About fifty members of William Glasser Institute faculty from around Europe gathered in Tampere, Finland for a series of meetings from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th September 2010. The European Association of Reality Therapy (EART) had its Annual General Meeting on the Saturday and this produced a new President for the Organisation in the person of Arthur Dunne from Ireland.

About a year after outgoing President Leon Lojk brought Reality Therapy to Europe for the first time, Arthur introduced Glasser's ideas to Ireland. Since then he has played a vital role in the development of the William Glasser Institute there. In recent times he was a very active supporter of EART's work to gain recognition by the European Association of Psychotherapy. Arthur is a Fellow of WGII and also a Fellow of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. He brings great organisational skills to his new position.

It was Leon Lojk's idea and inspiration that led to the creation of the European Association of Reality Therapy. His period of leadership brought the organisation from its infancy to a position of important recognition in the area of psychotherapy. Under his presidency the first Glasser Quality School was established in Pazim, Croatia and was followed shortly afterwards by a second near Llubljana in Slovenia. Indeed, a proposal is already approved by the new board to set up a Glasser Quality School section within the European Association.

The meetings in Tampere included a briefing by Brian Lennon about the new International Board and the functions of the Interim Board that will help put the pieces in place. This was greeted by great interest and a strong wish for Europe to be represented as a unit on the new board, something the interim quota system would allow.

Early on Friday evening the members were invited to a gracious reception by Tampere's Deputy Mayor in the beautiful City Hall and on the Saturday evening everyone boarded a boat to have a meal on a local lake.

However, the highlight of the four days had to be the two-way video communication (via Skype) that the members had with Dr. Glasser early on Sunday morning. Dr. Glasser and Carleen appeared to enjoy seeing the big turn-out in Tampere and exchanged comments and jokes with different members of the group. This was a fitting end to a very profitable four days.

The surprising thing is that such an event could be so well organised by what is essentially the latest European country to join EART.   Jari and Heidi Harkonen had created the structures and space for a wonderful few days of hard work and enjoyable relaxation.

The new  Management Board of EART

Back row left to right: Arthur Dunne from Ireland(President), Boba Lojk from Slovenia (General Secretary),  Leon Lojk from Slovenia (outgoing President), Giljana Supraha from Croatia (Vice-President) and Ranka Katalinski from Bosnia & Herzogovina.
Front row: Barbara Krnc from Slovenia, Branislava Andukic from Croatia and Nevenka Bandelj from Slovenia (Treasurer).

Getting Along Better with Yourself and the Important People in Your Life

This year the convention will be held in the Osprey Hotel and Spa in Naas, Co. Kildare.  The convention takes place on the 16th and 17th of October 2010.  The theme is "Getting Along Better with Yourself and the Important People in Your Life".

Our keynote speaker will be Kim Olver, author of "Secrets of Happy Couples.  Kim is a USA licensed professional counsellor, life coach and founder of Coaching for Excellence.  She is also a faculty member of the William Glasser Institute and a popular presenter at home and abroad.

Watch this space for further information about the conference and, as usual, we will have an online booking facility.