The meeting involved discussions about various issues related to membership and sponsorship. AGIC expressed concerns about the backlog of pending membership applications, particularly for individuals from South Africa and the Philippines. There were also discussions about sponsorship for South Africa, with Sonya revealing that she had no record of who was sponsoring them in the past. The meeting also touched on the issue of individual membership applications from Saudi Arabia, with Sonya mentioning that only Nyaki had responded to her. The conversation ended with discussions about onboarding new members, with Sonya stating that she would onboard the members by Friday if the board approves.

The team discussed their experiences and upcoming events. James shared his busy schedule, including caring for a baby. Sonya mentioned her recent trip and the heat wave she experienced. AGIC talked about preparing for an international tourism fair and the upcoming exams for newcomers. Viola expressed exhaustion and asked for help from colleagues. Sebastian shared his busy schedule, including a meeting with the Pope and his role as a tourist guide. The team also discussed the feeling of being overwhelmed in their leading positions and the need to address this issue.

Sebastian proposed a new organizational structure for the company, suggesting that each portfolio should have a checklist of tasks and responsibilities. He also suggested that the board should focus on the most important tasks and delegate less important ones. Sebastian also mentioned the need for external help in structuring the organization. WFTGA suggested that each board member should have a clear outline of their responsibilities and that the board should be informed at the right time.

The team discussed the challenges of managing the organization, including the lack of volunteers and the need for more funding. They considered the idea of having working groups for each portfolio and the possibility of having past board members continue to contribute. The team also discussed the potential for sponsorship and the idea of having a representative focus on this aspect. However, they acknowledged that this would require significant effort and organization.

Sebastian discussed the idea of setting up a trust in Austria, which would require €70,000 and involve a lot of administrative work. He suggested that this could be a long-term solution for managing scholarships and other aspects of the organization. However, he acknowledged that this would require time and money, and that the organization was still in a transition phase. AGIC offered to help with the administrative tasks, and WFTGA expressed willingness to assist Christina. The team agreed to continue with the current tasks and to set up a more structured organization in the future.

In the meeting, the board discussed and approved the membership applications of Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia. They also discussed the possibility of having a working group to handle membership issues. The board agreed to meet prior to the next meeting to discuss any concerns with membership applications. They also discussed an Erasmus project, with Viola providing an update. The board decided to approve the Erasmus project, with the understanding that it would be signed by the end of the day or the next day.

Sebastian discussed the Erasmus project, which his company is involved in. He mentioned that they don't have access to the Wftga Erasmus account and are working to resolve this issue. He also expressed interest in doing more Erasmus projects in the future. Viola then presented a new Erasmus project that their organization has been invited to participate in. The project, led by the Heritage authority in Gallipoli, Turkey, aims to train tourist guides in using augmented reality and virtual reality for interpretation. The project will involve research, training, and a dissemination event. Viola acknowledged some unclear aspects of the project but expressed optimism about its potential benefits. The team agreed to sign a proposal for the project, with the hope of hearing back within 2 to 3 months.

The team discussed a new project involving training and digital platforms. Viola explained that the project would involve learning and adapting as it progresses. AGIC raised concerns about the time commitment required, but Viola reassured that it wouldn't be excessive. Sebastian shared his experience with a similar project, explaining the payment structure and the importance of meeting deadlines. WFTGA questioned the payment for the project, suggesting that Viola should be compensated for her work. The team agreed to focus on the tasks at hand and consider the financial implications later.

Sebastian proposed to proceed with the Erasmus project and to inform Barish about it. The team also discussed the possibility of involving Ross Newlands in the Turkish representation. They agreed to proceed with the Imax event in Frankfurt, with Sarah or Marianne potentially attending. The team also discussed the need for an extra meeting to discuss financial matters, including unpaid invoices and membership fees. Sonya suggested sending reminders to members about their fees. The team also discussed the need for a virtual general assembly to encourage members to pay their fees.

The group discusses the cultural card issue, with James proposing a QR code solution that would link to the WFTGA website and require presentation of a local guide association ID. Sebastian expresses concerns about the practicality of scanning QR codes at entrances and the readiness of the association for digital changes, while Christina notes that the cultural card has limited practical use in Spain. The group acknowledges that while the QR code solution isn't perfect, it could serve as an interim solution that avoids printing and shipping costs while meeting members' expectations for receiving something tangible for their membership.

The team discussed the cultural card, which has been a source of confusion and misunderstanding. They considered the need for a tangible card versus a digital solution, with some members wanting proof of membership. The team also discussed the challenges of shipping cards worldwide and the outdated list of attractions that offer benefits to guides. They agreed that the card is not a project or a product, but rather a concept that needs to be better communicated to members. The team also discussed the need for capacity building and members helping each other, rather than relying on the expo to do it for them.

The team discussed the need for a digital culture card for tourist guides. They considered various methods for distribution, including a form for guides to submit their information and receive the card via email. The team also discussed the potential cost of implementing this system, estimating it to be around €500. They agreed on the importance of the card and the need to find a way to make it happen. The team also discussed the need to check the membership status of the guides before issuing the card. They decided to involve the associations in the process and to find a way to fund the project.

Sebastian discussed the need for a comprehensive approach to managing various tasks, including writing emails, designing forms, and handling QR codes. AGIC agreed to write an email to all associations, while Viola expressed interest in learning more about the process. WFTGA suggested a letter to honor the culture card for a certain period, which would be sent to the associations. Sebastian agreed to sign the letter, and AGIC offered to add Sebastian's handwriting to the letter. The team also discussed the need for a newsletter and the upcoming convention in Japan.

Sebastian led the meeting, discussing the upcoming newsletter and the need for Christina to draft and send it out by April 15th. They also discussed potential key speakers from UNESCO, with Ivana to schedule a meeting with them. The team agreed to find a solution for the culture card by April 1st. The next expo meeting was scheduled for April 8th, but they decided to discuss via email. The team also discussed the need for more frequent meetings on portfolios, with a schedule to be determined.