I see for the first time in several years there is a Non-executive Directors' report. I'm pleased to see this because I think a separate NED report should be provided to each AGM (to get the NED perspective on Board performance and so that it's known what work the NEDs have done). Anyhow, I think the report is important because if flags up some conflict within the Board.John Reyes wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 1:41 pmhttps://www.englishchess.org.uk/about/e ... and-board/
Latest updates and agenda points
ECF AGM 17/10/20
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
I see there's a retrograde proposal to reinstate the rule that it isn't allowed for a direct member representative to represent another class of membership. As I recall it, that rule had been rolled over from a previous structure where categories of member were things like family membership. It had the serious disadvantage in the Gold/Silver/Bronze structure that no-one would stand, in particular for Bronze representative, because they could then be precluded from playing in Congresses and FIDE rated events.
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
"I see for the first time in several years there is a Non-executive Directors' report. I'm pleased to see this because I think a separate NED report should be provided to each AGM (to get the NED perspective on Board performance and so that it's known what work the NEDs have done). Anyhow, I think the report is important because if flags up some conflict within the Board."
Yes. You would expect some conflict in a Board - not a problem if it's expressed properly. It is refreshing that we are actually being told about it. Surely the desired gender balance does rely on enough women and others to seek election alongside the men?
Yes. You would expect some conflict in a Board - not a problem if it's expressed properly. It is refreshing that we are actually being told about it. Surely the desired gender balance does rely on enough women and others to seek election alongside the men?
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
Taking the case of candidate Bronze reps, should this have been an issue? There have always, I think, been a decent number of Bronze members from which to source candidate reps - and probably more Bronze members than members of any other category. Further, if I recall, there was nothing in the old rules to prohibit a members' rep, once elected, from upgrading his/her membership.Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 2:48 pmIt had the serious disadvantage in the Gold/Silver/Bronze structure that no-one would stand, in particular for Bronze representative, because they could then be precluded from playing in Congresses and FIDE rated events.
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
A good report. As for code of conduct with Directors it ought to apply to those that represent us at AGMs. As for players conduct...there needs to be some work too.
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
I am not sure how relevant the ECF code of conduct is to people not directly working for the ECF.
I am not sure why the various Director's reports are split and combined in the way they are. But agree is useful to have a NED view. I don't think they are reporting anything not in the public domain, particularly after the CEO choose to put his position on the record at the previous meeting. I imagine Tim Wall will be asked if he can work collegiately with the rest of the board.
I suppose it is natural to focus on the contested elections, but notable Adam Ashton standing as FD in the most difficult circumstances imaginable. I hope he is successful. Curious that the regulations on financial candidates are being amended at this time, when it seems unnecessary for this candidate.
Rob WIllmoth's statement is a bit confusing to me. Game fee issues? Really? But as I posted regarding his members rep candidacy, he seems to want to be involved in executive matters, so this seems a good role for him.
For NEDs, the candidates CV probably more important than their agenda, Natasha Regan and Stephen Greep seem excellent to me.
I don't really care about the rules on the number of terms a Director serves in a post. It seems to me that having new Directors in roles is desirable but not essential, so not very suitable for detailed regulation. I thought the way Dave Thomas handled his succession showed good judgement.
I am not sure why the various Director's reports are split and combined in the way they are. But agree is useful to have a NED view. I don't think they are reporting anything not in the public domain, particularly after the CEO choose to put his position on the record at the previous meeting. I imagine Tim Wall will be asked if he can work collegiately with the rest of the board.
I suppose it is natural to focus on the contested elections, but notable Adam Ashton standing as FD in the most difficult circumstances imaginable. I hope he is successful. Curious that the regulations on financial candidates are being amended at this time, when it seems unnecessary for this candidate.
Rob WIllmoth's statement is a bit confusing to me. Game fee issues? Really? But as I posted regarding his members rep candidacy, he seems to want to be involved in executive matters, so this seems a good role for him.
For NEDs, the candidates CV probably more important than their agenda, Natasha Regan and Stephen Greep seem excellent to me.
