CFC online governor's meeting in progress

[Kerry Liles]

For those who may not frequent the CFC board all that often, note the current Governor's meeting (online) is open. The public is able to view(read) posts but only CFC Governors are granted posting privileges:

http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35

[Ken Craft]

Re: CFC online governor's meeting in progress

Let the excitement begin.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: CFC online governor's meeting in progress

Let the excitement begin.

If there were excitement, it wouldn't have to be advertised here.

A new idea you might consider is doubling the membership fees. Yes, I'm serious.

The CCCA did that once years ago. The result was I had an easier time signing up new members and those who showed more of a commitment to the association. In other words, they had more of a tendency to finish their events.

What had happened was the membership fees for the times had become so low when I tried to sign up new members they acted as if it was a scam. We were offering a lot of entertainment for not much money.

The CFC membership looks so low it must be down to the core members. Personally, and it's only an opinion, I doubt you'll lose many members. I'd expect a gain.

It might also be an idea to consider for how long investment returns will remain low and adjust the life memberships accordingly. If you really feel you must offer them.

Consider this my contribution to the current meeting.

[Jean Hébert]

Re : CFC online governor's meeting in progress

Besides the fact that the CFC-FQE deal is now called "a peace treaty" (I was not aware that a war ever existed...) I cannot find a word on the current state of that deal among those reports and discussions. For example, did the FQE made its first payment to the thrust fund (which might explain how the CFC managed to finance his team at the olympiad) that is supposed to take care of that money ? And has this trust fund even been set up and with what people ? Because according to the deal, only that fund jointly run by representatives of both federations could approve expenses.
Of course I have already repeatedly asked those questions to the FQE president but for some strange reasons he has chosen to remain totally silent as if those things should not be made public. I wonder why if everything has been done properly, that is according to the terms of the deal which indicated a first payment one year from the signature date... in 2013.

[Zeljko Kitich]

Re: Re : CFC online governor's meeting in progress

Besides the fact that the CFC-FQE deal is now called "a peace treaty" (I was not aware that a war ever existed...) I cannot find a word on the current state of that deal among those reports and discussions. For example, did the FQE made its first payment to the thrust fund (which might explain how the CFC managed to finance his team at the olympiad) that is supposed to take care of that money ? And has this trust fund even been set up and with what people ? Because according to the deal, only that fund jointly run by representatives of both federations could approve expenses.
Of course I have already repeatedly asked those questions to the FQE president but for some strange reasons he has chosen to remain totally silent as if those things should not be made public. I wonder why if everything has been done properly, that is according to the terms of the deal which indicated a first payment one year from the signature date... in 2013.

now that was exciting :p

[Christopher Mallon]

Re: CFC online governor's meeting in progress

A new idea you might consider is doubling the membership fees. Yes, I'm serious.

I almost got in trouble for suggesting that the OCA raise its Youth membership rate by $1 or so - the first increase in at least 15 years and probably a lot longer.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: CFC online governor's meeting in progress

I almost got in trouble for suggesting that the OCA raise its Youth membership rate by $1 or so - the first increase in at least 15 years and probably a lot longer.

The OCA is a separate topic.

The national federation needs money to run some programs and since so much CFC money appears to be assets under management, by the foundation, it's time to look at the fee structure.

I don't understand what you mean by "almost got in trouble". What would they do? Not re-elect you? No elected position every meant enough to me that I wouldn't do the job properly for fear of not being returned for another term.

I think the CFC has proven they can't field a competitive Olympiad team under the current financial set up. The best won't play.

[Christopher Mallon]

Re: CFC online governor's meeting in progress

The OCA is a separate topic.

The national federation needs money to run some programs and since so much CFC money appears to be assets under management, by the foundation, it's time to look at the fee structure.

I don't understand what you mean by "almost got in trouble". What would they do? Not re-elect you? No elected position every meant enough to me that I wouldn't do the job properly for fear of not being returned for another term.

I think the CFC has proven they can't field a competitive Olympiad team under the current financial set up. The best won't play.

"Almost got in trouble" was just being funny, but we can certainly say that nobody with a vote seemed at all interested in even pursuing the discussion.

