Report on the FIP Congress in Bucharest, 28 June 2008

by Darrell Ertzberger, USA Delegate and Peter P. McCann, FIP Vice President.

Members from 81 FIP Federations were represented either by Delegate or Proxy.

Report from the President Joseph Wolff

For a few years, member dues did not cover office or day-to-day expenses. Expenses have been cut (for example, part of office space has been sub-let to Swiss Philatelic Society), and no dues increases are anticipated in next two years.

The board is aware the FIP website has problems (www.f-i-p.ch) and is inadequate in many respects. But improving it depends on money. At a minimum the website must be updated with latest information.

At present, the Federation has 84 members (three had not paid dues or were not present).

Highlights from reports from Commissions

Fakes & Forgeries. The commission has changed the SREVs, and now recommends that original certificates be carried by the national commissioner, rather than placed in the rear of the page holding the item certified. While this places an additional burden on commissioner and exhibitor to organize all certificates, it eliminates a need to open some frames at the show, substituting a consultation with the commissioner.

Traditional. Changes were approved to SREVs and guidelines. In brief, they appear to align the rules with current practice.

Postal History.  Many changes were approved to SREVs and guidelines. Some of these are significant, such as recognition of “letter culture” items (ad covers, etc.).

Youth.  Several changes made to SREVs. The age for the youngest class was lowered to ten from 13 years. Changes were made to the number of frames that can be shown. Youth awards now include Gold (formerly highest available was Vermeil).

Report from Vice President Ray Todd on relations with UPU

The UPU estimates that total philatelic stamps sales worldwide amount to US $7.4 billion. 80% of philatelic magazines are in English. If possible, national federations should be sending a copy of their journal to the UPU. (Contact Peter McCann p103226706@cs.com for address).

Report on Future Shows

Reviews and announcements from approved shows.

12-14 September 2008 – Prague 08, Czech Republic – Limited FIP World (TR, PH, OFE, LIT).

18 - 21 September 2008 – WIPA, Vienna, Austria (FEPA).

10-12 October 2008 – Americas/SESCAL, Los Angeles, CA (FIAF Auspices and FIP Recognition).

2009

10-16 April 2009 – China 2009, Luoyang City, Henan Province, China - FIP world

2010

8-15 May 2010 – London 2010 –FIP World, but will have two separate displays of exhibits. First part of show will have some classes, then in mid-show taken down, and replaced with other classes.

1-10 October 2010 – Portugal 2010, Lisbon -FIP World and FIP Congress.

2011

18-28 February 2011 – India 2010 – no more details

August 2011(¿?) - PhilaNippon 2011 – Tokyo, Japan. Full FIP World. Patronage approved by Congress.

Changes in FIP membership

Approved change in Federation that represents Costa Rica.

Approved new membership of Guatemala, Montenegro, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Announced that Libya no longer has a Federation, so membership terminated.

Proposed Amendments to Statues

Passed. Housekeeping change regarding selection of auditor. Swiss law has changed and new working brings FIP statutes into agreement with it.

Passed. Gives Commission Chairman power to appoint up to two additional Bureau members from ranks of Delegates to their Commissions.

Passed. Election of Commission Chairmen are confirmed by Congress. Enacted term limits of two consecutive 2-year terms in same position and four terms total for Commission Chairmen, Secretaries and three elected Bureau members.

Changes to GREX

Passed. One frame exhibits are now part of all classes except Literature. Prior to this OFE was an experimental class. This finalizes status of OFEs. From now on they will judged by regular jury teams for their discipline, but will receive only Bronze, Silver, Vermeil or Gold Medals.

Passed. All exhibitions will not consider applications from anyone that has initiated legal actions in an attempt to change or influence awards of a jury.

Motions from Members

Argentina #1. Failed for inadequate majority.  Would have required election of four Directors: 1 from Asia, 1 from Americas and 2 from Europe.

Argentina #2. Withdrawn. Duplicates second amendment to Statutes mentioned above regarding appointment of additional Bureau Members already passed.

Brazil #1. Defeated. Would have required a FIP-accredited juror that changes country to either have permission of old national Federation to continue judging or apply to his new national Federation and apprentice again. It would have also required juror to give proof of residence to FIP. The injection of qualification of residency into juror approval was clearly not popular with a large majority of the Delegates.

Cyprus #1. Defeated, 9 for, 70 against, 2 abstentions. Would have required Continental Federations to approve at least two nominations for any FIP Board position. The Statues currently state that nominations for the FIP Board (President, 3 Vice Presidents, 3 Directors) come from national member federations, but be signed by the appropriate Continental Federation. FEPA – the Europe Federation- has decided to select single candidates for each open position at their annual convention. Since FIP Statutes currently require representation by Continent for the three Vice-presidents, these procedures, in effect, allow FEPA to appoint members to FIP Board. It deprives the other non-FEPA national federations of any say in election of those FIP Board positions, since all candidates will automatically be running unopposed. The motion of France, below, addressed the same issue, but proposed a more feasible solution.

France #1. Failed by three votes for a two thirds majority. 51 for, 29 against, 1 abstention. 54 needed. Would have allowed National Federations to submit nominations for FIP Board that were not endorsed by Continental Federations. This will be resubmitted at the next Congress.

Portugal #1. Defeated 27 for, 33 against, 12 abstentions. Duplicated Argentina #1 to increase number of Directors, make Continental representation for them mandatory, and give Europe two positions. Because this was not presented as a Motion to actually change the Statutes, it needed unanimous consent of the Congress. It did not even get a majority vote.

Portugal #2. Withdrawn. Duplicated previously passed motion to allow two appointed members to Bureaus of Commissions.

Portugal #3. Defeated 57 against, 16 for, 4 abstentions. Would have only allowed National Federations to nominate candidates to FIP Board or Commission positions that were citizens of its own country. This was strongly opposed by a vast majority of the Delegates.

Elections

Vice Presidents. Peter McCann of the USA was elected for 2^nd term and Jussi Tuori of Finland elected for a first term. Both were unopposed.

However, for election of the Directors, unlike Vice-presidents, the Statutes do not make it mandatory that positions are divided along Continental lines. Past FIP Boards have strived to have Directors from all continents, and when no Continent was represented, the Board appointed a Director for balance. In the case of the 2008 elections, FEPA had endorsed two candidates for Director, assuming there would be two positions going to Europe because of the proposed Motions mentioned above. It turned out only one of FEPA’s candidates, Bernard Jimenez, was elected. The other open position went to Paulo Comelli from the Americas.

Directors. Two positions open, five candidates: Enrique Bialikamien (Costa Rica), Paulo Comelli (Paraguay), Dieter Hartig (Germany), Bernard Jimenez (France), Eliseo Otero (Argentina).  Results: Jimenez 68; Comelli 38, Otero 27, Hartig 23; Bialikamien 2; spoiled ballots 4. Jimenez and Comelli were elected. What was particularly evident was the European Federations did not just vote for European candidates but rather voted on personal preferences and qualifications, a healthy sign for FIP.