IFFR WORLD PRESIDENTS REPORT 

AGM 2005

This year has been busier than I anticipated when I took over the President’s role from Tony Watson last June. I suspect however that every President finds that – busy yes, frustrating on occasions - perhaps, but enjoyable and rewarding – always. In the last year I have visited three continents – the other two are firmly in my plans for the next twelve months. My Section visits have stretched two thirds around the world. I have flown through steamy lava in Hawaii, been the aerobatic display in Holland and water flown in Italy.

An organisation such as ours does not work without the dedication of its leaders – the Section Chiefs, the regional Vice Presidents, the International Editor and the Webmasters. I must give a special thanks to Peter More who, when I asked him, took on the Webmaster role without any hesitation. To all of them I would express my deepest gratitude – without you the Organisation would be nothing. I would like to make a special thank you to our Secretary/Treasurer Tom Surowka. Tom, like most secretaries in volunteer organisations, takes a bit of stick from time to time. I know that from working with Tom at first hand that he puts in a heck of lot work that most of us just don’t realise. Tom has told us that he will give up the position in twelve months time or so – Tom, you will be a hard act to follow – take a bow. My final thank you is to you, the wider membership of IFFR – wherever Alisma and I have gone in the last year we have been greeted most warmly and looked after royally – thanks to you all.

The biggest challenge that we faced in the last twelve months was the threat that emerged to all Fellowships within RI. A Code of Practice issued by Evanston would have required Fellowships to take out worldwide insurance and furthermore to indemnify RI against any claim that might arise from their activities. Working with Bill Robinson from Seattle who is both an IFFR member and also incoming Commodore of the Yachting Fellowship we mobilised the Fellowship movement and achieved a notable success when the policy was rescinded. I don’t know how many letters and emails were written – I lost count - but they were effective. My personal view is that the RI Board when they made their deliberations on this did not intend that it should be interpreted in the manner adopted by those who drew up the Code of Practice. I must emphasise that is a personal view – but I would particularly thank two IFFR members who have sat on the Board for their efforts on behalf of all the Fellowships, Mike Pinson and John Eberhard.

As I have gone around Sections perhaps the most consistent request was for the Directory to be reinstated on an annual basis. I am pleased that we found the money to issue a Directory to mark our 40^th year. I am also pleased that that we have made the type bigger – eyesight is one of our failing qualities as we age!

On organisational matters I believe that we have come up with a balanced solution to potential financial problem that life memberships could have given us in the future. We have protected the current Life Members but frozen that category of membership and thus protected the wider membership. We have also drawn a line under a significant backlog in subscriptions in the Americas Region. Diana and Phil Livingstone have worked hard on this and I believe that we can now look to the future and see a growing Americas membership.

If we are to go forward and develop our membership it is to the activities in our Sections that we must give our attention. Members and prospective members will rightly ask, “What do I get from my dues?” It is no coincidence that it is the Sections that are most active in terms of activities are the strongest in terms of membership. It is the Sections that matter in IFFR - centrally and regionally we can give the structure to the Fellowship but matters most to our members is what is happening in their territory. For those of you who feel you are doing enough I would ask you to consider is it still relevant or have you got into a groove. To those whose activities are sparse to ask yourselves how you are going to change that. It makes answering the question – “What do I get out of joining IFFR a heck of a lot easier to answer.”

I wish you all well in the next twelve months – I hope I can last the pace!

Earlier I mentioned the various people that I wanted to thank – I missed someone out – a Rotarian and IFFR member – Alisma, my wife – I thank her for her unfailing support.

Angus Clark
World President 2004-2006