Morgan Stanley Investment Management Proxy Voting Policy
and Procedures
I. POLICY STATEMENT
Introduction
Morgan Stanley Investment Management’s (“MSIM”) policy and
procedures for voting proxies (“Policy”) with respect to securities held in the accounts of
clients applies to those MSIM entities that provide discretionary investment management
services and for which an MSIM entity has authority to vote proxies. This Policy is
reviewed and updated as necessary to address new and evolving proxy voting issues and
standards.
The MSIM entities covered by this Policy currently include the following: Morgan
Stanley Investment Advisors Inc., Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP, Morgan Stanley Investment
Management Inc., Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited, Morgan Stanley
Investment Management Company, Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust
Management Co., Limited, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited,
Van Kampen Asset Management, and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. (each an “MSIM
Affiliate” and collectively referred to as the “MSIM Affiliates” or as “we” below).
Each MSIM Affiliate will use its best efforts to vote proxies as part of its authority to
manage, acquire and dispose of account assets. With respect to the MSIM registered
management investment companies (Van Kampen, Institutional and Advisor Funds--
collectively referred to herein as the “MSIM Funds”), each MSIM Affiliate will vote
proxies under this Policy pursuant to authority granted under its applicable investment
advisory agreement or, in the absence of such authority, as authorized by the Board of
Directors/Trustees of the MSIM Funds. An MSIM Affiliate will not vote proxies if the
“named fiduciary” for an ERISA account has reserved the authority for itself, or in the
case of an account not governed by ERISA, the investment management or investment
advisory agreement does not authorize the MSIM Affiliate to vote proxies. MSIM
Affiliates will vote proxies in a prudent and diligent manner and in the best interests of
clients, including beneficiaries of and participants in a client’s benefit plan(s) for which
the MSIM Affiliates manage assets, consistent with the objective of maximizing
long-term
investment returns (“Client Proxy Standard”). In certain situations, a client or its
fiduciary may provide an MSIM Affiliate with a proxy voting policy. In these situations,
the MSIM Affiliate will comply with the client’s policy.
Proxy Research Services
RiskMetrics Group ISS Governance Services (“ISS”) and
Glass Lewis (together with other proxy research providers as we may retain from time to
time, the “Research Providers”) are independent advisers that specialize in providing a
variety of fiduciary-level proxy-related services to institutional investment managers,
plan sponsors, custodians, consultants, and other institutional investors. The services
provided include in-depth research, global issuer analysis, and voting recommendations.
While we may review and utilize the recommendations of the Research Providers in
making proxy voting decisions, we are in no way obligated to follow such recommendations. In addition to research, ISS provides vote execution, reporting, and
recordkeeping.
Voting Proxies for Certain Non-U.S. Companies
Voting proxies of companies located
in some jurisdictions, particularly emerging markets, may involve several problems that
can restrict or prevent the ability to vote such proxies or entail significant costs. These
problems include, but are not limited to: (i) proxy statements and ballots being written in
a language other than English; (ii) untimely and/or inadequate notice of shareholder
meetings; (iii) restrictions on the ability of holders outside the issuer’s jurisdiction of
organization to exercise votes; (iv) requirements to vote proxies in person; (v) the
imposition of restrictions on the sale of the securities for a period of time in proximity to
the shareholder meeting; and (vi) requirements to provide local agents with power of
attorney to facilitate our voting instructions. As a result, we vote clients’ non-U.S.
proxies on a best efforts basis only, after weighing the costs and benefits of voting such
proxies, consistent with the Client Proxy Standard. ISS has been retained to provide
assistance in connection with voting non-U.S. proxies.
II. GENERAL PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
To promote consistency in voting proxies on behalf of its clients, we follow this Policy
(subject to any exception set forth herein), including the guidelines set forth below.
These guidelines address a broad range of issues, and provide general voting parameters
on proposals that arise most frequently. However, details of specific proposals vary, and
those details affect particular voting decisions, as do factors specific to a given company.
