Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the EGF, Tuchola, July 30, 2004. Attendance list Armenia Victor Zilberberg, delegate Austria Simon Gemel Alfred Effenberg, secretary Belarus Alex Suponev, president Belgium Frank Segers, member Bosnia Croatia Czechia Jana Hricova, president Denmark Finland Matti Siivola, president France Gerard Gabella, secretary Germany Bernard Kraft, president Michael Marz, vice-president Hungary Tibor Rapai, board member Ireland Israel Shavit Fragman, president Italy Gionata Soletti, secretary Lithuania Olaf Martens, delegate Luxembourg Netherlands Jan van Rongen, president Norway Terje Christoffersen, delegate Poland Roman Pszonka, vice president Portugal Romania Tiberiu Barbu, delegate Russia Oleg Gavrilov, delegate Serbia Zoran Jankovic, president Slovakia Ján Milián, board member Slovenia Timotej Suc, delegate Spain Isabel Barros, treasurer Marc Gonzalez Carnicer, secretary Sweden Henric Bergsaker, secretary Martin Li Switzerland Lorenz Trippel, treasurer Turkey Ukraine Dmitro Yatsenko, president United Kingdom Francis Roads, vice-president Executive Tony Atkins (President) Martin Stiassny Ales Cieply (other members also representing their country) Auditor Peter Zandveld Other Observers Yuki Shigeno (unreadable) Kalli Balduin Hans Zötzsche Dimitris Regginos Pau Carles Eduard Marmolejo Meeting report EGF AGM, Tuchola, July 30, 2004. 1. Opening of the meeting, verifying presence and voting rights. The meeting opens at exactly 19:00 with about 50% of all delegates present. The president mentions that the EGF treasurer unfortunately could not be present because he is “in between jobs”. 2. Acceptance of the agenda The agenda is accepted without change. 3. Acceptance of previous year’s AGM minutes and SGM Minutes In previous year’s AGM Vladimir Holzman (Russia) and Timotej Suc (Slovenia) were present, not as stated. The minutes are accepted with this correction. 4. Admission of new member nations as observers: Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cyprus (Russia recommends Azerbaijan for membership) Discussion of this was deferred to after item 5 and a short break, when everybody is present and introduces themselves. The Cyprus president reports on how the Cyprus association has been formed, with players from both parts of the island. Russia reports on the Azerbaijan association, already formed in 1989, and that they call Go “Galagapi”. The EGF president reports on the situation in Bulgaria. It is proposed to accept these countries immediately as observers, and that the executive will validate their admission according to the criteria in the constitution. If a country meets these criteria, it will be automatically accepted as full member. The proposal is accepted with 23 in favour and 1 abstention. The President gives an overview of Go activities in Greece, Moldova and Estonia. He expresses his hope that the EGF will have more candidate member nations next year. 5. Reports of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Statement by Ing Treasurer There are no comments on the President’s report; it is accepted. There are no comments on the Secretary’s report; it is accepted. The financial reports from the Treasurer and the Ing Treasurer were circulated in May 2004. Before comments from the meeting the auditor is requested to give his comments. 6. Report of the Auditors The auditor explains his role and states that the books in his opinion form a true representation of the financial situation of the EGF. There are several questions. The auditor explains that the answer to all these questions can be found in the following fact. In some cases the income falls in one fiscal year and the expenditure in the next one. That is why there are reservations and why the income does not always match the expenditure where some people would expect it. Accounts accepted (22 / 0 / 1), with the promise of more explanation to be provided next time. 7. Report from the IGF Directors The Directors’ report has been circulated. There are no questions. The president reports about the recent initiative by the mind sport members of the GAISF for a global “Mindolympics” event, probably to be held in 2008. 