Chess Scotland Noticeboard

Phil Thomas · King Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 290

Does any one know when the minutes of the CS Scotland meeting in February will be published on the website?

In order to improve the communication route between CS officers and CS members I recommend that it should an objective of the CS management to have the minutes published within 7- 10 days of the meeting.

In order to facilitate this target I have a second proposal. I propose that this era of superfast internet communcations that CS should create a new post. The post of SECRETARY.

An important post in any major organisation. In order to give the post the high profile it deserves it should be ratified at the agm using the same electoral processes as the CS management board.

Would my second proposal require modification of the CS constitution? If so what would be the protocol for making this change?

SteveHilton · Queen Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 124 Location: Greenock

Phil,
The full copy of the minutes will be available by the end of the week.
I am waiting on those directors who have submitted reports to check they are correct before I put them on the web. My tapes have taken a while to decipher and so because of my disabilities it has taken a lot longer than I would have liked. I will send you a draught copy of the minutes if you so wish
Best Wishes
Stephen

Phil Thomas · King Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 290

Stephen,
Thank you for your offer to let me have a draft copy of the minutes. As a paid up member of CS who holds no elected office I think it inappropriate that I should receive a draft version before issue. As the chair of SJC it might be deemed appropriate but as you will be aware that would be widely construed as a major policy shift by the CS management team.

By now you may be aware that there have been some acrimonious exchanges recently between myself and both Chris Hampton and Angus McDonald. The reason for is twofold.

(1) I was informed by Angus McDonald that he was about to become the International Director (Junior). This despite there being no information released to the Chess Scotland membership to the effect that the position was vacant. Even today the clearest indication I have that Donna has resigned comes from phone calls I received from Angus.

(2) Major attacks on my cores beliefs (right to free speech and in particular my perceived right as a paid up member to question aspects of CS management policy on the CS noticeboard). In particular my posting on the first day of May when in response to mate64 I posted.

START OF PHIL THOMAS POSTING (MAY 1)
[quote="mate64"]Perhaps Scottish chess players could learn something from the current ECF debate. With the decline in the popularity of chess in the UK it is inevitable that CS/SJC must be facing similar problems to the English.

Are you predicting mass resignations in Scotland?

I don't see the similarity between the England and Scotland situations. In England there is much debate surrounding the bequest by John Robinson which with investment interest is apparently approaching £1,000,000.
In Scotland we are all eagerly awaiting the latest funding update from the SJCA trust.

END OF PHIL THOMAS POSTING (MAY 1)

The reply from Angus was extreme and he has now edited it down to “I don't know what everyone in Scotland is eagerly awaiting” However the original version is applicable here. I was told that I was wrong to mention the consultants report and a failed application for external funding. As most of the members of CS realise the business of applying for funds is a continuous and ongoing process. It can not be described by an anodyne phrase such as “ the application was turned down” .

Returning to my original point concerning release to me of a draft copy of the minutes. Selective release of information can be controversial. As a prime example I think it would be generally beneficial here if you can explain how Angus became aware of the impending vacancy for International Director (Junior). I suspect that this happened through his attending the CS meeting in February. Until the minutes are published I don’t even have a full list of those who attended.

Best Wishes Steve and thank you for your swift and polite response to my recent posting.

Phil

SteveHilton · Queen Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 124 Location: Greenock

Phil,
Many thanks for your reply.
I would say as Gen Sec, that any member of CS is entitled to ask an official of the organisation for a copy of the minutes and is entitled to see them.
I was the person who told Gus that the position of IJD was available and I asked him if he would consider it. I did this because given that there are events in July, there was a need of urgency to try and fill this position quickly. The position would have been an interim one anyway until the AGM in August when the membership of Chess Scotland would decide. Angus said he would consider this after consultation. I am sure you understand that this was done with the best of intentions

Donna did not resign at the February meeting of council. She sent her apologies to this meeting. Donna did not resign until April and so there was some urgency about trying to fill the post on an interim basis.

I thank you once again for your reply
Best Wishes
Steve Hilton

guiaman · King Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 187

Chris Laidlaw · Pawn Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 6

Would I risk further acrimonious correspondence by very respectfully asking whether minutes are ever published by CAS-(SJC)? I certainly think it is a good idea to have a Secretary in any organisation! Laughing

Phil Thomas · King Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 290

Chris,

At SJC we can take a little criticism without being upset. Yes SJC minutes are published, they go to all committee members of SJC.