Minutes of the IDEA General Council Meeting 2007
IDEA – International Drama/Theatre and Education Association MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING (GCM) 2007 Hong Kong, 15, 16, 20 and 22, July 2007
These Minutes are a chronological summary of these meetings. The more complete details of reports and discussions are available with the full GCM minutes, in the IDEA Library.
Contents:
1. Introduction and procedures
2. Attendance and voting rights
3. Reports:
a) Report of the President, Dan Baron Cohen
b) Report of the Treasurer, Parasuram Ramamoorthi
c) Reports of the Project Director, Steven Clark, and the Director of Young IDEA,
Ghonche Materego
d) Report of the Director of Solidarity, Åsa Peterson, on the IDEA Website
4. Report on 2007 World Congress by the Congress Co-Director, Mok Chiu Yu
5. Report on 2010 World Congress by the Congress Co-Director, Manoela Souza
6. Report and Proposal for IDEA Production and Distribution Policy by the Director of Publications, Laura McCammon
7. Report of the Secretary, Cathy Kariuki
8. Report of the Vice President (and about Membership Review) by Liliana Galvan
9. Accountancy Committee report
10. Vote to receive the Treasurer’s and the President’s reports
11. Proposals to host IDEA Secretariat
12. Revised 2007 budget presented by the Treasurer, Parasuram Ramamoorthi
13. Proposed agenda changes: IDEA Day proposal, World Research Council proposal, Regional meetings.
13.1. Reporting back of regional groups
14. Proposals to host IDEA 2008/2009 GC meeting
15. Budget 2008– Presented by the Treasurer, Parasuram Ramamoorthi
16. Nominations and elections
17. Nominations and acceptance of new members
18. Nominations and elections – continued
19. Hosting of the Secretariat
20. Nominations and elections – continued
21. Acceptance of 2010 Congress report
22. Other business
Sunday 15/07/07
1. Introduction and procedures Vlado Krusic, President of General Meeting Committee (GMC), led the meetings. He was assisted by Tintti Karppinen, GMC Vice President, and Richard Sallis, GMC Secretary. He explained the nature of this GCM and the proposed agenda. According to Constitution, the Congress GCM sets up the IDEA general policy and involves the regular elections of the IDEA officers. He invited all to participate in discussions and decision making.
2. Attendance and calculation of voting rights Calculation of voting rights. The proposed agenda was accepted by the GC by acclamation.
3. Reports Report of the President, Dan Baron Cohen SUMMARY OF REPORT: Congratulated all elected officers on three years of excellent foundation-work that continued to build a more inclusive professional and project-centred organization. The President has collaborated closely with all EC officers. The following achievements were highlighted: New IDEA interactive website, International Young IDEA Project (Young Creative Voices), Inter-regional project collaborations, New policies for Projects, Young IDEA and Solidarity, Collaborations between EC Directors and IDEA 2007 organisers, the new IDEA publication: Universal Mosaic of Drama and Theatre: The IDEA 2004 Dialogues The following strategic initiatives were also highlighted: First steps of the regionalisation of IDEA, 2006-2007 IDEA Membership Review, the development of an IDEA Research Policy proposal, building of the World Alliance for Arts Education and the World Creativity Summit which will follow the 2007 IDEA Congress Concluded with recommendations for the more efficient work of IDEA in the future and on the need to prioritise creating a 5-year fundraising strategy, a 5-year action plan, and a communications strategy. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: The discussion mainly focused upon how to treat President’s recommendations, as personal recommendations or to be endorsed by the GCM. The decision was left for the later sessions.
b. Report of the Treasurer, Parasuram Ramamoorthi SUMMARY OF REPORT: There is now only one bank account for IDEA and this is an achievement. The budget has reflected the project emphasis on which IDEA is now focussed. It is intended that 30% of income is now used for projects. Concluded with recommendations of how to improve the Treasurer’s work. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: The discussion dealt mainly with how to organise EC and Treasurer’s duties to make financial planning and decision-making more efficient, and the need to have a complete picture of the cost of running IDEA, given that most of the IDEA elected officers are funded by different sources (universities, national governments, local organisers etc.).
