Fertility Europe statutes 2017

1. ARTICLES​ ​OF​ ​ASSOCIATION
FERTILITY​ ​EUROPE​ ​VZW
2017
approved​ ​by​ ​Fertility​ ​Europe​ ​Council​ ​27th​ ​March​ ​2017
Fertility​ ​Europe,​ ​Avenue​ ​de​ ​l'Andalousie​ ​8,​ ​boite​ ​20,​ ​1140​ ​Evere,​ ​Belgium

2. [1]
ARTICLES​ ​OF​ ​ASSOCIATION
I.​ ​DENOMINATION,​ ​REGISTERED​ ​OFFICES,​ ​PURPOSE
Article​ ​1
The​ ​association​ ​named​ ​"FERTILITY​ ​EUROPE"​ ​(hereafter​ ​referred​ ​to​ ​as​ ​the
"Association")​ ​is​ ​incorporated​ ​according​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Belgian​ ​law​ ​of​ ​25​ ​October​ ​1919​ ​as
amended​ ​by​ ​the​ ​law​ ​of​ ​6​ ​December​ ​1964,​ ​currently​ ​abolished​ ​pursuant​ ​to​ ​article​ ​67
of​ ​the​ ​law​ ​of​ ​2​ ​May​ ​2002​ ​regarding​ ​non-profit​ ​associations,​ ​international​ ​non-profit
associations​ ​and​ ​foundations.
Article​ ​2
The​ ​registered​ ​office​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​is​ ​currently​ ​located​ ​at​ ​Fertility​ ​Europe,
Avenue​ ​de​ ​l'Andalousie​ ​8,​ ​boite​ ​20,​ ​1140​ ​Evere,​ ​Belgium.​ ​The​ ​registered​ ​office​ ​can
be​ ​changed​ ​by​ ​an​ ​ordinary​ ​decision​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee,​ ​published​ ​in​ ​the
annexes​ ​to​ ​the​ ​‘Moniteur​ ​belge’.
Article​ ​3
3.1​ ​The​ ​purpose​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​is:
1.​ ​to​ ​build​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​cross​ ​border​ ​network​ ​among​ ​European​ ​patients​ ​and
professionals​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​the​ ​exchange​ ​of​ ​best​ ​practice;
2.​ ​to​ ​raise​ ​infertility​ ​awareness​ ​and​ ​fight​ ​stigmatisation​ ​of​ ​those​ ​suffering​ ​from
infertility,​ ​to​ ​promote​ ​education​ ​in​ ​the​ ​field​ ​of​ ​reproductive​ ​health​ ​and​ ​a​ ​proactive
approach​ ​to​ ​family​ ​planning;
3.​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​rights​ ​of​ ​those​ ​affected​ ​by​ ​difficulties​ ​in​ ​conceiving​ ​in​ ​areas​ ​such
as,​ ​inter​ ​alia,:
a) access​ ​to​ ​high​ ​quality​ ​infertility​ ​investigation,​ ​treatment,​ ​support​ ​and​ ​guidance,
b) reduction​ ​of​ ​multiple​ ​births,

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c) full​ ​information​ ​on​ ​all​ ​assisted​ ​conception/reproduction​ ​treatment​ ​possibilities
and​ ​the​ ​right​ ​to​ ​accept​ ​or​ ​to​ ​reject​ ​treatment​ ​without​ ​any​ ​discrimination,
d) cross​ ​border​ ​reproductive​ ​care.
4.​ ​to​ ​encourage​ ​and​ ​assist​ ​further​ ​research​ ​in​ ​its​ ​broadest​ ​sense​ ​into​ ​fertility/infertility
and​ ​its​ ​various​ ​effects;
5.​ ​to​ ​persuade​ ​European​ ​officials​ ​to​ ​take​ ​responsibility​ ​for​ ​guaranteeing​ ​the​ ​right​ ​of
access​ ​to​ ​quality​ ​infertility​ ​treatments​ ​and​ ​for​ ​educating​ ​teenagers/adults​ ​about​ ​how
to​ ​increase​ ​reproductive​ ​health​ ​consciousness.
3.2​ ​The​ ​Association​ ​also​ ​aims​ ​at:
1.​ ​promoting​ ​discussion​ ​and​ ​information​ ​on​ ​the​ ​following​ ​aspects​ ​of​ ​infertility:​ ​equity
of​ ​access​ ​to​ ​treatment,​ ​involvement​ ​of​ ​those​ ​treated,​ ​community​ ​awareness,​ ​EU
health​ ​policy,​ ​psycho-social,​ ​ethical​ ​and​ ​cultural​ ​aspects,​ ​involuntary​ ​childlessness,
rights/welfare​ ​of​ ​children​ ​conceived​ ​through​ ​ART,​ ​European​ ​information
platform/point​ ​or​ ​reference,​ ​public​ ​discussion,​ ​evolving​ ​ART​ ​techniques/proven
results,​ ​legislation​ ​and​ ​professional​ ​guidelines;
2.​ ​communicating​ ​the​ ​views​ ​of​ ​patients,​ ​as​ ​stakeholders​ ​in​ ​the​ ​European​ ​healthcare
debate,​ ​by​ ​means​ ​of​ ​a​ ​broad,​ ​truly​ ​representative​ ​and​ ​independent​ ​patient​ ​group
resource;
3.​ ​providing​ ​national​ ​patients’​ ​organisations​ ​with​ ​a​ ​forum​ ​so​ ​as​ ​to​ ​encourage​ ​the
exchange​ ​of​ ​best​ ​practices​ ​among​ ​them​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​enable​ ​a​ ​harmonious​ ​increase​ ​in
their​ ​level​ ​of​ ​reputation,​ ​accountability,​ ​effectiveness​ ​and​ ​professional​ ​competence;
4.​ ​enhancing​ ​and​ ​supporting​ ​cooperation​ ​and​ ​exchange​ ​of​ ​experience​ ​between
patients’​ ​organizations​ ​and​ ​professionals;
5.​ ​co-operating​ ​in​ ​the​ ​formation​ ​and​ ​execution​ ​of​ ​joint​ ​projects​ ​aimed​ ​at​ ​improving
awareness​ ​on​ ​fertility​ ​issues​ ​and​ ​the​ ​situation​ ​concerning​ ​the​ ​rights​ ​of​ ​those​ ​affected
by​ ​difficulties​ ​in​ ​conceiving.
3.3​ ​The​ ​Association​ ​may​ ​engage​ ​in​ ​any​ ​activities​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​the​ ​objectives​ ​detailed
above.
3.4​ ​In​ ​the​ ​context​ ​of​ ​this​ ​document​ ​the​ ​expression​ ​"Europe"​ ​and​ ​“European”​ ​is
deemed​ ​to​ ​include​ ​or​ ​refer​ ​to​ ​any​ ​country​ ​located​ ​in​ ​the​ ​European​ ​continent,​ ​Turkey
and​ ​Israel.
II.​ ​MEMBERSHIP

