shares that have become vested in accordance with paragraph 3 may not be transferred; provided, however , that the Participant may transfer the Participant’s rights under this Agreement by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  Subject to the requirements of applicable securities laws, Earned Shares that have become vested in accordance with paragraph 3 may be transferred.

 

5.                                       Shareholder Rights.   On and after the Date of Grant and prior to the date that Shares are forfeited, the Participant shall have the right to vote the Shares.  Prior to the date that the Shares become vested and nonforfeitable in accordance with paragraph 3, any dividends or distributions on the Shares shall be accumulated, without interest, and paid when and only to the extent that, the Shares become Earned Shares and become vested and nonforfeitable.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentences, the Company shall retain custody of any certificates evidencing the Shares until the date the Shares become vested and nonforfeitable in accordance with paragraph 3 and the Participant hereby appoints the Company’s President and the Company’s Secretary as the Participant’s attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, with the power to transfer to the Company and cancel any Shares that are forfeited in accordance with this Agreement.

 

4



 

6.                                       No Section 83(b) Election.   In consideration for the grant of the Stock Award evidenced by this Agreement, the Participant hereby agrees and covenants that the Participant will not make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the grant of the Stock Award or the issuance of the Shares.

 

7.                                       Definitions.   For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)                                  “Cause” means (i) the Participant’s willful conduct that is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or an Affiliate, monetarily or otherwise; (ii) the Participant’s material breach of written agreement between the Participant and the Company; (iii) the Participant’s breach of the Participant’s fiduciary duties to the Company or an Affiliate; (iv) the Participant’s conviction of any crime (or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendre to any crime) constituting a felony; or (v) the Participant’s entering into an agreement or consent decree or being the subject of any regulatory order that in any of such cases prohibits the Participant from serving as an officer or director of a company that has publicly traded securities.  A termination of the Participant shall not be for “Cause” unless the decision to terminate the Participant is set forth in a resolution of the Board to that effect and which specifies the particulars thereof and that is approved by a majority of the members of the Board (exclusive of the Participant if the Participant is a member of the Board) adopted at a meeting called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to the Participant and an opportunity for the Participant to be heard before the Board).  No act or failure to act by the Participant will be deemed “willful” if it was done or omitted to be done by the Participant in good faith or with a reasonable belief on the part of the Participant that the action or omission was in the best interests of the Company or an Affiliate.  Any act or failure to act by the Participant based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based on the advice of counsel to the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done or omitted to be done by the Participant in good faith and in the best interest of the Company and its Affiliates.

 

(b)                                  “Company TSR” means the compounded annual growth rate, expressed as a percentage (rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent (0.1%)) in the value of a common share of beneficial interest (“Common Share”)  during the Measurement Period reflecting the appreciation/depreciation in the price per Common Share and dividends paid on a Common Share during the Measurement Period, including the reinvestment of dividends.  The Company TSR for each 12-month period in the Measurement Period (or any fractional year that ends on the last day of the Measurement Period) shall be calculated as follows:  (i) the closing price of the Common Share on the last day of such period (but using the average closing price for the 20 trading days ending on the last day of the Measurement Period for the last such period) plus dividends paid during such period divided by (ii) the closing price of the Common Share on the first day of such 12-month period (but using the average closing price for the 20 trading days ending before the first day of the Measurement Period for the first 12-month period).  The Company TSR shall be calculated using information currently reported under “Comparative Returns” by Bloomberg L.P. or such other reporting service that the Committee may designate from time to time.”  If the Measurement Period ends on account of a Change in Control, the Company TSR for the period from the most recent fiscal year end to the Control Change Date shall be annualized for purposes of calculating the Company TSR.”

 

5



 

(c)                                   “Disability” means the Participant has been determined, by a physician selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Participant, to be unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

 

(d)                                  “Earned Shares” means the total of the Relative TSR Shares that are earned in accordance with paragraph 2(a) and the Absolute TSR Shares that are earned in accordance with paragraph 2(b).

