Minutes of 2016 Chess Arbiters’ Association AGM.
Date: 02/Jan 2017 - Hastings Chess Congress. Horntye Park, Hastings.
1.	Present: Michael Flatt, Lara Barnes, Tony Corfe, Alan Hustewayte, David Welch, David Sedgewick, Chris Howell, Sue Howell, Alex McFarlane, Neil Graham, Michael Forster, Geoff Gammon
Apologies: Alan Ruffle, Dave Thomas, Kevin Thurlow, Stewart Reuben, Richard Jones, , Peter Gibbs, Francis Bowers, Kevin Markey, Adrian Elwin, Daniel Gliddon, Gerry Walsh, Gerry Jepps, Andy Howie, Peter Purland, Fiona Green, Scott Freeman, Rod Middleton, Priscilla Morris, Arnold Lutton, Nathaniel Lutton, Matt Carr, David Clayton, Neville Belinfante.
David S - suggested that the first business should be the subscription rate for 16-17.  There was a consensus / proposal that those here prepared to pay this, could vote.
Lara - recommended the status quo be maintained (£10) for 16-17. Next meeting should set the 17-18 rate. This was voted through nem con.
2.	Minutes of the last AGM:
3.	Neil: Julian Clissold was present from 18.45.
 1.	David S- a number of oddities in these minutes, but given that Alan has decided not to seek re-election, happy to let most of these go. There is a note - however at the top of page 3: "The meeting agreed to allow David / Matthew to raise the profile of the CAA with the ECF board." David clarified, that the profile of the CAA is not within his responsibilities - and David is not intending to attempt this. Geoff highlighted that this point is also relevant to him.
 2.	Tony / Lara clarified that we should maintain a list of recognised/qualified arbiters (which may extend beyond English arbiters) - and need support from the ECF to achieve this.
David S - this is a distinct point - but there is a difference between maintaining a list of members, and maintaining a list of arbiters. (Note that the ECF has closed the senior arbiter title - which is something we can discuss in AOB). If the goal of the CAA is to transfer some responsibilities from ECF to CAA - then that is a reasonable objective (whether or not it is achievable is a different matter). 
Tony - the idea had been more to address the relevance of the CAA - with improved collaboration with the ECF - if this was achievable. 
There was a digression onto the history of the relationship between the CAA and the ECF - and the factors relevant to the current gaps in this regard.
David S - commented that for many years he has personally maintained a discussion about the FIDE Arbiter Title Regulations with the FIDE Arbiters’ Commission, with a general lack of response from the CAA on input to this discussion. He felt it is important that the CAA does contribute actively to this sort of discussion if it wants to increase his proposal. He did attempt to lower the minimum age of an FA to 18 - unsuccessfully.  He suggested - that whoever gets the appropriate role does engage actively with regard to the arbiter regulations.  
Lara: We will modify the minutes appropriately - with an appropriate note regarding CAA / ECF members.     Minutes were approved accordingly.
4. Matters arising from the last minutes not otherwise covered in the agenda:
 1.	Neil: Discussed in AOB - concerned on the position with regard to DBS requirements. Situation may be now worse. (Regarding football coaches etc.). We need a specific policy with regard to chess. Last minutes page 4: David and Matthew to "research requirements and situation."
Note: Legal position – DBS is a requirement for those that work substantially with children or vulnerable adults, but not where these are incidental. It is also difficult to apply for this unless a relevant organization will sponsor this.
David S: Neil had referred to the Howard Curtis trial. It was stated during the evidence that, while HC was the pastor, the Coulsdon Christian Fellowship had no policy for child protection on their premises, only for the teaching of chess in schools. CCF now have such a policy.
It was suggested that we ask each organization we are affiliated with - whether they have appropriate policies for the relevant regulations in their country. There is an ECF child protection policy - dealing sensibly with the relevant 3 acts. 
There is a point that organizations running junior events may need an arbiter with DBS clearance, and may need to be able to determine this status. From May 16 - Current ECF policy was redrafted. Now: If you need a DBS check - you can apply for this through the ECF. (if relevant )
Each organization running events must have a lead for safeguarding (if we are running events for children or vulnerable adults). Lara willing to do this given her current skills, but this may be challenging in the future. This can be an officer elected by committee if necessary.
Neil: Suggested we do appoint this via the AGM to show our commitment to this.
(Sue had to leave the meeting at 15.15)
Alex: In Scotland there is a one off application with maintenance - so we need the policies to reflect the requirements of different countries appropriately. (In England the update service is not mandatory requirement but can be paid for at circa £13 per year).
Alex: Suggest - rather than appointing the safeguarding officer now, Lara (as acting safeguarding officer) is asked to provide a safeguarding policy for the next AGM - and make a recommendation on the safeguarding officer position.
