Advance Agenda for the 2000 USCF Membership Meeting, August 11, 2000, Saint Paul, Minnesota
I. WELCOME BY USCF PRESIDENT BOB SMITH
II. INTRODUCTION OF USCF EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF
III. OLD BUSINESS
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Advance Agenda for the 2000 USCF Board of Delegates Meeting, Saint Paul, Minnesota, August 12-13, 2000
Note: All motions in this advance agenda have been taken verbatim from the submissions of individual Delegates. The publication of any motion herein does not constitute an endorsement, agreement, or position by the USCF of anything included or implied in any such motion.
I. CALL TO ORDER BY USCF PRESIDENT BOB SMITH
II. ROLL CALL OF DELEGATES
ADM 00-01 (Bob Smith, FL: John McCrary, SC): (The Delegates re-elect as Delegates at Large those whose terms are expiring or have expired and who are present at this meeting. (Names to be filled in.)
III. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE 1999 DELEGATES’ MEETING AND APPOINTMENT OF PARLIAMENTARIAN
ADM 00-02 (John McCrary, SC): Moved, that the Minutes of the 1999 Delegates’ Meeting be accepted.
ADM 00-03 (John McCrary, SC): Moved, that Mike Nolan be appointed parliamentarian for the 2000 Delegates’ Meeting.
IV. CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS
ADM 00-04 (John McCrary, SC): Moved, that the election of Delegates and Alternate Delegates for the 2000-2002 term be certified.
V. REPORTS OF USCF OFFICERS AND STAFF
A. Report of the President
B. Report of the Executive Director
C. Report of the Vice-President of Finance
The following motions are submitted as part of the report of the Vice President of Finance:
ADM 00-05 (Board): The 2000-2001 budget as presented by the Vice President of Finance is adopted.
ADM 00-06 (Board): The Executive Board is authorized by the Delegates to hire an accounting firm.
D. Report of the Editor of Chess Life.
E. Report of the Chairman of the US Chess Trust.
VI. REPORT OF THE FIDE DELEGATE AND ZONAL PRESIDENT
ADM 00-07 (John McCrary, SC): The US Chess Federation adopts the following official position: The US Chess Federation (USCF) endorses the concept of a strong world organization of chess players, which supports a system of competitions for the strongest players in the world culminating in a valid world championship. The USCF also firmly embraces the principles of freedom of action and freedom of speech that are the foundation of the American way of life. In accordance with these principles, the USCF adopts the following position with respect to the FIDE Commerce proposal as it has been presented:
1) The USCF cannot accept any regulation that limits journalistic freedom or freedom of expression for any individual, or interferes with the efforts of free enterprise to promote chess. The USCF cannot recognize a censure, boycott, sanction, or other restricting or punitive action that contradicts our principles of freedom of action, speech, or the press, or that is imposed for behavior that does not violate the USCF’s Code of Ethics.
2) The USCF must reserve the right to recognize or withhold recognition of any world championship event or title, in accordance with the principles established by our Board of Delegates regarding the validity of the world championship title. The USCF endorses the principle of compromise in helping to bring about a universally-accepted world championship.
3) The USCF endorses working toward a more logical program of high-profile tournaments and toward cooperative Internet ventures, and might be willing to consider entering contractual arrangements toward those ends. Questions of open accounting and of legitimacy of funding must be addressed prior to any such arrangement and as part of any such arrangement.
4) The USCF considers that conflict-of-interest issues must be satisfactorily addressed in any plan to grant economic interest in any venture to any person or organization within FIDE, or any organization affiliated with FIDE, or to give voting rights to any individual or organization whose financial gain would be affected by the exercise of such voting rights.
5) The USCF considers that any plan to be put into effect must have the approval of the FIDE General Assembly and must not be inconsistent with the principles in this position statement.
6) The USCF Delegate or representative to FIDE is instructed to act in accordance with this motion.
Sponsor’s rationale: The Executive Board passed this motion in May, and the Delegates will be asked to affirm this position. Wording may be altered if circumstances warrant doing so.
VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Arnold Denker Championships (Chair, Jack Mallory)
Bylaws (Chair, Mike Nolan)
Chess in Education (Chair, David Lither)
Club Development (Chair, Herman Drenth)
College Chess (Chair, Katie Stone)
Computer Rating Agency (Chair, Frank Camaratta)
Correspondence Chess (Chair, Harold Stenzel)
Cramer Awards (Chair, Frank Brady)
Ethics (Chair, Kenneth Sloan)
FIDE Advisory (Chair, John Donaldson)
Finance (Chair, Mike Carr)
Grandmaster Affairs (Chair, Anjelina Belakovskaia)
Hall of Fame Chair, John Donaldson)
Internet (Chair, George John)
LMA Management (Chair, Frank Camaratta)
Master Affairs and Development (Chair, Hal Terrie)
Olympic Participation Task Force (Chair, Sharon Burtman)
OMOV Task Force (Chair, Bill Goichberg)
Organizers (Chair, Bill Goichberg)
Outreach (Chair, Myron Lieberman)
Prison Chess (Chair, Steven Frymer)
Publications (Chair, Selby Anderson)
Ratings (Chair, Mark Glickman)
Rules (Chair, Carol Jarecki)
Scholastic (Chair, Ralph Bowman)
Senior (Chair, Dr. Joe Wagner)
States (Chair, Guy Hoffman)
TD Certification (Chair, Tim Just)
U.S. Championships (Chair, Sophia Rhode)
Women’s Chess (Chair, Anjelina Belakovskaia)
VIII. RATIFICATION
ADM 00-08 (Myron Lieberman, AZ): The Delegates ratify all actions of the Executive Board documented in the official transcripts of Executive Board meetings since the conclusion of the 1999 Delegates’ Meeting.
