| "The
More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same" (Remember,
all of Fischer's Demands Were Ultimately
Met; Is History Repeating Itself?!)
Flash!!! 2013 N.C.
"Closed" in the works!!!
With NCCA elections right around the corner, it would be appropriate to review the events of the past 2 years and grade the outgoing administrators.* If one were to have observed the NCCA website (which, has again, lost it's editor to resignation?) last week, the feature story was "A Record 540 Compete in State Scholastics!" Wow, very impressive... Hardiest congratulations to previous CCC member NM Joshua Mu who claimed this year's title and was presented with a scholarship stipend of $2,000! - $500 more than last year! That's all great!! But, the question is, considering that some scholastic players paid as much as a $50 entry fee, and there were 540 entries, how was the remaining $25,000 distributed? For those who don't remember, way back in 2009 I asked that same question of an organizer who failed to provide any legitimate accounting. In 2010 and 2011, an almost identical scenario repeated itself which in effect, with little or no oversight, allowed rogue no-name organizers to have total control over the Scholastic Championship, charge high entry fees, provide one plastic trophy to every 7th player, and distribute the remaining profit anyway they saw fit?! Though one would assume that oversight of those events should have been the responsibility of the President of the NCCA, to my knowledge, no final financial report of the last two scholastic events was ever published for the observation of the members? We are not talking about a few hundred dollars here, we are talking about as much as $25,000+ which should have been properly and legally accounted for... Approximately one month ago, I submitted a friendly E-mail to the President of the CMSCA, requesting a copy of the financial report for this year's event, but, unfortunately, so far, I have received no response. (My grandson, Nathaniel E. Fuerstman, has participated in a CMSCA event). In my opinion, non-profit organizations, including the NCCA, have a legal obligation to provide that information to anyone who requests it. In the past 3 years, to my knowledge, the CMSCA did not receive one penny of the revenues from the Scholastic Championship? Considering their loss of county funding, one can only assume that they retained at least some of the profit this year...? Anyway, what's the big secret? For years, I have studied the organization of this scholastic event carefully and concluded that there is absolutely no reason why the entry fee should not be $10! (or, at most, $15) It is my understanding that the required number of "room nights" was met and the organizers were allowed to use all of the playing and meeting rooms for FREE! The resulting amount of 540 entries X $10 would equal $5,400 plus the revenues from the rental of "team rooms" of appx. $1,600 which equals appx. $7,000. Surely enough to pay for the $2,000 scholarship and trophies!? And, unless they promptly post a financial report, they can't prove otherwise... It is quite obvious that the "transparency" which your outgoing NCCA President promised has simply never come to pass. But, what about the North Carolina "Open" Championship? Wasn't it a grand success? In deed it was... if one wishes to judge success based upon the number of "Titled Players" who participated?! And just why did so many decide to participate at the last moment? Well, a little bird told me that not only did they receive FREE entry, but some were actually given a FREE hotel room, as well!? - all paid for by the NCCA or the North Carolina players who actually paid their entry fee!? Now, take a peek at the "Crosstable" --- the top 12 finishers were either from out of state, or out of the country? (but, it's hard to tell just how much each won, since that information is rarely, if ever, published, either). SM Jonathan Schroer was the top NC finisher listed and he tied for 13th-17th place?! - Exactly how did that serve the best interests of North Carolina chess players? Furthermore, in years past, this event was previously the only venue where NC players could compete solely against other NC players in order to determine who our sovereign champions would be! We already have the LPO, the LotS and other events where Grandmasters are welcome to participate, so why can't we have a "closed" event which would provide a lucrative prize fund and glorify North Carolina players for a change!? Everyone who knows me is aware that for many years, among the many changes for which I have lobbied, bringing back the NC "Closed" was my most important mission. Well, guess what, people?! It has come to pass that my recommendations, and the more recent protests of others, have not completely fallen on deaf ears! Recently, an unnamed counter-spy (or "mole") shared with me that there are plans in the works for a 2013 North Carolina Closed Championship!! (If that is true, that is the best news I have heard in years!!!) It should be noted, that a number of my other recommendations have been acted upon as well. Now, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Walter High, the NCCA has a functioning "clearinghouse" which allows organizers to plan their events in advance and not conflict with other events (within a 100 mile proximity). In addition, the NCCA membership list has been somewhat cleaned up but could use some significant upgrading and improvement, ie. image and personal information, city, E-mail address, individual statistics, accomplishments, etc. (I mean, like, who cares about a list of members who expired years ago?) And, the so called "by laws" are still in serious need of revision. Oh yeah, what ever happened to that exciting "Grand Prix?" Someone heard them say, "...it was too much trouble to keep up with?" Yet, their "commercial sponsor" is still listed?- It's called "neglect and incompetence," people. According to the NCCA website, not one executive meeting, "virtual" or otherwise, has taken place since September, 2011. With elections coming up in a few months, it might be time to start thinking about finding some qualified, truly altruistic "public servants" who aren't doing it for selfish reasons and don't wait till the last minute to plan for everything?! (The recent Boarder Battle is a perfect example of that... what's that you said, "what boarder battle?..") Please allow me to make one point perfectly clear. I withdrew my membership from the NCCA in protest of the unfair, unfriendly and illegal way in which I and other members were treated in 2009 by officers of a corrupt and negligent administration. My crime was "asking questions and voicing my opinion." Their punishment was an orchestrated smear campaign designed to destroy my reputation and prevent players from participating at the CCC. - According to the current NCCA ByLaws, "Anyone who pays the current dues rate per annum is a regular member of the Corporation." 1. Generally, any person is eligible to become a member of the Corporation upon application. There shall be no discrimination in membership on grounds of race, sex, gender, sexual orientation or religion. Membership shall only be barred for reasons of immoral character or abuse of membership privileges." Considering the fact that I have never been cited for the violation of any USCF rule, nor have I "exhibited immoral character nor abused my membership privileges," it seems that all I must do to be reinstated as an NCCA member is pay the $5. - I just may do that before the elections! (Hold on, I know what you're thinking. The answer is: only if I am drafted... "a chicken in every pot!" FDR. Actually, my first order of business would be to do a "comprehensive independent audit" which has not be done in 27 years... and could result in a few red faces!?) A few months ago, a friend asked me how I felt when, at the state championship, the NCCA President invited all of the important and influential North Carolina chess people up to the front of the room to be recognized but purposely neglected to include me? :( I guess that the 40 years I have dedicated my life to our Royal Game were overshadowed by my desire and right to ask questions and voice an opinion?! Some people are just incapable of enduring constructive criticism... Don't worry, I am not deterred; Freddy Katz and a few other friends know what I have done for North Carolina chess, so my opinions shall continue to be forthcoming. At any rate, I hope to see all of you at the 2013 North Carolina "Closed" Championship! (That is, if the world doesn't come to an end first!? LOL) I remain, NM Leland Fuerstman Ps. *If you're waiting for me to grade the outgoing administrators, you'll have to read between the lines... As far as I am concerned, save for the occasional efforts of Dr. High, the others are either self serving zealots, ineffective or completely absent and must be replaced for the good of chess in North Carolina. - Long Live the CCC! LF |