 

(e)                                   “Good Reason” means, without the express written consent of the Participant (i) a change in the Participant’s position with the Company or an Affiliate which results in a material diminution of the Participant’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a material reduction by the Company or an Affiliate in the annual rate of the Participant’s base salary or (iii) a change in the location of the Participant’s principal office to a different place that is more than fifty miles from the Participant’s principal office immediately prior to such change.  A reduction in the Participant’s rate of annual base pay shall be material if the rate of annual base salary on any date is less than ninety percent (90%) of the Participant’s highest rate of annual base pay as in effect on any date in the preceding thirty-six (36) months; provided, however, that a reduction in the Participant’s rate of annual base pay shall be disregarded to the extent that the reduction is applied similarly to the Company’s other officers or other employees.  Notwithstanding the two preceding sentences, a change in the Participant’s duties or responsibilities or a reduction in the annual rate of the Participant’s base salary in connection with the Participant’s termination of employment (for Cause, Disability or retirement), shall not constitute Good Reason and the Participant shall not have Good Reason to resign solely because the Company does not have common shares or other securities that are publicly traded.  A resignation by the Participant shall not be with “Good Reason” unless the Participant gives the Company written notice specifying the event or condition that the Participant asserts constitutes Good Reason, the notice is given no more than ninety days after the occurrence of the event or initial existence of the condition that the Participant asserts constitutes Good Reason and the Company has failed to remedy or cure the event or condition during the thirty day period after such written notice is given to the Company.

 

(f)                                    “Index Return” means the total shareholder return reported on the MSCI US REIT Index for the Measurement Period, expressed as a percentage.

 

(g)                                   “Measurement Period” means the period beginning on May 1, 2015 and ending on the earlier of (i) April 30, 2017 or (ii) a Control Change Date.

 

(h)                                  “Qualifying Termination” means a termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates on account of (i) the Participant’s death, (ii) the Participant’s Disability, (iii) the Company’s termination of the Participant for a reason other than Cause or Disability or (iv) the Participant’s resignation with Good Reason.

 

8.                                       No Right to Continued Employment.   This Agreement and the grant of the Stock Award do not give the Participant any rights with respect to continued employment by the

 

6



 

Company or an Affiliate.  This Agreement and the grant of the Stock Award shall not interfere with the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate the Participant’s employment.

 

9.                                       Change in Capital Structure.   In accordance with the terms of the Plan, the terms of this Agreement and the number and kind of Shares shall be adjusted as the Board determines to be equitably required in the event the Company effects one or more stock dividends, stock split-ups, subdivisions or consolidations of shares or other similar changes in capitalization.

 

10.                                Governing Law; Venue.   The laws of the State of North Dakota shall govern all matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement including, without limitation, its validity, interpretation, construction and performance but without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles that may require the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.  Any party bringing a legal action or proceeding against any other party arising out of or relating to this Agreement may bring the legal action or proceeding in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota or in any court of the State of North Dakota sitting in Minot, North Dakota.  Each party waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law (i) any objection it may now or later have to the laying of venue of any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought in a court described in the preceding sentence and (ii) any claim that any legal action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

11.                                Conflicts.   In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan as in effect on the Date of Grant and this Agreement, the provisions of the Plan shall govern.  All references herein to the Plan shall mean the Plan as in effect on the Date of Grant.

 

12.                                Participant Bound by Plan.   The Participant hereby acknowledges that a copy of the Plan has been made available to the Participant and the Participant agrees to be bound by all of the terms and provisions of the Plan.

 

13.                                Binding Effect.   Subject to the limitations stated above and in the Plan, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s successors in interest and the Company and any successors of the Company.

 

14.                                Recoupment.   The Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Participant’s rights in the Shares and any dividends or other distributions paid or payable with respect to the Shares are subject to recoupment or repayment if, and to the extent that, such action is required under applicable law or any Company recoupment or “clawback” policy.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Participant have executed this Stock Award Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

7



 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

8


Exhibit 10.4

 

[3 Year Measurement Period]

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST

 

Stock Award Agreement

 

THIS STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of the 16 th  day of September, 2015, governs the Stock Award granted by INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST, a North Dakota real estate investment trust (the “Company”) to [             ] (the “Participant”), in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Company’s 2015 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  A copy of the Plan has been made available to the Participant.  All terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the Plan have the same meaning given them in the Plan.

 

1.                                       Grant of Stock Award.   In accordance with the Plan, and effective as of September 16, 2015 (the “Date of Grant”), the Company granted to the Participant, subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, a Stock Award of [      ] common shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”).  Up to two-thirds of the Shares will be earned to the extent that the performance objectives described in paragraph 2(a) are satisfied (the “Relative TSR Shares”) and up to one-third of the Shares will be earned to the extent that the performance objectives described in paragraph 2(b) are satisfied (the “Absolute TSR Shares”).