ADM 00-09 (Harold Winston, IL): The Delegates ratify all actions of the Executive Board appearing in Minutes published in Executive Board Newsletters and the Delegates’ Call/ Annual Report, between the 1999 and 2000 Delegates’ Meetings.
IX. OLD BUSINESS
ADM 00-10 (Bylaws Committee): The Delegates appoint the following people to the USCF Bylaws Committee: (Names will be suggested by the Bylaws Committee)
ADM 00-11 (Ethics Committee): The Delegates appoint the following people to the Ethics Committee: (Names to be suggested by the Ethics Committee.)
ADM 00-12 (LMA Committee): The Delegates appoint the following people to the LMA Committee: (Names to be suggested by the LMA Committee)
The following motions were referred to committees or the Executive Board at the 1999 Delegates’ Meeting.
ADM 00-13/DM 99-36/PB 99-10/(DM 98-62/ADM 98-40) The Delegates instruct the Scholastic Committee and the Finance Committee to analyze the present dues structure and report their analysis and recommendations to the 2000 Delegates’ Meeting.
ADM 00-14/DM 99-52/ADM 99-41 (Rachel Lieberman, AZ): All candidates for the Executive Board shall report any campaign contributions and loans which have a value in excess of $150 to the USCF Secretary no later than June 15 of an election year. The candidate must file a second report by September 15 listing contributions received subsequent to amounts listed in the previous report. The USCF Secretary shall distribute this information to all electors with the ballots. If there have been no contributions or loans in excess of $150 value the candidate must report that fact. If the contribution or loan is in the name of a group or committee, the chairperson must be named. Failure to provide a financial disclosure statement by June 15 shall result in the statement "This candidate did not provide a financial disclosure statement" being documented next to the candidate’s name on the ballot. (Note: Referred in 1999 to the Bylaws Committee.)
ADM 00-15/DM 99-58/ADM 99-49 (Myron Lieberman, AZ): Chess Life shall be split into two different publications. One is to be oriented toward tournament players and feature games, analysis, and news. The second is to be oriented toward the casual chessplayer and shall feature personality profiles, features, human interest, cartoons, art, or photos, and other items of general interest. Both are to include TLA’s and catalog information. The intent is that the second publication be designed to have newsstand sales appeal and can help attract new members. Members may choose which publication they wish to receive with their membership, and they can receive both for an additional charge. (Note: This was referred to the Publications Committee in 1999.)
ADM 00-16/DM 99-60/ADM 99-52 (Ken Horne, NV): It is moved that the next revised copy of the Rulebook be published in loose leaf and in CD format; and that yearly updates will be made with page changes and upgraded CD’s. There will be a charge for the initial copy and for the page changes and upgrades. (Note: This was referred to the Rules Committee in 1999.)
ADM 00-17/DM 99-62/ADM 99-56 (Bob Holliman, MO; Myron Lieberman, AZ): The USCF shall establish an Internet rating. Specifics shall be determined by the Executive Board seated in August 1999. (Note: This was referred to the Executive Board in 1999.)
ADM 00-18/DM 99-67/ADM 99-57 (Bob Holliman, MO): The USCF shall develop a survey for the purpose of determining the availability and willingness of local masters to assist in publicity matters to assist local clubs. (Note: This was referred to the Club Development Committee in 1999.)
ADM 00-19/DM 99-68/ADM 99-58 (Bob Holliman, MO, for the Club Development Committee): The USCF shall develop a survey for the purpose of determining areas of mutual cooperation between the clubs and full time chess studios. (Note: This was referred to the Club Development Committee in 1999).
ADM 00-20/DM 99-72/NDM 99-63 (Gary Gaiffe, TX): Any individual present at the ballot count whose name is called as not having a ballot received, will be offered a ballot to fill out and add to their region’s certified ballots. (Note: This was referred to the Bylaws Committee in 1999.)
ADM 00-21/DM 99-74/NDM 99-67 (Ken Horne, NV): It is moved that the USCF have a Members Only section of the USCF website. To be included in this Members Only section will be the current issue of Chess Life, School Mates, and the rating data. (Note: This was referred to the Internet Committee and the Executive Board in 1999.)
ADM 00-22/DM 99-76/NDM 99-72 (Jim Pechac, OH/ Finance Committee): Delete Delegate Actions of Continuing Interest, paragraph #25. Unrealized gains have been included in financial statements for the past two years, consistent with revised financial reporting standards. (Note: This was referred to the Bylaws Committee in 1999.)
ADM 00-23/DM 99-78/NDM 99-75 (Lawrence Cohen, IL): The USCF shall charge a fee for scholastic crosstables. (Note: This was referred to the Scholastic and Finance committees.)
