World Pathology Foundation

Minutes of the Meeting of

The Officers of the World Pathology Foundation in Busan, South Korea at 09:00 hrs.on Saturday, 30th. August 2003.

1. Apologies for absence:
   Dr. George Hoffman: Dr. William B. Zeiler; (members due to retire following the completion of the biennial meeting of WASPaLM in Busan)
   
2. Minutes of the two previous meetings;
   The minutes of the meetings previously held in Dusseldorf, November 22nd. 2001 and Kyoto, October 18th. 2002 were approved.
   
3. Relationship between the WASPaLM and the WPF;
   The President reviewed the origins of the WPF and stressed its independence from, but close relationship to, WASPaLM. The constitutions of both organizations refers to the elections of Officers by the WASPaLM to serve as co-opted members on the WPF Board of Trustees. From the Board of Trustees Officers are selected to form a Board of Regents whose task is to assess the merits of applications for the Gordon Signy Fellowships that are awarded by the WPF to applicants from less well-established Departments of Pathology who have demonstrated their desire to undertake training in specific techniques at centers of excellence in countries other than their own.
   WPF finances are derived entirely from donations and the monies obtained from the Auction that has traditionally taken place at the Gala Dinner held during the biennial WASPaLM conference. It is vital that all those associated with both organizations endeavor to persuade their National Associations to consider donations to the WPF.
   An important development for the WPF, has been the advent of the Pathology Workshops, organized by Dr. Robbie Bacchus, and generously financed by the WASPaLM, since the use of the Gordon Signy Fellowships for post-workshop support offers an opportunity to maintain the effort and education of trainee Pathologists from the laboratories visited.
   Reference was made to the criteria that formed the requirement for application for a Gordon Signy Fellowship and the fact that this was available on the WASPaLM. Web page. Dr. Melo stressed the importance of publicizing these awards and the workshops to all constituent societies. Dr. Melo drew attention to the importance of individual candidates for Gordon Signy Fellowships having the support of their respective, constituent society.
   Following discussion it was agreed that donations from Commercial Companies would be greatly welcomed but that these should not be accompanied by specific direction on their use but should be incorporated into the financial resources of the WPF. The larger the funds, the greater the number of Fellowships that would be granted each year.
   
   Action agreed: A. To send a copy of the GSF details to the Director-at-Large for South America;
   Action agreed: B. To enclose copies of the GSF details with the annual invoices sent to constituent societies. (Dr. H. Travers)
   
4. WPF Funds;
   The recurring question of where the WPF funds should be held was reviewed. Emphasis was placed on the dangers of attempting to maximize capital and revenue by transferring funds between countries during periods of severe, global, financial depression, as had been the case for several years.
   The financial report, which was appended to the Agenda, provided evidence for optimism after the disappointing results of the investment strategy of the previous five or six years. It was agreed that the actions of the new Treasurer, Dr. Viollier promised to improve the stability of the finances.
   
5. Gordon Signy Fellowships;
   Following discussion three Gordon Signy Fellowships were awarded;
   
   Dr. Giedrius Salkus, Lithuania: to study renal pathology, dermatopathology, haemato-pathology , molecular pathology and soft tissue pathology at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
   Dr. Gabriel Olabiyi OGUN, Nigeria: to study histopathology, molecular pathology and electron microscopy at the Departments of Soft Tissue and Orthopaedic Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Centre for Advanced pathology, Washington D.C., USA.
   Dr.Perara Rajeeka Lakmale Morawakage, Sri Lanka: to study molecular techniques in tissue typing at the Department of Histo-compatibility and Immunogenetics at the North London Blood Transfusion Centre, London, U.K.
   
   Each recipient will receive $US 5,000 following application to Dr M-A Viollier.
   
   
6. Nomination of Officers;
   In accordance with the byelaws the following Officers were confirmed, following the end of the terms of Office of Dr. George Hoffman and Dr. W.B.Zeiler.

   President:	Dr. Barrie Murphy	U.K.
   Secretary:	Dr. Ikunosuke Sakurabayashi	Japan
   Treasurer:	Dr. Marc-A Viollier	Switzerland
   Members:	Dr. Marilene Melo	Brazil
   (Trustees from WASPaLM)	Dr. K.D. McClatchey	USA
   	Dr. Henry Travers	USA
   Co-Opted:	Dr. Utz Merten	Germany
   	Dr. Mikio Mori	Japan

7. Treasurer's Report;
   Dr. M-A Viollier presented his report (see appendix A and B).
   He demonstrated that as a result of altering the investment strategy considerable improvement was apparent.
   Dr Utz Merten who had agreed, some months previously at the request of the President, to see and discuss with Dr. Viollier some of the reservations that had been expressed in recent years on the apparent failure of the investment approach at that time confirmed that the work that had been done by Dr. Viollier and his highly efficient assistant Ms. Luetzelschwab, deserved high praise.
   Following discussion of the financial report it was agreed unanimously that the funds should remain in Switzerland. Dr. Viollier was warmly congratulated on his achievements.
   The necessary papers with appended signatures required by the Swiss Tax Authorities were signed and collected by Dr. Viollier.
   
   
8. Date and Time of next Meeting;
   Chicago, USA time to be decided later.
   

Signed
President;
Dr. Barrie Murphy.

Note: This is a draft minutes to be formally agreed in final form at the next meeting of the WPF in Chicago in 2004."

Appendix A

Treasurer's Report per July 31st, 2003

Dr. M.-A. Viollier,Treasurer WPF

Appendix B

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