4. [3]
Article​ ​4
4.1​ ​The​ ​Association​ ​shall​ ​have​ ​three​ ​categories​ ​of​ ​Membership:​ ​Effective
Membership,​ ​Associate​ ​Membership​ ​and​ ​Candidate​ ​Membership.​ ​The​ ​Association
aims​ ​at​ ​being​ ​as​ ​transparent,​ ​democratic​ ​and​ ​inclusive​ ​as​ ​possible.
4.2​ ​Effective​ ​Members
Effective​ ​Members​ ​shall​ ​consist​ ​of​ ​non-profit​ ​making​ ​patient​ ​associations​ ​or
organized​ ​groups​ ​of​ ​patients​ ​based​ ​in​ ​Europe​ ​that​ ​provide​ ​those​ ​having​ ​difficulties​ ​in
conceiving​ ​with​ ​information,​ ​emotional​ ​and/or​ ​psychological​ ​support,​ ​facilitate​ ​and
encourage​ ​the​ ​exchange​ ​of​ ​information​ ​and​ ​mutual​ ​support​ ​and​ ​fulfil​ ​the​ ​following
criteria:​ ​Legal​ ​status​ ​as​ ​non-physical​ ​legal​ ​entity;
•​ ​Legitimacy.​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​should​ ​have​ ​bylaws/articles​ ​of​ ​association​ ​and​ ​be
registered​ ​in​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​European​ ​States;
•​ ​Democracy.​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​should​ ​have​ ​governing​ ​bodies​ ​which​ ​are​ ​elected​ ​by
their​ ​Members​ ​who​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​patients​ ​or​ ​their​ ​elected​ ​representatives;
•​ ​Transparency.​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​should​ ​disclose​ ​their​ ​source/-s​ ​of​ ​funding​ ​and
generally​ ​their​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​persons​ ​or​ ​entities​ ​with​ ​a​ ​potential​ ​conflict​ ​of​ ​interest.
They​ ​should​ ​also​ ​make​ ​their​ ​accounts​ ​available;
•​ ​Representation.​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​should​ ​demonstrate​ ​that,​ ​in​ ​the​ ​two​ ​years
preceding​ ​their​ ​application,​ ​they​ ​have​ ​been​ ​active​ ​in​ ​the​ ​field​ ​of​ ​providing​ ​those
having​ ​difficulties​ ​in​ ​conceiving​ ​or​ ​advocating​ ​for​ ​the​ ​improvement​ ​of​ ​their​ ​rights​ ​with
information,​ ​emotional​ ​and/or​ ​psychological​ ​support;
•​ ​Accountability​ ​and​ ​consultation.​ ​Statements​ ​and​ ​opinion​ ​of​ ​Effective​ ​Members
should​ ​reflect​ ​the​ ​views​ ​and​ ​opinions​ ​of​ ​their​ ​Membership​ ​and​ ​consultation
procedures​ ​with​ ​those​ ​Memberships​ ​should​ ​be​ ​put​ ​in​ ​place.
4.2.1​ ​Members​ ​are​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​notifying​ ​Fertility​ ​Europe​ ​of​ ​any​ ​and​ ​all​ ​changes
of​ ​status​ ​in​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​the​ ​statutory​ ​Membership​ ​requirements​ ​and​ ​for
confirming​ ​their​ ​eligibility​ ​to​ ​Effective​ ​Membership​ ​on​ ​a​ ​yearly​ ​basis​ ​at​ ​the​ ​latest​ ​by
the​ ​Annual​ ​Meeting.​ ​The​ ​detailed​ ​policies​ ​and​ ​procedures​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​by​ ​the
Executive​ ​Committee​ ​in​ ​cooperation​ ​with​ ​the​ ​relevant​ ​Working​ ​Group.​ ​
4.3​ ​Candidate​ ​Members
Non-profit​ ​making​ ​associations​ ​or​ ​organized​ ​groups​ ​based​ ​in​ ​Europe​ ​that​ ​provide
those​ ​having​ ​difficulties​ ​in​ ​conceiving​ ​with​ ​information,​ ​emotional​ ​and/or
psychological​ ​support,​ ​facilitate​ ​and​ ​encourage​ ​the​ ​exchange​ ​of​ ​information​ ​and
mutual​ ​support​ ​who​ ​do​ ​not​ ​meet​ ​the​ ​Effective​ ​Membership​ ​criteria​ ​but​ ​intend​ ​to​ ​meet
such​ ​criteria​ ​in​ ​the​ ​foreseeable​ ​future​ ​can​ ​apply​ ​as​ ​Candidate​ ​Members.​ ​The
transitional​ ​Membership​ ​of​ ​Candidate​ ​Members​ ​is​ ​a​ ​maximum​ ​of​ ​2​ ​years.

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4.4​ ​Associate​ ​Members
Natural​ ​persons​ ​or​ ​organized​ ​entities​ ​based​ ​in​ ​Europe​ ​with​ ​a​ ​significant
background/experience​ ​in​ ​the​ ​field​ ​of​ ​fertility/infertility​ ​can​ ​apply​ ​to​ ​become​ ​an
“Associate​ ​Member”​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association.
Article​ ​5
Membership​ ​of​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​approved​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​with​ ​a​ ​simple
majority.
Membership​ ​of​ ​Candidate​ ​Members​ ​and​ ​Associate​ ​Members​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​approved​ ​by
the​ ​Council​ ​with​ ​a​ ​qualified​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​two​ ​thirds.
Article​ ​6
6.1​ ​Related​ ​to​ ​activities​ ​of​ ​Fertility​ ​Europe,​ ​Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​shall​ ​be
bound​ ​by​ ​the​ ​provisions​ ​of​ ​this​ ​Articles​ ​of​ ​Associations​ ​and​ ​by​ ​any​ ​other​ ​rule​ ​or
regulation​ ​duly​ ​adopted​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Council.
6.2​ ​Members​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​required​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​an​ ​annual​ ​fee​ ​as​ ​determined​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive
Committee.
Article​ ​7
7.1​ ​Only​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​are​ ​entitled​ ​to​ ​vote​ ​at​ ​the​ ​Council.
7.2​ ​Candidate​ ​Members​ ​and​ ​Associate​ ​Members​ ​will​ ​have​ ​no​ ​voting​ ​rights​ ​but​ ​will
have​ ​the​ ​right​ ​to​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Council.
Article​ ​8

