CASPA AGM
Friday, 18.4.14 - 12.45pm
Burwood RSL, NSW
Present: Martin Waterworth, John Hamilton, Russell Honeybun, Richard Birch, Tony Hunt, Wayne Willis,
Norma Fisher, Carol Johnsen, Sandy McDonnell
Apologies: Carolyn Watt, Jane Taylor, Glenys Lawrie, Graham Bell, Jane Walker.
2013 AGM MINUTES - No minutes from 2013 AGM - only last half of AGM minutes were available.
Russell Honeybun reported that the missing part was when the officers were sworn in which had resulted in a misunderstanding on the roles of School Scrabble Co-ordinator (Jane Walker) and that of Youth Co-ordinator. As a result, Jane Walker had resigned from the role but would continue with the School Scrabble and continuing with the good work she had already undertaken.
The meeting had asked the Rules Committee to look at aligning the WESPA and ASPA rules as the WESPA rules were more precise than the ASPA rules.
The School Scrabble report had been presented and examples distributed to State Presidents.
A motion of thanks was carried unanimously which thanked Katie Rowe for her years of service as a committee member and ATB Editor..
The meeting closed at 17.20pm.
Russell explained that Glenys Lawrie was the WA State representative as Graham Bell had limited access to the internet.
OFFICER NOMINATIONS
CASPA Co-Ordinator - Russell Honeybun
Treasurer - VACANT (Carolyn Watt, retiring Treasurer has offered to continue basic banking requirements until a new Treasurer is appointed. However, she will not liaise with Mattel.
Youth Co-Ordinator - VACANT
National Ratings Officer/ Web Co-ordinator / Records Officer - Martin Waterworth
Trademark (Mattel) Liaison Officer - Carol Johnsen
Across the Board Editor - Richard Birch
Rules Co-Ordinator - Wayne Willis
MOTION: That all nominations of incumbents in their positions be accepted. In the event that nominations are received for the vacant positions, the CASPA Board will vote on acceptance or otherwise.
Moved: Carol Johnsen Seconded: Tony Hunt CARRIED.
MOTION: That Glenys Lawrie be accepted in the ex-officio role as national School Scrabble Co-ordinator and to liaise with through Russell Honeybun (CASPA Coordinator)
Moved: Russell Honeybun Seconded: Wayne Willis CARRIED.
CASPA CO-ORDINATOR'S REPORT
Russell Honeybun presented his report.
In answer to questions from Martin and Richard, Russell explained that there were attempts by Ghanian entrants to obtain entry into Australia by claiming valid entry into Scrabble tournaments. Tony Hunt advised that he had received a phone call from the Nairobi embassy whereupon he had directed them to Russell.
Russell had discussed it with the relevant migration officials and apparently it was not genuine. Carol Johnsen also explained that in her time as Co-Ordinator, there had been attempts by African people to gain similar false entry into Australia. It must be noted though that Karen Richards does issue invitations all the time but she knows who she is giving them to.
MOTION: That the CASPA Co-ordinator's Report be received.
Moved: John Hamilton Seconded: Wayne Willis CARRIED.
WEBSITE OFFICER'S REPORT
Martin Waterworth presented his report and advised that the main differences between last year and this year is the use of more disc space.
As the website company being used was a company being done on a personal level for Edward's account and on being purchased by another company which was more like a business - it created some problems for us, and there was a problem with the DNS resolution. Edward Okulicz chased up and it was resolved. Edward had not been impressed by the fact that it presented with these problems, however, as it only costs about $100 per year - it was too good price to pass up.
NATIONAL RATINGS OFFICER REPORT
Martin Waterworth presented his report. Carol Johnsen advised Martin that AU710.exe is not on Scrabble website to download as per his suggestion. Martin would ask Barry Harridge to rectify that. Martin advised
that WA and NSW needed to ensure that tournament software was up-to-date. Martin agreed to email OZSCRABBLE whenever there were AUPAIR updates to download.
Richard Birch asked if there was a shelf-life for using programs with DOS and Martin advised that Barry Harridge had an application - DOSBOX which overcame that problem.
