MINUTES OF THE EUSJA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
MARCH 25, 2006, STRASBOURG

Present: Elisabeth Nöstlinger, Karin Rondia, Blanka Jergović, Jeppe Matzen, Liisa
Savunen, Vesa Niinikangas, Philippe Pajot, Wolfgang Goede, Hajo Neubert, Ákos
Gózon, Istvan Palugyai (chair), Anna Nolan, Paola De Paoli, Elmar Veerman, Mariola
Dymarczyk, Viola Egikova, Manuel Toharia, Kaianders Sempler, Irène Dietschi, Sabine
Schott and Barbara Drillsma (minutes).

Apologies: Delegates from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia
and Claus Nowotny from the ESF submitted apologies.

Minutes of the last meeting: The minutes of the 2005 assembly were approved and
accepted with one abstention (Anna Nolan who was unable to attend the meeting.)

Matters Arising: Kaianders asked for guidance on publicising board minutes. Paola
suggested they be circulated to delegates only and not put on the web site for general
viewing. The GA minutes, however, should be placed on the web site.

Introduction and thanks: Istvan welcomed new delegates and introduced Vesa
Niinikangas, the proposed new treasurer from Finland. He thanked Sophie Coisne, Lizet
Kruyff and Henning Klarlund, delegates whose term of office is over and gave warm
thanks and a gift to Sabine Schott, EUSJA secretary for her work over the year.
Annual Report: Istvan circulated a comprehensive annual report whose main theme was
that of a poor programme of events being arranged by member countries. Paola explained
to new members just how visits should be arranged, stressing how increasingly difficult it
is to raise financial support for study trips. She emphasized how important it is for
attendees to report back to the host country with any cuttings or transcripts. Kaianders
added that it isn’t always possible to write immediately a report on a trip, very often
stories come later and added that it should be remembered we are journalists and cannot
be told what and when to write.

Istvan continued by saying how the relationship between EUSJA and the EU was good
but that the board was aware of not being seen to be in the EU’s pockets. He was trying
to establish a good working relationship with Monsieur Baer, a former journalist who is
the new director of Science and Society in DG Research.
Progress on recent member associations was outlined. The Czech Republic Association is
small and in need of funds. It has a small programme and is confident of growing.
Portugal, twenty members now make us this new group but again funds are low and it
could not afford to send a delegate to the meeting. Slovakia, this association is in the
process of changing its structure but is still a small group. Israel - plans are being made
for a new association to be formed and Luxembourg has expressed an interest and has
received paperwork about EUSJA.

Istvan then explained the background to a proposal to increase the board. He said the
activities of the board have increased and each board member is quite busy throughout
the year. Jussi Nuorteva one of the auditors had attended the last board meeting in
London when this proposal was discussed. He supported the appointment of somebody
to handle communications. Anna Nolan said there was an old saying:” Shoemakers’
children wear the worst shoes.” This, she said applies to journalists who are often poor at
communicating their own activities. She supported the appointment of a communications
person and praised the improved web site, leperellos, newsletters and posters. Istvan
proposed Kaianders for the position, seconded by Anna. After a discussion when Istvan
asked for approval to amend the constitution to include a new board member it was
agreed to appoint an honorary communications officer, who in the first instance, was not
a board member but could be invited by the existing board to attend meeting and work
with the board. In line with existing board members, expenses would be paid for
attendance at board meetings. His role would be to work on publications and maintain the
EUSJA web site and lists. This was agreed and Kaianders was unanimously elected. His
position and that of a permanent post would be discussed at next year’s assembly.

Wonders: Istvan explained the co-operation with EUSCEA and ECSITE and the
Wonders project. He was particularly pleased that for the first time EUSJA will receive a
substantial financial contribution, outside of membership fees, for the first time since the
seventies. He explained the project which involves some member countries supplying a
journalist as a moderator at science cafes. During a discussion, Kaianders said the
Swedish association objects to participation as it is using EUSJA journalists as
loudspeakers only. Elisabeth (Austria) questioned whether it was constitutional for the
president to make the decision to taker part in WONDERS without the approval of all
delegates and Karin (Belgium) said her small group would not take part as the proposed
café in Belgium was organized by a Flemish group. Manuel said that such cafes had been
organised for years in his museum yet he had not been invited to take part and therefore
benefit from the money being offered. He was writing to the organisers. Barbara pointed
out that although it was a disappointment that not all associations were involved the fact
that so much money would be coming to EUSJA, money which could support smaller,
poorer associations, Istvan should be applauded for organising it all.

