Retina International General Assembly 2018 - Auckland , New ZealandThursday, February 8th, 2018
Location: University of Auckland Business School
Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland, 1010
Room:
Decima Glenn Room, Level 3
Start:
09.00 a.m. end: 05.00 p.m.

APPENDIX 02-1
2.
2.1

Approval of General Assembly 2016 minutes
Minutes (appendix 02-1)

Motion: The MC moves to accept the minutes of the General Assembly 2016
in Taipeh (Taiwan) and to thank Avril Daly for writing up these excellent
minutes.

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Minutes Retina International General Assembly 2016 - Taipei, Taiwan
thThursday, July 7 , 2016
Location: Taipei International Convention Centre (TICC)
Room: 401,4F
Start: 09.00 a.m. end: 1.00 p.m.
Attendees
Present 19 Full Members Organisations
Country

Organisation

Last nameFirst name

Full members
USA

FFB

Zilliox

Patricia

IrelandFighting Blindness

Dunne

Caitriona

GreeceHellenic Retina Society

Varouxi

Alexandra

GreeceHellenic Retina Society

Chatzicharalampous

Efstratios

Japan

JRPS

MoritaSaburo

Japan

JRPS

Kanai

Kunitoshi

Japan

JRPS

Otaka

Pakistan

Pakistan Foundation Fighting
Blindness

Yusuf

Abdullah

Germany

Pro Retina Deutschland

Brohlburg

DanielaGermany

Pro Retina Deutschland

Georg

MarkusAustralia

Retina Australia

Boyd

Leighton

Australia

Retina Australia

Boyd

Rosemary

BrazilRetina Brasil

Carvalho Pinto Bueno

RodrigoBrazilRetina Brasil

Leopoldi

Maria Antonietta

FinlandRetina Finland

Nyström

Timo

FinlandRetina Finland

KetolaHeikkiHong Kong

Retina Hong Kong

Kwan

Vincent

Hong Kong

Retina Hong Kong

Tsang

Kin Ping

IcelandEinarsson

Kristinn Halldór

Hjörvar

Helgi

Italy

Retina Iceland (Blindrafelagid,
Icelandic organization of thevisually impaired)
Retina Iceland (Blindrafelagid,
Icelandic organization of thevisually impaired)
Retina Italia

AndraoNew ZealandRetina New ZealandEmirali

Assia = Proxi to
Switzerland
Sue

New ZealandRetina New Zealand Inc

Alexander

FraserSouth Africa

Retina south Africa

Cape

James

South Africa

Retina south Africa

Medefindt

Claudette

Switzerland

Retina Suisse

TrudelSusanneSwitzerland

Retina Suisse

HüslerStephanIcelandRetina International, GA 2018, Auckland (New Zealand)
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Taiwan R.O.C.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation
Association in Taiwan

Lin

Nick

Taiwan R.O.C.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation
Association in Taiwan

Shi-HuangLeeUK

RP Fighting Blindness

Houlihan

Tina

NorwayRP-foreningen i Norge

Smedstad

Martin Kristian

NorwayRP-foreningen i Norge

Tollefsen

MortenSwedenSwenska RP-Föreningen

Ahlmark

Karl-Frederik

SwedenSwenska RP-Föreningen

Ramshage

Caisa

Candidate members
Chile

Fundalurp

Serrano Reyes

Gustavo Ignacio

Chile

Fundalurp

Rivera Pérez

Jaime Andrés

Agenda1.

Welcome and approval of agenda

2.
2.1

Approval of General Assembly 2014 minutes
Minutes (appendix 02-1)

3.
3.1
3.2
3.3

President’s report and financial report
President’s and MC reports 2014-2016 (appendix 03-1)
Financial reports 2014 – 2015 (appendix 03-2)
Fees to be written off (appendix 03-3)

4.
4.1
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.1.3

Elections
Retina International members (appendix 04-1)
Associate members
Interested groups
Candidate members

4.1.4 Full members
4.2
Retina International Officers (appendix 04-2)
4.2.1 Management Committee
4.2.2 Retina International President
4.3