c. Reports of the Project Director, Steven Clark, and Director of Young IDEA, Ghonche Materego SUMMARY OF REPORTS: The Young Creative Voices (YCV) project resulted in a number of workshop encounters in every region of the world. Initiatives from IDEA Africa, IDEA Europe and IDEA Latin America are linking artists and young people and generating projects. YCV has created a forum for young people to be heard. YCV is an integral part of the Hong Kong Congress. Concluded with the recommendation that IDEA should be generating its own practitioners, SIGs, keynote speakers and young artists. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: The discussion raised a number of questions: What should a Young IDEA project be like and what is its target? What is its nature? What is IDEA’s strategy for funding Young IDEA? Should IDEA be an umbrella for national projects rather than developing only in-house projects?
d. Report of the Director of Solidarity, Åsa Peterson, on the IDEA Website SUMMARY OF REPORT: A Powerpoint presentation showed various aspects of the IDEA website. An evaluation of the IDEA website is to take place, including its relationship with the Dramatool website, so that the IDEA website will best meet the needs of the IDEA members.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: The other possibilities of the website were discussed. The complexity and the scope of the website raises the question of which officer should be responsible for handling the website. More of a team approach is necessary. The discussion also touched the problem of the solidarity funding. The whole concept of our solidarity policy needs to change as international funds are no longer available for supporting events.
4. Report on 2007 World Congress by the Congress Director, Mok Chiu Yu SUMMARY OF REPORT: IDEA 2007 printed materials were presented, followed by a summary of Congress achievements to date: 1,000 or more people are taking part in the Congress. $20,000 USD was guaranteed to be given to IDEA at the conclusion of the congress regardless of the final profit and loss statement. Activities of the Congress started 4 days ago with 7 master workshops which included more than 200 participants. . New at the Congress – a group of young people supported by solidarity from all over the world will be performing. Other programs which provide opportunities to see theatre, participate in workshops, perform, for delegates etc. Solidarity for Chinese people has been excellent. It has been more difficult to provide solidarity for international delegates although there has been support for delegates from Latin America, Cambodia, etc.
SUMMARY OF discussion: Special thanks were expressed to the Congress Directors and the organising team for excellent preparation, communication and support in planning, visibility, building networks (particularly inside Asia), and the scope of the congress.
5. Report on 2010 World Congress by Congress Co-Director, Manoela Souza SUMMARY OF REPORT IDEA 2010 Congress will be held in Belém, the capital of the state of Para, Brazil, with an emphasis on a ‘Latin American congress’. The proposed dates are from 5th to 11th July 2010. Preparations are in full progress, developing partnerships with the University and the City of Belém and government agencies including FUNARTE (National Foundation of Arts within the Ministry of Culture in Brazil) and the British Council. Sponsorship bodies and partners have been investigated and will be followed up in October. Projects are being planned to contribute to the development of the budget Presentation of Budget. Total figure is approx USD 3 million.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: Questions and suggestions focussed on financial planning, cooperation with the potential partners, venues and the distribution of responsibilities among the co-directors of the congress. It was noted that the 2010 Congress report and explanation of specific points reflect careful planning and investigation. The acceptance of the report was left to a later meeting.