 

2.                                       Earning the Shares.   Pursuant to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the Participant will earn all or part of the Shares as follows:

 

(a)                                  The Relative TSR Shares will become Earned Shares based on the Company TSR for the Measurement Period as compared to the Index Return for the Measurement Period as follows:

 

(i)                                      If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is a positive percentage and the Index Return for the Measurement Period is a positive percentage, then:

 

(x)                                  If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is at least ninety percent (90%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then thirty-seven and one- half percent (37.5%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(y)                                  If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is at least one hundred five percent (105%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then fifty percent (50%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(z)                                   If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is at least one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then one hundred percent (100%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period relative to the Index Return falls between the goals set forth in (x) and (y) above or between the goals set forth in (y) and (z) above, then the number of Relative TSR Shares that become Earned Shares shall be determined using linear interpolation.

 



 

(ii)                                   If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is a negative percentage and the Index Return for the Measurement Period is a negative percentage, then:

 

(x)                                  If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is less than the Index Return for the Measurement Period by an amount that is not more than ten percent (10%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then thirty-seven and one-half percent (37.5%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.  For example, if the Index Return for the Measurement Period is negative eight percent (-8%), then thirty-seven and one-half percent (37.5%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is negative eight and eight-tenths percent (-8.8%).

 

(y)                                  If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is greater than the Index Return for the Measurement Period by an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then fifty percent (50%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.  For example, if the Index Return for the Measurement Period is negative eight percent (-8%), then fifty percent (50%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is negative seven and six-tenths percent (-7.6%).

 

(z)                                   If the company TSR for the Measurement Period is greater than the Index Return for the Measurement Period by an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Index Return for the Measurement Period, then one hundred percent (100%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.  For example, if the Index Return for the Measurement Period is negative eight percent (-8%), then one hundred percent (100%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is negative six and four-tenths percent (-6.4%).

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the Company TSR is greater than the Index Return if, for example, the Company TSR is -8% and the Index Return is -10%.

 

If the Company TSR relative to the Index Return falls between the goals set forth in (x) and (y) above or between the goals set forth in (y) and (z) above, then the number of Relative TSR Shares that become Earned Shares shall be determined using linear interpolation.

 

(iii)                                Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is a positive percentage and the Index Return for the Measurement Period is a negative percentage, then one hundred percent (100%) of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(iv)                               Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is a negative percentage and the Index Return for the Measurement Period is a positive percentage, then none of the Relative TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(b)                                  The Absolute TSR Shares will become Earned Shares based on the Company TSR for the Measurement Period as follows:

 

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(i)                                      If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is ten percent (10%) then thirty-seven and one-half percent (37.5%) of the Absolute TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(ii)                                   If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is twelve percent (12%), then fifty percent (50%) of the Absolute TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

(iii)                                If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is fourteen percent (14%), then one hundred percent (100%) of the Absolute TSR Shares will be Earned Shares.

 

If the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is more than ten percent (10%) but less than twelve percent (12%), or if the Company TSR for the Measurement Period is more than twelve percent (12%) but less than fourteen percent (14%), then the number of Absolute TSR Shares that become Earned Shares shall be determined using linear interpolation.

 

If the Measurement Period ends on a Control Change Date, then the performance objectives for the Company TSR prescribed by this paragraph 2(b) may be adjusted as the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines is appropriate to reflect the termination of the Measurement Period before April 30, 2018.

 

(c)                                   As soon as practicable after the end of the Measurement Period, but in all events no later than March 15, 2019, the Committee shall determine and certify in writing the number of Shares that have become Earned Shares; provided, however , that if the Measurement Period ends on account of a Change in Control, the Committee’s determination and certification shall be made no later than the Control Change Date.

 

(d)                                  Except as provided in paragraphs 3(b) and 3(c), (i) no Shares will become Earned Shares unless the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until the last day of the Measurement Period and (ii) all of the Shares will be forfeited on the date that the Participant ceases to be employed by the Company or an Affiliate if such employment ends before the last day of the Measurement Period.

 

3.                                       Vesting in Earned Shares.   The Participant’s interest in the Earned Shares shall become vested and nonforfeitable in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph 3.

 

(a)                                  This paragraph 3(a) applies if a Change in Control does not occur before April 30, 2018.  If the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until April 30, 2018, then the Participant’s interest in 50% of the Earned Shares shall be vested and nonforfeitable as of such date.  If the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until April 30, 2019, then the Participant’s interest in the remaining Earned Shares shall be vested and nonforfeitable as of such date.

 

(b)                                  This paragraph 3(b) applies if the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until the date of a Qualifying Termination.  If the Qualifying Termination occurs before the last day of the Measurement

 

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Period, then (i) the Shares will remain outstanding until the last day of the Measurement Period, (ii) the number of Earned Shares shall be determined in accordance with paragraph 2 and (iii) the Participant will have a vested and nonforfeitable interest in a pro rata number of the Earned Shares.  The pro rata number of Earned Shares that vest shall be determined by multiplying the total number of Earned Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate on and after the first day of the Measurement Period and before the date of a Qualifying Termination and the denominator of which is 1,095.  If the Qualifying Termination occurs on or after the last day of the Measurement Period, then any Earned Shares that have not become vested and nonforfeitable shall be vested and nonforfeitable on the date of the Qualifying Termination.

