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1. Opening
The President referred to the decision at the 1997 General Assembly in Paris to create an independent organisation with maintained association to IPC and to hold an extraordinary General Assembly in 1998 in order to discuss the constitution of the organisation. He reiterated that the General Assembly is the highest authority; that the Executive Committee had carried out the wishes of the General Assembly, but that it are the member nations which take the final decisions. The President announced that in addition to this topic on the agenda, there would also be an opportunity to report on the calendar of competitions and on the main activities of the Executive Committee.
The President welcomed all delegates to the Extraordinary General Assembly and conveyed a special welcome to Mr. François Terranova, IPC Vice President Games Liaison, and Ms. Carol Mushett, IPC Technical Officer.
Mr. Terranova officially represented the IPC President, who had regretted being unable to attend the meeting . During the conference Mr. Terranova had addressed the meeting and had referred to the spirit of unity and solidarity, which had lead to the creation of IPC almost ten years ago. He reiterated the importance of these key words and wished for a successful General Assembly in a spirit of co-operation.
The meeting was opened at 13.30hrs on September 5, 1998.
2. Roll Call
Delegates from the following 26 nations attended the General Assembly :
Austria Belgium Bosnia Herzegovina Croatia
Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Faroe Islands
Finland France Georgia Germany
Great Britain Greece Hungary Iceland
Ireland Italy Lithuania Netherlands
Norway Portugal Slovakia Spain
Sweden Switzerland
It was reported that Georgia’s application for membership in IPC was still pending, the required legal documents had not yet been submitted to IPC. Therefore voting rights could not been given.
The President reported that Bosnia-Herzegovina is a full member of IPC but that final confirmation on its payment of the 1998 membership fee to IPC had not yet been obtained. It was stated that there was no reason to doubt that the payment had been made but that it may be a matter of problems with the international transfer of money into the bank account.
Iceland moved and Sweden seconded for the General Assembly to agree to give voting rights to Bosnia-Herzegovina. The motion carried with one abstention.
The total number of voting rights was 25.
Further present were the full Executive Committee, European Co-ordinators or representatives for the following sports : Ice Sports, Table Tennis, Wheelchair Dancing, Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Equestrian, Shooting.
3. Adoption Minutes 1997 General Assembly
France moved and Sweden seconded to adopt the minutes. The motion carried.
4. Adoption of the Agenda
The President informed that that prior to item 6.1 a principle discussion would be held on the founding of a federation. Great Britain moved and Germany seconded to adopt the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
5. Report of the Executive Committee
The Secretary General presented a written report on the activities of the Executive Committee over the past year; the report is attached as an appendix to these minutes.
The Treasurer submitted the 1998 budget, which is attached as an appendix to these minutes.
The Treasurer reported that the result of USD 4000 on the 1997 budget had been transferred into the bank account. With the expected USD 3000 result on this year’s budget it was anticipated that the 1999 budget could start with USD 7000.
The different budget lines were explained and it was announced that a realistic budget would show completely different figures. The real expenditures are now taken up by the member nations of the Executive Committee members. USD 40.000 is the realistic budget for this year; there would have been a loss of USD 27.000. The Treasurer thanked those nations for their commitment and contributions.
The Treasurer further reported that there is no funding from IPC to its Regional Committees.
The Treasurer read the letter received from the IPC Marketing Director, Mr. Hugues Gibeault, who had asked to share the letter with the member nations. His papers “guideline principles for the Marketing programme” as well as “ Benefits to the Paralympic Family” were presented to the Assembly. (attached as appendix to these minutes)
Some questions were raised with regards to the Marketing programme, the products being offered to the Sponsors, and the rights within the individual nations. Mr. Terranova was asked whether he could provide more detailed information on the subject. Mr. Terranova reported about the resignation of the IPC Vice President Marketing and Communication and the only recent appointment of Dr. Nabil Salem in that position. He indicated that more information would be available when Mr. Gibeault presented a detailed report at the next Executive Committee meeting in December. He further indicated that he would report to the IPC President about the questions raised and would ask that an answer be provided to the nations.
Great Britain congratulated the Secretary General and Treasurer on their report and stated they looked forward to receiving regular updates. The Secretary General was thanked for producing an excellent Newsletter.
The Netherlands moved and Switzerland seconded to receive the report of the Executive Committee. The motion carried unanimously.
6. Founding of the European Paralympic Committee
It was moved by the Faroe Islands and seconded by Denmark to accept Thor Kleppe, chairman IPC Ice Sports Committee and Jonquil Solt, chairman IPC Equestrian Committee, as tellers. The motion carried.
Principle discussion
The President referred to the decision of the 1997 General Assembly to agree in principle to make EUROPC and independent organisation with maintained association to IPC.
