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MINUTES OF EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF ORTHODONTICS (FEO) GENERAL ASSEMBLY
HILTON STRASBOURG HOTEL
STRASBOURG, FRANCE JUNE 22, 1999
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Professor
J. Philippe, President of FEO at 14:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 22,
1999, in the conference room of the Hilton Strasbourg Hotel
in Strasbourg, France.
1. Absences.
Those present were:
Members of the General Assembly
Prof. Jose Dahan, Administrator of FEO
Mr. Chris Kettler, European Representative, British Orthodontic
Society
Dr. Robert Evans, British Orthodontic Society
Prof. Valentin Moutaftchiev, President, Bulgarian Orthodontic
Society
Dr. Michalis Papademetriou, Cyprus Orthodontic Society
Prof. Athanasios E. Athanasiou, President, Greek Orthodontic
Society
Prof. J. Campos Neves, President, Sociedade Portuguesa de Ortopedia
Dento-Facial
Prof. A. Finhao Ferreira, Vice-President, Sociedade Portuguesa
de Ortopedia Dento-Facial
Prof. Roberto Giorgetti, President, Società Italiana di Ortodonzia
Dr. Giorgio Fiorelli, Secretary-General, Società Italiana di
Ortodonzia
Dr. Thierry De Coster, President, Societe Belge d Orthodontie
Prof. Julien Philippe, President, Societe Francaise d Orthopedie
Dento-Faciale
Dr. Olivier Mauchamp, Board Member, Societe Francaise d Orthopedie
Dento-Faciale
Dr. Odile Steil Hutereau, President, Societe Luxembourgeoise
DOrthodontie
Dr. Germain Becker, Secretary-General, Societe Luxembourgeoise
DOrthodontie
Observers
Dr. Ronald Bjlstra, Vice-President, European Federation
of Orthodontic Specialists Associations
Dr. Wolfgang Schmiedel, Secretary-General, European Federation
of Orthodontic Specialists Associations
Dr. Robert Evans, Associate Editor, European Journal of Orthodontics,
European Orthodontic Society
Prof. Agnieszka Pisulska-Otremba, Representative, Section of
Dentofacial Orthopedics (Orthodontics) of the Polish Stomatological
Society
Dr. Z. Ziemba, Representative, Section of Dentofacial Orthopedics
(Orthodontics) of the Polish Stomatological Society
Prof. Nejat Erverdi, Representative, Turkish Orthodontic Society
Apologies were received from Prof. Mirjana Sasic (President
of the Yugoslav Orthodontic Society) who was unable to attend
due to the political situation.
2. Approval of the agenda.
By consensus, the agenda for the meeting was approved as presented,
with the President authorized to alter the agenda as needed
to expedite the business of the General Assembly. The agenda
as published prior to the meeting was:
1. Absences
2. Approval of the agenda
3. Report of activities of FEO since last general assembly
4. Relationship with other European Orthodontic Societies
5. Promotion of National Journals/Reviews and National Meetings
6. FEO website
7. Participation of European societies in the 2005 WFO Congress
in Paris
8. Proposal by SIDO for partial revision of the Internal Rules
of FEO
9. Treasury and fees
10. Date and venue for FEO General Assembly 2000 (Athens, Brighton,
Paris)
11. French translation of minutes
12. FEO logo
13. Miscellaneous
14. Adjournment
3. Report of activities of FEO since last General Assembly.
Prof. A.E. Athanasiou reported that at the meeting in London
in October 1998, Britain become a member of FEO. Since then
Romania has also become a member. The minutes of the meeting
in London had been circulated in January 1999 and approved by
all members. He has written to all non-members inviting them
to attend todays General Assembly as observers. The EOS/EFOSA
Forum of National Societies and the EFOSA General Assembly meeting
had been held this morning. Prof. J. Philippe and Prof. R. Giorgetti
were invited to attend both meetings to represent FEO as observers.
In Luxembourg, the Societe Luxembourgeoise DOrthodontie has
changed its officers, the President is Dr. Odile Steil Hutereau
and the Secretary-General is Dr. Germain Becker. Prof. Athanasiou
regrets that Germany, which was one of the original societies,
involved in the foundation of FEO is still not a member and
has not sent an observer.
4. Relationship with other European Orthodontic Societies.
Prof. J. Philippe said FEO has received a letter from the
European Society of Lingual Orthodontics asking to become a
member. The society has about 400 members, mainly from France
and Italy. Their next meeting is in 2000 in Brussels. Dr. T.
De Coster pointed out that it is not a national society and
FEO comprises only one national scientific society from each
country. Some members spoke in favour of admitting such European
International Technical societies. This would be within the
objectives of the FEO for promoting scientific societies and
meetings in Europe. Another such society is the European Begg
Society of Orthodontics. It was suggested that they could be
admitted to a new class of Associate member without voting rights.
This would require a change in the Constitution, which should
not be undertaken lightly. It was agreed that the Board of FEO
will study the application after communicating with the above
mentioned group and a possible change to the Constitution and
will report to the next General Assembly.