Pursuant to the procedures set forth herein, we may vote in a manner that is not in
accordance with the following general guidelines, provided the vote is approved by the
Proxy Review Committee (see Section III for description) and is consistent with the
Client Proxy Standard. Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP will follow the procedures as
described in Appendix A.
We endeavor to integrate governance and proxy voting policy with investment goals and
to follow the Client Proxy Standard for each client. At times, this may result in split
votes, for example when different clients have varying economic interests in the outcome
of a particular voting matter (such as a case in which varied ownership interests in two
companies involved in a merger result in different stakes in the outcome). We also may
split votes at times based on differing views of portfolio managers, but such a split vote
must be approved by the Proxy Review Committee.
We may abstain on matters for which disclosure is inadequate.
A. Routine Matters.
We generally support routine management proposals. The
following are examples of routine management proposals:
- Approval of financial statements and auditor reports.
- General updating/corrective amendments to the charter, articles of association or
bylaws.
- Most proposals related to the conduct of the annual meeting, with the following
exceptions. We generally oppose proposals that relate to “the transaction of such
other business which may come before the meeting,” and open-ended requests for
adjournment. However, where management specifically states the reason for
requesting an adjournment and the requested adjournment would facilitate
passage of a proposal that would otherwise be supported under this Policy (i.e. an
uncontested corporate transaction), the adjournment request will be supported.
We generally support shareholder proposals advocating confidential voting procedures
and independent tabulation of voting results.
B. Board of Directors
- Election of directors: In the absence of a proxy contest, we generally support the
board’s nominees for director except as follows:
- We consider withholding support from or voting against interested
directors if the company’s board does not meet market standards for
director independence, or if otherwise we believe board independence is
insufficient. We refer to prevalent market standards as promulgated by a
stock exchange or other authority within a given market (e.g., New York
Stock Exchange or Nasdaq rules for most U.S. companies, and The
Combined Code on Corporate Governance in the United Kingdom). Thus,
for an NYSE company with no controlling shareholder, we would expect
that at a minimum a majority of directors should be independent as
defined by NYSE. Where we view market standards as inadequate, we
may withhold votes based on stronger independence standards. Market
standards notwithstanding, we generally do not view long board tenure
alone as a basis to classify a director as non-independent, although lack of
board turnover and fresh perspective can be a negative factor in voting on
directors.
- At a company with a shareholder or group that controls the
company by virtue of a majority economic interest in the company,
we have a reduced expectation for board independence, although
we believe the presence of independent directors can be helpful,
particularly in staffing the audit committee, and at times we may
withhold support from or vote against a nominee on the view the
board or its committees are not sufficiently independent.
- We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee
if he or she is affiliated with a major shareholder that has
representation on a board disproportionate to its economic interest.
- Depending on market standards, we consider withholding support from or
voting against a nominee who is interested and who is standing for
election as a member of the company’s compensation, nominating or audit
committee.
- We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee if we
believe a direct conflict exists between the interests of the nominee and the
public shareholders, including failure to meet fiduciary standards of care
and/or loyalty. We may oppose directors where we conclude that actions
of directors are unlawful, unethical or negligent. We consider opposing
individual board members or an entire slate if we believe the board is
entrenched and/or dealing inadequately with performance problems,
and/or acting with insufficient independence between the board and
management.
- We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee
standing for election if the board has not taken action to implement
generally accepted governance practices for which there is a “bright line”
test. For example, in the context of the U.S. market, failure to eliminate a
dead hand or slow hand poison pills would be seen as a basis for opposing
one or more incumbent nominees.
- In markets that encourage designated audit committee financial experts,
we consider voting against members of an audit committee if no members
are designated as such.
- We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee who
has failed to attend at least 75% of board meetings within a given year
without a reasonable excuse.
- We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee who
serves on the board of directors of more than six companies (excluding
investment companies). We also consider voting against a director who
otherwise appears to have too many commitments to serve adequately on
the board of the company.
