CASPA AGM Minutes - March 2004

Glenys Lawrie CASPA Coordinator, 2002-2004

The Council of Australian Scrabble Players Associations (CASPA) met in Canberra over Easter, just before the Australian Championships. Here is the minutes from that meeting.

Venue:  Embassy Hotel, Hopetoun Ave, Deakin, ACT.

Present:

Glenys Lawrie (Chair)  (WA)                Karen Richards  Rules Coordinator (WA)                     

Margaret Bishop (Tas)                          Bob Jackman (NSW)                          

Veronica Baines (SA)                           Carol Hudson Treasurer (WA)                        

Alan Mathews Editor, ATB (WA)         Tim Reddan (ACT)

Wayne Willis (QLD)                             Alison Pollard (NSW)

Sue Kyatt  (VIC)                                  Alistair Kane  Ratings Coodinator (VIC)

Christine Foot (ACT) Minutes Secretary

Apologies: Ellen Frajman Mattel Liaison Officer

Meeting opened:  2:05pm.

1. Minutes of AGM 18^th April, 2003 were read by Glenys.  Accepted by Alistair Kane and seconded by Karen Richards.

 

2. Coordinators Report.  Circulated prior to the meeting - taken as read.  Accepted by Tim Reddan and seconded by Bob Jackman.  Agreed.

 

3. Treasurers Report.  Balance as at 31.03.2004 - $6,001.65.  It was noted that the balance is less than the previous year because Mattel had made 2 payments within the previous financial year, and the 2004 advance had not been received.  The public liability insurance was negotiated for a reduced price.  The CASPA budget included $1400 estimated by Queensland as expenses for the Trans-Tasman.  Carol will provide the State Presidents with a breakdown of this estimate. 

A discussion was held about whether a person was considered to be financial after they died.  It was decided that members must be alive.  The membership numbers are used to calculate the quarterly levy and for voting purposes.

Report accepted by Tim Reddan and seconded by Alan Mathews.  Agreed.

Membership costs vary for each state.

            ACT    - $15.00 ,         NSW - $20.00   ($15.00 for pensioners)

SA       - $15.00           VIC     - $15.00   (After 1^st January $10.00)

WA      - $15.00          QLD    - $12.00   ($17.40 if unaffiliated)

TAS     - $20.00          

           

4. Across the Board.  Alan is enjoying the job and thanked everybody for their kind thoughts and support.  He is willing to continue for a further year.

 

5. Mattel.  Written report provided by Ellen Frajman.  Glenys read this to the meeting.  It was agreed that due to Ellen’s efforts we now have a very good working relationship with Mattel.  Report accepted by Sue Kyatt and seconded by Carol Hudson.  Agreed.

 

6. Ratings.  Written report tabled by Alistair Kane.  This was accepted by Margaret Bishop and seconded by Sue Kyatt.  Agreed.

There was discussion about the rating disparity between TAS/VIC and the other States, in that the average recreational player in Victoria has a rating of 700. 

Motion:  All current players ranked below 600 will receive a once off adjustment to 600 and the floor remains at 500.  This was passed by consensus.  This will take effect from the 18^th April, 2004.

Peak Ratings.  Alistair suggested that this proposal be read later and replies could be emailed to him.  The selection criteria for the 2005 World Tournament would be the same except for those people who play more than 60 games.  For those that play just 60 games their end rating at the end of the 60 games will be their peak.  For those who play say 180, their highest rating over the latter two thirds of the year will count.

 

7. Rules.  Written report tabled by Karen Richards.  There was discussion about the covering racks rule, and a suggestion that there be a straw poll about the issue on the web site. It was considered that many people including Masters are unaware of the rules.  It was suggested that rules feature in the Across the Board including examples.  Karen asked that any rules issues go through the state representatives and not directly to her.  Accepted by Margaret Bishop and seconded by Veronica Baines.
    

   Tournament Director Guidelines. Karen was thanked for the Tournament Director Guidelines.  It was thought that it might be better if the Tournament Director and Tournament Organiser guidelines were two separate documents.  CASPA will continue to develop these guideline(s).

    
8. Website.  There was some discussion about the timeliness of up-dates and accuracy of information being placed on the website. A suggestion was made that since each State has or is about to set up their own websites that the CASPA website could have links to each of these.  Each state would then be responsible for keeping their own information up to date.

There was also some discussion about the Yahoo group and that it was not working as well as it should. Generally, it was felt that it would be worthwhile to try to get it working better.

 

9. Australian Championships.

The venue for the 2005 Australian Championships has already been booked.  It will be held at the Hellenic Club, North Hobart. Future championships are to be held in:

            2005    -           Tasmania
            2006    -           Queensland
            2007    -           New South Wales
            2008    -           Victoria

 

10. Trans Tasman Challenge.

The Trans-Tasman is to be held in Brisbane in November. Olga Visser is the organizer. Bob Jackman is the team leader. It was felt that uniforms were a success and should be continued.  The team would be allowed to decide on the type of uniform.  CASPA would provide a maximum of $500 from the budget for the uniforms. Bob will coordinate this.

 

11. WESPA  (World English-speaking Scrabble Players Association.)

    Bob discussed the makeup of WESPA.  It has one central committee and other minor committees.  Regions are allowed one representative.  Howard Warner (NZ) is the Australasian representative.  Bob felt that Australia should have its own representative.  Australia is represented by Joan Rosenthal, Bob Jackman and John Holgate on the Rules, Ratings and Dictionary Sub-Committees respectively. 

 

12. Collins Dictionary

    It is still to be decided if the Collins Dictionary is to be implemented.  It appears that Great Britain is not considering changes until their AGM in 2005.  CASPA will delay any changes until it is apparent what the UK do.

 

13. Election/Appointment of Office Bearers.

    Volunteers for the Offices were as follows:

    Coordinator                  Glenys Lawrie  (until someone appointed/volunteers)

    Mattel Liaison               Ellen Frajman

    Treasurer                      Carol Hudson

    ATB Editor                  Alan Mathews

    Ratings                         Alistair Kane

    Rules                            Karen Richards

    Website                        Steve Sunter

    Moved by consensus.

     

14. New Business.

    Mind Sport Olympiad - Alistair Kane spoke about the Mind Sports Olympiad.  David Cordover a chess player, is organizing this at Mount Buller.

    Date:  7^th – 16^th January.  The scrabble events are to be organized by Alistair. Probable dates 10 –15 January.  Some suggestions were Recreational events, lightning scrabble, a 4 day major tournament.  There is some sponsorship, and both Olympic style medals and prize money would be available.  Accommodation:  $30 - $40 per person per night.

 

15. Wilma’s Study to investigate the development of expertise in ScrabbleÒ. 

    This was supported. Moved by consensus.

 

16. Barry Harridge – proposed changes to ratings program.  This was deferred to the next CASPA meeting.

 

17. Schools

    Some schools are approaching Mattel directly to obtain equipment.  Mattel has no interest in these direct approaches.  These will be referred to Ellen Frajman and she will refer them to the State committees.

    Closed.  Meeting closed at 4:55pm.