MINUTES
of the third Annual General Meeting of 'ECO HVAR', registered charity for the wellbeing of people, animals and the environment on Hvar Island,
held on 28th May 2016 at 17:30 in the Cafe Splendid, Jelsa.
Present: Vivian Grisogono, Charity President, Nada Kozulić, Liljana Caratan Lukšić, Doris Tudor and Frank John Dubokovich
Apologies for absence: Miranda Bradbury Miličić, Gordana Borić, Branko Bunčuga, Debora Bunčuga, Raffaella Catani, Evan Kraft, Jasenka Splivalo
The meeting was opened at 17:30 by the President, Vivian Grisogono
AGENDA
- Formal opening, confirmation of the number of members present, election of the meeting secretary
- Report of the Charity's activities in 2015
- Financial report for 2015
- Outline of the Charity's plans for 2016
- Proposal to add a further signature to the Charity's bank account
- Any other business
1. The President presented a verbal report giving an overview of the Charity's activities during 2015. The Charity was very active through its internet presence, not only with its own website and Facebook page, but also collaborating with other internet portals and pages promoting similar aims, and answering queries from interested and concerned individuals.
2. ACTIVITIES IN 2015
a) Activities relating to the Environment and Health
Environmental poisons
There was correspondence linked to the environment, mostly about the use of pesticides on private and public areas.
Eco Hvar continued its educational aim of warning people through the internet and individually about the harmful effects of herbicides, especially those which are glyphosate-based. There is ever-increasing scientific evidence showing the dangers of these poisons. Eco Hvar highlighted the debates in the European Parliament in the lead-up to the decision on whether to renew glyphosate's approval when it expires in June 2016.
Concerns about spraying public areas
Eco Hvar is aware that in 2015 there was no improvement in the system of street spraying against mosquitoes. Wer sought specific information about the poisons used on public areas. The reply from Jelsa Council revealed that at least one of the mixture of products used for street spraying against insects was actually only intended for use as spot treatments in indoor areas, and was specifically not for spraying over wide outdoor areas.
Eco Hvar is concerned about the limited warnings given to the public when street spraying is about to take place, as the practice is potentially damaging to people with chest problems and beneficial insects including bees, while one of the products used is potentially fatal to cats.:In 2015, as in previous years, there was no adequate warning about when the spraying was due to take place, so people with health problems could not protect themselves in any way, and beekeepers were not alerted to the need to close their hives. Furthermore, poison sprays are the only means used to control mosquitoes, while alternative methods are apparently not being considered Experience shows that poison is not an efficient method of pest control, as the mosquitoes are present in ever-increasing numbers.
Eco Hvar member Mrs. Doris Tudor remarked that residents should play a part in mosquito-prevention measures, for instance by eliminating standing water in gardens and fields.
Wild flower protection
The case against herbicides was further strengthened by the visit of an orchid enthusiast from the Netherlands, Frank Verhart, who explored Hvar and Brač in the spring of 2015 as the guest of Eco Hvar, identifying and mapping wild orchid sites (http://www.eco-hvar.com/en/environment-articles/118-orchids-dalmatia-s-secret-treasures). The results of his work were sent to the Department of Botany in Zagreb's Science University, and his visit was publicized in a feature article in Slobodna Dalmacija. Mr Verhart warned about the need to take care of Dalmatia's wildflower heritage. He highlighted that fly-tipping and pesticide use were two major causes of harm and destruction.
Rubbish management
Rubbish management is an area of concern. In 2015 Jelsa Council made little progress towards more environmentally sensitive means of waste management, by contrast with other Councils, such as Hvar and Stari Grad, which have introduced separation of recyclable materials. Hvar Town has also introduced collection of old electronic waste in its depot at the entrance to the town.
Water quality test
The President informed the Meeting about a test carried out on Jelsa's drinking water. In September last year a water sample was taken from a tap in Jelsa and sent to a Spanish laboratory to be checked for the presence of herbicides, notably glyphosate, the active ingredient of Roundup / Cidokor. While water quality is tested regularly throughout Croatia for bacterial contamination, herbicides or pesticides are not checked. In our experience it is extremely difficult to obtain such a test in Croatia, whereas it is much more routine in Spain and Germany. It was extremely gratifying to find that the water sample was completely free of herbicide contamination.