- Board independence: We generally support U.S. shareholder proposals requiring
that a certain percentage (up to 66%) of the company’s board members be
independent directors, and promoting all-independent audit, compensation and
nominating/governance committees.
- Board diversity: We consider on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals
urging diversity of board membership with respect to social, religious or ethnic
group.
- Majority voting: We generally support proposals requesting or requiring majority
voting policies in election of directors, so long as there is a carve-out for plurality
voting in the case of contested elections.
- Proxy access:
We consider on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals to provide
procedures for inclusion of shareholder nominees in company proxy
statements.
- Proposals to elect all directors annually: We generally
support proposals to elect all directors annually at public
companies (to “declassify” the Board of Directors) where such action
is supported by the board, and otherwise consider the issue on a
case-by-case basis based in part on overall takeover defenses at a
company.
- Cumulative voting: We generally support proposals to eliminate cumulative
voting in the U.S. market context. (Cumulative voting provides that shareholders
may concentrate their votes for one or a handful of candidates, a system that can
enable a minority bloc to place representation on a board). U.S. proposals to
establish cumulative voting in the election of directors generally will not be
supported.
- Separation of Chairman and CEO positions: We vote on shareholder proposals to
separate the Chairman and CEO positions and/or to appoint a non-executive
Chairman based in part on prevailing practice in particular markets, since the
context for such a practice varies. In many non-U.S. markets, we view separation
of the roles as a market standard practice, and support division of the roles in that
context.
- Director retirement age and term limits: Proposals recommending set director
retirement ages or director term limits are voted on a case-by-case basis.
- Proposals to limit directors' liability and/or broaden indemnification of directors. Generally, we will support such proposals provided that the officers and directors
are eligible for indemnification and liability protection if they have acted in good
faith on company business and were found innocent of any civil or criminal
charges for duties performed on behalf of the company.
C. Corporate transactions and proxy fights.
We examine proposals relating to
mergers, acquisitions and other special corporate transactions (i.e., takeovers, spin-offs,
sales of assets, reorganizations, restructurings and recapitalizations) on a case-by-case
basis. However, proposals for mergers or other significant transactions that are friendly
and approved by the Research Providers generally will be supported and in those
instances will not need to be reviewed by the Proxy Review Committee, where there is no
portfolio manager objection and where there is no material conflict of interest. We also
analyze proxy contests on a case-by-case basis.
D. Changes in capital structure.
- We generally support the following:
- Management and shareholder proposals aimed at eliminating unequal
voting rights, assuming fair economic treatment of classes of shares we
hold.
- Management proposals to increase the authorization of existing classes of
common stock (or securities convertible into common stock) if: (i) a clear
business purpose is stated that we can support and the number of shares
requested is reasonable in relation to the purpose for which authorization
is requested; and/or (ii) the authorization does not exceed 100% of shares
currently authorized and at least 30% of the total new authorization will be
outstanding.
- Management proposals to create a new class of preferred stock or for
issuances of preferred stock up to 50% of issued capital, unless we have
concerns about use of the authority for anti-takeover purposes.
- Management proposals to authorize share repurchase plans, except in
some cases in which we believe there are insufficient protections against
use of an authorization for anti-takeover purposes.
- Management proposals to reduce the number of authorized shares of
common or preferred stock, or to eliminate classes of preferred stock.
- Management proposals to effect stock splits.
- Management proposals to effect reverse stock splits if management
proportionately reduces the authorized share amount set forth in the
corporate charter. Reverse stock splits that do not adjust proportionately
to the authorized share amount generally will be approved if the resulting
increase in authorized shares coincides with the proxy guidelines set forth
above for common stock increases.
- Management proposals for higher dividend payouts.
- We generally oppose the following (notwithstanding management support):
- Proposals to add classes of stock that would substantially dilute the voting
interests of existing shareholders.
- Proposals to increase the authorized or issued number of shares of existing
classes of stock that are unreasonably dilutive, particularly if there are no
preemptive rights for existing shareholders.
