WCF Management Committee Meeting 17th May 2009, National Croquet Center, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Present:
David Openshaw – WCF President
Charles Jones
Carole Jackson
Keith Aiton
Brian Storey - Secretary-General
Consulted by email:
Rhys Thomas
Amir Ramsis
Andrew Hope - Treasurer
Max Murray
Cabinet Responsibility v Individual Responsibility
Reference was made to the minutes of 11th May 2009.
A discussion took place regarding the strengths and weaknesses of each approach of how the WCFMC should operate.
It was concluded that:
- WCF would publish whether there was a unanimous or majority in favour of any decided matter;
- It would publish the numbers of votes cast;
- WCFMC members should support all decisions in public. This will not prevent an individual member from disclosing how they voted.
- All email discussions would be minuted by Keith Aiton for eventual publication.
WCF Friends
It was confirmed that Ian Burridge and Carole Jackson had become Friends in 2008.
It was also agreed unanimously that there was need to recognise WCF Friends at each WCF event by way of a function solely for them.
Development of Association Croquet (AC)
Reference was made to the minutes of 16th May 2009.
A wide-ranging discussion took place with a number of ideas tabled.
In conclusion it was decided that:
- WCF would advertise the existence of any promotional DVD’s around the world;
- To facilitate that each member would be asked to state what they have available for sale;
- WCF would find out what is successful in getting new players in member associations and clubs around the world;
- WCF would encourage anyone who is interested in the subject to contribute to the debate.
- WCF would produce a DVD, CD and other written material for inclusion into manufacturers croquet sets with the incentive of a free web site presence of the WCF web site.
As for general development, there was a need to coordinate with members. Japan was a typical example due to its geographic isolation.
This could only be carried out be an experience person living locally. It was agreed that we needed to find a person who would take on the project.
Other WCF materials
The Secretary-General asked for funding to obtain a printing quality copy of the WCF logo. It was continually requested by print houses for publications and we did not have one. That was agreed unanimously.
A discussion took place regarding the award of a WCF medal for an outstanding performance of any player at a WCF Championship. This was agreed unanimously.
A discussion took place regarding the possibility of exploiting commercial opportunities by use of WCF sales whilst recognising that it may cut across any sales by member associations. This may include the provision of WCF ball markers and plastic wallets for players at each event.
It was agreed to carry out research among players to find out what items they might like to receive as "freebies" and what items they might like to buy.
WCF Championship Organisation
A discussion took place on the apparent shortcomings of the current Championship in relation to the organisation of the Plate.
It was considered there was a lack of information about who was to play whom, when and where.
There was a lack of real information for players and spectators at each venue as to the recorded results.
In general it was poor.
Suggested ideas for the future included a dedicated sub-manager to manage the Plate and other supplementary events to relieve the Tournament Manager of that role, so they could concentrate on the main event.