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8.1​ ​Membership​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​shall​ ​terminate​ ​by​ ​voluntary​ ​withdrawal​ ​or​ ​for
cause,​ ​as​ ​set​ ​out​ ​in​ ​the​ ​present​ ​clause.
8.2​ ​Withdrawals​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​effective​ ​upon​ ​notice​ ​sent​ ​by​ ​electronic​ ​means​ ​to​ ​the
Chairperson​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council.
8.3​ ​A​ ​Member​ ​is​ ​de​ ​jure​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​a​ ​Member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​if​ ​the​ ​annual
Membership​ ​contribution​ ​has​ ​not​ ​been​ ​paid.
8.4​ ​Membership​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​terminated:
a)​ ​for​ ​dissolution​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Member;
b)​ ​by​ ​exclusion​ ​decided​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​on​ ​severe​ ​grounds​ ​such​ ​as​ ​a
significant​ ​conflict​ ​of​ ​interest​ ​with​ ​the​ ​general​ ​policy​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​or​ ​by
behaviour​ ​which​ ​is​ ​detrimental​ ​to​ ​the​ ​best​ ​interests​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​or​ ​which
brings​ ​its​ ​reputation​ ​into​ ​disrepute​ ​or​ ​by​ ​failing​ ​to​ ​fulfil​ ​the​ ​Membership​ ​requirements
under​ ​Article​ ​4.2​ ​and​ ​4.2.1;
c)​ ​by​ ​decision​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​in​ ​the​ ​event​ ​of​ ​non-payment​ ​of​ ​the
financial​ ​contribution​ ​within​ ​six​ ​(6)​ ​months​ ​of​ ​the​ ​renewal​ ​date.
8.5​ ​The​ ​Member​ ​concerned​ ​shall​ ​first​ ​be​ ​offered​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​give​ ​explanations.
The​ ​decision​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​adopted​ ​with​ ​a​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​two
thirds​ ​and​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​appeal​ ​before​ ​the​ ​Council.
8.6​ ​Any​ ​other​ ​reason​ ​for​ ​termination​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Member​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​will​ ​be
decided​ ​upon​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​on​ ​recommendation​ ​of​ ​one​ ​fourth​ ​of​ ​Effective​ ​Members
with​ ​a​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​seventy​ ​(70)​ ​percent.​ ​The​ ​Member​ ​concerned​ ​shall​ ​first​ ​be​ ​offered
the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​give​ ​explanations.​ ​The​ ​decision​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​shall​ ​not​ ​be​ ​subject
to​ ​any​ ​appeal.
8.7​ ​All​ ​rights,​ ​privileges,​ ​and​ ​interests​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Member​ ​in​ ​or​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Association,​ ​including
rights​ ​in​ ​the​ ​assets​ ​thereof,​ ​shall​ ​cease​ ​on​ ​termination​ ​of​ ​Membership
III.​ ​THE​ ​COUNCIL
Article​ ​9

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9.1​ ​The​ ​Council​ ​shall​ ​consist​ ​of​ ​all​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​and​ ​it​ ​has
all​ ​powers​ ​to​ ​realise​ ​the​ ​objectives​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association,​ ​including,​ ​inter​ ​alia:
● the​ ​establishment​ ​of​ ​an​ ​annual​ ​budget;
● the​ ​approval​ ​of​ ​the​ ​accounts​ ​and​ ​of​ ​the​ ​annual​ ​report​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive
Committee;
● the​ ​approval​ ​of​ ​the​ ​general​ ​policies​ ​and​ ​rules​ ​drafted​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive
Committee​ ​and​ ​Working​ ​Groups
● the​ ​appointment​ ​and​ ​discharge​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive
Committee​ ​in​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​the​ ​procedure​ ​set​ ​out​ ​in​ ​Article​ ​13;
● the​ ​amendment​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Articles​ ​of​ ​Association​ ​and​ ​the​ ​adoption​ ​and
amendment​ ​of​ ​any​ ​other​ ​rules​ ​or​ ​regulations​ ​needed​ ​for​ ​the
management​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​in​ ​compliance​ ​with​ ​its​ ​objectives​ ​and
values;
● the​ ​appointment​ ​of​ ​external​ ​and​ ​independent​ ​auditors;
● the​ ​approval​ ​and​ ​dismissal​ ​of​ ​Members​ ​as​ ​set​ ​out​ ​in​ ​Article​ ​8
9.1.1.​ ​In​ ​case​ ​of​ ​failing​ ​to​ ​obtain​ ​the​ ​Council's​ ​approval​ ​for​ ​the​ ​accounts​ ​and/or
annual​ ​report​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​first​ ​be​ ​offered​ ​thirty​ ​(30)​ ​days​ ​to
provide​ ​further​ ​information​ ​and​ ​explanations​ ​and​ ​then​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​offered​ ​the
opportunity​ ​to​ ​seek​ ​the​ ​Council’s​ ​final​ ​approval​ ​for​ ​the​ ​accounts​ ​and/or​ ​annual
report.​ ​Failing​ ​to​ ​obtain​ ​the​ ​said​ ​approval​ ​shall​ ​result​ ​in​ ​the​ ​resignation​ ​of​ ​the
Executive​ ​Committee​ ​members.
In​ ​such​ ​a​ ​case,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​in​ ​any​ ​case​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee's​ ​resignation,​ ​new
elections​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​conducted​ ​under​ ​Article​ ​13.1​ ​without​ ​undue​ ​delay.​ ​
9.2​ ​Only​ ​the​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​have​ ​the​ ​right​ ​to​ ​vote.
9.3​ ​Each​ ​legal​ ​entity​ ​Member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​has​ ​one​ ​vote​ ​and​ ​should​ ​authorise
such​ ​person​ ​as​ ​it​ ​sees​ ​fit​ ​to​ ​act​ ​as​ ​its​ ​representative​ ​with​ ​the​ ​right​ ​to​ ​attend​ ​and​ ​vote
on​ ​its​ ​behalf​ ​at​ ​any​ ​meeting​ ​of​ ​the​ ​association.​ ​Each​ ​Effective​ ​Member​ ​attending​ ​a
meeting​ ​cannot​ ​hold​ ​more​ ​than​ ​one​ ​proxy.
9.4​ ​Voting​ ​by​ ​electronic​ ​means​ ​is​ ​binding​ ​under​ ​the​ ​condition​ ​that​ ​equal​ ​access​ ​and
the​ ​right​ ​to​ ​vote​ ​of​ ​all​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​is​ ​guaranteed.
9.5​ ​Electronic​ ​voting​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​carried​ ​out​ ​with​ ​accordance​ ​to​ ​the​ ​regulations​ ​on​ ​voting
in​ ​person​ ​except​ ​for​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​give​ ​a​ ​proxy.
9.6​ ​Voting​ ​by​ ​electronic​ ​means​ ​can​ ​be​ ​conducted​ ​at​ ​any​ ​time​ ​apart​ ​from​ ​when​ ​the
Council​ ​meets​ ​in​ ​person​ ​and​ ​unless​ ​the​ ​statutes​ ​provides​ ​otherwise.​ ​
Article​ ​10