ADM 00-24 (Harold Winston, IL): Pursuant to Article III, Section 9 of the Bylaws, the Delegates have reviewed the promotional memberships offered by the Executive Board for 1999-2000 and authorize their continuation.
ADM 00-25/DM 99-46(John McCrary, SC; Scott Freneaux, AZ; Bill Goichberg, NY; Brenda Goichberg, NY; Jerry Hanken, CA/S; Myron Lieberman, AZ; Helen Warren, IL; Jim Pechac, OH; Richard Peterson, AZ; Tim Redman, TX): Resolved, that Rachel Lieberman is elected a Delegate at Large and is thanked for her many contributions to chess on a local and national level. Please note: This motion passed by more than a three-fourths vote in 1999 and must also be passed by a three-fourths vote in 2000 to be effective. The sponsors listed are the ones who sponsored the original motion in 1999, with the addition of Tim Redman.)
X. NEW BUSINESS
ADM 00-26 (Rachel Lieberman, AZ; Myron Lieberman, AZ): Article VI, Section 5 of the Bylaws is amended to require that the Executive Board positions of Secretary and Vice-President for Finance be elected by position rather than as part of the general Executive Board election. The election would be at the same time as the general Executive Board election. The effect would be that the electorate shall vote for Secretary, Vice-President for Finance, and the appropriate number of Executive Board positions. Article VI, Section 6 is also modified to remove the positions of Secretary and Vice-President for Finance from the listing of Executive Board officers that are elected by the Executive Board. Please note: The sponsor requests that the Bylaws committee provide the exact wording by which these changes would be implemented.
Sponsors’ rationale: The positions of Secretary and Vice-President for Finance require both specific abilities and an additional commitment beyond Board service. The current system allows for an election where there are no candidates that have the specific abilities and/or are willing and able to accept the additional commitment.
ADM 00-27 (Harold Winston, IL): Effective immediately, Amend Article VI, Section 8, (President) by adding the following sentence: In case of a tie vote, the President, if he had already cast his or her vote, may cast an additional tie-breaking vote.
Sponsor’s rationale: This language worked for the USCF from 1974-1998 and will avoid inaction by deadlock in case the Executive Board divides 3-3. Our experiences with this new system this last year show the value of a tiebreak vote.
ADM 00-28 (Tim Redman, TX; Steve Doyle, NJ; Leroy Dubeck, NJ; Joe Ippolito, NJ; Helen Warren, IL; Doris Barry, AZ; John McCrary, SC; Garrett Scott, IL; Bob Smith, FL; James Pechac, OH; The Bylaws are amended by adding to Article VII, (Other Officers, Appointees, and Committees) Section 4: Only the Executive Board shall have the authority to initiate, terminate, arbitrate, or negotiate litigation on behalf of the USCF.
ADM 00-29 (Tim Redman, TX; Steve Doyle, NJ; Leroy Dubeck, NJ; Joe Ippolito, NJ; Helen Warren, IL; Doris Barry, AZ; Garrett Scott, IL; John McCrary, SC; Bob Smith, Fl; James Pechac, OH): Article III of the Bylaws is amended by striking Sections 1-11, the first sentence of Section 16, and the first two sentences of Section 12. Add Section 1: The Executive Director shall set the prices for goods and services provided by the USCF including the prices and privileges for all membership categories. The latter shall be subject to Executive Board review and approval. Amend Section 12, the new first sentence will read: Members shall be entitled to receive a regular or internet copy (or both) of Chess Life or School Mates. (Redman amendment): This Bylaws provision will expire at the Delegates’ Meeting in August 2002 unless expressly renewed there.
ADM 00-30 (Tim Redman, TX): The Bylaws are amended to reflect the following dues structure, effective January 1, 2001. The category "Internet" designates full membership privileges but without a mailed printed copy of either Chess Life or School Mates. Instead, these members will receive a PIN to access the Members Only site on the USCF website.
Scholastic Internet $9; Scholastic $14, Youth Internet $14, Youth Regular $19, College, Military, Young Adult (25 and under) Internet $19, College, Military, Young Adult Regular $24, Adult Internet $29, Senior, Blind Regular $34, Adult Regular $39, Bronze Patron $59 (privileges to be determined by the Executive Director), Silver Patron $79 (privileges to be determined by the Executive Director), Gold Patron $99, Life Internet $500, Life Regular $900, The Executive Director may fine tune these prices by a factor of plus or minus 10%. Sponsor’s rationale: This is intended as an alternate if ADM #00-29 is not passed.
ADM 00-31 (Tim Redman, TX; Steve Doyle, NJ; Leroy Dubeck, NJ; Joe Ippolito, NJ; Helen Warren, IL; Doris Barry, AZ; Garrett Scott, IL; Bob Smith, FL; James Pechac, OH):
1. Amend the Bylaws by adding to Article V, Section 10: "All Delegate motions not incorporated into the Bylaws will expire at the close of the Delegates’ Meeting five years after their passage unless expressly renewed, unless a termination date is stated or implied in the motion when passed. All motions presented to the Delegates must include a cost impact statement prepared jointly by the maker of the motion, a staff member appointed by the Executive Director, and a person appointed by the Vice President for Finance."
