Apologies received from Shuji Inoue. 
Neville Rigby, Claudette Davis and Jean James attended from the IOTF office. 

Introduction to the IASO Director: The newly appointed IASO Director, Kate Baillie provided an overview of her previous experience. Most recently she had been an associate director at London Business School, where her role had involved running the Centre for Central and Eastern Europe and the Foundation for Entrepreneurial Management. Prior to this, she had been chief executive of the British Society for Rheumatology and several other charities associated with arthritis for eight years. 

She had also been an executive committee member of the European League Against Rheumatism. Academically, her background included a BA in Soviet Studies and an MA in Philosophy and Healthcare (Medical Ethics). She is presently in the final stage of completing an MBA, and hopes to be able to focus on IASO’s development as a case study for her dissertation.

Reports from regional representatives

EASO - Milan initiative: EASO is working with IOTF on the extension of this work with the aim of launching a global initiative in São Paulo.

Dates and venues for future ECO meetings: The 10^th ECO would be held in Antwerp from May 24-27 2000. The 2001 meeting was likely to be held in Vienna, with dates to be confirmed

New Officers:. It was noted that the president- elect, Andrew Prentice, had stepped down and that Xavier Formiguera (Barcelona, Spain) would be the new president elect. The treasurer, secretary and president-elect would come to the end of their term of office at the 10^th ECO meeting, so a new executive committee would be formed.

FLASO: 

FLASO meetings: It was noted that the recent congress in Buenos Aires had attracted 1500 delegates. The FLASO Congress in 2001 would be held in Panama.

9^th ICO 2002 – São Paulo: Plans were underway for the ICO Congress in São Paulo 24-29^th August 2002, at which 3-5000 delegates were expected. 

Policy issues: The relationship with the Brazilian Minister of Health had been strengthened and IOTF had facilitated this process. IOTF had also been working with the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), with the aim of developing a structure to link with Ministers of Health relating to FLASO, who had established a task force. They were hoping to establish a bureau in São Paulo to develop this work. It was hoped that a programme for action would be developed for presentation at the São Paulo Congress.

NAASO: New Officers: At the meeting in Charleston, George Blackburn would hand over the presidency to David York. NAASO presidents thereafter will be Charles Billington (2000-2001), and Art Campfield (2001-2002). 

Future meetings include the next NAASO Congress in Long Beach, California, from October 29^th-November 2nd. The following year, the meeting would move to Quebec City in late September 2001. Plans for 2002 had yet to be confirmed, but it was noted that in March, a Nutrition Week would be held which would involve other Nutrition Societies as well as NAASO. It was noted that NAASO would not hold an Autumn meeting that year, which could compete directly with the São Paulo Congress. 

Oceania: a written report was requested in Prof Inoue's absence. 

Treasurer's Report: 

Audited Accounts 1998: Copies of the audited accounts for 1998 were tabled. Total Assets amounted to $209,153, of which $130, 591 was held in the form of short term investments at low interest rates and $78,562 was held as cash.

Income amounted to $77,792, of which $15,635 was generated from membership dues; $40,161 from journal royalties and the remainder from the Toronto ICO 1994 conference surplus and bank interest. Total expenditure for the year had amounted to $31,000, with the major costs being the office costs incurred by the IASO Secretary, $15,529 and the cost of International Awards, $8,585. The net position at year end therefore showed a surplus of income over expenditure of $46,446.

Financial position 1999: A paper was tabled outlining the financial position from January-October 1999. Total assets had increased from $209,153 to $411,538. Income for the year to date amounted to $233,505, of which $22,910 was generated from membership dues, $164,584 from the Paris Congress surplus, $9,086 from bank interest and $36,923 from journal royalties. Donations amounting to a further $150,000 had also been pledged. It was noted that interest generated from the reserve accounts should help to fund future IASO Awards.

Total expenditure of $40,409 included an initial transfer to the London Office of $30,000. Other expenditure included travel expenses and costs for secretarial support to the Officers. The Finance Committee would also be consulted in the near future about the possibility of transferring some of the IASO reserves, currently held on short term deposit, to higher risk/higher yield investments.

Membership dues: 

It was agreed that the Treasurer should be empowered to suspend membership benefits to persistent debtors. 

Continued on page 22

Continued from page 18

IASO/IOTF Partnership Agreement:

It was noted that IASO had been developing more formal structures since 1990, which had culminated in the establishment of a London headquarters and appointment of a director. 

It had been agreed not to transfer IASO’s legal status from a US not for profit organization to a UK charity, with the establishment of the London office so the need for a partnership agreement stemmed from this decision. 

As an umbrella organization of national associations, IASO had until now, been dealing primarily with scientific aspects of obesity research, rather than national policy issues. To facilitate IOTF’s work, it was important to have IASO gain WHO recognition as a non- governmental organization. It had therefore been agreed in Paris that IOTF would become an ad hoc sub-committee of IASO.

