Council Meeting Minutes - 2020-08-14

BGA Council Meeting 2020-08-14

Held at: ZOOM conference call

Meeting started: 20:00

Present: Gerry Gavigan, Joanne Leung, Toby Manning, Matt Marsh, Pat Ridley, Neil Sandford, Richard Wheeldon, Colin Williams

1) Minutes of Previous Meetings [2020-06-09]

Minutes of 2020-06-09 were approved after one typo was corrected

2) Review of Actions [https://www.britgo.org/council/internal]

The online list was updated.
ACTION: Toby to issue the agreed affiliation letter to clubs

3) Feedback from EGF AGM

Toby, Matt, and Colin gave a summary of the mood and discussion at the recent EGF AGM. The debate was primarily focused on financial issues, including the recent budget overrun, membership fees for smaller countries, and the closure of the EGCC. An EGM will be called in December, primarily to review the proposed budget for next year.

The meeting confirmed the postponement of the European Women's Championship in London until 2021.

A change to the player ratings calculations was agreed, which will be backdated. This will take place at a date to be determined, but almost certainly in Q4 of 2020. The EGF ratings will be extended downwards to allow grades of up to 30 kyu.

4) Decisions to be taken

Alex Rix was confirmed as our World Amateur representative for 2021 (8 for, none against)

It was agreed that the 2020 British Championship should be abandoned (8 for, none against)

It was agreed that players who qualified for the 2020 British Championship will automatically qualify for the 2021 championship (7 for, one abstention)

It was agreed that the Mind Sports Olympiad open competition should not at this time have its results put into the EGF ratings system, to comply with the EGF ruling on online tournaments. (4 for this result, one against, three abstentions)
ACTION: Toby to canvas the EGF members on whether this rule should be better enforced or abandoned.

It was agreed that the BGA would allocate £500 to Gerry for a pilot scheme involving training stronger players through playing a professional, with a game review. The results will be captured to make videos for the LGC YouTube channel, and a BGA YouTube channel if created.
ACTION: Matt and Colin to produce a business case for a BGA YouTube channel.

5) Other matters arising from committee reports

Toby provided an update on the state of the Youth Server proposal, to be developed in conjunction with the AGA. The British element of the funding for this will come from the Castledine Barnes Trust. There was some debate about what would constitute success criteria for this project, and the risk of on-going expenditure.

Neil suggested that his Clubs and Membership committee be split into two, to better differentiate the distinct relationships the BGA has between itself, its members, and the affiliated clubs. Neil would remain Chair of both committees. This was agreed by the meeting.
ACTION: Council member to provide Neil feedback on his report.

Pat requested that Toby issue a formal thank you to Bob Scantlebury, who is standing down from the position of BGJ editor after a considerable period of service.
ACTION: Toby to issue a formal thank-you

Pat requested that he could stand down as Chair of the Player Development committee. This was agreed, and Toby called for volunteers to take it over. Gerry stepped forwards, and other council members were asked to consider the role possibly on a joint responsibility basis.
ACTION: Any volunteers from Council to make themselves known to Toby

6) Actions arising from the AGM

The size of the reserves was discussed, and considered appropriate for the circumstances we are currently in.
ACTION: Richard and Colin to draft a response to the action from the AGM

Toby accepted an action to response to the schools membership status issue
ACTION: Toby to address this point

It was agreed that the relationship between the BGA and the TMHF directors could not be finalised until after the TMHF AGM, which is likely to happen in the next two months.

7) AOB

Richard reported that he had received a request from the Wessex tournament organisers to help defray their fixed costs, lost due the tournament cancellation this year. He said he was happy to assist, and this was agreed.

Richard reported that one person wished to pay membership fees from a euro only account. Gerry said he could explain a low cost arrangement to make this easy for both parties.
ACTION: Gerry to send his information on multi-currency transactions to Richard

8) Next Meeting

It was agreed that the next meeting will be Friday 16th October at 20:00, also by Zoom.

Last updated Mon Aug 17 2020.
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