Complaints re. CFC Youth program
To CFC officials, organizers, players, and parents:
An investigation into complaints directed at the CFC Youth program
Recently, I have received complaints from several parents and organizers regarding the selection process for invited players and team officials to the WYCC. I made a promise to investigate. I have communicated by email or phone with over a dozen officials and parents in the past week. It has been a very long week indeed. With each new person, I found another new and unique perspective, another interpretation of our rules and practices. It has been a real challenge to integrate it all into one cohesive reality. I would like to share with everyone my findings and thoughts. If you find this report lacking in specific detail, please understand that many of my conversations were conducted on a confidential basis.
CFC Youth Coordinator
This is one of the most demanding positions on the CFC Executive. We expect a lot from our Youth Coordinator which involves long hours, making arrangements for both national and international competitions, making difficult decisions, dealing with complaints, and all on a volunteer basis. Michael is a tireless advocate for youth chess. He stepped forward again this year to volunteer, when nobody else did. It is important to acknowledge these facts as we address the criticisms.
CYC Youth Committee
This committee was formed last year by Michael to encourage participation from parents and youth organizers. It is not an official CFC committee with elected members and decision making powers. It serves as an advisory board only to the Youth Coordinator. The decision making power remain with the CFC Youth Coordinator and CFC Executive.
The committee was formed with the best of intentions, but the follow thru has been poor. There is little evidence of effective two way communication as a committee. Improvement is necessary.
The current members of the committee are: Michael Barron (chair), Ellen Nadeau, Patrick McDonald, Roman Pelts, Vlad Birarov, and Rene Preotu.
WYCC – invited players
My earlier comments on this board regarding eligibility remain valid. I would add that we are cursed by the fact that these rules and practices are not clearly defined anywhere. This leads to very valid complaints. The optics are terrible.
While some of my decisions would likely have been different, I believe Michael has acted with the best interests of the team in mind. I am certain no one really wants to undertake the distasteful task of uninviting a player. What we need to do now is ensure that we have clear and transparent rules for next year.
WYCC – team officials
The choice of Andrei as Head of Delegation has my full support. I have heard nothing but high praise for his efforts from last year when he served as Head of Delegation.
While Head of Delegation maybe the only team official, there are many tasks available for parents who are willing to volunteer. I have been encouraged by trusted sources to find a volunteer role for Xuekun (who also campaigned for Head of Delegation), as she will make a valuable contribution to the team.
Recommendations
Effective management of our Youth program is vital to the overall health of the CFC. We need to review the whole CYCC/WYCC program. We have so many competing viewpoints and opinions, my head is spinning.
So where do we go from here? We need a process of review that is open and transparent, we need clear rules to follow, procedures to enforce them, and effective methods of communication.
I will ask the CFC Youth Committee to begin the process. :)
