REVISED ELEF CONSTITUTION AGREED BY COUNCIL 11th SEPTEMBER 2008
1. NAME
1.1 The name of the Association shall be: LUPUS EUROPE
2. OBJECTS
2.1 The objects of LUPUS EUROPE are the advancement of public education concerning all aspects of Lupus
both in the medical and sociological areas of the disease.
3. AIMS AND POWERS
3.1 To collect information on all aspects of Lupus, both in the medical and sociological areas of the disease.
3.2 To assist in improving knowledge of the disease for people with Lupus and for members of the health,
welfare and medical professions.
3.3 To encourage and/or undertake surveys and research projects related to the disease and the publication
of the useful results of any such research.
3.4 To promote awareness of the disease throughout Europe and the Support Groups that are available
for sufferers in each member country.
3.5 To sponsor and/or promote European symposia on all aspects of Lupus.
3.6 To gain representation on any European or international body whose interests could be of benefit to
members of LUPUS EUROPE.
3.7 To assist with the establishment of Support Groups in other European countries where at present
they do not exist.
3.8 To promote all such other lawful actions as are necessary for the attainment of the above objects.
4. MEMBERSHIP
4.1.1 Full (voting) membership of LUPUS EUROPE is open to all nationally registered self-help organisations
in Europe providing support for people suffering from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid Lupus
or Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. Election of full member organisations shall take place at meetings
of Council.
4.1.2 Associate (non-voting) membership of LUPUS EUROPE is open to additional regionally or nationally registered
self-help organisations in Europe providing support for people suffering from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,
Discoid Lupus or Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. Election of associate organisations shall take place at
meetings of Council and Council may exercise the right to ask the applicant organisation to attend a first
Convention as an observer.
4.1.3 Following four years as Associate (non-voting) members of LUPUS EUROPE, nationally registered organisations
may apply to Council for full (voting) membership having been nominated and seconded by two other full (voting)
member organisations. Associate regionally registered organisations shall remain non-voting.
4.2 Each organisation prior to election shall be required to satisfy the Trustees that they are correctly set up and
accepted as bona-fide organisations within their own country.
4.3 Each elected organisation shall be entitled to send a delegation of two people to Conventions and other
appropriate meetings.
4.4 At all meetings, each full membership nationally registered organisation, having paid the set annual
subscription, shall be allowed one vote.
4.5 Each elected organisation shall be expected to offer full support to LUPUS EUROPE.
4.6 At all meetings, delegates must have full powers to make decisions on behalf of their own
organisation Management Board/Trustees.
5. COUNCIL
5.1 The overall control of LUPUS EUROPE shall be administered by Council.
5.2 One nominated delegate from each full voting member organisation shall serve on Council and shall
carry one vote. Each Trustee shall also serve on Council and shall carry one vote.
5.3 Council meetings shall occur at every Convention which shall take place at least once in very twenty-four
months and for which the Secretary shall give notice of at least 56 days.
5.4 Council shall set annual membership subscription rates for both full and associate member oganisations.
5.5 Decisions of Council shall be accepted on a majority of one except where voting takes place at
Special Meetings, on Amendments to the Constitution, on Dissolution or on removal of a Trustee.
5.6. The quorum at meetings of Council shall be one half the voting membership and must include one elected officer.
6. TRUSTEES
6.1 The general administration of LUPUS EUROPE shall be undertaken by the Trustees.
6.2 The Trustees shall consist of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and two other
Trustees elected from Council. The Trustees may co-opt Advisors for specific projects,
these Advisors shall be non-voting.
6.3 The Trustees shall be elected by Council, shall hold office for three years and shall be eligible
for re-election on a rotational (three-year) basis.
6.4 The Secretary shall circulate the names of all nominees to each full member organisation 28 days
prior to the Elections.
6.5 If at any time after the election of the Trustees a vacancy should arise the remaining Trustee members
shall, at their discretion, appoint a replacement member whose appointment shall be approved at the
next meeting of Council.
6.6 A Trustee may be removed from office by 2/3rds majority vote of Council at any time for any reason
that may be considered contrary to the aims or the operation of LUPUS EUROPE provided that the individual
concerned shall have the right to be heard before a final decision is made.
6.7 A Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice to LUPUS EUROPE through the Secretary.
6.8 The Chairperson, or in his/her absence the Vice-Chairperson, shall conduct meetings of both the Trustees
and Council and shall be responsible for the taking of any urgent action between meetings of the Trustees
or Council.
6.9 The Secretary shall be responsible for the minutes, the notification of such meetings that are called and the
preparation of the Agenda in consultation with the Chairperson and all correspondence in connection with
meetings of the Trustees and Council.
6.10 The Treasurer shall be responsible for the proper management of the central funds, for receiving dues
and contributions on behalf of LUPUS EUROPE, the publication of accounts and the recommendation of
Auditors to the Trustees.
6.11 The quorum at meetings of the Trustees shall be four of its members.
7. SPECIAL MEETINGS
7.1 A Special Meeting may be called by two or more Trustees and/or Council Members by writing to the Secretary.
7.2 The Secretary shall then call a Special Meeting by giving member organisations at least 28 days notice of
the Meeting where the Agenda shall comprise only of the business item giving rise to the calling of the Meeting.
7.3 Voting at a Special Meeting shall require the agreement of 2/3rds of the total Trustees and members present
and entitled to vote.
8. AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
8.1 A Resolution of Amendment to the Constitution must be received by the Secretary at least 35 days before
the Council or Special Meeting.
8.2 At least 28 days notice of the Meeting must be given by the Secretary to full member organisations and
must include details of the alteration(s) proposed.
8.3 Alteration of the Constitution shall require the agreement of 2/3rds of the total Trustees and members
present and entitled to vote.
8.4 Provided that no alteration shall be made to Clause 2 (Objects), Clause 9 (Dissolution) or this Clause
until approval in writing of the United Kingdom Charity Commissioners or other authority having charitable
jurisdiction shall have been obtained and no alteration shall be made which would have the effect of causing
LUPUS EUROPE to cease to be a charity in law.
9. DISSOLUTION
9.1 LUPUS EUROPE may be dissolved by a Resolution passed by 2/3rds majority of those present and entitled
to vote at a Council Meeting or Special Meeting convened for the purpose of which 28 days notice shall have
been given by the Secretary to member organisations.
9.2 Such Resolution shall give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or in the name of LUPUS EUROPE,
provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities such property shall not be paid
to or distributed among the members of LUPUS EUROPE but shall be given or transferred to such other charitable
institution or Institutions having objects similar to some or all of the objects of LUPUS EUROPE as LUPUS EUROPE
may determine and if in so far as effect cannot be given to this provision then to some other charitable purpose.
Amendments to ELEF Constitution made by:
Yvonne Norton MBE (LUPUS UK Representative to ELEF)
Agreed by ELEF Council, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 11th September 2008
ELEF to be renamed LUPUS EUROPE with effect from the close of the Council Meeting
13th September, 2008
Approved by Charity Commission 21st October 2008