David W: All arbiters should read the ECF "safeguarding-children-policy" on www.englishchess.org.uk.
The meeting agreed.
4a. Chairman’s report:
We need to sort out the business of the association, and the business of the committee.
Please note that the existing committee have all suffered due to personal circumstances in 2016 but are looking forward to 2017.
4b. Treasurer's report:
As a note for information: Last meeting - we changed subscription point to be 31st August.
Balance is £2,524.21 
Some income via standing order. Some expenditure on a training event.
Tony has spoken to Richard Jones - the auditor.
Kevin Markey will be the new treasurer, and is already in consultation with Tony for handing over the account etc.  Examining of Accounts to take place by Independent Examiner.
Note that we have confirmed that the subscription for 2016/17 is £10 for full members and £5 for associate members.
The meeting noted that Tony's son had been very ill, and expressed its concern and thanks for this work. With appreciation for his work this year.
5. Election of Office bearers:
Alan Ruffle – had decided not to seek re-election as secretary.
We would like to register thanks to all of our leaving officials, Tony Corfe, Alan Ruffle and Neville Belinfante for their support and hard work. 
We do need an ECF delegate preferably who is a member of council anyway. 
22nd April - likely to be next ECF meeting in Birmingham. Michael Forster elected as ECF Delegate and committee - (can do London) will inform the chair if cannot do meetings.
Officers:
Chairman - Lara Barnes
Secretary - Geoff Gammon
Treasurer - Kevin Markey
Chief Arbiter: Alex McFarlane
Info officer: Alex McFarlane
Committee: David Welch, Michael Forster and Kevin Staveley
	ECF delegate: Michael Forster
Chess Scotland Delegate: Alex McFarlane
Welsh Chess: Kevin Staveley
Independent Examiner: Richard Jones 
Safeguarding officer: Lara Barnes (acting) to make a recommendation.

Richard Jones willing to remain as independent examiner – proposed by David S seconded by Alan Hustewayte - and voted in.
It was decided to put agenda item ‘The new Laws of Chess’ to the end of the meeting.
7. Date of next meeting:
26th March in Birmingham - Sunday. (Ties in with a Rapidplay - at a community centre).
Note that input for next FIDE Arbiters’ Commission Councillors’ Meeting needed before that date.
8. AOB: 
 1.	Lara has setup chessarbitersassociation@gmail.com - Paypal account needs confirmation from the bank. Paypal need to send a code to the bank account is in Kennington south London - near Lambeth - Surrey county ground.
Tony: we need a form to sign over the account to Kevin - Kevin needs to organize and this can take months.
Lara started the process - Kevin to clarify the expenses and benefits of the Paypal option if we are allowing £10 or 3 year subscriptions.  View expressed that Paypal not financially sensible unless subscription was for 3 years.
A view was expressed that standing order is preferable.
 2.	Another matter is sorting out the membership - Lara has a list less accurate than Tony's - have removed those whose membership has lapsed, or those now deceased. This was the original spreadsheet Alan had. Tony has a list for 2014, 2015 etc.  Lara - we want to contact all previous members, including those arbiters of the UK who may want to join
David S - suggest we contact all going forward, with a membership amnesty for previous years - the benefit of arbiting matters 2 direct to your mail box - etc. The meeting agreed.
David W: Also need to agree who will do the membership drive - suggest this is done by the chairman and relevant officers. Lara to organize. 
Lara: We have to also fix historical issues with email lists lacking the correct member list.
Geoff: Request for files to be handed over. Tony to email the membership lists to both chairman and secretary.
 3.	David S: commendation to Alex - David was discussing in Guernsey with Robert Gibbons of NZ - various programs, including pairing programmes such as Vega, Had the reply - "thanks for that" did not know about the CAA website - Robert Gibbons thought it was "interesting and entertaining".

 4.	"Senior Arbiter title" - It was noted (with considerable regret in some quarters) that the ECF had abolished the Senior Arbiter title for future generations. The title can still be used by existing Senior Arbiters. The meeting expressed its concerns at the way the ECF Board had handled the final batch of nominations for this title. It was reported that they had been rejected because of a timescale problem which was probably generated within the ECF itself as the names appeared to have entered the processing chain early enough for the titles to have been awarded before the ‘deadline’. 
ECF now has level 1 (trainee), level 2 (old BCF/ ECF Arbiter), level 3 (was old Senior = now FA-FIDE Arbiter), level 4 - (was a trainer – now IA - International Arbiter)
Separate titles for assessors and lecturers.  Old senior arbiter title is closed to new entrants. All who were senior arbiters - will be appointed as assessors, (plus the six too late for the paperwork as above). The big change in the new ECF system, you can no longer apply for the FIDE arbiter title unless you have the ECF title first. 
