That ought to be a simple question to answer but, on checking the ECF's Articles of Association and the Direct Members' Bye Laws, I can only say the answer is an implied "yes". The same is also true for non-juniors.Roger Lancaster wrote:So as to clarify my thinking, perhaps someone could answer the following simple question. Are juniors also direct members?
... but the Direct Members Bye Laws don't, so far as I can see, define what a Direct Member is. That said, they do define a number of terms including, for example, "Bronze Concessionary Members" and "Junior Members".Article 5 wrote:There shall be the following divisions of members:
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(16) “Direct Members” as defined in the Direct Members Bye Laws.
... and they do imply that Junior members are Direct Members - for example, in sections 3. Membership Benefits and 5. Election of Direct Members’ Representatives.Direct Members Bye Laws wrote:“1. Definitions...
“Bronze Concessionary Members” means Bronze Concessionary Members who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 5(14) on or after 1st September 2012 who fulfil the following criteria namely who are aged under 18 years at the previous September 1st of the date of admission to membership or the annual renewal thereof.
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“Junior Members” means the Junior Members of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 6(1) or who are admitted to membership by the Board are those who fulfil the following criteria namely who are aged under 18 years at the previous September 1st of the date of admission to membership or the annual renewal thereof, which category of membership shall be closed with effect from 31st August 2012 but this will not affect the unexpired portion of any subscription outstanding at that date.
The Direct Members Bye Laws are clogged up with pre-Membership Scheme references (for example to Basic and Standard Members) and incorrect references to the Articles (for example, to 5(14) and 6(1) in the definitions quoted above). They're in need of revision and I know this was recognised by the Constitutional and Governance Review Subcommittee which oversaw implementation of the Pearce Report recommendations. An action was with the Company Secretary to produce a new version in liaison with the Chairman of Governance and Director of Membership.