For the CFC: 100% of CFC non-administrative expense dollars are budgeted for the Newsletter this year. Is that the best way to spend every spare dime, I wonder? Another conversation that I've had trouble getting started. For perspective, that would cover a good Canadian Closed every other year, and nearly cover the Olympic teams in the in-between years. And that's just one possible use for that money.

[Kerry Liles]

Re: CFC online governor's meeting in progress

"Almost got in trouble" was just being funny, but we can certainly say that nobody with a vote seemed at all interested in even pursuing the discussion.

For the CFC: 100% of CFC non-administrative expense dollars are budgeted for the Newsletter this year. Is that the best way to spend every spare dime, I wonder? Another conversation that I've had trouble getting started. For perspective, that would cover a good Canadian Closed every other year, and nearly cover the Olympic teams in the in-between years. And that's just one possible use for that money.

So, are you saying the CFC should bag the newsletter (or seriously scale it down) and spend the money on the Olympic teams(s) and/or Closed or other Championships? I'm not being sarcastic here - just looking for clarification... :)

[Gary Ruben]

Re: CFC online governor's meeting in progress

You're looking for ways to reallocate an insufficient amount of money to cover many programs. What's needed appears to me to be an increase in the income. Unless the governors want to go door to door selling chocolates or some such thing, it appears to be time to double the annual membership and increase the price of the life memberships to reflect the low investment return environment.

[Aman Hambleton]

Re: CFC online governor's meeting in progress

So, are you saying the CFC should bag the newsletter (or seriously scale it down) and spend the money on the Olympic teams(s) and/or Closed or other Championships? I'm not being sarcastic here - just looking for clarification... :)

That sounds like a pretty good idea lol... who even reads that newsletter anyways?

[Christopher Mallon]

Re: CFC online governor's meeting in progress

So, are you saying the CFC should bag the newsletter (or seriously scale it down) and spend the money on the Olympic teams(s) and/or Closed or other Championships? I'm not being sarcastic here - just looking for clarification... :)

I'm saying that that is one possible idea which is IMHO better than the status quo. I've suggested a scaled-down newsletter with almost 100% Canadian content (ie tournament reports and write-ups) with the rest being spent in some other fashion.

And I'm most definitely saying that we need a serious discussion about it.

[Kerry Liles]

Re: CFC online governor's meeting in progress

I'm saying that that is one possible idea which is IMHO better than the status quo. I've suggested a scaled-down newsletter with almost 100% Canadian content (ie tournament reports and write-ups) with the rest being spent in some other fashion.

And I'm most definitely saying that we need a serious discussion about it.

Ok, that is what I thought, but it is worth the clarification. I certainly agree everything should always be on the table for discussion. There are SO many sources for international news that the CFC "magazine" probably should concentrate on Canadian matters and any Canadians playing elsewhere... Of course, guest articles or occasional contract pieces could be just fine too.

As for Gary's suggestion about raising the membership fee - I suspect that will result only in a gut reaction that membership will go down. No doubt there are a number of people who wonder what they get for the current fee and would simply not renew if it went higher.

On the other hand, programs cost real money to administer and it might be better to get the money from the percentage of people who are willing to have their membership fund the system.

Perhaps a hybrid approach is better than a big bang: improve the use of the current funds, maximize the service with incremental improvements and then raise the membership rates. It is a difficult balancing act.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: CFC online governor's meeting in progress

For the CFC: 100% of CFC non-administrative expense dollars are budgeted for the Newsletter this year

Sometime ago I put a budget into a pie. (without FQE contributions, and sales monies except their profits).

[Gary Ruben]

Re: CFC online governor's meeting in progress

Perhaps a hybrid approach is better than a big bang: improve the use of the current funds, maximize the service with incremental improvements and then raise the membership rates. It is a difficult balancing act.

Actually, it's not difficult. Make the increase effective Jan. 1st, 2013 and carry on. It's not about service improvements but an increase in funds for chess programs and events.

Looking at the cost of tournament entry fees and club memberships, or a chess coach, paying $80. or $85. a year for adult CFC membership or $50. to $55. a year for Junior membership isn't a big deal.

In any case, it's fun watching them try to run a federation on a shoe string. Kind of gives "no frills" a new meaning. :)