The future - 2011 and beyond.

[Alex McFarlane]

Another possibility is to change the remits.
The International Director is responsible for ALL international selections and training (other than basic stuff).
The Junior Director becomes the Home Director for Junior Chess.

The general feeling earlier was that the Junior Directors post was too much for one person. This would be a step in the direction of solving that problem. (It would also echo what happens in Scotland but that's another matter!!)

This ties in with David's suggestion which appeared as I was typing the above.

[Adam Raoof]

Another possibility is to change the remits.
The International Director is responsible for ALL international selections and training (other than basic stuff).
The Junior Director becomes the Home Director for Junior Chess.

I would support this change.

[Mick Norris]

Another possibility is to change the remits.
The International Director is responsible for ALL international selections and training (other than basic stuff).
The Junior Director becomes the Home Director for Junior Chess.

The general feeling earlier was that the Junior Directors post was too much for one person. This would be a step in the direction of solving that problem. (It would also echo what happens in Scotland but that's another matter!!)

This ties in with David's suggestion which appeared as I was typing the above.

Alex

Has Scotland always had that system and how successful is it considered to be?

[Alex McFarlane]

It is fairly recent and indeed we still have a Junior International Director for things like the matches against Wales and Ireland.

It came about when the SJCA and SCA merged to form Chess Scotland. It was felt that there was a shortage of volunteers and much of the work was duplicated so a merger seemed sensible. Unfortunately the Home director initially inherited junior chess and the Scottish Championship so the job was too much to be done properly by someone with a job. Eventually these posts have now been split into three (Home Chess, Home Chess Junior and Scottish) with International as a separate thing.

I think that it works well now (after some teething troubles) but it does rely on the people in the posts getting on with each other and working together. By necessity there is overlap.

The obvious area of concern is the progression from Junior to Adult. This is recognised as a major problem but no solution has as yet been found.

[Peter Sowray]

I suggest the way forward is to have a candidate ready for either the International or the Junior post who is in tune with Loz's work and will effectively share the two jobs with him on an informal basis. I'm sure there are suitable candidates who might be persuaded to stand on that arrangement. Peter Sowray is one who springs to mind.

No.

Peter

[Adam Raoof]

I suggest the way forward is to have a candidate ready for either the International or the Junior post who is in tune with Loz's work and will effectively share the two jobs with him on an informal basis. I'm sure there are suitable candidates who might be persuaded to stand on that arrangement. Peter Sowray is one who springs to mind.

No.

Peter

Peter, I think you are in danger of sending mixed messages here.

[Carol Williams]

Please note that at the April Finance meeting my attempt to change the ECF articles allowing a person to hold more than one directorship was convincingly defeated thereby ending any hopes I had of being able to be both International and Junior Director from October 2011 onwards.

I suppose I should be amazed that a struggling organisation such as the ECF would reject the offer of someone who is quite clearly more than competent to take on both roles. If as you obviously do feel that you can commit the time then I and I am sure many others think you should have been given the opportunity. Of course it might be worth considering that "they" already have a candidate for JD lined up

[Sean Hewitt]

Of course it might be worth considering that "they" already have a candidate for JD lined up

I suspect, though I may be wrong, that that is reading far too much into it!

[LozCooper]

Of course it might be worth considering that "they" already have a candidate for JD lined up

I suspect, though I may be wrong, that that is reading far too much into it!

Yes, to be fair it was a massive majority against and that included Council as well as the board. I accept that it's a widespread view that it is considered too much for any one person to do both jobs. My feeling, as a self employed chess coach, is that I have more time on my hands than most and already I have a lot of contact with our top juniors through my role as International Director.

However, the decision was made and as only one member of Council and one other board member supported the motion it is clear that no one will be holding two directorships after the meeting in October.

I don't regret putting forward the motion albeit I probably should have lobbied people beforehand but it's unlikely that any amount of trying could have converted 3 votes (including my own) into a 75% majority. I was merely trying to put my point across that in the worst scenario that no one else stands and you have someone as enthusiastic as myself to do both jobs should it be an option for Council to be able to appoint me to both in preference to one or other post being left vacant or being filled by someone who isn't that keen but comes forward because no one else wants to do it.

Of course I hope that we have a number of enthusiastic people applying in October with a wide range of policies to choose from.

[Krishna Shiatis]

Of course I hope that we have a number of enthusiastic people applying in October with a wide range of policies to choose from.

This may well happen. However if their policies and how they plan to execute them is not discussed, then it will just be a 'popularity contest' on the day, rather than choosing the 'best person for the role' situation.

Why is the ECF not starting the ball rolling now, so that everybody can ask the prospective JDs the right questions now, rather than once the election has taken place?

It needs to be done fairly for all the candidates and promptly. Not behind closed doors and not without discussion with parents.

Parents have no vote, no say, can only lobby delegates who can choose or not choose to listen. Right now, our only say is through this forum which in my opinion is unfair and wrong.

