Worcestershire adult Aspergers Syndrome Parents

" WaASP "

" WaASP is a group of Worcestershire parents who have adult sons and daughters with Aspergers Syndrome. Our aim is to identify, and lobby for, the effective provision of appropriate housing and support facilities for our children."

1. Membership of WaASP is open to any parent(s) whose child has Aspergers Syndrome, lives in Worcestershire and is aged over 16.
   
   
2. A member is defined as a qualifying family, which may be represented by one or more family members.
   
   
3. It is recognised that those children may also suffer from other problems such as learning difficulties, mental health problems, lack of mobility etc.
   
   
4. WaASP is an informal group which meets regularly to share experiences and work out a concerted approach to the principal problem of identifying suitable facilities and appropriate support to enable their children to live as independent adults.
   
   
5. It is unlikely that members' children will share the same solution. The main aim, therefore, is to keep members informed of the most effective steps that they can individually take to take advantage of what help is available in the state and voluntary sectors.
   
   
6. WaASP will bring pressure to bear on Worcestershire Health Authority and Social Services to ensure that there is adequate funding and that responsible staff are fully aware of the particular requirements of those with Aspergers Syndrome.
   
   
7. WaASP will liaise with appropriate charities such as autism. west midlands and the National Autistic Society.
   
   
8. WaASP will keep in touch with Housing Associations.
   
   
9. WaASP will not itself seek charitable status, but if so agreed by a majority of members it may associate itself with a suitable charity.
   
   
10. Members will be expected to contribute to the costs of running the association on a simple basis of reimbursing members' reasonable out of pocket expenses. No single cost in excess of £50 may be incurred without the advance approval of WaASP.
    
    
11. WaASP will meet at least 4 times each year. A quorum shall be 4 qualifying members.
    
    
12. Each January there will be an Annual General Meeting at which the following positions will be elected for the following year by majority vote:-
    
    Chairman
    Secretary
    Treasurer
    
    No qualifying family may hold more than 2 of these positions. No individual shall hold a position for more than two years.
    
    
13. If a matter has to be voted upon, then each qualifying member has one vote. The Chairman shall hold the casting vote should one be required.
    
    
14. The Chairman's duties include the orderly conduct of the meetings, the appointment of a second signatory for bank matters, setting membership and meeting charges, and the implementation of these articles.
    
    
15. The Secretary's duties include convening meetings; creating agendas and keeping a true record of meetings (to be circulated to all members); handling correspondence; and maintaining membership records.
    
    
16. The Treasurer's duties include collecting and receiving money; maintaining records of income and expenditure including an annual statement to all members; maintaining a bank account; and submitting requests for expenditure to qualifying members.
    
    
17. Should WaASP cease to operate and the remaining members agree to wind up its operation, then any surplus funds will be donated to autism. west midlands.