COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIAN SCRABBLE PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - MINUTES
Friday, April 10, 2020 – 3.00pm by Facebook Messenger Phone/Video Conference
MINUTE TAKER: Carol Johnsen
ATTENDEES:
Queensland – Jane Brown, Martin Waterworth
New South Wales – Bob Jackman, Rene Chelton, Richard Birch, Tony Hunt
Victoria – Nick Ivanovski, Carol Johnsen
Tasmania – Martin Rose
South Australia – Simon Walton
Western Australia – Graham Bell
ACT – Tim Reddan
⦁ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS AGM – (attached):
MOTION: THAT THE MINUTES OF THE 2019 CASPA AGM BE ACCEPTED.
Moved: Nick Ivanovski Seconded: Richard Birch Carried.
⦁ MOTIONS VOTED UPON BY EMAIL DURING YEAR:
It was clarified that Board members could move and second motions.
MOTION: THAT CASPA SPONSORS AUSTRALIAN WESPA GOA CHAMPIONSHIPS REPRESENTATIVES
FOR $A100 EACH.
Moved: Carol Johnsen Seconded: Jane Brown Carried.
MOTION: THAT THE 2019 WESPA SENIORS TOURNAMENT BE RATED IN THE AUSTRALIAN
RATINGS SYSTEM.
Moved: Oliver Jenner-O’Shea Seconded: Jane Brown CARRIED
MOTION: THAT THE WITHDRAWAL PENALTY IN THE QUALIFYING SYSTEM (FOR THE
ALCHEMIST CUP) BE NOT APPLIED IN THE CASE OF DAVD ELDAR IN THE DECATHON
TOURNAMENT OF DECEMBER 29, 2019.
Moved: Nick Ivanovski Seconded: Simon Walton Carried.
MOTION: THAT EDWARD OKULICZ SEEKS OUT A NEW WEBSITE HOST AND WILL PRESENT A
REPORT TO THE BOARD IN EARLY MAY.
Moved: Nick Ivanovski Seconded: Simon Walton Carried.
Note – In consequence of COV-19 pandemic:
It was agreed that the 2020 National Championship scheduled to be held at
Easter 2020 will now go ahead in 2021 with Queensland as the host state.
It as agreed that the 2020 CASPA AGM be held by Facebook Messenger.
⦁ BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF MINUTES:
⦁ CASPA would revisit the following decisions at the 2020 AGM.
MOTION: THAT THE REMUNERATION FOR THE RATINGS OFFICER / ARCHIVES / TOURNAMENT
CALENDAR ADMINISTRATOR BE $7 PER TOU FILE.
MOVED: Bob Jackman SECONDED: Russell Honeybun CARRIED
It was agreed that the process would continue at the rate specified in Motion
(b) below.
⦁ MOTION: THAT THE REMUNERATION FOR THE RATINGS OFFICER / ARCHIVES /
TOURNAMENT CALENDAR ADMINISTRATOR BE PAID MONTHLY OUT OF CASPA FUNDS AND THIS
TO COMMENCE FROM 8 APRIL 2018.
MOVED: Carol Johnsen SECONDED: Martin Waterworth CARRIED
( c) It was agreed that John Hamilton and Tony Hunt could work on the
comparison of CASPA and
WESPA rules for the enlightenment of the Australian tournament players by the
end of 2019. It was pointed out that Canada,USA, Singapore and Australia were
countries which had not adopted the WESPA rules.
Tony Hunt reported that it was unlikely that the review would go ahead.
⦁ CASPA BOARD NOMINATIONS:
Co-Ordinator: Carol Johnsen
Editor ATB: Richard Birch
Trademark (Mattel) Liaison Officer Carol Johnsen
Youth Co-Ordinator: Tony Hunt
Treasurer: Rene Chelton
Rules Officer: CASPA Coordinator (Carol Johnsen)
Web Coordinator: Nick Ivanovski
Ratings Officer: Martin Waterworth (withdrawn), Barry Harridge (including
Qualifications)
Records Officer: Martin Waterworth, Barry Harridge (withdrawn)
Ex-officio Schools Program Co-Ordinator:
CASPA to discuss retention or otherwise of this role at a later date.
It was pointed out that the position of Records Officer was not in the
constitution, but it had been regarded as a “required board position” for some
years ago but not included in the Constitution.
It was agreed that Martin Waterworth would assist in web coordination with
Nick Ivanovski for 3 months.
MOTION: THAT THE CASPA BOARD NOMINEES BE ELECTED UNOPPOSED..
Moved: Nick Ivanovski Seconded: Martin Rose Carried.
⦁ OFFICER REPORTS:
Co-Ordinator – Carol Johnsen (see attached)
MOTION: THAT THE CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT BE RECEIVED.
Moved: Jane Brown Seconded: Simon Walton Carried.
Editor - Across the Board – Richard Birch (see attached)
MOTION: THAT THE EDITOR OF ACROSS THE BOARD’S REPORT BE RECEIVED.