6. Report and Proposal for IDEA Production and Distribution Policy by the Director of Publications, Laura McCammon SUMMARY OF REPORT: From the Ottawa Congress in 2004 there were a total of 74 papers published in different journals, and 34 in the final book Universal Mosaic of Drama and Theatre: The IDEA 2004 Dialogues . A large number of these publications were shipped to Hong Kong for the Congress, with special rates for delegates. (For the list of recommendations see the full version of the minutes.) SUMMARY OF discussion: A number of questions were raised about the IDEA publishing strategy, partnership, costs of printing and storing of the books. 7. Report of the Secretary, Cathy Kariuki SUMMARY OF REPORT: The Secretary has been in an unusual position as she was appointed to this post in the middle of the EC mandate. IDEA needs a better system of record keeping and archiving its materials, as well as a better communication with its members and orientation for newly elected officers. An operational plan, defining roles and objectives of the Secretary and of the Communication Working Committee (CWC), should be developed.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: Discussion focussed mostly on the roles of the Secretary and the CWC in relation to the members and the candidates for membership, and the need for clearer lines of communication between officers given the new posts and changes within IDEA. (For the recommendations see the full version of the minutes.) 8. Report of the Vice President (and about Membership Review) by Liliana Galvan SUMMARY OF REPORT: In the period since 2004 GCM, whereas most of the roles of the EC members has been defined in a more detailed way, it has been hard to establish what was the role of the Vice President’s position. Tried to decentralise the position and not ‘assist’ but to ‘lead projects’. One project was the IDEA Membership Review which was then presented to the GC. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: Discussion focussed mostly upon the Membership Review and the questions it raised. The Vice President received strong support and appreciation for her work and was recommended to continue with her research which might have implications for EC decision-making in the future.
9. Accountancy Committee report The report was presented by President of the Accountancy Committee, Larry O’Farrell. SUMMARY OF THE REPORT: The Accountancy Committee used the audited statements from the Secretariat to help complete its duties. The audited statements were scrutinised and questions put to the Treasurer and Secretariat. Proposed the motion that the General Council endorses the Accountancy Committee’s use of the audit of IDEA’s Secretariat audited account (MacLean and Co) for the years 2005 and 2006 in completing its duties.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: The procedure of auditing and its relation to the Australian laws was explained in more details to the GC participants. The following points for consideration were highlighted: Need for a Secretariat that is well-resourced, efficient and reliable as was the case with Drama Australia. Importance of planning our resources and financial limits.
The motion was moved that the accounts be accepted. Motion passed.
10. Vote to receive the Treasurer’s and the President’s reports President’s report DISCUSSION: Qestion raised about any intention to include Dance, Video and Film in the World Alliance? The President answered that there has been no real opportunity since the UNESCO 2006 congress for the World Alliance organizations (IDEA, ISME, InSEA) to talk until this Congress. The next development for more members of the World Alliance may be to include the professional organisations of dance and new media. The recommendations made by President in his report should be accepted as such and considered by the next EC. (For President’s recommendations see the President’s report.)
President’s report was received unanimously.
Treasurer’s report DISCUSSION: The recommendations as made by the Treasurer, would need to be in a different format if to be turned into motions. The President thanked Katrina Torenbeek, the IDEA Administrator, for her assistance to the Treasurer. They worked well together on their duties. Recommendation: In future the audited statements should be sent out to members prior to the GCM.
Treasurer’s report was received unanimously.
11. Proposals to host IDEA Secretariat Taiwan proposal -withdrawn Hong Kong proposal - withdrawn IAM (India) proposal ABRA (Brazil) proposal
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: The IDEA President introduced the item: In February 2007 IDEA received notification from the Drama Australia Executive that it would no longer host the Secretariat. The reasons provided included: no indefinite period was ever negotiated; there were good reasons within Drama Australia to hand it over to another association; it was necessary for IDEA to look at the ways it works administratively to move to a more consistent and fair administration. DA proposed a handover at the end of 2007. Several delegates confirmed that Drama Australia has done an excellent job and asked if Drama Australia would reconsider its decision. Sandra Gattenhof, Drama Australia President, explained that in early in 2007 there were requests for funding from IDEA that Sandra, as President of Drama Australia said she had ‘moral’ and ‘ethical’ questions with. Not all the processes that the Secretariat has put in place have been followed, e.g. Elected Officers and others providing receipts or invoices for monies requested. The work demands on the Secretariat can be unrealistic. There were also assumptions the Secretariat was also privy to all conversations that contribute to requests, when this isn’t always so. If the communication was clear and the Secretariat could advise, it would be different, but this is not the case. Dan Baron Cohen, IDEA President, said that IDEA has grown considerably but still has only a very part time administrator. It has also had new officers learning procedure or building new production processes. Without mentoring or appropriate new mechanisms, there were communication problems which impacted on the Secretariat. Sometimes requests for money come too late and this can place stress on Secretariat. Parasuram Ramamoorthi, IDEA Treasurer, also asked if DA would reconsider its decision. The pressure of work in IDEA meant that the Treasurer was working long hours and the work pressure had increased on its officers. There are no financial irregularities with IDEA and any problems have been dealt with when they arise. All that has been spent has been accounted for. Where there is unspent money in 2006 the Treasurer has been trying to find ways to channel it into 2007 activities. The meeting agreed to continue the discussion the following day. . Close of first meeting.