5. Promotion of National Journals/Reviews and National Meetings.
Mr. C. Kettler had written to all members in the autumn
with a questionnaire on their Journals and forthcoming meetings
and conferences. Not all members had replied. He had produced
a report from the replies received, which had been sent to all
members in February. A copy of the report had been sent to all
non-members in March for information and as an inducement to
membership.
It was agreed that this document is a core part of the FEO objectives
and that it should now be updated. Prof. J.~Dahan and Dr. G.
Fiorelli both agreed that this information should also be available
on the Internet. This was agreed, but it should not be a substitute
for a written paper document, as everyone does not use the Internet
yet. Prof. Philippe wants all the national journals to publish
the document. The French Journal has already agreed to do so.
Dr. Fiorelli pointed out that some journals are not published
very often. He reported that Italy will start publishing a new
journal in December, which will be entirely in English.
The FEO list of Journals and Meetings should also be sent to
non-members. It is important to include the message that the
meetings of FEO societies are open to all members at the same
rate of registration fee. Dr. Fiorelli said that some societies
hold meeting free of charge to members. It was agreed that in
such cases it was appropriate for the national society to make
a discount charge to FEO members from other societies and this
charge should be fixed by the national society.
6. FEO website.
Last General Assembly in October had agreed that Prof. Dahan,
Dr. Fiorelli and Mr. Kettler would be responsible for setting
up an FEO Website. It had not been possible to hold the proposed
meeting in Brussels.
Prof.~Athanasiou said this matter was too important to leave
until the next General Assembly. Dr. Fiorelli agreed. He thinks
there is probably no need to hold a meeting. Everything can
be discussed on the Internet. The website should include the
aims of FEO, brief information on all the affiliated societies,
the bylaws and information on all members meetings and journals.
There should be links to other orthodontic sites, especially
those of members. Prof. Athanasiou said the members who already
have sites are Britain, France, Italy and Portugal. Dr. Fiorelli
said the FEO.com and FEO.org addresses have already been registered.
We could use F-EO, but it is important to register the address
soon. It was also decided that there should be two webmasters.
Prof. Dahan, Dr. Fiorelli and Mr. Kettler must communicate soon
and work closely in order to materialize these decisions.
7. Participation of European societies in the 2005 WFO Congress
in Paris.
Dr. Oliver Mauchamp is the “Chair Organizer” of the organization
running the 6th International Orthodontic Congress
in Paris in 2005 on 11th to 15th September.
He presented a pamphlet from the Committee which contains the
following information:
The organization is called COCIO (Comite DOrganisation du
Congres International DOrthodontie). The next meeting of COICO
will be in Chicago in May 2000 during the 5th IOC.
The President of each national orthodontic society or his appointed
deputy, is invited to attend the meeting. Every European Orthodontic
Society is welcome to join the constituent Societies and be
a “co-organizer” and attend the Congress in Paris.
The rules for “Co-organizing Societies” are:
a) The president of each European society to be appointed
member of the “Comité directeur” of the world meeting
b) Each European society undertakes to bring actively to the
notice of their members the WFO meeting
c) Each European society will propose their best speakers for
the full sessions
d) The European societies undertake not to organize any national
meeting in 2005
e) The European societies could organize a short national meeting
(one day or part day) in the Palais des Congrès in their mother
tongue (translated into English) the last day of the meeting
called FEO day.
f) One member of the Co-organizing Society will be on the scientific
committee for proper selection of the lecturers in the scientific
program.
The rules on Finances are:
a) Each Co-organizing Society will pay the dues of their representative
on the COCIO. The COCIO according to the rules of the WFO will
not reimburse any participant to the different reunion: this
is taken in charge by their own Orthodontic Societies.
b) Any loss or benefit will not be supported or gained by the
Co-orgainzing committee according to WFO rules.
c) The charges for the national meeting held during the last
day of the 6th IOC will be taken care of by the COCIO
with the following restrictions:
i. Conference room will be reserved according to the request
of the co-organizing Society (number will have to be within
30% of the registrees or otherwise be charged to the Society).
ii. Normal video projections are proposed: projectors (3 Kodak
+ 1 video projector). Any special requirements are under the
responsibility of the Co-organizing Society.
iii. One translator (from native tongue to English) is bought
by the co-organizing society and will receive the set fee for
the day from COCIO (1000 Euros + Housing).
Nomination of representatives:
· The Co-organizing Society will propose a representative
person (President elect or other) to seat on the “Comité directeur”
for the annual meeting.
· The name of a scientific responsible person (well-known
on the international level) will be given for the full term
of the preparation of the 6th IOC until September
2005.
Dr. Mauchamp said the Conference logo was designed by WFO.
So far SIDO (Italy), SOBOR (Belgium), GOS (Greece) and BOS (UK)
have joined. The WFO have suggested the title “European village”
for the meetings of national European societies on the final
day.
Prof. Philippe said the members of the organizing committee
must have been chosen before the meeting in Chicago in May 2000.
The members of the “Comité directeur” may change, but it is
important that the scientific committee member remain the same
individual throughout the planning of the Conference.
