World Croquet Federation
In London, 6th July 2001

Present:
WCF Management Committee

Tony Hall, President
Colin Irwin
Peter Payne (also representing Switzerland)

Australia Criena Dawson, Owen Edwards
Belgium Jonathan Lamb
Canada Louis Nel
England Quiller Barratt, Alan Oldham, David Openshaw, Bill Arliss
Germany Bruno Hess
Ireland Simon Williams
Isle of Man Kevin Wells
Jersey Sarah Burrow
Netherlands Rutger Beijderwellen
New Zealand Dennis Bulloch
Spain Juan Ojeda
USA Bob Cherry, Rory Kelley
Wales Chris Williams

Apologies:

WCF Management Committee

Gary Fox
Ahmed Hamroush
John Prince
Rod Williams

Guernsey
Italy
Palestine
South Africa

Missing:
Egypt
Japan

TH opened the meeting at 7.20pm; paying homage to Chris Hudson, recently retired Secretary-General of the WCF. A presentation of crystal glassware had been made at Chris' home. TH thanked PP for taking the minutes in the absence of the Secretary-General, Gary Fox.

Due to the late notice of the meeting, no voting would take place. All decisions would be put to a postal vote. The purpose of the meeting would be to a) inform delegates, and b) determine the format of the postal voting papers.

Minutes of last Council Meeting, Cairo, 24th October 2000

The minutes had been circulated and they were provisionally approved. (TH said that although the minutes stated that the next elections would be in June 2001 that was contrary to the Rules as the election could not be held less than two years from the previous election.)

Management Committee Report

The report had been circulated in advance and additional copies were distributed by TH. He took this opportunity to officially welcome Gary Fox onto the MC as Secretary-General in replacement to Chris Hudson. Several "Officers" had accepted to take up positions within the organisation:

Webmaster Chris Williams
Newsletter Gary Fox (pro tem.)
Archivist/Historian David Drazin
Ranking - association Chris Williams
Ranking - golf Bill Arliss
Equipment Alan Pidcock
Refereeing/handicaps vacant
Events Manager - N. America Tony Hall (pro tem.)
Events Manager - Europe vacant
Events Manager - Australia/NZ Gary Fox (pro tem.)

These appointments to be confirmed by the MC.

For the forthcoming elections, Tony Hall is unopposed as President. There are four MC members retiring, Chris Hudson (England), John Prince (New Zealand), Rod Williams (Scotland) and Gary Fox (Australia - co-opted April 2001). Chris resigned from the MC and John and Rod do not wish to be proposed for re-election. There are three vacant places and six candidates announced:

Gary Fox (Australia)
Louis Nel (Canada)
David Openshaw (England)
Graeme Roberts (New Zealand)
John Taylor (USA)
Jamison Walker (Scotland)

Bill Arliss (England) enquired as to how the members of the Golf Croquet Working Party had been chosen. TH replied that, until further notice, the "new" GCWP comprised members of the "old" GCWP plus Bill Arliss and Don Beck, who had both been working hard to develop and promote the sport in England.

Finances

TH explained that the format of the financial statement had changed from a receipts and payments format to an accruals basis and also that the assets had been bolstered by the inclusion of "Friends" money (which continues to be regarded as a trust, not to be used). In the year 2000 General Funds had increased from £4,252 to £5775.

In reply to a question from Alan Oldham (England), TH explained that the Friends' money was invested in interest bearing investment accounts: £9'900 in Australia (in AUD and earning 8-9% presently) and £3'000 in the UK (in GBP). The investment advice from the "trustees" (Geoffrey Naylor, Stephen Mulliner and Rosemarie Taylor) was, in light of the small amounts concerned, to do nothing other than maintain the funds in interest bearing accounts.

TH explained that the proposition to increase members' subscriptions was in part due to the increased cost of Officers, many of whom were taking over duties previously undertaken by the Secretary General. To a question from Quiller Barrett (England), TH explained that the proposed honorariums did not include extraordinary expenses, which would be included in the general administration costs. Simon Williams (Ireland) suggested that licence fees for WCF sanctioned events should actually make money for the WCF rather than cover costs, as is presently the case. TH mentioned that the medals presented to World Championship winners are presently made of silver, coated with gold or bronze. He asked the question whether this expense was absolutely necessary or whether a cheaper alloy, coated with gold, silver or bronze, could be used. There was no clear answer.

TH asked for views regarding the proposed increase in subscriptions. Peter Payne (WCF Management Committee, Switzerland) said that the £100 proposed for Observer Members was very good value and could possibly be increased further. Jonathan Lamb (Belgium) and Kevin Wells (Isle of Man) both stated that although the membership fee was good value, their respective national associations would have difficulty paying any more. Colin Irwin (WCF Management Committee, England) suggested that the annual subscriptions should possibly be increased by a regular amount each year, due to the difficulty of having meetings to endorse each increase over the limitations imposed by the Constitution.

TH confirmed that the Russian Croquet Federation had applied for membership with Observer status. Belgium has agreed to pay the entry fee and the first year's subscription. The application would be put to the vote by postal ballot.

There were no revisions of status to report.