There is no exam for IA - for FA - the course lecturer must mark - appointed by FIDE. There are 5 in Britain, Alex, Lara, David W, David S, and Stewart Reuben. The moderation is that you have a FIDE observer, who can be any person approved by FIDE (Takis Nikolopoulos).
Dave W: Structure is now complex enough that throwing in ‘CAA’ Senior Arbiters as well may prove even more confusing. Suggest we add this as a formal agenda item for March - which is just before the ECF meeting.
See published minutes of the November board for the ECF decisions on this matter so far. (The minutes of the ECF Council Meeting in October commend the CAA on its input to the changes)
Note also - the original level 0 category is now closed to new entrants. They were existing congress controllers- but the ECF now does need at least one licensed person at level 1 or above on the control team. Note that when Andrew Walker returns from holiday - the list will be updated. Those who are only level 0 and have no Arbiting exam will be removed. (They can be identified as an NA from the FIDE web site).
There was a discussion on the merits of the words "senior arbiter" vs "level 3 arbiter". 
Lara: There are people who would like to become senior arbiters - We need to work with both Geoff and the ECF - to ensure we have appropriate representation.  ‘Senior Arbiter’ could still be bestowed as an honorary title.
The New laws of chess:
Laws 2017:
David S: These do not have FIDE presidential Board approval. They may or may not actually come in within July 2017.
From the CAA website you can get the laws, and the laws with Alex's comments. There is a separate document, written by Alex that highlights the changes.
(The changes to the laws are on the FIDE website - and in Arbiting Matters).
Alex:   In the past, rules have been discussed at some length at the FIDE rules commission. This year there was only 1 meeting, though most had expected a second one.
We went from "draft 6" to "draft 14" in the next few days, with changes both coming and going. Therefore significant changes were not debated widely.
 1.	Main change is that quick play finishes are now in the guidelines - not in the laws or the appendices.  These occur for a game with no increment and a fixed time for all remaining moves. (Some discussion on whether this could be both an increment and/or a delay).
 2.	The other big change - illegal moves must now be claimed before 10 moves of the offence and during the game.
 3.	There was a discussion on the value of laws vs appendices vs "guidelines" 
 4.	Other laws: touch move rule clarified and now stricter.
 5.	The game cannot be drawn in less than one move by both sides.
 6.	You can have a different default time if this is documented. 
David S: I am asking the new chief arbiter to sort this out and clarify clearly what this is in the ECF tournament regulations. (Lara checked ECF website and confirmed 30 minutes for standard play and 10 minutes for Rapidplay)
David W: Alex - please can you publish the relevant ECF links for relevant docs to arbiters such as disability guidelines etc. 
David S: ditto please for Welsh, and Scottish - in case CAA arbiters need to perform duties in those countries with relevant identified information.
 7.	A game begun with the wrong colours now continues if both players have made a move (unless arbiter decides otherwise)
 8.	Illegal move penalty is no longer compulsory. 
 9.	The "5 same positions" ends the game - not consecutive positions.
 10.	No longer possible to award 1 to half. Used to happen when you could not appeal a 10.2. 
There were cases in the Major Open at Canterbury - one where no moves took place. In the other case after 40 moves - this would not be allowed. This was an example where a player had a disability.
 11.	Rule about phones being allowed in bags is now in the rules.
 12.	Arbiters are now allowed to inspect people’s bodies (as part of the anti-cheating measures). 
 13.	e-cigs are now banned in the playing area. 
The playing venue can include a "smoking area" (and/or a vaping area!)
 14.	Players must assist in draw claims, players themselves must play out the draw claim under the supervision of the arbiter. (The arbiter can tell them to slow down)
 15.	A new penalty - a player can be excluded for part of the tournament. (This stemmed from an episode at the London Chess Classic Festival 2015- David S to write up for arbiting matters)
 16.	For Blitz and Rapidplay players can make an appeal on assistant/arbiters scoresheet. It was confirmed that the arbiter "can now call a flag fall" in Rapidplay.
 17.	In the notation - long notation is now allowed.
Note this is relevant to a "practice note" based on schools commission reports - to suggest that long notation is a good practice - which had never previously been "officially allowed", but now is.
 18.	The rules for the blind - now allow the use of a digital clock, and need for assistants for "deaf" vs "blind" as at the Olympiad.
 19.	Chess960 now part of the guidelines.
 20.	Adjournments now part of the guidelines.
David S: Well done Alex on your work.
Note there is still an ECF guideline for children’s events on illegal moves.
Chris H: Discussion for March - it should be an offense for a coach to encourage players to use the laws to his advantage inappropriately. A discussion ensued.
The meeting closed at 17.06
Thanks expressed to all, (Lara) including the officers (David S)

Note – ECF Meeting now will not take place on 22nd April – Date to be confirmed (possibly 1st or 8th