In terms of the number of participants (155) and countries represented (51), the 2012 General Assembly was the largest in IOV history.  For three days, IOV members met in the Renaissance Grand Hall of the Martinicy Palace in Prague’s Old Town.  Arrangements for our stay in Prague were made by the Folklore Association of the Czech Republic.  

The first day was devoted primarily to organizational matters, such as bylaws, commission structure, membership fee-sharing and board responsibilities.  Reports were presented by the President, Acting Secretary-General, Treasurer, and chairs of the Elections Committee and Legal Committee.  

George Frandsen (USA) explained that the new bylaws are a compilation of the IOV Statutes, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) adopted in 2009 and various policies which have been adopted and implemented by the Presidential Council and Executive Board both during and after  the previous general assembly in Volos, Greece in 2007.  This occurred in accordance with the Resolution Concerning the Statutes, passed by the General Assembly of Volos, Greece, which mandated the completion the statutes (bylaws) and other policies and procedures by the Presidential Council before the next general assembly.