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1. On behalf of the entire Executive Committee, President Bob Price welcomed Luca Pancalli to his first meeting of the executive. Luca Pancalli thanked the executive for considering him for the position, saying it was an honour for him to sit on the committee.
2. The Secretary General, Enrique Sánchez-Guijo, provided an oral report on an EPC/IPC meeting with Mrs. Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Education and Culture and responsible for sport in the European Commission. Enrique had represented EPC at the meeting in Brussels while Phil Craven represented IPC. The aim of the meeting was to make initial contact with the European Commission and raise awareness of EPC/IPC. The meeting was a cordial one in which EPC and IPC outlined their activities and objectives to the Commissioner and she in turn explained the European Commission’s policy and strategy in the field of disability sports.
3. An update on projects submitted to the European Union was given. The Paralympic School Day Project, co-ordinated by EPC, had initially been rejected by the EU - despite receiving good reports - but following a renewed Call for Proposals under the same budget line it was decided to resubmit the project. It is now being considered once again by the EU.
4. Following an approach from Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, seeking closer relations and proposing a joint approach to the European Union, it was agreed EPC should establish closer relations with this organisation.
5 .The Treasurer Jürg Weber presented the final audited accounts for the year 2003 and the auditor’s report. These were approved as submitted.
6. To avoid financial difficulties as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates, it was agreed EPC’s dollar account should be closed as soon as possible.
7. Jürg updated the executive on the payment of 2004 membership fees. In general, members were responding well and ensuring payment of their fees in a timely manner.
8. Following the amendments made at the 2003 General Assembly in Athens, the EPC constitution now meets all legal requirements according to German law. This is confirmed in a letter dated the 15th of March 2004 from the “Finanzamt, Bonn City”, and EPC has now been declared a non-profit organisation with tax exempt status.
9. It was decided that EPC News would not be published this year and that efforts would focus on the web site and on the publication of a promotional leaflet.
10. The EPC web site has been updated, with changes to the design, structure and content aimed at providing visitors with enhanced, up-to-date information on EPC’s activities while retaining full accessibility.
11. In his report, Development Officer Sverre Bergenholdt informs the committee that EPC’s initial application for 2004 IPC Development Funds had been rejected. The committee notes this with regret but hopes IPC will accept EPC’s application when projects are considered in the second phase of the application process.
12. The committee noted Sverre Bergenholdt has tendered his resignation as EPC Development Officer. The committee reluctantly accepts his resignation from the post and thanks him for the fine job he has done since taking over this position.
13. The committee awarded the 2005 EPC Cycling Championships to France.
14. Technical Officer Karl Quade will contact the EPC sports co-ordinators for those sports which have failed to secure a host for their 2005 European Championships to request an update on the situation. Subsequently, and if necessary, a letter will be sent to all EPC members outlining the situation and inviting them to bid for championships. This will include a deadline for nations to submit bids.
15 Bearing in mind the Paralympic Games are being held this year and IPC is arranging an Extraordinary General Assembly, it was decided it may not be necessary to hold an EPC conference this year.