Eighty four participants representing twenty different countries were present. The Chairperson for this inaugural meeting was Nancy Farina, Director of Academic Affairs, American Physical Therapy Association and Conference Convenor.

The proposed Bylaws of the International Society of Educators in Physiotherapy previously circulated, were then considered.

Name of the Society: It was agreed unanimously that the name of the society should be the International Society of Educators in Physiotherapy.

Purpose and Mission: Following considerable discussion the following purpose and mission statement was agreed "The International Society of Educators in Physiotherapy (ISEP) is a network of physiotherapy educators from nations around the world. This non-profit organisation is designed to promote communication within the international physiotherapy community in order to promote excellence in physiotherapy education and practice. The mission of the ISEP is to identify and share common issues, themes and strategies for the enhancement of physiotherapy education around the world." Proposed Donna El-Din, seconded Ruth Grant, carried unanimously.

Office Bearers: There was unanimous agreement that the office bearers of the Society should include a President, Secretary/Treasurer and President-Elect and that these persons should constitute the Executive Committee of the Society and further that the inaugural officers should be nominated from the participants present at that meeting. It was agreed that the officers would serve a four year term with the President Elect taking over as President at the conclusion of the President's four year term, for a further four year term.

Nominations were called for each position.

Presidential Nominees: Colleen Liston and Ruth Grant. Ruth Grant duly declared elected.

President Elect Nominees: Lesley Dawson, Donna El-Din, Patricia Evans. Lesley Dawson duly declared elected

Secretary/Treasurer Nominees: Marian Tidswell, Kristinn Heinrichs, Marilyn Miller, Jennifer Handscombe, Lee Nelson, Elspeth Finch. Marilyn Miller declared duly elected. The countries of the officers elected are Australia (President), Middle East (President Elect) and United States (Secretary/Treasurer).

It was agreed that

• the Executive Committee should meet in a face to face meeting to plan the next International Symposium and the next formal meeting of the Society. This face to face meeting would take place every two years between meetings of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT), and the President will preside at these meetings. However, the funding of such face to face meetings was an issue, as the Society itself would not be in a position to fund such a meeting at this stage of its existence. It was agreed that the Executive Committee should strive to have a face to face meeting biennially however it was recognized that much could be achieved through the "information superhighway". The Society will schedule its International Symposium and meeting every four years, to be held before or after WCPT.

• the Executive Committee should prepare all Bylaws and send these to members at least 60 days before a scheduled meeting of the Society.

Organizational Structure: Whilst there was unanimous agreement that there should be working members of the International Society representing regions, there was much discussion about how these regions should be designated. It was finally agreed by acclamation that there would be regional representation on a broadly continental basis. These would comprise Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe-Middle East, North America, South America. To facilitate the establishment of regional representation, participants agreed that the inaugural regional representatives should be drawn from those present at the meeting.

The following members expressed their willingness to stand as inaugural regional representatives.

Africa - Carina Eksteen, Aimee Stewart (a third representative to be chosen).

Asia - Wai Pong Wong, Policarpia Magpili, Ramona Luisa Pablo-Santos.

Australia and New Zealand - Colleen Liston, Gillian Webb, Andrea Vujnovich

Europe - Middle East - Agneta Nilsson, Wolf ter Horst, Antonio Lopes.

North America - Patty Solomon, Cheryl Griffith, Ana Balmaseda.

South America - Claudia Espinosa (two additional representatives to be chosen).

Annual Subscription: It was agreed by acclamation that an annual subscription of $25(US) would comprise the membership dues for both active and associate members. Potential active members for whom this may represent a financial hardship will be encouraged to identify themselves, and it was agreed that regional groups in a position to do so, may propose donation of a number of memberships to assist those regions where this may be a hardship. The possibility of "twinning" between different regions was also suggested.

Rights of Members: Discussion took place regarding the rights of active members versus the rights of associate members. Concern was expressed by a number of participants about the proposal that associate members would have voting rights and be elected to administrative positions in the Society. It will be necessary for the Executive Committee to consider this matter in their modifications of the Bylaws to be circulated to members for their consideration.