TH presented the draft schedule of future World Championships, saying that agreement to the format of the schedule was requested. Approval of the format would not imply approval of any of the events contained therein, but merely provide a basis for planning. Each event would require separate approval when a formal bid was submitted. The schedule needs amendment almost every time the dates of a championship are settled.

A general discussion ensued concerning the fact that the WCF appeared to be suggesting a World Singles Championship in Wellington, New Zealand, early in 2003, the same year as the next MacRob Shield. David Openshaw (England) stated that this went directly against the agreement reached in a meeting at the last MacRob between representatives of the four MacRob teams and TH, representing the WCF. Simon Williams (Ireland) remarked that New Zealand, a MacRob country, was also going against that agreement in proposing 2003.

After much discussion, Denis Bulloch (New Zealand) was asked to contact Croquet New Zealand by telephone immediately, to ascertain whether agreement had been reached to hold the event in December 2002. It was confirmed that the dates would be 2nd-8th December 2002, allowing delegates to give their tentative agreement to the event in Wellington, to be confirmed by the MC.

David Openshaw mentioned that there would only be 40 participants in Wellington. TH replied that Croquet NZ had declined to increase the number due to the extra costs involved. (Secretarial Note: Now increased to 64.)

David Openshaw confirmed that England would be interested in holding the 2005 World Singles Championship, if nobody else was. He asked for a swift reply from the WCF. TH asked that a formal bid be submitted.

David Openshaw also mentioned that the following MacRob would apparently be held in Australia either in October/November 2006 or April 2007. The US delegates were asked to find out (on their return home) whether the USCA would be able to move the proposed World Singles Championship depending on the date of the MacRob in Australia. David asked for assurances that future World Championships would not be accepted in MacRob years.

It was generally agreed that the preliminary acceptance by the MC of the bid by the USCA to conduct the 5th WCF World Golf Croquet Championships at their new National Croquet Center at West Palm beach, Florida in February 2002 should be endorsed

TH confirmed that this event would only be held in Cairo next year if the Jaques balls provided for last year's golf croquet World Championship but not used, be released from wherever they are and used in the event. There was also the question of the quality of the Egyptian hoops, which needed looking into.

TH advised that the proposal for the annual WCC in Sonoma to become the WCF 14pt Singles World Championship was dependant on the matches involved being included in the world rankings. Discussions would continue.

TH asked whether the USCA or Croquet Canada had any interest in holding the inaugural World Championship. The question was asked whether there would be enough countries interested in participating in order for the WCF World Championship label to be used?

Penalties

None.

Auditors

To be decided when the location of the incoming Treasurer was determined.

Resolutions

Rule 2:

TH explained that this proposition corrected an omission from the resolution proposed in Cairo last year. In reply to a question from Louis Nel (Canada), TH confirmed that only one association per nation could be accepted to membership. The proposition met general approval.

Rule 15:

The proposition met general approval.

Rule 17:

TH mentioned that this would help with the French situation.

Rule 23A:

The possible legal ramifications were mentioned.

Rule 20, Rule 6:

Colin Irwin (WCF Management Committee, England) suggested that all forms of association, golf and American rules croquet be mentioned.

Quiller Barrett (England) mentioned that golf croquet should be treated similarly to association croquet.

TH stated that both proposals would appear on the postal ballot form.

Proposals by the (English) CA:

It was agreed that these proposals should be re-ordered to isolate those which are non-controversial and those which are disputed. TH will consult with Quiller Barratt and Gary Fox.

TH thanked the (English) CA for this suggestion.

There was some discussion on the disputed proposals to appoint members of the MC and that the President should be a member of the MC, serving in rotation. Each side stated its case. A letter received from the Scottish CA was read out.

Quiller Barrett (England) stated that it was important for members to see the flow of democracy and that the WCF receive a proper mandate from its members to perform its duties. Peter Payne (WCF Management Committee, Switzerland) replied that democracy was to be found in the Council, where every member had at least one representative. The Management Committee was a servant of the Council and was therefore fully mandated.

Simon Williams pointed out that finding good candidates from certain countries might prove difficult. He felt that there was a potential conflict in Management Committee members being directly mandated by their respective associations and that the proper place for delegates was in the Council.

It was agreed that TH should liaise with Quiller Barrett when compiling the postal ballot papers to be sent out concerning these resolutions, and that said resolutions would be voted in on separately, or in batches, rather than as a whole.

Any Other Business

Jonathan Lamb (Belgium) wished to record his thanks to TH for his support of the CFB and his recent visit to Belgium.

Chris Williams (Wales) hoped that the allocation of places for Wellington 2002 would be done in good time. TH replied that normally this should be done 18 months before the event, but that he admitted that this had never been achieved. Colin Irwin (WCF Management Committee, England) requested that ALL member associations should reply to championship invitations so that places not taken up could be redistributed earlier.

In reply to a question from Alan Oldham (England), TH mentioned that the possible non-election of Gary Fox to the Management Committee was covered by the CA's propositions to change the Constitution.

Kevin Wells (Isle of Man) was surprised to see that the WCF presently had no Publicity Officer and suggested that the position be filled.

There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 10.05pm.