EX-99.77C VOTES 4 aspshareholderupdate.txt VOTING RESULTS Shareholder Update Annual Meeting Results An annual meeting of the Funds shareholders was held on October 1, 2002. Each matter voted upon at that meeting, as well as the number of votes cast for, against or withheld, the number of abstentions, and the number of broker non-votes with respect to such matters, are set forth below. (1) The Funds shareholders elected the following eight directors: Shares Shares Withholding Voted For Authority to Vote Roger A. Gibson........ 3,710,619 348,044 Andrew M. Hunter III(a) 3,961,805 96,858 Leonard W. Kedrowski... 3,961,805 96,858 John M. Murphy, Jr. ... 3,712,225 346,438 Richard K. Riederer ... 3,968,705 89,958 Joseph D. Strauss...... 3,958,614 100,049 Virginia L. Stringer .. 3,959,748 98,915 James M. Wade......... 3,964,005 94,658 (a)Andrew M. Hunter III tendered his resignation from the board of directors, effective December 2002. (2) The Funds shareholders ratified the selection by the Funds Board of Directors of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent public accountants for the Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2002. The following votes were cast regarding this matter: Shares Shares Broker Voted For Voted Against Abstentions Non Votes 3,767,149 268,338 23,176 - Terms and Conditions of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan As a shareholder, you may choose to participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, which is a convenient and economical way to buy additional shares of the Fund by automatically reinvesting dividends and capital gains. The plan is administered by EquiServe, the plan agent. Eligibility/Participation You may join the plan at any time. Reinvestment of distributions will begin with the next distribution paid, provided your request is received at least 10 days before the record date for that distribution. If your shares are in certificate form, you may join the plan directly and have your distributions reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. To enroll in this plan, call EquiServe at 800-426-5523. If your shares are registered in your brokerage firm's name or another name, ask the holder of your shares how you may participate. Banks, brokers, or nominees, on behalf of their beneficial owners who wish to reinvest dividend and capital gains distributions, may participate in the plan by informing EquiServe at least 10 days before each shares dividend and/or capital gains distribution. Plan Administration Beginning no more than 5 business days before the dividend payment date, EquiServe will buy shares of the Fund on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or elsewhere on the open market only when the price of the Funds shares on the NYSE plus commissions is at a premium of less than a 5% over the Funds most recently calculated net asset value (NAV) per share. If, at the close of business on the dividend payment date, the shares purchased in the open market are insufficient to satisfy the dividend reinvestment requirement, EquiServe will accept payment of the dividend, or the remaining portion, in authorized but unissued shares of the Fund. These shares will be issued at a per-share price equal to the higher of (a) the NAV per share as of the close of business on the payment date or (b) 95% of the closing market price per share on the payment date. By participating in the dividend reinvestment plan, you may receive benefits not available to shareholders who elect not to participate. For example, if the market price plus commissions of the Funds shares is 5% or more above the NAV, you will receive shares at a discount of up to 5% from the current market value. However, if the market price plus commissions is below the NAV, you will receive distributions in shares with an NAV greater than the value of any cash distributions you would have received. There is no direct charge for reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, since EquiServe fees are paid for by the Fund. However, if Fund shares are purchased in the open market, each participant pays a pro rata portion of the brokerage commissions. Brokerage charges are expected to be lower than those for individual transactions because shares are purchased for all participants in blocks. As long as you continue to participate in the plan, distributions paid on the shares in your account will be reinvested. EquiServe maintains accounts for plan participants holding shares in certificate form and will furnish written confirmation of all transactions, including information you need for tax records. Reinvested shares in your account will be held by EquiServe in noncertificated form in your name. Tax Information Distributions invested in additional shares of the Fund are subject to income tax, to the same extent as if received in cash. When shares are issued by the Fund at a discount from market value, shareholders will be treated as having received distributions of an amount equal to the full market value of those shares. 2002 Annual Report American Strategic Income Portfolio 36 Shareholders, as required by the Internal Revenue Service, will receive Form 1099 regarding the federal tax status of the prior years distributions. Plan Withdrawal If you hold your shares in certificate form, you may terminate your participation in the plan at any time by giving written notice to EquiServe. If your shares are registered in your brokerage firms name, you may terminate your participation via verbal or written instructions to your investment professional. Written instructions should include your name and address as they appear on the certificate or account. If notice is received at least 10 days before the record date, all future distributions will be paid directly to the shareholder of record. If your shares are issued in certificate form and you discontinue your participation in the plan, you (or your nominee) will receive an additional certificate for all full shares and a check for any fractional shares in your account. Plan Amendment/Termination The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the plan. Should the plan be amended or terminated, participants will be notified in writing at least 90 days before such amendment or termination is effected. The plan may also be amended or terminated by EquiServe with at least 90 days written notice to participants in the plan. Any questions about the plan should be directed to your investment professional or to EquiServe LP, P.O. Box 43011, Providence, RI 02940-3011, 800-426-5523.