Nomination Committee: Liisa reported she had sent out letters to all delegates asking
for nominations for a new treasurer. Only one candidate was nominated to replace
Kaianders who, last year, was elected for an additional year and had to stand down. The
new candidate was Vesa Niinikangas, a Finnish writer, science journalist and writer. He
was unanimously elected and welcome to the board. Elmar Veerman and Jussi Nuorteva
were appointed auditors and Liisa Savunen, Wolfgang Goede and Viola Egikova elected
as the new nominations committee. Each year the board is elected for a further two years
(until four years has been served) and after a discussion, in the absence of the board, it
was agreed, with two abstentions, to re-elect the board. However, the delegates felt they
should have been advised of this action in advance and in the agenda in case they had any
alternative suggestions. It was agreed to place this re-election on after next year’s
agenda.

Treasurer’s Report: Kaianders submitted a comprehensive report which had been
agreed in advance by the auditors. He pointed out that the board costs were low as each
board meeting has been organised to “piggy-back” on an EU event so the Commission
pays travel costs. However, he warned he was not happy with this and we should try and
remain independent from the EU. One clerical error in his accounts – 4000.00 euros
which had been inserted in the wrong column would be altered. He urged all associations
to make sure they had paid their annual contributions. Anna wondered whether any
monies from the WONDERS project could be budgeted to help support new and poorer
associations. Istvan thanked Kaianders for his work over the past four years, both in
sorting out the accounts and presenting them in an easy to read format and for his work
on the Board.

News from associations: Delegates were asked to introduce themselves and give a brief
description of the activities their association holds.
Jeppe (Denmark) 150 members, five to eight events organised each year including
seminars and a large Christmas lunch. Vesa (Finland) 760 members. The association
organizes a collective copyright fee which last year earned 250,000 euros. With this
money it is possible to organise training programmes, pay for study trips for members
and to help out the Estonian association. Ákos (Hungary) 44 members, monthly
meetings, a science café and annual three day seminar. Also awards a scientist of the
year. Mariola (Poland) just 12 members in this new group and Istvan warned them again
to be a nationwide science journalist association instead of a regional one, due to some
Problems which arisen during the Wonders Project. Irène (Switzerland) With just 150
members Irène is confident that a study trip can be organized soon. She said the number
of science journalists were falling and communication members increasing. (There
followed here a discussion about the mingling of journalists and pr people as some
associations, i.e. Ireland, does not allow any non-science journalists whilst others like the
UK has a large number of communication people taking associate membership.) Elmar
(Netherlands) just over 200 members who take part in discussions, excursions,
workshops and parties. Elmar reported that his association had decided to stay a member
of EUSJA for just a further two years before deciding whether or not it was beneficial to
stay a member. Istvan pointed out that the more an association puts in, in terms of effort,
the more it will get out. Elmar also said that he did not think it a good idea to give any
new association money to set up e.g. Wonders money. He would prefer to see a section
on the website giving advice on how to establish as science journalist association.
Kaianders said he would look into this. Wolfgang (Germany) is a member of TELI,
established in 1929 with a comprehensive programme of events and strong view on the
history of science journalism. He said the history of Russia and Germany has shown in
the past there is no such thing as truly independent science journalism and he is asking on
a blog what the public wants and expects from science journalists. Elisabeth (Austria),
again an old established non-profit-making group. For the past eleven years has held a
award for the Scientist of the year. Have monthly meetings, university visits, science
cafes and a web site. Viola (Russia) says the largest problem in Russia is with the
reporting of para-science or false science. Her group holds science cafes every two
months and runs an Ignoble award for the worst articles published. For the past five
years has organized science writing awards, including photography. Has study trips and
visits and is investigating helping run an annual science festival. Karin (Belgium) said
there is a maximum of 30 members with only 20 paying subs and ten being active
members. All members prefer to work in an individual manner, not really interested in
committees nor working on a collective basis. They try and hold monthly informal
discussions. Do not liaise with the Flemish speaking science journalists. Paola (Italy)
said her association regularly updates members on what is happening in science. She
organizes study trips, both internationally and in Italy and has grants to help young
science journalists. UGIS has an ongoing exchange programme with Boston University
and publishes a members’ handbook annually. There is an annual science writing prize
and she wanted to place on record how good she finds it to have support from EUSJA
colleagues. Anna (Ireland) said her association had no funding, no subsidies and had
been in operation for 25 years. Membership was small, confined to active science
journalists only. There is an informal lunch each month and an annual briefing with the
Irish Minister of Science. An AGM and dinner is held each year and a speed-dating type
of event – where up to 60 scientists are available for brief conversations with journalists.

