Gordon Castanza
Western Region Candidate

I have served on the AGA Board of Directors for two years. I have over 30 years of experience successfully managing organizations, including volunteer groups, profitable businesses, and two public school districts in Alaska. I have business and Wei'qi contacts in China. I am semi-retired, and I have the time and other resources necessary to give AGA business the attention it deserves.

I am in good health which gives me the energy to be persistent, flexible, and creative in achieving goals. I have a policy of "open door" which means that I return phone calls and emails quickly. I actively solicit expert advice on issues facing both the AGA and my local chapter as appropriate.  I am accustomed to making executive decisions, and I am candid about explaining the reasons for them. When I make a mistake, I own up to it, make amends, and learn from the experience.

My contributions to Go in the United States are:

1. AGA Board of Directors since August 2006; I have attended every Board meeting since elected (including attendance while riding Amtrak home from a tournament once);

2. Reported to the Western Region Chapters via email about the Board, and reports to the Board about Chapter concerns (if you're a Western Region Chapter Rep, but not getting my emails, then contact me at gcastanza@comcast.net or make sure your current email address is listed on the Chapters webpage);

3. Served on the WMSG Working Group and AGA President Selection Committee;

4. Provided "Go Lesson Plans" and "Go Curriculum Guide" with other Go teachers and agencies (including Ernest Brown / Ing);

5. Drafted "Former Member" survey to learn why people dropped out of that AGA;

6. Developed and published a Users' Guide for PyTD;

7. Tournament Director for the 2008 Roy Hayashi Memorial Go Tournament (qualifier for NAIM, WMSG and USYGC);

8. Resolved "missing demo boards" issue (2005 Congress), researched hiring an AGA Development Director, worked on AGA Selection Process for International Representation, worked on Tournament Safety/Security policy, arranged storage for 100 donated Go sets, hosted Cho Soek Bin (European 7d) teaching visit, actively maintains connections with strong players in the U.S. and overseas, etc., etc.

I am an advocate for youth Go players, and I have accomplished the following:

1. Supported AGA funding for National Youth Go Tournament;

2. U.S. Team Leader for the 2007 World Youth Go Championships in Boston

3. Co-Hosted the 2007 USYGC Qualifier and Finals in Seattle, including responsibility for $11,000 AGA budget

4. Tournament Director for and hosted the 2008 USYGC Qualifier tournament in Tacoma

5. Taught Go in the classroom and gave demos at community events, etc.

At the local level, I have been president of the Tacoma Go Club for two years and:

1. Drafted Club charter and bylaws

2. First elected TGC President, re-elected in January to a two-year term

3. Established sound financial footing for the club:  bank account, investment program for TGC's share from the 2005 Congress, IRS tax-exempt 501(c)4 nonprofit status

4. During membership drive, dramatically increased formal TGC membership from 6 to 71

5. Assisted with Go Camp scholarship process for financially needy boys and girls

6. Increased opportunities for playing Go -- increased weekly club meetings to two, established schedule of monthly and annual AGA tournaments, assumed TD duties, began inter-club outreach including joint hosting of tournaments

7. Increased awareness of Go -- taught Go in the classroom, represented TGC giving demos at community events, etc.

Thank you,

Dr. Gordon E. Castanza, President
Tacoma Go Club

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