EuroMeeting 21-24 May 1998 - RT2 LINZ
Minutes Annual
Presidents Meeting
held on Saturday, 23 May
1998
98.00
Preliminaries
The Meeting started at 16.15hrs and was chaired by Wolfgang Koppel the
President of the hosting Table RT2 Linz.
Present for the meeting were a maximum of two voting delegates from:
Austria, RTBI, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands and Poland. France and Denmark sent apologies through the
Secretary for not being able to attend the meeting.
The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed the Euro2 delegates.
He said that he was happy that so many delegates were present and
asked each to introduce himself stating his position within Round Table.
98.01
Minutes of the 1997 Presidents Meeting (Leeuwarden)
The Minutes were taken as read. There was no corrections to the Minutes
and these were approved as presented.
98.02
Linz Program
The Chairman asked each delegate to make observations on the Linz program.
All
delegates felt that an excellent program had been prepared and a lot of work had been done. The Program represented very good value
for money and was full of fun, friendship and true Round Table
fellowship. Home hosting was excellent and it was evident that a lot of
work had been done. It was commented that the programs get better and
better every year and that next year Iceland have a hard act to follow.
Delegates suggested that more and earlier information should be given on
events being planed and the dress code expected. It was generally agreed
that over the years a 'standard' program of events had evolved
(Thursday: house parties, Friday: Sight Seeing / Competition/fancy
dress, Saturday: Sight Seeing / shopping / Presidents Meeting/Gala
Night). This has proven to be a successful formula.
The President said RT2 Linz wanted to have a 'free style' meeting and
lamented that registrations came in very late.
This made their work more demanding and made the finalization of
the program extremely difficult. Earlier registrations was strongly
encouraged since this will benefit everyone.
98.03
Euro2 Attendance
Delegates expressed regret that not all RT2 Presidents had made the trip
to Linz. A discussion followed during which it was explained
that the Euro2 Meeting normally clashes with the 'Ports' Meeting and
various AGM's. The Euro2
Meeting is normally held on the Ascension Weekend but delegates felt that if need be this will
be changed. Some delegates said that ideally this should be to a date
which falls over a 'long' weekend since this will make traveling easier.
RT2 Linz
had made excellent presentations and literature, including a video etc.
and yet attendance could be better.
The Secretary said that he had sent the Minutes of the 1997 Presidents
Meeting as well as the Agenda for the 1998 Meeting by either letter, fax
or e-mail to all European Round Table 2 (President, IRO or
Vice-President) and yet only two replied that they cannot attend the
meeting.
It was agreed that the Secretary will ask each European Round Table 2 for
their preferred dates for the Euro2 Meeting.
However it was agreed that in view of the commitments already
undertaken by Iceland the 1999 Euro2 Meeting will be held as planned (in
May).
98.04
Euro2 Secretary
The Meeting re-appointed Tony Zahra (Malta) as Secretary.
98.05
Euro2 1999
Iceland
as the indicated organizers of the 1999 Euro2 Meeting, gave an outline
of their program. The
Meeting will be between May xx and May xx 1998 which will also coincide
with their 25th Anniversary. A pre-tour will be available: this will be
a visit to a glacier and will take three days (therefore one must arrive
on Sunday). A detailed Program was distributed. It was indicated that
the price would be competitive and the overall cost will not exceed
Stg250 (this does not include the pre-tour).
Home hosting will also be made available to make the event more
attractive. It
was
suggested that connecting flights be made with Icelandic Air. It was recommended that the (excellent) promotional
video
produced by RT Linz be expanded to include the Linz Meeting and sent to
the Euro2 Tables at an early date so that adequate promotion at Club level
be made. Iceland agreed to this and concluded by saying that their motto
will be 'you will not be disappointed'. Following the presentation Iceland
was confirmed as the venue of the Euro2 meeting for 1999.
98.07
Euro2 in 2000
A presentation by Cyprus was made and publicity material was distributed.
Stavros Papamichael (Cyprus) promised a weekend with a 'personal touch'.
Dates being considered are June/July or September.
Cyprus agreed to await the outcome of the questionnaire which will
be conducted by the Secretary (See above 98.03) before fixing the dates
for the meeting. As usual, final confirmation to be given in 1999 in
Iceland.
98.08
Other
(a) Malta and Poland indicated that they will be interested in holding the
2001 Euromeeting. Poland said that after the Meeting in
Cyprus (in 2000) it will be a good idea to change area from the
Mediterranean region and that such a meeting will give a boost to their
Table. Also, Poland (Gdansk) is the home of Solidarnosc and it will be
interesting to see where this movement was born. Hungary said the
Euromeeting they held in 1996 had helped their Table and that next year
they will try to get the East European RT 2 Presidents to attend the
Meeting. Iceland suggested that as a compromise, the Euro Meeting in 2001 be given to
Poland while the 2002 to Malta. Luxembourg said that they will also be
interested in the 2002 Euro Meeting. It was finally concluded that a
decision on the 2001 venue can only be taken next year.
(b) RT2 Leeuwarden delegate (Timo Adema) said that the Euro2 Photo Album
had been presented to Linz during the Banner Exchange. He promised that
the Euro2 Trophy will be taken to Iceland by him next year.
(c) Estonia presented their banner to the President while Hungary and
Poland presented the President with a gift.
There being no other business at 18.30hrs the meeting was
closed.
_______________________
________________________
Euro2 Secretary Euro2
Chairman
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