| 9-6-14 NM Fuerstman: Sorry I haven't been to the club lately. I changed jobs a couple of months ago and have to work on Wednesday evenings? After begging them to change my schedule, I should soon return to compete with all of my friends at the CCC! A couple of weeks ago, I saw the ad on the NCCA website about the "Carolina Chess Festival." But, nowhere in the ad did it say anything about the NCCA? Question: Are all of the NCCA tournaments run by Gary Newsom's private company, now? And, if so, does the NCCA receive any money? Because, according to a friend, they weren't even collecting membership dues at registration? When I checked their website for the results of the NC Open there was nothing but a link to the crosstable. I had to go to the "forum" to find a message that showed a list of winners and how much money they won! But, nowhere could I find any accounting of the event? Somebody told me that they "broke even" but is that before or after they distributed the profits to themselves? Regardless, I am really blown away that after so many members have complained so many times, the only report that I just observed was a week late article by Jeff "Pig" Jones basically rehashing everything which had already been reported? No personal information, hometowns, images, links to games or anything that I hadn't already read. Forgive me for saying it, but the NCCA website still sucks!? They didn't even post one single image of the class winners of the NC Open? On another note, though they still haven't posted it on their website, I notice that CCC member NM Pat Sciacca is running for Secretary/Treasurer and I would like to support him! According to their new rules, will members be able to come to the tournament and pay $2 for dues for the remainder of the year so we can vote? Inquiring minds want to know. And, by the way, since the NC Closed ad includes the statement, "Open to all North Carolina players," will you be participating in that event?! Other than the Invitational, the only two other events they are responsible for are the Open and the Closed... seems as if someone again dropped the ball on scheduling by conducting those two events approximately one month apart?? Shouldn't they be 6 months apart?... And, I know this is going to ruffle some feathers, but who really cares about about a bunch of no-name grandmasters? Combining those two events seems to water down our own championship... I'm just sayin'... But, I would like to see more competition between NC and SC, (since I am actually now living in SC!) In my opinion, it's time that another regime takes over the NCCA. McAlister's Deli IS a great place to play chess! I will see you at the CCC soon. Sincerely, Jason "1st Amendment" Mytrysak *************************************************************** Jason: Good to hear from you. Wow! You have addressed almost every point that I would have made! Though, I must admit that from the reports I have received, most of the mistakes they made last year were improved upon this year, ie. number of TD's, entry fee, prize fund, location, etc, this year's version was properly conducted and well received! However, your point about who gets the profit is well made. The answer is, only a few "insiders" know, since no accounting is ever provided to the members and everything continues to remain absolutely secret? --Back in the 80's, when I was President of the NCCA, as a volunteer, I, and the other officers, took it upon ourselves to "organize and direct" those same tournaments for NO FEE!? I just figured that it was the responsibility of the officers to do that... Finally, I believe it was 1988 when I was asked to step in to the Vice President's position because the president resigned after 2 weeks of being elected, I established the policy that the Vice President would make all of the arrangements and Direct those events for the NCCA! (I mean, if not for my good looks and my warm personality, why do you think I was elected to be the first member of the NCCA Hall of Fame?!...) Anyway, as everyone is well aware, even though there are plenty of organizers and directors in North Carolina who can do the job, now those tournaments are "farmed out" to a private company and the Vice President does little or NOTHING? Now, I'm not going to waste your time rehashing what I believe is currently wrong with the NCCA, (we don't have enough space and time), but I am extremely disturbed that they have violated their own rules about mixing politics with their policies? Not posting the names of other candidates who are running for office is a serious violation of the rights of all of the members? Basically, they are just dictating to you who will be the next regime of inexperienced and incompetent panjandrums?! Therefore, I am very happy to see people like NM Pat Sciacca and Sara Walsh step up to the plate!! But, more disconcerting is an outrageous statement made by "chess bully" Gary Newsom that,"(Sorry Sara; per request, quote removed)" The fact is, I have never even personally met Sara and have only had one recent phone conversation with her!? Therefore, I assume that the recent E-mail conversations I have had with Presidential candidate Kevin Hyde disqualifies him, too?! What a sad state of affairs... Thanks for sharing your concerns, Jason. I hope to see you at the club, soon! Warm regards, NM LF |