Council of Australian Scrabble Players’ Association (CASPA)

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Windy Hill Social Club, Essendon, Melbourne, Victoria

April 3, 2015

Meeting opened at 1.10pm.

ATTENDEES:

Martin Waterworth (Website Coordinator, Ratings Coordinator, Records Officer – QLD) – apology late – arrived at 1.45pm

Rene Chelton (Treasurer - NSW)

Wayne Willis (Rules Officer – QLD)

Richard Birch (ATB Editor – NSW)

John Hamilton (ACT President)

Tony Hunt (NSW President)

Carol Johnsen (Trade Mark Liaison Officer & VIC President

Barry Harridge (Delegate – VIC)

APOLOGIES:

Russell Honeybun (Coordinator), Sandy McConnell (TAS President), Graham Bell (WA President), Glenys Lawrie (ex-officio Schools Coordinator)

MINUTES 2014 CASPA AGM

Amendment:

Martin Waterworth QLD – Ratings/website/records

Russell Honey WA CASPA Cordinator

Tony Hunt President NSW

Carol Johnsen President VIC – Trademark Liaison

Sandy McDonnell President TAS

John Hamilton President ACT

Richard Birth NSW – Editor ATB

Wayne Willis President QLD, Rules

Norma Fisher, delegate VIC

Insert ZYZZYVA as heading above motion donating to Michael Thelen.

MOTION: That the 2014 minutes, as amended, be accepted.

Moved: Wayne Willis Seconded: John Hamilton CARRIED.

BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

NOMINATIONS / VOTING OF CASPA BOARD MEMBERS

Position: Nomination

CASPA Coordinator Russell Honeybun

Treasurer Rene Chelton (moved: Tony Hunt / seconded: John Hamilton)

Website Coordinator Martin Waterworth

Ratings Coordinator Martin Waterworth

Records Officer Martin Waterworth

Rules Officer Wayne Willis

Trademark Liaison Officer Carol Johnsen

Newsletter (ATB) Editor Richard Birth

Youth Coordinator Karen Richards

Schools Scrabble Program Coordinator Glenys Lawrie (ex-officio)

MOTION: THAT THE NOMINATIONS FOR CASPA BOARD BE ELECTED UNOPPOSED.

Moved: Tony Hunt Seconded: John Hamilton CARRIED.

CASPA OFFICERS’ REPORTS

Rene Chelton reported that she took over as Treasurer in January 2015. Carolyn Watts had completed the books until end of December 2014. Mattel had not paid the CASPA funding until 31 December 2014 and disbursed amongst the States a.s.a.p.

A decrease in the premium for the Public Liability Insurance had been achieved in early 2015 even though there was an increase in coverage to $20,000,000 with no lessening of coverage.

There was no need to increase the State’s levy to CASPA of $3 per member in 2015-16.

MOTION: THE THE CASPA BANK ACCOUNT IS CHANGED TO:

Council of Australian Scrabble Players Association (CASPA)

BSB 036 094 

A/c 144172

Westpac Banking Corporation

Shop 17a, Port Kennedy Central, 

397 Wanbro South Avenue,

PORT KENNEDY WA. 6172

Moved: Carol Johnsen Seconded: Tony Hunt CARRIED.

As per his recommendation in his report, Martin will ensure that Aupair713 would be installed on the website. Tournament statistics not much different from the previous year’s and note that it does not differentiate.

Wayne Willis remarked that the number of people requesting rules confirmation after tournaments was minimal which was refreshing.

INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSION OF A RULE TO COVER THE RECORDING OF BLANKS

The Council agreed that it would like to introduce a uniform recording of blanks, by way of a separate piece of paper, e.g. result slip.

John Hamilton offered to design a results slip with room for the recording of blanks based on WESPA ones which spelt out his letter of the alphabet twice. The Council agreed that such recording ws preferable. These results slips would be used for the ASC, Trans Tasman (when held in Australia) and Masters / State Challenge.

Wayne Willis reported that the Rules Committee is currently considering wording of the rule and will submit to CASPA.

Carol further reported that although she had been phoning and emailing Andrew Graham, Mattel Marketing Manager for the past couple of weeks for updates further to her report, he had not got back to her.

Richard reported that, as usual, there were the few regular contributors of articles and some State Presidents were good in submitting their regular clubs, tournaments and state report info. It was confirmed that the ATB was the official organ of CASPA and, as such should record minutes / outcomes of the AGM, etc. Richard encouraged the Coordinator to have a regular CASPA column in the ATB. Tony Hunt suggested that there could be a regular spotlight on a club feature. It was pointed out that a couple of States had such an article already on their own State’s publications.

Richard reported that if the publication was reduced to A4 size, it would reduce the cost of printing, however, the meeting agreed that it should remain in its current format. Each State would be asked to report to Richard on how many members receive a hard copy / email – either or both.

