Skål International Newsletter October 2007

The stage is set and it is all systems go for the 68th Skål World Congress to be held in Belek, Antalya, Turkey from 4-9 November 2007. Almost 900 participants are registered for what is sure to be a great congress both from a professional and fun point of view. A small number of rooms are still available at the Maritim Pine Beach Resort for last minute registrations. The Local Organising Committee, under the Chairmanship of Asuman Tariman is working very hard to make sure the congress is a great success. This is the third time the congress will be held in Turkey and the first time outside Istanbul. The previous Congresses were in 1970 and 1993.

FLORIMOND VOLCKAERT FUND

As I am sure you are aware the Florimond Volckaert Fund was set up to help fellow Skål members and their families who fall on hard times. The responsibility for the management of the Fund is that of the three Trustees selected by the Executive Committee. The responsibility for the promotion of the Fund, both in terms of grants for members from the fund and the intake of donations to the Fund lies with the International Councillors. A permanent Council Committee exists to help with the coordination of the Councillors responsibilities. The following letter is from the Chairman of that Committee, Karine Coulanges, in connection with the fundraising events for the Fund which will be held during the Congress in Turkey:

Dear Skålleagues, Dear Friends,

As I am sure you are aware, the Florimond Volckaert Fund is our internal Benevolent Fund or, should I say, your Solidarity Fund.

You can find all the information about the Fund on the Skål International website www.skal.org and more information can be obtained from the President of your Club or the International Councillor for your country or area.

Of course, I do not hope that anyone of you will be obliged to call on the Florimond Volckaert Fund – FVF – for you or your family but you have Skålleagues around you that might be in need, who have temporary problems, health problems, etc. and you should not hesitate to let us know about them. The FVF is there to help ANY Skålleague in difficulty and you will find all the information about the procedure to follow on the Skål International website.

Each year, the annual congress is an occasion to collect monies for the Fund, through a raffle and/or silent auction and we ask the Skålleagues coming to the congress to bring gifts from their country or vouchers for accommodation in hotels in their country, etc. or, of course, to make a monetary donation, by cheque or bank transfer, in aid of the Fund.

For those who can offer a prize connected with their profession, such as airline tickets, train tickets, cruises, weekends in popular tourist destinations, entrance to tourist attractions, dinner in restaurants, etc. these will be very welcome and appreciated.

As Chairman of the Council Florimond Volckaert Fund Committee I thank you in advance for making a donation or offering a prize for the Raffle, before 22 October 2007. You can send your donation or information concerning a prize for the Raffle directly to the General Secretariat. If you are coming to Antalya, it would be helpful if we are advised, in advance, of your donation or prize for the Raffle, so that the latter can be better organised. At the time of writing we are already aware of various contributions pledged for the raffle.

This year also an art exhibition will be organised during the congress on the suggestion of President Litsa Papathanassi. We have several Skålleagues who are talented painters, sculptors, etc. and these articles will also be put on sale for the benefit of the Florimond Volckaert Fund.

The Council Committee is counting on your generosity; we need each and everyone of you if the FVF is to fulfil its role of helping Skålleagues worldwide in difficulty.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours in Skål

Karine Coulanges
International Skål Councillor France
Chairman Florimond Volckaert Fund Committee

ECOTOURISM AWARDS