A meeting of the International Council was held on Sunday, 3rd January, 1999 at 2 p.m. at the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Those present were

1. Mr. Maxwell Lee, Deputy President, in the chair
2. Mr. Francisco Martin, Hon.General Secretary
3. Mr. Hiren N. Kara, Hon.Asst.General Secretary
4. Mr. Kevin Pickard, Council Member
5. Dr. M.Kakimoto, Council Member
6. Mr. Jashu Shah, Regional Secretary
7. Ms. Vanessa Clarke Co-opted Member
8. Mr. John Davis, Co-opted Member.

1. President's opening remarks

In the absence of the President, Mr. Howard Lyman, the Deputy President, Mr. Maxwell Lee took the chair. While making his opening remarks Mr Maxwell Lee expressed thanks to the Thai Organisers and to Mr. Francisco Martin and Ms. Clarke for their work towards organisation of the Congress.

2. Apologies for absence

Mr.Howard Lyman, Mr. Saurabh Dalal, Mr. Alex Hershaft, Mrs. Hildegund Scholvien, Prof. Marcell Hebbelinck, Dr. P.K.Jain, Mr. Louis Escala and Mr. John Mitchell.

3. Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 Sept.97 at Bussolengo Italy were approved as amended as per the next item.

4. Matters arising out of the meeting and amendments

Item 4 The role and work of the Hon.Secretary were discussed.

Item 9 It was suggested that the constitution of the IVU be amended to allow for electronic. voting and it was agreed to allow for this when the constitution was revised.

Item 10 The sponsorship proposal which was to deal internet expenses had not materialised.

Item 11 The Regional secretaries were requested to give regular quarterly updates of the accounts, subscriptions received and a list of member societies indicating the amount paid to the Hon.Gen.Secretary, Kevin Pickard and Saurabh Dalal were thanked for their efforts in dealing with VUNA account matters.

Item 13: Financial help for Council Members to enable them to attend meetings was discussed but it was decided not to change the existing system.

Dr. Mitsuru Kakimoto exressed his concern at the problems that had been experienced over the organisation of the Thai congress and expressed his interest in hosting the 2004 Congress in Japan.

5. Hon.Gen. Secretary's report

The Hon. Gen. Secretary's report was circulated and read. The issue of having a customised data base was discussed.

6.
a) Hon. Treasurer's report and accounts for l996-97
b) Hon. Treasurer's report and accounts for 1997-98
c) Budgets
1) 1998-l999
2) 1999-2000

This item was deferred for later discussion.

7. Minutes of the meeting of member societies held during the WVC in Johnstown, USA July 1996.

This item was kept for later discussion.

8. World Congress 1999

The difficulties in organisatlon of the l999 Congress after Mr. Pornthep Srinarula was unable to continue wete discussed. The help of Dr. Maitree and Ms.Katharina Bless was appreciated and noted. The financial problems of the Congress were discussed and it was agreed to have a joint meeting, between IVU and the Thai organisers before the end of the Congress.

9. World Congress 2000

A report on the progress of the arrangements for World Congress 2000 to be held in Toronto, Canada was given by Kevin Pickard. They were arranging for 6-7 teams with some 30-40 volunteers were working towards the success of the Congress.

Firm figures for the costs of registration, accommodation and meals would be available around April May 1999.

10.
A) World Congress 2002

The only bid so far received was from the VSUK and it was proposed to hold the Congress in Edinburgh during July 2002.

B) World Congress 2004

Dr. M. Kakimoto, Council Member, said that a committee in Japan had been formed to host the WC 2004 at Osaka. He planned to make a formal bid during WC 2000 at Toronto.

11. Manker Trophy

The International Council appointed Vanessa Clarke, Kevin Pickard, John Davis and Hiren Kara to propose a person to receive the Manker Trophy during the current Congress.

12. Decision making by International Council

and

13. Use of Internet

and

14.

(a) & (b) These points were deferred for later discussion.

(c) Appointment of Hon. Treasurer

As Mr. John Mitchell was uriable to continue as Hon. Treasurer Mr.Maxwell Lee suggested the need to find a suitable replacement and invited suggestions.

(d) Appointment of Regional Secretaries

Africa:
The appointment of P.K.Jain as Regional Secretary was ratified.

Australia:
The appointment of a regional secretary for Australia was discussed. Robert Fraser was appointed as Regional Secretary for Austrasia.

Europe:
It was resolved that 'The IVU Council was unable to take an official view on regional bodies due to the lack of clarity in the constitution'.

After discussion it was proposed and agreed by Vanessa Clarke and seconded by Jashu Shah that Dr. Claude pasquini of Luxembourgh. be elected the Regional Secretary for Europe.

Vanessa Clarke proposed the resolution and Mr. Jashu Shah seconded it. The resolution was passed nem-com.

(e) Appointment of Hon. Auditors