Constitution of
European Walled Towns
for Friendship and Professional Co-Operation
Piran Declaration 1998
‘Timestones of History’
“Walled Towns are unique inheritances from times long past and should be treasured, maintained and safeguarded from neglect, damage and destruction and passed on into perpetuity as irreplaceable ‘Timestones of History’”
Canterbury Accord 2008
“ Walled Towns in the Friendship Circle are expected to evolve as sanctuaries of Conciliation and Peace”
1. Name
1.1. The official name of the body shall be European Walled Towns for Friendship and Professional Co-Operation (formerly The Walled Towns Friendship Circle 1989-2011)
For the purposes of this document the body is called “European Walled Towns” (EWT)
2. Legal Status
2.1. EWT will operate under the law of England and Wales as an ‘Unincorporated Association’. The EWT will register as an Association under the Jurisdiction of the country of the current Secretariat with the same objectives and Constitution as far as the legal process allows. Any required amendments to the Constitution of the EWT for this purpose will be made by the authority of the President and subsequently ratified by the next EWT Annual General Meeting. It will operate on the basis of a co-operation agreement signed by all members agreeing to abide by and work within the regulatory framework of the Constitution.
2.2. It will operate within the terms of this Constitution as a not for profit Association, compatible with the laws of other Member Nations as far as is legally possible
2.3. Should EWT acquire assets or property then these will be held by a group of members acting as a Trust. The trust will hold such assets benignly on behalf of the members of EWT. Any surpluses generated will be reinvested in the activities EWT
3. Aim
3.1. EWT (as The Walled Towns Friendship Circle) was founded in 1989 as an International Forum to promote the many mutual interests shared by walled towns throughout the world. Originating in Europe, the EWT does not preclude Membership from outside Europe.
Principles
3.2. EWT. will aspire to uphold the key principles of democratic accountability and member solidarity in pursuing its aim and objectives and in carrying out its activities.
4.Objectives
4.1. The objectives of EWT are:
- To encourage friendship between the inhabitants of all ages in walled
town communities - To support walled towns and their history in present day circumstances
- To set up projects together to stimulate exchange and generate European
and other funds - To convene regular symposia in member towns
- To develop common strategies for proper methods of planning and
conserving historic towns and their environmental context - To enlarge the network of members
- To exchange knowledge and experience in many fields
5. Activities
5.1. The activities of EWT will relate to its aim and objectives and may include:
- Holding regular symposia
- Organising conferences, seminars and workshops
- Holding cultural events
- Organising study tours
- Commissioning research
- Establishing working groups
- Preparing reports and publications
- Developing and promoting common policies
- Disseminating information on a systematic and regular basis e.g. newsletters and website
- Maintaining contacts with the media
- Facilitating staff exchanges and delegate visits
- Establishing and maintaining up to date data bases and communication networks
- Producing an annual report.
6. Membership Criteria
6.1. EWT has the following membership categories:
6.1.1. Full Membership
Full membership is only available to Walled Towns; to qualify for full membership a town must be inhabited and have a significant portion of its wall intact and should be of historic interest to visitors and residents.
6.1.2 Associate Membership
Associate membership is open to organisations and individuals with an interest and commitment to historic walled towns. They may be official bodies, societies and organisations, companies and professionals, schools and colleges, youth organisations and individuals. The different categories of Associate Members, none of whom have individual voting rights within the EWT are defined as:
6.1.2.1 Official Bodies
6.1.2.2 Organisations and Associations
6.1.2.3 Individuals
6.2. Decisions as to eligibility will rest with EWT’s Secretariat with reference, where necessary, to its Executive Committee.
6.3. All categories of membership will be expected to follow EWT’s Aim, Principles and Objectives and to pay the approved membership fees.
6.4. The removal or creation of any category of membership will be the responsibility of the Annual General Meeting.
6.5. Procedures for terminating the activity of EWT or for modification of its membership structure and/or its Constitution shall be the responsibility of the Annual General Meeting.
6.6. Initiating the procedure for terminating the membership of a member/town/organisation, will be the responsibility of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will make recommendations and give its reasons for such termination to the Annual General Meeting. In such circumstances the member/town/organisation will have the right to put their case to remain in membership to the Annual General meeting. The Annual General meeting may accept or reject any such proposal of the Executive Committee.
7. Financial Arrangements
7.1. The activities of EWT will be funded from a combination of sources including:
- Subscriptions from all categories of membership
- Sponsorship
- Grants
- Donations
- Advertising
- In-kind contributions
7.2. The membership subscription fees will be set by the Annual General Meeting on the recommendation of the Executive Committee and will be reviewed annually.
8. Decision Making Structure
8.1. Annual General Meeting
8.1.1. The General Meeting shall be held annually
8.1.2. All classes of members will be eligible to attend and contribute to the Annual General Meeting
8.1.3. Full Members will be eligible to vote on the basis of one vote per town
8.2. Executive Committee
8.2.1. The Executive Committee will comprise the President, two Vice Presidents, Treasurer and up to two delegates representing each country and a representative from future Symposium towns. Additionally two places on the Executive will be reserved for Associate member Representatives. Such Representatives will be selected by a ballot of the Associate membership for a term of 3 years in the year of the election of the President. The Executive Committee, in conjunction with the Officers, will control all the affairs and business of EWT. Normally, it will meet twice a year. Every country may decide itself which of its representatives should represent the country on the Executive Committee from amongst its member towns.
8.2.2. The President and the Executive Committee shall have the power to co-opt members onto the Executive Committee but such co-opted members shall not be entitled to vote.
8.3. Officers
8.3.1. EWT will have the following Officer positions:
- President – The President will be elected by the Annual General Meeting for a term of three years. He/she will not normally serve more than three terms. Within the Constitution the President will be responsible for the day to day running of EWT’s activities and will preside over the Annual General Meeting and the Executive Committee. The President will manage the activity of EWT’s Secretariat.
- Two Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents will be elected by the Annual General Meeting for a term of 3 years; the election will take place in the year following the year of the election of the President.
- Treasurer – The Treasurer will be elected by the Annual General Meeting for a period of three years and will be a member of the Executive Committee. He / She will be responsible for the financial affairs of EWT and will present an Annual report of the Accounts, duly examined by an “internal audit committee” consisting of 2 representatives, having the necessary ability and experience, elected in the previous year by the AGM and precluding the President, Treasurer, members and Officers of their own Municipality, Governments and members of the Secretariat. In the third year he/she will present a fully externally audited Statement of Accounts for the approval of the Annual General Meeting.
- Honorary Life President – An Honorary Life President for EWT may be appointed by the AGM. The present Honorary Life President of Walled Towns Friendship Circle continues in post
8.4.Secretariat
8.4.1. Secretary General – The Secretary General will be appointed by the President and confirmed by the AGM and will be responsible for the efficient and effective administration of the affairs of EWT. He / She will be accountable to the President and the Executive Committee. The Secretary General will be supported by a small secretariat the nature and size of which will relate to the size of EWT, the scale of its activities and the availability of resources.
8.4.2. The Secretariat. This will be appointed by the President and endorsed by the Annual General Meeting. It will be responsible to the President and the Executive Committee for the day to day running of EWT’s affairs.
9.0. Language and Translation
9.1. The working language of EWT will be English.
9.2. The principal language of EWT will be supplemented, subject to the availability of resources, by:
- Additional interpretation, as appropriate, at events, conferences and meetings
- Translation of published material and other documentation into other languages
- Translation of material will be generally undertaken by either the Secretariat or individual member towns.
Signed
Peter van Roosmalen President
22nd September 2012