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by Mike Lash, AGA
President
July 15, 2005
As I prepare for the
upcoming US Go Congress in Tacoma, Washington, now more than ever I see just how
much work it takes by the dedicated crews who put on our annual Congresses. We
owe the folks at Tacoma Central our maximum respect and support, and with
attendance setting another new record, I'm confident we are heading into a super
Congress!
I am proud and humbled to announce
that we are sending some of our youngest strong players overseas to represent
the AGA. Eight-year old Calvin Sun, 3d, will participate in a Korean Children's
championship that previously had not included international players. The
tournament will be in Seoul in late July. And in August, the annual World Youth
Goe Championship, this year in Barcelona, Spain, provides another opportunity to
the eligible top Redmond Cup players. Sichen Zhong, senior division, and young
Calvin Sun, junior division, will be accompanied by Todd Heidenreich, AGA Youth
Coordinator.
The 2006 budget is complete and
our modest operating budget of under $80,000 includes funds for a new program to
promote AGA membership through local action. Unfortunately, ING funding is not
yet available for this year, contrary to my announcement in May. We will not be
able to fund ING programs outside the Congress until we receive the anticipated
donation. My apologies to those counting on ING funding sooner. We are pursuing
this source and hope to have a definitive answer
soon.
Openings are still available for eager
volunteers in many national positions, including Corporate Secretary, Policy and
Governance Committee, Archivist and others. At the Congress look for an AGA "job
fair" that will be held to discuss opportunities and options. Feel free to
contact me in advance at
president@usgo.org.
Email voting is underway
for the proposed bylaws and articles changes. Paper ballots are available if
there is any problem with the electronic system. I encourage all members to vote
- this affects everyone in one way or another! Results will be announced at the
Go Congress.
Some of the items planned for
discussion at the Congress will be membership categories, membership fees,
national AGA tournament schedule and a revised/expanded US Open tournament. Stay
tuned for more on these exciting developments.
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