Minutes of the Eusja General Assembly,
Copenhagen, March 20, 2010

Present: Hanns-Joachim Neubert – Germany (president), Barbara Drillsma – UK (vice-president), Viola Egikova – Russia (honorary secretary), Vesa Niinikangas – Finland (honorary treasure), Kaianders Sempler – Sweden, Paola de Paoli – Italy, Elisabeth Noestlinger – Austria, Marina Huzvarova – Czech Republic, Mogens Bisgaard – Denmark, Priit Ennet – Estonia, Raili Leino – Finland, Wolfgang Goede – Germany (TELI), Menelaos Sotiriou – Greece, Istvan Palugyai – Hungary (president emeritus), Elmar Veerman – The Netherlands, Alexandru Mironov – Romania, Merce Piqueras – Spain (ACCC), Christian Huesse – Switzerland, Werner Hadorn – Switzerland (president emeritus), Vivianne Thivent – France, Antonio Calvo – Spain, Marcenna Nowakowska – Poland, Adrianna Giannini – Italy, Janna Welander – EUSJA secretary.
 
Apologies and absent:
Albania, Belgium, Croatia, Portugal, Ireland, Slovenia.
 
Introduction:
Hanns Neubert welcomed delegates and informed them that Anna Nolan had an accident on her way from Ireland to Copenhagen and would not be able to attend. Paola de Paoli said that Anna had the proxies from Croatia and Slovenia, Paola suggested to contact Anna and to ask if she could delegate the votes. The Assembly agreed with that proposal.
 
Minutes of last GA:
Accepted with the following correction: Vesa Niinikangas said the bank % was zero, now it is 1,6%.
 
President’s Report:
Hajo Neubert gave a comprehensive report (included in delegate’s papers, posted in the virtual office on Googles). He said that one of the founding members of EUSJA, Dr. Hugo Obergottsberger passed away at the age 83 on 12 December 2009. The EUSJA Board has sent condolences to Austrian Association on behalf of all EUSJA delegates.
The President said that in 2009 EUSJA had 6 study trips, only one which was organized by a national association (Italy). The other trips were offered by the Board. He spoke about the WCSJ 2009 in London where EUSJA had organized a panel discussion.  He then reported about EUSJA plans for ESOF 2010 and the upcoming WCSJ 2011 in Cairo, where EUSJA is willing to contribute again with a seminar. Hajo reported about the Media Forum in Madrid to be held in May 2010. He said that EUSJA needs to participate in EU projects and mentioned some projects which could be interesting for EUSJA. EUSJA has also its own project – the twinning activities between the African Federation of Science Journalists and EUSJA, the proposal has been sent to WFSJ. A Letter of Support will be sent to WFSJ after the acceptance of the GA. The Board met in person in London and in Budapest.
 
Treasurer’s Report:
Vesa Niinikangas has given his report (circulated to delegates via e-mail, posted on virtual office on Googles). He said that EUSJA charged some money in 2009 supporting study trips (6000 EU), Lindau Nobel meeting (1200 EU), General Assembly (2000 EU), WCSJ grants (3000 EU). EUSJA paid Euroscience membership fees (500 EU) and expenses for secretariat, publicity, board costs. EUSJA has a good balance, but some member associations did not pay their fees (Albania, Germany – WPK, Croatia, Spain (promised to pay).
Vesa said that in 2010 EUSJA is planning to allocate 6000 EU for study trips, 750 EU for the Lindau meeting, 300 EU for ESOF 2010 and 500 EU for the Forum in Madrid.
 
Auditors and acceptance of accounts:
Elmar Veerman has audited the accounts which were accepted by the meeting.
 
Report of the Nomination Committee:
Wolfgang Goede reported on behalf of the committee (Wolfgang Goede, Elisabeth Noestlinger, Elmar Veerman). He said that the nomination committee has received a letter from the current board which was willing to stand for the elections for next turn. There were no other nominations. Wolfgang suggested the election committee from 3 members: Istvan Palugyai, Paola de Paoli and Werner Hadorn.
 
