ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIAN SCRABBLE PLAYERS

ASSOCIATION, 2 PM, FRIDAY, APRIL 2,2010

VENUE: Holdfast Bay Bowls Club, 583 Anzac Highway, Glenelg North, South Australia.

PRESENT

Glenys Lawrie President WA, Chair

Joyce Browett President SA

Marj Miller President VIC

Jenny Brysha VIC

Olga Visser President QLD

Khen Meerding TAS

Richard Birch NSW

Mike Clarke Treasurer (WA)

Adam Kretschmer Mattel Liaison Officer. (SA)

Barry Harridge Ratings Officer (VIC)

Martin Waterworth Web site Coordinator (QLD)

Pat Hudson minute secretary (SA)

APOLOGIES

Bob Jackman NSW, Alan Mathews, TAS, Tim Reddan, ACT, Katie Rowe, editor ATB, Edward Okulicz, Convenor RAC, Chris May, Rules Coordinator,

THE MEETING OPENED AT 2.PM

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS AGM TAKEN AS READ.

COORDINATOR'S REPORT

Australian words.

It was decided that since CASPA will not be submitting a list of Australian words to the WESPA dictionary, maintaining a list on the scrabble website is somewhat redundant -- Glenys to discuss this with Katie Rowe.

History of Australian scrabble

This should be on the scrabble website by the end of April.

Other issues are covered in the agenda items.

Acceptance of the report was proposed by Glenys and seconded by Joyce.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mattel has reduced 2010 funding to CASPA from $16,000 to $10,000 necessitating cuts to CASPA's support of the Australian Masters and to State and ACT Associations. The degree of Mattel's support for Australian team members for the 2011 World Scrabble Championships is uncertain. States may well need to enhance their own funding initiatives.

The notion of a separate account to boost bank interest was floated but it was decided, due to the small amount of CASPA funds involved, changes were not warranted.

Acceptance of the report proposed by Mike, seconded by Glenys.

ACROSS THE BOARD -- Editor's and Publisher's report

In order to avoid duplication, CASPA decided tournament results should be published stand-alone with reports and comments published under the State Round-Up section. A plea was made for more photographs and article information.

Acceptance proposed by Richard, seconded by Marj.

MATTEL LIAISON OFFICER'S REPORT

Paul Perifanos has replaced Clare Safstrom as ASPA's Mattel contact. Adam and Mike will continue to lobby Paul for further/increased assistance. All States are asked to report every scrabble promotion, especially those involving schools, and channel the reports through Adam, Adam, meantime, has established ongoing contact with Philip Nelkon of Mattel UK, discussing an online world youth league.

Adam proposed acceptance of the report, Jenny seconded.

RATINGS ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT

Minor alterations have been made to the national ratings system and enhanced players details/statistics have been made available on the web. No player association in the world publishes as much information about results, ratings, or qualifications procedures as CASPA

To continue the high standard, Martin has made a plea to tournament organizers/state ratings officers or president to TOU file within 24 hours of the event to the National Ratings Officer.

Acceptance of the report was proposed by Martin, seconded by Mike

RULES COORDINATOR REPORT

Chris's written report stated that Australian rules procedures are in a healthy state but a full review will be carried out this year while he works on version two of the WESPA rules. Meantime he is happy to receive submission from state ASPAs on any national or international rules matter, and from individuals if submitted through their State associations.

Acceptance of the report proposed by Marj, seconded by Mike

WEBSITE REPORT

Martin reported that the home page was refreshed and updated a number of times during the year. The most visited were word list pages, and September 2009 was the busiest month with 71570 page requests.

Acceptance of the report was proposed by Martin, seconded by Joyce.

WESPA

Glenys reported that WESPA's performance has improved significantly during the past year.

An updated wordlist is expected to be available in 2012.

REPRESENTATIVE EVENTS

Trans Tasman Challenge, August 14/15/16, Christchurch, NZ.

The viability of the event was questioned and it was agreed that Bob Jackman raise this issue and/or the possibility of reducing the size of the event with his opposite number in August.

Causeway Challenge, December 1-5

World Youth Championships December 8 -- 11, Manila, Philippines

It was suggested a Youth Coordinator be appointed to coordinate the Australian youth contingent. Olga will liaise with Karen re the role, acceptance dependent on what's involved.

Australian Masters/State Challenge Trophy, Melbourne, Sept.11/12, Deakin University, Burwood Campus

Australian Championships

2011, Canberra 2014, Sydney

2012, Tasmania 2015, Melbourne

2013, Queensland 2016, Perth

CONFIRMATION OF OFFICE BEARERS

The meeting confirmed the office bearers for 2010/2011

National Coordinator Glenys Lawrie

Treasurer Mike Clarke

Mattel Liaison Officer Adam Kretschmer

Editor ATB Katie Rowe

National Rules Coordinator Chris May

National Ratings Officer Barry Harridge

Website Coordinator Martin Waterworth

Convenor Rating Advisory Committee Edward Okulicz

RAC members Karen Richards, Trevor Halsall,

Martin Waterworth, Michael McKenna

Glenys thanked all office bearers for their dedication and work during the year and welcomed Michael to the RAC committee.

AU PAIR

Issues in operating the system were discussed and it was agreed Martin will reinstate instructions on the scrabble website.

AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP PERPETUAL TROPHIES

The championship shield, instituted in 1986, will be offered to the first winner or otherwise scrapped. When space on the board donated by Mattel expires in four years time Mattel will be asked if, and where, it wishes to display the board in its offices. Both trophies will be digitized and archived on the web, and a new trophy developed.

FUNDING FOR AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVES AT INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

There was considerable discussion on future CASPA funding for such events. Mike suggested that dependent on the distances/costs involved, a per diem and pro-rata grant rather than a set sum be made. The committee agreed to refer the matter to CASPA presidents for further discussion.

NOMENCLATURE FOR THE ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP

CASPA voted to scrap the word 'National' in 'The Australian National Scrabble Championships'.

With Martin registering his dissent, it was also decided drop the 's" in 'Championship[s]{.underline}'. The event will now be known as 'The Australian Scrabble Championship'.

OTHER BUSINESS

Advertising in Across the Board.

Advertising will continue at the current rate but it was recommended that ATB actively pursue payment from individuals, other than those who provide services such as tile replacement etc. who use the magazine to promote their own commercial interests.

The meeting closed at 4.55PM.oldH