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Skål News October 2007
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Skål International Newsletter December 2007
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF SKÅL INTERNATIONAL
 As the year draws to a close and we prepare for the holiday season with our families it is appropriate that we think of those that are less fortunate than ourselves.
Three years ago the world was shocked by the horrific events that occurred in the Indian Ocean on the morning of December the 26th when the tsunami struck. Skål members around the world reacted spontaneously to the plight of the hundreds of thousands of people who were affected by it and gave willingly and generously to assist.
The fund was wisely dedicated to give assistance to children who suffered through this dreadful tragedy. Support was given to provide school facilities because we know it is only through education that we can start to eliminate poverty and the attendant evils that follow in its footsteps. Well-educated children are the building blocks of a stable economy, which in turn fosters tourism and eliminates the violence, which could otherwise flourish. I am reminded of these events by the request received and approved by the Executive Committee for additional funds to purchase tables and chairs for the students of the school we helped to rebuild in Baan Tasanuk, Thailand. These basics are taken for granted in our communities but were somehow seen as luxuries that could be done without until now. There is an additional benefit in our supporting this simple request as they are to be built by students of the Don Bosco School, which specialises in training disadvantaged boys in all vocational skills.
If we are to follow our philosophy of “Tourism through Friendship and Peace” it is vital not to lose sight of the long term goals as well as the short term objectives and it is only by ensuring that the children of the world are raised in a safe, nurturing environment that we will be able to sustain a peaceful planet. The funds so generously given three years ago are now almost exhausted, but hopefully they have contributed to developing young minds and have given confidence to the people from those areas that others in the world care. So as you enjoy this festive season please give a thought to those less fortunate than ourselves.
On behalf of the Executive Committee I would like to take this opportunity of wishing you all a safe and happy holiday at this time of celebration.
Phillip Sims
President SKÅL INTERNATIONAL
THANK YOU FROM PAST PRESIDENT LITSA PAPATHANASSI
 The following is a letter from Immediate Past President of Skål International, Litsa Papathanassi:
Dear Skål Members,
To some of you I had the opportunity to thank in person during the 68th Skål World Congress in Antalya for the support and the trust you have given me during my Presidential Year. Others I have met during my trips around the Skål world. This thank-you message is also addressed to the Skål members I have never met, but I am sure we will meet one day in one of the Skål functions around the world. Thank you all for making my Presidency an enjoyable, and interesting one!
Please accept my best wishes for Christmas and the New Year 2008. Let us all keep working together for an even more powerful Skål!
In Friendship and Skål
Litsa Papathanassi
Immediate Past President SKÅL INTERNATIONAL
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
During the General Assembly held in Antalya, the then Vice President Membership Development, Phillip Sims presented some very interesting statistics on membership numbers worldwide. This presentation highlighted the Clubs which had grown in the last year and the Clubs which might need attention. This presentation can be viewed in the Development Section of the Members Only are of the Skål International website or click on the following hyperlink: http://www.skal.org/pdf/devel_antalya.pdf
Remember the commitment of the General Assembly in Antalya (a) an increase in your Club’s membership numbers of at least a net 10% and (b) try to retain your existing members.
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
The portfolio of Internal Communications is a new one created following the Congress in Antalya and newly elected Director, Lone Ricks is the first to hold that post. The following is a message from Lone Ricks:
 By becoming Skål members we have all been given “a set of keys”. If we do not put them into the various doors, the doors will not open. The doors represent the benefits of being a Skål member.
At any time you are allowed to “give some of your keys” away, introduce a new member!
You gain so much more from a network if you are active. Think of how you can be more active in your Club. Maybe it simply means attending a meeting. In this way you support the network. If you are not present how can you benefit?
On an international level you should try to make contact with another Skål member. All you need to do is to go to the Skål website www.skal.org, click on members only, sign in with your last-name and your membership number - it is on your membership card. Once you have signed in you can change this to as password which is easier for you to remember. If you do not find your membership number you can always contact the Secretariat at skal@skal.org - they will be able to help you.
Click on any of the Clubs. You can review the members by category – hotels, tour-operators, airlines and many more. Automatically you will see 15 at a time, but you can change the number to say 50. The members will appear with their email addresses. Click on an e-mail address and soon you will be communicating with another Skål member - perhaps about business, hotel accommodation you need for yourself or a client or it could be just to say HELLO, I am a Skålleague from …..( Copenhagen). I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year. Please send my best greetings to your fellow Skålleagues in your Club.
Imagine how the good energy will be travelling around the world between our members. Try it – you will be surprised.
 .TRAVEL
Skål International is now registered with the domain .travel. Skål is also an authenticating company which means that all those Skål members worldwide can be approved by Skål International has being bone fide involved in the travel and tourism industry. An important announcement regarding changes to the .travel policy is available at the following hyperlink. www.skal.org/pdf/travel.pdf. The General Secretariat can now also be contacted at skal@skal.travel and this address will be phased in over the next few months.
SKÅL WORLD CONGRESS 2010 AND BEYOND
The deadline for receipt of complete bids to host the 71st Skål World Congress in 2010 is 31 January 2008. Skål International is interested in receiving bids, not only for 2010 but also for the following years. A Congress Manual is available and can be sent to interested Clubs by contacting the General Secretariat at skal@skal.org
 FITUR
Skål International Spain will have a stand at FITUR 2008 which will be held in Madrid, Spain, from 30th January to 2nd February 2007: PA VILION 14, HALL B. NUMBER 43. The Skål luncheon, with the presentation of the prizes, “Importante del Turismo 2007 ” , will be held on Thursday 31st January 2008 in the Sala Neptuno of the fairground at 14 hours. More information on the Skål International homepage or at the following hyperlink: www.skal.org/pdf/fitur2008.pdf
Skål International Berlin will again have a stand at ITB Berlin which will be held this from 5 – 9 March 2008. The usual Skål lunch will be held to coincide with the fair and the details of this lunch are as follows:
I T B BERLIN 2008 – INTERNATIONAL SKAL LUNCH
FRIDAY, March 7 th, 208 at 12.00 hrs to 14.30 hrs in the RESTAURANT PULLMANN
(ICC building, first floor over the main entrance)
€32.00 per person including cocktail, buffet lunch and one drink,
payable at the entrance, no registration necessary
Trade visitors may register online for the ITB using the following link
(starting December):
http://www1.messe-berlin.de/vip8_1/website/MesseBerlin/htdocs/
NATIONAL AND AREA CONGRESSES
The dates and venues for all of the National and Area Congresses in 2008 received at the General Secretariat are now on the Skål International website, go to www.skal.org then to Congresses and select National or Area Congresses. If your National or Area Congress is not shown, please send the details by e-mail to skal@skal.travel
GOOD WISHES
On behalf of the Executive Committee, the President of the International Skål Council, everyone at the General Secretariat we wish you a very happy and relaxed holiday season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
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