For 37 years Joan Caws served as the Treasurer of the national draughts federation. In addition, she was trusted with refereeing at Charles Walker's successful attempt at the World simultaneous play record setting in 1994 and at the 2008 World Mind Sports Games. Caws also took active part in the campaign to get draughts in the Olympic program. She died in November 2017, while Ian Caws survived her by less than two years.