2003 meetings

Cryonics Europe Meeting: Saturday 25 January and Sunday 26 January

Alan and Sylvia Sinclair once more hosted our meeting at their home in Peacehaven.

Chrissie gave a report on the media campaign and New Scientist competition and a report on the AGM of the Cryonics Institute in September. She also made some suggestions about dealing with the media, especially differentiating between giving personal comments and 'official' information. There is now a leaflet available for any member of Cryonics Europe participating in interviews for press, radio, TV etc. Please request directly from Chrissie if you need it.

Mark Walker offered to take up a role as Contracts Manager, to advise new UK members in preparing documents for joining CI. Graham Hipkiss also agreed to help with insurance forms and advice. We hope to clarify everyone's arrangements and add details to our database as soon as possible.

The main event of the meeting was the visit of Charles Platt from Alcor (US). His main purpose for visiting us, apart from meeting our members, was to assess our equipment and discuss the standby team's readiness for 'action'. This was prior to his meeting arranged with Alcor members in UK and their own discussions regarding the formation of a standby team. It was a cordial meeting and he was most willing to share information and discuss future possibilities. Obviously, there were a number of differences between our protocols but we would not allow this to prevent harmonious exchanges.

It appears there are still many problems with the vitrification process and it only works for neuro preservation. Transportation appears a major difficulty to be overcome as dry ice is not even a possibility. Thus liquid nitrogen transportation is being considered ... a major problem for those of us living overseas. It also brings a host of other problems, not least the problem of fracturing. It seems we all have some way to go to find solutions.

We discussed the possibility of co-operation for standby and ways in which we might some day share equipment and expertise. Charles suggested they would be willing to pay an agreed fee for this, should the rest of his UK members wish to use it. At the very least, it was a good back-up until they have their own team.

I was invited to join the Alcor meeting later on the Sunday, which I was pleased to do. The outcome of this was that they prefer to assemble their own team and equipment but would be willing to assist us should the need arise. Charles seemed reasonably enthusiastic about using the CE standby facility if needed and we will await further information on the subject.

I was pleased to know that there are at least some of us who have a spirit of co-operation and I felt that a few minor bridges can be considered 'under construction'. There are surely too few cryonicists, especially in UK, for us to bicker.

I feel we are beginning the new year with some optimism. There are positive reports coming from CI about the research projects and we can be confident that there is a strong nucleus of support in our standby team. Though we could always use more help, there is a degree of enthusiasm and dedication with the members who are such regular attendees.

Once more, our grateful thanks to Alan and Sylvia Sinclair for their unstinting work and to the rest of the team for giving us all confidence in our future.

A.G.M. Election of Officers & Quarterly Meeting.
Saturday May 10th. starting at 10.00am.
Continuing to late afternoon. Sunday May 11th. starting at 9am.

At the home of Alan and Sylvia Sinclair - 4 Mount Caburn Crescent, Peacehaven, E.Sussex, BN10 8DW. Tel.01273-587660 (Maps and Directions available if you haven't been before-just E-Mail Mark Walker or click here for the map.) or email Alan Sinclair at cryoservices@yahoo.co.uk.

Cryonics Europe Ltd. AGM 10/05/03

Present: Chrissie de Rivaz (Chair) Alan Sinclair, Sylvia Sinclair, Mark Walker, Gill Howarth, Ray Rowley, Graham Hipkiss, Ian Thomas, Barry Adams.

Apologies: John de Rivaz, Alex Carlton.

Chairman’s Report.

Thanks to Alan & Sylvia Sinclair for hosting the meeting and for their excellent hospitality. We are also grateful for their constant work developing and researching for training and equipment. General success for the road shows and training practices, especially with the trailer in Cornwall, proving we have the ability to provide remote stand-by. Radio and press coverage was good, including the new trailer facility.

Chrissie attended the CI’s AGM last year and spoke of the facilities at CI. She is now a member of the advisory panel which is a useful forum for matters of concern and information. Subject of next president of CI was mentioned. Bob Ettinger is to retire but will of course still be involved. It is a matter for the directors but undoubtedly, members opinions can be considered. It is a matter which concerns all of us, however remote from US we may be. He will be an impossibly hard act to follow.

