The signing persons:

Williams-Beuren-Syndrom (Germany), represented by Horst Romm
Williams Beuren Syndroom vzw (Belgium), represented by Paul Pyck
Asociacion Sindrome Williams (Spain), represented by José M. Delgado,
Magyar Williams Szindróma Társaság (Hungary), represented by Gabor Pogany
Williams Syndrome Association of Ireland (Ireland), represented by Ann Breen,
Associazione Italiana Sindromo di Williams ONLUS (Italy), represented by Marco Moneta
Norsk Forening for Williams' Syndrom (Norway), represented by Arne Fedje
The Williams Syndrom Foundation (United Kingdom), represented by Susie Cooper
Williams SyndromForeningen I Sverige (Sweden), represented by Nita Lorimer

have decided to create an international association with philanthropic et scientific goals conform the law of 25 october 1919, modified by the laws of 6 December 1954 and 30 June 2000 and with the following constitution:

Article 1

The name of the association is EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF WILLIAMS SYNDROME with as acronym FEWS. FEWS is an international association without the purpose of making profits. It operates according to the law of October, 25th 1919, modified by the laws of December, 6th 1954 and June 30th, 2000 and according to title III of the Belgian law of June 27th 1921, modified by the law of May 2nd, 2002.

Article 2

The Purpose of FEWS is the pursuit and achievement of the following objectives:

•      the spreading of awareness of Williams Syndrome;
•      co-ordination and federation of national and regional Williams Syndrome associations;
•      the promotion of targeted scientific research projects;
•      the support of individuals with Williams Syndrome and their families;
•      the co-ordination of research into Williams Syndrome in research institutes in the member states, avoiding the unnecessary overlapping of economic resources;
•      the collation, co-ordination and publication of research results in scientific publications;

•      the translation of publications into the languages of the member states;
•      the promotion of educational programmes;
•      the co-ordination of professional expertise within Europe;
•      the organisation of international congresses;
•      the promotion and management of contact between different WS associations and with research institutes active in countries outside the Federation;

The association has no purpose at all of making profits.

The association has its legal office in Belgium, Tervuursesteenweg 30, 3001 Leuven - Heverlee.

Article 4

Besides the founding members, each national or regional Williams Syndrome association with a legal form according to the laws and habits of their country may ask membership of FEWS. Before becoming a member, an association must send the proof of its legal form and its constitution to the legal office of FEWS. The association must also delegate the power to vote to a delegate. It must inform FEWS of each change in its constitution.

For the national and regional associations without legal form that have the same objectives as FEWS as defined in article 2, an individual person may ask to become a member. This person will then act in his own name and will take his own responsibility.

The general meeting decides whether the association or the person involved may become a member. One becomes a member after having paid his membership fee.

The board fixes annually the yearly membership fee.

The FEWS financial year runs from January, 1st to December, 31th. To continue membership uninterruptedly, the membership fee must be paid to the FEWS treasurer before the start of the new financial year.

A member wanting to resign sends a resignation letter to the board. The general meeting approves the resignation.

A member who doesn't act conform the objectives as defined in article 2 or who hasn't yet paid his membership fee at the date of the general meeting may be excluded as a FEWS member. The member has the possibility to defend himself in the general meeting, before a decision will be made.

Article 5

The annual general meeting must take place once a year. FEWS can decide to organise additional meetings during the year. Extra-ordinary meetings must be held within 3 months if at least 40% of the members ask it.

All FEWS member organisations have one FEWS delegate designated conforming to the constitution of their proper association. At least 45 days notice must be given of the date, the place and the agenda of each meeting.

The main tasks for the general meeting are:

• Decide on admissions, resignations and esclusions of members
• Select the members of the board
• Approve the finances and the budget of the association
• Modify the constitution and winding up the association

The meetings are chaired by the FEWS chair. If the chair cannot attend, another chair for the meeting is chosen among the present delegates.

A meeting is valid if at least 40% of the FEWS members are present or represented. Each member present at the meeting can have a maximum of one procuration for an absent delegate. The procuration must be proven at the beginning of the meeting.

Each delegate at a meeting is entitled to one vote. In the case of a tie the vote of the chair counts for two votes.

Changes to the constitution or the winding up of FEWS needs a 2/3 majority of the members. A simple majority of the delegates, present at the meeting makes all other decisions. Each modification to the constitution will be sent to the Federal Public Service of Justice. It will be published in the annexes of the Belgian Monitor.

The secretary writes minutes of all the meetings. In his absence, another secretary is chosen amongst the present delegates for the current meeting. A register with the decisions of the general meetings is kept at the legal office.

Article 6

The general meeting assigns for a duration of 4 years a board with a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 members. The members of the board can be re-elected for the same position for a maximum of 3 periods of 4 years.

This committee is in charge of:

• the election within the committee of the chair, the treasurer and the secretary, each     position to be held for a period of four years;
• the management of banking operations;
• the evaluation of requests for new memberships;
• the settling of disputes between members;
• choosing the right person to follow the lawsuits, both those initiated by FEWS and those in defence.

Each member of the board has one vote for each decision to take. Each member present at the meeting may have a maximum of one procuration for an absent member. The procuration must be proven at the beginning of the meeting.

A decision of the board is valid if it has been taken by a majority of the votes. In the case of a tie, the vote of the chair counts for 2 votes.

The committee meets at least once a year to take decisions on all initiatives and on all decisions to make regarding the association.

The chair is the legal representative of FEWS. Besides the chair, only the treasurer has the power to sign for all banking operations.

A register with all the decision of the board is kept at the legal office.

Article 7

The property and the funds of FEWS must be used only to promote the federation’s objectives, and do not belong to the FEWS members.

In the case of a member of the association or the committee having a personal financial interest in a subject under discussion, and its successive approval by the meeting, the member must:

•      declare his or her interest before the beginning of the discussion;
•      not participate in the part of the meeting in which the subject is discussed, unless specifically requested by the chair in order to provide useful information;
•      not take part in the voting, and not be part of the quorum required in order for the vote for that particular decision to be valid.

In the event of the winding up of the Federation, all the assets remaining after payments of outstanding debts and the completion of programmes which are in progress will go free of charge to one or several international organisations whose purpose is similar to that of FEWS.

Article 9

 Everything that is outside the current constitution will be managed by the law of October, 19th 1919, modified by the laws of December, 6th 1954 and June, 30th 2000 and by title III of the law of June 27th 1921, modified by the law of May 2nd, 2002.

October 18th 2003,