Towards a Scottish Chess Federation?

The Councils of the Scottish Chess Association and Scottish Junior Chess Association have both resolved to embrace the concept of a merger from July 2001. A merger is seen by both Councils as the potentially best option for maximising development of chess in Scotland.

Update December 5 2000: Various groups are being set up to pursue specific aspects of the possible merger and monitor the progress of the project. The groups are detailed below. Members of both organisations will of course have the final decision next year on whether the merger goes ahead.

The Steering Group has had one meeting during which it agreed that, if the merger does go ahead, we should be looking for a new name for the combined organisation. The Group would therefore like to ask members of both organisations what name they would suggest. Please let Sam Collins have any suggestions and he will pass them on to the Steering Group. E-mail Sam at Office@ChessScotland.com , or call 0141 221 6464 or write to the Scottish Chess Association, 15 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 6AQ. A change in name is likely to bring with it a change in logo, so if you have proven creative skills in this direction, can you please also let Sam know?

Steering group

Comment: A small steering group for ease of communication and speed of action should be set up to control the process.

There should be subgroups who produce papers for consideration by the steering group, in line with remits and possible guidance produced by the steering group. The groups should be encouraged to research their ideas with customers, with research co-ordinated by the steering group to minimise multiple hits on those to be researched.

Functions: Managing the merger process, structure and name of merged organisation, financials, ensuring a sound database of existing activity throughout Scotland

Members John Glendinning, Rod Tweedie, Iain Mackintosh, Ronnie Macdonald

Output: Responsible for pulling together the presentation to members of both organisations, with organisational structure and functionality, name, and trial balance sheets (probably with options)

Responsible for agreeing updates on the process to be published from time to time on the website and / or on paper

Constitutional

Functions: Process for merger, examination of existing constitutions for problems in terms of a potential merger, voting rights of young people in merged organisation, construction of new constitution in line with merged structure

Members: Ken Stewart, Joe McAdam

Finance

Functions: Merging bank accounts, merging year ends, budget process

Members Mac McKenzie, Stuart Good

 

Membership, administration and finance

Functions: Process and administration for all types of members, fee levels and trial balances for different types of members, including family membership

Members John Glendinning, Sam Collins, Mac McKenzie, Rod Tweedie, George Brechin

Tournaments

Concept A forum will be arranged forum to try to bring in all those who are active in schools chess at present to discuss what events should be organised going forward and what other ideas might be pursued. It should cover secondary and primary schools, clubs, leagues and other regional activity, including training. After the forum, the team should consider what the priorities are, and what is realistic for delivery. .

Members Maureen and Norrie Mathie, Gerald Bonner, Graeme Nolan (from January), Stephen Taylor, Michael Hanley

[Forum being arranged by Rod Tweedie and John Glendinning]

International

Functions: Structure for international youth chess, including events supported [e.g. consider discontinuance of Welsh match and attendance at English weekend congresses], selection process and national youth squad training

Members John Glendinning, John Shaw, David Sime, Elaine Rutherford, Maureen and Norrie Mathie, Alex McFarlane

Publications and website

Functions: Newsletter, Scottish Chess, website, quality guides and general marketing, including longer term vision

Members Iain Mackintosh, Douglas Bryson, Alex McFarlane

 

 

John Glendinning President (SCA)

Rod Tweedie President (SJCA)