The intention was to achieve a platform for interacting with European institutions for the funding of development programmes and projects in Europe, for the signing of contracts with organisers of European Championships and possible other partners and, for the responsibility for the European multi-disability competition programme.
In the past contracts with organisers of competitions has been signed without having a legal basis, which puts persons in a situation of personal liability.
In order to be able to interact with the European Union, a non-governmental international (European) organisation is needed.
The President reported that the Executive Committee has done its best to carry out the Assembly’s commission to come up with a draft constitution. The BPA and Mr. Bruno Meschiari were thanked for their constructive input.
The proposed draft had been sent to the President of IPC, Dr. Steadward, and to the Chairman of the Legal Committee, Mr. Francois Terranova.
Mr. Terranova was invited to report on the concerns expressed by the President and the Legal Committee. He referred to the letter written to the EUROPC President (enclosed) with a summary of the concerns and the position of the Legal Committee. Mr. Terranova reported that although 95% of the constitution is in line with the IPC aims and policies, the remaining 5% are in conflict with the IPC constitution, which is adopted by the IPC General Assembly.
He felt that those 5% were the hardcore of the concerns of IPC mainly centred on the following issues:
Mr. Terranova recommended the Assembly to allow the IPC Management and Executive Committee to discuss the concerns and to negotiate possible solutions in the same spirit of unity as at the creation of IPC. He felt convinced that a satisfactory solution could be reached.
Reference was made to the special situation with 3 other Regional Committee, the FESPIC for East Asia and South Pacific and the African Sports Confederation for Disabled.
The President remarked that although the Executive Committee of IPC never before took any action on other independent Regional Constitutions, he could understand that the IPC leadership is more concerned about Europe since it has such a major part of the programme. He stated that there could be no doubt that the intention with the draft constitution is affiliation to IPC in the form of receiving the duties of a regional committee for Europe and read out some articles of the proposed constitution as a proof of this.
The President reported that the Executive Committee had discussed the concerns of the Legal Committee and with the intent to avoid conflict with IPC, had tried to seek a solution, which would be acceptable to everybody. Therefore the Executive Committee proposed the following motion for discussion by the Assembly.
“To confirm that the Extra Ordinary General Assembly wish to establish a non-governmental organisation with legal standing in its own rights.
In doing so, it remains our intention to maintain association with IPC and to be trusted to perform the duties of a European Regional Committee.
In going through the draft constitution it is suggested that the Assembly should strive to amend the draft as far as possible to comply to the IPC requirements.
The Assembly is recommended to commission the EUROPC Executive Committee to negotiate any remaining concerns with IPC.
The actual founding of a non-governmental federation should therefore wait until such negotiations have been concluded.
It remains for the Assembly to determine if the founding should be done with another General Assembly or if it can be done by a postal vote.”
The President invited the nations to discuss this in a constructive and positive way, with respect for each other. It is the member nations who are IPC and EUROPC and who determine policies, structure and programmes, and which leadership they want. It is up to that leadership, Presidents and Executives to execute their policy; the nations are the highest authority.
Extensive discussion followed whether to wait with the creation of the organisation until negotiations with IPC were concluded or to proceed with the creation. It was felt that the creation of the organisation should not be delayed for too long since there were too many important issues that needed to be taken care of.
In addition the following remarks were made:
“The Extraordinary General Assembly of the IPC European nations, After having acknowledged the need for
i) a stronger identity when dealing with public entities and private bodies operating on the European territory, according to its own guidelines and rules, and
ii) greater autonomy with respect to the IPC Executive Committee, also in order to get and benefit by the necessary financial support to fund its own initiatives,
After having confirmed its own wish to remain within the IPC framework whose Constitutions and By Laws are fully recognised,Approves in principle, the rationale of the IPC Constitution drafted by the IPC European Executive Committee in conformity with the mandate conferred by the IPC European General Assembly, convened in Paris October 1997.
Gives the IPC European Executive Committee the mandate to negotiate the set of rules, in full compliance with the need and wish set out hereabove, with the IPC Legal Committee in order to obtain the final ratification from the IPC Executive Committee.”
Germany referred to the proposal of the Executive Committee and the changes proposed by BPA. They wished to make a motion for the acceptance of the first four sentences of the proposal on the precondition that the organisation remains an integral part. Great Britain informed they would second such a motion.
Italy raised a point of order and said they had already proposed a motion before Germany.
Germany raised a point of order and stated the proposal of the Executive Committee came first and that their motion was an amendment to the proposal and was seconded by Great Britain.
It was felt that the motion of Italy was already covered within the motion of the Executive Committee.
DBS moved and BPA seconded to found a European legally established non-governmental organisation at this Extraordinary General Assembly on the basis of the first four sentences of the proposal of the Executive Committee, under the precondition that this organisation stays an integral part of IPC.