Martin advised that there were more than 2200 records in rating.dot.dat file and he planned to put them into a separate file after more than 5 years.
MOTION: If a person has not played for 10 years, they are treated as a completely new player if they return to tournament competition. It is at the discretion of the Tournament Director as to
section placement.
Moved: Martin Waterworth Seconded: Richard Honeybun CARRIED.
Martin explained that the convention used for denoting State residency is whoever President or State M/ship Officer tells him. Only about 800 people listed when you look up national ratings (last year's players.)
He further explained that as it was 5 or 6 years since CASPA looked at ratings criteria, he considered it might be time to do so again. It was agreed that Barry Haridge and Martin Waterworth would be invited to put forward a submission on it if they want. John Hamilton was happy to join in ratings discussions.
Referring to the table in his report, Martin said that there were 33 less active players in scrabble system - numbers were decreasing steadily in last 5 years, except for SA and WA. Russell Honeybun explained that the Social network MEETUP - $70 for 6 months was responsible for the success of the SA Pub scene.
MOTION: That the Ratings Officer / Web Co-ordinator / Records Officer Reports be accepted.
Moved: Russell Honeybun Seconded: Tony Hunt CARRIED.
SCHOOL SCRABBLE CO-ORDINATOR'S REPORT
Russell Honeybun presented the report. There had been repeat orders for the $200 kit in WA so there was merit in it - it can be used for gifted younger people and for remedial high school student study. Tony Hunt asked have there been other young people come to tournaments through this program. Carol Johnsen reported that Victorian primary schools in Gippsland (where tournaments were held) had not shown much interest. Russell said there was too much resources around literature and maths though WA still seems to be successful probably because of Jane Walker's intense involvement.
MOTION: That the School Scrabble Co-Ordinator's Report be received.
Moved: Sandy McDonnell Seconded: John Hamilton CARRIED.
ATB EDITOR'S REPORT
Richard Birch lamented the fact that, apart from a couple of contributors, there were no regular contributors to the newsletter. Club details - now only wants a list of changes.
Tony Hunt suggested that there could be another extreme scrabble photo contest. The Board discussed about the future of ATB - what about 3 times per year - would be cost-effective for printing and the States would save on postage and handling.
MOTION: That the CASPA Coordinator seek comment on OZSCRABBLE on whether ATB should go only 3 issues per year.
Moved: Carol Johnsen Seconded: Martin Waterworth CARRIED.
MOTION: That the ATB Editor's Report be accepted.
Moved: Wayne Willis Seconded: Sandy McDonnell CARRIED.
Sandy McDonnell left at 2.20pm
TRADEMARK (MATTEL) LIAISON OFFICER'S REPORT
Carol Johnsen presented her report. She also expressed concern re a recent email from the retiring Treasurer to Mattel which had not referred to funding required for Youth representatives. Carol was currently corresponding with the Mattel Office in Melbourne and would be providing her with literature and advertisements which emanated from the various States. She expressed again, as per her report, that there was little, if any, interest from the Australian Mattel company in what we did in Australia, and probably
less, now that MSI was organising the international Scrabble tournaments.
MOTION: That the Trademark (Mattel) Liaison Officer's Report be accepted.
Moved: Martin Waterworth Seconded: Tony Hunt CARRIED.
TREASURER'S REPORT:
Russell Honeybun presented the Treasurer's Report. The minimum $20,000,000 public liability was required for any activities in shopping centre - The stipulation was that it would only be our members with a maximum of 60 members involved.
Russell Honeybun will provide copies of the Public Liability policy to Presidents and that a review be undertaken so as to ensure that our members and clubs were sufficiently covered, noting that it was understood that, so long as one person of a club was an ASPA member, then the players at that club were covered.
MOTION: TO ACCEPT TREASURER'S REPORT
Moved: Russell Honeybun Seconded: John Hamilton CARRIED.
MOTION: That the Public Liability Insurance be upgraded to $20,000,000 at a cost of approximately $150 increase in the premium.
