| of the Code an ownership interest of 1% or less shall constitute a de minimis ownership interest, and an ownership interest of more than 1% creates a rebuttable presumption that there may be a material conflict of interest). |
Each Covered Officer is required to be familiar, and comply, with the Funds’ disclosure controls and procedures so that the Funds’ subject reports and documents filed with the SEC comply in all material respects with the applicable federal securities laws and SEC rules. In addition, each Covered Officer having direct or supervisory authority regarding these SEC filings or the Funds’ other public communications should, to the extent appropriate within his area of responsibility, consult with other officers and employees of the Funds and take other appropriate steps regarding these disclosures with the goal of making full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure.
Each Covered Officer must:
| • | | familiarize himself/herself with the disclosure requirements applicable to the Funds as well as the business and financial operations of the Funds; and |
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| • | | not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Funds to others, whether within or outside the Funds, including representations to the Funds’ internal auditors, independent Directors/Trustees, independent auditors, and to governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations. |
It is the Funds’ policy to comply in all material respects with all applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations. It is the personal responsibility of each Covered Officer to adhere to the standards and restrictions imposed by those laws, rules and regulations, including those relating to affiliated transactions, accounting and auditing matters.
| VI. | Reporting and Accountability |
Each Covered Officer must:
| • | | upon becoming a Covered Officer and receipt of this Code, sign and submit to the CCO of the Funds (or the CCO’s designee) an acknowledgement stating that he or she has received, read, and understands this Code. |
| • | | annually thereafter submit a form to the CCO of the Funds (or the CCO’s designee) confirming that he or she has received, read and understands this Code and has complied with the requirements of this Code. |
| • | | not retaliate against any employee or other Covered Officer for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith. |
| • | | notify the CCO promptly if he becomes aware of any existing or potential violation of this Code. Failure to do so is itself a violation of this Code. |
Except as described otherwise below, the CCO is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented to him or her and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. The CCO shall take all action he or she considers appropriate to investigate any actual or potential violations reported to him or her.
The CCO is authorized to consult, as appropriate, with the Chairman of the Audit Committees of the Board, counsel to the Funds and counsel to the Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Funds as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”), and is encouraged to do so.