8. Proposal by SIDO for partial revision of the Internal Rules
of FEO.
Dr. Fiorelli on behalf of SIDO had expressed concern at
the General Assembly meeting in October about the imbalance
between membership fees and the number of votes allocated to
the larger societies. It had been agreed to discuss this subject
in Strasbourg. He tabled a document which stated “It is our
opinion that with present rules there is too much difference
of the yearly subscription fee / attributed vote ratio, between
societies with large and small number of members. We therefore
propose the modifications of article 3 and 5 of the internal
rules.” The modifications were for a fairly modest increase
in votes for the largest societies and a change to the subscription
with a fixed payment of 200 Euros whatever the size of the society
plus 1 Euro per member up to 1000 members and 0.75 Euros for
all additional members. Currently the subscription is simply
1 Euro per member.
Under these modifications, Luxembourg with 12 members would
see an increase in their subscription from 12 to 212 Euros.
Dr. Germain Becker said he had not seen these proposals until
today and did not think they should be considered without prior
notice. He said the proposals on subscriptions would cost the
SLODF the sum of a third of their annual budget. Prof. Dahan
said the General Assembly should have had at least four weeks
notice. He said that if Luxembourg finds these proposals expensive,
it will be even more difficult for Eastern European countries.
Prof. Valentin Moutaftchiev wondered why we have the same discussion
at every meeting. Prof. Athanasiou pointed out that so far the
General Assembly has never held a vote and everything has been
decided by consensus. He does not think the number of votes
held by each member is the most important issue.
Dr. Fiorelli said the Italian problem was one of the apparent
imbalance between the small societies who pay a small subscription
and have a relatively high number of votes and the large societies
who pay a large subscription and have a relatively low number
of votes. SIDO members may be not happy with this situation.
There is still a lot of imbalance in their new proposals but
they are an attempt to make it more acceptable to their members.
Prof. Philippe said he could not put the proposals to the General
Assembly for a vote today because of the lack of notice of the
details. He suggested the proposals should be on the agenda
at the next General Assembly.
9. Treasury and fees.
The Treasurer, Prof. Giorgetti presented the FEO accounts.
There is currently a balance of 9.525~Euros. It has been decided
to change the FEO bank account and this will take two months.
He will send out new invoices to members who have not yet paid.
Jose Dahan said that Dr. Isabelle Schaack is very busy and has
resigned as President of the SLODF. She would like to be replaced
as Co-treasurer of FEO. Prof. Athanasiou thinks the FEO does
not need a Co-treasurer now.
10. Date and venue for FEO General Assembly 2000 (Athens, Brighton,
Paris).
Prof. Athanasiou said the FEO has received invitations to
hold the General Assembly next year in Athens, 18th 20th February, in Brighton , 10th 13th September and in Paris in November. Prof. Philippe said the
invitation to meet in Paris was only made in case there were
no alternatives and he withdrew the invitation. Prof. Athanasiou
reminded the meeting that in accepting an invitation, the FEO
is also agreeing to sponsor the associated Conference. He read
out the invitations from BOS and GOS. Both were offering a free
meeting room and free registration to their conference. There
was some discussion of the merits of each venue from which it
was clear there was not a consensus of opinion. The question
was put to a vote. The voting was in favour of Athens.
11. French translation of minutes.
Prof. Athanasiou said it is a requirement of the FEO bylaws
that the Minutes of General Assembly meetings should be translated
into French. He asked the members from French speaking countries
to take turns in undertaking this task. Dr. De Coster accepted
for one year.
12. FEO logo.
Prof. Athanasiou thanked Prof. Dahan for re-designing
the logo to include Eastern Europe, Turkey and Cyprus. Referring
to the letter-head, he reminded delegates that the General Assembly
in London had agreed that the FEO name would only be printed
in Latin, Greek and English. Otherwise the addition of new members
with different national languages would lead to an ever extending
list of translated names. It was agreed to use Latin and English
only, but the name of the Federation should remain in Latin
and Greek in the logo. It was also agreed that the “Main Office”
address will be deleted. Individual officers will use their
own address.
13. Miscellaneous.
Prof. Athanasiou asked all members to send him an English
or French translation of their Bylaws. There followed a long
silly discussion started by Prof. J Campos Neves who thought
there was no need for French translations. All should be in
English. The FEO bylaws is written in French and members were
given a choice of language to use for their translation. It
was eventually agreed that French or English could be used.
Prof. Athanasiou thanked the Societies of the FEO Officers for
their support of the FEO. All the work of the four Officers
was being done entirely without cost to FEO. He thanked the
French, Greek, Italian and British societies for their support.
There was also discussion on reimbursement to Prof. Dahan of
his expenses in the first years of establishing the FEO. There
was some inconclusive discussion of setting a threshold on payments
by the Treasurer without approval of the Officers.
14. Adjournment.
There being no further business, the General Assembly adjourned
at 5.05 p.m. The next General Assembly will be in Athens on
Saturday, 19th February 2000 from 1.00 p.m. to 6
p.m..
Prof. A.E. Athanasiou
F.E.O. Secretary General
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