8. Reports from commissions As most commissions have fallen into lethargy, there is only the report by Henric Bergsaker of the Constitution Commission, which has been circulated before the meeting. Henric suggests that he continues the work and will bundle the various suggestions received. Italy asks whether IGF joining the GAISF has any effect on the constitution. It does not. 9. Election of officers and auditors. The president states that, there being no other candidates, the following persons are elected: - Tony Atkins, president - Jan van Rongen, secretary - Hans Kostka, treasurer - Ales Cieply, officer - Matti Siivola, officer However there are three candidates for two vice-president positions, so here a vote is needed. There is some discussion about the method of voting. The candidates introduce themselves. In the first round of votes Oleg Gavrilov is elected (12 / 9 / 3). In the second round of votes Martin Stiassny is elected (15 / 10). Gerard Gabella is not elected. 10. Accepting the budget 2004-2005 While the votes were still being counted for the election, the president explains the budget, and states that of course some of it has already been spent: it is the budget for the fiscal year 2004-2005. He amends the budget with € 3000 from the Ing budget for sponsoring the Team tournament. The president explains that the last EYGC has occurred extra costs caused by people not showing up (as they got visa problems). It is suggested that of the €4000 overspent the EGF will bear €2500. The budget with these amendments is accepted with 16 in favour (other votes not counted). Italy suggests that €10,000 from the Ing Fund should go to the Go Congresses each year. There is a long discussion about this:- - France: not in favour - Netherlands: not in favour, because some congresses do make a considerable profit even without sponsorship - Sweden: the Congress budgets should be much more transparent and does not like a blank cheque, so leave it to the executive. - Czechia and Hungary emphasize the importance of some money for professionals - Slovakia emphasizes the importance of prize money. So there are in fact two proposals: the Italian proposal and the proposal to leave it to the executive (on request of the organisers of the EGC). The Italian proposal is not accepted (2 / 13 / 9), meaning that it is left to the executive to consider it each year. There have been three requests for EGF funding of special projects:- (a) To support Go Base by Jan van der Steen. As the EGF does not have the funds to fully support this, it has been withdrawn. (b) To support the series of EuroGo books about the history of Go in Europe by Franco Pratesi. He asks for support for printing volume 3 and 4, and for a reprint of volume 1 and 2, €500 for each volume so €2000 in total. (c) To support a Go dictionary made by Harald Kroll, €5000. There are some comments by members, especially about (c). The Pratesi project is accepted (12 / 4 / 8). The Kroll project is rejected (2 / 14 / 8). 11. Changes to commissions and their membership. It is proposed to cancel all commissions immediately and that the executive can reinstate a commission when needed. Accepted (20 / 0 / 2). 12. European Go Congresses Yuki Shigeno thanks the organisers of the 2004 Congress for a great congress. There is applause. ---- Break from 21:00 to 21:15 ---- 2005: Prague. Czechia distributes the Congress brochure. France asks whether there will be reduced rates for emerging countries. The answer is no, but there will be money prizes. 2006: Frascati, Italy. Italy is still looking for more sponsors and cheaper accommodation. The start date has been decided: July 29th. Finland expects money prizes. Italy has not changed its views on this: there are taxes on money prizes in Italy, but there will be plenty of other prizes such as wine where taxation is not a problem. If the EGF wants money prizes they should be paid by the EGF from an account outside of Italy. 2007: Austria. Austria explains: There was a notice of withdrawal by the previous organising committee, but an official confirmation never came and now there is a new team. Compared to the presentation given in the previous AGM the municipality sponsorship has changed, where it was variable then, it is now fixed: The conference centre will be free. Although that means that there is probably less sponsor money, it is also less risky because the dependency on the number of participants is no longer there. Sweden has proposed to reconsider last year’s decision, and, as Sweden could still organise the Congress in 2007, presents the various options available in Sweden. For Sweden the reason to propose reconsideration is that there was only one vote difference last year, and voting might have been based on the financial picture that has changed. Italy does not want to reconsider a previous decision and sees that as a principal point that will set precedents. Austria wants to have a vote, because they want to have the confidence of the member nations. It is decided that it is in principle acceptable to reconsider (16 / 2 / 5). However the Swedish motion itself is rejected (10 / 12 / 2). 