Doug Millsaps' New Chess Club; but, nobody told me?!

Dear CCC Members:

It has been brought to my attention by one of my personal guard that there is a new chess club in town?! But, since I just found out about it I have not yet visited. I think it takes place on Thrusdays but I'm not sure of the location. I can only assume it was an oversight that the new club organizer, Mr. Doug Millsaps failed to notify me of  his intentions and provide me with the info. However, I understand that on a few occasions, he did come to the CCC, not to play tournament chess, but to covertly attempt to recruit new members. (If he had told me, I would have asked him to make an announcement about his new club...even put info in the website!)

Though I agree that more chess activity can be good, my experience tells me that often such "new efforts" cause subterfuge and a splintering of our small community of chess players. But, my hat is off to anyone who wishes to form a new club or contribute anything to help the chess cause! For thrity years, I have always been available to give advice to anyone requesting it. However, Mr. Millsaps asked for none; nor did he attempt to coordinate his meeting day or format so as not to hinder our already successful system. (A Friday or weekend day when no other tournaments are taking place would have been better...but whose asking me??)

Unfortunately, recent reports from at least two CCC members who have attended meetings there are very disconcerting. It seemed, according to one, that the gathering was more of a "Woman's Garden Club" meeting whereby the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Millsaps uses it as a forum to publicly berate and defame various chessplayers from our club?!" I am told that his rhetoric to all individuals within earshot includes "sensitive and confidential information about their business and private lives?!" Some of our members have taken extreme offense to this.

Until recently, Doug Millsaps was a business associate and friend. Regardless of how our relationship became strained, that is NOONE ELSE'S BUSINESS. I will not publicly discuss Mr. Millsaps' peccadillos, psychological, personal, family or business problems, or anyone else's for that matter at the CCC or on this Message Board. And, I ask that Mr. Millsaps do the same at his club.

If anyone has a problem with the Charlotte Chess Club or any of it's members, he can, first, communicate his complaint to me, and if not me then Mr. Ashamalla or even post a message on this "Message Board." (Curiously, the last few times I have encountered Mr. Millsaps, he was all "smiles;" and never mentioned any concerns whatsoever about chess).

I take pride in the fact that the Charlotte Chess Club is comprised of people from all walks of life; every race, color, creed and national origin imaginable. However, the rule stands:
IF ANY MEMBER, FOR ANY REASON, AT ANY TIME WISHES TO WITHDRAW HIS MEMBERSHIP FROM THE CHARLOTTE CHESS CLUB, I WILL IMEDIATELY REFUND THE PRORATED DIFFERENCE OF HIS MEMBERSHIP FEE, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. That goes for Mr. Millsaps, as well.

Have a nice day,

NM Leland Fuerstman