Minutes February 2009
Minutes of extraordinary assembly of representatives February 2009
1: Opening of the meeting
The president of NordAN welcomed all to the meeting. As there were no representatives present, who did not understand one of the Scandinavian languages it was suggested, that all spoke either in English, which is going to be the “working language” of NordAN when adopting the new Statutes – or in a Scandinavian language. A special welcome was given to the speaker of the agenda point 9, Karen Elmeland.
2: Adoption of the agenda
The assembly adopted the agenda.
Election of presidium for the meeting
a. Chairman: Tue Westing, president, Alkoholpolitisk Landsråd, Dernmark
b. Secretary: Hasse Schneidermann, secretary general, NordAN
c. Two persons to sign the minutes of the meeting
Marit Barene, Landslaget for Rusfri Opvækst, Norge
Rolf Bromme, Nykterhetsrörelsens samorganisation i Stockholm, Sverige
3: Decision if the meeting is called in a proper manner
Hasse Schneidermann pointed out, that the meeting was called by e-mail 15.12.2008 and that all proposals had been sent by e-mail 20.1.2009 according to the statutes.
The meeting found that it had been called according to statutes.
4: Adoption of the list of members with voting rights at the meeting
A participants list was circulated. 17 organisations with voting rights were represented at the meeting.
5: Proposal from the board to change the statutes concerning the procedure for electing the board
Gabriel Romanus went back to the discussion about the procedure for electing the board in the ordinary assembly in Tallinn 2008 and explained the background for the board proposal. He pointed out that the proposed statutes had been circulated two months before the meeting of the extraordinary assembly, and that no objections to the changes had been voiced from the members. The only proposed change had come from Metodistkirkens Råd for Folkesundhed, to have the NordAN assembly only every second year. The board proposed that this issue should be put on the agenda for the ordinary assembly in Helsinki 24.10.2009 with the comments from the board.
The new statutes of NordAN, were accepted unanimously by the Assembly.
(17 votes counted)
6: NordAN priorities and plan of action 2009
Gabriel Romanus explained the background of the proposals. Dag Endal, Actis, referring to the short debate on the original proposal from Actis on future priorities for NordAN at the Tallinn 2008 assembly, praised the board for reaching consensus in their work with both the priorities and the plan of action. He found that both the original Actis proposal and the statements made during the discussions in Tallinn had been heard and felt comfortable as both proposals had been circulated the last past 2 moths. A few comments were made: It is important that NordAN develops and articulates a platform on drug policy “that all members can agree on” and that the article service should be looked at as a possibility to activate one self and exchange articles e g on “epidemics of addiction”.
Both the priorities and the action plan 2009 were adopted unanimously by the Assembly. (17 votes counted)
7: Appointment of a committee to prepare the elections that will take place at the annual meeting of representatives Saturday 24th of October 2009 in Helsinki
Gabriel Romanus put forward the proposal that in electing this committee it should be secured that each member country was represented by one person in the committee. To make sure of the process and this principle he suggested, that the assembly will elect the chairman for the committee at this meeting, and that the umbrella organisations or the members from each country should be invited to nominate a member of the election committee. Dag Endal suggested Gabriel Romanus as chairman of the committee and Gabriel Romanus accepted the nomination. This was adopted unanimously by the assembly - with applause.
Kjell-Ove Oscarsson reported that Nils-Erik Söderqvist, chairman of Landsrådet, would be the national representative from Sweden in the election committee. Gabriel Romanus is going to write to the members and ask them to nominate national representatives.
8: Resolutions
The proposed resolution was adopted unanimously. (Attached)
9: The symbolism of alcohol and drinking alcohol - the positive “aura” connected to the use of alcohol and drugs. Karen Elmeland, MA, PhD, associate professor at the Danish Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research, Faculty of Social Science at the University of Aarhus, gave an appreciated lecture, followed by questions.
10: Other business
No issues.
11: Closing of the Meeting
The chairman, Tue Westing, expressed his thanks to the Assembly for a very efficient meeting. Gabriel Romanus expressed the thanks on behalf of the assembly to the presidium and to Karin Elmeland. The meeting was closed.