2. Amend the Bylaws by adding to Article VI, Section 11: All Board motions will expire five years after their passage unless expressly renewed. All Board motions must include a cost impact statement prepared jointly by the maker of the motion, the Executive Director, and the Vice President for Finance.
3. Amend the Bylaws by adding to Article IX Sections 17, etc., the following Delegate actions of continuing interest: #1, 6, 9, 16, 20, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30.
4. Amend the Bylaws by adding to Article VI, Section 4: In contested elections for the Executive Board, the July Chess Life shall publish a campaign statement of up to 110 words for each candidate.
ADM 00-32 (Denis Barry, AZ; Steve Doyle, NJ; Leroy Dubeck, NJ): Change Article VI, Section 6 to read: Election of Executive Board Officers: At an organizational meeting immediately following the conclusion of the Delegates’ Meeting at which Executive Board election results are certified, the Executive Board shall elect among itself the following officers: President, Vice President, Vice President for Finance, and Secretary. The term of each officer shall be for two years, except that upon a vote of a majority of its membership, the Executive Board may at any time meet in person or by teleconference to elect new officers.
ADM 00-33 (Kevin Bachler, IL): Dues Theory. In general, irrespective of the development of new dues categories and types, the following relationships shall hold: A standard Youth membership shall be priced at one-half (rounded to the next dollar) of the regular Adult membership. A standard Scholastic membership shall be priced at one-half (rounded to the next dollar) of the standard Youth membership.
ADM 00-34 (Hans Poschmann, CA-N): The Delegates of the United States Chess Federation (USCF) direct the Executive Director of USCF to design a new membership structure to be approved by the Executive Board and adopted at the earliest possible time. The goal of the new membership structure shall be as outlined in the following paragraphs:
a) Memberships sold after adoption shall be equal in cost for all members, youth and scholastic included.
b) Life Memberships shall no longer be available.
c) Commissions on membership sales shall be discontinued.
d) The Book and Equipment Sales Department shall be a self-serving profit center with the intention to generate a contribution to the General Membership Department for using the USCF Logo and shall have an independent Manager.
e) Chess Life Magazine and School Mates shall be available at additional cost and be self-supporting.
f) On-line services shall be available at additional cost.
g) Postal Chess and E-mail chess functions shall be financed from tournament entry fees.
h) Rating fees shall be charged at cost.
i) TLA’s shall be offered at cost.
j) Life Membership obligations shall be negotiated with the appropriate committee.
Necessary Bylaws changes shall be voted on at the 2001 Delegates’ Meeting.
ADM 00-35 (John McCrary, SC): The Bylaws are amended as follows:
Article VI, Section 2, delete the words "including employment and other contracts" in the first full sentence.
Article VII, Section 1 is amended by adding the following sentence at the end of the section: "Any appointment, removal, and change in contractual terms of an Executive Director requires approval by two-thirds of the total membership of the Executive Board."
Sponsor’s rationale: Similar protections existed before the current Bylaws. These changes allow the Executive Director to be efficient in pursuing sponsorship and running the office without Board micro-management, while basing the Director’s support on a broader basis than just the approval of a slim majority that may be politically organized.
ADM 00-36 (John McCrary, SC and Bob Smith, FL): Article VI, Section 7 of the Bylaws is amended by deleting the entire wording pertaining to the duties of the Secretary and replacing it with the following wording: "Secretary: The Secretary will record and publish the Minutes of each meeting of the Executive Board, including conference calls, Internet conference meetings, and motions handled by objections procedure. The Secretary shall also record and publish the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Delegates and the USCF Annual Membership Meeting. The Secretary shall tape-record each meeting, except that this requirement may be waived for closed sessions or conference telephone calls of the Executive Board by a majority of Board members participating. The Secretary must maintain all motions in the form in which they were introduced, including the originals of all handwritten motions. A photocopy of all those original motions must be provided to any Executive Board who requests them within seven days of the request. The wording of motions introduced in telephone conference calls will be sent by e-mail or fax to all Board members within two days of the call and entered into the Minutes of the next regular meeting of the Executive Board. The Minutes will include all motions introduced in Open session, but motions passed only in Closed session of the Executive Board will not be published and will not be official actions of the Executive Board. The Minutes of Executive Board meetings shall include the names of Board members voting on any motion and how they voted. The Minutes of all meetings will be provided to all members of the Executive Board for review prior to publication. The Minutes shall be published within six weeks of each meeting, either by mailing to all electors, and/or by publication on the official USCF website. Any USCF member desiring a paper copy of the Minutes may receive these by paying a reasonable processing charge set by the Executive Director. The Secretary shall act as custodian of the corporate seal, preside over USCF elections, and ensure that the annual report is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Illinois."
Sponsor’s rationale: The current Bylaws require an official transcript, costing about $10,000 annually. The transcript system has not worked well, since some Board members have argued that motions not in the transcript can be published even if there is evidence they were not passed. Thus, we can save $10,000.
ADM 00-37 (Myron Lieberman, AZ; Rachel Lieberman, AZ): Moved, that the following procedure be adopted for the documentation of the proceedings of Executive Board meetings:
1. The Secretary or his or her designee shall prepare Minutes based upon the documentation of motions in the transcripts of the meeting and submit them to the Executive Board for comments, corrections, and/or suggestions.
