More Rhetorical Questions NM Leland Fuerstman Since most of the important issues which I have directly presented to the current NCCA Officers have gone unanswered by them, I shall probably rely on one of their "political writers" to respond. - Oh, Hi, Tom! LOL (Only the 2 presidential candidates whom I recommended, but chose not to seek the position, have taken the time to respond to me). I was going to write this letter sooner but decided to wait until the LotS had concluded. You see, I had intended to go way out on a limb and predict that FM Andrey Chumachenko will be the 2009 NC Grand Prix Champion!?? According to the "cray" to which I have secret access, after using the current formula and calculating for 2 straight weeks, the computer concluded that it is probably mathematically impossible for anyone else to win?! So, for the most part, the Grand Prix has already been decided...at least for the Top Section. (Using my old system we only had one section and considering that the "amount of money won" had nothing to do with the formula, this could not have happened). Congratulations, Andrey, keep up the great play! Now, I know that the election of NCCA officers has already been decided, but it probably would have been helpful if all of the candidates had provided a bit of information about themselves for publication on the NCCA website. It would be nice to know what the President looks like, his age, marital status, level of education, degrees, current professional status, credit reference, police report, years of association with chess and experience as an organizational leader, etc. An informative description of all NCCA Officers seems like something to which all of the members should be privy. After all, they were being elected as Officers of a Corporation! Furthermore, I still can't understand why the NCCA  Membership List has not been updated by removing all members who have expired? I find it misleading that of the over 300 names still listed, only 132 are actually current regular members? By the way, was Sec/Treas Hoekstra present at the last meeting? If so, would he kindly publish the minutes of that meeting. (You know, like a meeting which was conducted according to the rules of Parliamentary Procedure, by using "Roberts Rules of Order, like we did in the 1980's. If that is not the case, I'm afraid something special seems to have been lost). I have absolutely no personal vendetta toward Mr. Beaman. I barely even know him. I, in fact, introduced myself to him at a recent Reverse Angle tournament and told him to "do a good job" and "good luck!" I subsequently E-mailed and gave him my personal telephone number and offered him an avenue to seek my advice at any time. (Ask him!) Since then, not only has he not sought my advice, but he seems unable to deal with the normal criticism which comes with the job. Some have interpreted his refusal, or inability to answer as either disrespectful or incompetent. I'd like to think that he is not all that bad. But, I make no apologies when I imply that I do not think he is a good fit for the job. Only time will tell. Unfortunately, as a Life Member and Past President of the NCCA, I have a responsibility to be concerned and voice my opinion. If I were President I would mandate the following: 1. The annual North Carolina Championship will be CLOSED to all but residents of NC, college students and military personnel. 2. The annual North Carolina Championship will be conducted by North Carolina Organizers and Directors ONLY. The NCCA will underwrite the event and make all the profit or suffer all of the loss. In order to defray a potential loss, sponsors will be sought. (We haven't had a loss in years, and the potential profits could be significant allowing new programs to be developed and the current ones to be properly funded). 3. The website will change the words "By Laws" to "Articles of Incorporation." Then, a current set of "By Laws" can be decided upon by all members by presenting and debating the issues on the website. 4. The NCCA membership list be updated to include my earlier recommendation: "A membership list will be created. Expired members will be immediately deleted and new members, including their E-mail address, expiration date, (rating) and city (not physical address) will be added to the list as they join. The updated list will be published monthly on the NCCA website." (The reason for publishing the name, E-mail address, rating and city of a member would be to assist all members in finding other players who live in their vicinity in order to meet, play and form other clubs! After all, isn't that what this organization is all about?!) 5. Conduct the bi-annual NCCA meeting just prior to the 4th round on Sunday morning after everyone arrives. The director will instruct everyone NOT to start their clock until the meeting is over. The President will bring all to order and a brief, but efficient meeting will be conducted. This way, far more members will be able to participate with their opinions, concerns and votes. (For the past many years, the meeting has been scheduled so early in the morning that few have made the effort to attend. That was simply an inefficent, but possibly calculated design). 6. The "Gambit Magazine" be revived and included on the NCCA website (Good luck, Tom) which could use a substantial amount of modern upgrading. I suggest that our very valuable volunteer compare notes with other webmasters and web designers for ideas!) 7. Nominate Kenneth J. Baxter to be a member of the NCCA Hall of Fame. If I can think of anything else, I'll let you know. Now, get to work! Oh, by the way, the Charlotte Chess Club actually still meets at the Seafarer Restaurant (Just look for the 3-D Whale) on Wednesday evenings! The G75 tournament game begins at 7:20pm. Hope to see more happy faces enjoying a wonderful meal, great conversation and tournament chess at the Seafarer! I'll see you there. NM Leland Fuerstman