ECF AGM 2022

[Alex McFarlane]

Or in my case running a chess tournament (so not really sitting at home)

[Nick Ivell]

I did not take part in the meeting, but I will repeat my view that we are lucky to have someone of Truran's calibre as CEO.

[Angus French]

Steve Mann's report of the AGM.

[Paul Cooksey]

Steve missing a zero from venue costs!

I could hear ok, but I was using my work headset.

[John Upham]

Steve Mann's report of the AGM.

I enjoyed this accurate report (apart from the unintended 90% discount on London venue costs) and was reminded of the amusingly sardonic writing style of the sorely missed Richard Haddrell.


Who can forget RHs welcome interruptions to various meetings citing procedural failings. His minutes are similarly hilarious.

[Paul Cooksey]

yes, although in my opinion the confirmation a working group has started to look at reform of the membership scheme the most important thing going on at the ECF at the moment. Possibly that discussion was when Steve had audio issues.

[Mick Norris]

That's interesting, can you expand on what was said Paul?

[Angus French]

That's interesting, can you expand on what was said Paul?

Yes, please expand Paul - or others. There was something about perceived problems with the membership scheme in the most recently published Board meeting minutes. I'm mindful that ECF Council has previously and more than once looked at and rejected changes to the membership scheme so would like to see coherent argument backed up by analysis before further effort is expended in this area.

[John Upham]

One of the suggested changes to the membership scheme was to reduce the barriers for juniors (and adults) to take part in English FIDE rated events.

Can't recall the details but that was the gist of it.

[Roger de Coverly]

One of the suggested changes to the membership scheme was to reduce the barriers for juniors (and adults) to take part in English FIDE rated events.

Maybe a first for membership scheme and barrier to take part being in the same sentence.

[PeterFarr]

As well as what John mentioned above, there was a wider context described in Malcolm Pein's address on international, of the difficulty England juniors have in improving their FIDE ratings given the shortage of FIDE rated competitions in England.

So parents of juniors were looking for good rated tournaments abroad, which is a different level of cost issue than silver to gold membership. Malcolm pointed out that this disadvantages the less well off who couldn't easily finance trips abroad.

(This is just my understanding from memory, I wasn't taking notes).

Incidentally Adam Ashton did raise a note of caution about changing the membership scheme, pointing out that there were reasons why the present system came about. I guess you might say it's not surprising for the Finance Director to be wary on this.

[NickFaulks]

so would like to see coherent argument backed up by analysis before further effort is expended in this area.

I would expect coherent argument backed up by analysis to require the expending of some effort.

[Angus French]

so would like to see coherent argument backed up by analysis before further effort is expended in this area.

I would expect coherent argument backed up by analysis to require the expending of some effort.

I meant effort expended by others than the proponent(s).

[Chris Goodall]

One of the suggested changes to the membership scheme was to reduce the barriers for juniors (and adults) to take part in English FIDE rated events.

Maybe a first for membership scheme and barrier to take part being in the same sentence.

I hear you, Roger. You are not the only one who wondered how a scheme justified by the ECF as a net gain to themselves could also be a net gain to the typical player. To the King across the water

[Mike Gunn]

I was on the scene when the current membership scheme was introduced. There was division on the board between a minority who wanted a flat rate system (at the time about £20 a year?) and those who supported the current tiered system. The logic for the current system was that you needed a lower rate for club members who just played in local leagues and county chess but don't play in weekend congresses etc, so as not to put them off joining. However, the tiered/ metal system was never popular with some congress organisers. It looks like we're having that debate again.