MOTION: THAT THE ACROSS THE BOARD REMAINS AT 4 EDITIONS PER YEAR.

Moved: Richard Birch Seconded: Carol Johnsen CARRIED.

(see Business Arising Out of Minutes)

SCHOOLS SCRABBLE PROGRAM COORDINATOR REPORT – Glenys Lawrie (ex-officio) – report tabled.

Various states reported on success or otherwise of the specially-designed School Scrabble sets opining that there was not much success with them unless it was a teacher who was really interested. However, it was found that they were rather frustrating to deal with – just as easy to do with normal sized boards. In Victoria, regional primary schools tournaments seemed to be rather successful, as an alternative to school sports carnivals where some children did not participate in those. Wayne Willis reported on how Brisbane Square held regular Scrabble games with big tiles – he had advertised widely there but had attracted no new tournament Scrabblers – it still appeared that the young ones were attracted to play on Facebook Scrabble and Words with Friends.

MOTION: THAT THE REPORTS OF:

CSPA COORDINATOR, TRESURER, WEBSITE COORDINATOR, RATINGS COORDINATOR, RECORDS OFFICER, TRADEMARK LIAISON OFFICER, RULES OFFICER, NEWSLETTER (ATB) EDITOR, YOUTH COORDINATOR AND SCHOOLS SCRABBLE PROGRAM COORDINATOR BE ACCEPTED.

Moved: John Hamilton Seconded: Wayne Willis CARRIED.

ASC 2015 FORMAT DISCUSSION (INCORRECT FORMAT ADVERTISED – NUMBER OF RESETS)

Carol Johnsen explained that, in advertising the 2015 ASC, she had copied the December 2013 advertisement by NSW in the ATB for the 2014 Championship which stipulated 2 resets. Apparently, no-one had picked up on the fact that CASPA had already voted to have only one reset and NSW had only one reset. However, it was pointed out by John Hamilton that the 2015 advert was incorrect.

The meeting decided that a vote would be taken before Game 5 on Day 1 of the 2015 ASC as to whether there should be 2 resets (at end of each day) or 1 (after game 12). The Coordinator would announce this at the start of the tournament to allow competitors to consider the options. The outcome of this vote would also influence CASPA’s

It was pointed out that there should be the formats for the ASC, Trans Tasman and the Masters/State Challenge for the information of all Tournament organisers and directors on the website.

CSW15 WORDLIST INCEPTION DATE

Discussion ensued on mainly the availability of “lookup” equipment (specifically Zzyzzva) for the new Wordlist. Countries including Singapore, Malaysia and Malta were adopting it on September 1. NSW wished to implement as soon as practicable once electronic lookup available, however it was advised that Harper Collins were organising the publicity campaign for the release of the new Wordlist in mid-April. So, if we had to revert to book adjudication for some time that might be the case.

MOTION: THAT THE CSW15 BE INTRODUCED FOR TOURNAMENT ADJUDICATION ON FRIDAY, 31 JULY 2015.

Moved: John Hamilton Seconded: Wayne Willis CARRIED.

CLARIFICATION OF INSURANCE COVERAGE AND TERMS

NSW had explained concerns that not enough was known about what coverage there was with regard to the Public Liability Insurance policy and they wanted it in writing as to what exactly was the coverage, however it was pointed out that the “business policy” was “as good as would get”. Some people had examined the policy which appeared to be the “norm” for associations such as ours – there had been concerted efforts to actually obtain coverage some years ago when public liability premiums “had shot through the roof” and most insurance companies would not handle small associations such as ours.

Most States sent out the Certificate of Currency to clubs organisers and tournament directors immediately upon receipt from CASPA. The premium was not based on number of members – financial or otherwise. The Council agreed that it was not a matter for the Council and best left with individual States to determine if a levy should be paid to the State association.

SUBSIDY OF EVENT ATTENDANCE FOR REPRESENTATIVES (Case study: WESPAC)

MOTION: THAT CASPA SUBSIDISES THE AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVES FOR WESPA CHAMPIONSHIP 2015 FOR $100 PER QUALIFIER..

Moved: Carol Johnsen Seconded: Tony hunt DEFEATED – For 3, Against 7

MOTION: THAT CASPA SUBSIDISES THE AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVES FOR WORLD YOUTH SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP 2015 FOR $300 PER QUALIFIER (OUTSIDE WA) TO ASSIST WITH TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION EXPENSES.

Moved: Carol Johnsen Seconded: Tony Hunt CARRIED – For 7, Against 1

John Hamilton pointed out that only two non-WA players – Anand Bharadwaj and Ronnie Bennett would be able to qualify for this event.

MOTION: THAT AT LEAST 60% OF COMPETITORS WITH AN EXISTING AUSTRALIAN RATING BE ADDED TO THE CRITERIA FOR RATING TOURNAMENTS.

Moved: Martin Waterworth Seconded: Tony Hunt CARRIED.

Meeting closed at 3.55pm.