Monday 16/07/07 11. Proposals to host IDEA Secretariat - Continued SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: More opinions were expressed in favour of keeping the Secretariat with Drama Australia. It is clear there are serious weaknesses in the operational capacity and success of the association – it is necessary to revisit the aims of the association, draw up a development plan and attach a budget for this, which meets the capacity of the association. Changing who hosts the Secretariat will not solve the problems of the Secretariat. The IDEA Executive needs to develop policy for the management of the Secretariat which can be utilised like a blueprint, regardless of which organisation hosts the Secretariat. Establishing clear foundations for professional operational management and redefining roles within the EC and clarifying their relationship with the Secretariat are an essential part in the creation of a strategic operational and financial plan for the association. As to the candidacies from India and Brazil, the opinion prevailed that the new host candidates will be discussed only if Drama Australia definitely declines to host the IDEA Secretariat. After a very rich exchange of opinions the following motion was proposed:
MOTION: We, the GC, move that Drama Australia be asked to continue hosting the Secretariat. We move that Drama Australia be requested to continue its work and we commit to working with Drama Australia to work through resolutions and redefine and act upon agreed conditions. GC directs the IDEA President and AC President to meet with Drama Australia to work on the general conditions and then report back during the final meeting.
Motion passed.
12. Revised 2007 budget presented by the Treasurer, Parasuram Ramamoorthi The Treasurer re-presented the 2007 budget because the unexpected overspend by IDEA publications (for production and shipping costs) had not been available when the budget was approved at the 2006 GCM in Mostar. .
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: This item provoked general discussion about financial policy and procedures in building IDEA budgets. Along with the questions concerned with the revised 2007 budget, the Treasurer answered many practical questions about how budget plans are built and how they change from their projection to realisation.
MOTION: The GC moves that we receive the report of the 2007 budget from the Treasurer. Motion passed.
13. Proposed agenda changes: IDEA Day proposal, World Research Council proposal, Regional meetings. In view of the proposed agenda changes, the GMC President recommended that the regional IDEA meetings discuss the proposals about the International IDEA Day and the World Research Council and bring feed-back to the next GCM session. The regional meetings were also expected to consider the structure of regional networks within IDEA, their aims and scope. IDEA Day – presented by Tintti Karppinen (FIDEA, Finland). A document was distributed to the GC. She provided the background to the proposal and recalled that other members, like CDO from Bosnia and Herzegovina and TENet-Gr from Greece have expressed this idea. It was proposed that IDEA Day be celebrated at 11a.m. on November 11th each year. But FIDEA’s proposal was flexible with the date, seeking the comments of regional meetings so that the GC could decide. IDEA World Research Council and IDEA Research Policy, proposals offered by John O’Toole, Dan Baron Cohen and Aud Saebo, in dialogue with elected officers: presented by Aud B. Saebo (LDS, Norway). A new category of members – ‘research members’ (associations or groups, not individuals) – could be created inside IDEA to attract the university and research groups of drama/theatre people. Such members could also join a regional IDEA research network. They may have specific needs to other areas of IDEA. There could be an IDEA research committee/council. Research members would have the same rights as the current associate members. The research network would be open to all IDEA members. There would need to be a constitutional change to have a Director of Research in the EC, but this could be decided outside of this GCM.
