Newsletter
Issue 11, September 2001
Table of Contents
From the President The 2001 FAAPI Conference is virtually round the corner now. We are glad to be able to confirm the presence of several important speakers who will be giving plenaries, semi-plenaries and taking part in panels. Over 40 workshops, 40 papers, and around 10 poster presentations make up the rest of the academic programme. A host of other activities including films, drama and social events are also an important part of the conference. The traditional Sponsors’ Exhibition will be a busy affair with over 40 exhibitors already taking part. There will be Commercial Presentations and raffles for all conference participants. A number of working meetings will also be held as part of the conference, including the Panel of Professional Associations; the FAAPI Meeting, to which representatives of all associations are invited; a presentation by SEA (Schools of English Association), another by the WWWWW, a meeting of APIBA SIGs coordinators and many other events of interest to English Language Teachers! For all APIBA members the crowning event will be the Annual General Meeting (Asamblea Anual Ordinaria) to take place on Saturday evening after the Closing Ceremony and which will include the election of new members on the Executive Committee. I would like to take this opportunity to heartily thank all the members of the 1999-2000 APIBA committees who have devoted so much time and energy to the organisation of FAAPI 2001 and all other APIBA events. We have no doubt that the Conference will provide participants with a unique opportunity to meet colleagues from all over the country and abroad, exchange ideas and experiences and cement already existing friendships. We look forward to seeing you all there! For further details about the conference you can consult the conference Web page: http://www.apiba.org.ar/faapi2001/default.htm
Dr. Cristina Banfi
The mystery of the vanishing bank accounts Living in Argentina is a full-time job, studded with thrills and emotions that spice up our otherwise dull routine. APIBA used to have two savings accounts (one in pesos, another in US dollars)- notice the use of the past tense. Do not panic: our treasurer has not left the country with all of our money (not yet, at least!), but after a decision of our replace with your adjective of choice Minister of Economy, “asociaciones civiles” such as APIBA are not allowed to have savings accounts anymore, only checking accounts. This is causing a world of trouble with Conference enrolments, since some people are trying to deposit money on non-existing accounts- and finding it hard, as bank clerks pointedly refuse to do so! However, in the words of Alfred Lord Tennyson, “ours not to question why, ours to do and die”. APIBA would like to state, beyond the echo of the shadow of a doubt, that this was NOT our call. Please note our new account numbers: Banco Francés, Cuenta Corriente Especial en $ 017-41763/5 & Cuenta Corriente Especial en u$s 017-401433/5.
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From the President APIBA new members APIBA bank accounts FAAPI 2001update FAAPI 2001 APIBA scholarships APIBA SIGs APIBA’s 30th anniversary For whom APIBA tolls
For whom APIBA tolls… Saturday September 20th, somewhere in the neighbourhood of Puerto Madero. As the Annual General Meeting ends, seven exhausted people leave with a blissful, blank look on their faces. Seven other members stare at each other thinking “Oh my, what have we signed up for??!!” Jokes aside, seven positions on the Committee are up for renewal. This is the best time to look back on the past two years and think of all the things which have happened, the changes APIBA has seen, the Conference we are about to enjoy… and all that because of the work of nine members at the committee, nine teachers with nothing special to them other than having volunteered much of their time and effort for the Association. Bottom line? IT COULD BE YOU! An association is as much as its members make of it, and the committee are just nine of them working towards “the greater good”. So, do not wait for someone else to take up the position: become an active part of APIBA’s future! It does not take superhuman powers, endless free time, divorce or a PhD in Association Management. It just takes one bold step to stop being a user and become a doer. Join in!
AGM Office Hours Please note APIBA’s office hours. APIBA Office: M.T. de Alvear 1369 (KEL Ediciones), Wed. 2pm to 6pm Conference Office: Sarmiento 835 - 1st floor (Librería Rodríguez), Tues. & Thurs. 10.30am to 4.30pm Tel/ Fax: (011) 4326-3927
APIBA’s Annual General Meeting will take place at the UCA premises (Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1300) on September 22 at 19.30 hs. You have already received the “Convocatoria de Asamblea”, so all we can say is: be there!!