IFFAS Meeting Minutes

• IFFAS Council Meeting, February 15, 2007, San Diego, California, USA
• IFFAS Council Meeting, September 14, 2006, Prague, Czech Republic
• IFFAS Council Meeting, September 16, 2005, Naples, Italy
• IFFAS Council Meeting, July 30, 2004, Seattle, Washington, USA
• IFFAS Council Meeting, May 4, 2003, Vaitoria Espirito Santo, Brazil
• IFFAS Council Meeting, September 11, 2002, San Francisco, California, USA
• IFFAS Council Meeting, July 20, 2001, San Diego, California, USA
• IFFAS Council Meeting, September 22, 2000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• IFFAS Council Meeting, July 13, 2000, Vail, Colorado, USA
• IFFAS Meeting, Friday, March 17, 2000, Clarion Hotel, Orlando, Florida, USA
• IFFAS Founding Council Meeting, October 16, 1999, Kyoto, Japan
• Summary of IFFAS Founding Meeting in Kyoto, Japan
• IFFAS Constitution and Bylaws

IFFAS Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the IFFAS Council Meeting, Naples, Italy. September 16, 2005

Council Members Present (and terms):

North American Federation:

Michael J. Coughlin, M.D. President (U.S.)(2002-2005)
Judith Baumhauer, M.D. (U.S.) (2005-2008)
Tim Daniels, M.D. (2004-2007)
Mark Myerson, M.D. (U.S.) 2005-2008 (non-voting for this meeting, to take Dr. Coughlin's place)

European Federation:

Sandro Giannini, M.D. President-elect, (Italy) (2005-2008)
Patrice Diebold, M.D. (France) (2002-2005)
Hans-Heino Kuester, M.D. (Germany) (2003-1006)

South American Federation:

Caio Nery, M.D. (Brazil) (2002-2005)
Alberto M. Vadell, M.D. (Argentina) (2002-2005)
Nury Schinca, M.D. (Uraguay) (2005-2008) - replaces Fernando Foneseca Filho, M.D. (Treasurer) who died.

Asian Federation:

Dr. Kinoshita M.D. (Japan) (2005-2008)
Harayusa Yamamoto, M.D. Treasurer (Japan) (2002-2005)
E. Tablante, M.D. (Philippines) (2004-2007)

General business

The meeting was called to order by President Michael Coughlin at 6 P.M. immediately following the opening ceremony of the IFFAS. No proxies were reported. Three members from NA, two members from SA, one from Asia, and three from Europe. This constituted 9 voting council members from all four regional federations and a quorum was noted.

Dr. Coughlin announced that the Council Meeting held at Mandaluyong City, Phillapines, December 1, 2004 failed to have a quorum. Minutes of the preceding meeting held at Seattle, Washington July 30, 2004. After appropriate review, it was moved and seconded that the minutes be accepted, and the council voted unanimously to accept the minutes.

Dr. Coughlin mentioned that the minutes which in the past have been posted on the IFFAS website had not been posted was from the council meeting in July 2001 at the San Diego meeting of the AOFAS. Mr. Cantrall was contacted prior to this council meeting and requested to update the website with the minutes from the council meetings in 2002, 2003, and 2004. (San Francisco,California Sept 12, 2002;Victoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil-May 4, 2003; Seattle Washington July 2004)

Dr. Coughlin announced that certificates had been printed by Jim Henry of Chicago. The certificates were printed for all the council members and officers who are retiring from the council They were signed by Drs. Giannini and Coughlin and will be presented by Dr. Giannini later in the meeting.

REVIEW OF CALDNDAR EVENTS

Dr. Coughlin requested that all council members review the schedule of meetings on the IFFAS website and email local and national meetings, instructional courses, and continental meeting for the next two years to be forwarded to the secretary. He stressed that there is no possible way for the secretary to know of other meetings around the world, and this underscores the need for anyone hosting a meeting to notify the secretary.

AWARDS

Dr. Coughlin announced that Integra-NewDeal had funded the two awards for the meeting. The best clinical study would be awarded the "Takakura Award" and the winner receive a $5000.00 stipend. They would also be awarded a wood and bronze plaque with Dr. Takakura's name on it. The plaque was prepared by the SA Federation and Dr. Nery displayed the plaque. The council thanked Dr. Nery and the federation for their work on the plaque.

A second award, which as of this time is to be called the "Presidents Award" and a check for $5000 will be presented for the best scientific study. This is also funded by NewDeal.

Each of the award winners will receive a parchment diploma with their names lettered. The wood and bronze plaque will be engraved but not given to the winner. It will be kept at this time by Dr. Giannini.

TREASURERS REPORT

Since Dr. Filho had died, Dr. Coughlin presented the treasurers report. All council members were presented with financial reports for the past six years and specifically for the past year. Dr. Coughlin noted that there has been difficulty in the collect dues from different regional federations. He suggested that industry could assist in the $3000.00 dues paid each year by each regional federation. He reported that Nexa Orthopedic Inc. had committed to pay $3000.00 each year for the 2005, 2006, and 2007 years for the South American Federation. (The first payment was received by the organization just prior to the IFFAS meeting). The Asian federation though a clerical error had initially paid their dues for 2004-5, then asked for a refund since it had been paid early, and since had not sent the new payment. Dr. Yamamoto has corresponded with the Japanese Foot and Ankle Society and assures us the matter has been solved.