Moved: Nick Ivanovski Seconded: Tony Hunt Carried.
Richard reported that the June edition of the publication would be by email
only due to the COV-19 restrictions. The meeting agreed that it was imperative
to stay with the usual publication dates as this was at least giving the
membership something for their fees. He sought input from all States and
suggestions included “Meet the Player”, internet Scrabble apps and programs
(mindful of promoting only Mattel-approved ones) and instructions on how to
access them especially for seniors, internet Scrabble competitions results
(all non-rated as there could be integrity problems there); a Youth Section;
cartoons and photos.
Trademark (Mattel) Liaison Officer - Carol Johnsen. No report.
Treasurer - Rene Chelton (see attached)
It was apparent that the figures in the report did not reflect the true
position of the accounts. Nick Ivanovski would write to Rene Chelton to seek
the changes and present the report once again to the CASPA Board for
ratification.
MOTION: THAT THE TREASURER’S REPORT BE RECEIVED.
Moved: Seconded: Withdrawn.
Records Officer, Ratings Officer & Web Coordinator - Martin Waterworth
(see attached)
Martin reported that there were still some States who were not updating him on
cancellations, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. however, some States advised that
they would rather do it on a month-by-month basis rather than for the rest of
2020. He reported also that there were some Tournament Directors who were not
using an AUPAIR program with the date. He said that it was difficult to
download AUPAIR 613 on the website because the slowness of the website and the
network provider had changed underlying server file-access setting. Some
clarification – it was that some people did not use the AUPAIR program to put
the date in the TOU file.He was asked to write to those involved and provide a
copy of the correct program.
It was agreed that the Tri-State Challenge being undertaken on the internet on
2 May would not be rated, however the perpetual shield (rotating board) would
be engraved with the winner.
MOTION: THAT THE RECORDS OFFICER, RATINGS OFFICER & WEB COORDINATOR’S
REPORT/S BE RECEIVED.
Moved: Nick Ivanovski Seconded: Tony Hunt Carried.
⦁ RULES OFFICER – Wayne Willis
⦁ MOTION: THAT THE CASPA COORDINATOR TAKE ON THE ROLE OF COORDINATING THE
DISCUSSION AND VOTING ON MOTIONS BEFORE THE RULES COMMITTEE.
Moved: Seconded: Withdrawn
(see Election of Office Bearers)
Carol Johnsen:- The role of Rules Coordinator fits with well with the CASPA
Coordinator’s role and both roles are not too onerous.
MOTION: THAT NEW RULES SUBMITTED FOR DISCUSSION MUST BE CONVEYED TO BOTH THE
PRESIDENT AND RULES COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE OF EACH STATE.
Moved: Jane Brown Seconded: Bob Jackman Carried.
⦁ MOTION: THAT ANY RULES CARRIED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE BE VOTED UPON BY CASPA
PRESIDENTS BEFORE BEING INCORPORATED INTO THE OFFICIAL RULES.
Moved: Seconded: Withdrawn.
(to be discussed and voted upon by the CASPA Board at a later date).
⦁ MOTION: THAT CASPA THANKS WAYNE WILLIS FOR HIS ROLE AS RULES COORDINATOR
OVER THE YEARS.
Moved: Carol Johnsen Seconded: Nick Ivanovski Carried.
(d )Electronic devices
ASPA (Vic) recommended the following to the CASPA Rules Committee:
“10.3a (Self-adjudication at External Device) Both players over or turn face
down any tiles on their racks, and proceed to the adjudication computer. The
challenger types the word(s) being challenged, the opponent verifies the
word(s) and executes the adjudication command.
10.3b (Self-adjudication via Smart Device) The challenger types the word(s)
being challenged, the opponent verifies the word(s) and executes the
adjudication command.
Use of the Smart Device must be agreed to by both players. The device must be
used in adjudication mode and may not be used in other modes. This mode must
be capable of accepting multiple words to be challenged at a time. While in
use, the screen must remain visible to both players.”
“10.7 Once the clock has been neutralised (or, without clocks, once the
challenge slip has left the table or both players have agreed to
self-adjudicate) the challenge may be neither conceded nor retracted.”
“12.1 No dictionaries, word lists, personal electronic devices or similar may
be consulted or used for word adjudication (except as per Rule 10.3b) during a
game in a rated tournament. The official reference for adjudication at
tournaments is as approved by CASPA from time to time.”
This motion was voted upon by the Rules Committee and was lost.
Nick Ivanovski advised that the Rules Officer in Victoria would be requested
to resubmit this motion for discussion by the CASPA Rules Committee.
Youth Officer’s Report – Tony Hunt (see attached)
Tony reported further that there was a discussion group of interested people
in the youth scene on the internet with the aim of interesting young players
with Scrabble Go.
I (Tony Hunt) tender this motion to be put before the upcoming AGM and welcome
input and discussion from the state presidents.
