2011 AGM: October 15th

[Paul Cooksey]

Will we see manifestos from the candidates?

[Adam Raoof]

Phil's statement is available;

Statement of Phil Ehr
Candidate for Director of Junior Chess and Education

It would be a great honour and privilege to serve as Director of Junior Chess and Education and I respectfully ask for your support. I am a parent of two juniors who are in their eleventh year of competitive chess. They benefit greatly from the experience, which my wife and I consider an essential component of their education. I am also a chess coach at our children’s former primary school, which recognises the value of our game to the extent that every pupil is taught how to play. Chess maintains a presence in every classroom, where teachers actually use it to develop academic focus and promote good behaviour.
Everyone from Year 1 to Year 6 participates in the UKCC. The after-school club produces excellent teams
and individual players. My background outside chess also prepares me for this role, having served in positions of responsibility in similarly diverse organisations, re-built a professional training program and
represented the interests of children. Specifics may be read at LinkedIn.

With respect and many thanks to Peter Purland and his predecessors, a thorough review of junior
chess is required to address the challenges outlined in the ECF’s Strategic Plan and to set the way forward.
As director, I would work to advance two simple goals: (1) recruit and retain more juniors; and (2)
strengthen our top performers.

My first priority would be to select an alternate director with a greatly expanded remit than the
current role. Ideally, he or she would be a titled player, professional educator or coach, assume the title of
Deputy Director and focus on matters ‘internal’ to the directorate. He or she would chair the ‘Player
Development and Selection Committee’ that would serve as the name implies, focused on and actively
seeking to develop our top tier, as well as selecting juniors to represent England. I would recuse myself
from selections involving my own children and their peers, focus on policy, budget and ‘external’ matters,
such as relations with other institutions that enjoy closer relationships with the majority of juniors. This
director-deputy team is a leadership model with which I am comfortable and I believe is necessary to
strengthen the junior directorate. The following partial list provides a flavour of where I would lead:

Budget and Membership. It is naive to suggest that no additional resources are needed to
improve junior chess, but some aspects can be improved with policy development, delegation
within the junior directorate and a fresh approach to cooperation with other bodies. While it is yet
to be seen, revenue from juniors under the proposed ECF membership scheme is likely to produce
more federation resources for the junior game.

The Masses. Few would dispute that Mike Basman’s initiative, which attracts over 60,000
children playing chess each year, is the most substantial contribution to youth chess in living
memory. I am therefore committed to advance cooperation between the UKCC and the ECF as
announced in Sheffield. Additionally, there may be scope to better promote or assist the CSC’s
work in state primary schools as well as the 4NCL’s junior training weekends. There is certainly
scope to accelerate the resurgence in girls’ chess led by the managers of women’s chess. To
increase public understanding, I would work to attract more academic research on the effects of
chess in education, extracurricular coaching and participation in tournaments.

International Representation. While I would seek to retain objectivity in the present system
where players select themselves in competitions such as the junior grand prix and world trial,
I would also increase the number of players to more credibly represent England at major
international tournaments. I would ask candidates seeking to serve as deputy director to
outline a plan for England to substantially improve our results within the next three years in the
80+ opportunities at the U16 Olympiads, the European Youth, World Youth and World Junior
Championships.

Schools. In view of the small number of schools in the ECF National Schools Championships and
the ever-rising cost of participating in the premier primary schools championships run by EPSCA,
a fundamental review is warranted with a view toward collaboration with EPSCA and other bodies
who run national or nation-wide school championships at the primary and secondary levels. The
chronic atrophy at the secondary school level may well be reversed with motivational incentives
for players and proactive introductions of proven coaches to secondary school authorities.

Parents. No greater source of dedication to junior chess exists. Many parents share their
exuberance by volunteering in local clubs, but their collective support is missing from the national
junior chess scene. To fill this gap, a few parents including yours truly, will soon be recruiting
other parents to join a non-profit association dedicated to supporting youth chess generally. Read
all about it on http://www.chessparents.org.uk.

Whoever is elected as Director of Junior Chess and Education will require the ongoing support of
ECF Council members and the organisations you represent. Please make your decision wisely, keeping in
mind that a vibrant junior program is absolutely essential for a healthy federation. I pledge to dedicate my
volunteer efforts to make it happen.

[Alex Holowczak]

May I ask how on earth this chessboxing guy has received two nominations for Director of Marketing, one of them from Andrew Farthing?