Elections and discussion:
Paola de Paoli said that since there were no other nominations and the current board was ready to continue its job, there was no need to organize elections. She said it was possible just to vote for the board. The Assembly agreed with one abstention (Vivianne Thivent).
Then the board left the room and was invited to come back. Paola de Paoli reported that the delegates voted for a second turn of the current board.
Elisabeth Noestlinger said that she preferred that the board members explain their visions regarding the future of EUSJA and their job. Martin Schneider said he preferred if the discussion was before the voting. He said he did not understand the interest in EU projects which he considered as PR, Martin said EUSJA had to think more about science journalism itself.
Hajo Neubert, Barbie Drillsma, Vesa Niinikangas, and Viola Egikova reported their vision. Istvan Palugyai, Kaianders Sempler, Marzenna Nowakowska, Alexandru Mironov, Elmar Veerman, Paola de Paoli exchanged views regarding the goals of science journalism. Hajo Neubert suggested continuing the discussion virtually. It was decided that Hajo Neubert would send to delegates the questionnaire, and each association would answer the questions. Hajo asked to send him the proposals for questionnaire. Martin Schneider promised to prepare the questionnaire.
 
Matters arising:
- The delegates discussed EU projects and decided to continue investigating EUSJA’s involvement in the PLACES project until more concrete information is given. Once it is clear what EUSJA can expect, the new proposals will be circulated to all delegates. Hajo Neubert can sign the contract and proceed.
- Vesa Niinikangas reported that the board collected the ideas from national associations regarding the Letter of Support to be sent to WFSJ. He read the text after the correction. The text was accepted by the GA. Decided to send the Letter of Support to WFSJ.
- The delegates accepted the collaboration with AFSJ (twinning AFSJ).
- Decided to take part in European Science Journalism Forum in Madrid and cover the event on EUSJA web page. Hajo Neubert said he had discussions with the Committee in Madrid and he urged then to help science journalists to participate the event. The result was 50 grants given to science journalists.
- The GA accepted all EUSJA activity at ESOF 2010 with EISJA seminar.
- The GA agreed that EUSJA has to take part in WCSJ with the seminar. Decided to continue discussion regarding the topics for the seminar.
- Proposals for upcoming study trips: Marzenna Nowakowska said that Poland wants to organize a trip to Gdansk in Spring 2011. Merce Piqueras said that Catalan association is going to offer a trip to Gerona in October 2010. Viola Egikova said that the board has organized a trip to Ispra in July 2010 and a  trip to Lindau in June 2010 and there are several negotiations regarding future trips. Hajo Neubert reminded delegates that each association has to organize a study trip at least once in 5 years.
              - Hajo Neubert reported that the board proposed new rules for EUSJA support for Eastern countries and study trips. Eastern countries will not be offered 50% of their charges for the trips automatically like it was in past, now the associations must explain the necessity of support. According new rules not only Eastern countries, but also others may apply for 50% of their travel charge for study trips having explained the necessity of that support. The GA vote for new rules (with one abstention – Raili Leino) with the following corrections: the support could be given only to EUSJA members after the confirmation of their associations; the support cannot be given to individuals, because EUSJA is the Unit of associations; the support is 50% of travel costs.
              - Kaianders Sempler spoke about new possibilities for the EUSJA web page and EUSJA blogs. He asked who would write an article for EUSJA Newsletter about the GA. Werner Hadorn said he would.              
              - Barbie Drillsma proposed to send Anna Nolan who was in hospital, greetings from the GA and flowers. Vesa Niinikangas promised he would do it with Inter Flora.                                                        
              - There were  proposals: from Elmar Veerman  to hold the next GA meeting in the Netherlands and Istvan Palugyai  for Budapest.  It was decided to hold the next meeting on March 2011 in Budapest. And the GA-2012  maybe will be in the Netherlands. Viola Egikova said that Ireland was going to propose Dublin for 2012. Barbie Drillsma said that Dublin will host ESOF in 2012 and the Irish association would not be able to raise any funding or support during that year - only if the GA was held in Ireland next year. Decided to discuss the place for the  GA 2012 later after having discussin with Irish association.

AOB: The board and delegates thanked the Danish association who hosted the GA and organized a study trip to Copenhagen research centre , the day before the Assembly.

Eusja board 2010: Barbara Drillsma, vice president, Vesa Niinikangas, treasurer, Viola Egikova, secretary, Hajo Neubert, president, Janna Wellander, Eusja secretariat and Kaianders Sempler, head of communications.