INTERNATIONAL
SOCIETY FOR PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS
International
Committee Meeting: 11 February 2009
Minutes
1. International
Committee Meeting Number IC 16
President Blocka called the meeting to order at 9:30
AM and welcomed those present. The
meeting began with brief self-introductions of those in attendance.
President Blocka explained that this wonderful venue
in Thailand was selected for several reasons: to move beyond the traditional
European roots of ISPO, to support the many important activities in this region
and in the country, and to establish the precedent to host future IC meetings
at different worldwide venues.
1.1. Attendance
This meeting was attended, in whole or in part, by
the following persons:
Elected
Members of Executive Board [* = voting member]
*Dan Blocka (President) Canada
*Jan Geertzen
(President-Elect) Netherlands
*John Fisk (Vice-President) USA
*Carolina Schiappacasse
(Vice-President) Argentina
*Margaret Hodge (Member) Australia
*Arthur Mak (Member) Hong
Kong China
*Heinz Trebbin (Member) Germany
*Dirk van Kuppevelt
(Member) Netherlands
Mads Harbo (Honorary Treasurer
= non-voting) Denmark
John W. Michael (Honorary
Secretary = non-voting) USA
Invited Guests
Niels Petersen Manager,
ISPO Secretariat CPH
Rajiv Hanspal Representative
of Protocol Committee
National
Representatives
Please refer to the list in
Section 4 below for a complete list of national attendees.
1.2. Minutes
from prior meeting [Michael]
The minutes from the
prior meeting were approved as posted on the ISPO web site. LINK
2. Matters
Arising
Non matters arising were identified by those present.
3. PresidentÕs
Report LINK
3.1 State
of the Society
President Blocka advised that he is well pleased with
the present State of the Society, which is perhaps best summarized by the fact
that we have the largest number of paid members in the history of the
Society. Furthermore, we have 10
new National Member Societies in the stage of formation. In his travels to various NMS thus far in this triennium,
Dan is pleased to see so many active local and regional activities for our
membership. He is focused on
building stronger partnerships and collaborations.
3.2 Major
Initiatives
Transparency is one major focus of this Board, and an
ongoing responsibility. Timely
posting of the minutes on the ISPO web site is one tangible illustration of
this effort. Financial
accountability is another focus as we try to find the best balance between
expenses and activities. We are
using Internet technology to both reduce costs and be more responsive to member
needs. The new monthly eMeetings
by the Board, with some members logging on at 0500 while others are logged on
at 2200 local time, are a good illustration. Communication is another critical priority, with the new
eNewsletter as one example of those results. The Strategic Planning Meeting held in El Salvador is an
important investment in ISPOÕs future, providing a clear direction and
strategic goals to advance the Society.
The Board is also investigating the potential role of A Management
Companies to help ISPO accomplish goals more effectively. In summary, this has been 18 months of
intense activity to strengthen and further the mission of our society.
3.3 PresidentÕs
Activities LINK
President Blocka visually summarized his activities
with a multimedia presentation that will be posted on YouTube for viewing by
all interested parties.
4.
National Member Society Reports
Each NMS present briefly summarized their activities
thus far in the triennium. The
general theme that emerged was that while many NMS face strong competition from
potential memberÕs primary affiliation societies, those present are organizing
and increasing array of local and regional multidisciplinary activities. Those presentations can be linked from
the list of attendees below, which is in reversed alphabetical order as were
the presentations - further reflecting President BlockaÕs commitment to change
the traditional order of things!