The four sentences were read :
To confirm that the Extra Ordinary General Assembly wish to establish a non-governmental organisation with legal standing in its own rights.
In doing so, it remains our intention to maintain association with IPC and to be trusted to perform the duties of a European Regional Committee.
In going through the draft constitution it is suggested that the Assembly should strive to amend the draft as far as possible to comply to the IPC requirements.
The Assembly is recommended to commission the EUROPC Executive Committee to negotiate any remaining concerns with IPC.
The motion carried with 23 in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention.
(Although 24 votes in favour were announced at the General Assembly, a check learned that there could only have been 23)
6.1 Constitution
As a result of the IPC Legal Committee’s concerns, the Executive Committee had discussed possible solutions and proposed amendments to some articles.
Article 1.1
The Executive proposed to change the name into: “Federation of European National Paralympic Committees (EUROPC)”
On the recommendations made of Great Britain to keep the original name, Mr. Teranova remarked that according to the current constitution of IPC there was a conflict, he suggested to determine the name after discussion with IPC.
Great Britain moved and Switzerland seconded to maintain the name “European Paralympic Committee (EUROPC)”. The motion carried.
Article 1.5
It was suggested that an article describing the logo should bot be included in the constitution. The integration of the IPC logo into the EUROPC logo will be discussed with IPC.
Denmark moved and Germany seconded to delete the article 5 describing the logotype.
The motion carried with one abstention.
Article 1.2
Spain moved and Denmark seconded to adopt the proposal of the Executive Committee to delete the word “autonomous”. The motion carried.
Article 3.9
Great Britain moved and Iceland seconded to adopt the Executive Committee’s proposal to amend the article to read :
“To have, until such a time when IPC has established a Top Sponsor programme, the exclusive marketing and commercial rights of the events awarded by the EUROPC on behalf of its membership, especially advertising, branding, television signal rights and rights of publications.
To respect the IPC Top Sponsor programme once it is in place and to negotiate shares for the European Championships and the EUROPC”
The motion carried with 2 abstentions.
The BPA indicated an additional amendment would be proposed when discussing the amendments suggested by BPA.
Article 7.1
Sweden moved and Denmark seconded to delete the words “and is the European Representative in the IPC Executive Committee”. The motion carried.
The amendment proposals of the BPA submitted and circulated well in advance of the meeting were discussed.
BPA amendment proposal 1
Article 1.2 already dealt with – see above
Article 1.6 (new 1.5)
BPA moved and Spain seconded to adopt the proposed new article. The motion carried, however towards the end of the meeting and referring to the decisions after the principle discussions, BPA proposed to delete the article again and to amend the article 2.1.2 in stead.
BPA moved and Finland seconded to add to the beginning of article 2.1.2 : “To be an integral part of IPC and support its aims…..”. The motion carried unanimously
Ireland moved and German seconded to delete the new article 1.5 (proposed 1.6). The motion carried unanimously.
BPA amendment proposal 2
There was no seconder for the motion to add to article 3.2: “ while always having regard to, and in co-ordination with the competition programmes of IOSDs, IPC Sports at all levels”.
BPA amendment proposal 3 – article 3.9
BPA corrected the amendment proposal to read : “…while respecting the primary rights of the host countries.”
Mover: BPA – seconder : Denmark – The motion carried.
BPA amendement proposal 4 – article 4.1
The proposal was discussed in separate parts.
BPA moved and Ireland seconded to adopt the principle that no other member than the IPC member in a country will be allowed membership in EUROPC. Therefore the article 4.1 and 4.1.1 would read as follows:
4.1 Membership of EUROPC shall be available as follows:
4.1.1 the national organisation in membership of the IPC ( National Paralympic Committee or equivalent)
The article 4.1.2 and sub-articles to be deleted.
The motion carried.
As a consequence of the motion, the articles 4.2 to 4.3.3 are irrelevant and fall out.
BPA moved and the Netherlands seconded to adopt a new article 4.1.2 :
“The European Region of each IOSD in IPC.”
The motion was defeated.
BPA amendment 5 – article 5.1
BPA moved and Denmark seconded to adopt the amendment that an extraordinary General Assembly may be invoked upon the request of ten members in good standing.
The motion carried.
BPA amendment 6 – article 5.3.1
BPA moved and the Netherlands seconded to delete the word “general”. The motion carried.
BPA amendment 7 – article 6.1 and 6.1.1
BPA deleted the last words of their proposed amendment to read :” four members at large.”
The President referred to earlier discussions about the representation of the Eastern European countries in the Executive Committee and remarked that this could already be applied at next year’s General Assembly. BPA remarked that the Executive Committee also had the right to appoint people for vacant positions.
BPA moved and Slovakia seconded to replace with “four members at large”.
The motion carried – 2 against.