2. The Secretary or his or her designee shall consider the comments made by the Executive Board and may revise the Minutes where appropriate, except that no change that contradicts the transcript shall be made.
3. The transcripts of all Open session meetings are to be posted on the USCF website as soon as practical, so that anyone who has any questions can access the basic documentation for all motions and can access Open session discussions that are not likely to be in the published Minutes. Since any motions made in Closed session must be voted in Open session as well, the Open session transcripts will be sufficient to document all motions.
4. The transcripts are to include all Open session activity. The stenographer must record everything until the meeting is actually adjourned. No motions are to be voted on in the absence of the stenographer. If it is not on the Open session transcripts it did not happen!
ADM 00-38 (Harold Winston, IL): Amend Article VI, Section 8 of the Bylaws to change the word "shall" to "may" in lines 2 and 4 to make the stenographer and full transcripts optional, not mandatory, and save the Federation money.
ADM 00-39 (John McCrary, SC): Article V, Section 6 of the Bylaws is amended by adding the following sentences at the end of the Section: "Vacancies in the position of Alternate Delegate for any state affiliate, including those resulting from the promotion of an Alternate Delegate to Delegate, may be filled by the state chapter for the remainder of the term of that Alternate Delegate, provided that such appointments are placed at the end of the ordered list for that state affiliate. Any Executive Board member who completes his term without re-election to the Executive Board, remains a Delegate until the conclusion of the Annual Meeting of the Board of Delegates in the year following the completion of the Board term, except that if he has Delegate status for that period under another provision of these Bylaws, this provision shall not apply. Any former Executive Board member receiving Delegate status by the provisions of the preceding sentence shall not be a Delegate on the ordered list of any state, and shall not be replaced as a Delegate if he dies or resigns the position."
Sponsor’s rationale: This covers two loopholes in the current Bylaws.
ADM 00-40 (Harold Winston, IL): Amend Article IX, Section 10A of the Bylaws concerning the composition of the Life Member Assets Committee (LMAC) to no longer mandate the current Treasurer, current Executive Director, and a past Treasurer as three of its members. Replace the third sentence by the wording: 'The LMAC shall consist of five members selected by the Delegates including no more than one member of the current Executive Board.'"
Sponsor’s rationale: Since the LMAC approves borrowing from the LMA and such borrowing is initiated by the Executive Director and the Executive Board, the same persons who initiate the borrowing should not be the persons approving the borrowing.
ADM 00-41 (OMOV task force): The Bylaws are amended to read as follows:
Article IV: Voting Members Section 1. Responsibility. The Voting Members are responsible for electing the Executive Board, and the Delegates and Alternate Delegates that represent their state. An insert containing nominees and voting instructions shall be inserted in an appropriate issue of Chess Life.
Section 2. Definition. Any member residing in the USA who is 16 years of age or older on May 31 of an election year, is in a membership category that receives Chess Life magazine or is a Family Member, and whose membership is current through the end of a month in which an election is held, is a Voting Member. Any member of any age who is a full adult, sustaining, or life member is also a Voting Member. Family Members 16 years of age or older at the time of the election may request a ballot by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the USCF, 3054 US Route 9W, New Windsor, NY 12553 before May 20 of an election year. Family Members wishing to vote must furnish their date of birth to the USCF office. The ballot shall contain the signature of the voter certifying that the voter is eligible to vote.
Article V: Section 9, deleted.
Article VI: Executive Board
Section 4. Nomination. Any USCF member shall be eligible for nomination to the Executive Board upon submitting to the Secretary both of the following by January 15 of an election year:
1. A valid petition containing the signatures of thirty or more Voting Members.
2. A filing fee of $250 made payable to the USCF.
No full-time employee of the USCF is eligible to serve on the Executive Board. The Secretary shall have advertised a call for nominations in the issue of Chess Life published no later than November 20th of the year prior to an election year and shall publish a list of all duly-submitted nominations in the issue published not later than April 20th of an election year.
Section 5. Delete and replace with: Election. Executive Board members shall be elected by the Voting Members. Ballots for that purpose shall be included in an issue of Chess Life to be mailed prior to June 10 with ballots to be returned no later than July 20 of a year in which there is an election so that the ballots can be counted no later than August 1. Ballots shall be authenticated by use of official mailing labels provided with the ballots. The ballots shall list all duly-submitted nominations. Each Voting Member may vote for as many persons as there are Executive Board positions to be filled. The persons receiving the largest vote totals shall be elected to the available Executive Board positions. The ballots shall be returned by mail to an independent agency and counted by an independent agency or by the Secretary or his designee and by tellers appointed by the Executive Board prior to the Annual Meeting of the Board of Delegates. Ties, if any, shall be broken by a secret ballot vote of the Delegates present in person at that year’s Delegates’ meeting, taken at the time that election results are certified. The election of Executive Board members shall take place in odd-numbered years starting in 2001.
Article VI: Section 8. Duties.
