ECF Annual General Meeting 13 October 2012

[John Philpott]

1.30 and we are underway on time (although David Sedgwick has not yet yet arrived). Andrew Leadbetter and myself have been appointed as tellers.

Update - David Sedgwick has arrived, immediately after I had raised his comments on the minutes.

There are about 40 in the room. We are through to Officers' reports in about 20 minutes.

[IM Jack Rudd]

Some vote sounds like it just finished 15-15. What was that?

[John Philpott]

Andrew Farthing's report has been discussed: it was agreed to defer consideration of public statements until later. In response to a question from Alex McFarlane, Andrew confirmed that a payment had been made to CJ de Mooi in respect of his trip to Istanbul, but that his total expenses came to significantly more than the amount claimed. Mohammed Amin proposed that the Board should investigate whether CJ adequately fulfilled his role in Istanbul, and seek a refund if it was concluded that he did not. This was approved on a show of hands by 15-12. It was confirmed that nobody had heard anything further following CJ's statement that he was going to release a file of evidence following his resignation.

Mike Gunn had not produced a written report. He agreed to take responsibility for ensuring that summaries of Board meetings were published on the website on a timely basis.

[John Philpott]

On to the accounts. The Finance Director (who is understood to have been unwell recently) did indeed not show up. Council accepted with relatively good grace the absence of the 2011/12 accounts: the likely way forward is for these to be considered at the planned EGM in the New Year. Finance Director elect Chris Mattos introduced himself to the meeting and outlined some of his ideas which were well received. I have, for my sins, volunteered to work with him in a Financial Controller type role if he is elected to try to ensure that the ECF never finds itself in this situation again.

[Andrew Camp]

It all sounds simply marvellous.

[John Philpott]

Officers' reports now completed. There were a few votes against the Home Chess report and and one against the Marketing report. Ben Edgell advised the meeting that he had stood down as Publicity Officer. The FIDE delegate's report inevitably produced some discussion about the case taken to CAS: there were again a few votes against.

Two hours gone. At least there have not yet been any card votes!

[John Philpott]

The proposal to increase the number of directors to 11 to accommodate a Director of Women's Chess was heavily defeated. We are now having a badly needed tea break, with the BCF meeting to be held on resumption.

[John Philpott]

Now nearly 3 hours in. We have finished the BCF meeting, and are getting onto the motion on Roger Edwards' election manifesto. The fact that the Manchester Chess Federation representative has told the meeting that he has been mandated to vote against this even though Manchester were one of the proposers of the motion is probably not the best of starts.

[Andrew Camp]

Ben Edgell advised the meeting that he had stood down as Publicity Officer.

Will anyone notice?

[John Philpott]

The motion to reject certain elements of Roger Edwards election manifesto was carried by 124 to 88 on a card vote. The less controversial elections are currently being dealt with on a show of hands.

[Adam Raoof]

Chairman of the ECF Governance Committee (for a very few more hours) and ECF Company Secretary

Counting down the minutes, John?

[John Philpott]

Significant breaking news - Adam Raoof loses to "not this candidate" for Director of Membership and Marketing on a show of hands. The lack of an election statement in the context of a meeting that he was not attending did Adam no favours. Another vacant Directorship on top of (so far) Chief Executive and International that the newly elected Board will need to fill.

[LawrenceCooper]

Significant breaking news - Adam Raoof loses to "not this candidate" for Director of Membership and Marketing on a show of hands. The lack of an election statement in the context of a meeting that he was not attending did Adam no favours. Another vacant Directorship on top of (so far) Chief Executive and International that the newly elected Board will need to fill.

I've been asked to ask if there was a card vote?

[John Philpott]

Paul Cooksey wrote

Were there any speakers for or against Adam?

Yes, there was a fair period of discussion before the vote. You will not find it too difficult to guess the identity of the more vociferous speakers against.

[John Upham]

You will not find it too difficult to guess the identity of the more outspoken speakers against.

I thought Nookie was with his master in the Challengers section at High Wycombe? This is extreme voice throwing...