Summary of the Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting

May 31 - June 2, 2001, Lake Achensee, Austria

The ISTM Executive Board met in Austria in early June, immediately after the conclusion of our highly successful CISTM7 in Innsbruck. Many issues were discussed, most of them dealing with the continuing smooth functioning of our Society.

As the result of the initiative and dynamism of many of our members, our Society has grown rapidly and we have become active in many new areas. But this success necessitates that we pay more attention to strengthening our present structure and ensure that we meet the legal and financial requirements of a non-profit organization. This task was begun by our previous president, Charles Ericsson, and we are continuing it.

Much discussion went into the strategy we should establish for the selection of conference sites and conference management and organisation. An ad hoc committee has been nominated to formulate a model of organisation and planning future Conferences. Although the ISTM had seriously considered Israel for the CISTM-9 in 2005, in view of the current political unrest and security situation in that country, the board decided against holding the meeting there. The ad hoc committee will develop guidelines for the selection of venues for future conferences, starting with the conference in 2005.

The Board decided that the society's financial management needs more openness. A statement of the Society's income and expenses will be provided for the membership annually via Newsletter and the annual mailing. This is already done by the Society's treasurer at the business meeting of each conference. Since many non-American members may not know that the business meeting is the Society's assembly, the business meeting will now be known as the "membership assembly." This assembly will be a time dedicated for open communications between the executive board and the membership about the ongoing activities of ISTM, and for the executive board to respond to questions and suggestions.

In order to broaden the scope of the ISTM, it was decided to add the word "migrants" to the ISTM mission statement: …the promotion and protection of the health of travelers and migrants …. The committee on migrant health suggested that the name of the Society could be changed to include migration medicine. This matter should be discussed further with the membership through the NewsShare.

The electronic communication committee - in close collaboration with Shoreland - will work on the membership directory on the webpage, to allow members to make their own information changes.

GeoSentinel, remains a very productive initiative of the ISTM and works in close collaboration with the CDC. Regular data collection from the various sites located around the world gives opportunities not only for surveillance but also for potential research by members of the network. It also allows for early detection of disease outbreaks, such as the recent epidemic of leptospirosis observed among the participants of the Ecochallenge in Borneo. TropNet Europe is also very active in the surveillance of a selected number of diseases, and alerts its members of increased disease activity in specific destination such as falciparum malaria in the Dominican Republic. Establishing closer collaboration between the two networks through a GeoSentinel board of governors and guidelines on ownership of data will be developed.

Increasing the membership is a constant concern of the ISTM. But many technical problems hinder a successful solution. Many members of national societies can't afford to pay another membership fee to the ISTM. In many parts of the world, some travel medicine practitioners do have a good command of English. The membership committee is presently studying various proposals: discounts for multiple year membership, corporate membership, buddy membership, reduced rates for members from developing countries, and working with our sponsors for supporting membership. Negotiation with national societies of travel medicine need to continue with innovative solutions. It is a difficult area with unexpected legal and financial implications. A great deal of discussion lies ahead.

The host countries committee has come up with several suggestions to promote travel medicine in host countries. Copies of the JTM issues will be sent to universities to let them know what ISTM has to offer. Projects need to be prioritised and more focussed on one location or on one sector in order to make the most of the resources available. Some funds were made available to invite and financially help participants to come to the Innsbruck conference. This program proved very effective and should continue for the next conference.

It was decided that the editorship of the Journal of Travel Medicine (JTM) will be transferred from Dr. Ericsson to Dr. Steffen, moving the editorship from North America to Europe. Under the leadership of Dr Ericsson the JTM has become a listed journal in the Index Medicus and has gained visibility and recognition.

A new and larger clinic directory will be developed in a written version.

The travel industry and public education committee has been working on promoting public awareness of health issues related to travel. Further discussion will take place on several organisational and financial issues related to the Coalition for Healthy Travel.

The professional education committee has been working hard at producing a body of knowledge that will be posted on the website of the ISTM. This document gives an overview of the various fields of travel medicine and will serve as the basis of content for the exam for a certificate to be issued under the auspices of the ISTM. The ISTM will not conduct courses in order to prepare for the examination.

The industry liaison committee chair will continue to ensure that the society presents a unified message to industry. Maintaining close and productive collaboration with our partners is of key importance for the society.

The ISTM is providing support to the Asia Pacific Travel Health Society in the organisation of their October 2002 Shanghai conference. The support is both financial (in the form of a loan) and in providing help in the planning of the program of the conference. The board expressed its willingness to attend the meeting with active participation in the scientific program of the conference.

This is only a summary of the numerous activities underway in the ISTM. With limited resources, a lot has been accomplished, but a lot remains to be done. Most of the activities that we have undertaken requires the active participation of volunteers dedicated to enhancing the ISTM image. The society is very grateful to all members for the great work accomplished. Other members willing to participate are more than welcomed.