 

(c)                                   This paragraph 3(c) applies if the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until a Control Change Date.  If the Control Change Date occurs before April 30, 2018, then (i) the number of Earned Shares shall be determined in accordance with paragraph 2 as of the Control Change Date and (ii) the Participant will have a vested and nonforfeitable interest in a pro rata number of the Earned Shares.  The pro rata number of Earned Shares that vest shall be determined by multiplying the total number of Earned Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate on and after the first day of the Measurement Period and before the Control Change Date and the denominator of which is 1,095.  If the Control Change Date occurs after April 30, 2018, and the Participant has remained in the continuous employ of the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until the Control Change Date, then any Earned Shares that have not become vested and nonforfeitable shall be vested and nonforfeitable on the Control Change Date.

 

Any Shares, including Earned Shares, that do not become vested and nonforfeitable in accordance with this paragraph 3 shall be forfeited.

 

4.                                       Transferability.   Shares that are not Earned Shares that have become vested in accordance with paragraph 3 may not be transferred; provided, however , that the Participant may transfer the Participant’s rights under this Agreement by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  Subject to the requirements of applicable securities laws, Earned Shares that have become vested in accordance with paragraph 3 may be transferred.

 

5.                                       Shareholder Rights.   On and after the Date of Grant and prior to the date that Shares are forfeited, the Participant shall have the right to vote the Shares.  Prior to the date that the Shares become vested and nonforfeitable in accordance with paragraph 3, any dividends or distributions on the Shares shall be accumulated, without interest, and paid when and only to the extent that, the Shares become Earned Shares and become vested and nonforfeitable.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentences, the Company shall retain custody of any certificates evidencing the Shares until the date the Shares become vested and nonforfeitable in accordance with paragraph 3 and the Participant hereby appoints the Company’s President and the Company’s Secretary as the Participant’s attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, with the power to transfer to the Company and cancel any Shares that are forfeited in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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6.                                       No Section 83(b) Election.   In consideration for the grant of the Stock Award evidenced by this Agreement, the Participant hereby agrees and covenants that the Participant will not make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the grant of the Stock Award or the issuance of the Shares.

 

7.                                       Definitions.   For purposes of this Agreement, the following shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)                                  “Cause” means (i) the Participant’s willful conduct that is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or an Affiliate, monetarily or otherwise; (ii) the Participant’s material breach of written agreement between the Participant and the Company; (iii) the Participant’s breach of the Participant’s fiduciary duties to the Company or an Affiliate; (iv) the Participant’s conviction of any crime (or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendre to any crime) constituting a felony; or (v) the Participant’s entering into an agreement or consent decree or being the subject of any regulatory order that in any of such cases prohibits the Participant from serving as an officer or director of a company that has publicly traded securities.  A termination of the Participant shall not be for “Cause” unless the decision to terminate the Participant is set forth in a resolution of the Board to that effect and which specifies the particulars thereof and that is approved by a majority of the members of the Board (exclusive of the Participant if the Participant is a member of the Board) adopted at a meeting called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to the Participant and an opportunity for the Participant to be heard before the Board).  No act or failure to act by the Participant will be deemed “willful” if it was done or omitted to be done by the Participant in good faith or with a reasonable belief on the part of the Participant that the action or omission was in the best interests of the Company or an Affiliate.  Any act or failure to act by the Participant based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based on the advice of counsel to the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done or omitted to be done by the Participant in good faith and in the best interest of the Company and its Affiliates.

 

(b)                                  “Company TSR” means the compounded annual growth rate, expressed as a percentage (rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent (0.1%)) in the value of a common share of beneficial interest (“Common Share”) during the Measurement Period reflecting the appreciation/depreciation in the price per Common Share and dividends paid on a Common Share during the Measurement Period, including the reinvestment of dividends.  The Company TSR for each 12-month period in the Measurement Period (or any fractional year that ends on the last day of the Measurement Period) shall be calculated as follows:  (i) the closing price of the Common Share on the last day of such period (but using the average closing price for the 20 trading days ending on the last day of the Measurement Period for the last such period) plus dividends paid during such period divided by (ii) the closing price of the Common Share on the first day of such 12-month period (but using the average closing price for the 20 trading days ending before the first day of the Measurement Period for the first 12-month period).  The Company TSR shall be calculated using information currently reported under “Comparative Returns” by Bloomberg L.P. or such other reporting service that the Committee may designate from time to time.”  If the Measurement Period ends on account of a Change in Control, the Company TSR for the period from the most recent fiscal year end to the Control Change Date shall be annualized for purposes of calculating the Company TSR.”

