The IOV Executive Board (EB) met in Manila, Philippines March 24 – 27, 2009.  The meeting was hosted by the IOV Philippine Section. IOV President Carmen Padilla presided over the meetings, which were held at the beautiful Manila Pearl Hotel and Convention Center.

A poolside reception and cocktail hour was hosted by IOV member and Pearl Hotel Manager Danny Dolor, who graciously made the hotel’s facilities available for the meeting.  A program of Philippine traditional song, music and dance was presented by ensembles from the Manila area. 

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim hosted a dinner for the Executive Board and for members of the IOV Philippine National Section the second night of the meetings.  Following dinner, the EB and Philippines IOV members were treated to a performance by Ballet Manila, under the direction of Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.  The 70 member troupe performed three ballets, including their new Yuletide production of Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, which is based on the popular short stories of Severino Reyes.  (See Story at: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4587).

Back at the the Pearl Hotel, meetings continued with a discussion on the newly adopted IOV Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).  The IRR contains the policies and procedures for implementing the IOV Statutes, providing guidance in areas such as national section organizing.  The IRR provide for future EB and PC meetings to be held by telephone and Internet in order to make it possible for IOV to move ahead at a faster pace.  Job descriptions for the officers, commission chairs and other key IOV leadership positions are also included.

An IOV Code of Ethics, which was approved by the IOV Presidential Council in December, 2008 was also presented.  The Code of Ethics is currently being used by a substantial number of non-profit organizations courtesy of the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO).  All IOV members are encouraged to become familiar with the Code of Ethics, as well as the new policies on conflicts of interest and confidentiality. The IOV Code of Ethics is available in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian and Chinese and can be viewed at  (link).

A primary purpose for the EB meeting in March was to acquaint EB members with the new procedure for organizing national sections.  A National Section Organizing Agreement was presented, which defines the rights and responsibilities of national section chairs.

The meeting was the first time some EB members met Jutta Widor of Austria, who is the new IOV Treasurer.  Jutta will be responsible for collecting membership fees, preparing the quarterly and annual financial reports, proposing an annual budget and working closely with the President and Secretary-General to ensure that IOV financial practices are followed. She can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Also attending for the first was Dr. Javier Rodrigo Illari (Spain), Jim Dries (USA), Larry Baird (USA) and Olvin Valentin (Puerto Rico). 

Javier Rodrigo Illari is the new Regional Executive Secretary for South Europe.  He is a a professor at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain, where he teaches Engineering.  Javier’s wife, Rut Maria Garcia Martinez (see New Member Profile), who is currently completing her PhD in Intangible Cultural Heritage, accompanied him to Manila.  Dr. Illari can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Olvin Valentin was appointed Chair of the IOV Youth Commission to replace Janeth Puga.  Olvin will be contacting those who attended the First World Youth Congress this past summer in order to continue the work that began there.  Olvin’s email address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Jim Dries, who replaces George Frandsen as the Regional Executive Secretary for North America was also in attendance.  Jim holds a Master’s Degree and has taught History in both public and private schools in the United States and China.  The trip to Manila was especially exciting for Jim because it marked the first time he had returned to the Philippines after having served there thirty years ago in the U.S. Peace Corps.  Jim will be working to organize the Canada Section, as well as coordinating efforts with the new IOV USA President, Larry Baird.  Jim can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Other matters considered at the meeting included public communications.  A new IOV brochure was presented (see separate story) and a proposal for an update to the IOV web site was approved.  Rikus Draijer (Netherlands), IOV Vice-President for Festivals attended and spoke briefly about a program to certify IOV festivals that is being developed. 

Also considered was a proposal to create sub-regions for the purpose of sharing some of the responsibilities the Regional Executive Secretaries have.  Sub-regional Chairs will be appointed to organize national sections in countries they are assigned.  They will work in close coordination with, and under the supervision of, the Regional Executive Secretaries. 

The closing night of the meetings was a special occasion, as President Carmen Padilla hosted a dinner party for EB members and guests of the IOV Philippines National Section at her beautiful Manila home.  Dinner guests included Chair of the Philippines National UNESCO Commission and Ambassador of the Philippines to France, H.E. Mrs. Preciosa Soliven.

The meetings adjourned the following morning.