The Irish association liaises with agricultural scientists and journalists, is happy to assist
in mentoring new journalists and since 1999 has been informally twinned with Slovenia.
Philippe (France) The French have an active group, organizing working breakfasts and
debates with journalists and scientists and attending site visits with journalists The
association also helps younger writers and supports other science and journalism
organisations. Kaianders (Sweden) again informal regular meetings are held and there is
much co-operation with other Scandinavian countries, particularly involving study trips
and conferences. Barbara (UK) said the ABSW is the largest organization in EUSJA and
receives money not only from members but from commercial organisations. This money
is used to fund a grand annual science writing award scheme, bursaries for students
taking an MSc in science communication and for social events and publications. There
are three categories of membership - full open to science journalists, associate for pr and
science communication workers and student for those attending specified journalism
courses.

ESOF 2006: ESOF is taking place in Munich with an EUSJA seminar being held on July
18th “Science journalism under the microscope” looking at how science journalists work
and interact with scientists. There will also be a careers seminar, study trips and a party.
There will be money available to support one delegate from each country to attend the
seminar and study trips, money for one night’s accommodation. Hajo is finding it
difficult to attract funds. Barbara suggested contacting her friend at BMW.
Constitution changes: The main change in the constitution covers the new rule allowing
more than one association from a country to be represented in EUSJA. More than one
delegate can attend the general assembly but only one vote per country can be accepted.
Votes can be rotated each year. An application has already been received by the German
association –WPK, Wissenschafts-Pressekonferenz – to join EUSJA. This was agreed
and they will be invited to next year’s Assembly meeting. Akos asked that in future new
members come and address the assembly and Anna added a new association’s
constitution should be circulated in advance. Another change concerns point 2.2. in
Article 2 which now reads, under purposes and objectives:” to promote contacts among
the various member associations and among journalists engaged in reporting science,
medicine, technology and the environment.”

35th Anniversary of EUSJA: Barbara has started collating material for a
commemorative booklet. Paola presented Istvan with the original constitutional
documents and suggested any anniversary celebration could be held in Milan in
November and link with the Italian Association which is celebrating its 45th anniversary.
Paola will investigate funding possibilities. Istvan will invite M Baer to any celebration
and is looking into the possibility or hosting a special EUSJA award for science
journalism. Barbara will be writing to all delegates asking for assistance with material for
the book.

Website: Istvan reported that at the last board meeting it was agreed that it was
unnecessary and too expensive to employ professional services on the website.
Kaianders has been updating and expanding the site. All member associations were
urged to link their own websites with that of EUSJAS’.

Newsletter: Barbara and Kaianders will be working on the next edition of the newsletter,
to have it ready in time for ESOF. Barbara asked delegates to send her contributions as
soon as possible. Photographs and artwork should be sent to Kaianders.

Any Other Business: Istvan has sent a letter of condolence from EUSJA to M Boch, an
EUSJA founder member who has recently died. He also sent congratulations to Mr
Obergottsberger, another founder, on his 80th birthday.

Following the close of the meeting all delegates were invited to the annual EUSJA dinner offered by the European Science Foundation.
27/04/2006