English Chess Forum

The MCF AGM this afternoon elected an 18 year-old as President; I'd be reasonably confident that's the youngest we've had by about 10 or 20 years

Has anyone had a younger President?

Who is this person, and indeed why someone so young?

Matt Mackenzie wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 14, 2024 7:10 pm

Who is this person, and indeed why someone so young?

Marcus

We had approached a number of people who all said no; none of us who had done it before felt it a good idea to do it again; Marcus stepped forward

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 15, 2024 1:24 pm

Matt Mackenzie wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 14, 2024 7:10 pm

Who is this person, and indeed why someone so young?

Marcus

We had approached a number of people who all said no; none of us who had done t before felt it a good idea to do it again; Marcus stepped forward

What is the job description of your president? At my club the main roles are chairman, secretary, treasurer and tournament organiser. The role of president has become a standing joke with the same person being elected every year, knowing he has nothing to do and doing nothing. I suppose if we had a visiting celebrity (e.g. for a simul) the President would be wheeled out to greet and introduce them.

At my golf club the president moved to another club after an acrimonious dispute about the minutes of a meeting and it was decided to do away with the role completely (good idea, America?). They have yet to change the designation of the President's parking space and nobody parks there. The main movers, probably typically, are club captain, lady captain, secretary, treasurer, handicap secretary.

The President runs the MCF between MCF Council meetings, so it's the most important position for us

Generally speaking most chess organisations I've been involved with (and likely other voluntary associations) have a core of President/ Chairman, deputy President/ Chairman (not always), Secretary, Treasurer, League/ competitions controller, Junior organiser (not always), Team captains. While each have a defined role the "executive" power may depend on who is willing to take it on. For example in some clubs it may be the secretary who is the prime organiser while the President/ chairman simply chairs meetings while others may see the President/ chairman taking the lead while the secretary's main role is to minute meetings.

I've used President and/ or chairman as some organisations (such as the Harrogate club) do have both posts with the President simply being a long standing member whose main role is to present prizes.

I think it is great that the MCF has such a young President. I hope he has every success in the role.

Some organisations have a President but no Chairperson and whenever a meeting requires a chair the President will assume that role.

It is good to see young people (i.e. less than 70 years old) becoming league, association, union and club officials.