With the move to London, IOTF had needed to acquire a separate legal status as a company limited by guarantee and as a registered charity. The London office had now been established jointly with IASO and there was a clear need to integrate activities and to look at the most cost-effective way of structuring future expansion, including making the best use of IASO’s extensive network. The Partnership Agreement was the technical method for solving these issues. The wording of the agreement was based on a standard model used by UK associations facing the challenges of operating conjointly with other charities, on a global basis.

The current proposal that IOTF Trustees would be completely conversant with IASO activities, and vice versa, should ensure transparency in operation. It was agreed that the Partnership Agreement be adopted, subject to review after one year.

Site Selection for 10^th ICO in 2006:

It was noted that a letter had been sent from the executive committee to national associations, inviting them to tender to host the 10^th ICO in 2006. Verbal and written expressions of interest had been received from five host cities. For further details see page 15.

Reports from IASO Sub Committees

IOTF: A copy of the two-year plan for IOTF was circulated. A further document - Proposed IOTF Annual Plan for the Year 2000 which focused on more immediate funding priorities was also tabled. 

Financial report: 

Total cash assets were estimated to be £700,000 by 31/12/99. Core expenses were estimated to amount to circa £500,000, so the development of a fundraising strategy was a priority. 

The London Headquarters had now been established and the following key areas of expenditure were identified:

1. Policy developments
2. Regional implementation
3. Core costs for both the above
4. Core costs for specific projects eg Caribbean/Pacific workshops for Government Ministers, on behalf of WHO.

1. Asian work – this was well developed with data gathered and commitment to produce an Asian supplement on BMI.
2. Plan to add physical activity to current dietary strategies embodied in policy analyses of governmental action. Staff member James Erlichman has been appointed to work on this.
3. Major developments by the economics cost working group in Australia needed to be adopted for global use with governments.
4. The HQ was currently gathering datasets on childhood and adult BMI. Rachel Jackson-Leach had been appointed to collate data on BMI globally with specific focus for 2000 on European data sets.
5. Development of the policy analysis handbook to be used in conjunction with ministry of health workshops and for implementation by health departments. 

Australia/Pacific – Tim Gill to relocate to Australia; IOTF to provide the Australasian Society for the Study of Obesity with a subsidy towards 50% of salary costs for two years. 

European developments – Russia is becoming increasingly important, so it is planned to employ a Russian/German Officer in the London Office

Latin America – initiative launched in Buenos Aires. There are now plans to employ a Spanish speaker in the London Office.

Chinese developments – A proposed task force is being disucssed with a further meeting in April 2000. Government and health ministry links will provide access to major policy initiatives relating to 3000 major medical centres and 120-150 medical schools. It is proposed to appoint a Mandarin speaker to facilitate this activity.

Caribbean – IOTF has agreed to the Commonwealth Secretariat’s request to run a Caribbean workshop.

North America – North America was locked into the Milan initiative and progressing with this issue.

Middle East – a workshop in Bahrain was scheduled for November 1999, and Egypt had expressed an interest in becoming involved. 

Prof James also noted that IOTF was undergoing a major restructuring process and that the Trustees and steering group would meet to decide on future developments. At this stage it was anticipated that working groups would come to an end and would take on a scientific advisory or ambassadorial role.

Publications: 

IJO North American Editor: A panel consisting of the committee chairman, Michael Stock, Arne Astrup and a representative from Stockton Press had reviewed the two applications received and selected Dick Atkinson. 

Renegotiation of IJO contract: The IJO contract with Stockton Press was shortly up for renewal and a renegotiation process needed to be established.

Obesity Reviews: The appointment of Arne Astrup as Editor-In-Chief of Obesity Reviews was approved by the Executive Committee. 

IASO Newsletter: Neville Rigby was congratulated for his sterling efforts in improving the content and design of the IASO Newsletter. Copies were distributed to all delegates at the NAASO meeting. Revenue generated by advertisements in the newsletter had helped to offset costs of production. The executive was keen to increase contributions from regional and national associations to ensure that the interests and activities of the wider membership were embraced more effectively.

Membership Committee: The Executive Committee ratified the decision of the Membership Committee to admit the Yugoslav Association for the Study of Obesity to membership of IASO.

Awards Committee: It was noted that a programme of key dates for the Awards Committee was needed, as winners had to be notified to the São Paulo organizers at least eight months in advance to ensure inclusion in the congress programme. The President also needed to select five more members of this Committee. 

International Scientific Advisory Committee to the São Paulo Congress: The first meeting of the International Advisory Committee with the São Paulo Scientific Committee would take place on Sunday 14^th November, in Charleston. This committee would be co-chaired by Claude Bouchard and Alfredo Halpern. 

The proposed programme will consist of seven tracks, with an international adviser appointed to assist in the programming of each. This was the first Congress at which simultaneous translation (in Spanish and Portuguese) would be offered, as the number of non-English speaking delegates was expected to be high.

International Pharmaceutical Congress Advisory Association (IPCAA): 

The President noted it would be useful for IASO to work to enhance relations with the pharmaceutical industry. It was proposed that this liaison role be taken on by the new IASO Director.

The next meeting of the IASO Executive will be held on Saturday 25th November at 1400 hours during the 2^nd Panamerican Course on Obesity at Punta del Este, Uruguay.