[David Shepherd]

Could someone please explain how the junior selections for 2013 will be made, and how this interacts with a new junior director. In previous years there has been the John Robinson grandprix for a European place, which includes the British in August. It makes sense for people to book accomodation for the British now. Will there be a grandprix or not?

[LozCooper]

Could someone please explain how the junior selections for 2013 will be made, and how this interacts with a new junior director. In previous years there has been the John Robinson grandprix for a European place, which includes the British in August. It makes sense for people to book accomodation for the British now. Will there be a grandprix or not?

It's hard to answer those questions before we know the identity of the new director and their policies. My understanding is that Peter Purland is happy to help with the running of the Grand Prix if whoever takes over wishes to continue with it.

[LozCooper]

Of course I hope that we have a number of enthusiastic people applying in October with a wide range of policies to choose from.

This may well happen. However if their policies and how they plan to execute them is not discussed, then it will just be a 'popularity contest' on the day, rather than choosing the 'best person for the role' situation.

Why is the ECF not starting the ball rolling now, so that everybody can ask the prospective JDs the right questions now, rather than once the election has taken place?

It needs to be done fairly for all the candidates and promptly. Not behind closed doors and not without discussion with parents.

Parents have no vote, no say, can only lobby delegates who can choose or not choose to listen. Right now, our only say is through this forum which in my opinion is unfair and wrong.

Hi Krishna,

Whoever applies for the role would be expected to provide a policy paper in advance of the meeting so their intentions would be known at least a couple of weeks before the meeting. To be fair there aren't many (any?) people who are publicly declaring an interest in the post apart from myself and as applications don't have to be in until early September we may get little indication until then.

I think one of the problems is that there are so few people willing to apply for these posts that inevitably that it's difficult to set policies and expect an applicant to follow them. Despite the differing views on the current incumbent's policies he was elected unopposed three years running which sends a message to the board that people were happy with his policies.

All I can suggest is that every parent or player who is interested in the future of junior chess (and any other directorship) find out who represents them at Council, make sure they are aware of your views and ensure they attend the meeting and vote on this and any other matters that concern you.

[Carol Williams]

Of course I hope that we have a number of enthusiastic people applying in October with a wide range of policies to choose from.

This may well happen. However if their policies and how they plan to execute them is not discussed, then it will just be a 'popularity contest' on the day, rather than choosing the 'best person for the role' situation.

Why is the ECF not starting the ball rolling now, so that everybody can ask the prospective JDs the right questions now, rather than once the election has taken place?

It needs to be done fairly for all the candidates and promptly. Not behind closed doors and not without discussion with parents.

Parents have no vote, no say, can only lobby delegates who can choose or not choose to listen. Right now, our only say is through this forum which in my opinion is unfair and wrong.

Hi Krishna,

Whoever applies for the role would be expected to provide a policy paper in advance of the meeting so their intentions would be known at least a couple of weeks before the meeting. To be fair there aren't many (any?) people who are publicly declaring an interest in the post apart from myself and as applications don't have to be in until early September we may get little indication until then.

I think one of the problems is that there are so few people willing to apply for these posts that inevitably that it's difficult to set policies and expect an applicant to follow them. Despite the differing views on the current incumbent's policies he was elected unopposed three years running which sends a message to the board that people were happy with his policies.

All I can suggest is that every parent or player who is interested in the future of junior chess (and any other directorship) find out who represents them at Council, make sure they are aware of your views and ensure they attend the meeting and vote on this and any other matters that concern you.

The vote could have been 99 to 1 against and it would still have been the wrong decision. Loz is commited, dedicated, seeks out peoples' views and opinions, is willing to listen and take action where appropriate and most of all has a burning desire to promote chess in this country. If the ECF can't or won't recognise this and allow a change in the rule of holding more than one Directorship then in the words of Frazer in Dad's Army "we are all doomed"

We think there are a couple of names floating around for JD - any guesses?

We don't think that the fact that the current incumbent was elected unopposed three years running sends a message to the board that people were happy with his policies. I believe the board should have addressed the lack of candidates and the reasons for this rather than just take what was on offer, you don't have to talk to many people to know that they are not happy but there is none so blind as those who will not see

Is it right that parents/players should seek out who represents them, surely the representatives should be seeking out the parents/players otherwise how do they know they are casting their vote appropriately? How would you ensure they attended - frogmarch them? What is the penalty is they refuse to attend or vote against the wish of their members?

Our son has been playing competitive chess for over half of his life and we still don't know what the ECF proactively does for him and many others, it is no wonder that a number of juniors have effectively withdrawn from Junior Chess and seem to being doing rather well but still no one from the ECF asks why

[John Upham]

Our son has been playing competitive chess for over half of his life and we still don't know what the ECF proactively does for him and many others

Carol,
What would you like the ECF to proactively provide for Peter and others? Can you be specific?