- Proposals that authorize share issuance at a discount to market rates,
except where authority for such issuance is de minimis, or if there is a
special situation that we believe justifies such authorization (as may be the
case, for example, at a company under severe stress and risk of
bankruptcy).
- Proposals relating to changes in capitalization by 100% or more.
E. Takeover Defenses and Shareholder Rights.
- Shareholder rights plans: We generally support proposals to require shareholder
approval or ratification of shareholder rights plans (poison pills). In voting on
rights plans or similar takeover defenses, we consider on a case-by-case basis
whether the company has demonstrated a need for the defense in the context of
promoting long-term share value; whether provisions of the defense are in line
with generally accepted governance principles; and the specific context if the
proposal is made in the midst of a takeover bid or contest for control.
- Supermajority voting requirements: We generally oppose requirements for
supermajority votes to amend the charter or bylaws, unless the provisions protect
minority shareholders where there is a large shareholder. In line with this view, in
the absence of a large shareholder we support reasonable shareholder proposals to
limit such supermajority voting requirements.
- Shareholder rights to call meetings: We consider proposals to enhance
shareholder rights to call meetings on a case-by-case basis.
- Reincorporation: We consider management and shareholder proposals to
reincorporate to a different jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis. We oppose such
proposals if we believe the main purpose is to take advantage of laws or judicial
precedents that reduce shareholder rights.
- Anti-greenmail provisions: Proposals relating to the adoption of anti-greenmail
provisions will be supported, provided that the proposal: (i) defines greenmail; (ii)
prohibits buyback offers to large block holders (holders of at least 1% of the
outstanding shares and in certain cases, a greater amount, as determined by the
Proxy Review Committee) not made to all shareholders or not approved by
disinterested shareholders; and (iii) contains no anti-takeover measures or other
provisions restricting the rights of shareholders.
- Bundled proposals: We may consider opposing or abstaining on proposals if
disparate issues are “bundled” and presented for a single vote.
F. Auditors.
We generally support management proposals for selection or
ratification of independent auditors. However, we may consider opposing such proposals
with reference to incumbent audit firms if the company has suffered from serious
accounting irregularities and we believe rotation of the audit firm is appropriate, or if fees
paid to the auditor for non-audit-related services are excessive. Generally, to determine if
non-audit fees are excessive, a 50% test will be applied (i.e., non-audit-related fees
should be less than 50% of the total fees paid to the auditor). We generally vote against
proposals to indemnify auditors.
G. Executive and Director Remuneration.
- We generally support the following proposals:
- Proposals for employee equity compensation plans and other employee
ownership plans, provided that our research does not indicate that
approval of the plan would be against shareholder interest. Such approval
may be against shareholder interest if it authorizes excessive dilution and
shareholder cost, particularly in the context of high usage (“run rate”) of
equity compensation in the recent past; or if there are objectionable plan
design and provisions.
- Proposals relating to fees to outside directors, provided the amounts are
not excessive relative to other companies in the country or industry, and
provided that the structure is appropriate within the market context. While
stock-based compensation to outside directors is positive if moderate and
appropriately structured, we are wary of significant stock option awards or
other performance-based awards for outside directors, as well as
provisions that could result in significant forfeiture of value on a director’s
decision to resign from a board (such forfeiture can undercut director
independence).
- Proposals for employee stock purchase plans that permit discounts up to
15%, but only for grants that are part of a broad-based employee plan,
including all non-executive employees.
- Proposals for the establishment of employee retirement and severance
plans, provided that our research does not indicate that approval of the
plan would be against shareholder interest.
- Shareholder proposals requiring shareholder approval of all severance
agreements will not be supported, but proposals that require shareholder
approval for agreements in excess of three times the annual compensation (salary and bonus) generally will be supported. We generally oppose
shareholder proposals that would establish arbitrary caps on pay. We consider
on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals that seek to limit Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs), but support such proposals where we
consider SERPs to be excessive.
