written/translated by: Georgia Blackwell

Minutes of the AGM 2008

Monday, 28 July 2008 from 16:00 - 18:00
Kulturpalast Dresden
Schlossstr. 2
D-01067 Dresden
Germany


TOPIC 1: Roll Call

Present: as noted on attendance list

Apologies: Vanessa Clarke for the UK Vegan Society

TOPIC 2: Opening by President

Renato Pichler welcomed the participants and opened the meeting at
16:30.

TOPIC 3: Minutes of the last AGM in Vienna, Austria, 28 April 2007

The minutes were approved with two abstentions.

TOPIC 4: Report by the Hon. Secretary General

TOPIC 5: Report by the Webmaster

The word "Pensions" on the second page, line 6 should read "Guesthouses".

TOPIC 6: Report by the Treasurer

A breakdown of the Secretariat costs was requested. Hildegund Scholvien clarified that this covers mainly the salaries of the part-time secretarial support and the webmaster.

TOPIC 7: Report by the Auditors

TOPIC 8: Discussion about and approval of the reports

The report by the Hon. Secretary General was approved with two abstentions.

The report by the Webmaster was approved with two abstentions.

The report by the Treasurer was approved with two abstentions and one
rejection.

The report by the Auditors was noted.

TOPIC 9: 2008 Elections
a) Vice President: candidate Georgia Blackwell

b) Secretary General: candidate Shabari Monica Saha

c) Board Member: candidate Carsten Scholvien

d) Auditors: candidates Dr. Hildegard Hoppe-Strobel and Dieter Adlwarth

It was confirmed that these were the only candidates for the positions.

All candidates were elected unanimously.

John Davis, IVU Manager, announced that Hildegund Scholvien will step down as the IVU Regional Co-ordinator for Europe and has proposed Shabari Monica Saha as her successor. The meeting unanimously supported this proposal.

TOPIC 10: Strategies for future work

No input or comments were received.

TOPIC 11: Next AGM

Erwin Lengauer reported that Zagreb, Croatia had been suggested at the EVU Talks 2008 as a possible venue for the AGM and EVU Talks 2009. However, as Felix Hnat is currently unable to liaise with the Croatian group, this is uncertain.

It was asked whether Birmingham is still being considered as a possible venue. Although the new Vegan Society office is not practical as there is not enough space for a big meeting, another venue could be found. It was agreed that the aim is to hold the EVU Talks in a country where the veg(etari)an movement is not that large in order to show support.

It was agreed that the decision will be made after 11 September 2008, the review date for the prisoners in Austria, so that available resources can be assessed.

TOPIC 12: Meetings / Events / Congresses

Renato Pichler reiterated that the EVU will not organise any future congresses but will support events organised by member societies wherever possible.

TOPIC 13: Motions

One motion was submitted by the Board of the EVU:

- Addition to the EVU Bylaws: 5.2.5 All members located outside of
Europe must be contactable via a valid email address.

The motion was passed with one abstention.

TOPIC 14: Miscellaneous

John Davis put forward an informal proposal from the IVU Council that any veg(etari)an societies that are full members of the EVU would be offered free membership of the IVU. This would not affect the EVU's independence or autonomy to set the level of their membership fees.
The EVU would keep all subscription fees paid to them and the IVU would encourage any European veg(etari)an society approaching them for membership to join the EVU. The proposal was supported unanimously by the meeting and will be put to the new IVU Council following the IVU elections.

Erwin Lengauer asked whether the Content Management System (CMS) being developed by the EVU is a "real" CMS. Renato clarified that it is, but it is a very simple one that enables our users to make changes to the EVU website themselves.

Renato Pichler closed the meeting at 17:12.


Signed:

Renato Pichler - President of the EVU
Georgia Blackwell - Minute Taker