Evangelical-Lutheran Theological University: 24th August, 2007

Apologies from: Marit H. Svare, Marja Honkaheimo, Genevieve Locqueville

1. Approval of minutes of the 2004 Järvenpää (Finland) assembly

The minutes was read by those present and was approved.

2. Executive Committee’s report 2004-2007

Sonja Danner reported about the last 3-year-long work of the Executive Committee and underlined the following activities:

• Organizing the Budapest Conference; working out of the theme and program; inviting the speakers and workshop leaders; preparing the conference.
• Teacher’s exchange: desirable is not only from East to the West but also from East to East and from West to West.
• Application to the EU Brussels for Comenius Program, which failed. She asks for new ideas and practical help for another application with a new theme.

The Assembly discussed a possible application, theme and new ideas and agreed to be of help of the Executive Committee in order to get money from the EU or anybody else.

3. Treasurer’s Report

Hugo Verkest reported about the finances. He emphasized the importance of paying the membership fee, which was paid by the institutions and was fixed of 100.- Euros pro year. In the discussion it was suggested to establish a voluntary kind of membership, which could be named as friend of EFTRE.

The question was put to the vote and the assembly adopted 100 Euros pro year fee for the member institutions and voluntary support for friends of EFTRE.

4. Election

The new board was elected: see the contacts section. Three new countries will send representatives: Italy, Wales, Romania. The members of the old Executive Committee were asked about intention of continuing. Every member except of Jane Brooke is willing to continue. The Executive Committee for the next three years was elected by the new board member, see the contacts section.

5. Newsletter

Paul Hopkins reported about the EFTRE Newsletter. The board members receive it in order to distribute in their countries. The question of translation was raised: the Newsletter could be more effective if it was translated. Translation could be the job of the board members. They were asked to spread the Newsletter in their countries.

6. Members

Sonja Danner asked members to make publicity of EFTRE in the various countries in order to expand it.

7. Annual seminars

It was an idea of the former Executive to organize small seminaries annually. The aim would be to activate RE teachers and bring EFTRE closer to them. Seminars could be held alongside Board and Executive meetings with one keynote speaker, a workshop and time for discussion and meeting with colleagues.

The aim would be to have approximately 20-30 participants/seminar. This idea was introduced and discussed but was not bought to a vote.

8. CoGREE

Peter Schreiner introduced the members, aim and mandate of CoGREE. He reported also about the next CoGREE events in the coming year.

9. Web Site

Paul Hopkins emphasized the importance of national reports which are the tasks of board members. They also are responsible of the details of member organizations. He urged the board members to think of the question how they could contribute to the website.

10. Next conference

Hugo Verkest indicated Belgium as a possible venue of the next conference in 2010 (Brugge or Leuvens), but any other suggestions can be taken.

11. Any other business

The next Executive meeting is planned to Paris on 20th October 2007.
Next meeting of the Board was invited to Rome in March/April 2008

Budapest, 25th August 2007
Marit Hallset Svare