Secretary. USCF Operations, with the approval of the Secretary, shall engage a stenographic service to attend and record each meeting of the Executive Board. The stenographic service shall be directed to prepare a full official transcript and a summarized official transcript of each Regular and Special Meeting. Members of the Executive Board shall be provided with a copy of the full transcript through the BINFO system, and all Delegates and Alternate Delegates shall be provided with a copy of the summarized transcript in an Executive Board Newsletter distributed by the Secretary not more than six weeks after each Regular Meeting of the Executive Board. Transcripts of Special Meetings may be included with and distributed with the transcript of the next Regular Meeting. The Secretary shall review the summarized transcript of each Executive Board meeting and post the summarized transcript of Executive Board meetings, Membership Meetings, and Annual Meetings on the USCF Internet web page. The Secretary shall act as custodian of the corporate seal, preside over Federation elections, ensure that the annual report is filed with the Secretary of State of the state of Illinois, and perform such other duties as are prescribed by these Bylaws. The Secretary shall officially publish and mail and also post on the USCF Internet web page a summary of the minutes of Membership Meetings, Annual Meetings, and Executive Board meetings. USCF members may publish a copy of the complete transcript of Executive Board meetings at a reasonable cost.
Article VI: Section 10. Removal and Recall.
Members of the Executive Board are subject to removal through recall by Petition for Recall.
Petition for Recall. A petition for Recall bearing the signatures of 300 Voting Members may be filed with the USCF Secretary, except that a petition to recall the USCF secretary shall be filed with the USCF President. A recall election may also be initiated by a vote of 75% or more of the Delegates present and voting at an annual meeting of the Board of Delegates. Upon certification of the petition or initiation of recall by the Board of Delegates, timely notice of the recall shall be provided to the Voting Members by notice in Chess Life magazine. All interested parties shall have no less than sixty days to communicate their views to the Voting Members. At the end of that period a recall ballot shall be included and prominently placed in an issue of Chess Life magazine. Ballots must be received by mail by an independent agency by the end of the month following the issue date of the Chess Life magazine containing the recall ballot. At the end of that period the ballots shall be opened and tabulated by an independent agency agreed upon by both sides or in the presence of three tellers, one appointed by the Executive Board member who is subject to recall, one appointed by the first available signer of a recall question, and one appointed by the other two tellers. If at least two-thirds of those voting support recall and at least 500 votes are received, the Executive Board member is recalled. Both sides shall be allotted 250 words in Chess Life magazine to be included in the issue with the ballot for recall.
Section 11. Candidate statements and advertising. Each duly nominated candidate who has met the requirements established in Section IV is entitled to a 150 word statement plus photo in the issue of Chess Life published no later than April 20 of the election year, plus reasonable and equitable space on the USCF website. Election supplements shall accompany or be inserted in issues of Chess Life published no later than May 20 and June 20 of the election year. Each duly nominated candidate who has met the requirements established in Section 4 is entitled to one-half page of space in each election supplement. The purchase of additional campaign space in the election supplements or other USCF publications is prohibited.
Section 12. Effective Date. Revisions to the Bylaws relating to the election of the Executive Board take effect on January 1, 2001.
ADM 00-42 (John McCrary, SC): Subject to being overruled by two-thirds of the membership of the Executive Board, which must be kept fully informed, the Executive Director may negotiate and sign contracts with sponsors on behalf of the USCF, provided that such contracts do not violate the Bylaws or policies set by the Board of Delegates, and involve no net anticipated cost to the USCF.
Sponsor’s rationale: The past year has seen a major missed opportunity and another near-miss, resulting from Board inefficiency. The Executive Director must be able to act expeditiously when a major sponsor is available to prevent withdrawal of such offers.
ADM 00-43 (Tim Redman, TX): The USCF will cease to publish the annual rating list in Chess Life, but will make it available on the website instead.
ADM 00-44 (Don Schultz, FL): The Executive Director shall prepare and make available a 7-year report of the LMA account activity showing:
a) All income from new life and sustaining members, sale of LMA investments, etc.
b) The disposition of that income to LMA investments, operations, or elsewhere, and
c) A complete list of all LMA investments showing purchases, sales, and current values.
Sponsor’s rationale: 1) The LMA Management Committee has failed to comply with DM 98-37/ADM 98-15, saying that the LMA Management Committee shall publish an annual report showing the performance of the LMA investments, the investments owned, the investment strategy, and an assessment of investment risk. The sponsor notes that he has been unable to find certain important information.
ADM 00-45 (Don Schultz, FL): At least once a year, a report must be prepared for the Delegates by the CFO showing all outstanding loans from the LMA to operations. This report should include the following information for each loan: the reason for the loan, the amount of the loan, interest and other charges, and the repayment plan. Any other special conditions should also be included.
ADM 00-46 (Ratings Committee): The Ratings Committee recommends that the scope of the quick rating system be extended to include rating events that have time controls between G/10 and G/60. This would allow for greater use of the quick chess rating system, and would thereby help to produce more meaningful quick chess ratings. Specifically, we recommend the following:
1. The Quick Chess rating system would apply to G/10 through G/60 events.
2. The regular rating system would apply to G/30 and slower events.
3. In events with mixed time controls, either a) the slowest time control is used to classify the event for rating type, or b) a separate rating report would be submitted for games with time controls quicker than G/60.
4. Online ICC play would only be rated under the Quick chess system assuming a time control of G/60 or faster, unless a tournament director was present for all games.
