Chess Scotland Noticeboard

John_Dempsey · Queen Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 113

In light of the fact that Congresses can get into trouble with very few people knowing the difficulties each faces, might it not be useful for the organisors of tournaments to get together for a meeting once or twice a year so that they are better able to pass information to each other, and give their own experience on how they overcame difficulties?

This could be a valuable networking tool as well as enabling a flow of grant/sponsor information which might make all the difference.

Initially, but perhaps only initially, CS could co-ordinate this to get it started.

Mike Scott · King Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 676 Location: Edinburgh

Seems a highly sensible idea John, and is exactly the sort of thing that happens in industry, when the trade body for a particular sector run seminars and get togethers for this very purpose.

It does require to some extent for the organising body to be apolitical, for it to be seen as neutral. The problem will always be if those organising it are also involved in other roles. This is not to suggest that anyone has or would act incorrectly, rather that it makes life harder and largely arises out of having too few volunteers willing to take on various roles within our trade body Chess Scotland.

John_Dempsey · Queen Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 113

I hear you Mike. I hear you. The reality is that with too many people sitting back and not getting involved then it is the really committed who are left to fill too many roles.

But what then? If we do not do anything then we can expect nothing but more of the same shrinkage and collapse. The things that divide any human society are all too often small but nevertheless pernicious, as it is in the differences that we seem to find our identities. Trust, we need to trust.

We need to recognise more of what we all have in common in the chess community. Irrespective of real and imagined differences, we need to start co-operating in the common good. There is grant money out there, sponsorship, political contacts, publicity. And yet, it is never shared. Fear of 'others' poaching OUR resources ensures that such resources wither on the vine, sooner or later.

I know of no congress which is so secure, that it cannot be lost to us with a sudden change in circumstances dictated by the great big outside world.

And yet if it sat within a larger body, an organisors body, then it may find greater security in shared intellectual resources. In support from all over the country.

I realise that this would be difficult to bring about, perhaps even very difficult. But it's surely worth trying for. The alternative is what we have to face just now: shrinkage and collapse.

SteveHilton · King Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 443 Location: Greenock

An excellent suggestion and would suggest that congress organisers come onto the home board