We have a wonderful challenge

Yes, my dear Skålleagues, it's a great news prior to our 2023 Málaga World Congress.

We have to donate 90,000 € to the Florimond Volckaert Fund, but the important part is that we only have to contribute with half of the amount since we have an anonymous donor, that will match any amount we manage to obtain. 

As was informed on July 13th by our International Skål Council President, Julie Dabaly-Scott, through our International Councillor in Monaco, Birgit Reimann, we have been approached by this generous person that wants to make a contribution to the Florimond Volckaert Fund to boost our 90th anniversary. We have until October 31st to accomplish this wonderful challenge. That is, until one day before the start of our Congress. 

As per our 2023 Málaga World Congress, I want to start thanking the Skål International Clubs of Córdoba (Argentina) and New York (USA) for their interest and hard work to contend for this year's Congress. I personally know that preparing a bid, particularly in such a short time, requires a lot of effort. Again, thank you my dear Cordoba and New York Skålleagues for your support. 

Málaga's Local Organizing Committee has been working very closely with the General Secretariat so as to have everything in place for these five quite amicable days: from the 1st to the 5th of November.

For the second year, our AGA will take place on a hybrid form. All Membership can participate in person or in a virtual form during our November 3rd Assembly, and all the Club Delegates will be able to submit their votes in a window frame of 24 hours or more. 

Obviously, with the new governance model now in place, elections for Directors, Deputy Directors, Auditors and Membre d´Honneur, as well as for the 2025 Congress site will take place in each of the 14 Regions, at least, 15 days prior to the Assembly. This is part of the new challenges we have undertaken. But with all the support we have been receiving from the Transition Committee, I am sure we will succeed. For this, I want to commend all the hard work done by the Co-Chairs of the said Committee: Past President Lavonne Wittmann, International Skål Councillors Holly Powers and Alfred Merse, who have always been accompanied by our tireless Past P Hulya Aslantas.

Currently, work is being carried out in order to have, in each of the 14 Regions, a forum where the Candidates for Directors will have the opportunity to present themselves and their objectives to the Skålleagues within their Region. Also, the participation of our two current Vice Presidents that are running for Skål International 2024 President is also expected, as well as those for Auditor.

See you in Málaga!

“Con un fuerte abrazo Skål”

Juan I. Steta

Skål International President, 2023