- Shareholder proposals advocating stronger and/or particular pay-for-performance
models will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with
consideration of the merits of the individual proposal within the context of the
particular company and its labor markets, and the company’s current and past
practices. While we generally support emphasis on long-term components of
senior executive pay and strong linkage of pay to performance, we consider
whether a proposal may be overly prescriptive, and the impact of the proposal,
if implemented as written, on recruitment and retention.
- We consider shareholder proposals for U.K.-style advisory votes on pay on a
case-by-case basis.
- We generally support proposals advocating reasonable senior executive and
director stock ownership guidelines and holding requirements for shares
gained in option exercises.
- Management proposals effectively to re-price stock options are considered on
a case-by-case basis. Considerations include the company’s reasons and
justifications for a re-pricing, the company’s competitive position, whether
senior executives and outside directors are excluded, potential cost to
shareholders, whether the re-pricing or share exchange is on a value-for-value
basis, and whether vesting requirements are extended.
H. Social, Political and Environmental Issues.
We consider proposals relating to
social, political and environmental issues on a case-by-case basis to determine whether
they will have a financial impact on shareholder value. However, we generally vote
against proposals requesting reports that are duplicative, related to matters not material to
the business, or that would impose unnecessary or excessive costs. We may abstain from
voting on proposals that do not have a readily determinable financial impact on
shareholder value. We generally oppose proposals requiring adherence to workplace
standards that are not required or customary in market(s) to which the proposals relate.
I. Fund of Funds.
Certain Funds advised by an MSIM Affiliate invest only in other
MSIM Funds. If an underlying fund has a shareholder meeting, in order to avoid any
potential conflict of interest, such proposals will be voted in the same proportion as the
votes of the other shareholders of the underlying fund, unless otherwise determined by
the Proxy Review Committee.
III. ADMINISTRATION OF POLICY
The MSIM Proxy Review Committee (the “Committee”) has overall responsibility for
creating and implementing the Policy, working with an MSIM staff group (the
“Corporate Governance Team”). The Committee, which is appointed by MSIM’s Chief
Investment Officer of Global Equities (“CIO”), consists of senior investment
professionals who represent the different investment disciplines and geographic locations
of the firm. Because proxy voting is an investment responsibility and impacts
shareholder value, and because of their knowledge of companies and markets, portfolio
managers and other members of investment staff play a key role in proxy voting,
although the Committee has final authority over proxy votes.
The Committee Chairperson is the head of the Corporate Governance Team, and is
responsible for identifying issues that require Committee deliberation or ratification. The
Corporate Governance Team, working with advice of investment teams and the
Committee, is responsible for voting on routine items and on matters that can be
addressed in line with these Policy guidelines. The Corporate Governance Team has
responsibility for voting case-by-case where guidelines and precedent provide adequate
guidance, and to refer other case-by-case decisions to the Proxy Review Committee.
The Committee will periodically review and have the authority to amend, as necessary,
the Policy and establish and direct voting positions consistent with the Client Proxy
Standard.
A. Committee Procedures
The Committee will meet at least monthly to (among other matters) address any
outstanding issues relating to the Policy or its implementation. The Corporate
Governance Team will timely communicate to ISS MSIM’s Policy (and any amendments
and/or any additional guidelines or procedures the Committee may adopt).
The Committee will meet on an ad hoc basis to (among other matters): (1) authorize
“split voting” (i.e., allowing certain shares of the same issuer that are the subject of the
same proxy solicitation and held by one or more MSIM portfolios to be voted differently
than other shares) and/or “override voting” (i.e., voting all MSIM portfolio shares in a
manner contrary to the Policy); (2) review and approve upcoming votes, as appropriate,
for matters for which specific direction has been provided in this Policy; and (3)
determine how to vote matters for which specific direction has not been provided in this
Policy.
