1, January 2022
Subject: A Progress Report of the first 90 days
Dear Friends: It has been a very busy and eventful 90 days of service and it is my pleasure to provide you an update of these initial activities and actions. As promised, we are delivering on the promise of diligence, transparency, operational efficiency, and communication as we provide this accounting during difficult, ever challenging Covid times. First, thanks to all previous AC and EC members, and all Standing and Ad Hoc Committees for their service and contributions. After a brief virtual transfer from Dr Franco Servadei to Dr Nelson Oyesiku in Sept 2021, which was appropriately short on ceremony, we immediately delved into the business of management and leadership. The new AC is in position and comprises, Dr Najia El Abbadi-Pres Elect; Dr Miguel Arraez-First VP; Dr Franco Servadei-Past President; Dr Akio Morita-Secretary; Dr Miroslav Vukic-Asst Secretary; Dr Nasser El-Ghandour-Treasurer; Dr Marco Fontanella-Asst. Treasurer; Dr Enrique Osorio-Fonseca-Pres of XVII World Congress (AC 2019-2021); and Dr Graham Fieggen-Pres of XVIII World Congress (AC 2021-2023). All of them have stepped into their roles and are hard at work advancing the mission of the WFNS. The new chairs of the Standing Committees are also in place and functioning, chaired by the following, Dr Andre Grotenhuis-Audit; Dr Bernard Bendok-C&B; Dr Peter Nakaji- Publication and Web; Dr Nasser El-Ghandour Finance; Dr Apio Antunes, Nominating. We have held 3 Administrative Council Meetings so far (all virtual) discussing various aspects of strategy, operations, administration and financial management with a vision and plan to take the WFNS forward. Bogota Congress At its last meeting, the AC adopted a resolution of unconditional support for the Bogota Congress under the leadership of Dr Enrique Osorio-Fonseca and his Congress committee. The AC expressed full support for an in-person meeting as long as international travel guidelines permit, and we look forward to joining our FLANC colleagues in Bogota as they host the world of neurosurgery. Financial Outlook The financial situation of the WFNS as it stands is precarious. Our major revenue streams are member society dues and congresses, our existing fixed expenditures are significant and unrelenting. The upcoming financial forecast is bleak and is the result of antecedent trajectory. Thanks to the global pandemic, and in spite of the best efforts of the Bogota Congress, it is likely our congress revenues will be under pressure for the next 2 years. Furthermore, many societies are in arrears on their member dues which reduces revenues. Faced with this situation, the Treasurer, Asst Treasurer, the Chair of the Audi Committee are examining all contracts, encumbrances, expenditures, and incomes to determine the best possible financial options for decision by the AC. We clearly need to cut expenses and acquire more resources. WFNS Foundation We have elected a new Chairman and members of the executive board of the WFNS Foundation. Dr Basant Misra will lead the Foundation and will be ably assisted by Dr. Gail Rosseau, Dr Jesus Lafuente, and Dr Mahmood Qureshi, and the ex-officio members. To support the Foundation activities, we must grow endowment by philanthropy and industry relationships and partnerships. The WFNS will have its first meeting in a few weeks. Ad Hoc Committees One issue that has been rather confusing and vexing is the Ad Hoc Committees. The bylaws regarding the committees were either poorly understood or internalized. Most members and chairs were unaware of the term limits imposed by the new bylaws which they actually voted in at the Beijing WFNS meeting by overwhelming majority. The terms and conditions of service of the committees are well articulated in the bylaws and we should all respect them until they are changed by the due process. The purpose of term limits is to provide opportunities, maximize participation, bring in new ideas and develop the next generation. Dr Kenan Arnautovic, Coordinator of Committees and I, the President, reviewed all committees as soon as we took office and carefully considered terms of service. We noted that most committee Chairs had already served 4 years and needed to transition as mandated by the by-laws. Naturally, Chairs that served only 2 years were kept in position. The WFNS central office was instructed to send thank you notes to all departing, and appointment notes to newly appointed chairs. Some apparently did not receive these communications despite having been sent to known e-mail addresses by the Central Office and others did not respond in a timely manner. This led to a lot of confusion and even anger. It should be noted again, that the amendment to limit committee member’s term was not an arbitrary or inconsistent decision - it was mandated by overwhelmingly vote of the EC and became part of the bylaws before my term or that of Dr Arnautovic. I remind all that, on the suggestion of Dr Servadei’s AC in 2017-2019, the amendment to limit the service of Ad-Hoc committee Chairs and members to 2 years, with the possibility to re-elect or re-appoint for another 2 years, and no further, was passed. This amendment was presented to and discussed by the EC in Beijing in 2019 and was voted on and passed with an overwhelming and clear majority. All we are doing in the current administration is adhering to the bylaws as promulgated by the EC. As we can all agree, bending and twisting the rules, making