13.1. Reporting back of regional groups: IDEA Europe Agreed to proposal to host an IDEA Day with no definite day decided, because it has to be negotiated with other regional groups and in the GC. But it appeared that 80 % of those present were in favour of a November date. Dilemma discussed was the structure of this regional group, which is currently loose. Interest in consolidating the structure to make IDEA Europe a stronger collective. IDEA Canada and America Proposed date for IDEA day is: 27/3. Creation of a list of researchers to promote the research. Create a link on the website for a research area for IDEA published materials.
IDEA Asia Support the International IDEA day on 11/11. Support research proposal however concerns for duplication and management. Keen to develop a stronger presence for IDEA Asia members. Discussed developing a structure to facilitate regional networking and collaboration – considerations are bureaucratic, costly. Interest in taking the networking opportunities the congress provides to recruit more Asian members to IDEA
IDEA Latin America Discussed supporting collaboration within the region and supporting Brazil in the preparation of the Congress 2010. Proposals of 11/11 – 15/11 is Solidarity Day.
IDEA Oceania 11/11 is also Armistice Day in Australia so another date for IDEA Day would be preferred. IDEA Oceania is now officially launched!
IDEA Africa Support proposal of International IDEA day, however a re-consideration of the date – e.g. choose the date in 1989 when IDEA was ‘born’. While there might be even five regions in Africa, only one region, the Eastern Africa, is represented in the GCM. Therefore only the Eastern African region can support the proposals. Support of the Research Council Proposal. The aims of IDEA Africa were discussed: Preserve Culture Pride in African heritage through IDEA. A platform for artists in Africa to experiment with new works!
14. Proposals to host IDEA 2008/2009 GC meeting Presentation of German proposal Proposal to host the GC meeting in 2009, but not able to make a formal proposal until plans and discussions with the proposing association and school are completed. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: Recommendation: It is essential that there is professional development / conference happening at the same time as the GC meeting so members can apply for support and seek funding to attend the meeting as part of their work. Other options were mentioned:The next IDERI (an organisation which is affiliated with IDEA) conference held in Arizona in 2009, could be a possibility. There is an option to host in Greece also, but a formal proposal cannot be tabled at this meeting until more information is confirmed about the event. It is essential that the IDEA committee asks the members through newsletters, etc, about opportunities such as hosting GCM in the future.
Presentation of Sudan proposal A proposal by Sudan was not tabled.
Presentation of Brazil proposal ABRA proposed June 2009 in Paráiba, in North-East Brazil. This could be a good opportunity for IDEA members to visit Brazil prior to the Congress. It would be connected to the ABRA National Conference in 2009, funded by the state government and based inside the university and cultural institutions of Joao Pessoa. There are other events in Latin America in 2008, in Cuba and Uruguay, that could also host the 2008 meeting and help build IDEA 2010. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: Whilst IDEA has never held a GCM at the next Congress venue and there are no constitutional rules about this, one of the philosophies of IDEA is that we should be present all over the world. Some members said they would prefer not to make a decision about the location of the next GCM without hearing all the proposals. Proposed that information be emailed to members on the GC email list and also available on the website. The GMC is to action this and is to write a set of guidelines detailing the requirements for the hosting organiser of an IDEA EC/GC meeting.
MOTION: We invite all IDEA members to submit proposals to host a GCM in 2009 and submit them to the GMC by December 1st 2007, and the IDEA Executive is to make the final decision. Motion passed unanimously.
