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A NOTE FROM THE OUTGOING SECRETARY

September, 1999

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The 1999 Workshops and Meetings in Reno, Nevada were very successful. Thanks to everyone who helped make the event a success.

This document includes the minutes of the last meeting of the 1998-1999 USCF Policy Board meeting, the 1999 USCF Membership Meeting, and the 1999 USCF Delegates' Meeting.

We have a new Executive Board. Let’s get behind them and give them our full support. There are many issues to resolve. The important thing is to work together.

It has been a real privilege to be your Secretary these past six years. I will now be devoting my time to expanding our partnerships with health and social agencies to focus public awareness of chess as a tool for prevention. I will be seeking sponsorships as part of this effort. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or leads in this area please e-mail your suggestions to secretary@aol.com .

I wish each of you and the USCF the best.

Sincerely,

Rachel Lieberman

ACTIONS BETWEEN USCF POLICY BOARD MEETINGS

The following motions were passed by objections procedure between May and August, 1999:

PB 99-77 (Cavallo):

Resolved that: In view of John Watson’s contributions to chess and his urgent current medical needs, $10,000 from the Health and Benefit Fund immediately be made available to the John Watson Medical Fund and that a further $10,000 be available to match contributions from others. PASSED BY OBJECTIONS PROCEDURE

PB 99-78 (Lieberman): The Executive Director and/or the President shall inform the Board of any litigation filed by or against the USCF. PASSED BY OBJECTIONS PROCEDURE

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 08/99 USCF POLICY BOARD MEETING

RENO, NEVADA - AUGUST 12, 1999

The last meeting of the 1998-1999 USCF Policy Board took place on Thursday, August 12, 1999. President Schultz called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. The Board met in closed session to review the Executive Director and Editor. The following two motions came from closed session:

PB 99-79 (Board): The Executive Board has concluded its review of the Executive Director and accepts the committee recommendations that there be no increase in compensation this year. PASSED 5 – 1

(Dorsch, Eade, Goichberg, Lieberman, Scott in favor; Schultz opposed)

PB 99-80 (Board): The Board has reviewed the Editor and concurs with the recommendations of the Executive Director. PASSED 6 – 0

Note: Garrett Scott gave his votes to the Secretary when he arrived shortly after the vote was taken.

The meeting adjourned at 11:18 AM. The Board remained available to answer questions in the Policy Board/Staff forum.

Policy Board/Staff Forum

An inquiry was made as to the number of employees at the USCF office. Mike Cavallo indicated that the current number was 40.

Alternative US Open schedules were discussed.

A question was asked regarding the new computer system. Mike Cavallo indicated that the original software vendor had been replaced and the custom coding is in progress. Estimated time for completion of coding is about 6 weeks.

It was pointed out that national tournaments with high entry fees and big prize funds tend to lose money.

The status of the Stan Vaughn lawsuit was reviewed.

Contents of the 1999 Annual Report were discussed, with the focus of interest being on the financial reporting..

A question was asked regarding the lack of the mailing of significant BINFOs to the Delegates prior to the meeting, which was generally done in the past. It was the sense of those present that the mailing should be resumed. It was also pointed out that the BINFO summaries on the web are still three months behind.

The requirements and costs for providing services to Life Members were discussed.

A question was asked as to why a former employee has not received her pension payment. Mike Cavallo indicated that payment would be made as soon as the employee supplied the required paperwork. Severance payments to former employees were also discussed.

Additional financial questions were raised, and it was noted that the financial workshop would take place at 1PM on Friday, and that all who are interested should attend.

The forum concluded at noon.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 1999 USCF MEMBERSHIP MEETING

RENO, NEVADA - AUGUST 13, 1999

1. Welcome by USCF President Donald Schultz
2. President Donald Schultz opened the 1999 Membership Meeting at 4:30PM and welcomed the group.
3. Introduction of USCF Policy Board Members and Staff.
4. President Schultz began by introducing the USCF staff members who were present, including Executive Director Mike Cavallo, Associate Director and "Chess Life" Editor Glenn Petersen, Scholastic Director Beatriz Marinello, Technical Director Ernie Schlich, Assistant Director Joan DuBois, Executive Assistant Barbara DeMaro, and. Purchasing Assistant Heather Weygant.