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10.1​ ​The​ ​Council​ ​shall​ ​meet​ ​at​ ​least​ ​once​ ​a​ ​year​ ​and​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​presided​ ​upon​ ​by​ ​the
Chairperson​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee.​ ​The​ ​Vice​ ​Chairperson​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive
Committee​ ​will​ ​preside​ ​upon​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​in​ ​the​ ​absence​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Chairperson.
Otherwise,​ ​another​ ​Member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Board​ ​can​ ​hold​ ​Chairmanship.​ ​If​ ​either
of​ ​these​ ​parties​ ​is​ ​absent​ ​or​ ​considered​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a​ ​vested​ ​interest​ ​in​ ​a​ ​matter​ ​being
debated,​ ​the​ ​Chairperson​ ​will​ ​appoint​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​or​ ​one
of​ ​the​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​to​ ​preside​ ​at​ ​the​ ​meeting.
10.2​ ​An​ ​Effective​ ​Member​ ​may​ ​be​ ​represented​ ​by​ ​another​ ​Effective​ ​Member
pursuant​ ​to​ ​a​ ​written​ ​proxy​ ​delivered​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Chairperson​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​the​ ​opening​ ​of​ ​the
meeting.​ ​An​ ​Effective​ ​Member​ ​who​ ​has​ ​delegated​ ​another​ ​Effective​ ​Member​ ​to​ ​act
as​ ​its​ ​proxy​ ​may​ ​still​ ​send​ ​a​ ​representative​ ​to​ ​the​ ​meeting,​ ​however​ ​the
representatives’​ ​attendance​ ​at​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​cancels​ ​the​ ​proxy.
10.3​ ​Notice​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​meeting​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​given​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Chairperson​ ​of​ ​the
Executive​ ​Committee,​ ​by​ ​electronic​ ​means​ ​at​ ​least​ ​sixty​ ​(60)​ ​days​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​the​ ​date​ ​of
the​ ​meeting.​ ​The​ ​notice​ ​of​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​shall​ ​indicate​ ​the​ ​date,​ ​country​ ​and​ ​place​ ​of
the​ ​meeting​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​its​ ​agenda​ ​and​ ​include​ ​the​ ​text​ ​of​ ​any​ ​proposal​ ​upon​ ​which​ ​a
decision​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​sought.​ ​Additional​ ​proposals​ ​and​ ​resolutions​ ​can​ ​be
brought​ ​forward​ ​in​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​if​ ​at​ ​least​ ​one​ ​fourth,​ ​or​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Executive
Committee​ ​approval​ ​if​ ​less,​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​submit​ ​a​ ​signed​ ​resolution​ ​by
letter​ ​or​ ​electronically​ ​to​ ​the​ ​central​ ​office​ ​fourteen​ ​(14)​ ​days​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​the​ ​date​ ​of​ ​the
meeting​ ​at​ ​the​ ​latest.​ ​Such​ ​proposals​ ​and​ ​resolutions​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​communicated​ ​to​ ​all
Members​ ​at​ ​least​ ​ten​ ​(10)​ ​days​ ​before​ ​the​ ​meeting.
10.4​ ​Extraordinary​ ​meetings​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​can​ ​be​ ​convened​ ​if​ ​a​ ​proposal​ ​thereto,
signed​ ​by​ ​at​ ​least​ ​one​ ​third​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Effective​ ​Members,​ ​is​ ​presented​ ​to​ ​the
Chairperson.​ ​This​ ​meeting​ ​cannot​ ​take​ ​place​ ​any​ ​later​ ​than​ ​ninety​ ​(90)​ ​days​ ​after​ ​the
receipt​ ​of​ ​the​ ​proposed​ ​resolution.​ ​Extraordinary​ ​meetings​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​may​ ​be
also​ ​held​ ​at​ ​the​ ​initiative​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee.​ ​The​ ​convening​ ​of​ ​such
extraordinary​ ​meetings​ ​shall​ ​follow​ ​the​ ​rules​ ​set​ ​out​ ​in​ ​clause​ ​10.3.
10.5​ ​The​ ​Council​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​validly​ ​constituted​ ​and​ ​authorized​ ​to​ ​take​ ​resolutions​ ​if​ ​at
least​ ​one-half​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​are​ ​present​ ​or​ ​represented.​ ​If​ ​such​ ​quorum
is​ ​not​ ​reached,​ ​the​ ​person​ ​presiding​ ​over​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​may​ ​suspend​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​until
such​ ​quorum​ ​is​ ​reached,​ ​or​ ​shall​ ​adjourn​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​to​ ​a​ ​later​ ​date​ ​within​ ​ten​ ​(10)
days​ ​of​ ​the​ ​original​ ​meeting.​ ​The​ ​new​ ​meeting​ ​shall​ ​have​ ​the​ ​same​ ​agenda​ ​and​ ​shall
be​ ​validly​ ​composed​ ​if​ ​at​ ​least​ ​one-fourth​ ​of​ ​its​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​are​ ​present​ ​or
represented.
10.5.1.​ ​If​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​valid​ ​quorum​ ​the​ ​agenda​ ​may​ ​be​ ​modified​ ​and​ ​points​ ​added​ ​to​ ​it
if​ ​it​ ​is​ ​either​ ​agreed​ ​by​ ​two​ ​thirds​ ​of​ ​those​ ​present​ ​or​ ​represented​ ​Effective​ ​members,
or​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​approval​ ​if​ ​less.​ ​
10.6​ ​Apart​ ​from​ ​the​ ​exception​ ​mentioned​ ​in​ ​the​ ​present​ ​Articles​ ​of​ ​Association,​ ​all
questions​ ​arising​ ​at​ ​any​ ​meeting​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​decided​ ​upon​ ​by​ ​a​ ​simple​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​those
present​ ​and​ ​entitled​ ​to​ ​vote.​ ​Voting​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​by​ ​a​ ​show​ ​of​ ​hands​ ​only​ ​unless​ ​a​ ​ballot
is​ ​demanded​ ​by​ ​not​ ​less​ ​than​ ​two​ ​thirds​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​present​ ​and