Members of the Committee may take into account Research Providers’ recommendations
and research as well as any other relevant information they may request or receive,
including portfolio manager and/or analyst research, as applicable. Generally, proxies
related to securities held in accounts that are managed pursuant to quantitative, index or
index-like strategies ("Index Strategies") will be voted in the same manner as those held
in actively managed accounts, unless economic interests of the accounts differ. Because
accounts managed using Index Strategies are passively managed accounts, research from
portfolio managers and/or analysts related to securities held in these accounts may not be available. If the affected securities are held only in accounts that are managed pursuant
to Index Strategies, and the proxy relates to a matter that is not described in this Policy,
the Committee will consider all available information from the Research Providers, and
to the extent that the holdings are significant, from the portfolio managers and/or
analysts.
B. Material Conflicts of Interest
In addition to the procedures discussed above, if the Committee determines that an issue
raises a material conflict of interest, the Committee will request a special committee to
review, and recommend a course of action with respect to, the conflict(s) in question
(“Special Committee”).
The Special Committee shall be comprised of the Chairperson of the Proxy Review
Committee, the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee, a senior portfolio manager
(if practicable, one who is a member of the Proxy Review Committee) designated by the
Proxy Review Committee, and MSIM’s relevant Chief Investment Officer or his/her
designee, and any other persons deemed necessary by the Chairperson. The Special
Committee may request the assistance of MSIM’s General Counsel or his/her designee
who will have sole discretion to cast a vote. In addition to the research provided by
Research Providers, the Special Committee may request analysis from MSIM Affiliate
investment professionals and outside sources to the extent it deems appropriate.
C. Identification of Material Conflicts of Interest
A potential material conflict of interest could exist in the following situations, among
others:
- The issuer soliciting the vote is a client of MSIM or an affiliate of MSIM and the
vote is on a material matter affecting the issuer.
- The proxy relates to Morgan Stanley common stock or any other security issued
by Morgan Stanley or its affiliates except if echo voting is used, as with MSIM
Funds, as described herein.
- Morgan Stanley has a material pecuniary interest in the matter submitted for a
vote (e.g., acting as a financial advisor to a party to a merger or acquisition for
which Morgan Stanley will be paid a success fee if completed).
If the Chairperson of the Committee determines that an issue raises a potential material
conflict of interest, depending on the facts and circumstances, the Chairperson will
address the issue as follows:
- If the matter relates to a topic that is discussed in this Policy, the proposal will be
voted as per the Policy.
- If the matter is not discussed in this Policy or the Policy indicates that the issue is
to be decided case-by-case, the proposal will be voted in a manner consistent with
the Research Providers, provided that all the Research Providers have the same
recommendation, no portfolio manager objects to that vote, and the vote is
consistent with MSIM’s Client Proxy Standard.
- If the Research Providers’ recommendations differ, the Chairperson will refer the
matter to the Committee to vote on the proposal. If the Committee determines
that an issue raises a material conflict of interest, the Committee will request a
Special Committee to review and recommend a course of action, as described
above. Notwithstanding the above, the Chairperson of the Committee may
request a Special Committee to review a matter at any time as he/she deems
necessary to resolve a conflict.
D. Proxy Voting Reporting
The Committee and the Special Committee, or their designee(s), will document in writing
all of their decisions and actions, which documentation will be maintained by the
Committee and the Special Committee, or their designee(s), for a period of at least 6
years. To the extent these decisions relate to a security held by an MSIM Fund, the
Committee and Special Committee, or their designee(s), will report their decisions to
each applicable Board of Trustees/Directors of those Funds at each Board’s next
regularly scheduled Board meeting. The report will contain information concerning
decisions made by the Committee and Special Committee during the most recently ended
calendar quarter immediately preceding the Board meeting.
The Corporate Governance Team will timely communicate to applicable portfolio
managers and to ISS, decisions of the Committee and Special Committee so that, among
other things, ISS will vote proxies consistent with their decisions.
MSIM will promptly provide a copy of this Policy to any client requesting it. MSIM will
also, upon client request, promptly provide a report indicating how each proxy was voted
with respect to securities held in that client’s account.
MSIM’s Legal Department is responsible for filing an annual Form N-PX on behalf of
each MSIM Fund for which such filing is required, indicating how all proxies were voted
with respect to such Fund’s holdings.
