Council Minutes 2021-04-09

BGA Council Meeting 2021-04-09

Held at: ZOOM conference call

Meeting started: 20:00

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

Note - actions raised during this meeting and action updates are recorded on the outstanding actions list rather than directly in these minutes

1) Apologies

There were no apologies for absence

2) Minutes of Previous Meetings [2021-02-12]

Minutes of 2021-02-12 were approved

3) Committee Reports and Papers

3.1 President's Report

TM raised a concern that no-one from the stronger player list had stepped forwards to represent the UK at Vladivostok in the World Amateur Championship. RW stated that the note inviting people did not make it very clear that playing on-line rather than face to face was possible this year. TM agreed to re-circulate to the stronger players, and if still no-one came forwards RW volunteered himself to play (in other words stronger kyu players would then be considered). It was agreed that a weaker representative was better than no representative at all.

The question of whether the BGA should nominate another Director to the T Mark Hall Foundation was discussed. This came about after TM's resignation as a Director from that organisation. It was agreed that in effect the BGA already had 2 of 3 directors, and as the TMHF was likely to be closing down there was no need at this time to appoint another one. Should the TMHF EGM outcome not be to close down the Foundation, this would be reconsidered.

3.2 Treasurer's Report

It was noted that the annual accounts now needed to be put onto the BGA website, and should be added as a linked document from the AGM Agenda.

It was agreed that the idea of creating an Investment Advisory Committee was a good one, but that before any vote could be taken RW should come back to the Council with firmer proposals as to how it would operate, the benefits that would accrue from the proposal, and in particular what relationship there would be if any between the management of BGA and LGC funds.

3.3 Governance Committee Report

The discussion focused on the possible conversion of the BGA into a CLG. In respect of the document to be issued to members for the AGM, TM was asked to add in a 'costs' section highlighting the potential costs of moving to a CLG structure. MM and GG both agreed to provide draft text to TM on how to reword the FAQ section to better represent the reasons for incorporating. The meeting agreed 'nem con' that the motion to be put to the AGM should stand as is on the current agenda, though GG highlighted that the supporting document for it must be accurate.

It was agreed that the supporting paper would be worked on and reviewed online by Council members as a matter of urgency, to be completed by close of play on the 14th. An e-mail based vote would be held on the final version, which if agreed would be published as a paper for the AGM by Friday 16th.

3.4 Publications Committee Report

The 20 year tenure of Jil in managing the newsletter was highlighted as worthy of something deserving better recognition, possibly at the BGA Congress this year should one be possible.

MM agreed to speak to PR about ways of ensuring journal documents were synchronised in the cloud to avoid any losses in the event of a disaster occurring.

It was noted that a significant effort was underway to index all articles up to and including BGJ 200 (when we get there). PR agreed to circulate the link to the existing index for Council to look at, and the Council thought that may be worthy of circulation to all members to advertise that it exists.

3.5 Online Committee Report

The proposal to split the remit of the Committee into two was discussed and agreed. One element would be the creation of a website working group, for which a Terms of Reference document would be drafted. This would do a strategic review of the website and other server related software (such as mailing lists), with a view to defining where we want to be in three years time, and what needs to be done to get there. The second element would pick up on all aspects of supporting and promoting Online Go playing, as well as our use and management of social media. For the moment CW would remain as Chairman of both groups, pending a re-allocation of responsibilities amongst the Council after the AGM and elections.

CW agreed to contact J Chin about the current migration status and report back.

3.6 Clubs and Membership Committee Report

Worryingly we heard the first evidence that a club on the list has dissolved during the Covid lock-down, and will not restart due to lack of members.

The affiliation question has now been responded to by just over 20 clubs from 67 on the list. TM and NS agreed to issue a summary paper to Council of the results of that activity.

3.7 Tournaments Committee Report

MM gave a brief summary of the experiences of the recent Online Congress, especially concerning how to implement anti-cheating measures. MM agreed to provide some words for the Journal on that topic.

It was agreed that decisions on the viability of a BGA Congress and BGA Championship this year would be made in June/July, probably at the next Council meeting, depending on the stats of covid restrictions then.

4) Other Papers

4.1 Council Staffing and Recruitment.

It was noted that three current Council members were not standing for re-election at the AGM. Thanks were passed to JL, PR, and NS, for their many years of service to the BGA.

It was agreed that a better effort was needed to advertise the vacancies and encourage people to stand. CW said he would draft a paper by the 14th for consideration by the Council, which if accepted by a vote on the Thursday would go out as a supporting paper for the AGM.

4.2 Online Congress Lessons Learned

Due to time pressures Council was asked to review this paper offline and raise any questions on it with CW.

5) AGM Preparation

5.1 BGJ Related Motions.

It was agreed that motions 3, 4, and 5 on the current AGM Agenda required just one response document from Council.

There was debate as to how best to structure the meeting and the motions.

MM agreed to draft a document concerning BGJ production and membership fees for the Council to comment on. Again this document is to be ready to publish on Friday 16th.

5.2 CLG Related Motions.

It was agreed that a separate paper was needed to respond to Mr Fearnley's motions, in addition to the paper supporting the Council motion. There was significant concern that if Mr Fearnley's motions were passed the BGA may become ungovernable in some aspects.

TM agreed to draft a document for Council to review.

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

Due to pressure of time Council members were asked to inform CW of any updates required, which would then be applied to the list.

7) Date of next meeting

No date was agreed.

The meeting closed at 23:25.

Last updated Sun Apr 11 2021.
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