9. [8]
entitled​ ​to​ ​vote.​ ​In​ ​case​ ​of​ ​an​ ​equality​ ​of​ ​votes,​ ​the​ ​Chairperson​ ​shall​ ​have​ ​the
casting​ ​vote.
10.7​ ​The​ ​resolutions​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​recorded​ ​in​ ​a​ ​minute​ ​book​ ​signed​ ​by​ ​the
Chairperson​ ​and​ ​those​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​who​ ​so​ ​wish,​ ​and​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​kept​ ​at​ ​the
disposal​ ​of​ ​Members.​ ​Within​ ​forty​ ​five​ ​(45)​ ​days​ ​the​ ​minutes​ ​will​ ​be​ ​communicated​ ​to
Members​ ​and​ ​published​ ​on​ ​the​ ​internal​ ​forum​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association.
IV.​ ​AMENDMENT​ ​OF​ ​THE​ ​ARTICLES​ ​OF​ ​ASSOCIATION​ ​AND​ ​THE
DISSOLUTION​ ​OF​ ​THE​ ​ASSOCIATION
Article​ ​11
11.1​ ​A​ ​proposal​ ​dealing​ ​with​ ​an​ ​amendment​ ​of​ ​the​ ​present​ ​Articles​ ​of​ ​Association​ ​or
the​ ​dissolution​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​shall​ ​emanate​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​or
from​ ​a​ ​quarter​ ​or​ ​more​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Effective​ ​Members.​ ​Except​ ​in​ ​the​ ​case​ ​of​ ​urgency,​ ​the
Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​give​ ​at​ ​least​ ​sixty​ ​(60)​ ​days​ ​prior​ ​notice​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Members
of​ ​the​ ​date​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​meeting,​ ​which​ ​shall​ ​deal​ ​with​ ​said​ ​proposal​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​the
available​ ​details​ ​of​ ​such​ ​proposal.​ ​The​ ​final​ ​version​ ​of​ ​the​ ​proposed​ ​amendments
shall​ ​be​ ​made​ ​available​ ​to​ ​the​ ​members​ ​at​ ​least​ ​twenty​ ​one​ ​(21)​ ​days​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​the
meeting.​ ​The​ ​extraordinary​ ​Council​ ​meeting​ ​may​ ​deliberate​ ​and​ ​decide​ ​validly​ ​only​ ​if
two-thirds​ ​of​ ​all​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​are​ ​present​ ​or​ ​represented;​ ​any​ ​resolution​ ​to
amend​ ​the​ ​Articles​ ​of​ ​Association​ ​must​ ​be​ ​adopted​ ​by​ ​a​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​seventy​ ​(70)
percent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​votes​ ​cast.​ ​If​ ​this​ ​two-thirds​ ​quorum​ ​is​ ​not​ ​reached​ ​at​ ​such​ ​meeting​ ​of
the​ ​Council,​ ​a​ ​new​ ​meeting​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​convened​ ​in​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​the
conditions​ ​outlined​ ​above.​ ​This​ ​meeting​ ​will​ ​have​ ​the​ ​power​ ​to​ ​decide​ ​definitely​ ​and
validly​ ​on​ ​the​ ​points​ ​of​ ​the​ ​agenda,​ ​irrespective​ ​of​ ​the​ ​number​ ​of​ ​Effective​ ​Members
present​ ​or​ ​represented.​ ​Arbitration​ ​on​ ​matters​ ​relating​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Articles​ ​of​ ​Association
shall​ ​be​ ​according​ ​to​ ​the​ ​procedure​ ​duly​ ​adopted​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Council.
11.2​ ​Amendments​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Articles​ ​of​ ​Association​ ​will​ ​enter​ ​into​ ​force​ ​as​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​all
legal​ ​formalities​ ​have​ ​been​ ​complied​ ​with.
11.3​ ​The​ ​text​ ​of​ ​these​ ​Articles​ ​of​ ​Association​ ​shall​ ​exist​ ​in​ ​English.
11.3.1​ ​In​ ​the​ ​event​ ​of​ ​a​ ​dispute​ ​between​ ​members​ ​arising​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​operation​ ​or
interpretation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​statutes,​ ​the​ ​disputing​ ​parties​ ​may​ ​agree​ ​to​ ​binding​ ​arbitration.
The​ ​arbitration​ ​panel​ ​shall​ ​consist​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Chairperson​ ​of​ ​Fertility​ ​Europe​ ​unless
she/he​ ​be​ ​party​ ​to​ ​the​ ​dispute,​ ​when​ ​she/he​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​replaced​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Vice-President,
and​ ​three​ ​to​ ​five​ ​other​ ​persons​ ​not​ ​party​ ​to​ ​the​ ​dispute​ ​and​ ​appointed​ ​by​ ​the
Executive​ ​Committee​ ​from​ ​the​ ​candidates​ ​suggested​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Effective​ ​members.​ ​The
panel​ ​shall​ ​meet​ ​in​ ​person​ ​or​ ​by​ ​electronic​ ​means​ ​within​ ​28​ ​days​ ​of​ ​its​ ​appointment
and​ ​its​ ​decisions​ ​will​ ​be​ ​final.

10. [9]
11.4​ ​The​ ​dissolution​ ​of​ ​the​ ​association​ ​may​ ​only​ ​be​ ​pronounced​ ​by​ ​the​ ​extraordinary
Council​ ​meeting​ ​convened​ ​especially​ ​for​ ​this​ ​purpose​ ​and​ ​can​ ​only​ ​be​ ​validly
deliberated​ ​and​ ​decided​ ​ if​ ​ two-thirds​ ​of​ ​all​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​are​ ​present​ ​or
represented.​ ​The​ ​dissolution​ ​can​ ​be​ ​validly​ ​adopted​ ​by​ ​a​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​three​ ​fourth​ ​of
the​ ​votes​ ​cast.​ ​If​ ​the​ ​above​ ​conditions​ ​are​ ​not​ ​reached​ ​at​ ​such​ ​meeting​ ​of​ ​the
Council,​ ​a​ ​new​ ​meeting​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​convened​ ​after​ ​a​ ​period​ ​of​ ​no​ ​less
than​ ​3​ ​months​ ​and​ ​shall​ ​have​ ​the​ ​power​ ​to​ ​validly​ ​decide,​ ​irrespective​ ​of​ ​the​ ​number
of​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​present​ ​or​ ​represented​ ​by​ ​a​ ​simple​ ​majority.
11.4.1​ ​In​ ​the​ ​event​ ​of​ ​the​ ​dissolution​ ​of​ ​Fertility​ ​Europe,​ ​the​ ​assets​ ​it​ ​holds​ ​at​ ​the
moment​ ​by​ ​the​ ​decision​ ​of​ ​the​ ​council​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​transferred​ ​to​ ​one​ ​or​ ​more​ ​renowned
institutions​ ​or​ ​associations​ ​whose​ ​objectives​ ​are​ ​as​ ​similar​ ​as​ ​possible​ ​to​ ​those​ ​of
Fertility​ ​Europe.
11.4.2.​ ​On​ ​no​ ​account​ ​may​ ​the​ ​assets​ ​at​ ​the​ ​time​ ​of​ ​dissolution​ ​be​ ​transferred​ ​to​ ​the
Members​ ​or​ ​be​ ​used​ ​totally​ ​or​ ​partially​ ​for​ ​their​ ​benefit,​ ​nor​ ​may​ ​they​ ​be​ ​returned​ ​to
the​ ​founding​ ​members.
V.​ ​THE​ ​EXECUTIVE​ ​COMMITTEE
Article​ ​12
12.1​ ​The​ ​Association​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​administered​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee,​ ​consisting
of​ ​5​ ​Members​ ​and​​ ​​2​ ​deputies.
12.2​ ​The​ ​Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​and​ ​deputies​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​natural
persons.
12.3​ ​Each​ ​Member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​and​ ​each​ ​deputy​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​a​ ​Member
of​ ​an​ ​Effective​ ​Member.
12.4​ ​There​ ​cannot​ ​be​ ​more​ ​than​ ​one​ ​Member​ ​from​ ​the​ ​same​ ​organisation​ ​at​ ​the
same​ ​time​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​and​ ​among​ ​deputies.
12.5​ ​All​ ​Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​and​ ​deputies​ ​shall​ ​serve​ ​for​ ​a​ ​period
of​ ​three​ ​years​ ​but​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​eligible​ ​for​ ​re-election​ ​twice.
12.6​ ​The​ ​Chairperson,​ ​the​ ​Vice​ ​Chairperson,​ ​the​ ​Secretary​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Treasurer​ ​shall
be​ ​elected​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​from​ ​among​ ​its​ ​Members​ ​at​ ​the​ ​first​ ​meeting
following​ ​their​ ​election​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee.
Article​ ​13