Friday 20/07/07
Due to the extended discussions on some items and delays in handling the agenda the GCM accepted the rearrangement of agenda: Budget 2007/2008 Nominations and elections of the members of the Executive, General Meeting and Accountancy Commeetees Secretariat decision Any other presentations
15. Budget 2008 – Presented by the Treasurer, Parasuram Ramamoorthi Revised budget for 2008 was presented. It was based on comments from the previous session which required expenses and income to be reconciled. Also, based on Drama Australia’s decision to continue to host the Secretariat and the need to increase the Administrator's working hours and wages.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION: A number of practical questions were addressed to the Treasurer, which he answered in detail explaining the reasons for each procedure.
The 2008 budget proposal was accepted unanimously.
A motion was moved concerning the procedure of accepting the budget.
MOTION: At future GC Meetings there will be a list of details by Treasurer and AC to assist the GC to approve the budget. Motion passed unanimously.
16. Nominations and elections The GMC President explained the election process. According to the IDEA constitution all nominations, including those from the floor tonight, should be taken and considered. Any associate or ordinary member can nominate any other associate or ordinary member. The candidates (or those who nominated them) would introduce themselves to the meeting. The election proceeded post by post. In the discussion that followed, the problem of only one nominee for a post was dealt with. The following motion was moved: MOTION: All officers should be elected by written ballot, even if they are the only nominee for the position. Motion passed unanimously.
The question of eligibility of the officers who were not elected through the normal electoral procedure, but appointed, co-opted or approved between congresses, was also discussed. The following motion was moved: MOTION: ADEI proposes that the process of co-option does not equate to the election process and therefore a candidate is eligible for election under the normal election procedures. Motion passed unanimously.
The 2007 elections commenced: A group of three independent members (who were not required to vote) was appointed to distribute voting slips and tally the votes. Voting members who had two votes received two voting slips and those with one vote received one voting slip. If there was only one nominee, voters put ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on the voting slip. If there was more than one nominee, voters put the name of the nominee they wished to be elected on the voting slip. MOTION: That the GC agree that with the elections, the result will be announced as ‘elected’ or ‘not elected’ and the voting figures will not be divulged to the meeting. Motion passed.
Each nominee either spoke to his/her nomination or was spoken about by one or more of those members who nominated them.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE/ CONSEIL D’ADMINISTRATION/ COMITÉ EJECUTIVO President/Président/Presidente Candidate: DAN BARON COHEN (BRAZIL, UK) Nominated by Drama Australia, ABRA DISCUSSION: There were concerns expressed that the President and the proposed Congress Director would be from the same country and the same organization (ABRA). The President said that the Congress Director, if elected, would be accountable to the Vice President of IDEA. Any problems will be negotiated with the GC. A member responded that we have had time to nominate another person for the position of the Congress Director. Concern was also expressed about the double nationality identified by the GMC on its noticeboard. Dan Baron Cohen explained that he is a UK citizen, but lives in Brazil. It was agreed that the reference to the candidate being from the UK be removed.
Voting for President was held.
President: ELECTED
Vice President/Vice-Président/ Vicepresidente Candidate: SANDRA GATTENHOF (AUSTRALIA) Nominated by Drama Australia
Vice President: ELECTED
Secretary/Secrétaire/ Secretaria Candidate: CATHERINE KARIUKI (KENYA) Nominated by IPAL and RAD
Secretary: ELECTED
Treasurer/Trésorier/Tesorero Candidates: 1. AUD B. SÆBØ (NORWAY) Nominated by LDS
2. PARASURAM RAMAMOORTHI (INDIA) Nominated by HCDO
Treasurer: TIED (Both candidates received the equal number of votes!)
The meeting agreed to to hold the decision of the Treasurer position until the next session. Close of meeting.
Sunday 22/07/07
17. Nominations and acceptance of new members Catherine Kariuki, EC Secretary, recommended the following nominations for acceptance of new members: Ordinary members: Sudan Drama/Theatre Education Association (SUDEA) Proyecto IntegrArte (Integration Art Project) (PI) Mexico
Both nominations were accepted unanimously.
