With travel and other restrictions preventing an in-person event, FIDI’s first virtual General Assembly took place on 23 June 2020. Despite the limitations of moving it online, and some necessary last-minute changes to the agenda, the event was a success. Here is a summary of the outcomes
FIDI’s first virtual General Assembly (GA) began with addresses from Secretary General Jesse van Sas and President Ebru Demirel. With FIDI’s birthday approaching on 16 July, members were asked to raise a glass to those pioneers who had the foresight to create FIDI 70 years ago.
A temporary exception to the Statutes was approved to allow the GA to take place virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions. In addition, item No 5, relating to a proposed FASI contribution increase, was removed from the agenda.
The draft minutes of the 2019 Extraordinary General Assembly – and the balance sheet 2019 of FIDI AISBL, including the income and expenditure accounts – were unanimously approved by the GA, and the Statutory Auditor’s report was adopted.
After due reporting by the FIDI Board, it requested the GA discharge the Board of its responsibility. The motion was carried, with one abstention from FIDI Portugal. The Board requested the GA discharge the statutory auditors of their responsibility for the 2019 accounts. This motion was carried with one abstention from FIDI Portugal. There was then a vote on statutory appointments.
The term of office for Board members is two years, with re-election possible for up to three additional terms. Rob Chipman and Freddy Paxton reached the end of their fourth and final terms as Board members and stepped down. They thanked the FIDI community, the FIDI office and their fellow Board members for their support during their time on the Board.
FIDI’s President thanked them for being such great leaders and friends. The re-election, for a period of two years, of the following Board members was approved:
- Vice-President: Laura Ganon (4th and final term)
- Treasurer: Cedric Castro (2nd term)
- Board member: Derek Duffy (2nd term)
The Board Nomination Committee presented the following nominations for the Board of FIDI:
- Aulina Mithal-Sood
- Dale Collins
The GA elected these new Board members, with one abstention from FIDI Austria.
The term of office for FSC members is two years, with re-election possible for up to three additional terms. The GA unanimously voted to re-elect these FSC members:
- Rene van Valen (2nd term)
- Mark Burchell (2nd term)
- Ebru Demirel (4th and final term)
The President ended the GA and provided the audience with a look ahead to developments in the pipeline, including updating FIDI membership categories.
