Present

Jeremy Taylor, UK
Hans Fijn van Draat, Netherlands
Carin Laudrup, Denmark
Geneviève Locqueville, France
Peter Schreiner, Germany

1. Welcome and Apologies

Jeremy Taylor welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies came from Kaija Kumpukallio who had informed earlier that she had to leave the executive due to a change in her job. There will be a new representative from Finland at the board of EFTRE.

2. Minutes Secretary

Peter Schreiner was appointed and agreed to take the minutes.

3. Agreement of the Agenda

The agenda was agreed without changes.

4. Minutes of previous meeting (Copenhagen 24 March)

Approved with some minor formal changes.

5. Matters arising

None.

6. Membership

The following new member organisation was accepted:

Stranmillis University College, Belfast, Northern Ireland (category B membership)

A current version of the membership list will be handed out to the Board members for correction. Geneviève reported about contacts in France but with no reaction from the contacted organisations.

New contacts were reported such as with the group of central and eastern European participants at the forthcoming EFTRE conference.

7. Finances

Hans Fijn van Draat tabled the treasurer's report and informed about some of the details. Contributions had arrived so far from Norway, Spain and U.K. Additionally £200 was held in the British account.

8. Conference arrangements

Around 140 members are expected to attend the conference. Jeremy Taylor informed about technical arrangements and changes in the programme of the conference. It was decided to move the date for the General Assembly of EFTRE from Sunday to Saturday 1st September at 17.00.

9. General Assembly

The proposed agenda was discussed and agreed. A legal structure for EFTRE would be discussed when information about European possibilities is available. Geneviève Locqueville will look for information in Brussels. Carin Laudrup proposed that we make internet banking available and find other opportunities for paying the fees. This initiative would be taken up by the treasurer and chairman. A proposal about a membership fee of a minimum 100 Euros per year, unless reduced through services or if an organisation is unable to pay, will be presented to the Assembly. Technical matters were discussed.

Projects reports about CoGREE, FREE, and Internet were reviewed. A change of EFTRE's internet address to an easier address should be made as soon as possible.

Concerning the next EFTRE conference Jeremy Taylor will present three possibilities:

a) Eastern and central Europe. Would there be sufficient infrastructure?
b) Netherlands
c) A joint CoGREE conference

In the discussion about the different proposals it was asked whether we need a safe space for RE Teachers?

The Executive Report was agreed.

Officers: Jeremy has talked to Marit Svare Hallsted about becoming the Secretary of EFTRE. She has to be re-elected in November as representative of the Norwegian association. The Board should be asked to give the Chair the mandate to confirm Marit Svare Hallsted from Norway as EFTRE's Secretary after her re-election as representative to EFTRE in November by her organisation.

Jeremy Taylor is willing to continue as Chairman for another 3 years. EFTRE activities can now be supported as a part of his new job as Director of Education in his diocese. Carin Laudrup will carry on. Geneviève Locqueville's cooption should be confirmed.

Talks with Sonja Danner from Austria had taken place and she was willing to join the Executive. The executive discussed the need to have somebody from central or eastern Europe in the executive as a contact person to that part of Europe.

10. CoGREE Report

The planned CoGREE consultation will now take place in Vienna at the Pallottihaus 2 - 5 May 2002. Each of the CoGREE members is invited to send 5 delegates. The proposed delegates of EFTRE were: Genevieve Locqueville, Carin Laudrup, Jeremy Taylor, Sonja Danner, and Marit Hallsted Svare.

11. Internet site

Paul Hopkins has asked for updated country reports.

12. Future Exec and Board Meetings

Executive meeting: 17 November 2001 in Amsterdam.
Future dates will be fixed later with the new members
Board meeting: 21 September 2002, in Münster would be proposed to the board

13. A.O.B.

None