Just seen that Tim Wall has just put this on the Facebook on the English chess news page
Calling ECF Silver Members: please see below my election address for the post of ECF Silver Members rep. You have until July 25 to vote, and you have 2 votes. I recommend that as well as myself, you also vote for Steve Westmoreland, who has played a fantastic role in keeping his chess club (Holmfirth, West Yorkshire) going during the pandemic. Thanks
This was my response
Thanks Tim for that
So you don’t think that I have not done a good job as the silver members rep then?
I’m really gutted about this? If people know me, I always care about the members, but also I never go on forums and abuse members on their own views (One of the members message me about Tim comment to Joseph Conlon on this forum and Tim did take it down and apologised offline to him but do you want someone who does this?)
This is what I have put on the site as I feel that members should have a right to vote the way to them
This is to all the ECF Silver Members: please see below my election address for the post of ECF Silver Members Direct Member Representative. You may vote for a maximum of two candidates and Voting will remain open until midnight on Sunday 25th July.
I’m not going to recommend anyone as I feel you have a choice to pick who you want, but I will say that I never take the role for granted, but also I will vote on the way that you tell me and not for my own personal views and you can see that in the ecf voting card like this
https://www.englishchess.org.uk/wp-cont ... -Votes.pdf
I have also sent out a report after every meetings that I have attended and I also noticed that my fellow silver direct member rep has not sent out a report after the meeting, despite offering to work together.
Do you want a representative who votes for you or someone to tell you to vote? You see in my election address that it been a challenge and I hope you can give me one of your votes
Election Address
Dear Fellow Silver Members
I seek your support for re-election to the English Chess Federation Council to represent the Silver members for the 2021-22 season. As a current Silver member, I have carried out this role for the past five years, I feel able to build upon my experience and move forward with confidence for what this role requires for the future of chess and its players.
I have been playing chess for 28 years; I began as a 12-year-old junior going to Chorlton chess club – Now I am the grand age of 40 years old and play for Urmston whilst also being a member of
Manchester Social chess club. During my time playing chess, I have carried out many different roles including being club captain at local level to running club tournaments and a congress. More recently, in light of the COVID19 restrictions placed upon over the board chess, I have also managed and selected teams for Manchester online county championships, an enjoyable but challenging role in the increasingly changing chess landscape.
I work well with others and have built lots of relationships with different members, leagues and organisations over time. I have been attending ECF meetings since the 2014 AGM when I volunteered to be the Lancashire rep. I have been a Silver member rep since the ECF AGM 2016 meeting when myself and Michael Farthing were elected to speak on behalf of the members.
My reasons for feeling so passionately about being a rep were because I wanted the players to have a voice at meetings and feel confident that their views were being represented and discussed formally. Any feedback from these meetings is always reported back to members who have been most grateful of the opportunity for their opinions to be brought to the table. This proactive attitude, action and response approach would continue if you vote for me to remain as the silver rep for 2021/22.
I do not take for granted the role I have undertaken over the past few years – I am proud to have been your representative but I have never rested on my laurels. I am proactive in this role and I feel that I have a good balance of skills and approaches - I canvass the opinions of the Silver members, asking their views on key agenda items prior to meetings, reflecting upon the traditions of the game, discussing options for potential change where this would benefit members and look at ways to secure the future of chess in the 21st century. If I am re-elected, I would aim to work in collaboration with whoever is also elected to support the Silver members, representing their views to the best of my abilities.
I always feel that any organisations need new blood coming through in order to continue the good work that has gone before and also to drive forward areas that could benefit from some change. I am passionate in recruiting new people and representing the views of members of all ages and of levels
of experience. To gain a wider understanding of the complexities and viewpoints involved , I have volunteered to do different roles within the game. I wholeheartedly believe that this has helped me to see the rounded viewpoints needed to support chess moving forward.
Looking ahead, I am sure we are all looking forward to adapting to and enjoying our new normal – whatever this may look like. I would be proud to continue to represent the views of members, taking a proactive approach when canvassing opinions and reporting on progress from meetings regarding how we can shape the future together. I am excited by the prospect of continuing in this role, if re- elected as we enter a new phase for the future of chess.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and hope that you will give me your vote.
John Reyes Silver member ME007891