Appendix A
The following procedures apply to accounts managed by Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP
(“AIP”).
Generally, AIP will follow the guidelines set forth in Section II of MSIM’s Proxy Voting
Policy and Procedures. To the extent that such guidelines do not provide specific
direction, or AIP determines that consistent with the Client Proxy Standard, the
guidelines should not be followed, the Proxy Review Committee has delegated the voting
authority to vote securities held by accounts managed by AIP to the Liquid Markets
investment team and the Private Markets investment team of AIP. A summary of
decisions made by the investment teams will be made available to the Proxy Review
Committee for its information at the next scheduled meeting of the Proxy Review
Committee.
In certain cases, AIP may determine to abstain from determining (or recommending) how
a proxy should be voted (and therefore abstain from voting such proxy or recommending
how such proxy should be voted), such as where the expected cost of giving due
consideration to the proxy does not justify the potential benefits to the affected account(s)
that might result from adopting or rejecting (as the case may be) the measure in question.
Waiver of Voting Rights
For regulatory reasons, AIP may either 1) invest in a class of securities of an underlying
fund (the “Fund”) that does not provide for voting rights; or 2) waive 100% of its voting
rights with respect to the following:
1. Any rights with respect to the removal or replacement of a director, general
partner, managing member or other person acting in a similar capacity for or on
behalf of the Fund (each individually a “Designated Person,” and collectively, the
“Designated Persons”), which may include, but are not limited to, voting on the
election or removal of a Designated Person in the event of such Designated
Person’s death, disability, insolvency, bankruptcy, incapacity, or other event
requiring a vote of interest holders of the Fund to remove or replace a Designated
Person; and
2. Any rights in connection with a determination to renew, dissolve, liquidate, or
otherwise terminate or continue the Fund, which may include, but are not limited
to, voting on the renewal, dissolution, liquidation, termination or continuance of
the Fund upon the occurrence of an event described in the Fund’s organizational
documents; provided, however, that, if the Fund’s organizational documents
require the consent of the Fund’s general partner or manager, as the case may be,
for any such termination or continuation of the Fund to be effective, then AIP
may exercise its voting rights with respect to such matter.
Appendix B
The following procedures apply to the portion of the Van Kampen Dynamic Credit
Opportunities Fund (“VK Fund”) sub advised by Avenue Europe International Management, L.P. (“Avenue”). (The portion of the VK Fund managed solely by Van
Kampen Asset Management will continue to be subject to MSIM’s Policy.)
- Generally: With respect to Avenue’s portion of the VK Fund, the Board of
Trustees of the VK Fund will retain sole authority and responsibility for proxy
voting. The Adviser’s involvement in the voting process of Avenue’s portion
of the VK Fund is a purely administrative function, and serves to execute and
deliver the proxy voting decisions made by the VK Fund Board in connection
with the Avenue portion of the VK Fund, which may, from time to time,
include related administrative tasks such as receiving proxies, following up on
missing proxies, and collecting data related to proxies. As such, the Adviser
shall not be deemed to have voting power or shared voting power with
Avenue with respect to Avenue’s portion of the Fund.
- Voting Guidelines: All proxies, with respect to Avenue’s portion of the VK
Fund, will be considered by the VK Fund Board or such subcommittee as the
VK Fund Board may designate from time to time for determination and voting
approval. The VK Board or its subcommittee will timely communicate to
MSIM’s Corporate Governance Group its proxy voting decisions, so that
among other things the votes will be effected consistent with the VK Board’s
authority.
- Administration: The VK Board or its subcommittee will meet on an adhoc
basis as may be required from time to time to review proxies that require its
review and determination. The VK Board or its subcommittee will document
in writing all of its decisions and actions which will be maintained by the VK
Fund, or its designee(s), for a period of at least 6 years. If a subcommittee is
designated, a summary of decisions made by such subcommittee will be made
available to the full VK Board for its information at its next scheduled
respective meetings.
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