9-22-14 Proxies Must Be Abolished; Absentee Ballots Approved! By NM Leland Fuerstman A number of issues concerning the NCCA have arisen over the past many months which have still not been addressed nor corrected by the NCCA Board of Directors. First, is their failure to post on their website the names of all of the candidates who have officially notified the Dictator of their desire to run for office until today, 9-22-14? Naturally, the intentionally demeaning style in which they were added, by listing them below their "good old boy" candidates names, causes them to appear to be "also rans?" Furthermore, not referring to Sciacca as National Master Pat Sciacca?! -- who is seeking the position of "Secetary Treasure" (sic) (Dude, have you never heard of "SpellCheck"?) is embarrassing and disrespectful. It was patently unfair to only post the names of their own personal slate of candidates and not the names of others? It appears as if the Dictator makes up policy as he goes along?! And then, enforces rules which have never before existed nor been agreed upon by his own executive board? "So, what about their image, age, marital status, vocation, city, rating, experience, qualifications, "credit worthiness" and a brief written statement introducing themselves to the voters? Just posting their name and their intention further emphasizes the negligence and incompetence of the current administration?! Furthermore, should not these candidates be vetted for arrests and convictions or other history which may cause one to raise a brow? After all, the NCCA is a legal non-profit organization, isn't it?" NMLF Furthermore, allowing "chess bully" Gary Newsom to share his outrageous opinions on the NCCA "Forum" has caused confusion with members who have been instructed not to vote for certain candidates who may be even remotely associated with NM Leland Fuerstman?? And though the "moderator" is responsible for policing that "Forum" and preventing members from launching such "personal attacks" against a past NCCA President, not only did the Dictator ignore that responsibility, but he chimed in with his own irrational opinion which only served to exacerbate the situation. Furthermore, it is my understanding that for his valuable services as tournament director, Rudolph Abate was paid at least $250 each time he appointed himself as Chief TD for many of these recent North Carolina events? (Does that include the events where he was listed as Chief TD but played in all 5 rounds?!?) While we are on the subject, does anyone remember Vice President Shawn Spencer? I heard, over 6 months ago, that he had "quit doing anything," yet his name continues to appear on the NCCA list of Officers?! It is my understanding that Spencer became "unreachable" and "has not been an active officer for some time?" So, why were the members not advised almost 1 year ago of that VP's decision to resign so he could be replaced in accordance with their Articles of Incorporation? That information should have been promptly  published many months ago. Now, everyone realizes that 2 of Abate's original officers, VP of Scholastics Brad Dill and VP Shawn Spencer jumped ship? Does anybody really wonder why? A few weeks ago, after it was stated by this author that due to the ridiculous policy of requiring everyone to pay his membership dues on January 1, the NCCA "regular" membership rolls had dwindled to record low numbers? And then, mysteriously, approximately one week ago, all of a sudden, the expiration dates of 75+ members were magically upgraded as if they had all rejoined on the same day??! Gee, what a curiosity! Concerned about the abuse of "proxies," some members question whether they had a list of the names and fees collected by the Sec/Treas so as to verify those "member updates?" (yeah, good luck getting that?!) Yet, when another organizer asked whether he could sign up a player for a "prorated" fee of 3 or 4 dollars for the remainder of the year, he was advised by the Dictator that "if the player had ever been a member in the past, he would be required to pay the full $10??? for the remainder of the year?"