18. Nominations and elections – continued Re-vote on Treasurer (held over from Friday’s meeting) It was agreed by the GC to hear the two Treasurer nominees again as there were two new voting members and the fiscal vision of each candidate was important. The two candidates presented their qualifications and their vision for the future.
Both nominations were put to vote.
Treasurer: ELECTED: AUD B. SÆBØ
Director Publications and Information/Directeur des Publications et de l’information/Director de Publicaciones e Información Candidate: JANINKA GREENWOOD (NEW ZEALAND) Nominated by AATE
Director of Publications: ELECTED
Director Projects/Directeur des Projets/Director de Proyectos Candidate: STEVEN CLARK (FRANCE) Nominated by ANRAT
Director of Projects: ELECTED
Congress Director/Directeur du Congrès/Director del Congreso Candidate: MANOELA SOUZA (BRAZIL) DISCUSSION: Several members expressed their concern about a perceived conflict of interest between President and Congress Director. Arturo Morell (PI, Mexico) offered himself as a candidate, if this would help. The GC agreed that the vote on Congress Director be held over until later. The GMC explained to the meeting the role of Congress Director as it is described in the IDEA constitution.
Director of Solidarity (General member)/Directeur de Solidarite (membre)/Director de Solidaridad (miembro) Candidate: ÅSA PETERSON (SWEDEN) Nominated by RAD
Director of Solidarity: ELECTED
Director of Young IDEA (General member)/Directeur de IDEA Jeunesse (membre)/Director de IDEA Joven (miembro) Candidates: GHONCHE MATEREGO (TANZANIA) Nominated by IPAL
Director of Young IDEA: ELECTED
ACCOUNTANCY COMMITTEE/COMITE DES COMPTES/COMITE DE CUENTAS President/ Président/ Presidente Candidate: LARRY O’FARRELL (CANADA) Nominated by Theatre Canada
President of AC: ELECTED
Vice President/ Vice-président/Vicepresidente Candidates: 1. TINTTI KARPPINEN (FINLAND) Nominated by LF, AYV, FIDEA
2. DANIELLE NAUDIN (FRANCE) Nominated by ANRAT
Vice President AC: ELECTED: Tintti Karppinen
Secretary/ Secrétaire/Secretaria - 1.LAURA A. MCCAMMON (USA) Nominated by Norwegian Drama in Education Association
2. DANIELLE NAUDIN (FRANCE) Nominated by BDD
Secretary of AC: ELECTED: Danielle Naudin
GENERAL MEETING COMMITTEE/COMITE D’ORGANISATION DE L’ASSEMBLEE GENERALE/ COMITÉ DE ORGANIZACIÓN DE LA ASAMBLEA GENERAL President/ Président/Presidente Candidates: 1.VLADO KRUSIC (CROATIA) Nominated by HCDO 2. MARIA VAN BAKELEN (THE NETHERLANDS) Nominated by FIDEA
President of GMC: ELECTED: Vlado Krusic
Vice President/ Vice-président/ Vicepresidente _ Candidates : 1. MARIA VAN BAKELEN (THE NETHERLANDS) Nominated by FIDEA 2. CRIS ANTHONY GONZALES (THE PHILIPPINES) Nominated by PETA
Vice President of GMC: ELECTED: Cris Anthony Gonzales
Secretary/ Secrétaire/Secretaria Candidate: ROBERT CORBEIL (CANADA) Nominated by Theatre Canada
Secretary of GMC: ELECTED
19. Hosting of the Secretariat Sandra Gattenhoff announced that Drama Australia has agreed to continue hosting the IDEA Secretariat. The Agreement is for 18 months and then is subject to review by both parties. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed publicly between Drama Australia and the President of IDEA and witnessed by IPAL, BDD and AATE. Drama Australia was thanked by the GC for reconsidering its decision and reaching this agreement. A show of support was noted.
Sunday 22/07/07 (Part Two) A report was given by from SUDEA as a new member. The report recommended that in future translations also be offered in Arabic and other international languages.