exceptions, granting political favors, and disregarding the rule of law will only invite anarchy and disarray in the long term. It is important to remember that we encourage and enjoin everyone to participate in the activities of all committees to promote educational activities across the world. Anyone interested in education and training activities can and should participate and contribute to the committee activities without necessarily being a member of the committee. The committee’s task is to serve as organizer and facilitator of educational activity and not to be the sole arbiter or actor in any educational activity. It is the job of the committee to invite global experts to participate and contribute. It appears that many members were under the mistaken impression that if they were not on a committee they could not participate in the scientific and educational activity of a committee. This is absolutely incorrect. This has been a major source of confusion, which is unfortunate and should be now resolved. The new Chairpersons were empowered and encouraged to select new members in consultation and coordination with previous Chairs and members and their sub-specialty scientific community, and with due respect for continuity, gender, ethnic, racial, continental, religious, and national diversity. Dr Arnautovic and I did not influence member selection by committee chairs and we approved the subsequent selection without interference. We encouraged the Chairs to keep the committee numbers to a manageable number for operational efficiency. Finally, after committee member selection, there were several cases of duplicate membership. These members were offered the choice of their preferred committee to avoid redundancy. Committees have been filled, have started working, and are posted on WFNS Web Site (except for one). Some committees were consolidated under other committees for reasons of efficiency and redundancy. Here are the new Committee Chairs (2021-2023): WINS Dr Gelareh Zadeh (Canada), Dr Selfi Oswari (Indonesia). CV Dr Ian Stefan Florian (Romania). Education- Drs Luis Borba (Brazil) and Satoshi Kuroda (Japan). Neurorehabilitation will be consolidated into the Education committee. Complications in neurosurgery Committee has been consolidated into the Education committee. Neuromonitoring Committee will be consolidated into the Education committee. Ethics and Medical Legal Affairs Committee affairs are in fact under the purview of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. Mass Casualties Committee will be consolidated under Trauma Committee. Fundraising Committee will be enfolded into the WFNS Foundation. Honorary Presidents Dr Yong-Kwan Tu (Taiwan). Global Neurosurgery Dr Kee Park (US). Medal of Honor (until Colombia meeting) Dr Yong-Kwan Tu (Taiwan). Neurosurgical anatomy Drs Juan Luis Amador (Mexico) and Ying Mao (China). Neurooncology Committee Dr. Jorg-Christian Tonn (Germany) and Dr. Sameh Elmorsy Hassan (Egypt). Pediatric Neurosurgery Committee Dr. Meng-Fao Kuo (Taiwan) and Dr. Abhaya Kulkarni (Canada) – will be associated with ISPN. Neuroendoscopy Dr. Stefan Wolfsberger (Austria) and Dr. Takeo Goto (Japan). Neurotrauma Dr Andrew Reisner (US), Dr Laura Lippa (Italy), Dr Andres Rubiano (Colombia). Stereotactic/Functional Dr Ahmed Alkani (Saudi Arabia), Dr Jose Carillo-Ruiz (Mexico). Skull Base Dr Daniel Prevedello (US) and Doo-Sik Kong (South Korea). Scoville Award Dr Mauro Loyo Varella (Mexico). Spine Committee Dr Salman Sharif (Pakistan). Liaison WFNS/WHO Dr Walter Johnson (US). Young Neurosurgeons Award Committee Dr Fahn Derkaui Hassani (Morocco). Young Neurosurgical Forum Dr Ignatius Essene (Cameroun). Peripheral Nerve Committee TBA. WFNS New Journal Launch Committee- Global Neurosurgery Dr Peter Nakaji (US). WFNS Branding/IP Committee Dr Marco Fontanella (Italy). WFNS Foundation (Executive): Chair: Dr Basant Misra (India) Parliamentarian Dr David Adelson (US). We would like to point out that, as per bylaws, all Ad Hoc Committee chairs are selected by the WFNS President and do not require confirmation or vote by the AC. Nevertheless, for collective wisdom, collaboration, coordination, transparency and full disclosure, all proposed new Committee Chairs were presented at the first AC Meeting by Dr Arnautovic and the entire list was strongly and unanimously endorsed. WFNS Branding/IP We have set up an ad hoc committee to examine the issue of WFNS branding and the use of its intellectual property. The committee is made up of Marco Fontanella-Asst Treasurer; Miro Vukic-Asst Secretary; Kenan Arnautovic-Chair of Coordinating Committee, and Louis Borba, Education Chair. The mission of the committee is to examine ways and means to better protect, enhance, and monetize the WFNS brand. This applies to seminars, workshops, and webinars consistent with the use of intellectual property in other organizations. They will present a report of appropriate guidelines and actions for consideration by the AC. As stated on prior occaisons, I have thought carefully about our vision, goals, and objectives, but I don't know everything, and I ask for ideas; please feel free to send us suggestions, proposals and critiques. Finally, and most importantly, we wish everyone a very prosperous, happy and healthy 2022. Looking forward to seeing you all in Bogota, Colombia in a few months. Best regards, Thank you, Gracie, Obrigado, Arigato, Gracias, Spasibo, Danke, Grazie, Merci, Hvala
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