...as punishment for not having already renewed? But, according to the so called "Articles of Incorporation" no such draconian provision exists... again, the Dictator seems to just make things up as he goes along. Some concerned members find that policy to border on fraud; especially since they are required to abide by the regulations for "Non-profit organizations" in North Carolina. (Besides, what other organization have you ever heard of in your entire life that enforced such a punitive policy?) Of greater concern is a recent posting by Sec/Tres Tom Kabasakalian where he tries to rationalize why no minutes of any meeting should be made public?? How insidious! The NCCA "Propaganda Minister" seems to be attempting to substantiate why the details of the treasury and the "minutes" should remain secret so members would be less inclined to sue them for improprieties? (What??) He goes on to say that the previous Sec/Treas was absent at the meeting where he was elected and that keeping the minutes was "not his responsibility??" (What??) Any conscientious incoming Sec/Treas would have taken the initiative to keep the minutes for posterity. Unlike NM Pat Sciacca, since Kabasakalian, himself, was a no-show for the last annual NCCA meeting, only one set of minutes has been published for all subsequent "Executive Board" meetings." Therefore, the requirements by their own Articles of Incorporation have been violated for not maintaining that information in the official "NCCA Journal?!" Furthermore, Sec/Treas TK had steadfastly refused to provide the actual balance of the NCCA treasury until a few days ago, when he finally provided copies of the 2013 balance sheet to certain members who requested it. To my astonishment, that document indicated that the NCCA had a balance of over $23,000 in the bank, ($4,000 of which is dedicated to scholastics). Therefore, how could the Dictator explain antagonizing the most important members of the NCCA, the tournament organizers, by charging them $20 to post information about their upcoming events on the NCCA website?? And, why would he nickle and dime members by penalizing them for having been previous members of the NCCA? (one local player lamented, "I was an NCCA member 15 years ago; will I have to pay the full amount just to come to the meeting to vote?!...what a ripoff!?") In addition, with the influx of so many "large tournament" organizers migrating to our state, North Carolina seems to have become the chess tournament mecca for the southeastern United States!! I think that's great! But, exactly, how much money does the NCCA collect from those events? Because, the last major tournaments entitled the 2014 Greensboro International Chess Festival, and organized by Gary Newsom's private company did not even have the initials NCCA posted anywhere on any of their literature? Nor was NCCA membership even required?! Furthermore, it is my understanding that the upcoming NC Closed will again be organized by a private company owned and operated by one of their own officers who will not be sharing any of the revenue with the NCCA?? I mean, if you're going to farm these tournaments out, why wouldn't you get something in return? As I have already clearly stated, the NCCA has plenty of Organizers and Directors within their own circles who could run all of these events for the organization and keep all of the profit! Many disgruntled members now believe that "the NCCA has degenerated into a private company run by a few self serving individuals for their own personal gain and profit..." members no longer have the right to vote, or even make a motion. You can only vote in the election; but, watch out for "proxies" in which case you've probably wasted your time even showing up for the meeting... Proxies must be banned. Absentee ballots and early voting must be approved. (A simple E-mail would be verification enough!) And, your right to vote and make motions must be restored. Furthermore, an entirely "new" constitution and bylaws need to be written, especially considering the fact that there is absolutely no evidence of any meeting where the Articles of Incorporation were ever  ratified by the members?! In reality, someone went in and made changes to the Articles of Incorporation without the knowledge nor discussion of the members which resulted in losing your right to vote? Does anyone ever remember publicly discussing such a sensitive issue?! No... There is no legitimate reason for using proxies. In fact, the term proxy is being misused. Proxies are based on the "number of shares of stock a person is willing to declare for a specific corporate vote." Besides, since the meeting will take place at 1:00pm on Saturday, there will surely be a quorum who could democratically vote for officers without the interference of proxies. That would be my wish!! The members should have the right not to be manipulated so as to prevent one individual from always handpicking the officers of his choice? Finally, Abate will again violate the rules of chess by preventing NMLF from joining the NCCA and participating in the NC Closed, for "personal reasons?" Though, I have violated no USCF rule nor civil law; he simply doesn't care for my opinion. But, that is hardly an excuse for purposely violating my rights as a member of the USCF. Thank goodness, he will soon be gone... I will see everybody at the 2014 Charlotte City Championship on September 27 at the Dowd YMCA in Charlotte! I remain, NM Leland Fuerstman www.charlottechess.com