$ 400 in 5 hours work !!

[Roger Patterson]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

when I did the database for the Victoria Chess Club http://victoriachess.com/db/ the web page portion took 4 days of my time. Considering that a) I had to learn a new programming language to do it b) I also did not know html at the time and had to learn that as well in those 4 days, I'm sure a professional in the field could do it in significantly less given a proper specification to write to.

The heavy lifting is writing the database program itself which doesn't have to be changed.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

Does Russia operate their chess program the same way the CFC operates their chess program?

I'm not knowledgeable enough about a Russian chess program. I may tell you about Lithuanian. Do you wanna read?

Why is there no plan? The Foundation came into existence in 1960. Now it's 2010 and YOU tell ME there is no clear plan yet.

As I understand, the Foundation has a plan - to generate money. The CFC is responsible to spend them.

[David Ottosen]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

The important point is to spend the money wisely, and get "a good bang for our buck". Arguing over in which budget it belongs, not so important.

:(

Call me a bureaucrat, but these kind of things must be fully thought through before doing. The process has just as much importance as the end result if the CFC wants to build a sustainable structure.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

What will it do the next year when money are gone? (maybe after 3-4 years)
As "for chess" - I think there are no real and clear plan yet. Have you one?

Does Russia operate their chess program the same way the CFC operates their chess program?

Why is there no plan? The Foundation came into existence in 1960. Now it's 2010 and YOU tell ME there is no clear plan yet. Where were you in 1960?

50 years and still no plan. Does that tell you anything?

[Craig Sadler]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

I *really* hope the CFC doesn't spend a lot of money on a new website... Not sure what "a lot" means actually, but I think anything more than a couple of thousand dollars would likely make me lose what little mind I have left. It all depends on the objectives of the new website - and that is information I do not know. The CFC needs to simplify its operation and streamline the office functionality (including the website and back office processing). Surely that can be done without blowing all the money from the sale of the office??

Gary, who takes care of the CCCA website? something along those lines is all we need, easy to feed and care for.

i also like the suggestion by a previous poster to use a wikipedia sort of thing for information.

the only sticking point is the rating portion of the website. i like the way it works...how portable is that?

[Craig Sadler]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

We need many more strong players to give simuls, to teach, to coach and to write about the game to promote it, not less. Exploits of sportsmen does have an effect on memberships.

i completely agree!

[Gary Ruben]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

With heavy operating losses over the past decade, the CFC is fighting for financial credibility. The recent restructuring of the organization has allowed it to balance the budget. This fiscal year, so far, that has been achieved.

The governors are voting on a budget for the next fiscal year. I sure hope it will be balanced as well. :)

Until then, everyone feels a little safer with the money in the Foundation.:)

I'd say the chess would be better if the players formed an alternate federation and applied to FIDE to be recognized and the Canadian entity.

I don't feel safer with the money in the federation. I think it should be put into chess and promoting the game. The current model appears broken. The CFC has little internet presence, no star player to promote interest, and Olympic teams which have no incentive to prepare for an event in which Canada might not even participate.

Is the membership back over 2,000 yet? There will soon be around 100 executives, governors, life governors, fund trustees and staff to service those hordes of members.

[Bob Gillanders]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

By the way I doubt that "a new CFC Website" which has to be constantly improved and kept up to date (and redone after a while) really qualifies as a "one-time capital expenditure", but here maybe I don't quite understand the terminology.

You correctly point out that regular maintenance and improvements of the website should not be considered a capital expenditure. :)

However,
IMHO a major overhaul of the website after a decade of neglect would qualify as a capital expenditure. :D

But feel free to disagree, it is a matter of opinion. The important point is to spend the money wisely, and get "a good bang for our buck". Arguing over in which budget it belongs, not so important.

[Bob Gillanders]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

Why would the money not be safely held if the CFC was holding it and using some of the money for the upcoming Olympics or for chess?

Assuming for now your question is neither rhetorical nor sarcastic::)

With heavy operating losses over the past decade, the CFC is fighting for financial credibility. The recent restructuring of the organization has allowed it to balance the budget. This fiscal year, so far, that has been achieved.

The governors are voting on a budget for the next fiscal year. I sure hope it will be balanced as well. :)

Until then, everyone feels a little safer with the money in the Foundation.:)

[Jean Hébert]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

Gary,
To make such statements you clearly have not understood the CFC financial crisis of the past decade. :(

If you are suggesting we should have kept spending until all the Foundation money was gone also, thankfully most governors disagree with you!:)

The point of having or making money is to be able to spend it according to your needs and dreams, hopefully wisely. What is the point of having a Chess Foudation whose money serve only to make more money (as if "investing" is a sure way to do that) and not to accomplish what you need to accomplish now ?

Of course the point in keeping that money safe may be to prevent the CFC to spend it foolishly but how long will it last ? When and who will decide eventually that the CFC has grown responsible enough to start spending it wisely?

By the way I doubt that "a new CFC Website" which has to be constantly improved and kept up to date (and redone after a while) really qualifies as a "one-time capital expenditure", but here maybe I don't quite understand the terminology.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

Several times on this board the question - "What should be done for chess with 20k/y" (sic) - was asked. I think the final answer was - let's do nothing as these money would be wasted :D

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

Hi Bob,

Why would the money not be safely held if the CFC was holding it and using some of the money for the upcoming Olympics or for chess?

What will it do the next year when money are gone? (maybe after 3-4 years)
As "for chess" - I think there are no real and clear plan yet. Have you one?

[Gary Ruben]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

Hi Gary:

The condo money is safely being held by the Chess Foundation of Canada, for the CFC, and is invested. CFC has indicated it will not use the funds for ongoing general operations. But Maurice Smith recently indicated that it might be used for one-time capital expenditures, such as a new CFC Website.

Bob

Hi Bob,

Why would the money not be safely held if the CFC was holding it and using some of the money for the upcoming Olympics or for chess?

[Kerry Liles]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

Hi Gary:

The condo money is safely being held by the Chess Foundation of Canada, for the CFC, and is invested. CFC has indicated it will not use the funds for ongoing general operations. But Maurice Smith recently indicated that it might be used for one-time capital expenditures, such as a new CFC Website.

Bob

I *really* hope the CFC doesn't spend a lot of money on a new website... Not sure what "a lot" means actually, but I think anything more than a couple of thousand dollars would likely make me lose what little mind I have left. It all depends on the objectives of the new website - and that is information I do not know. The CFC needs to simplify its operation and streamline the office functionality (including the website and back office processing). Surely that can be done without blowing all the money from the sale of the office??

[Bob Armstrong]

Re: $ 400 in 5 hours work !!

Hi Gary:

The condo money is safely being held by the Chess Foundation of Canada, for the CFC, and is invested. CFC has indicated it will not use the funds for ongoing general operations. But Maurice Smith recently indicated that it might be used for one-time capital expenditures, such as a new CFC Website.

Bob