ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIAN SCRABBLE PLAYERS ASSOCIATION HELD IN PERTH ON FRIDAY 10 APRIL 2009 AT 2PM
1.1 PRESENT
Glenys Lawrie President WA, Chair
Marj Miller President Victoria
Bob Jackman President NSW
Olga Visser President Queensland
Alan Mathews President Tasmania
Mike Clarke Treasurer
Katie Rowe ATB Editor
Carol Hudson Minutes
Martin Waterworth Website Coordinator
Adam Kretschmer Mattel Liaison Officer, SA
Norma Fisher Victoria
1.2 APOLOGIES
Barry Harridge National Ratings Officer
Alistair Kane Retiring Ratings Officer
Edward Okulicz Ratings Advisory Committee
Chris May National Rules Coordinator
Joyce Browett President SA
Owen Randall President ACT
Ellen Frajman Retiring Mattel Liaison
2. MINUTES 2008 AGM
Taken as read. [Moved]{.underline} K.Rowe, [Seconded]{.underline} C.Hudson. CARRIED.
3. REPORTS
3.1 COORDINATOR
Taken as read. [Moved]{.underline} M.Miller, [Seconded]{.underline} A.Matthews. CARRIED.
3.2 TREASURER
Following discussion, incoming Treasurer M.Clarke advised a review of alternative accounts suitable for incorporated associations will be undertaken with a view to achieving a higher interest return and fewer penalties for low balance levels. Meeting agreed allowance of $1,200 per 2009 WSC entrants is acceptable. [Moved]{.underline} M.Clarke that the report be accepted, [Seconded]{.underline} K.Rowe. CARRIED
3.3 ATB EDITOR
Following discussion it was agreed the Results Round-up section should be retained as this is of interest to many Australia-wide members. M.Waterworth commented this section is hard to read. Editor and printer to review layout. Noted more photos would be welcome. K.Rowe indicated that she would like to advertise in ATB for a new editor, as she would like to retire next year.
[Moved]{.underline} A.Matthews that the report be accepted, [Seconded]{.underline} M.Waterworth. CARRIED
3.4 MATTEL LIAISON
G.Lawrie moved a vote of thanks to Ellen Frajman upon her retirement as Mattel Liaison, and a welcome to Adam Kretschmer. Noted Clare Safstrom is the new Scrabble brand manager -- C.Hudson to provide address details to K.Rowe. Noted that shiny boards provided by Mattel are a problem. This to be addressed with Mattel.
[Moved]{.underline} O.Visser, [Seconded]{.underline} C.Hudson that the report be accepted. CARRIED
3.5 RATINGS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
M.Waterworth representing the RAC confirmed that Barry Harridge will move from chair of the RAC to replace retiring National Ratings Officer Alistair Kane, and that Edward Okulicz will take over role of chair of the RAC.
Meeting agreed with M.Miller suggestion that National Ratings Coordinator title be changed to National Ratings Officer (NRO) to avoid confusion with National Rules Coordinator (NRC).
[Moved]{.underline} B.Jackman, [Seconded]{.underline} M.Waterworth that the report be accepted. CARRIED.
3.6 RULES COORDINATOR
Regarding new tile set-up rule, B.Jackman suggested that perhaps this should have been an Etiquette rather than Rules item. M.Clarke reported on process of Rules Committee and commented that there appeared to be little or no communication between some State's Rules Representatives and their Presidents/Committees. B.Jackman also raised question of winner leaving loser to set out tiles at end of game. C.Hudson commented that perhaps this should be an Etiquette item.
[Moved]{.underline} M.Miller, [Seconded]{.underline} O.Visser that report be accepted. CARRIED
3.7 WEBSITE
[Moved]{.underline} A.Matthews, [Seconded]{.underline} K.Rowe that report from M.Waterworth be accepted. CARRIED
4. WESPA
Noted that the four member countries are Australia, Nigeria, Singapore and UK. Andrew Fisher thought there were eight. This to be clarified.
Following discussion it was agreed that a person from a WESPA member country should chair each WESPA sub-committee; that there should be a job description for each sub-committee's chair position; and that each sub-committee needs to have its role clearly defined. Agreed Australia will reconsider its membership if WESPA operations do not improve significantly by end of year.
M.Waterworth commented that the WESPA website is considerably out of date and embarrassing. Agreed CASPA Coordinator is to follow this up. The WESPA Constitution is available on the WESPA web site.
5. COLLINS/WESPA DICTIONARY
Agreed Presidents are to check out the questionnaire on the WESPA website, and place this topic on the President's May meeting agenda to enable input from B.Harridge.
6. REPRESENTATIVE EVENTS
6.1 TRANS-TASMAN - New Zealand to host in 2010; Australia in 2012.
6.2 CAUSEWAY CHALLENGE -- 2-6 December
6.3 WORLD YOUTH -- 8-10 December
6.4 WORLD SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP -- 26-29 November.
B.Jackman commented that in relation to selection criteria for the WSC reference is made to "winners of the Australian Masters and Australian Championship" whereas previously with reference to the Australian Championship, it was "the top finishing Australian". Following discussion, it was moved that from 2011, and in each World Championship year, the top finishing player in the Australian Championship who fulfills both citizenship and financial membership criteria shall qualify for a World Tournament place. [For]{.underline}: WA, SA, Tasmania, NSW, Queensland; [Against]{.underline}: Victoria. MOTION CARRIED.
7. AUSTRALIAN MASTERS/STATE CHALLENGE TROPHY -- 12/13 September Sydney.
8.AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS -- 2010 Adelaide. 2011 ACT. 2012 Tasmania. 2013 Brisbane. 2014 Sydney. 2015 Melbourne.
9. SCHOOLS/YOUTH
M.Waterworth to restore schools page with links to Victorian & NSW web pages.
10. ELECTIONS
Meeting ratified election of office bearers for 2009/10:
National Coordinator Glenys Lawrie
Treasurer Mike Clarke
Mattel Liaison Officer Adam Kretschmer
ATB Editor Katie Rowe
National Rules Coordinator (NRC) Chris May
National Ratings Officer (NRO) Barry Harridge
Ratings Advisory Committee (RAC) Edward Okulicz Convenor
RAC Members Martin Waterworth, Trevor Halsall, Karen Richards
Website Coordinator Martin Waterworth
G.Lawrie thanked all retiring officers and welcomed the new. She pointed out that at inception the position of National Coordinator had been agreed for a two-year limit, and that she proposes to retire next year. Along with ATB Editor, this position will be advertised in forthcoming issues of ATB.
11. OTHER BUSINESS
11.1 SPONSORSHIP. Nothing to report.
11.2 WSC 2011. NSW will make a bid through CASPA to host the WSC in either 2011 or 2013.
11.3 NETWORKING. A.Kretschmer reported on success in South Australia of Internet Facebook-based Scrabble interaction using Mattel-licensed version, with resultant introduction of novices into face-to-face tournaments. Will provide further details to other States, if requested, and a report to be published in ATB.
12.Meeting closed at 4.45pm.