Special recognitions

5
5.1
5.2

Retina International Secretariat
Retina International Secretariat: Report of the CEO (appendix 05-1)
Retina International Secretariat: Work plan 2016-2018: Objectives,
mile stones and outcomes (appendix 05-2) and related budget(appendix 05-3)

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5.3

Decision on budget items relevant to the Retina International
Secretariat

6
6.3

GovernanceRegistration of Retina International and related changes of theconstitution (appendix 06-3)

7.
7.1
7.2

Retina International basic function: work plans and budget
Strategic objectives and work plan 2016/2018 (appendix 7-1)
Budget 2017/2018 president's office (appendix 7-2)

8.
8.1
8.2

Retina International conferences
Retina International conference 2018 report from New Zealand(appendix 8-1)
Retina International conference 2020 (appendix 8-2)

9.
9.1
9.2

Retina International marketing and information
World Retina Day
Website (appendix 09-2)

10.
10.1

Retina International regional sections
Retina Europe (appendix 10-1)

11.

Miscellaneous

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Minutes
1.

Welcome and approval of agenda

Introduction
President welcomes the delegates to the GA and to Taiwan.
Matters of Order
Before proceeding with the scheduled agenda items Christina Fasser,
president, delivers an update on the current situation regarding the typhoon.
To ensure safety of delegates on the advice of the conference organisers,
she suggests to reshuffle the agenda to ensure the GA concludes by 1pm toallow ample time to get to the hotels.
Leighton Boyd (Retina Australia), Hellenic Retina Society, Greece and Maria
Antonietta (Retina Brasil) second the reshuffle of the GA Agenda.
Abdullah Yusuf (Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness) enters the meeting
via Skype.
Rita Filippini carries out the roll call of members.
Tina Houlihan (RP Fighting Blindness, UK) Rosemary Boyd (Retina Australia)
and Maria Antonietta Leopoldi (Retina Brasil) have been elected as
scrutiners.
Topic: Approval of the agenda 2016
Motion: The MC moves to accept the agenda of the General Assembly 2016
with a change of order.
Vote: Accepted unanimously
Topic: Thanks to Retina France for the RI 2014 Worldconference in Paris
Motion: The GA 16 thanks Retina France for the great organisation of the RI
conference 2014 in France
Vote: Accepted unanimously
2.
Approval of General Assembly 2014 minutes
2.1
Minutes (appendix 02-1)
No amendments to the minutes of last GA were received.
Motion: The MC moves to accept minutes of GA 2014 in Paris (France) andto thank Caisa Ramshagen and Claudette Medefindt for writing up these
excellent minutes.
Seconded by: Retina Hong Kong and Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness
Vote: Not accepting minutes – no hands shown. No Abstentions.
Vote: Carried unanimously.
3.
3.1

President’s report and financial report
President’s and MC reports 2014-2016 (appendix 03-1)

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President and MC Report for 2014-2016 is presented.
Comments: None
Motion: The MC moves to accept the reports as presented.
Seconded by Retina Australia and Retina Iceland
Vote: Carried unanimously.
President thanks those that contributed including MC and Volunteers.
3.2
Financial reports 2014 – 2015 (appendix 03-2)
President explains that the accounts are audited by the auditors appointed by
Retina Suisse as host of president’s office. Swiss law has changed and now astatus report must be completed.
Unrestricted grants received for Patient Reported Outcome Meeting and tosupport the Website projects, these are within budget. The Audit and list offees is sent annually with member invoices.
Motion: The MC moves to accept the accounts 2014 and 2015 asrecommended by the auditors in 2015 and 2016 and to give deliberation to
MC: Seconded by Retina Greece and Fighting Blindness Ireland.
Vote: Carried unanimously.
Daniela Capelli (staff), Rita Filippini (staff) and Abdullah Yusuf (Pakistan
Foundation Fighting Blindness) are thanked for their hard work and diligence.
3.3
Fees to be written off (appendix 03-3)
President notes that it is always the case that some organisations facedifficult times.
Retina Pigmentosa ASPL, Belgium, is unable to raise funds, it is proposed
they be downgraded to interested group and fees written off.
Fundación Argentina de Retinosis Pigmentaria is unable to pay fees, hadhave not responded to communications, it is proposed they be downgraded tointerested group and the fees written off.
Hellenic Retina Society, Greece, have paid half of the amount set out in thepayment based on a restructuring of fees.
The Foundation Fighting Blindness, Canada, will not spend money outside ofcountry but wish to stay as interested group anyway. Retina International
accepts their decision and proposes to draw their attention to the fact thatthey should pay outstanding fees to the end of 2015.
Open floor for discussion:
Hellenic Retina Society, Greece, explains its difficult position. Wishes for feesto be written off.
President notes that many organisations have difficulty.
Motion: President amends motion of MC to recommend to the GA to write off
the amount for Hellenic Retina Society, Greece, and seek to recover the feesfrom The Foundation Fighting Blindness, Canada.
Seconded by Retina South Africa and Svenska RP-Föreningen, Sweden.
Vote: Carried unanimously.