11. [10]
13.1​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​and​ ​deputies​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​elected​ ​every​ ​three​ ​(3)​ ​years.
The​ ​Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​and​ ​deputies​ ​will​ ​be​ ​appointed​ ​by​ ​the
Council​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​at​ ​the​ ​Annual​ ​meeting​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​accordingly​ ​the
following​ ​procedure:
a) invitation​ ​to​ ​propose​ ​one​ ​(1)​ ​candidate​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​sent​ ​to​ ​all​ ​the​ ​Effective
Members​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​by​ ​electronic​ ​means,​ ​at​ ​least​ ​sixty
(60)​ ​days​ ​before​ ​the​ ​date​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Annual​ ​meeting.​ ​Such​ ​invitation​ ​shall​ ​also
be​ ​published​ ​on​ ​the​ ​website​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​with​ ​the​ ​same​ ​deadline.
Candidates​ ​previously​ ​revoked​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​under
article​ ​13.2​ ​or​ ​currently​ ​contracted​ ​by​ ​Fertility​ ​Europe​ ​cannot​ ​be​ ​validly
proposed.
b) lists​ ​of​ ​proposed​ ​candidates​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​sent​ ​to​ ​Fertility​ ​Europe​ ​by​ ​Effective
Members​ ​by​ ​electronic​ ​means​ ​at​ ​least​ ​forty​ ​(40)​ ​days​ ​before​ ​the​ ​date​ ​of
the​ ​Annual​ ​Meeting;
c) the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​make​ ​a​ ​full​ ​list​ ​of​ ​all​ ​proposed​ ​candidates​ ​in
alphabetical​ ​order.​ ​Such​ ​list​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​sent​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Chairperson​ ​of​ ​the
Executive​ ​Committee,​ ​by​ ​electronic​ ​means​ ​at​ ​least​ ​thirty​ ​(30)​ ​days​ ​before
the​ ​date​ ​of​ ​the​ ​meeting,​ ​to​ ​all​ ​the​ ​Effective​ ​Members;
d) at​ ​the​ ​Annual​ ​Meeting​ ​each​ ​Effective​ ​Member​ ​can​ ​vote​ ​for​ ​the​ ​maximum
of​ ​seven​ ​(7)​ ​candidates​ ​from​ ​among​ ​the​ ​list;
e) the​ ​five​ ​(5)​ ​most​ ​voted​ ​for​ ​candidates​ ​shall​ ​form​ ​the​ ​new​ ​Executive
Committee​ ​and​ ​the​ ​next​ ​two​ ​(2)​ ​shall​ ​become​ ​deputies;
f) in​ ​case​ ​an​ ​elected​ ​candidate​ ​refuses​ ​to​ ​accept,​ ​or​ ​if​ ​any​ ​vacancy​ ​occurs,
the​ ​first​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​voted​ ​candidates​ ​with​ ​the​ ​priority​ ​of​ ​deputies​ ​shall
become​ ​a​ ​Member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee;​ ​the​ ​same​ ​rule​ ​applies​ ​to
deputies.
g) in​ ​case​ ​there​ ​two​ ​or​ ​more​ ​persons​ ​from​ ​the​ ​same​ ​organisation​ ​among​ ​the
elected​ ​candidates,​ ​the​ ​one​ ​who​ ​receives​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​number​ ​of​ ​votes
shall​ ​become​ ​a​ ​Member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​and​ ​the​ ​first​ ​of​ ​the
non-elected​ ​candidates​ ​shall​ ​replace​ ​the​ ​others;
h) in​ ​case​ ​of​ ​equal​ ​votes​ ​for​ ​different​ ​candidates,​ ​the​ ​council​ ​shall​ ​proceed
immediately​ ​to​ ​a​ ​second​ ​ballot​ ​to​ ​choose​ ​the​ ​elected​ ​candidate.​ ​In​ ​case​ ​of
equal​ ​votes​ ​in​ ​the​ ​second​ ​ballot​ ​of​ ​voting​ ​the​ ​elected​ ​candidate​ ​shall​ ​be
chosen​ ​by​ ​draw;
i) the​ ​results​ ​of​ ​the​ ​elections​ ​will​ ​be​ ​published​ ​without​ ​undue​ ​delay​ ​on​ ​the
website,​ ​by​ ​mentioning​ ​the​ ​position​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​and​ ​on​ ​the
internal​ ​forum,​ ​by​ ​mentioning​ ​additionally​ ​the​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​votes​ ​each
candidate​ ​has​ ​received,​ ​not​ ​mentioning​ ​who​ ​voted​ ​for​ ​whom;

