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THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE OF THE INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF TRAVEL AGENTS

07/28/08

 

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History of IFTA

 

Bye-Laws

 

Membership

 

 

A Brief History of Our Fellowship

Rotary Recreational and Vocational Fellowship is a relatively new program, combining two former Rotary International programs - World Fellowship Activities and International Vocational Contact Groups.

Whether recreational or vocational, Fellowships unite Rotarians in friendship and service, the exchange of ideas and the pursuit of international understanding.

The International Fellowship of Travel Agents was established in 1992 by Jay Weerarathna of the Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town, District 3220. Rosey Wong took over the helm from Jay in April 1995. She increased the membership dues to US$20 from US$10 and introduced a quarterly newsletter to provide an opportunity for Rotarians in the travel and hospitality (including airlines, hotels, tourism boards, rental car and bus companies) industry to network, exchange, promote and share ideas with other members within the industry. The first membership Directory was published in 1996. Membership benefits include a membership certificate and a yearly membership Directory. Due to increased cost our newsletter has been reduced to twice a year. We meet annually at the RI convention and we now have regional groupings in more than 31 countries to encourage more frequent activities.

Our Fellowship service project for 2006-2008 is the Wheelchair Foundation, to help provide mobility to those who need it most. Wheel chairs enable children and teens with physical disabilities to attend school for the first time; adults to work and provide for their families, and the elderly rejoin society and their family activities.

International Fellowship of Travel Agents

Board of Directors 2006-2008

 

Chair Robert Robar 2006-2008
Vice Chair PDG Russ Daggett  Canada
Secretary/Treasurer Rosey Wong USA
Director Roslyn Callao Australia
Legal Advisor PDG John Eberhard Canada
Past Chair Brian King 2004-2006
Past Chair PDG Russell Daggett 2001-2004
Past Chair Rtn Bob Gopee 1998-2001
Past Chair Rtn Rosey Wong 1995-1998
Founder (deceased) Rtn Jay Weerarathna 1992-1995

   

 

  Regional Directors 2006-2008

 

 Canada  Barbara Fisk
 Denmark  Peer Kjaer
 Ghana  Pak-Wo Shum
 India  Rahul K. Wadhwa
 Malaysia  A P Tai
 Mexico  Alejandro Canedo
 Nigeria  Adebisi Oyewo
 Nepal  Tek Chandra Pokharel
 Pakistan  Shirin Walji
 Philippines  Maria Vida Konst
 Singapore  Jimmy Ooi
 Sri Lanka  George Perera
 South Africa  PDG Michael Johnson
 U K  Ian Black 
 USA  Sandi Waryck

 

IFTA Fellowship Chairpersons

 Jay Weerarathna  Colombo  Founder 1992 - 1995
 Rosey Wong  USA  1995 - 1998
 Bob Gopee  Trinidad & Tobago  1998 - 2001
 Russ Daggett  Canada  2001 - 2004
 Brian King  Australia  2004 - 2006
 Robert Robar  USA  2006 - 2008

 

BYE-LAWS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF TRAVEL AGENTS

Article I. Election of Directors and Officers

Section 1. At least one month prior to the annual meeting of the Fellowship any member in good standing can submit a name or names of members of the Fellowship for election by members to the position of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Director, and Regional Director. The nomination duly made shall be placed on a ballot under each office and shall be voted on at the annual meeting of the Fellowship to be held at the Rotary

International Convention each year at a time and location set by the Chairman and advised to the membership by a newsletter known as the Window to the World. The candidates for Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Director, or Regional Director receiving the majority of the votes shall be declared elected.

The Officers elected shall assume their office on July 01 following the election.

Section 2. The Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and immediate Past Chairman shall constitute the board.

Section 3. A vacancy on the board shall be filled by action of the remaining members of the board.

Article 11. Board of Directors

Section 1. The governing body of the Fellowship shall be the board of directors consisting of up to seven members. A vacancy by any of the mentioned board members can be filled by one of the three directors.

Article 111. Duties of Officers

Section 1. Chairman-- shall preside at meetings of the Fellowship and the Board and perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to the office of Chairman.

Section 2. Chairman-Elect (Vice Chairman)--to serve as a member of the board of directors and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the chairman.

Section 3. Secretary--it shall be the duties of the secretary to keep the records of the membership, record attendance at meeting of the Fellowship and the Board, record minutes of such meetings. Report and advise RI of any information required by them concerning the operation of the Fellowship.

Perform all duties usually pertaining to the office of secretary.

Section 4. Treasurer--it shall be the duty of the treasurer to have custody of all funds, accounting for same to the Board of the Fellowship. Upon retirement from the office the treasurer shall turn over all income, books and accounts of the Fellowship to the incoming Treasurer or Chairman.

Article IV. Fees and Dues

Section 1. The admission fee shall be US$ 25.00 for one year, $45 for two years and $60 for three years to be paid before the applicant can qualify as a member.

Article V. Voting

Section 1. The business of the Fellowship shall be transacted by viva voce vote except the election of officers and directors, which shall be by ballot, mail or hand delivered.

Article VI. Changes to Board Membership

Section 1. The Chairman shall, subject to approval of the board, make appointments to the board to replace a member of the board found not to be in good standing. Such appointment to last until the next general meeting.

Article VII. Term of Elected Officers

Section 1. The election of the Chairman shall be for a period not to exceed three years. All other members are re-elected annually.

Article VIII. Finances

Section 1. The Treasurer shall deposit all funds in a bank to be named by the board.

Section 2. All bills shall be paid by checks signed by the treasurer to an amount and including US$ 500.00. Any amounts exceeding US$500 will require the signature of any two board members.

Article IX. Membership

Section 1. It shall be the responsibility of the Regional Directors and all members to promote and encourage other Rotarians in the Travel Industry to join the Fellowship.

Article X. Commit the Fellowship

Section 1. No resolution or motion to commit the Fellowship on any matter shall be considered by the Fellowship until it has been considered by the board. Such resolutions or motions if offered at a meeting, shall be referred to the board without discussion.

Article XI. Amendments

Section 1. These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a vote of two thirds of the members present, provided that notice of such proposed amendment shall be notified to each member by way of the "Window to the World" at least ten days before such meeting. No amendments or additions to these bylaws can be made which is not in harmony with Club constitution and with the constitution and bylaws of Rotary International.

 

IFTA Membership

Membership in our Fellowship is open to all Rotarians in good standing and who are or have been professionally involved in the Travel industry.

Rotarians who are not professionally involved with the travel industry but would like to network with IFTA members as an 'insider', may join as Associate members.

 

Fees are US$25 for 1 year, $45 for 2 years & $60 for 3 years to help cover Website server, domain registration fees, newsletter production and mailing costs.

 

We are always on the lookout for Regional Directors for each  country/region who will represent members from the same geographical territory, and pledge to bring in more members under their jurisdiction.

 

You can download the membership form in Adobe pdf format by clicking on this hyper link:

2008-2009 IFTA Membership Form

 

For Associate Membership application, please click on the following link:

2008-2009 IFTA Associate Membership Form

 

 

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This site was last updated 07/28/08