However, Eco Hvar advises that this should not be taken to mean that people can use glyphosate-based herbicides without restraint, as a WHO report in 2015 declared the substance a probable carcinogen, and many other studies have revealed that glyphosate-based herbicides are potentially damaging to almost every aspect of human health. The Eco Hvar website carries regular updates on the EU regulations and debates concerning glyphosate. In he autumn of 2015 MEPs in the Environment Committee presented a resolution demanding an immediate ban on the substance when its permit expired in June 2016.
b) Activities relating to animal welfare
Animal Shelter project
Eco Hvar's primary project and long-term aim is to establish an animal shelter for abandoned dogs and cats on Hvar. An ideal plot of land has been offered for the purpose, and the plans for the Shelter are being drawn up.
Animal rescue
Sadly, in 2015, three sets of seven puppies were dumped around Vrbanj, Hvar Town and Dol. They were found by locals and visitors, and some found homes locally and abroad, mainly in Germany. Four were brought to the Eco Hvar President and were given shelter in Pitve. Eco Hvar established contact with the No-Kill Animal Shelter in Kaštel Sučurac outside Split, run by Dr. Zdenka Filipović. The collaboration between the two charitable organizations is set to be long-term.
c) Support for Eco Hvar
During 2015 a significant number of people added their names to the Supporters' List, which is published (without personal details) in the 'Official' section on the Eco Hvar website. All supporters are kept informed of the Charity's activities, mainly by email.
After a brief discussion, the Meeting accepted the Report of the Charity's activities during 2015.
3. FINANCIAL REPORT
Nada Kozulić presented the Charity's accounts for 2015. Eco Hvar ended the year with a positive financial result. It has to be emphasized that the Charity has to date financed all its activities through donations.
On January 1st 2015, the Charity's bank balance stood at 10,814.00 kn, and during the year the Charity received donations of 1,235.00 kn. Therefore the total dispoable amount on the account for 2015 was 12,139.00 kn. Expenses during the year amounted to 2,872.00 kn.
On 31st December 2015, the bank balance stood at 9,267.00 kn.
The financial documentation prepared by the Accountant for the year from January 1st to December 31st 2015 is attached to this Annual Report in written form.
Following the presentation, the Meeting accepted the Eco Hvar's Financial Report for 2015.
4. OUTLINE OF PLANS FOR 2016
Eco Hvar plans to continue and develop all the activities which it has fostered to date:
- the project for the Animal Shelter;
- increased collaboration with Animalis Centrum, the Shelter in Kaštel Sučurac;
- improvement of the environmental situation on Hvar. We hope that through education, actions and encouragement we can persuade the authorities and our fellow-citizens to adopt different behaviours towards the environment.
- collaboration with other Charities on Hvar with similar aims to ours, notably Dignitea and Sustainable Island (Održivi otok)
- publicizing and popularizing the latest research and news relating to environmental protection, animal welfare and human health through our internet website and Facebook page.
The members of the Charity hope that there will be support, especially financial help, from public funds, especially as local authorities are legally bound to make provision for the protection of the environment, animals and public health.
Following the report, the Meeting passed the Resolution accepting the Charity's proposed work programme for 2016.
5. ADDITIONAL SIGNATURE FOR THE BANK ACCOUNT
The President explained that, as two signatures are required for every transaction, a further signatory is needed for the bank account. Mrs Debora Bunčuga from Jelsa was proposed as the fourth signatory.
The Meeting adopted the proposal and accepted Debora Bunčuga (OIB 0160827872) as a co-signatory for the Charity Eco Hvar of Jelsa.
6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no further discussion, so the President thanked those present and all those who have helped the Charity in the past year, and concluded the Annual General Meeting at 18:35
Secretary President
Nada Kozulić Vivian Grisogono