New commercial course dominates discussions in Assembly.
There were very many points on the agenda of the 2008 Assembly of FEUPF in Brussels. All regular reports, the finances, the European politics, various educational matters, the many issues regarding competitions. They were however outnumbered by the very many ideas and proposals put on the agenda by the DC on request of the new taskforce commercial development. Which not only clearly showed that this taskforce has been working hard during the last year but that its members also have an innovative and creative mind. New ideas, new possibilities, a more commercial course with the perspective of benefits for florists, florist associations, the federation as well as the commercial partners.
General secretary Toine Zwitserlood presented the general idea behind all the proposals put forward by the taskforce. Member services, he explained, are one of the three key tasks of any association, besides lobbying and development of the branch. It is of major importance to put enough efforts into all three key tasks and thus keep the whole in balance. The situation however is such that the majority of the affiliated associations almost have no member services at all. That is why the taskforce wants to develop ideas, schemes, good practices, formats, on the European level that consequently can be implemented in the members states.
Various ideas were then presented by the taskforce to the delegates at the Assembly. An insurance scheme, based on the scheme that has been developed for the BFA, to be developed by Brokers Link, an international brokers network, and to be implemented together with the national associations. Special floristry books, to be distributed through the national associations on very interesting conditions. A new approach to stimulate innovation in the framework of a sort of competition. The development of a European format for a code of practice. The possibility to develop a special diary for florists, to be distributed via the national associations. Many ideas, some just being a concept, some almost practicable.
The delegates at the Assembly were quite pleased with the initiative to give impulses to the development of member services. For all ideas they gave green light to work them out further and come up with concrete proposals. Which means that the taskforce has a lot of work to do in the coming period!
