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Jason Mytrysak is asking questions again!? From his perspective, the NCCA seems to have degenerated into a profit making company which concentrates most of it's time and effort on the interests of "scholastic" players and "scholastic organizers?" But, his major concern is that absolutely no accounting of any of the recent scholastic events which the NCCA promoted and sanctioned this entire year has been published for anyone to observe? He goes on to mention that since 5 separate sponsors contributed to the $500 prize fund of the "All Girls Open," where did the almost $1,500 which was collected from entry fees go? Furthermore, why charge an entry fee at all? Doesn't the NCCA already have a lot of money? "Why is everything so secret?" JM

Well, Jason, I am pleased to report that if you would go to the NCCA website and access their "Forum," (of all places) you will find accounting, (after a fashion, replete with misspelled words?) associated with the Girls Open! However, little explanation is given for certain "expenses" which make no sense. But, at least NCCA President Rudy Abate made an attempt to disclose the numbers. And, that's a step in the right direction... (Is he willing to show everyone the NCCA checkbook to allow members to see how the money is spent?!)

However, as for the 2013 Scholastic Championship, from what I understand, Abate's comments relating to that were something to the effect of, "the organizer properly won the 'bid' ... and because he is a private promoter, the accounting is nobody else's business?" Really!? There are a good number of members who would promptly take issue with that... According to the NCCA Articles of Incorporation, the NCCA is responsible for everything associated with the annual scholastic event?! Somebody was asleep at the wheel or just too lazy to pay any attention to it. -- Look, the entry fee has skyrocketed to $69?! An educated guess is that the organizer collected over $40,000+ in entry fees and other revenues. Yet, Organizer Bill Clausen only returned a $1,500 scholarship and appx. $1,500 worth of trophies to the players. The sketchy accounting which he provided did not conform to the general standards of acceptable accounting practices. His "IRS 501C3 non-profit" chess organization has a legal responsibility to professionally prepare and provide copies of the accounting of the event to anyone who wishes to see it! Refusal to do so indicates a deceptive attitude which is not in the best interest of North Carolina scholastic chess players and their families.

Allowing such policies to persist is irresponsible. However, of more concern is the idea that the NCCA has almost completely ignored it's adult members? The hastily prepared, poorly designed Senior "Quads?" which took place on the same day as Knights Templar II as did one other event, (that's what the clearinghouse is for...) hardly made up for the debacle which was the 2013 NC Invitational Championship??? In effect, our most important "adult" event of the year was completely neglected, until the very last minute. The fact is, your new President apparently didn't read the NCCA Articles of Incorporation very carefully and even admitted that he had no clue that the event even existed? Furthermore, after past NCCA President Gary Newsom promptly stepped forward to lend a hand and act as Chairman of the selection committee, in his haste to round up 6 players, he arbitrarily invited players who probably would not have qualified "by rule" otherwise. Others declined because of such short notice. But, more disconcerting was the lack of communication with the NCCA Sec/Treas to insure the legal membership status of the invitees!? After all, co-Champion SM Miles Ardaman was not even a member of the NCCA during the 2013 qualifying year, nor during the event, nor after the event when he collected $266.66, his share of 1st Prize?! Furthermore, according to the USCF database, his USCF membership had also expired?! Some question whether the results of that event should even be considered official?

On the other hand, the girls championship was strongly advertised and, this time, the results were promptly reported!? (the very existence of a "girls championship" should be debated; - According to the Polgar sisters, "having a separate rating system for women implies that they are not intellectually equal to men!?" Besides, the NCCA is glorifying mediocrity?! The 1400 player who won the 9 player Top Section lost 14 rating points? Look, there is nothing wrong with attracting young girls to chess, I'm all for it! But, not at the expense of attracting adults, so we might glorify expertise instead! What's next? The All Black, All Jewish, All Short or All Tall, etc??

By the way, it is refreshing to see that NCCA VP of Scholastics Brad Dill took it upon himself to report the results, (albeit something that reminds one of the Jr. High newspaper; - uh, may I recommend that next time he follow the theme of standard journalism and mention the name of the "Champion" first, instead of the name of the winner of the Under 600 section?!) Regardless, at least he tried... In fact, Mr. Dill has already provided far more of his volunteer time and energy than his predecessor, Newsom appointee Joe Swann, whom I am told that for 2 years, did absolutely nothing... Respectfully, I ask again, where are the images, hometowns, ages, games, personal information, human interest stories, etc. in his article? Just posting a bunch of jumbled results copied from the USCF printout is a time saving cop-out that leaves a lot to be desired. The NCCA website is still pitiful... the members deserve a better product than that.

Recommendation:

Copy the constitution from the internet of one of many other state chess organizations and cut and paste our name over theirs. Then re-design it accordingly to conform to the needs of North Carolina rules and regulations and then write specific by-laws controlling everything. That would at least be a step in the right direction. The fact is, that the current Articles of Incorporation have NEVER been ratified by the NCCA members. And, considering that no one either abides by nor pays any attention to them anyway, what good are they?

NM Leland Fuerstman
Charlotte Chess Club