I don't really care about the rules on the number of terms a Director serves in a post. It seems to me that having new Directors in roles is desirable but not essential, so not very suitable for detailed regulation. I thought the way Dave Thomas handled his succession showed good judgement.
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
Natasha Regan is the sole candidate for the NED vacancy. Dr Stephen Greep is one of two candidates for the Governance Committee, which has no fixed size; the other candidate is Michael Farthing.Paul Cooksey wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:51 am
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For NEDs, the candidates CV probably more important than their agenda, Natasha Regan and Stephen Greep seem excellent to me.
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Last edited by John Swain on Fri Sep 25, 2020 11:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
I believe what he may be getting at is that if running an event primarily directed at new players, it's work for the organisers in arranging and checking memberships in order to get the event graded or rated. Alternatively he hasn't done his research into recent BCF and ECF history.Paul Cooksey wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:51 amRob WIllmoth's statement is a bit confusing to me. Game fee issues? Really?
Before the general shutdown, the ECF Directors had been presented with ideas that would grade or rate mass junior events based on a single fee from the organiser. ECF membership or at least a per head payment has been made compulsory for participation in the ECF's and 4NCL's online activities.
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
Since the board adopted the recommendations of the Pearce Report there has been a combined board report rather than reports from the individual executive directors. The existence of a separate report on women's chess could indicate a split/ lack of agreement on the contents of reports, or it could be an administrative issue (e.g. the women's chess report was too late to be incorporated into the general report).Paul Cooksey wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:51 amI am not sure why the various Director's reports are split and combined in the way they are.
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
I stand corrected. My mistake was in the number of open NED positions. I had no intention above to shade Michael by praising only Stephen.John Swain wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 9:36 amNatasha Regan is the sole candidate for the NED vacancy. Dr Stephen Greep is one of two candidates for the Governance Committee, which has no fixed size; the other candidate is Michael Farthing.Paul Cooksey wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:51 am
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For NEDs, the candidates CV probably more important than their agenda, Natasha Regan and Stephen Greep seem excellent to me.
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I consider Stephen an excellent candidate for the Governance committee.
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
Whoa! I suspect not everyone has studied the AGM papers, especially changes to the Articles of Association (yawn), but this time perhaps we should take more interest in what looks like a fundamental change proposed by the NCCU to amend the terms served by individual Board members.
The NCCU resolution turns out to be quite radical. It would have the effect, if successful, of ousting both Mike Truran and Dominic Lawson as Chief Executive and Chairman in 2021. Chris Fegan, Director of Women’s Chess, and Robert Stern, Chair of Governance, would have to go too. That can’t be good can it? The Pearce Commission recommended that Board members should stand for no more than two terms of three years. Back in 2016 Board appointments were for an initial one, two or three years to get everyone on to a rota so that elections were spaced out. My understanding then, and now, is that the two three-year terms would start after that initial appointment on the rota.
I don't know the rationale for the NCCU’s proposal but the effect is clear. It back tracks that first term to 2017, so a one year and a three year term counts as two terms. Indeed an unlikely one week term (stepping in for a bereaved Board member) followed by a three year term counts as two terms. Now I don’t know if Mike, Dominic and others intend to stand again for another three years but this resolution would put a stop to that. I think the majority of Council members like the stability that's been achieved under their stewardship, and would not want to see them removed prematurely.
The Gold reps are seeking views, but their current position is to vote in favour of the resolution. Perhaps there needs to be a wider debate on elections before Council makes a decision. If you're a Gold member let your reps know what you think.
The NCCU resolution turns out to be quite radical. It would have the effect, if successful, of ousting both Mike Truran and Dominic Lawson as Chief Executive and Chairman in 2021. Chris Fegan, Director of Women’s Chess, and Robert Stern, Chair of Governance, would have to go too. That can’t be good can it? The Pearce Commission recommended that Board members should stand for no more than two terms of three years. Back in 2016 Board appointments were for an initial one, two or three years to get everyone on to a rota so that elections were spaced out. My understanding then, and now, is that the two three-year terms would start after that initial appointment on the rota.