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4.
Elections – Items taken together
4.1
Retina International members (appendix 04-1)
4.1.1 Associate members
4.1.2 Interested groups
4.1.3 Candidate members
4.1.4 Full members
Floor Given to Claudette Medefindt (Retina South Africa) who is responsible
for membership.
Applications – Candidate Members
Association Retina Maroc – only candidate for two year probation.
Motion: MC recommends they are accepted.
Seconded by Hellenic Retina Society, Greece, and Pakistan Foundation
Fighting Blindness.
Vote: Carried unanimously.
Fundación Retinitis Pigmentosa de Puerto Rico
Motion: MC recommends they are accepted as Candidate member.
Seconded by Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness and Svenska RPFöreningen, Sweden
Vote: Carried unanimously.
Asociación Macula-Retina, Spain
Motion: MC recommends they are accepted as a Candidate member
Seconded by Retina ry / Retina Finland and Pakistan Foundation Fighting
Blindness
Vote: Carried unanimously
Waiting for candidate membership forms from Cyprus
Motion: MC moves to accept as candidate member once all docs are in
place
Seconded by Hellenic Retina Society, Greece and Pro Retina Deutschlande.V., Germany
Vote: Carried unanimously
Danish Association of the Blind
Motion: Provided correct docs by end of year they are accepted as candidate
memberSeconded by Retina Iceland and Svenska RP-Föreningen, Sweden
Vote: Carried unanimously
Associate membership is Lirot Association the Israeli society of vision loss
Motion: MC recommends application is approved
Seconded by Pro Retina Deutschland e.V., Germany and Retina Suisse,
Switzerland
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Vote: Unanimously carried
Record number for applications: six new members!
President states that a mapping of organisation within RD field is being
undertaken as part of the work programme in order to ensure we are working
together more effectively to achieve our goals. Treatments are coming to themarket and if so there will be significant challenges and it is important to work
together to get the treatments to all. Encourage all present to get othergroups involved. The president thanks Claudette Medefindt (Retina South
Africa) for all of her work in nurturing organisation and giving them support.
4.2
Retina International Officers (appendix 04-2)
4.2.1 Management Committee – Taken together
President states that a list of nominees for the MC sent with papers – the MC
is purely a working group. Members listed will stand for re-election with two
nominees, Michael Langsfeld from Pro Retina Deutschland e.V., Germany
and Christin Halldor from Retina Iceland who is already working with the MC
as a volunteer. Claudette Medefindt from Retina South Africa has informed
the MC of her intention to retire after this term of officer also as has KP Tsang
from Retina Hong Kong. There is a need then to ensure an appropriate
geographic representation on the MC going forward. The MC moves to electall candidates to the MC in order to have a smooth transition.
MC moves to elect all.
Discussion: KP Tsang (Retina Hong Kong) asked if Michael Langsfeld will
represent Pro Retina Deutschland e.V., Germany. This is confirmed by the
President.
Motion: The MC suggests to elect all candidates to the incoming MC 2016/18
Seconded by Retina Australia and Retina Brasil
Vote: Carried unanimously.
4.2.2 Retina International President
Motion: There is one candidate for president, Claudette Medefindt (Retina
South Africa) proposes to re-elect Christina Fasser as Retina Internationalpresident for the term of office 2016/2018 and with no other nominations
moves to accept.
Seconded by Hellenic Retina Society, Greece, Retina New Zealand Inc.,
Retina Italia and Retina Finland
Vote: Carried unanimously
The President thanks the GA.
4.3
Special recognitions
Two people Gordon and Lulie Gund.
Motion: Move to recognise
Seconded by Retina South Africa, Fighting Blindness, Ireland, Retina New
Zealand Inc. and Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness
Vote: Carried unanimously
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5
5.1

