November 2004 BCF & MCCU Council meetings report.

By Andrew Leadbetter

BCF Council Meeting (October 2004):

1
A decision was made to turn the BCF into a company limited by guarantee.  An extra Council meeting will be held in February to discuss the details to be proposed by the Management Board, which should keep the present democratic structure.  The purpose is to protect the directors in case of litigation.  The fear of being sued is supposed to have reduced the willingness of people to serve the federation.

2
There was a contested election for Director of Junior Chess which was won by Alan Ruffle as Peter turner stood down, and David Welch replaced Neil Graham as congress director.  Marketing Directorship is vacant and Paul Buswell stood down as Chair of the Constitution Committee because of the work needed for the company limited by guarantee, John Dunleavy replaced him.

MCCU Council Meeting (November 2004):

1
It was agreed to make a donation of £100 for Craig Whitfield playing for England.

2
It was agreed to play a 40 board match against EACU.  (8 players from each grading category).  Support was also given to explore an inter-union jamboree match in the Spring.

3
County Matches: Notts has withdrawn its U100 and U175 teams.  As the U175 competition has proved difficult to run, support was given to run a one-day jamboree for this competition.  I thought we might like to support this idea and run a team if it gets the go - ahead in the Summer at the AGM.

4
There was support for having 2 divisions of the Open competition, but some felt that the promoted team could refuse to be promoted to remain in the Minor Counties Competition.  I suggested a play off for the last place in division 1 between the bottom team in div 1 & top of div 2.  Some felt that most div 2 teams would not want promotion.

5
It was agreed to try and secure an extra place at the British Championships for the Warley Quinbourne Tournament.  If we are unsuccessful then one place will be taken from the Hinckley tournament.

6
Finances: this year's Hinckley Tournament made a £717 deficit.  Cyril will do his best to reduce the cost partly by cutting the number of sections.  This is likely to be the last year with a Midlands grading list, so we will need a new source of income.

7
Child Protection: a committee has been set up including to produce a policy.  Graham will be on this committee and Traci Whitfield will be invited.