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| ASSOCIATION NEWS | NEWS | REPORTS | FORUM | ON-LINE | CONTACT USIAL Council meeting (The Linnean Society of London 10/1
1998)
Present: H. M. Jahns, E. Farkas, X. Llimona, P.L. Nimis, T.
Randlane, C. Smith, M. Wedin. - The President greeted the Council members, and the members
of the Constitution Committee, that were present. The meeting discussed three main
subjects: 1) IAL in the international arena. The meeting recognised that lichenology must
have a strong voice in the international scene, and IAL is the only organisation which can
take on this role. We (IAL) must ensure that lichenological interests are represented on
the board of major mycological and botanical societies, and we must be well represented at
the major international meetings and congresses, particularly in the planning stages. All
Council Officers and members-at-large should be able to represent IAL at congresses and
meetings. Otherwise, someone should be officially nominated to represent IAL at associate
societies meetings and conferences. 2) IAL financing. It was clear to those meeting that
we need to stop moving money around between countries every four years. Assistant
treasurers (not policy making) should have local accounts for IAL. The IAL gets at present
no interest on its bank accounts, this is clearly needed and future assistant treasurers
should arrange these kinds of accounts. The need to be registered as a non-profit
organisation was discussed. It was not clear if a registration in one country was
recognised in other countries as well. 3) IAL Constitution and Council. The meeting
discussed the possible development of IAL into a federation of local and regional
affiliated societies. Members of these associated societies might automatically become
members of the IAL and receive the Newsletter. The Newsletter would then be distributed by
the local organisations. If we become a federation, members-at-large will be of more
importance as they could be representatives of, and perhaps appointed by, local societies.
It was acknowledged that if we want to make IAL a federation, we need dramatic changes in
the constitution. A federation would lead to benefits for both the local societies and
IAL. The local societies could arrange items for the IAL agenda; field meetings, local
conferences and workshops. IAL would become the local societies' voice in the
international arena. The meeting also recognised the need both for continuity and regular
change in the Council. It should be possible to elect former Council Officers to other
posts in Council, but re-election to the same office needs further discussion. The
retiring President should probably become a member-at-large, to ensure continuity. In the
Constitution, a statement on how the financial records are to be checked, must be
included.
M. Wedin, London
Nominations for the Acharius medal and the Mason Hale award
All IAL members are kindly requested to send to the Secretary, D.
Triebel, nominations for the Acharius medal and the Mason Hale award, which will be
assigned on the occasion of the next IAL symposium in Barcelona.
Treasurer´s Report
At the beginning of 1998 many members sent cheques or bank transfers
to my address or to F. Lutzoni. Ca. US$ 8,000 are on deposit. As the printing costs for
the Newsletter are kindly covered by the Editor, we can continue sending the Newsletter
also to members who have not yet paid. However, future costs (IAL4, Acharius Medals, etc.)
should be considered. During the Council Meeting in London (January 1998) it was decided
to prolong the deadline for paying the membership fee until July 31, 1998. Several members
have paid only until 1998, therefore a payment for 1999-2000 will also be necessary soon.
Thanks to those who have already paid their dues. The following accounts are available: 1)
Edit Farkas, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-2163
Vácrátót, Hungary - cheques should be made payable to Hungarian Foreign Trade Bank,
H-1051 Budapest, Szent István tér 11, Acc. no.: 501-00047-2100-4019 MTA TUDOMANY (the
account holder is the Dept. International Relations, Hungarian Academy of Sciences), as
remark please add "IAL membership fee 1997-98 (or 1997-2000)" - All fees should
be paid in US dollars! You are kindly requested to add US$ 5 for bank charges if you send
a cheque, or, in case of bank transfer, the sender should pay all bank fees. 2) IAL dues
can be also paid to: François Lutzoni, Deputy Treasurer, Center for Evolutionary and
Environmental Biology, Dept. of Botany, The Field Museum of Natural History, Roosevelt
Road at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, USA. In this case there is no bank service
charge.
E. Farkas, Budapest
New Members
Explanation of the fields: name, institute, street, town,
country, fax number, e-mail, telephone.
IAL membership address changes