Minutes of Annual Meeting

IASSIDD QOL SIRG Halifax, IASSIDD World Congress Friday July 13th, 2012

Chairs: Alice Schippers and Ivan Brown

1. Meeting called to order at 1:09pm
Attendees Nancy Jokinen, Roy Brown, Barry Isaacs, Petra Bjorn, Jos Van Loon, Dana Roth, Alice Schippers, Ilana Duvdevani, Paul Ajuwan, Margaret Kyrkou, Sharif Al Mamum, Gabrielle Kowalski, Gare Fabila, Regrets Mian Wang, Nehama Baum, Marco Bertelli, Rhonda Faragher, Theresa Scaramella, Ian McLean, Fionna Rillotta

2. Agenda unanimously accepted (attached)

3. Review of minutes
Motion: That the minutes be approved Moved: Nancy Jokinen Second: Petra Bjorn Motion carried. 4. Secretary report None tabled, Fionna Rillotta on leave

5. Treasurers report (attached)
Because of tax laws in the US, we have closed our SIRG bank account in Texas and moved the money to the IASSIDD bank account. IASSIDD gives money to each SIRG based on membership – we have 142 members. A SIRG member is required to attend council (Ivan, or alternate, is the elected representative for the QOL-SIRG). The last council meeting was in Ireland and Alice attended. We need to budget for travel to council meetings. Our last roundtable was in Mexico, and the next roundtable will be in Amsterdam. It will be late September or October 2013. Proposal to put some money towards that event: $2500 What should we do with the rest of the funds? A suggestion: to use it for the travel budget of a SIRG member who wishes to present at an Academy event in a developing area where it may not be feasible to charge the attendees. Roy Brown: Regarding the academy, there is interest from Japan in hosting, and possibly including attendees from other Asian countries. Hoping to have a pan European meeting in Rome or possibly Croatia. Scotland, Ireland and England are also possibilities. There is another Academy being planned for Vienna for next year. The reason we charge for some Academy events in more affluent countries is that this can help to cover expenses for Academy events in other places where people are unable to pay. Dana Roth: Perhaps there is a way for the Academy to contact developing countries. Paul Ajuwan: Perhaps we can connect with national conferences where there will be frontline workers. The group was in agreement that using the money for travel to the academy is wise and Dana Roth and Barry Isaacs will form a small committee to decide how and when this will be spent. This committee will make recommendations to the QOL-SIRG Executive, which will make the final decision on allocation of funds.
Motion: to accept treasurer’s report Moved: Roy Brown Second: Gabrielle Kowalski Motion carried.

6. Interim activity report (attached)
Special Task Groups: Website: Alice Schippers and Ivan Brown will ask for volunteers via email to work on our SIRG’s section on the IASSID website-to be worked out. Policy development: We need representatives to work on the incorporation of policy and practice. Nancy Jokinen would be a member of such a committee. Perhaps we could ask Ian McLean. This question will be added to the email from Alice Schippers and Ivan Brown.
Activities: Amendments to items: (1) item 4. To be added to the academy workshops list from Halifax: Nancy Jokinen’s session. An Academy event was also head in Northern BC. Roy Brown, Nancy Jokinen, and Matt Janicki took part. Ivan Brown is also an associate director of the Academy. (2) item 9. Roy Brown and Rhonda Faragher book - perhaps moving to another publisher, Rud Turnbull and Ann Turnbull may do a forward or a chapter in this book. Trevor Parmenter would write the last chapter. Rhonda Faragher is also producing a book on education for those with Down Syndrome. May need a chapter on QOL. (3) item 7: Bibliography, Preethy Samuel and Ivan Brown’s students have worked on this but there is more to be done. Meaghan Edwards will help Preethy Samuel. Eventually: Annotated bibliography. Nancy suggested a lifespan perspective. For now chronologically.

7. Bylaws New bylaws have been approved by council. Probably SIRGs do not need their own bylaws. Roy Brown: A mission statement however should be added to website. Role descriptions deferred to next meeting due to lack of time.

8. Election of officers Roy Brown: 5 members are to be elected to the Academy board. We should have one of our SIRG members on the board in an official capacity in addition to Ivan or Roy who are on the board as it is but are not exclusively representing our SIRG. It may be that a name should be put forward. Roy Brown, Ivan Brown and Alice Schippers will discuss this. New officers election: Co-chairs: Alice Schippers and Ivan Brown to continue By-Laws require one director-only officially-so that they may sit on board but in practice we will continue to have two co-chairs Vice Chairs: Nehama Baum and Preethy Samuel Secretary / Treasurer: Nina Zuna (IASSID By-Laws call for one position for secretary/treasurer but Meaghan Edwards will act as an assistant to the secretary /treasurer specifically as Acting Secretary) Members at Large nominated previous to meeting: Keith McVilly, Gare Fabila, Rhonda Farragher, Barry Isaacs, Meaghan Edwards, Fionna Rilotta. Any other nominations on any of those positions? Paul Ajuwon for member at large.
Motion: That these positions be elected Moved: Roy Brown Second: Nancy Jokinen Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned 2:05pm

Closing remark: Roy Brown wishes to acknowledge the work of this QOL-SIRG regarding the Academy. The QOL SIRG was one of the first to join the Academy and has been very supportive from the beginning.