I don't know the rationale for the NCCU’s proposal but the effect is clear. It back tracks that first term to 2017, so a one year and a three year term counts as two terms. Indeed an unlikely one week term (stepping in for a bereaved Board member) followed by a three year term counts as two terms. Now I don’t know if Mike, Dominic and others intend to stand again for another three years but this resolution would put a stop to that. I think the majority of Council members like the stability that's been achieved under their stewardship, and would not want to see them removed prematurely.
The Gold reps are seeking views, but their current position is to vote in favour of the resolution. Perhaps there needs to be a wider debate on elections before Council makes a decision. If you're a Gold member let your reps know what you think.
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
If you're a Gold member let your reps know what you think. I have.
No mention of NCCU’s proposal. Shall I resurrect my Kill Bill stance as Paul points out no players conduct..?.
No mention of NCCU’s proposal. Shall I resurrect my Kill Bill stance as Paul points out no players conduct..?.
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
See https://www.englishchess.org.uk/wp-cont ... ents-1.pdf for the Governance Committee's thoughts on the proposal. Their conclusion is:David Gilbert wrote: ↑Tue Sep 29, 2020 8:23 pmThe Gold reps are seeking views, but their current position is to vote in favour of the resolution. Perhaps there needs to be a wider debate on elections before Council makes a decision. If you're a Gold member let your reps know what you think.
The question of how long a Director should be able to stay in office is an important one; there is a very tenable view that the current position of having an unenforceable presumption as the only “limit” is lacking in clarity and not satisfactory. As for reform, the solution set out in the proposed resolution specifies two terms of office in the same post as the limit; this can amount in aggregate to a period of only four years in office (or possibly even shorter). This would appear to the Governance Committee to be too stringent a limit and unduly to favour board renewal as against retaining able incumbents. The Governance Committee would favour returning to its plan of considering the possible options with the Chair of Council, consulting with Members and putting a proposal to Finance Council next April.
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
i know the Silver Members are going to get a email and to asked for chatsDavid Gilbert wrote: ↑Tue Sep 29, 2020 8:23 pmWhoa! I suspect not everyone has studied the AGM papers, especially changes to the Articles of Association (yawn), but this time perhaps we should take more interest in what looks like a fundamental change proposed by the NCCU to amend the terms served by individual Board members.
The NCCU resolution turns out to be quite radical. It would have the effect, if successful, of ousting both Mike Truran and Dominic Lawson as Chief Executive and Chairman in 2021. Chris Fegan, Director of Women’s Chess, and Robert Stern, Chair of Governance, would have to go too. That can’t be good can it? The Pearce Commission recommended that Board members should stand for no more than two terms of three years. Back in 2016 Board appointments were for an initial one, two or three years to get everyone on to a rota so that elections were spaced out. My understanding then, and now, is that the two three-year terms would start after that initial appointment on the rota.
I don't know the rationale for the NCCU’s proposal but the effect is clear. It back tracks that first term to 2017, so a one year and a three year term counts as two terms. Indeed an unlikely one week term (stepping in for a bereaved Board member) followed by a three year term counts as two terms. Now I don’t know if Mike, Dominic and others intend to stand again for another three years but this resolution would put a stop to that. I think the majority of Council members like the stability that's been achieved under their stewardship, and would not want to see them removed prematurely.
The Gold reps are seeking views, but their current position is to vote in favour of the resolution. Perhaps there needs to be a wider debate on elections before Council makes a decision. If you're a Gold member let your reps know what you think.
also will Juilan not be on the list as well as NED as well in 2021?
Any postings on here represent my personal views only and also Dyslexia as well
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Re: ECF AGM 17/10/20
Well done John. Julian Clissold won his election in 2019 and his reappointment as non-executive Chairman would come up in 2022. If the NCCU proposal is passed that will be his last year. By 2022 we could have a wholesale change. Do you think Council has an appetite for that?