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In attendance:
Executive Committee
Malcolm Richardson, President
Dieter Kolb, Vice-President
Urs Müller, Member at Large / Treasurer
Leif Öhman, Member at Large
Ainsle Smith, Member at Large
Olli Rissanen, Rep. Northern Europe
Andrew Ferguson-Smith, Rep. Central Europe
John Brown, Rep. Great Britain and Ireland
Konstantin Zadvornov, Rep. Eastern Europe
Saskia Krügl, Secretary General
The 35 member nations were represented as follows:
Member nations represented in person with full voting rights:
AND, AUT, BEL, CRO, CZE, DEN, ENG, ESP, FIN, FRA, GER, HUN, IRL, ITA, KAZ, LAT, LUX, LTU, NED, NOR, POL, RUS, SCO, SRB, SVK, SWE, SUI, WAL
Member nations represented by proxy: BLR, BUL, EST, ISL, LIE
Member nations not represented or without voting rights: GRE, UKR
The President welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1. Reading of Notice of Meeting
The Secretary announced that the Annual General Meeting had been convened by intimation to the members on November 7, 2006.
2. Apologies, number of votes and quorum
More than one half of the member nations were represented in person. The Secretary therefore reported that there was a quorum and that the total number of votes available was 33 (28 votes represented in person, 5 votes represented by proxy). It was also reported that any decisions needing a two third majority would need a total of 22 votes.
3. Minutes of the ECF Semi-Annual General Meeting 2006 (Lowell, USA) and approval thereof
The minutes of the ECF Semi-Annual General Meeting 2006 (Lowell, USA) were taken as read and were unanimously approved.
4. Matters arising from these minutes
None
5. Correspondence
The Secretary reported that she had received the following bids and/or expressions of interest to host the European Curling Championships (ECC) or the European Mixed Curling Championships (EMCC):
EMCC 2008 Jelgava, LAT
Bratislava, SVK
ECC 2010 Champery, SUI
Bratislava, SVK
Sofia, BUL
Further details on the above bids and/or expressions of interest would be given under item 8) of the agenda.
6. Report of the Executive Committee
Andrew Ferguson-Smith / Marketing Director and Agent
Andrew Ferguson-Smith explained, that when he got first into contact with the ECF, the organisation did not enjoy a great self-esteem and there was a constant lack of monies. During the past two years the financial situation has considerably improved due to his efforts and he is currently in contact with a series of companies negotiating sponsorship.
He emphasized that he does not insist at all on being the exclusive ECF Marketing Agent but explained that the ECF would be happy to have several marketing agents, namely anybody within the membership who can bring the ECF into contact with any potential sponsor. He consequently invited all members to become active (“Tell us about your circumstances and tell us what you think you can do for the ECF”) and added that anybody, who would arrange for a contract to be signed between ECF and a sponsorship company would of course be entitled to a marketing agents commission.
With regard to the EMCC 2008 he reminded the members that during the last general meeting in Lowell, USA he was instructed to proceed with Madrid, ESP and negotiate a host contract for the EMCC 2008 with them. He added that negotiations have now been concluded and the host agreement has been signed. From the marketing aspect he was very pleased to announce that following negotiations with the Spanish Federation, the City of Madrid and the regional government a payment of EUR 50.000,00 sponsorship money had been negotiated.
Last but not least he thanked all member nations for their great participation in the calendar project and emphasized again that a characteristic of this project is that it produces a profit for all parties involved.
The President thanked Andrew Ferguson-Smith both for his report and support and stressed the fact that the ECF would be in financial difficulties had it not obtained the sponsorship money negotiated for by Andrew Ferguson-Smith.
Olli Rissanen – Legal Advisor
Olli Rissanen explained that he had been instructed by the Executive Committee to review the current constitution. This would be done as soon as possible and a first proposal be presented in Füssen in December 2007.
