For the information of
the local chess public, less than one month from now,
the election of NCCA officers will take place during the
2012 North Carolina Championship. And, according to
their own statements, the current officers do not intend
to run again?! Nor has a presidential successor been
named? Since no slate of prospective officers has been
published at this late date, one can only assume that
the President will, at the last moment, hand pick his
successor(s) who will loyally carry out the policies
which he has in place. The disturbing part is that no
time will remain to properly vet these incoming
officers. And, since the meeting has been scheduled for
Sunday morning, Sept. 2, at 9am, (like
last year where I'm told, a grand total of 16
members actually attended), nameless
replacements will accept their appointments with little
fanfare and surely, no opposition. Question: Will his
successor be responsible for conducting those "big"
events next year, or has some special covert arrangement
been made to allow Newsom's new "chess company" to
conduct them? Some believe that to be a clear conflict
of interest? Two years ago, a Vice President of Scholastics was elected at the recommendation of the President. Unfortunately, this person has never lifted a finger to do anything nor has he ever submitted a single report? Was he only "handed" the position to guarantee an extra executive vote?! --- The paradox is that, in the past 2 years, Executive Officers rarely, if ever voted on anything?! Unless, of course, they had a series of "virtual" meetings which they did not report?! Decisions to do things rested solely on the shoulders of President Gary Newsom, and were usually made without any discussion or knowledge of the members ahead of time?! And, most of the legwork for his grand plans was carried out by Vice President Dr. Walter High, (who gets full credit for bringing High Point University in as a sponsor!) My concern is, are all of these big tournaments good for North Carolina chess, and is the NCCA actually profiting from these events? Now, the only way one would ever know would be for them to publish a balance sheet of their accounting, which was absolutely never done. In fact, not until recently, at my insistence, have they even published the amount of prize money which was paid out?
Now let's differentiate. If the tournament were organized by a private promoter like Thad Rogers, then the information could be withheld (like it has always been), but since the NCCA is a non-profit organization, according to the requirements set forth by the Attorney General of the State of North Carolina, they are required to disclose it. Regardless, the current regime generally never publishes anything relating to money and in 2 years has only provided one Treasurers report. Since then, no other meeting(s) has been reported to have taken place and no committee reports have been published? If one were to judge the past administration solely upon proper procedure and protocol, they get extremely poor marks.
As I told Gary when I first met him, a chess organization requires one "strong man" who must understand that he will probably end up doing all of the work himself!? And, that the assistance of anyone else, (much less a Dr. Walter High), would be a blessing! Most Charlotte players have not forgotten Newsom's decision to "privatize" his QCCA which in effect eliminated the democratic process and allowed him to seize all of it's assets!? (Newsom's claim that the QCCA is now "the Charlotte regions largest and most successful chess club" is erroneous and misleading. The QCCA caters chiefly to scholastic players, period. --- Everything about the Charlotte Chess Club is better! That's why they have all made a bee line back! And, we actually have a few special scholastic members of our own! Furthermore, the furniture is comfortable and the food is great at the Skyland Family Restaurant! Ps. Chumachenko is back with us, too! Also, unlike Newsom, I have never suggested to anyone that they not play at another chess club??)
But wait, look at all of these great tournaments which Newsom has organized and the "huge" numbers they have attracted! Well, that's what concerns me. How does catering to Grandmasters and IM's from all over the country help the average North Carolina player? How can increasing the prize fund in the Top section, providing free entries and even free hotel rooms in some cases, all paid for by North Carolina players, be good? Oh, they get to marvel at the GM's while they play and then try to get their autographs? Please? Most average North Carolina players are fighting to hold a Pawn down ending against some "C" player from Charlotte or Raleigh! They could not care less about which unpronounceable name defeats another on boards 1 thru 3 being more concerned about the outcome of Bd: 63! Furthermore, those celebrity players rarely, if ever interact with anyone other than their own and invariably take home all of the money!? In the 2011 North Carolina Open, our highest rated player, IM Jonathon Schroer (2412) finished tied 13th-17th place with 3-2?! He and NM Josh Mu were our highest finishers and won nothing. So, just how did Newsom's tournament design help North Carolina chess players?
On the other hand, if the "huge" numbers which that event drew did in fact generate revenue for the NCCA, that's great! But, there in lies the problem. No one, except for them, knows how much money was taken in nor paid out nor to whom it was paid nor how much? If they were truly transparent, that information would have already been made available for everyone to see. It's not that I don't trust them... It's that you can only trust the numbers that are posted on a page, and there were none? Proper accounting for an NPO should always be made available to any member who wishes to observe it. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. That's why non-profit organizations require public disclosure. The incoming President would do a great service by ordering a thorough audit of the past 10 years business. (...assuming that those records still exist). After all, if everyone did their jobs properly and legally, what are they worried about?
Regardless of our significant political differences, I am well aware of the time, energy, emotion, expense and work that actually goes into running a large organization, and I laud President Gary Newsom and V.P. Dr. Walter High for that. The reason I know, is that before renouncing my membership "for cause," I had been an NCCA member longer than anyone else in the entire state. Over the past 40 years, I have served as President, Vice President, Sec/Treas, Editor of the Gambit, Delegate to the National Meeting, achieved the Title of National Master in 1984 and been bestowed with the honor of being elected as the "first" member of the NCCA Hall of Fame. And, I am currently the highest rated 65+ player in the state!
In these later years, I have pretty much done what I enjoy doing, and that is conduct and compete at the Charlotte Chess Club, laugh and socialize with my friends and organize a few local events. Now that I am a semi-retired 65 year old grandpa of 4, I am again available to volunteer my time, talent, experience and skills to help benefit the entire North Carolina chess community. Believe me when I tell you that it is not something that I am craving to do. I know how much "work" it takes. But, I fear that at this late date, without knowing who their "replacements" are, it might just be the best thing for the NCCA.
Do I have a platform? You bet I do.
1. conduct an audit
2. reinstate the North Carolina "Closed" Championship!
3. rewrite the constitution
4. completely revamp the roster to include e-mail address and other personal info like we have at the CCC
5. create a "remote directors program" whereby the NCCA will sponsor Saturday 3 rounders in various remote areas of the state and guarantee that the organizer doesn't lose money! The NCCA would provide special advertising and even send E-mails! to advertise these events! The new Sec/Treas badly needs to modernize the system
6. Re-evaluate all NCCA events and make changes accordingly
7. meet and report the results of those meetings more than once per year?! Committee reports, including the Treasurer, should be published bi-monthly
I know that some of you might think I'm crazy for offering, but for the good of the North Carolina Chess, if Newsom wishes to bury the hatchet and hand over the gavel, I will pay the $5 membership fee and accept the position of President with honor. (Of course, he must recommend me, and I must be duly elected). I know that I am capable of doing a good job, and so does he... besides, I have knowledge of other "popular" qualified volunteers who are willing to serve in my administration!
Finally, if there is at least one other altruistic, honest and qualified person out there who is not seeking the position for his own personal gain, please step forward and make yourself known. But, hurry... the days are clicking by.
If you care, E-mail me at lelandfue@yahoo.com
NM Leland Fuerstman