First I will outline some background and rationale:
Up to date, we haven’t had much nationally for young players to specifically
aspire to.
We have an annual CASPA award for the junior who has the highest ratings gain
over 12 months, which is a great way to acknowledge improvement, however,
nationally we have no award to acknowledge our overall best youth player.
What tends to happen at present, is that promising young players are
encouraged quite early in their Scrabble life to aim for the WYC.
This can be a bit daunting for some particularly as it involves overseas
travel and all of the logistics that go with it.
Given the current state of Australian Youth Scrabble, even if a junior player
makes it to the WYC, they may we’ll become daunted by the level of the
competition from players where they have a strong National Youth Scrabble
program.
By having a National Youth Champion award we give our Aussie young players a
goal that they can realistically aspire to.
I am not proposing any additional tournaments.
I am suggesting that it be simply an additional award at the National
Championship, commencing in NSW 2021.
It will comprise a perpetual trophy as well as an individual trophy. Does not
need to be a cash prize, but maybe an individual or a business may like to
sponsor such.
I believe that by having such an award it will do much to help improve the
overall standard of youth Scrabble in Australia.
The motion:
MOTION: Commencing Easter 2021 CASPA announces a National Youth Champion as
the best performing Australian citizen/permanent resident player in the
Championship Division of the Australian National Championship. To be eligible,
a player must have qualified to play in the Championship division, must
pre-register (so we can validate) and must not have had their 16th birthday.
Failing any suitable candidate, then the best-placed youth performer in the
Plate will be the winner. And that this is a perpetual annual award.
Moved: Tony Hunt Seconded: Nick Ivanovski Carried.
I have been asked why not 2020, and I believe that, even though it may be
possible, I think it would be better to have a 12 + month lead time in order
to generate publicity and interest, and to motivate those children interested
into working on a game plan to qualify.
I’d like to think that you all would like to see our young players continue to
develop and improve and hope you all support this motion. Happy to answer any
questions.
Thanks
MOTION: THAT THE YOUTH COORDINATOR’S REPORT BE RECEIVED.
Moved: Nick Ivanovski Seconded: Richard Birch Carried.
OTHER BUSINESS:
⦁ Funding criteria for:
⦁ Australian Championship (currently $2000)
MOTION: THAT THE FUNDING FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP BE $3000.
Moved: Martin Rose Seconded: Jane Brown Carried.
South Australia abstained.
⦁ Masters /State Challenge (currently $3000)
⦁ Trans Tasman Challenge (currently $1000) note $3000 in 2020 as Australia was
the host country.
It was agreed that items b. and c. would be discussed at a later date once the
Board was made aware of the updated accounts and modelling could be done.
⦁ Host States for –
Australian Championships
2021 Queensland
2022 New South Wales
2023 Victoria
2024 Western Australia
2025 South Australia
2026 Australian Capital Territory
2027 Tasmania
2028 Queensland
Masters/State Team Challenge
2020 New South Wales (In the event that this even was unable to go ahead, it
was agreed that Victoria would host it in 2021.
2021 Victoria
2022 South Australia
Trans Tasman
2020 Australia – at present both countries were keen for the event to go
ahead.
2022 New Zealand
2024 Australia
⦁ National Championship :
⦁ Prizes
It was agreed that a. would be discussed at a later date, based on budgeted
modelling.
⦁ Qualification Periods: – Barry Harridge (see attached)
MOTION: THAT THE QUALIFICATION PERIODS FOR THE AUSTRALIAN MASTERS AND STATE
CHALLENGE TROPHY AND TRANS TASMAN WILL BE LATER THAN MAY 2020 AND ADVISED AT A
LATER DATE.
Moved: Barry Harridge Seconded: Nick Ivanovski Carried.
It was agreed that invitations should be sent out to qualifiers for both
events should they be going ahead to gauge who would be attending (or not)
anyway.
MOTION: THAT THE GAMES THRESHHOLD FOR QUALIFICATION OF YOUTH PLAYERS BE 40
GAMES.
Moved: Nick Ivanovski Seconded: Simon Walton Carried.
( e) State Levies – Submission from Bob Jackman (see attached)
It was agreed that this matter would be dealt with at a later date once budget
modelling was undertaken.
MOTION: THAT THE QUALIFICATION PERIODS FOR THE 2021 AUSTRALIAN MASTERS AND
STATE CHALLENGE TROPHY AND 2021 WESPA CHAMPIONSHIP WILL NOT COMMENCE IN MAY
2020 AND THE START DATE WILL BE ADVISED AT A LATER DATE.
Moved; Barry harridge Seconded: Nick Ivanovski Carried.
It was agreed that the qualification periods for 2020 Australian Masters and
State Challenge, 2020 Trans Tasman team and 2020 Alchemist Cup will not be
extended and qualifications taken as they are at the end of April 2020.
CLOSE: 5.55pm