9-24-12 NCCA Rapidly Disintegrating?! N.C. Chess Federation in the Works!! By NM Leland Fuerstman "I would now like to take a moment to acknowledge and sincerely thank Rudy Abate, Shawn Spencer, Brad Dill and Tom Kabasakalian for their good intentions in volunteering for the cause of chess in North Carolina! Whether they observe the democratic process and become fair and effective future leaders remains to be seen." LF At least, for the time being, the NCCA "Forum" is being used for a slightly more positive purpose than in previous years when their "Message Board"  featured orchestrated efforts (by the same ventripotent coterie of "good old boys") to bash and alienate members who expressed divergent opinions?! Regardless, more members, now, seem to be voicing the same opinion that the NCCA is rapidly losing it's effectiveness and support. The last "so called" election was proof of that (See Msg479) & (Msg480). Even though the annual meeting was announced in earnest, the embarrassing turnout proved that the members had already become somewhat disenfranchised by their leaders? Now, 10 years after the successful reign of honorable past President Neal Harris, the NCCA seems to have morphed into a "private chess company" which promotes major tournaments, never publicizes the accounting, distributes the profits in any fashion they see fit and answers to no one?  At least one thread on the NCCA "Forum" has elicited the response of a distinguished ex-member who has not been an active player for some time? Yet, because of her concern for the direction that the organization seems to have taken, this past officer has strongly stated her "disapproval" of what is going on right now. (See Msg483a) Unfortunately, the response(s) of the new officer(s) have been deceptive, vague and confusing to say the least? Expecting this new President to actually answer each specific question is wishful thinking... Regardless, his "knee jerk" decisions to force everyone to pay dues in January, require organizers to pay a "tax" and give away a $200 Life Membership have still not been satisfactorily explained?? Besides, in a democratic "non-profit" organization, shouldn't the "members" have the right to approve or disapprove of "never previously discussed" hair-brained ideas that some zealous, newly "appointed" President dreamed up? No!? According to the current policy, the President "shoots first, and asks questions later" after he mandates unnecessary changes to systems which have been in place for over 70 years? Just exactly who does this guy think he is? Well, according to the USCF database, Rudolph Abate 13840787 has played tournament chess for all of 5 years. His current rating is 1404, and sporting a 49.7% lifetime success rate, he has lost more games than he has won? (...no apologies for the partiality; I regard chess as more than "just a silly game?") Nor has he ever served as a minor officer nor even on an NCCA committee? So, with his dubious skill level coupled with a paucity of experience as an administrator, exactly what qualifies him to make wholesale changes without the input, recommendations and approval of the members? --- Instead, why doesn't he do something positive, like submit the books to an Independent Auditor!? (...a subject which he has conveniently side-stepped so far - or been "advised" by his legal counsel not to discuss?). Look, if it were so important to sell memberships and raise money, then, instead of wasting their time with ridiculous "proxies," why didn't either the President, Vice President, Sec/Treas or Legal Counsel attempt to collect membership fees from the litany of expired players who competed in the recent North Carolina Open and voted in the election? The fact is, not one of their "team" made the slightest effort to verify and collect membership fees? (Aren't they naturally supposed to do that when entry fees are paid?) And, couldn't someone have simply observed the expiration dates of players who pre-entered and approached them at the tournament to collect? Just another glaring example of the incompetence and gross negligence of the Newsom administration? And, Abate is "proud to follow in his footsteps?" According to the database, the NCCA has 176 (I had to count them by hand?) currently paid members. However, 28 of them are Life Members who will never pay again? (or, is that going to change, too?) In addition, since they paid exactly one year ago at the last NCO, and no one bothered to renew them, 36 members will expire on 9-30-12? Now, are those folks supposed to wait til January to renew or are they expected to loyally send their money in immediately? Considering the dubious product that the NCCA has to offer right now, (See Msg480a) I seriously doubt that many of them will ever renew again?! Because of their neglect to check, according to one exasperated member, "since almost every other expired member participated in the NCO without paying their NCCA dues, why should I?!" A week ago, I submitted an ad about the upcoming Reserve Angel VII on October 6 to the new "Clearinghouse" chairman, Vice President Shawn Spencer. As yet, my ad has not been posted nor have I received an E-mail response explaining why? I can only assume that the reason is: "NM LF is not a member of the NCCA." Well, why should that make any difference? Neither is the Organizer and Chief Tournament Director of the Fake Copper Blanket, Tim Champion, who hasn't been a "paid member" for many years or the Chief Tournament Director and Organizer of the Master Trek tournaments NM Craig Jones, who expired 9-30-11? If being a current member is required, why have these organizers been allowed to advertise their events all this time? (wouldn't that be "selective application" of the law?!) --- Anyway, why shouldn't all tournaments be posted? Isn't that what this is all about? After all, players need all of the information they can get; like the fact that past President Gary Newsom's QCAA Reverse Angle tournaments pay back 55%? and NM LF's CCC Reserve Angel tournaments pay back 75%! By the way, the QCCA pays nothing for the use of Cone Center; the CCC pays $125. for the room at the "Y"... It is no secret that I have been approached by numerous disillusioned members and ex-members who have each suggested that we do away with the NCCA and form a new organization!! Each member will be able to interact and continually vote for issues via E-mail! Not once per year, but all year round! If you are interested in becoming a member of a truly "modern" and transparent democratic organization, E-mail: charlottechessclub@gmail.com and I will add your name to a "private list" which shall not be published until we have 100 members! At that time, we will decide upon the annual dues (I recommend $9.37!? - Oh, Honey, while you're getting the quarters, could you get a couple of rolls of dimes, nickels and pennies, too!? LOL - Just kidding...$10.) and collectively ratify a new "constitution" for the North Carolina Chess Federation. Once we have more paid members than the NCCA, we will petition the USCF to become the Official Affiliation for the State of North Carolina. I remain, NM Leland Fuerstman Charlotte Chess Club