In order for Tim to stand for election, he had to be nominated by a Requisitionist. One Director is enough. It was known that Tim was interested in standing, and acknowledged that Stewart was the best person to nominate him. However, Stewart had advised the Board that he'd be away and potentially out of contact for some time. It wasn't known whether Stewart had already nominated him. In order to avoid the egg-on-face scenario where Tim wanted to stand and had the support of Stewart but had no nomination due to a cock up, Andrew thought it best to nominate Tim to make sure that someone did nominate him.

Not that it matters, but I assume that the London Chess Classic nomination is decided by Malcolm, who (if that is so) seems to be supporting a candidate for Junior Director against Sabrina? Actually perhaps the best thing all round would be for Sabrina to stand for Marketing instead ...

You've made the wrong assumption. The vote-holder for the London Chess Classic, according to this, is David Sedgwick. Whether that's changed since April, I don't know. Adam Raoof nominated him as Director of Home Chess; it's quite possible that he's assumed the London Chess Classic vote for whatever reason.

[Carol Williams]

Adam Raoof posted Phil Ehr's statement, I assume that Adam has Phil's blessing to post his statement on the Forum. I haven't checked whether Phil is a member of the Forum but hope that he is unlike the present incumbent. I would raise these points in relation to the statement posted:-

Phil Ehr wrote
" I am a parent of two juniors who are in their eleventh year of competitive chess."

Really? Since the age of 3 and 4?

" I am also a chess coach at our children’s former primary school, which recognises the value of our game to the extent that every pupil is taught how to play. Chess maintains a presence in every classroom, where teachers actually use it to develop academic focus and promote good behaviour."

So you force the children to learn chess even if they don't want to
Do you force pupils to take part in UKCC?


"As director, I would work to advance two simple goals: (1) recruit and retain more juniors; and (2)
strengthen our top performers." "intenational Representation"

I do not see in your statement how you propose to do this other than passing the responsibility to your deputy director - this is your responsbility and you should not seek to pass the buck to someone else

[Alex Holowczak]

Adam Raoof posted Phil Ehr's statement, I assume that Adam has Phil's blessing to post his statement on the Forum.

It'll appear on the ECF website at some point, so it was intended to be read by a wider audience.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Thanks to Alex for his earlier response to my mischief.

I am very impressed by Mr Ehr's statement. More detail on the relationship that should be had between the ECF and UKCC might be welcome, perhaps, as well as exactly how we might make our top juniors better compete with those in other countries; but he had a word limit and the overall impression is one of intelligence, commitment, experience of leadership roles and a willingness to work with/delegate to others who may have greater experience in some areas.

[Roger de Coverly]

I am very impressed by Mr Ehr's statement.

Agreed I suppose.

A translation of this paragraph would be helpful for those reluctant to attempt comprehension of management speak.

The chronic atrophy at the secondary school level may well be reversed with motivational incentives for players and proactive introductions of proven coaches to secondary school authorities.

[David Sedgwick]

Not that it matters, but I assume that the London Chess Classic nomination is decided by Malcolm ....

The vote-holder for the London Chess Classic .... is David Sedgwick.

Both those statements are correct.

I am indeed the ECF Representative Member for the London Chess Classic, but I naturally consult Malcolm Pein as to how I should act on any major issue, including the nomination of candidates for election. On this occasion it was Malcolm himself who first informed me of the candidacy of Phil Ehr, of whom I had not previously heard.

At the time that I nominated Phil on behalf of the London Chess Classic, I was under the impression that he was likely to be the only candidate. I did not become aware of Sabrina Chevannes's candidacy until after nominations had closed.

Now that I know that there are two candidates, I shall seek further instruction and guidance from Malcolm nearer the time of the election as to how the Classic's votes should be cast.

I consider this to be essentially a private matter between Malcolm and me and I won't be making any further comment on these particular points.

[Mick Norris]

Adam Raoof posted Phil Ehr's statement, I assume that Adam has Phil's blessing to post his statement on the Forum. I haven't checked whether Phil is a member of the Forum but hope that he is unlike the present incumbent. I would raise these points in relation to the statement posted:-

Phil Ehr wrote
" I am a parent of two juniors who are in their eleventh year of competitive chess."

Really? Since the age of 3 and 4?

" I am also a chess coach at our children’s former primary school, which recognises the value of our game to the extent that every pupil is taught how to play. Chess maintains a presence in every classroom, where teachers actually use it to develop academic focus and promote good behaviour."