Retina International Secretariat
Retina International Secretariat: Report of the CEO(appendix 05-1)
President notes that point 7 on the agenda refers to the basic running cost ofRetina International which must be covered by Membership. The activity of
the CEOs office in Dublin is financed separately. For this term of office thebudgets will remain separate. Retina International can still run as always.
We have presented the work plan for Discussion.
Floor is open raising of hands: No hands
Seconded by Retina Australia and Retina Brasil and Retina ry / Retina
FinlandVote: Carried unanimously.
5.2

Retina International Secretariat: Work plan 2016-2018: Objectives,
mile stones and outcomes (appendix 05-2) and related budget(appendix 05-3)

5.3

Decision on budget items relevant to the Retina International
Secretariat (taken together due to truncated agenda)
Budget: the basis and membership fee 2017/2018. Basic costs for president’s
office.
Motion: MC moves to accept the budget as presented: Abdullah Yusuf(Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness) comments that it is in two parts:
one is the budget of Presidents office and that is €73'400 *surplus of 11'000*.
Then there is the Secretariat budget which has an income of € 155'000 with a
Surplus income of € 850. That is the total budget of the Retina InternationaI.
Two votes for the basic – Presidents office: Questions from the floor.
Seconded by Retina Italia and Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness
Vote: Carried unanimously.
CEO gives update on our secretariat and presents the Website
President updates Patient Reported Outcome project.
Motion: The MC moves to accept the Retina International Work and Strategic
Plan 2016/18
Seconded by Retina New Zealand Inc.and Hellenic Retina Society, Greece
Vote: Carried unanimously
Motion: The MC moves to accept the budget 2017-2018 of the Retina
International Secretariat:
Seconded by Retina Australia and Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness.
Vote: Carried unanimously.
6
6.1

GovernanceRegistration of Retina International and related changes of theconstitution (appendix 06-1)
President outlines issues of registration: Upon investigation the CEOsuggests that Retina International is registered in Switzerland. The charity
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regulation in Ireland has changed and it will take significantly longer toregister in Ireland which will have an impact on the operations of theorganisation. Many large international foundations are registered in
Switzerland and the process is simpler.
Motion: The MC moves to register Retina International in Switzerland.
Seconded by Retina South Africa, Pro Retina Deutschland e.V., Germany
and Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness
Vote: Carried unanimously.
The MC moves to accept the necessary changes in the Retina International
constitution as outlined in paragraph 2.1.5:
Y=Yes
Foundation Fighting Blindness ,USA (Y), Fighting Blindness, Ireland (Y),Hellenic Retina Society, Greece (Y), Japanese Retinitis Pigmentosa Society(JRPS), Japan (Y), Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness (Y), Pro Retina
Deutschland e.V., Germany (Y), Retina Australia (Y), Retina Brasil (Y), Retina
ry / Retina Finland (Y), Retina Hong Kong (Y), Retina Iceland (Y), Retina
Italia (Proxy to Switzerland) (Y), Retina New Zealand Inc. (Y), Retina South
Africa (Y), Retina Suisse, Switzerland (Y), Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation
Association in Taiwan (Y), RP Fighting Blindness, UK (Y) Retinitis
Pigmentosa Foreningen I Norge, Norway (Y), Svenska RP-Föreningen,Sweden (Y)Vote: Unanimously carried.
MC have been given a budget but as we are now in a position where we are
seeking to grow a secretariat immediate decisions may need to be taken.
Motion:*The MC wishes to have the authority to review an increased
spending if Retina InternationaI has the funding and capacity to do so.*Further projects not listed may be carried out provided that its funding issecured and approval by the MC is given.
Seconded by RP Fighting Blindness, UK and Pakistan Foundation Fighting
Blindness
Vote: Carried unanimously
Motion: The MC proposed that all extra projects must include management
costs as well as cost for capacity building for the staff involved.
Seconded by Hellenic Retina Society, Greece and Fighting Blindness, Ireland
Vote: Carried unanimously.
7.
Retina International basic function: work plans and budget
7.1
Strategic objectives and work plan 2016/2018 (appendix 7-1)
President gives an overview of workplan for as laid out in papers.
Motion: The MC moves the GA to accept the strategic and work plan 20162018 for the basic running of Retina International.
Seconded by Retina Brasil, Retina Australia and Retina ry / Retina Finland
Vote: Carried unanimously
7.2
Budget 2017/2018 president's office (appendix 7-2)
Budget is presented by Christina Fasser, president.
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pg. 10Motion: The MC moves to accept the budget 2017 CHF 73'400 and 2018
CHF 69'000 to cover the basic running costs of Retina International.
Seconded by Retina Italia and Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness
Vote: Carried unanimously
8.
8.1