   President Schultz also introduced those Board members who were present at the time: Vice President Bill Goichberg, Secretary Rachel Lieberman, and Member-At-Large Garrett Scott. Please note that Member-At-Large Jim Eade arrived shortly thereafter. Treasurer Tom Dorsch was not present.

   Members of the new Executive Board who were present were also introduced.

5. Old Business
6. There was no Old Business at the 1999 Membership Meeting.
7. New Business

Harold Stenzel (NY) introduced the following motion:

Membership Motion 99-01 (Harold Stenzel, NY): The membership expresses their disappointment that not all of the Policy Board attended the Membership Meeting. PASSED

A question was asked as to why other organizations are holding chess events at our US Open site. An example was the WBCA Blitz tournament. The USCF currently offers Blitz events through the WBCA. The Executive Director will examine the feasibility of the USCF developing its own Blitz program.

A question was asked regarding pay increases for the staff. With the exception of the Executive Director, all USCF staff will receive a minimum of a three percent cost of living increase this year.

A question was asked as to how one person can adequately handle both, the position of "Chess Life" Editor and the position of Associate Director. It was suggested that these positions are separate and should not be merged. This is an issue for the new Board and the Executive Director to resolve.

A question was asked regarding the possibility of holding a tournament where a win counted for three points, a draw one point, and a loss zero points. It was indicated that as long as all advance publicity for a tournament specifically mentions any new or unusual circumstances, it is OK.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:04PM.

WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR OLD/ADVANCE/NEW DELEGATE MOTION?

This cross-reference is the quick and easy way to find out.

The Advance Delegate Motions (ADMs) listed in the Delegates' Call are presented below. To see what happened to any of them, simply look for the ADM number in the left column. You will find the DM number to use for more information in this document, the basic subject, sponsors, and disposition. The same information is provided for New Delegate Motions (NDMs) which were not printed in the advance agenda.

NEW DELEGATE MOTIONS (NDMs)

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 1999 USCF BOARD OF DELEGATES MEETING

RENO, NEVADA AUGUST 14 AND 15, 1999

1. Call to order by USCF President Donald Schultz
2. President Donald Schultz called the meeting to order at 9:00AM on Saturday, August 14, 1999. Organizer Jerry Weikel was introduced. Mr. Weikel welcomed the Delegates and stated that he hoped to deliver a quality event. Parliamentarian Mike Nolan was also introduced.
3. Roll call of Delegates

Secretary Rachel Lieberman called the roll.

The following Delegates attended the 1999 convention:

DM 99-01/ ADM 99-01 (Harold Winston, IL): The Delegates re-elect as Delegates-At-Large those whose terms are expiring or have expired and who are present at this meeting PASSED

This year the following DALs were renewed: Denis Barry, AZ; Harold Dondis, MA; Bill Goichberg, NY; Woody Harris, VA; Al Lawrence, NY; Myron Lieberman, AZ; and Harry Sabine, TN.

III. Approval of the minutes of the 1998 Delegates’ Meeting.

DM 99-02/ ADM 99-02 (Rachel Lieberman, AZ): Moved, that the Minutes of the 1998 Delegates’ Meeting be accepted. PASSED

IV. Certification of election results-

DM 99-03/ ADM 99-03 (Rachel Lieberman, AZ): Moved, that the results of the 1999 election be certified. PASSED

Please note that 392 ballots were received out of a total of 453 ballots that were mailed to voters (87% participation).

Ballots not received

Ballots were not received from the following individuals as of the time of the vote count: Please note that a ballot not received does not necessarily mean that the individual did not vote. It simply means that the ballot was not received.