So you force the children to learn chess even if they don't want to
Do you force pupils to take part in UKCC?


"As director, I would work to advance two simple goals: (1) recruit and retain more juniors; and (2)
strengthen our top performers." "intenational Representation"

I do not see in your statement how you propose to do this other than passing the responsibility to your deputy director - this is your responsbility and you should not seek to pass the buck to someone else

Carol

I take it you don't support Phil then, what about Sabrina?

I think many of us not involved in Junior Chess would find it very useful to hear from those who are what they think about the Candidate's manifestos (Neill Cooper and Richard James spring to mind, plus the vocal parents on here)

[Alex McFarlane]

Without commenting on the abilities of any of the candidates.

Is it surprising that there are so few people come forward when if one does they are subsequently attacked in a manner that leaves me at least wondering if the chess community has a self-destruct wish.

To attack someone for encouraging chess in the manner of a recent posting is way over the top. Maths is compulsory at school. Do you go up to every maths teacher you meet and berate them for forcing children to learn to count?

There is a statement that the children are in their 'eleventh year'. I assumed this to mean combined otherwise I would have expected it to say 'eleventh years'.

Volunteers for posts should be encouraged, not pilloried.

At least wait until they are in office before doing a hatchet job on them.

[Neill Cooper]

Statement of Phil Ehr
Candidate for Director of Junior Chess and Education
Schools.
.... The chronic atrophy at the secondary school level may well be reversed with motivational incentives for players and proactive introductions of proven coaches to secondary school authorities.

It is good to see a candidate for Junior Director considering school chess. However, is there any evidence that this is suggestion is either feasible or would work?
Also note that secondary school chess is thriving in Surrey.

[Roger de Coverly]

Is it surprising that there are so few people come forward when if one does they are subsequently attacked in a manner that leaves me at least wondering if the chess community has a self-destruct wish.

The ECF's current policy of restricting access to international junior events is very controversial amongst the parents of those affected. It's entirely understandable then, that candidates are expected to clarify their views on this and the related issue of selection.

[John Philpott]

Jonathan Rogers wrote

Anyway, no shortage of nominations for John Philpott, I'm glad to see!

I have always preferred to be nominated rather than simply exercise my right to stand again as an incumbent seeking re-election to the same post. Given the particular set of organisations that have been so kind as to nominate me, at least five were needed to qualify as "the Requisitionists" under Article 1.1.

Alex Holowczak wrote

It'll appear on the ECF website at some point, so it was intended to be read by a wider audience.

My instruction to the Office is that, in the interests of a level playing field for the candidates, it should appear on the ECF website once Sabrina's statement has been received or, in the absence of such a statement on the date on which the AGM agenda is published.

[Paul Cooksey]

Is it surprising that there are so few people come forward when if one does they are subsequently attacked in a manner that leaves me at least wondering if the chess community has a self-destruct wish.

Volunteers for posts should be encouraged, not pilloried.

At least wait until they are in office before doing a hatchet job on them.

I find this provocative. To talk about a candidate being "pilloried", and as the victim of a "hatchet job" seems excessive. I find the implication I should unquestioningly support the actions of volunteers annoying. I pay a membership fee, I think it gives me a right to an opinion on ECF activities. In an ideal world it might also give me a vote.

Phil Ehr does indeed seem a capable candidate. I like his comments about trying to work with the UKCC. In general, I like the idea of an Director prepared to work with existing Junior organisations. It seems to me that there are already a lot of highly motivated and competent people working with juniors, so what I most want from the ECF is to provide an umbrella and coordination.

Sabrina also seems capable, if there was no other candidate I would have been happy to see her in the role. My only current reservation about her is that she is a professional coach. I think the main priority is coordination and leadership, and I think any coach would have some conflict of interest.

Phil Ehr does imply he wants a higher level of funding. This enthuses me less . I am happy for the ECF spend money to encouraging mass participation, and also to develop elite juniors (those with GM/ WGM potential). I do have some concern that many of the juniors involved in international events do not have elite potential, and presumably Phil is advocating less stringent qualification. While I have no objection to any junior participating if there are no better candidates, I am also a bit reluctant to fund it.

[JustinHorton]

Tim Woolgar? In an ECF post? With members' subs at his disposal?

Tim Woolgar?

Is this a joke?