AI Generated Summary (check for accuracy) 

Quick recap

The team discussed various topics including  future plans for a newsletter, and the importance of consistent branding. They also focused addressing membership issues, payment challenges, and the need for improved communication and engagement with members. The team also outlined plans for enhancing membership engagement, collaboration with national entities, and personal development, and announced the formation of six working groups to improve communication platforms.

Next steps

• Maricar will send newsletter guidelines once decided by ExBo 
• Sonya  will send the official greetings to new members and issue invoices for fees to be paid.
• Sebastian will discuss and resolve the process for Iran's association to rejoin WFTGA after a period of inactivity.
• Cristina will discuss with the board the proposal for a video campaign featuring area reps, as suggested by PatrycyaO. from the Social Media Team
• Endy will lead a discussion on the potential of social media and video content to attract new members, focusing on the impact of the social media team and the use of platforms like TikTok. (Add to action item) 
• All area reps will submit their mid-year reports by June 30th, summarizing their activities and performance from March to June.
• Sebastian will create a working group for member engagement and communication, focusing on building relationships with members and promoting their involvement in WFTGA activities.
• Tsunami and Soinapa will highlight the upcoming national conventions in the Philippines and Thailand in the June newsletter and encourage members to save for potential high WFTGA conference fees for Japan 
• Cristina announced that ExBo will organize a coffee chat for members on June 7th, and every 7th of every month with different ExBo members hosting each session and discussing various topics.

Summary

Newsletter Plans and Team Engagement

The team discussed various topics including future plans for a newsletter, and the importance of consistent branding. Maricar led a meeting with 10 area representatives and emphasized the importance of asking questions, with an AI-generated summary and recording to be shared later. The team also expressed their appreciation for the attendance of a particular participant, Mr. President, and encouraged participation from all members, despite time zone differences.

New Members and AGIC Update

Maricar opened the meeting and introduced Cristina, the vice president in charge of the membership portfolio. Cristina emphasized the importance of communication with members and clarified her role. She reported on the status of new applications, mentioning that most had been approved, with two still under review. The announcement of new members was forthcoming after fees were paid and invoices were issued. Sebastian confirmed the approval of Ghanian and Nigerian applicants, with ongoing communication with the Iranian team expected to result in their confirmation within one to two weeks. Sebastian also raised the issue of discussing invoicing and re-application procedures with the Iranian team following their departure from Wftga.

Discussing Hong Kong Organization Membership HARTCO 

Maricar and Cristina  discussed the potential membership of a Hong Kong-based organization, HARTCO  currently under consideration as an affiliate member rather than a full one. Cristina highlighted the need to discuss this with the Board  and noted the importance of considering their financial situation, suggesting that sponsorship from more established members could help overcome any financial barriers. There was also a discussion about the need for accurate contact details for the President and delegate of associated organizations, particularly in Europe. Cristina emphasized the value of the Wftga for new associations, encouraging them to prioritize membership if they feel it adds value to their community.

Payment Issues and WFTGA Membership

Cristina and Sebastian discussed payment issues faced by Sri Lanka and other countries, with a focus on new payment procedures introduced by Sebastian, including credit card payments and future plans for additional payment options. Challenges related to payment restrictions in Africa were also addressed, with Sebastian committing to a flexible approach and the possibility of original associations becoming direct members to avoid additional fees. Cristina emphasized the benefits of membership, including access to exclusive resources and reduced fees for biannual conventions, and encouraged increased engagement and frequent visits to the website.

WFTGA Membership Structure and Challenges

The discussion focused on the membership structure and challenges particularly in Europe and Asia. Issues such as the formation of new associations, the re-engagement of inactive members, and the enrollment of new members were addressed. Sebastian clarified their fee-sharing system and the need for understanding the needs of all members, including umbrella associations. The discussion also touched on the term for association presidents in Indochina and the translation of the constitution from new members. The need for reconsidering the association structure in light of new situations and changing needs was emphasized, with plans to bring this topic to a general assembly for a decision.

Bhutan Membership Renewal and Guides' Training

Tsunami discussed the renewal of Bhutan's membership and the need for training their self-taught guides. Cristina agreed to reach out to the Bhutanese Association for training assistance, while Maricar raised concerns about outdated policies and procedures. The team agreed that the policies needed improvement and Maricar emphasized a new rule limiting the terms of area representatives to 8 terms as included in the Guidelines and Tasks Manual 2024. A proposal for a campaign of video podcast to introduce area reps was presented and Maricar stressed the importance of the mid-year report and a new campaign for area reps to report news and stories for the website. The team also reviewed their achievements and membership numbers.

Membership Distribution and 2024 Vision Board

Maricar presented a pie chart illustrating the distribution of membership by region from their campaign, with the European region having the largest membership at 42%. She also introduced a 'Vision Board' for 2024, which included shared aspirations and action plans. Various initiatives and updates were discussed, including efforts to engage potential members from non-member countries, facilitate in-person or virtual meetings, and promote the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) in different continents. The team also discussed the challenges of expanding membership in certain countries due to language barriers and the need for translation support, and the importance of sharing knowledge among members and honoring deceased ones at conventions.

Communication Challenges and Expanding WFTGA

Saber proposed using WhatsApp and social media to maintain communication with new committees, but faced challenges due to missing contact information and unresponsive delegates. Maricar suggested online research tools like Google and LinkedIn, while Sebastian emphasized the need for a contact management system. Ioannis shared his plans to reach out to Bulgaria and North Macedonia to strengthen the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA). Patricia discussed issues related to the application process in several Central American countries and proposed exploring possibilities with Honduras and Costa Rica The possibility of applying as affiliates was also brought up, with Maricar suggesting further offline discussion.