ADM 00-47 (Kevin Bachler, IL): Grantor Trust. The USCF will adopt a Grantor Trust (commonly known as a rabbi trust) to hold the assets of the LMA, effective no later than January 1, 2001. The following key points will be included in the structure of the rabbi trust and its funding. Although the various accounting charges of the LMA will continue to be based on the current set of assumptions, the funding of the LMA will be based on an assumed annual contribution of $35 per life member to operations, the actual age of life members, the 83GAM mortality table or similarly conservative mortality table, and an earnings rate of at least 8% in the current environment, or other best assumptions as determined with advice from actuaries or other suitable financial professionals. Other assumptions will be set in conjunction with advice from actuaries or other financial professionals. The rabbi trust will have a trust document that includes provisions for USCF operations to take loans from the LMA at an established interest rate and repayment schedule. The trust document will also include provisions for reimbursement from the trust for approved expenses documented to the trust. The trust will be targeted to be 100% funded within 20 years. Upon full funding, the trust will begin to contribute the assumed annual contribution to operations. Trust investments and allocations will be established with the advice of professionals based on the expected duration of investments and anticipated annual needs for liquidity.
ADM 00-48 (Kevin Bachler, IL): Membership recapture. USCF shall provide a mailing to all members whose membership has expired on or before June 1, 2000 but after January 1, 1998, and offer a one-time opportunity for the members to renew at a cost of $30 for one year, if such renewal is received within 30 days of the mailing. Said mailing shall go out no later than October 1, 2000.
ADM 00-49 (Kevin Bachler, IL): Bonds. USCF shall examine the possibility of issuing tax-free municipal bonds with the assistance of a friendly local government and a friendly bank. Proceeds from the sale of said bonds shall be used either for improvements in infrastructure, or for funding the LMA, or both. The ED or Finance Committee must report back to the Executive Board no later than November 1, 2000 on the legal viability of said bond issue, unless such deadline is extended by the Board.
ADM 00-50 (Kevin Bachler, IL): USCF will examine methods by which the US Charitable Trust will be reconfigured or new charitable entities established in order to accept tax-deductible charitable contributions for USCF or specific USCF projects. Such report will be made by the Finance Committee to the Board no later than January 1, 2001, unless extended by the Executive Board.
ADM 00-51 (Kevin Bachler, IL): Online Tournament Report Submission. USCF shall develop and fully implement an online tournament report submission system, to be fully operational no later than March 1, 2001. USCF shall commit whatever economic resources are necessary to such development, up to $75,000. The ED will have project oversight. Such system shall have as part of its basis the acceptance of credit card payment for rating fees and for USCF memberships. The system will offer a rating fee discount from standard rating fees, to be set by the ED with the assistance of the Finance Committee. Non-members submitted via this system will automatically have their membership billed to the organizer’s credit card. USCF will include as part of the development an online program or a Windows-based program in which organizers can enter tournament results to produce a rating report. Such program shall be made available at no more than $10 per copy.
ADM 00-52 (Kevin Bachler, IL): Minimum rating fee. The minimum rating fee for a computer-submitted report will be $10. The minimum rating fee for a non-computer submitted report will be $20, effective 10-01-2000.
ADM 00-53 (Kevin Bachler, IL): Rating Fees. Effective January 1, 2001, electronically submitted rating reports will have a rating fee of $.50 per game. Non-electronic reports will have a fee of $1 per game.
ADM 00-54 (Kevin Bachler, IL): Organizer Ratings. Organizers or tournament directors who submit rating reports will be rated based on timeliness, accuracy, and electronic submission, based on guidelines developed by the ED in conjunction with the TDCC. Organizers meeting high criteria will have 50 % of their rating fees for the calendar year returned to them not later than March 15th of the following year. Organizers meeting moderate criteria will have 25% of their rating fees for the calendar year returned to them not later than March 15th of the following year. Organizers not meeting at least moderate criteria will have no rating fees returned.
ADM 00-55 (Kevin Bachler, IL): Tournament discounts. Special memberships or promotions may involve USCF providing to the member a coupon for a discount on a tournament entry fee. Organizers are required to accept this coupon, and may return it to USCF as payment toward rating fees, membership fees, or TLA announcement fees. Each coupon shall be numbered so that organizers may use the coupon as part of an online submission. Coupons must be used by players within 12 months of issue, and by organizers within 18 months of issue.
ADM 00-56 (Al Lawrence, NY): USCF will pay all profit-sharing moneys, including both principal and interest, legally due to Holly Prisco by September 1, 2000, a date nearly four years after her termination.
ADM 00-57 (Al Lawrence, NY): USCF will pay Holly Prisco’s legal fees (up to $1,500) relevant to her attempts to recover her deserved profit-sharing plan moneys, both principal and interest.