John Brown – Webmaster
John Brown reported that the ECF homepage was frequently used and many interesting details have been added over the past months. A very recent addition has been the names of all medal winners ever.
Leif Öhman – Technical Advisor
Leif Öhman indicated that he was currently sitting in two chairs (both ECF and WCF Executive). He already had completed the “technical requirements for championships” and currently the rules are under work.
Ainslie Smith – Competitions
Ainslie Smith gave the following report:
“First of all it is my pleasure to report on a very successful European Mixed Curling Championship held this year in Claut, where the facilities were excellent. The whole competition ran as well as could be expected with no problems at all and all the competitors simply had a great time, with the younger curling nations relishing the opportunity to pit their skills against the longer established nations. It is a wonderful international competition to promote our sport to a wider public in all our individual nations. It is also one in which all curlers can aspire to compete. I am also delighted to report that Scotland won the Championship.
On team sponsor branding the executive have decided to remove the 4 week prior approval of these sponsor’s badges. The onus is now on you all to have them correct or they will have to be removed before playing in the Championships.
On the subject of future venues for the European Championships, it was with some relief to the President and Secretary that after a period with possible venues disappearing faster than snow melting in spring, that they were able, after a lot of hard work to secure a great venue for the ECC 2007 in Fussen, well known to many of you from the summer camps, with all the facilities close at hand to make this a great venue for 1st to 8th of December, thank you Fussen, we look forward to having a great time with you next year.
The committee is already working hard to catch up on a late start to preparations under President Elmar Hiltensberger and Vice-President Andy Kapp.
Also over the summer, you will be aware from the advertising here this week, that Ornskoldsvik will definitely be the venue for the 2008 Championships. There had been some problems over the dates for O’vik, these were successfully resolved but not without having another venue on standby to step in if the dates could not be resolved. We are delighted to be going to O’vik, which I understand will be the most northerly venue that the European Championships will have been played at (so far).
While negotiations were still ongoing with O’vik, standing in the wings having rearranged a potential shift of year was Aberdeen, a bidder you heard from at last year’s AGM in Garmisch. Following all the hard work that the Aberdeen bidders had put in to accommodate possible changes, the executive unanimously agreed to award the 2009 European Championships to Aberdeen. It is a few years since Scotland has hosted this Championship, so again I am delighted that curling is coming home.
It is felt that with all the technical checks on venues which we now require, to ensure that the events are successful, that it is more appropriate that the Executive decide the choice of venue, as the Executive are aware of the full facts of all aspects of the bid and venue suitability, (this will be the same as the WCF). With your agreement, the Annual General Meeting would then only have a presentation from the winning bid, to showcase their venue.
Can I thank Malcolm and Saskia, on my own behalf and on behalf of all the European nations, for all the hard work and the sleepless nights sorting out problems, now with two events under the banner and who knows whether there may be a call for mixed doubles on the event schedule in the future. They also attend to the very efficient running of the European Curling Federation as an organisation with a smile and a word for all. THANK YOU BOTH!”
Konstantin Zadvornov – Development/Russian translations
Konstantin Zadvornov reported on the newly organised Czech League and also introduced a book written by him (in Russian) which he would be pleased to make available for East European Curling countries.
7. Progress Reports of future Organising Committees for both EMCC and ECC (2007 until 2009 – if in attendance)
ECC 2007 Füssen, GER Dec. 1-8, 2007
Didi Kolb explained that the Host Committee of Füssen is very proud of hosting once again the European Curling Championships and is looking forward to welcome all athletes, representatives and fans to the city of Füssen one year from now. The Host Committee will be led by its President, Elmar Hiltensberger, further members will be: Andy Kapp (Vice-President), Heinrich Berg (Treasurer), Helmar Erlewein (Sport), Holger Höhne (Technics), Roland Jentsch (Marketing), Charlie Kapp (Service), Beate Grimm (Accommodation) and Dagmar Fackler (Special Events). The A- and B-arena will be in one building. The homepage will be: www.ecc2007.de
ECC 2008 Örnsköldsvik, SWE Dec 6-13, 2008
The representatives of “Övik” reported that they are now in the phase of adding more people to their Organising Committee. They emphasized that the flight from Stockholm to Övik would only last 55 minutes. The town of Övik, which is a real sports town, is looking forward to welcoming the European Curlers and fans.