20. Nominations and elections – continued Congress Director/Directeur du Congrès/Director del Congreso Candidates: 1. MANOELA SOUZA (BRAZIL) Nominated by ABRA (withdrawn)
2. ARTURO MORELL (MEXICO) Nominated by BDD
3. RAFAEL JULIO CANÇADO COGO (BRAZIL) Nominated by ABRA
DISCUSSION: Gabriela Machado (ABRA) announced that the Latin America region had agreed that ABRA should nominate a new candidate (Rafael Julio Cançado Cogo) for Congress Director as Manoela Souza had now withdrawn her nomination. There was some discussion whether Arturo Morell had withdrawn his nomination or not. As the candidate was not present at the meeting (due to performance commitments) and could not confirm this, it was decided that his nomination should continue. It was noted that in the past, no other association has nominated the Congress Director, other than the host association. However according to the rules of nominating, any member can nominate any other member. It was proposed the GC maintain its practice of the past 15 years given the preparations which have already been in progress. The concern of a ‘perceived conflict of interests’ between the IDEA President and the Congress Director was raised again. The articles in the constitution should be reviewed to ensure this situation did not reoccur. If we accept the new ABRA candidate, we should minute this as an exceptional case and should not recur. Some members objected to the actual treatment of the matter, appealing for the GC to acknowledge and support ABRA and its the preparation process so far, as defined by the GC meeting of 2006. ABRA should be trusted to run the Congress and not have ‘contradictions’ thrown in their way. Both candidates were presented to the GC members. Maria van Bekelen (BDD) spoke for Arturo Morell. Vlado Krusic (HCDO) spoke against his nomination: the candidate and his association have just been accepted as an IDEA member and this nomination is against the previous practice of IDEA. Gabriela Machado (ABRA) presented Rafael Julio Cançado Cogo.
Congress Director: ELECTED: Rafael Julio Cançado Cogo
A delegate from Vichama_Centro De Arte Y Cultura, Peru, said goodbye to the meeting but offered his support to ABRA and also on behalf of other Latin American associations that had attended the GCM and regional meeting.
SUGGESTED MOTION 1: That IDEA investigate potential conflicts of interests of officers in the future. Motion passed unanimously.
SUGGESTED MOTION 2: That the arrangement agreed here tonight in relation to the Congress in 2010 is an exceptional circumstance and should not form a precedent. Motion passed.
21. Acceptance of 2010 Congress report DISCUSSION: The concern was expressed over the choice of Belém as the location for the 2010 Congress. The assumption was that this city was a ‘not safe’ city and as such not suitable for the Congress. Such warnings could severely affect the numbers of people who might come to the Congress. The IDEA President said he has worked for six years in the region and that the city is well equipped to host world conferences. Manoela Souza (ABRA) confirmed these comments and added that the State Government of Para has given its assurance to ABRA it will be okay. Belém is a ‘challenging place to go’. It is a tourist place. The Congress will help support the development of the region. ABRA can understand the GC’s ‘fear’. IDEA can ‘leave a legacy’ in the region. ATTE – appreciates ABRA’s answers and asked to vote on acceptance the Congress report.
2010 Congress report was accepted unanimously.
22. Other business 21. 1. SUDEA proposed Tintti Karppinen to be an IDEA Peace Ambassador to Darfur. DISCUSSION: The GC cannot endorse the proposal. The Director of Projects needs to deal with this. There is no project as such attached to this and no request for funding. A motion was suggested that the proposal is ‘received’ and the new EC can discuss this in its first meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
21.2. IDEA President proposed that all recommendations and items on the table be discussed by new EC at its first meeting including the SIG proposals that have been announced today at the Congress. Motion passed unanimously.
The President confirmed that a meeting for the new EC be held tomorrow morning.
End of the General Council Meetings for 2007.
Minutes taken by: Richard Sallis, Secretary of GMC and Katrina Torenbeek, IDEA Secretariat, Administrator. Summary of the minutes completed by Vlado Krusic and Cathy Kariuki.