Discussion from previous meeting when Charles Platt attended concerning transport to US. New security measures at airports will need investigating, possibly this wouldn't effect undertakers. As far as we know, Albin hasn't had any problems but may not have checked specifically for cryonics since 9.11. Graham and Chrissie attended the Alcor meeting following our last meeting. As reported in The Immortalist, they were not really prepared to use our facilities and stand-by but Charles tried to convince them that until they have their own facilities they may need ours. The group feels that good relations are important and we are prepared to offer CE. standby team if needed.

It was decided to incorporate Cryonics Europe as Cryonics Europe Limited, a non profit limited company.

There was much discussion about the <Bunker>, no longer a possibility due to the strictures of planning regulators. A UK facility requires great consideration in terms of cost, manning, and management. This has now become an issue for the future.

We look forward to another year of growth and good publicity.

Secretary’s Report.

Mark Walker reiterated that there has been a lot of good publicity during the year. In UK, there are 34 CI members and 12 paying members of CE.

Of the CI members there were concerns that contracts weren't up to date. Mark had sent out e-mails and postal mailings to cover these concerns and only had one reply. From this cryo-buddies has been initiated, the idea being that people living alone should have a telephone contact on a regular basis with another cryonicist. There has been some interest. Mark also mentioned that the lack of response from CI members shows how difficult it is to get non-cryonicists to be motivated to join in the first place.

There are a few people in the process of signing up which is encouraging. Ian Thomas stated that he had become interested since the New Scientist campaign, which proved at least one person has taken the publicity to heart.

Still waiting from CI to see how many UK and worldwide members they have gained this year.

Discussion by group on the way that CI counts their members (based on members or fully signed up for suspension).

Mark stated that the database is still ongoing. He questioned the need for including too much detail such as local maps etc. Chrissie suggested the use of E-maps and we discussed possibility of having an e-map with the trailer for locating hospitals and peoples’ addresses. As a laptop is included as part of the equipment, it seems a good idea. It was also agreed to look into the idea of having a database on a secure website for access by the standby team, if needed. Mark to pursue this.

Future Quest magazine: Mark needs more stories and information to inform the people. He is happy to continue with FQ mag. as it still reaches some people who do not have email.

Financial Report for 17-4-02 to 16-4-03.

Graham Hipkiss provided a balance sheet for the year.

H.O.P.R.T. Financial Report 17 April 2002 - 16 April 2003

British Telecom expense is no longer effective and the gas expense has been reduced.

Income is greater than outgoings at present. He suggested that we should possibly invest money on deposit when sufficient. There is a bill for the new perfusion pump to be paid, part of which will be covered by a reimbursement for surgical equipment from Alcor. There is also a donation promised from David Flude, for which we are very grateful.

Provided by John de Rivaz and read out.

The web site has had a consistently good rate of "hits" and a combined search, such as http://www.copernic.com suggests that it is available to a number of search engines. A search on <"Cryonics" and "Europe"> produced over 100 listings using Copernic Agent Professional.

I have resisted and will continue to resist the idea of a flashy web site using Dreamweaver or something similar, as such sites are often not readable on some browsers and takes ages to download. Our web site has most of the pages in hand coded html and this is the most efficient way to do it. The only pages that are slow are the videos and audios, and there is nothing that can be done about these.

Our thanks must go to Ian Thomas who has kindly provided the web space so that high quality videos can be available to those with a broadband connection. In addition his web space enables a more professional looking site without using web forwarding and pop-up advertisements. Cloaked or not, a web site that uses forwarding is obvious for what it is to most except for the seriously net-illiterate.

The internet still remains the foremost way of introducing people to cryonics. They can browse the web extensively without fear of being harassed by sales people or telephoned at inconvenient times, or indeed have sales people turn up unexpectedly on their doorsteps like those selling religion. Indeed, after thoroughly reading our site together with those of Alcor and the Cryonics Institute there is little else anyone can learn about cryonics or the arguments both for and against the idea.

