Certificate of Merit

[Carl Hibbard]

There is another 6K crossed out (deleted...) in that document for stages 2 and 3?

A lot of clarification is needed at the meeting!

[Carl Hibbard]

Well, there's a Budget Report (C12.10.1-Budget-Report.doc) which refers, under section 4.0 Capital Expenditure, to: "Approval to transfer the £24,000 Certificate of Merit development expenditure incurred in 2009-10".

It never really cost 24K did it?

[John Upham]

Well, there's a Budget Report (C12.10.1-Budget-Report.doc) which refers, under section 4.0 Capital Expenditure, to: "Approval to transfer the £24,000 Certificate of Merit development expenditure incurred in 2009-10".

It never really cost 24K did it?

No! Don't forget that the web site is one small part of CoM. I assume that this amount includes the salary of the CfS coordinator.

[andrew martin]

An extraordinary statement by CJ De Mooi on the front page of the ECF Website.

I have read and re-read it now and I can honestly say I have never seen anything quite like it.

[Matthew Turner]

Andy,
I am not sure what you are getting at. Do you mean that it strange that it doesn't mention John Upham? (or indeed youself).
I still find it bizarre that this is billed as such a major initiative, but it appears below the notice of vacancy for a junior members' representative on the ECF website.

[Alex Holowczak]

I still find it bizarre that this is billed as such a major initiative, but it appears below the notice of vacancy for a junior members' representative on the ECF website.

From a technical point of view, it looks like the front page has several "sticky" news items, and then the run-of-the-mill news underneath it. The sticky items are there in chronological order, which might explain the ordering. (Of course, they might just be put there manually in the wrong order...)

[Carl Hibbard]

Andy,
I am not sure what you are getting at. Do you mean that it strange that it doesn't mention John Upham? (or indeed youself).
I still find it bizarre that this is billed as such a major initiative, but it appears below the notice of vacancy for a junior members' representative on the ECF website.

How the costs of the CFS and the CoM is split is still a object of mystery - things need to be clearer but I guess it's a deliberate attempt at confusion

[Carl Hibbard]

Oh yes forgot to mention Kirstie who is on a temporary contract (which is due to end...) will replace Cynthia, this seems clear...

[cjdemooi]

The CoM statement on he ECF website is entirely my fault. I apologise for any omissions concerning this excellent scheme. I praised the idea at the AGM and having seen the pack, this praise was certainly well placed.

I'll change the statement with alacrity and again offer my regret for my oversights.

[andrew martin]

Thank you CJ.

Best Wishes, Andrew

[Carl Hibbard]

How are the sales going on this one?

Can we be told how many users have splashed out the £6 to take the certificate?

[Matthew Turner]

Carl,
It is the Easter holiday so I don't think we can expect too much. The accounts project income of £3,000 for next year, so that is 500 tests taken. That seems like an unambitious target to me given that there are thousands of Certificate of Excellence tests taken each year.

[John Upham]

How are the sales going on this one?

Can we be told how many users have splashed out the £6 to take the certificate?

A Douglas Adams number of credits have been purchased so far.

It was only last last week that a substantial number of emails were sent to schools so it is very early days as yet.

Prior to that only 35 schools had been notified and most of these had already been sent a gratis CoM package by Caroline Morris.

As I understand it, we await a properly formulated marketing plan / strategy from various members of the board : there wasn't one in place at the time I was asked to make CoM live!

I don't know how long it took CoE to become established and right now there might be confusion about the two competing offerings. The confusion needs to be addressed.

The feedback from non-forum users has been excellent and we hope to reproduce this with permissions.

I hope that everyone will want this scheme to be successful.

[Peter Turner]

How are the sales going on this one?

Can we be told how many users have splashed out the £6 to take the certificate?

As I understand it, we await a properly formulated marketing plan / strategy from various members of the board : there wasn't one in place at the time I was asked to make CoM live!

I don't know how long it took CoE to become established and right now there might be confusion about the two competing offerings. The confusion needs to be addressed.

The feedback from non-forum users has been excellent and we hope to reproduce this with permissions.

I hope that everyone will want this scheme to be successful.

Good morning John

From day 1Matthew and I have developed and organised the Certificate of Excellence at absolutely no cost to the BCF/ECF. It took zero time to become established because we did have a 'marketing plan' and everything in place and ready to go. I was Junior Director at the time and along with other Directors was invited to the Department of Culture, Media & Sports (hope I have the name correct) where I was to do a presentation about the CofE & junior chess. I'm proud to reveal that I received a round of applause at the end and it was agreed to increase the government grant to the BCF by £10,000 or £15,000 in £5,000 increases over the following 2/3 years - cannot remember the precise details.
There should not be any confusion over the two schemes because we are not in competition and as requested some 2 or 3 years ago I no longer actively market the scheme in the fond hope that the CofM will eventually be successful and create a net income for the ECF!! I'll remind you and inform others that when CofM was first discussed I sent all the CofE materials for possible use within the CofM. Please let me know when CofM is working and in profit and then I can finally retire and spend more time on the farm.

Regards

Peter T

[John Upham]

I'd like to report that a school having tried the practise level is now a repeat purchaser of CoM credits for its students.

The overall level of purchasing of credits and packages is stepping up and giving cause for enthusiasm.