Council Report May 2007

The council of EuRA meet three times a year, and then once more for a briefing during the annual conference.  These meetings take place in January, May and September, and follow a format that over the years, we have found is the most effective for us. 

The most recent council meeting took place in Brussels, on the 8th and 9th of May.  On the first day, the meetings of the various committees of EuRA take place from 12:00 until 16:00, when the whole council meets to hear the various reports, from financial and administrative to the reports from the Marketing and Conference Committees, to those from the Training and Membership Liaisons.    Day Two, is the brainstorming session, when current and future projects are driven forward with discussion amongst the whole group. 

Each year in June, the make up of the Council changes according to the results of the elections.  For a full report on the make up of the new council, click here.  This was the first meeting of the new full Council.   

The responsibilities of the new Council are as follows; 
President – Alex Ellis
Vice President – Margaret Moes
Membership Liaison – Kathryn Andrews
PR Liaison – Helmut Berg
Training Liaison – Ileana Clapham
Marketing Group – Nathalie Gazal (Chair), Eric Klitsch, Ase Lofgren Gunston  

Discussions in this meeting were focussed on the following topics; 

Support for our Worldwide Members – as part of a new drive to support our Worldwide Members, we will be hosting a cocktail reception for EuRA Members at the Worldwide ERC Global Workforce Symposium in Denver in October, at The Marriott Denver. 

PR and Marketing – The COLIBA, Glossary and Membership Expansion programmes are well on track.  The Membership Expansion programme is being undertaken by EuRA’s new Marketing Executive, Karen Knight, based at HQ who will also provide dedicated support to the PR Liaison and the Marketing Group.   

Conference 2008 – Lots of ideas for the 10th anniversary conference, which will remain a surprise! 

DSP Accreditation Programme – this has been discussed alongside EuRA’s existing Standardisation of Services and Best Practice programmes.  Focus groups to be formed to take this project forward. 

Changes to Affiliate Membership Status – this is being discussed along with other initiatives to promote Worldwide Memberships and general membership growth. 

If you would like to get involved in the creative process of driving EuRA forward, have a great idea for a new project or a conference or Members’ Day session, then please contact email us at the office, Alex Ellis, Margaret Moes, Dominic Tidey or Tad Zurlinden.