|
NMS/Country |
Person |
Written Report |
PowerPoint Summary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States |
Rob Kistenberg |
|
|
|
UK |
Paul Charlton |
|
|
|
Turkey |
Serap Alsancak |
|
|
|
Slovenia |
Helena Burger |
|
|
|
Pakistan |
Dr. Bakht Sarwar |
|
|
|
Netherlands |
Harmen van der Linde |
|
|
|
Korea |
Bong-ok Kim |
|
|
|
Jordan |
Raid Alkhattab |
|
|
|
Japan |
Mr. Mitsuhiko Uchida |
|
|
|
Japan |
Dr. Takaaki Chin |
|
|
|
India |
Vinod Bhanti |
|
|
|
Hong Kong |
Kwan Hung-hei |
|
|
|
Czech Republic |
Jiri Rosicky |
|
|
|
China |
Bao Ping |
|
|
|
China |
Bian Weiguo |
|
|
|
China |
Li Luwan |
|
|
|
Canada |
Ed Lemaire |
|
|
|
Canada |
Steven Hale |
|
|
|
Cambodia |
Sisary Kheng |
|
|
|
Bosnia/Herzogovinia |
Wm. C. Neumann |
|
|
|
Australia |
Friedbert Kohler |
|
|
|
Argentina |
Maria Alicia Paleo |
|
|
In addition, reports were submitted by several
additional NMS, which can be accessed by the links on the Table below.
|
NMS/Country |
Written Report |
PowerPoint Summary |
|
|
|
|
|
Chile |
|
|
|
Chinese Taipei |
|
|
|
Germany |
|
|
|
Hungary |
|
|
|
New Zealand |
|
|
|
Panama, Dominican
Republic, Mexico |
|
|
|
Russia |
|
|
|
Sweden |
|
|
5. Finance
Committee Presentation
Mads Harbo presented a graphic summary of the Society
finances, which are healthy at this time.
We have a reasonable surplus for 2008, primarily due to increased
revenues from the World Congress combined with reduced costs for Board
meetings. Mads then provided
a breakdown by percentages and comparison by years of key functions.
6. Nominations
Committee Presentation
John Michael presented the List of Nominees for the
2010-2013 to the IC, noting that there are no recommendations for
President-Elect or Vice President.
This has occurred because the Constitutional Amendment passed by the IC
in Vancouver limiting Board members to two terms prevents any of the
experienced Board members from serving in the coming triennium.
CONSTITUTION NOTES & PRESENTATION:
Notes to Proposed Constitution
Powerpoint Presentation - Hanspal
7. Education
Committee
Margaret Hodge summarized the many activities of the
EC, which include many consultations and visits to P&O training
programs. The list of recognized
P&O schools at both Category I and Category II continues to grow. Additional initiatives include the
inauguration of an online learning program. Details are found in the linked report.
8. Ad Hoc Committees
8.1. Publications Presentation
Arthur Mak summarized the activities of this committee
focusing on our journal, Prosthetics & Orthotics International, the new eNewsletter, and the pending redevelopment
of the web site. He also
highlighted the new translation guidelines. Details are found in the linked report.
Wes Pryor spoke on behalf of the Web Development
group on their work to develop specifications for a substantive upgrade to the
ISPO web site, as summarized in the linked report. The goal is to complete a series of design specifications,
develop a Request for Proposals, and have a new, vibrant web site unveiled at
the Leipzig World Congress.
8.2. Membership
Committee Presentation
Dirk van Kuppevelt summarized the change to a four-tiered
fee structure, based on World BankÕs classification of economies, which will go
into effect this year. Membership
exceeds 3,000, which is an all-time high.
We have members across the globe in all levels of economies but the NMS
are predominantly in the developed areas of the world. ISPO is interested in increasing the
number of NMS and members throughout the world.
John Fisk explained that only one Short Course has
been scheduled for 2008.
Despite many expressions of interest, to date there has been no follow
through by those sites that seemed interested previously. John invited all NMS who are interested
in hosting courses contact him.
Details are found in the linked report.
9.2. Leipzig
2010
Presentation
Jan Geertzen summarized the plans for the 2010 World
Congress in Leipzig, inviting all present to attend this major event. Details can be found in the linked
report.
10.
USAID Grant Presentation
Jan Geertzen summarized the progress on the USAID
Grant, which continues to run smoothly.
11.
Moderated Discussion
The balance of the IC meeting was devoted to a
moderated discussion of the proposed changes to the Constitution as well as the
items that came up during to dayÕs discussions. The Board expressed its grateful appreciation to the IC
Representatives for their counsel and input on these important matters. The extensive notes taken during this
session will be used to inform the revisions to the Proposed Constitution and
to other Board activities for the balance of this triennium.
President Blocka adjourned the meeting at 5:00 PM and
thanked everyone present for their efforts on behalf of the Society.