Retina International conferences
Retina International conference 2018 report from Retina New
Zealand Inc. (appendix 8-1)
Report given by Fraser Alexander (Retina New Zealand Inc.). New Website to
be launched. Happy that sponsorship and logistics are progressing well.
Advises early booking as it is a busy time of the year.
8.2
Retina International conference 2020 (appendix 8-2)
Venue for 2020 Conference – Vision 2020 object to eradicate blindness
caused by poverty by 2020. Long way to go but efforts are being made.
The President states that there is a choice between the possibility to a newyoung organisation to raise awareness at home to get people interested or
and advanced organisation which can provide high value of the conference.
They have this a new organisation and a long standing members inalphabetic order:
ICELAND - Retina Iceland
IRELAND - Foundation Fighting Blindness
Thanks to bidders. They leave room for private discussion.
Comments: Daniella Bromberg from Pro Retina Deutschland e.V., Germany,
good that we have both one year after the other as it is a once in ten year
chance for Iceland. Timo from Retina ry / Retina Finland, interested in staying
in Scandinavia.
Claudette Medefindt from Retina South Africa emphasises the benefits of all
day sunlight to RP patients.
KP Tsang (Retina Hong Kong) in terms of improving knowledge of scienceand research which is the theme of the conference, Ireland is more preparedand has good experience, he asks for clarity about science from Icelandwhich is a point to consider. Leighton Boyd (Retina Australia) if the reason to
be in Retina International is to find a cure and assistance for Retina
Dystrophies we need to think as delegates what is going to give us the best
information. As delegates there is the beauty of Iceland which is good but
what are we are here for. Ireland is well planned in this regard. Abdullah
Yusuf (Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness) it is positive have twocountries offer to host the conference we have and office in Ireland and could
it be an opportunity to visit the office in Dublin we also need to consider this.
Caisa Ramshage (Svenska RP-Föreningen, Sweden) wants to point out that
Nordic countries have a common meeting once every second year and thelast time in Iceland was a great success. Claudette Medefindt (Retina South
Africa) – one of the other prime reasons to raise awareness of countries thatcan raise awareness is Russian and Iceland is close to Russia?
Following a secret ballot Iceland is chosen as the destination in 2020
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9.
Retina International marketing and information
9.1
World Retina Day
Fraser Alexander (Retina New Zealand Inc.) notes that World Retina Day willtake place on September 24 in 2016 and September 30 in 2017.
9.2
Website (appendix 09-2)
CEO presented Website under point 5 to save time.
10.
Retina International regional sections
10.1 Retina Europe (appendix 10-1)
Noted
11.
MiscellaneousDue to nether approaching typhoon the GA has been truncated. The storm isdue to be at its harshest tomorrow July 8 and so the continuous education
programme will commence at 2pm and run until 5.45pm. Delegates going to
the Speakers Dinner will be collected by a bus and brought to the Restaurant.
President closes meeting.
Taipei, 7th July, 2016

For the minutes:

Avril Daly

ga18-minutes 2016-18-02-08.doc

Retina International, GA 2018, Auckland (New Zealand)
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