2008: Belgium (Leuven) and Sweden are candidates. Sweden is selected (7 / 15 / 1). A commission will be set up by the executive to discuss shortening the congress length and starting a winter congress by expanding another event. Accepted without voting. 13. European Tournament calendar 13(a) Calendar There are proposals to set up commissions for the European Tour format from 2006 and the European Cup events. Accepted without voting. For the 2005 team event there are two bids (Finland and Russia). Russia will hold it at the St. Petersburg Congress location from 3-6 July. As the municipality sponsors, there is more than € 5000 prize money and free accommodation for one team per country. Finland would hold it close to Helsinki, 19-20 June. It will be in Russia (13 / 3 / 9). The Ing Cup 2006 will be in Sinaia, Romania (only one bid, so by default) European Pair Go 2005 on April 23, 24 in the UK will be in the Hitachi Headquarters in Maidenhead. For Pair Go 2006 there are bids from Germany (Leipzig), Finland (near Helsinki) and France (Marseille). The first voting seems a miscount (7 / 6 / 6), but a revote gives a complete draw (7 / 7 / 7). It is decided that these three countries will come back next year with more detailed proposals. For the first time for years there will be a European Women’s Championship, in Leipzig (Germany) sometime in the autumn of 2005. The German Go Federation will support financially with at least €1000. The 2005 Youth Championship will be in Kosice, Slovakia (only one bid, so by default). 13(b) Amendments to various systems. European Cup System amendments (involving the cost of points, prize distribution, end date of 31st May and other changes) are accepted (18 / 6 / 0) The European Masters Qualifying system of 10 clauses and extra clauses for 2005 is accepted (19 / 4 / 0). 14 Representations outside Europe Poland to nominate a captain for the 2005 WAGC. Accepted without voting. Harry van der Krogt (NL) is proposed as team captain for the World Pair Go. Accepted (10 / 0 / 12). There will be no change to the IGF directors. 15 Items requested by member federations and the executive 15(a) EYGC player support There are two proposals for determining eligibility for and level of player support at the EYGC: the Czech proposal (consisting of 11 general rules and 6 operational rules) and the simpler proposal by the executive (which contained an error as circulated). First a vote is taken on the question whether one of those systems should be adopted (19 / 2 / 3). Then the Czech system is chosen (12 /9). 15(b) Recommendations to the IGF with respect to membership fees Germany and Sweden propose a recommendation to the IGF to change the membership system as some countries do not seem to be in the correct fee category. Changes to be calculated on membership size will be recommended to the IGF. Accepted (20 / 0 / 2). There is a suggestion about central transfer of the membership fees by the EGF. As this was not on the agenda, it has to wait until next year. 15(c) UK Proposal on ratings The proposal is to rate low graded players in the EGF rating list with the aim to encourage young players. Ales Cieply explains that this will adversely affect the stability of the rating system. Not accepted (4 / 15 / 6). 15(d) Netherlands proposal A proposal (more of a suggestion) to encourage new countries to join the EGF was withdrawn. 15(e) Italian Proposal on legal advice on the “Swedish Motion” Unfortunately a letter enclosed with the e-mail from Italy for this motion has not been redistributed (it is on the EGF Web site though). There is a short discussion about this motion, Sweden points out that it does not concern a “Swedish Motion”, it concerns an EGF decision on selection of representatives being made jointly. Also, as it is explicitly stated that the decision is up for review next year, it does seem a waste of time to ask legal advice on a past decision. Italy states that after two years most of the problems have been solved but this matter remains. The motion is not accepted (0 / 11 / 12). 16. Any other business Italy objects to a letter from the AGI that has been distributed to all members by the Executive. Meeting Closed 23:20. (Date of 2006 EGC corrected on 03/02/2005 and selection of EGC 2008 corrected on 04/08/2005)