Moved: Carol Johnsen Seconded: Wayne Willis CARRIED..
RULES OFFICER'S REPORT.
Wayne Willis reported that the Rules Committee was still looking at a transition to WESPA Rules but, unfortunately, as President and Treasurer of Qld ASPA, he had been a bit busy. The Rules Committee is looking at adding in new rule (at request of Vic). The whole rule did not cover the end game. The Rules committee has discussed it and Tas, Vic, Qld and NSW have voted yes to proposed change thus it is moved.
MOTION: That Rule 10.2(e) be adopted to commence from 1.5.14.
Moved: Wayne Willis Seconded: Carol Johnsen CARRIED..
MOTION: That the Rules Officer's Report be accepted.
Moved: Russell Honeybun Seconded: Martin Waterworth. CARRIED.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
QUALIFICATION PERIODS
MOTION: That all qualification periods for all representative events will be synchronised from 1 May to 30 April of the following year, to commence on 1 May 2014.
Moved: Russell Honeybun Seconded: Martin Waterworth CARRIED.
MAJOR TOURNAMENT LOCATIONS
Australian Scrabble Championship:
2015 MELBOURNE
2016 PERTH
2017 ADELAIDE
TENTATIVE
2018 CANBERRA
2019 HOBART
2020 BRISBANE
Australian Masters / State Team Challenge:
2015 SYDNEY
2016 MELBOURNE
TENTATIVE:
2017 QLD
ZZYZAVA
MOTION: That $500 be donated to Michael Phelan - creator of ZZYZAVA in appreciation of the continued ASPA use of this application.
Moved: Martin Waterworth Seconded: Russell Honeybun CARRIED.
NORFOLK ISLAND TOURNAMENT
MOTION: The Norfolk Island tournaments held under ASPA rules can be rated.
Moved: Wayne Willis Seconded: Russell Honeybun CARRIED.
Wayne Willis reported that he hoped to hold 2 tournaments in 2015 - one rated and one non-rated - the Norfolk Island Tourist Commission funds the tournament/s.
WESPA RATING LEVY
MOTION: That a $1 levy per entrant is paid by tournament organisers for WESPA rating for ASC (Open and Plate) and Masters / State Team Challenge.
Moved: Russell Honeybun Seconded: Carol Johnsen CARRIED.
AWARDS
MOTION: That CASPA institutes an award for the Highest Ratings Gain during year between the start of prior ASC to start of current ASC and player needs to have at least 50 rated tournament games in Australia in that period. The award will commence in 2015 at ASC.
Moved: John Hamilton Seconded: Tony Hunt CARRIED.
John Hamilton also talked of instituting a circuit championship award which would reward travellers and would encourage movement. John Hamilton offered to provide an example of who would have won the award if done for the 2014 ASC for both awards.
SCRABBLE CHAMPIONS TOURNAMENT
Firstly CASPA does not have any money for sponsorship and there could be no funding from CASPA for Scrabble Champions Tournament.
WORLD YOUTH SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP
This year Australia has up to 4 places available for qualifiers but there are only 2 players who are likely to qualify and/or go to Sri Lanka this year in August. Qualifying period ends 31 July 2014.
MOTION: THAT $500 be provided for funding for each qualifier who participates in the 2014 World Youth Scrabble Championship in Sri Lanka in August 2014.
Moved: Martin Waterworth Seconded: Carol Johnsen CARRIED.
PROMOTION OF SCRABBLE TO YOUNGER PLAYERS
Tony Hunt hoped for clear direction to promotion of Scrabble on a national level which would have more impact - at present things are happening but there is not a clear intention. Maybe have sub-committee in each state driving Scrabble in schools and sharing with the other states their experiences, but maybe get a competition going. Could Facebook be something to be looked at in this regard.
COMMONWEALTH SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP
Martin Waterworth reported that no one was really interested except people living in UK - Chris May was interested - only 3 day tournament, expensive, and, in Glasgow!
INCORPORATION
All State Presidents to investigate incorporation procedures for CASPA and forward to Russell Honeybun.
Meeting closed at 3.55pm.