The past 6 years, Cantrall and Associates have charged $8000.00 a year for the secretariat expenses. Dr Keuster inquired whether we could have a breakdown of costs as to what constituted these expenses. In the past Dr Fihlo (our past treasurer) had also requested this. The council advised that in the future the secretariat must send a breakdown of expenses for the cost of running the society.

A Profit and Loss statement was presented as prepared by Cantrall and associates explaining the income and costs of the Society since its inception in 1999. The overall net income from dues was $26,064.37. AS of this meeting, the checking account has approximately $14,000 in the account. With $3000 due to be deposited from all four federations, and the last $3000 dollars (Asian federation-2004 dues) this will add $15,000 to the account leaving a balance of approximately $29,000 in the account.

As of the meeting, the dues for next year (2005-6) have been received for NA, SA, and Europe.

REPORT OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FEDERATION

Dr. Coughlin gave the NA federation report. Dr. Baumgarten was asked to forward information for future NA meetings to the secretariat to be listed on the website.

Dr. Myerson will take Dr. Coughlin's place on the council; Dr Baumgarten has already been appointed to replace Dr. Clanton and was a voting council member at this meeting.

Dr. Coughlin noted that as of October 1, 2005 that the AOFAS was moving its secretarial offices from Seattle to Chicago. This will unfortunately require leaving Cantrall and Associates. This thus complicates matters for the IFFAS since the Secretariat has been in Seattle with the AOFAS offices. Dr Coughlin had been in contact with the EFAS offices in Ireland and had corresponded with Dr. Louwerens (Secretary of EFAS) and Michael Stevens who interfaces with the society. A job description had been forwarded to the EFAS offices but no "bid" had been received for the future secretariat offices. Dr. Coughlin also corresponded with James Brodsky MD current AOFAS president to inquire about the availability of the new Chicago offices providing the Secretariat offices. He suggested that Lousanne (Zan) Lofgren, the new executive secretary could proceed with a proposal. That proposal was forward to the IFFAS council offering services for $6000.00 per year. This would include maintaining the calendar, the website, administrative details, arrangement for council meetings, and financial aspects including reports, dues etc.

Drs. Giannini and Kuester suggested that the offer be accepted and a trial period of one year be initiated. They requested better accountability so that the council could determine the true cost of services rendered. The motion to accept Ms. Lofgren's proposal was accepted by the council.

REPORT OF THE ASIAN FEDERATION

Dr.Yamamoto reported activities from Asia. He noted that Taiwan was developing a foot and ankle society. He reported that Dr. Kinoshita would serve a three year term and had replaced Dr. Aoki on the council. The replacement for Dr. Yamamoto will be named soon.

REPORT OF THE SOUTH AMERICAN FEDERATION

Dr. Nuri Schenca gave the report from the SA Federation. Her first topic of discussion was to recognize Dr. Nery who reported on the choice of Salvator, Brazil. After Dr. Nery's fine presentation, the council unanimously accepted the recommendation of the SA federation that the meeting be held in 2008 in Salvator Brazil.

Next Dr Schenca informed us that there are two open spots on the council for terms 2005-2008. Ozny Salomao, M.D. (Brazil) will replace Dr. Nery. The other spot will be filled soon. The SA Federation has nominated Dr. Salamonca to be president elect.

Lastly, the SA Federation stressed its concern with the cost of dues, the limited return that they see from their dues in regards to continued membership in IFFAS. The SA Federation (also know as FLAMECIPP) wishes to obtain more education for their membership. A long discussion occurred. The council was very supportive of Dr. Schenca's concerns. Dr. Coughlin explained that IFFAS has a very small budget, and cannot subsidize South America. On the other hand, all members stressed their interest in visiting SA, teaching, and educating SA foot and ankle surgeons. It is realized that it is very difficult for many SA surgeons to travel to international meetings, and it was felt that it would be helpful to update the website of the IFFAS as a means for education and also to use industry to finance visitations by foot and ankle surgeons from around the world. Dr Schenca expressed her appreciation for this interest. Dr Kuester suggested in and around the upcoming SA regional meeting in Montevideo (April 20-22, 2005) that as many surgeons as possible come to SA and educate physicians in several of the countries. Dr. Schenca then presented Dr. Coughlin with a plaque expressing appreciation for his help in obtaining funding for the SA dues.

REPORT OF THE EUROPEAN FEDERATION

Dr. Giannini then reported on the activities of the European federation. He reported that the number of attendees at the Naples meeting exceeded 650 physicians. He expressed his pleasure with Dr. Malerbas plans and the program.

Dr. Giannini then led the discussion to pick the next meeting of the council. While the AAOS meeting in late March in Chicago (2006) was popular, it was decided that the meeting would be held in conjunction with the SA FLAMECIPP meeting in Montevideo. The council voted unanimously to hold the next council meeting in April 2006. The council is aware that it must meet yearly, and that a quorum must be present. Proxies are accepted and can be sent electronically to the president or other council members prior to the meeting. The bylaws state the requirements for a quorum.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The transfer of officers and council members will occur on Saturday during the meeting. Some council members have yet to be nominated.

The officers nominated for the positions are as follows:

President-Sandro Giannini M.D.
President-elect-Osny Salamao, M.D.
Secretary-Dr. Kinoshita
Treasurer- Judy Baumhauer M.D.

No further business was suggested.The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Harayusa Yamamoto, M.D. Treasurer