The media publicity serves as the stimulus for people to put the word "cryonics" into search engines and read this material. The vast majority of those likely to be interested either own computers already or have the ability to access the Internet either at work or in a public library or netcafé. One of the big problems is to explain that cryonics is as affordable as many activities considered commonplace, and that it is not just a fad for the very rich. Our motto ought to be "Read our Site – then you’ll know what it costs and that you can afford it." This is opposed to sites offering products and services where you have to telephone a salesman to find out the cost – where the motto is "If you want to know the price then you can’t afford it".

Ray Rowley suggested that we could introduce a WAP site just to introduce another means of informing and accessible more easily. Mark agreed to discuss with John (via email)

Probably the best year ever for publicity for cryonics in Europe.

Main activities resulted from New Scientist promotion ... TV, radio, press, magazines. (Website contain most information) . Work with several collections of students. Esquire recently.

Paris trip with discussion with Yvan Bozonetti ... possible French group forming. Situation in France does not permit cryonics. (Mandatory burial or cremation within one week of death) TV was notthe best presentation as antagonism from the rest of the panel was quite prevalent with refusal to accept possibility of success for cryonics.

On-going with various projects ... pets, plans for remains after death, Focus magazine, etc. There is also a programme featuring Barry Albin to come.

Elections of Officers.

All officers were re-elected unopposed.

The London Organiser was deleted from the list due to lack of interest.

Other Business.

Report on CI’s research status (taken from web)

Undertakers: Richard Williams (in West Country) is still interested but has not progressed his interest. Some members wanted to contact Rowlands to see what is their status regrading service for cryonics. Mark agreed to write to him and Alan was to provide the address.

Graham agreed to write to the insurance company to get a quote for cover for standby members when on duty or training.

Taking an advert in New Scientist was suggested, ostensibly to offer a contact to the competition losers. Chrissie said she had asked for contact but this was refused (due to data protection). She agreed to attempt to enquire about the possibility but not to commit to expenditure. She had also written a letter after the campaign but it had not been printed.

Most were in favour of another ‘Road show’ meeting in Cornwall in September and the weekend of September 6^th and 7^th was agreed. As this would be largely a social weekend and another chance for discussions, Alan would not bring the trailer unless for a specific purpose. Accommodation is linked to the website and anyone planning to come down is advised to book early. If anyone has problems with this, please let us know and we will try to organise something. Cornwall’s an excellent place for a holiday so don’t be limited to a weekend!

Cornwall Meeting of Cryonics Europe held 6th & 7th September 2003

Around twenty people attended during the weekend. Among the more frequent members, we were very pleased to welcome several new faces. Some were hoping to become members and ultimately, suspension members, while others were here to find out more or to support partners with an interest. We were also pleased to welcome Richard, a funeral director from the West Country, who may be interested in becoming a part of Cryonics Europe in both a personal and professional capacity.

Though largely billed as a social event, when a group of committed cryonicists get together, discussion becomes centred on the possibilities, problems and solutions. It was a lively gathering and we hope informative for all concerned. With potential new members, there was an opportunity to answer many questions and hopefully to encourage and inform. The weather was fantastic so the meeting took place outside and allowed plenty of chance for us all to mix and chat informally. Saturday concluded with a barbecue, much to the delight of our two dogs who made the most of any dropped titbits!

Many thanks to everyone who made the long journey and we look forward to future gatherings and welcoming greater interest in joining the select band of cryonicists.

The Christmas meeting was on 13/14 December at the home of Alan and Sylvia Sinclair - 4 Mount Caburn Crescent, Peacehaven, E.Sussex, BN10 8DW. Tel.01273-587660 (Maps and Directions available if you haven't been before-just E-Mail Mark Walker or click here for the map.) or email Alan Sinclair at cryoservices@yahoo.co.uk.

Saturday starting at 9-30

• with checking all equipment & meds,
• Making ourselves familiar with the MPU
  • including MPU nose weight,
  • tyre pressure
  • turning wheels to avoid flat spots
• battery charging
• gas bottles
• making sure everything is clean and ready for a emergency.
• Calibrating the new pump.

Besides the usual training we will be having a evening meal at the Thai restaurant on the 13/12 at 6.00pm sharp.

Places are very limited so if you wish to come please let Alan know as soon as possible. (He has automatically booked for the regulars).

SUNDAY 9.30

• A full mock suspension run through from bed to transport box.