 

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(c)                                   “Disability” means the Participant has been determined, by a physician selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Participant, to be unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

 

(d)                                  “Earned Shares” means the total of the Relative TSR Shares that are earned in accordance with paragraph 2(a) and the Absolute TSR Shares that are earned in accordance with paragraph 2(b).

 

(e)                                   “Good Reason” means, without the express written consent of the Participant (i) a change in the Participant’s position with the Company or an Affiliate which results in a material diminution of the Participant’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a material reduction by the Company or an Affiliate in the annual rate of the Participant’s base salary or (iii) a change in the location of the Participant’s principal office to a different place that is more than fifty miles from the Participant’s principal office immediately prior to such change.  A reduction in the Participant’s rate of annual base pay shall be material if the rate of annual base salary on any date is less than ninety percent (90%) of the Participant’s highest rate of annual base pay as in effect on any date in the preceding thirty-six (36) months; provided, however, that a reduction in the Participant’s rate of annual base pay shall be disregarded to the extent that the reduction is applied similarly to the Company’s other officers or other employees.  Notwithstanding the two preceding sentences, a change in the Participant’s duties or responsibilities or a reduction in the annual rate of the Participant’s base salary in connection with the Participant’s termination of employment (for Cause, Disability or retirement), shall not constitute Good Reason and the Participant shall not have Good Reason to resign solely because the Company does not have common shares or other securities that are publicly traded.  A resignation by the Participant shall not be with “Good Reason” unless the Participant gives the Company written notice specifying the event or condition that the Participant asserts constitutes Good Reason, the notice is given no more than ninety days after the occurrence of the event or initial existence of the condition that the Participant asserts constitutes Good Reason and the Company has failed to remedy or cure the event or condition during the thirty day period after such written notice is given to the Company.

 

(f)                                    “Index Return” means the total shareholder return reported on the MSCI US REIT Index for the Measurement Period, expressed as a percentage.

 

(g)                                   “Measurement Period” means the period beginning on May 1, 2015 and ending on the earlier of (i) April 30, 2018 or (ii) a Control Change Date.

 

(h)                                  “Qualifying Termination” means a termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates on account of (i) the Participant’s death, (ii) the Participant’s Disability, (iii) the Company’s termination of the Participant for a reason other than Cause or Disability or (iv) the Participant’s resignation with Good Reason.

 

8.                                       No Right to Continued Employment.   This Agreement and the grant of the Stock Award do not give the Participant any rights with respect to continued employment by the

 

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Company or an Affiliate.  This Agreement and the grant of the Stock Award shall not interfere with the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate the Participant’s employment.

 

9.                                       Change in Capital Structure.   In accordance with the terms of the Plan, the terms of this Agreement and the number and kind of Shares shall be adjusted as the Board determines to be equitably required in the event the Company effects one or more stock dividends, stock split-ups, subdivisions or consolidations of shares or other similar changes in capitalization.

 

10.                                Governing Law; Venue.   The laws of the State of North Dakota shall govern all matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement including, without limitation, its validity, interpretation, construction and performance but without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles that may require the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.  Any party bringing a legal action or proceeding against any other party arising out of or relating to this Agreement may bring the legal action or proceeding in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota or in any court of the State of North Dakota sitting in Minot, North Dakota.  Each party waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law (i) any objection it may now or later have to the laying of venue of any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought in a court described in the preceding sentence and (ii) any claim that any legal action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

11.                                Conflicts.   In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan as in effect on the Date of Grant and this Agreement, the provisions of the Plan shall govern.  All references herein to the Plan shall mean the Plan as in effect on the Date of Grant.

 

12.                                Participant Bound by Plan.   The Participant hereby acknowledges that a copy of the Plan has been made available to the Participant and the Participant agrees to be bound by all of the terms and provisions of the Plan.

 

13.                                Binding Effect.   Subject to the limitations stated above and in the Plan, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s successors in interest and the Company and any successors of the Company.

 

14.                                Recoupment.   The Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Participant’s rights in the Shares and any dividends or other distributions paid or payable with respect to the Shares are subject to recoupment or repayment if, and to the extent that, such action is required under applicable law or any Company recoupment or “clawback” policy.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Participant have executed this Stock Award Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

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Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

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