Four members expressed their interest and willingness to assist with dissemination of information as they are experienced internet and e-mail users. These persons were Laura Johnson, Kristinn Heinrichs, Allan Christie, and Ed Kosmahl.

There being no further business, the meeting was declared closed at 12.15pm.

RUTH GRANT
President: ISEP

The name of this organisation is the International Society of Educators in Physiotherapy (ISEP)

The International Society of Educators in Physiotherapy (ISEP) is a network of physiotherapy educators from nations around the world. This non-profit organization is designed to promote communication within the international physiotherapy community in order to promote excellence in physiotherapy education and practice. The mission of the ISEP is to identify and share common issues, themes and strategies for the enhancement of physiotherapy education around the world.

Any physiotherapist who is involved in the education of physiotherapy students in an educational, research or clinical setting may be an active member. An associate member is any non-physiotherapist participating in the education of physiotherapy students. An honorary member is a person given honorary membership in the Society by a vote of the membership.

All members may attend the professional meetings of the Society, and receive the Newsletter. Voting rights are limited to active members. Administrative leadership positions are open to active members of the Society only.

The membership can nominate persons outside the active and associate membership categories for honorary membership of the Society.

Membership may be terminated on request in writing to the administrative office of the Society.

Following a non-payment of membership fees, a second reminder will be sent within three months of non-payment. If non-payment still continues within one month of the second reminder, membership will be terminated.

Special interest groups for persons with kindred interests may be instituted for members of the Society. Time will be allocated for special interest groups to meet during the scheduled quadrennial meeting of the Society.

The Officers of the Society shall include a President, Secretary/Treasurer and President-Elect.

These officers shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Society and be elected by the membership and serve for four year terms with the President Elect taking over as President at the conclusion of the President's four year term, for a further four year term.

Any office vacated within the term of that office will be filled by nomination of the Executive Committee and by mail ballot of members.

The Executive Committee will comprise the President, President-Elect and Secretary/Treasurer.

The Executive Committee shall where possible, meet in a face to face meeting every two years to plan the next formal meeting of the Society. This face to face meeting should take place between meetings of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) and the President will preside at these meetings. The Society will schedule its formal meeting in close proximity to WCPT.

The Executive Committee shall prepare all Bylaws and/or modifications to Bylaws which will be sent to all members at least 60 days before a scheduled meeting of the Society.

The Executive Committee will be responsible for submitting an annual report to members which includes activities and budget.

There shall be active membership of the Society representing regions. Regional representation will be on a broadly continental basis.

Regional representatives will be drawn from Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America.

Regional representatives will hold office for four years and a maximum of three representatives will represent each region.

To ensure continuity for the first eight years of the Society, at least one member for each region shall be elected for a second term.

The Society will establish other committees as the need arises including but not exclusively, a Program Committee and a Newsletter Committee.

A Program Committee will be responsible for planning formal meetings and programs of the Society.

A Newsletter Committee will be responsible for preparing an annual newsletter for the membership. The Newsletter Committee shall seek news from the membership, as well as request articles with international relevance for inclusion in the Newsletter.

The Finances of the Society will consist of the annual membership dues and any donations made to the Society.

The annual subscription will be equivalent to $25 (US) and will be the same for active and associate members.

Potential active members for which this may represent a hardship will be encouraged to put their case before the Executive Committee for special consideration.

Regional groups in a position to do so, will be encouraged to donate memberships to assist those regions where there may be hardship.

Elections will be held at the formal meeting of the Society held in conjunction with WCPT.

The location of the administrative office of the Society shall be in the business office or home of the current President of the Society.

Amendments to the Bylaws shall be submitted to the Executive Committee. Proposed amendments will include a rationale for the proposed change. Proposed Bylaw changes will be sent to members at least 60 days before the quadrennial formal meeting of the Society.

The Society will hold scheduled meetings in close proximity to WCPT.

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