I am pleased Sean that you are organising something in the background regarding junior chess and hope that it brings Neill back into the fold.Sean Hewitt wrote:I'm sorry if you find it offensive that I suggest we look at the track record of those people that some would choose to describe as experts. Maybe they are indeed experts, but wouldn't it be better to check? If they are, we should listen to them. If they're not then perhaps we should attach less weight to their views and possibly think about doing something different.
I am reading the comments from many involved in junior chess as well as from Neill and many seem to be in agreement. They disagree with you. They have reiterated that they are pro membership.
Whilst they may not be 'experts' - you can not just dismiss their points of view. You do this whenever someone disagrees with you and when they agree, then they are suddenly 'experts'.
There are two things here which are very relevant.
The first is that Neill has resigned and we do not want him to go. Something has to be done to bring him back to the table asap.
The second is that there are quite a few people trying to get their heads around these new proposals and how exactly it will impact on them. It is hard for the junior organisers to get together in the manner suggested by Sean and even if they did and gave him their opinion - they would not be 'experts' so what is the point anyway?
The best way is for the Junior Director to speak to as many as he can because he already does and also because all things 'junior' must surely be in his remit. Then the board should meet and discuss his findings and find a mutually acceptable solution.
From a personal point of view, I would like to see as many children participating as possible with no barriers to entry. I would like to see all games graded by a standard national process (not individual counties running their own systems) and also an appropriate fee/membership system introduced gently and carefully which will not mean that if junior organisers impose it that they will lose lots of kids/put kids off from entering chess competitions.
I think that if anyone is brave enough to come and express themselves on this forum, then their views should not be dismissed. They may or may not be experts, but their opinions do count.