Minutes of the Committee Meeting
Held on 7 October 2005
at
Hotel Belle-Vue, Ave Marie Therese,
Lux-Ville.
Meeting opened at 19.40
Present:
Ruth Springham (RS) Chairperson
Deirdre Wolohan (DW)
Luz Arenas (LA)
Monique Bachner (MB)
Lisa McLean (LM)
Thea Van Tonder (TT)
1. Apologies for Absence
Deborah Maher (DM)
Marjolijn Thieke (M)
Judy Critchley (JC)
2. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were adopted and it was agreed that
action points outstanding from 11th July and 7th September would be carried
forward.
3. Review of outstanding action points
See table at end of minutes for those still outstanding
4. President’s report
RS reported that she had received copies of the latest Amcham newsletter,
which carried the agreed Network article plus photo of the committee. She
had contacted Entreprises and Femmes Magazine, the former would take our
speaker programme for 2006 in mid December (she forwarded an e-mail to
DM on this matter). She has contacted potential speakers and is awaiting
feedback from them
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5. Vice President’s report
DW has reviewed, priced and ordered a projector for the Network and
delivery will be in time for the next meeting (RS paid for it on her credit card
and will be re-imbursed). DW has also been looking into the cost of getting
the flyers printed using an on-line company.
6. Treasurer’s report
MT had sent RS a report saying that the insurance invoice had been paid. DW
queried the need for this and MB will look into it. Both charities have now
been paid. She is unsure of the status with the dollar payment to a US based
charity and thought either JC or TT was handing this. She has cancelled the
standing order to Pairs Inc but will check the bank statements that these are
no longer being deducted. RS is still to be made a signatory on the bank
accounts. DW asked whether we had paid our subs to CID and if Ajilon had
been invoiced for their ad on our website – MT to follow up.
7. General Secretary’s report
Registre de Commerce
o still waiting for signed forms from MT & LA
o current register extract very outdated – need to remove
o to be added to Secretary job description
Data Protection – discussed and requires further investigation
Insurance – M to circulate a copy of insurances for evaluation of why
required etc.
Labels – it was agreed to maintain the status quo
8. Membership Secretary’s report
TvT showed a table of where members stated they had heard of The Network
125 paid members + honorary (9 new last month)
Unpaid fees – MT & TvT to chase
9. Editor’s report
Newletter draft up on CMS
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10. PR / Media
Press release drafted for, inter alia, PaperJam
o LM to circulate
o LM to translate to German
o MB to translate to French
Flyers – LA to get more quotes for Monday; LM to circulate draft
LM/LA/DM to draw up list with publications, contacts, deadlines etc. with
LA taking the lead.
Business Cards – DW redoing the logo & will order 1000 this week
11. Website Coordinator’s report
Nothing to report.
DW mentioned that the Google AdSense was generating income and was to
extended to other pages, however she had contacted Google to ensure the ads
were more pertinent. All Committee to look at these and let MB know if they
object or have other comments.
12. A.O.B.
A) MC proposal “Taking the Network Further”
o Merits further consideration, however concerns regarding costs, time
input, look of website and professional impression (e.g. would take
Network profile up or down). Additional concerns about amount of time
required to start and also keep running.
o Current proposal gives away too much free advertising plus would incur
costs such as redesign of the website.
B) Meetings
o 19 Oct Meeting advertised
o AMCHAM – RS keeping in contact with Margot Parra. Committee to
wear badges and sit at different tables (spread out). TvT, LM, MB, DW,
RS confirmed so far.
o 16 Nov – Body, Mind & Soul – MB to contact shop “Body & Mind” to see
if want to put something out (NB Sofitel does not allow outside drinks)
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o RS to contact new US Ambassador (female)
o RS to invite Martine of EWMD to a meeting (e.g. February or 15th
Anniversary)
o Buying a House to be followed up
o Agreed to try to organise more sponsorship of Meetings and events,
tailored to the specific topic.
C) Golf Day - postponed to Spring
D) Xmas event – DW organising together with Sionaid O’Donnell
E) 15th Anniv. – to discuss at next Committee Meeting; RS to bring boxes for
TvT & MB
F) Projector – ordered for approx €500. MT to confirm payment.
G) Membership rates – to be discussed at next meeting
H) Handover procedure notes – 3 committee members standing down next year
so need to ensure goes smoothly.
Agreed to pool job descriptions into one document to all aware of what
everyone should be doing.
All Committee to update their job descriptions and forward to RS to pool &
then circulate.
13. Date and venue of next meeting
Wednesday 9 November at Ruth’s house from 19.30
ACTION POINTS ARE IN BOLD AND ITALICS
Meeting closed at 21.05
Minutes prepared by : MB/RS
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Action Due date
MONTHLY MEETING / NEWSLETTER
RS to arrange meeting with Ministry of Date arranged
Equal Opportunities
RS (and any others who wish!) to contact
possible speakers
TREASURY
MT to arrange re-imbursement of RS for
projector
MT to check with TT for payment of fees
by Valerie Hervé
MT to confirm other payments and
invoicing
MEMBERSHIP ISSUES
All committee to consider means of Come to next meeting with list
increasing the Network’s profile and mix of places/companies for flyers
MEDIA
DW/DM to follow up re. flyers Done – 5,000 in RS’s basement
DM to circulate current press list to all
committee for comments
LEGAL
Data Protection to be furthered (MB, DW,
JC)
MB to check on insurance issue
MT and LA still to fill in forms for RdC
XMAS EVENT
DW & SOD to follow-up and organise Reduced to gluhwein evening
Xmas event at Xmas market
15th ANNIVERSARY EVENT
RS, MB, TvT to progress 15th anniversary
event. RS to supply old archives
RS to request “old” members if they
would like to assist.
MISCELLANEOUS
Sofitel – RS to contact Sofitel Done – see e-mail
CMS – help files still required from
Thelma, Paula, DM and DW
RS - Job description of all committee to Done, attached
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be circulated, updated by committee
member and sent back to RS
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