Post
by David Pardoe » Thu Sep 19, 2013 12:00 pm
I was interested to read what Julian has been saying regarding junior chess, and chess in general.
It strikes me that the ECF could do with more Non Exec Directors, like Julian, who could bring a wealth of broad based experience to the table.
Currently we are in this almost farcical corporate straight jacket, trying to pretend we are a charity, yet actively seeking funds/sponsorships so that we can incentivise our top gun GMs in International Chess, major international tournaments, etc.
That the ECF would love to get its hands on bigger sponsorship deals is a very long standing issue.
They no doubt do try in this department, and maybe with the addition of a good Commercial Director, that might improve. That is certainly an area our current board could look at.
I believe the current team have done well this year, have made steady progress in difficult circumstances, and deserve our backing for another year.
The pursuit of Charity status is, in my opinion, a misguided move. But I can see why they have gone down that route, in the pursuit of stronger finances.
Greater publicity for chess activities and events at all levels, both locally and nationally in our Press would be good. e.g..our local Darts leagues get regular mention in local Press rags, but almost nothing for our chess leagues. There are other areas where chess might promote itself more effectively, welcoming players of all abilities into the fold. These initiatives could be strongly driven by our regional, County, League & Congress bodies. Our various chess Units & major bodies need to recognise that they have a major role in chess promotion in this country.
We are not a charity. We seek funds mainly to promote chess at the top table...most of the monies from any sponsorship deals would not go to rank and file activity, league chess, county chess, or congress chess..but straight down the funding of major international chess, and our top gun players. There`s merit in promoting our top dog international offerings, but it certainly doesnt look like `charity` to me... So we really arent a charity..but we really do deserve support and grants and fair tax breaks..as a non profit making major cultural/sporting enterprise.
And another reason we should avoid charity route....we really dont want to fragment the ECF into ever smaller units, which might leave the rump `rank & file` part in virtual oblivion, and in more danger of decline and obscurity...and become seen as a pointless entity by many (with the family `silver` hived off for special treatment..).
Returning to the ECF structure, and directorships...yes, I`d like to see more Non Exec Directors, like Julian, added to the top table to provide valuable input. I`d also like to see more Directors to reflect the regional and other chess interests that our wide ranging organisation embrace. More hands to the pump, and greater consultations might yield us some significant progress...but at a steady rate. We dont need magic carrots dangling over the heads of our `so called Plebs` who spend far too much time whittering on about trivialities, according to some. Again...whats new there, some might say.
The ECF is a veritable jungle of loosely connected sub groups...not at all an easy beast to deal with, with its huge collection of historical baggage to contend with...and vested interests covering all manor of things....as can be seen from the huge range of discussion topics on these forums.
What we must do is keep the UK Chess Unit in tact and together...moving steadily forward, step by step, trying to avoid the slow coaches dropping off the back through ill judged actions.
And a warning for those who might want too much information...delivered yesterday?
You cant manage an organisation like this on an `open book` basis...casting out all information as it happens - `real-time`. Things need to be digested, considered, chewed over, knocked into shape. Its a gradual process. Its not a goldfish bowl, where the vultures can just peer in, see everything that happens, then swoop at will to snap up unsuspecting victims in the virtual fish tanks. That really would be disaster. So, a little patience is required, to allow the porridge to cook.
BRING BACK THE BCF