A New Decade! : A New ISGE?
I wish you all a very happy new year and hope that, in the coming year, the ISGE will be in an even stronger position to meet the needs and wishes of its members and the women they serve.
These have been exciting and turbulent times for the ISGE. While the general members of the society may have felt that little was happening, the executive and the board have been engaged in the most intense activity I have ever witnessed on behalf of the society. The extra-ordinary events that have rocked the world’s financial institutions have had implications for governments, businesses and organisations throughout the world. This includes the ISGE, and the board have had to face up to the realities of tighter financial realities in a number of ways.
The health care industry in general, and surgical equipment companies in particular, are having to work within more restricted financial frameworks and they are constantly re-appraising the level of support they are able to offer societies such as ours. We have, as a result, unfortunately lost one of our major company sponsors (we trust only temporally). Reassuringly our other sponsors have re-affirmed their continuing support to us and there is even a realistic prospect of signing up a major new sponsorship. The situation, from the industrial aspect is therefore tight but not desperate.
Similarly, administrative costs are under pressure but currently contained. There is, however, a real need to expand and improve our office, teaching and communication activities which all require additional income. These requirements are being addressed at times when personal financial pressures prevent us substantially increasing membership and/or congress fees. This spectrum of difficulties has led the board to closely examine various options for modifying the structure and functions of the society.
Many wished to appoint a full-time PCO organisation to run the ISGE office and the conferences. This option was seriously explored and several bids were received from established professional companies. One was interviewed both by teleconference and subsequently by presentation to the Board in San Paulo. The costs of such a venture were significant and felt to be more than the society could service at this time. Moreover, the world-wide distribution of our meetings made it very difficult for any single PCO, wherever located, to run meetings at the other-side of the world. Our unique meeting format implied that there would still, as now, be a requirement for a local PCO for each meeting. Such duplication of services was felt to be neither efficient nor the best use of the society’s limited resources.
An alternative route was to consider merger with other societies working in similar areas. The AAGL is interested in expanding its international role and invited the ISGE to take over this role. The board considered this option in the greatest possible detail. The proposals were complex and controversial. It is fair to report that there were those who favoured some form of amalgamation with the AAGL and others who were opposed to such an outcome either in principle or because of the details of the proposals under consideration. The AAGL took our existing constitution and suggested modifications to what was then termed the ISGE Charter. The Executive felt that the devil was in the detail. The Ex Co was uncertain about the implications of this proposed charter and instructed a legal opinion about the documents. The key issue was could the ISGE remain an independent organisation when “merged” with the AAGL? Some members of the board were unhappy with the speed and content of these negotiations and organised an unofficial poll. Only 4/15 members of the board who voted supported the Ex Co’s strategy. In recognition of the depth of this feeling, the President issued a statement on behalf of the board just before Christmas that the ISGE would stop further discussion regarding merger with AAGL. This decision clearly illustrated that the ISGE is a truly democratic society and that major decisions affecting the future of the society are made by the whole board. Out of interest, the legal opinion received after this decision was made stated “From the materials you sent I cannot identify what would prevent ISGE from entering into a joint venture or type of association (you describe it as a professional interest partnership) with AAGL without requiring ISGE to dissolve”.
These at times painful discussions have gone to the heart of what the ISGE is and what it means to its members. We have explored in exquisite detail what we are for and have demonstrated that there is widespread and to some, perhaps surprising, passion among its members to remain as an independent society with equal representation and membership from all corners of the world. I believe these bruising encounters may result in the ISGE having a clearer mission and that it has emerged from this period of deep introspection a stronger and better society.
The job is not, however, done. These protracted discussions have resulted in the rejection of some possible ways to change the society. The problems which prompted the discussions, however, remain. ISGE needs to face the new decade with honesty and integrity and must find answers to its continuing structural problems. What is now clear, however, is that there are a substantial number of committed members who are prepared to address these problems. With this new found enthusiasm and optimism, solutions can be found. It is up to all those who care about the future of the society to become increasingly involved. There will be vacancies on the newly empowered board to be elected at the next Annual meeting of the society. If you are interested in the future of this society, please put yourself forward at the forthcoming elections.
The future of the society remains in the balance. Everyone who wishes the society well should attempt to be at the 19th Annual Congress in Sydney on 26th-29 May 2010. Even in difficult times, perhaps especially in difficult times, individuals can make a difference. You are urged to make every effort to attend what may be a defining moment in the history of the ISGE and do what you can to take this important society forward.
