nl_e17

Report part 3
Because travelling and hotels might be more or less expensive there, a vote was asked for this
decision. The vote showed a majority for the decision.
d. Ipce discusses Ipce
The newly appointed secretary chose to pick up on a theme that had been discussed for a while
on the previous day: What is Ipce, What is it not?
Introduction
As an introduction, he said, "I will mention that this is the 17th Ipce meeting. I want to call back
in memory the meeting we had in 1998 in Athens. There were only a few members, but there
have been made important, and supposedly wise, decisions: important changes in Ipce itself.
Before 1998, it was "IPCE", since 1998 it is "Ipce": name, historical name, no abbreviation.
Before, Ipce was 'an association of associations'. People present were delegates from their
organizations: they were not present as a person, but as a delegate. Since 1998, Ipce is a Forum
for persons. Members present at the meetings are there as a person, not as a delegate. Members
are persons, not organizations. Guests may be invited: as a person or as delegates.
Ipce is not an action group, it is only a Forum. As a Forum it undertakes no action, except
making a Mission Statement and doing what is said in that statement: making and maintaining
a web site, a Newsletter and an archive of texts (texts only, no images), exchanging documents
and organizing meetings.
I know there are always people, especially young ones, who ask for "Action!". Nevertheless,
Ipce keeps to be a Forum only. Action is to be taken by the members and their groups
themselves.
Because Ipce is a Forum, there is not 'one and only true Ipce opinion': a forum allows a
collection of opinions. Important opinions are collected on the web site in the chapter
"Statements". These are not "Ipce Statements" in the meaning of: 'Ipce has voted about these
texts', but only in the meaning of 'These statements, made by members, are felt as being shared
by most other members'. Ipce does not vote about statements, except its Mission Statement.
BTW, Ipce is not a formally registered organization. In the Netherlands, there is a formal
Register of Associations, Foundations and Companies, but Ipce is not registered in this way.
The consequence is that Ipce cannot open a bank account with its name. Both bank accounts
mentioned are set on the name of the treasurer and secretary. Also, the domain names and the
provider accounts, are set on the name of the webmaster."
Discussion
http://www.ipce.info/newsletters/e_17/report_3.htm (4 of 6) [6/5/2005 8:28:16 PM]