ADM 00-58 (Al Lawrence, NY): In the interest of both history and accountability, the Board information (BINFO) system should be maintained and used in the following manner:
1. The Executive Board and the Executive Director will place documents relating to their decisions and discussions in this record system;
2. An effort will be made to include all relevant documents bearing on the making of USCF policy and other decisions.
3. At the request of any single EB member or the Executive Director, a document will be placed in the system;
4. BINFO documents may be classified as confidential, that is made available to the general public sparingly and only with the use of strict, documented criteria;
5. Classified BINFO’s will be reviewed periodically for declassification. This will include but not be limited to documents now in the system and placed there by previous Boards;
6. Non-classified documents will be supplied to members on request; a reasonable duplication fee may be charged.
7. Binders of non-classified BINFO documents will be maintained at the USCF office and will be available on request to visiting adult members to examine while in the office;
8. Updated, descriptive indexes of the BINFO system will be available on request for a reasonable duplication fee.
ADM 00-59 (Al Lawrence, NY): The USCF Secretary will have published in the Policy Board Newsletter or its equivalent a procedure by which any USCF adult member may request and obtain the stenographic record of Executive Board decisions. A reasonable photocopying fee may be charged.
ADM 00-60 (Al Lawrence, NY): The Delegates express their concern that a number of standing Delegate motions and requirements of the Bylaws have apparently been ignored or overlooked during the period since the 1999 Delegates’ Meeting.
ADM 00-61 (Al Lawrence, NY): Leah Koltanowski is made a life member of the USCF.
ADM 00-62 (John McCrary, SC): The Delegates express appreciation to Sid Samole, to Excalibur Electronics, and to the US Chess Trust for the establishment of the World Chess Hall of Fame and Sidney Samole Chess Museum in Miami. The Delegates wish success to this project, designed to protect the heritage of chess while educating the general public about chess.
ADM 00-63 (Bill Goichberg, NY): All discussion at Executive Board meetings of committee appointments or awards must be conducted in open session.
ADM 00-64 (Jerry Hanken, CA-S): Members of USCF committees shall not be paid for committee work without the authorization of the Delegates. They may continue to receive reimbursement for expenses.
ADM 00-65 (Jerry Hanken, CA-S): The Delegates call upon the Executive Board to appoint an unpaid, volunteer Rulebook Revision Committee.
ADM 00-66 (Richard Peterson, AZ): Resolved, USCF shall not act as organizer of any future national scholastic chess events.
ADM 00-67 (Richard Peterson, AZ): Resolved: The organizer of all national Scholastic Championships shall limit the number of entries to one player for every 20 square feet of space in the actual playing room(s). Further, the organizer will determine the maximum number possible attendees at least six months prior to the event.
ADM 00-68 (Richard Peterson, AZ): Resolved: It is the policy of the USCF that each child will have at least 32 inches of running space along the playing table of all national scholastic championships. (That is to say, no more than 6 players on an eight foot table.)
ADM 00-69 (Richard Peterson, AZ): Resolved: It is the policy of the USCF that there be at least five feet between horizontal rows of tables at all national scholastic championships.
ADM 00-70 (Richard Peterson, AZ): Resolved: It is the policy of the USCF that there be aisles that are at least 8 feet wide.
ADM 00-71 (Richard Peterson, AZ): Resolved: In the future, the USCF will honor its written contracts.
ADM 00-72 (Richard Peterson, AZ): Resolved: The USCF acknowledges that its financial statements in relation to the 1999 National Elementary were false.
ADM 00-73 (Richard Peterson, AZ): Resolved: The USCF acknowledges that in two instances, contracts relating to the 1999 National Elementary were forged.
ADM 00-74 (Richard Peterson, AZ): Resolved: USCF recognizes that one of its employees lied when she reported to the Delegates in 1999 that the contract for the 2000 National Elementary had not been signed.
ADM 00-75 (Richard Peterson, AZ): Resolved: USCF recognizes that the statement by the former Executive Director that he was ending negotiations for the 2000 National Elementary was knowingly false and that a legal contract was in place.
ADM 00-76 (Richard Peterson, AZ): Resolved: USCF rebukes the USCF President Robert Smith for negotiating with Richard Peterson in bad faith and without the authority of the Executive Board.
ADM 00-77 (Richard Peterson, AZ): Resolved: In the case of USCF versus Peterson, USCF agrees to pay legal expenses in the amount of $15,000 to Peterson.
ADM 00-78 (Mike Carr, Ca-S; Jerry Hanken, CA-S): The Delegates approve the following awards for 2000:
Distinguished Service Award, Rachel Lieberman. Frank J. Marshall Award, John Watson. Organizer of the year, Beatriz Marinello.
ADM 00-79 (Ernest W. Marx, NJ): In view of the anticipated revisions of Official Rules of Chess by the Rules Committee, the current requirement, that the Club Directors, after 3 years of certification, must take local TD tests, should be held in abeyance until the new U.S. Chess Federation official Rules Book is published and available for purchase from the National office.
ADM 00-80 (Joe Ippolito, NJ; John McCrary, SC): The USCF shall establish a Scholastic Board that will have the following duties:
1) Establishing a mentor program.
2) Revising and evaluating scholastic guidelines.
3) Establishing formal standards of events.
4) Assisting the USCF in management of scholastic events.
5) Establishing standards for prizes, including trophies.
6) Oversight of the Arnold Denker Tournament of Champions.
7) Improvement of reporting from national events.
8) Evaluation and input into standards for tournament directors of scholastic events.
The method of selection of the Scholastic Board membership will be determined by the Delegates.
XI. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF GOVERNANCE TO GARRETT SCOTT
XII. ADJOURNMENT