12. [11]
j) the​ ​elected​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​starts​ ​its​ ​function​ ​immediately​ ​after​ ​the
Annual​ ​Meeting.
13.1.1​ ​In​ ​case​ ​any​ ​vacancy​ ​occurs​ ​which​ ​cannot​ ​be​ ​fulfilled​ ​under​ ​article​ ​13.1​ ​point​ ​f,
by-elections​ ​should​ ​be​ ​carried​ ​out​ ​in​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​Article​ ​13.1​ ​without​ ​undue
delay.
13.2​ ​Membership​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​may​ ​at​ ​any​ ​time​ ​be​ ​revoked​ ​for
serious​ ​reasons​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​by​ ​a​ ​vote​ ​of​ ​at​ ​least​ ​two-thirds​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Effective
Members​ ​present​ ​or​ ​represented.
Article​ ​14
14.1​ ​In​ ​addition​ ​to​ ​the​ ​powers​ ​specifically​ ​provided​ ​for​ ​in​ ​the​ ​present​ ​Articles​ ​of
Association,​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​have​ ​all​ ​powers​ ​of​ ​management​ ​and
administration,​ ​subject​ ​only​ ​to​ ​the​ ​powers​ ​reserved​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Council.
14.2​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​may​ ​delegate​ ​the​ ​day-to-day​ ​management​ ​to​ ​one​ ​or
more​ ​officers.​ ​Matters​ ​other​ ​than​ ​day-to-day​ ​management​ ​are​ ​the​ ​responsibility​ ​of
the​ ​Chairperson​ ​and​ ​Executive​ ​Committee.
14.3​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee,​ ​under​ ​the​ ​direction​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Chairperson,​ ​shall:
a) prepare​ ​the​ ​agenda​ ​of​ ​the​ ​meetings​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council;
b) prepare​ ​and​ ​approve​ ​the​ ​annual​ ​budget​ ​proposal​ ​to​ ​be​ ​submitted​ ​to​ ​the
Council​ ​during​ ​the​ ​Annual​ ​meeting;
c) submit​ ​an​ ​annual​ ​report​ ​on​ ​the​ ​activities​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​to​ ​Council
during​ ​the​ ​Annual​ ​meeting;
d) submit​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​the​ ​annual​ ​accounts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association;
e) fix​ ​the​ ​amount​ ​and​ ​due​ ​date​ ​of​ ​the​ ​annual​ ​fee​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Membership;
f) set​ ​up​ ​working​ ​groups​ ​that​ ​it​ ​may​ ​deem​ ​necessary​ ​to​ ​assist​ ​in​ ​performing
the​ ​activities​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association.
14.3.1​ ​The​ ​Chairperson​ ​is​ ​obliged​ ​to​ ​fulfil​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee's​ ​decisions​ ​within
a​ ​time​ ​period​ ​decided​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​unless​ ​otherwise​ ​stated​ ​in​ ​the
statutes.​ ​In​ ​case​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Chairperson's​ ​inaction​ ​any​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive
Committee,​ ​with​ ​the​ ​priority​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Vice-Chairperson,​ ​shall​ ​step​ ​in​ ​and​ ​take​ ​any
actions​ ​decided​ ​upon​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee.​ ​Repeated​ ​idleness​ ​of​ ​the
Chairperson​ ​and/or​ ​other​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​result​ ​in
resignation.​ ​

13. [12]
14.4​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​responsible​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​the​ ​accounts​ ​of​ ​the
Association.​ ​The​ ​Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​entitled​ ​at​ ​any​ ​time
during​ ​the​ ​term​ ​of​ ​their​ ​office​ ​to​ ​consult​ ​the​ ​books​ ​and​ ​records​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​and
to​ ​request​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Chairperson,​ ​information​ ​on​ ​the​ ​financial​ ​position​ ​of​ ​the
organisation.
14.5​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​can,​ ​under​ ​its​ ​own​ ​responsibility,​ ​assign​ ​special​ ​and
specific​ ​powers​ ​of​ ​attorney​ ​to​ ​one​ ​or​ ​more​ ​persons.
14.6​ ​Judicial​ ​claims,​ ​both​ ​as​ ​plaintiff​ ​and​ ​defendant,​ ​will​ ​be​ ​entered,​ ​defended​ ​and
expedited​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee,​ ​represented​ ​by​ ​its​ ​Chairperson​ ​or​ ​another
manager​ ​appointed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​latter.
14.7​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​is​ ​authorised​ ​to​ ​carry​ ​out​ ​all​ ​acts​ ​necessary​ ​for​ ​the
disposal,​ ​management​ ​and​ ​consignment​ ​of​ ​movable​ ​and​ ​immovable​ ​objects.
14.8​ ​The​ ​Association​ ​is​ ​legally​ ​bound​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee
Article​ ​15
15.1​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​and​ ​deputies​ ​will​ ​meet​ ​at​ ​least​ ​4​ ​times​ ​a​ ​year​ ​of
which​ ​at​ ​least​ ​one​ ​meeting​ ​in​ ​person,​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​affordability.​ ​It​ ​shall​ ​also​ ​meet​ ​upon
specific​ ​notice​ ​of​ ​its​ ​Chairperson​ ​or​ ​upon​ ​request​ ​of​ ​at​ ​least​ ​one-half​ ​of​ ​its​ ​Members.
It​ ​will​ ​meet​ ​at​ ​times​ ​and​ ​places​ ​and​ ​in​ ​a​ ​manner,​ ​including​ ​teleconferences,​ ​of​ ​its
own​ ​choosing​ ​and​ ​determine​ ​its​ ​agenda​ ​and​ ​procedures.
15.2​ ​Any​ ​Effective​ ​Member​ ​can​ ​submit​ ​motions​ ​that​ ​must​ ​be​ ​discussed​ ​by​ ​the
Executive​ ​Committee.
15.3​ ​Notice​ ​of​ ​any​ ​meeting​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​given​ ​to​ ​its
Members​ ​on​ ​the​ ​forum​ ​at​ ​least​ ​ten​ ​(10)​ ​days​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​the​ ​date​ ​of​ ​the​ ​meeting,​ ​except
in​ ​case​ ​of​ ​urgency.
15.4​ ​A​ ​quorum​ ​for​ ​meetings​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​exist​ ​if​ ​a​ ​majority​ ​of
the​ ​Members​ ​are​ ​present.​ ​If​ ​such​ ​quorum​ ​is​ ​not​ ​reached,​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​shall​ ​be
adjourned​ ​until​ ​a​ ​quorum​ ​is​ ​present.
15.5​ ​A​ ​resolution​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​taken​ ​by​ ​simple​ ​majority​ ​vote
of​ ​the​ ​Members​ ​who​ ​are​ ​present​ ​or​ ​represented.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​event​ ​of​ ​a​ ​tied​ ​vote​ ​the
Chairperson​ ​of​ ​the​ ​meeting​ ​shall​ ​have​ ​a​ ​deciding​ ​vote.
15.5.1.​ ​Deputies​ ​have​ ​an​ ​advisory​ ​and​ ​supportive​ ​role​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee.
A​ ​deputy​ ​can​ ​be​ ​appointed​ ​by​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​to​ ​act​ ​as​ ​their
substitute.​ ​Deputies​ ​have​ ​no​ ​right​ ​to​ ​vote​ ​within​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​unless
acting​ ​as​ ​an​ ​appointed​ ​substitute.

