NCCA Website Neglects Report on NCSC? No Article - No Accounting - No Explanation...? by NM Leland Fuerstman 3-13-13 It has now been almost 2 weeks since the most well attended and highest grossing chess tournament "in North Carolina history" took place at the Raleigh Convention Center. One young participant of the 2013 NC Scholastic Championship stated to me that "most of the people in charge didn't seem to know what they were doing!?" Only the 26 players in the Championship section appeared to be serious about the event. "...the others were there mostly to have a party and play Wii video games - provided by the organizer?!" So, just who were the people in charge? Well, the so called "non-profit organization," which had secured the "bid" from a previous year, was ChessAchieves, Inc owned by Bill Clausen. But, instead of following the rules and hiring a National Tournament Director, which would naturally be required for an event with 623 players, he enlisted the assistance of a number of tournament directors; most who previously had little or no experience in directing sections at major events? Furthermore, most of those Directors were officers of the NCCA? (So, what do they need bids for? Why didn't they just do it themselves, and keep all of the profit?) Let's try to understand this scheme a bit better... A relatively unknown member of the NCCA decides that he is going to design and organize a major scholastic chess event using North Carolina Directors and then submits his bid. However, no democratic discussion of the event is ever initiated on their "Forum?" In fact, no one, except for he and the previous NCCA president, really knows what the terms of his agreement may have been nor any specific tournament details, ie. where, when, number of rounds, time controls, round times, entry fee, trophies, scholarship, fee to NCCA per player, etc. since they rarely, if ever, document anything? Or at least, current President Rudy Abate didn't know. In a phone conversation with me, he indicated that "the bid had been accepted by the previous administration... and that he had no control over it..." I responded with, "well, you still have 6 months before the event takes place; plenty of time to make critical changes!" After all, I was very concerned about an "official flyer" that Bill Clausen had authored which was published by the USCF. (See Msg 489) It seriously caused me to question whether he was qualified to take on such an arduous task?! -- Furthermore, the entry fee had skyrocketed to $69 at the site? Such a large entry fee can only be substantiated for events which return thousands of dollars in prize money?! Dubious planning notwithstanding, this event attracted a record 623 players!! According to the math, when one subtracts the estimated expenses from the estimated total revenues, the tournament generated a profit of over $27,000!!  Wow!! Apparently, that money was deposited into the ChessAchieves Inc. bank account, Bill Clausen, President. According to the public record, he is the only official member of that organization. But, in addition to that deposit are the donations of 30 other sponsors!! Therefore, how can he substantiate charging a $69 entry fee at the site since he already had all that other money on deposit? An entry fee of half that much would have generated a substantial profit. -- Question: Is this a volunteer non-profit educational organization; or is it a business?? Next question: Will a complete official accounting of this event ever be published for all members to observe? We're not talking about a few hundred dollars here, we are talking about over $40,000 in revenue collected from the parents of little children?! Whether the Directors of this event were compensated or not, other than have  one of them operate a computer for the pairings, the organizer did little more than collect and count money. -- This should tell you how old I am... I remember a time, long ago, when "volunteers" actually did things for no pay!? I guess times have changed. Now, on to a another disturbing issue. The NCCA website is an ugly mess... it has only been edited a few times since this administration took over 6 months ago? The first order of business for the President should have been to find a competent webmaster who can also serve as the "editor." (Yes, there is a distinction). The active publication of current statewide chess news has been completely neglected. In fact, they haven't even mentioned the name of the winner of the 2013 NC Scholastic Championship, NM Joshua Mu!; much less posted his image or his 4th round encounter with Expert Tianqi Wang?! nor have they published any accounting of the event. It appears as if "Walter's Corner" is defunct and their "Forum" seems to be dominated by the opinions of neophytes and kids... Furthermore, the "Clearinghouse" is incomplete since they refuse to publish the events organized by the Charlotte Chess Club? --Knights Templar II April 13!-- (Other dates: 5-25, 7-27, 8-24, 10-5 which can otherwise be found on the USCF TLA's). Aren't NCCA members entitled to get something for their money? - particularly after complying with their important "dues are due" campaign!? Others are concerned that the President seems to be repeating the same scheme as his predecessor by conducting events sponsored by his "own organization;" an act which some believe to be a conflict of interest. Another questioned where the profits of the upcoming "NC Girls Championship" will end up? But, I'm sure that a thorough accounting of that event will be promptly posted... right, Mr. President?! And, by the way, while we are on the subject, may any NCCA member observe the financial records and bank books upon request? I recommend that the President spend less time promoting his own events, and more time addressing the many unresolved problems of the NCCA. For too many years, the gavel has been handed from one "good ol' boy" to another with no documentation to substantiate previously made agreements and no one looking over their shoulders. Oversight and transparency do not seem to be on their current list of priorities. Finally, their refusal to post "all NC upcoming events" is not in the best interest of North Carolina chess players. So, do something good for a change and post em.' Otherwise, I really don't expect too many things to change. I remain, NM Leland Fuerstman