ECC 2009 Aberdeen, SCO
George Esson, the chairman of ECC 2009, made a presentation on Aberdeen. The local organizers (Curl Aberdeen) are supported by the RCCC, the Aberdeen City Council, Event Scotland and UK Sport. There are great transport links with Europe and beyond. The A-division will be hosted at “Curl Aberdeen”, a purpose built modern rink. The B-division will play at the Beach Lynx Centre, a large ice-pad with 1000+ seats and full meeting facilities. Aberdeen is looking forward to Curling coming home again!
EMCC 2007 Madrid, ESP Sep. 24-29, 2007
Eduardo de Paz informed the members that the EMCC 2007 will be held at the Palacio de Hielo “Dreams” at Madrid, and will mark the first time that Spain has hosted a European event. Also, a very nice DVD of Madrid was shown.
8. Future championships / Bids and presentations
The President explained that although a decision on the 2010 championships will only be made three years in advance (i.e. in 2007) the city of Champery, SUI and Bratislava, SVK would like to make short presentations.
These followed and were made by Enrique Caballero for Champery and Juraj Kapolka/Soupy Campbell for Bratislava (interested in both: ECC 2010 and EMCC 2008)
9. Subscriptions / Finance
Urs Müller reported that this year member associations had paid their subscriptions much faster and almost all members had paid in time. The only country that has not paid is UKR.
The financial report and balance sheet 2005/2006 as presented by the Treasurer were accepted unanimously. The Treasurer reported also that the accounts for the year ending September 30, 2006 had been approved by the auditors in Bern. Also, the budget was approved as presented and it was agreed that a further amount of EUR 25,000.00 should be invested in order to earn some interest.
Last but not least, the members were advised that the amount of subscriptions would remain unchanged.
10. Resolutions
None
11. Elections
The Secretary informed the Annual General Meeting that the members of the Executive Committee would be elected/announced in the order President, Vice-President, Regional Representatives, Members at Large, Secretary.
The Meeting then elected the following Executive Committee:
President Malcolm RICHARDSON (SCO)
only nominee / elected by acclamation
Vice-President Andrew FERGUSON-SMITH (AND)
with 21 votes and who defeatet Per Näsman (who received 10 votes) – 2 abstentions were recorded
Representative
Northern Europe: Olli RISSANEN (FIN)
elected directly by the respective region
Representative
Great Britain & IRL: Ann STONE (WAL)
elected directly by the respective region
Representative
Central Europe: Urs MÜLLER (SUI)
elected directly by the respective region
Representative
Eastern Europe: Konstantin ZADVORNOV (RUS)
elected directly by the respective region
Members at Large: Jeanette JOHNSTON (SCO)
Per NÄSMAN (SWE)
Grethe WOLAN (NOR)
Secretary General: Saskia KRÜGL (AUT)
only nominee / elected by acclamation
12. Any other business
Niels Larsen (DEN) asked, whether the new system with entry fees to the European Championships has worked well and whether the member nations have made use of the possibility to buy only those parts of the package that they needed. The President confirmed that everything with the entry fee had worked well and that the member nations have well made use of their “new rights”.
Marko Stojanovic (SRB) expressed his hope that in future there should be one Executive Committee Member responsible for small and/or new ECF member countries to assist with the development in such new countries. The President agreed that this was an excellent idea and assigned Konstantin Zadvornov to be the “New Member Nations Liaison”.
13. Next meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the ECF will take place in Füssen, GER on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 10:00.
The meeting closed at 12.20
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