BPA amendment 8 –article 6.1.2
Reference was made to the new bylaws of the IPC Athletes Committee.
The BPA withdrew the motion.
BPA amendment 9 – article 6.5.4
In order to allow proceeding with the registration and starting a secretariat to function, the BPA changed the amendment proposal to read:
“to present evaluations and recommendations for the General Assembly of EUROPC from all bids and materials concerning the location of the permanent Headquarters;”
Moved by the BPA, seconded by Switzerland. The motion carried unanimously.
BPA amendment 10 – article 9.6
BPA announced that given some of the developments during the meeting, the motion was withdrawn.
It was agreed to include the language corrections proposed by BPA in the final constitution.
The President referred to the motion taken after the principle discussion on the founding of EUROPC and pointed out that now that the first 3 sentences were covered, the Executive Committee is commissioned to carry out the remainder of the motion, namely negotiating the remaining concerns with IPC, in line with the constitution as amended by the member nations.
Germany moved and Sweden seconded to adopt the constitution as amended. The motion carried unanimously.
The constitution as amended by the Assembly is attached as an appendix to these minutes.
7. Membership fee to EUROPC
Sweden moved and Iceland seconded that the IPC membership fee for 1999 is USD 200. The motion carried unanimously.
8. Competition Calendar and Cycle
The Technical Officer reported that subsequent to the recommendation at the 1997 General Assembly in Paris, European co-ordinators had been identified by the IPC SAEC’s.
The Technical Officer explained the procedures for submitting bids, for the evaluation of the bid, for the sanctioning by the IPC SAEC and the signing of a contract between the organisers and EUROPC. The importance was stressed that bids had to be submitted by the national member in the country.
It was reiterated that the sports are responsible for the co-ordination of the calendars with all parties, including IOSDs.
On some concerns expressed with regards to the cycle of competitions and multi-disability championships, the IPC Technical Officer stated she felt confident that through constant communication potential problems could be identified and avoided. She further reported that IBSA had indicated they wished to have World Championships in year 3 and would not have objections to European multi-disability Championships in the same year.
The Technical Officer presented the competition calendar and offered each of the sports present to address the Assembly.
The following sports confirmed their wish for a fixed competition cycle with European Championships every odd year : Shooting, Table Tennis, Wheelchair Dancing, Equestrian, ice Sports. It was reported that also Powerlifting had decided to have fixed competition cycles with European Championships every odd year.
A revised calendar is attached as appendix to these minutes.
9. Development Committee
Mr. Bergenholdt, EUROPC Development Officer, moved and Sweden seconded to adopt the following proposal:
“The EUROPC Development Committee is an advisory working group for supporting the Development Officer in the EUROPC. The committee works within the mandate given by the EUROPC to the Development Officer.
The members of the committee are elected for 2 years at the EUROPC General Assembly. The Development Officer is responsible for suggesting candidates to the Assembly. During the working period the Development Officer is authorised to appoint a new member in case of a position being vacant.
The committee works separately, this means that the EUROPC has currently no commitments to include into its budget the working expenses of the Development Committee or its members. However, the EUROPC shall seek funding possibilities through their budget, in order to find economic support for the work of the Development Committee.”
The motion carried.
It was moved and seconded to accept the proposal of Mr. Bergenholdt for the following composition of the Development Committee:
The President informed that since this is an Extraordinary General Assembly, the election would be valid until the next ordinary General Assembly.
The motion carried with 1 abstention.
10. Motions from member Nations and Conference Recommendations
The recommendation from the Czech Republic was dealt with under agenda item 6.
There were no formal recommendations from the Conference, which required adoption by the Assembly.
11. Next General Assembly
It was agreed to hold the next General Assembly on October 15-17, 1999.
The President asked the member nations to submit bids for hosting the Assembly by December 15, 1998 in order to be able to discuss the bids at the next Executive Committee meeting in January next year.
12. Closing
Before closing the meeting the President invited Mr. Terranova to address the Assembly.
Mr. Terranova congratulated the President on the conduct of the meeting and said he had appreciated the good atmosphere and the unity shown in this Assembly; especially with the unanimous adoption of the constitution and the wish to remain an integral part of IPC.
He reiterated that he would report on this meeting to the President and on the need to define and clarify the marketing rights and how to share them on national and international level.
He stressed the importance of unity and referred to the same wishes of the IOC President Samaranch and the wish of the athletes to have IOC recognition.
The President thanked the delegates for their constructive input and for the good spirit during the difficult discussions of the Extraordinary General Assembly. He thanked the city of Malmö and the Malmö Sports Club for All Disabled, for hosting the meetings, and thanked the delegates, the interpreters and observers and especially Mr. Terranova and Ms. Mushett for attending the meeting.
The meeting was closed on Sunday, September 6, 1998 at 11.30 hrs.
Hans Lindström
EUROPC President