14. [13]
15.6​ ​The​ ​resolutions​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​recorded​ ​and​ ​kept​ ​both​ ​electronically​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​in
hardcopy​ ​and​ ​published​ ​on​ ​the​ ​forum​ ​within​ ​forty​ ​five​ ​(45)​ ​days.​ ​Confidential
information​ ​can​ ​be​ ​withheld​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​discretion.​​ ​​
VI.​ ​MANAGEMENT​ ​OF​ ​THE​ ​ASSOCIATION
Article​ ​16
16.1​ ​The​ ​Association​ ​shall​ ​operate​ ​accordingly​ ​to​ ​the​ ​following​ ​fundamental
principles:​ ​Democracy,​ ​Transparency​ ​and​ ​Accountability,​ ​Independence​ ​and
Autonomy,​ ​Responsibility,​ ​Truthfulness​ ​and​ ​Legality,​ ​and​ ​Cooperation​ ​beyond
Boundaries.
16.1.1​ ​Neither​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​member​ ​nor​ ​deputy​ ​should​ ​receive​ ​any​ ​form
of​ ​payment​ ​or​ ​benefit​ ​from​ ​Fertility​ ​Europe​ ​apart​ ​from​ ​reimbursement​ ​of​ ​reasonable
expenses​ ​incurred​ ​in​ ​the​ ​fulfilment​ ​of​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​member​ ​duties.
16.1.2.​ ​Any​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee,​ ​deputy​ ​or​ ​any​ ​member​ ​of​ ​their
immediate​ ​families​ ​shall​ ​not​ ​be​ ​contracted​ ​by​ ​Fertility​ ​Europe.
16.1.3.​ ​The​ ​detailed​ ​policy​ ​on​ ​code​ ​of​ ​conduct​ ​including​ ​a​ ​declaration​ ​of​ ​interests
shall​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​in​ ​cooperation​ ​with​ ​the​ ​relevant
Working​ ​Group.
16.1.4​ ​The​ ​detailed​ ​financial​ ​regulation​ ​policy​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Executive
Committee​ ​in​ ​cooperation​ ​with​ ​the​ ​relevant​ ​Working​ ​Groups.
16.2​ ​The​ ​Association​ ​will​ ​operate​ ​with​ ​the​ ​aim​ ​of​ ​maximising​ ​the​ ​opportunities​ ​of
cooperation,​ ​mutual​ ​support​ ​and​ ​exchange​ ​between​ ​all​ ​Members.
16.3​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​shall​ ​consult​ ​all​ ​the​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​and​ ​their
representatives​ ​to​ ​obtain​ ​their​ ​views​ ​on​ ​any​ ​statements​ ​being​ ​made​ ​on​ ​behalf​ ​of​ ​the
Association.
16.4​ ​Where​ ​the​ ​views​ ​of​ ​Effective​ ​Members​ ​on​ ​any​ ​position​ ​statement​ ​are​ ​divided
this​ ​will​ ​be​ ​reflected​ ​in​ ​the​ ​final​ ​statement.
16.5​ ​The​ ​views​ ​of​ ​Candidate​ ​Members​ ​and​ ​Associate​ ​Members​ ​are​ ​welcome​ ​and
will​ ​also​ ​be​ ​taken​ ​into​ ​consideration​ ​but​ ​they​ ​are​ ​not​ ​bound​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Association.

15. [14]
VII.​ ​RESOURCES,​ ​BUDGET​ ​AND​ ​ACCOUNTS
Article​ ​17
17.1​ ​The​ ​resources​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​Membership​ ​fees,​ ​donations​ ​from
organizations,​ ​sponsorship​ ​or​ ​subsidies​ ​granted​ ​by​ ​any​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​public​ ​authority​ ​or
entity​ ​(including​ ​the​ ​European​ ​Union)​ ​in​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​clause​ ​17.2.
17.2​ ​The​ ​Association​ ​will​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​sponsorship​ ​received​ ​from​ ​corporate
organisations​ ​and​ ​individuals​ ​is​ ​transparent.​ ​Sponsors​ ​will​ ​have​ ​no​ ​influence​ ​on​ ​the
work​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​and​ ​they​ ​cannot​ ​be​ ​a​ ​Member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council​ ​of​ ​the
Association​ ​or​ ​of​ ​any​ ​working​ ​group​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​itself.
17.3​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​is​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​and​ ​approves​ ​all​ ​expenses
including​ ​contributions​ ​to​ ​travel​ ​and​ ​accommodation​ ​expenses​ ​of​ ​Executive
Committee​ ​members​ ​and​ ​of​ ​Member​ ​association​ ​representatives.
Article​ ​18
The​ ​bookkeeping​ ​is​ ​done​ ​for​ ​periods​ ​of​ ​twelve​ ​(12)​ ​calendar​ ​months,​ ​starting​ ​1st​ ​of
April​ ​until​ ​31st​ ​March​ ​the​ ​following​ ​year.​ ​The​ ​Executive​ ​Committee​ ​is​ ​considered​ ​to
present​ ​the​ ​financial​ ​balance​ ​of​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​year​ ​and​ ​the​ ​budget​ ​for​ ​the​ ​following
year​ ​for​ ​approval​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Annual​ ​meeting​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Council.
VIII.​ ​COMMUNICATION
Article​ ​19
19.1​ ​Except​ ​in​ ​the​ ​cases​ ​set​ ​out​ ​in​ ​these​ ​Articles​ ​of​ ​Association,​ ​the​ ​Association​ ​will
communicate​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Members​ ​by​ ​electronic​ ​means.​ ​News​ ​and​ ​minutes​ ​will​ ​also​ ​be
published​ ​on​ ​the​ ​forum.​ ​Unless​ ​otherwise​ ​stated​ ​by​ ​the​ ​statutes​ ​all​ ​publications​ ​shall
be​ ​done​ ​within​ ​forty​ ​five​ ​(45)​ ​days.

16. [15]
19.2​ ​Unless​ ​otherwise​ ​provided​ ​by​ ​the​ ​applicable​ ​laws,​ ​all​ ​the​ ​communications,
registrations,​ ​minutes​ ​and​ ​any​ ​other​ ​document​ ​relevant​ ​to​ ​the​ ​management​ ​of​ ​the
Association​ ​and​ ​its​ ​relations​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Members​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​in​ ​English.​ ​In​ ​case​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of
a​ ​different​ ​language​ ​is​ ​required​ ​by​ ​law,​ ​an​ ​English​ ​translation​ ​of​ ​such​ ​documents​ ​will
be​ ​at​ ​Members’​ ​disposal.