The CFC Regular Chess Post – March 31/12 – CFC Spring Governors’ On-line Meeting.

[Bob Armstrong]

CFC Secretary Lyle Craver has now posted the link on the " Private Forums " page, for the separate confidential sub-page for the 2012 Spring Governors' On-line Meeting and the meeting has now started.

All 56 governors from across the country are invited to attend and sign in!

Bob A, CFC Public Relations Coordinator

[roger patterson]

I have checked with the CFC President, Michael von Keitz, and the CFC Secretary, Lyle Craver, and they advise the motion on the agenda is not confidential. So here it is:

7. 2012-H TDOCP Motion (Ong/Bond)
(E-mail sent to determine whether desired to re-submit motion in same form)

Moved by: Simon Ong; Seconded by: Hal Bond

Moved adding the following regulation to current section 20 of the CFC Handbook

Regulations:

[... TD and Organizer title....]

Pretty pointless. The CFC has tried to institute TD titles off and on with no success for the last 30 years. And Organizer titles? what's the point?

There is no demand for such titles. The reality is that there is not enough organizers / TDs of any description that it is possible to talk of having titles or of restricting bids for certain events to only those with the requisite title.

[Bob Armstrong]

8. Motion 2012-L CFC Governors Ethics and Code of Conduct

Moved Pierre Dénommée, Seconded Michael Barron

(This is a re-submission of the original motion, with a controversial clause removed - ed.)

That the CFC Assembly of Governors adopt the attached Code of Conduct

CFC Governor’s and Executive Member’s Code of Conduct


Part I: decision making process

The Assembly of Governors is committed to effective decision-making and, once a decision has been made, speaking with one voice. Towards this end the Governors will:

• Speak from broad member and community interests
• Speak for themselves (“my own thinking on this is that…”) rather for than a group of members.
• Express additional or alternative points of view and invite others to do so too.
• Refrain from “lobbying” other Governors outside of board meetings that might have the effect of creating factions and limiting free and open discussion.
• On important issues, be balanced in one’s effort to understand others and to make oneself understood.
• Once made, support, indeed defend, Assembly of Governors decisions, even if one’s own view is a minority one.
• Respect the confidentiality of information on sensitive issues, especially in personnel matters.
• Refrain from speaking for the organization unless authorized to do so.
• Disclose one’s involvement with other organizations, businesses or individuals where such a relationship might be viewed as a conflict of interest. Involvement in chess clubs Leagues and Provincial Association, whether affiliated or not, does not constitute a conflict of interest.
• Refrain from giving direction, as an individual Governor, to the Executive Director or any member of staff.
• Do not publicly comment on the performance of any arbiter or organiser. Direct complaints against arbiters or organisers to the relevant CFC Committee: NAC for rules of the game, Ethics for matters set out in the CFC Code of Ethics or TDOCP, for failure to pay guaranteed prices.
• Do no supports any third party involved in a dispute when a case is pending at the NAC, the Ethics Committee or the TDOCP.

Part II: Duties and Ethics

Goal: To establish a set of principles and practices of the CFC Assembly of Governors that will set parameters and provide guidance and direction for board conduct and decision-making.

Code: Members of the Assembly of Governors of the CFC are committed to observing and promoting the highest standards of ethical conduct in the performance of their responsibilities on the Assembly of Governors of CFC. Assembly members pledge to accept this code as a minimum guideline for ethical conduct and shall abide by it.

Scope: This Code also applies to all Governors, to the members of the CFC Executive and to the members of all CFC Committees event if they are not a Governor.

Accountability

1. Faithfully abide by the Articles of Incorporation, by-laws and policies of the CFC
2. Exercise reasonable care, good faith and due diligence in organizational affairs.
3. Fully disclose, at the earliest opportunity, in formation that may result in a perceived for actual conflict of interest.
4. Fully disclose, at the earliest opportunity, information of fact that would have significance in board decision-making.
5. Remain accountable for prudent fiscal management to association members, the board, and non-profit sector, and where applicable, to government and funding bodies.

Professional Excellence

6. Maintain a professional level of courtesy, respect, and objectivity in all CFC activities

7. Strive to uphold those practices and assist other CFC members of the board in upholding the highest standards of conduct

Personal Gain

8. Exercise the powers invested for the good of all members of the CFC rather than for his or her personal benefit, or that of the province they represent.

Equal Opportunity

9. Ensure the right of all association members to appropriate and effective services without discrimination on the basis of geography, political, religious, or socio-economical characteristics of the province or region represented.

10. Ensure the right of all association members to appropriate and effective services without discrimination on the basis of the organization’s volunteer or staff make-up in respect to gender, sexual orientation, national origin, race, religion, age, political affiliation or disability, in accordance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Confidential Information

11. Respect the confidentiality of sensitive information known due to board service.

Collaboration and Cooperation

12. Respect the diversity of opinions as expressed or acted upon by the CFC Assembly of Governors, committees and membership, and formally register dissent as appropriate.

13. Promote collaboration, cooperation, and partnership among association members.

Allegation of violation of this code shall be investigated by the Assembly of Governors.

[Bob Armstrong]

Motion 2012-R Crosstables changed to international format (Field/Dénommée)

Moved by Christopher Field, seconded by Pierre Dénommée:

That Crosstables / Tableaux de résultats be posted on the CFC website in the international format, using the symbols + for win, - for loss, = for draw.

Discussion:

This is the format used in all international chess books.

It is readily understood by people who speak any language.

We need to remove the default use of English symbols in this, our BILINGUAL country.

The Swiss Sys software has these symbols readily available for all TDs to use.

Unfortunately, they are referred to as "Math Symbols" instead of "International" or "multilingual" symbols.

The forms which TDs submit for rating could be modified to change the standings to this format, even if the TD has not used it.

I would also like to see an attempt made to update all old results to this format, but I realise that would take some time and expense, so I would start with new events.

This would help to make the French language website more effective.

[Bob Armstrong]

Motion 2012-S Improved Bonus Point Formula

Moved by Paul Leblanc
Seconded by Fred McKim

To replace the existing Bonus Point Formula (CFC Handbook Art. 714.d) with the following:

BONUS 1 = Rmax BONUS *a*Ke
BONUS 2 = b*RATING CHANGE BONUS*(Rnew – Rold – THRESHOLD)*Ke
TOTAL BONUS = BONUS 1 + BONUS 2

where:
a = 1 if the new rating is at an all time high, 0 otherwise;
b = 1 if Rnew > Rold + Threshold, 0 otherwise;

Threshold = RtgChangeThreshold*Ke*sqrt(n) where n is the number of games played; no bonus points are awarded if less than 4 games are played;

Ke is the ratio of the player's K factor to the K factor used for players rated under 2200; For the CFC rating system, K=32 for players under 2200 and K=16 for players at or over 2200;

Rnew is the post-event rating and Rold is the pre-event rating;
and RatingMaxBonus, RtgChangeBonus, and RtgChangeThreshold are constants with the following values:
RatingMaxBonus = 20; RtgChangeBonus = 1.75; RtgChangeThreshold = 13.

The numerical values in the bonus point equation may be adjusted from time to time by the Rating Auditor as deemed necessary and in consultation with the CFC Executive

Reason for Motion:

The proposed formula is based on detailed analysis of the existing tournament data base from 2006 to 2011 and is distilled from the examination of numerous options. It does a superior job of injecting rating points, i.e. when modelled, it generated ratings that more closely predicted actual game results than the existing system.

There were concerns that the existing formula awarded disproportionate bonus points to a small group of high rated players. The proposed formula improves this.

The rating system is inherently deflationary. Care was taken to select a formula that minimizes the effects of inflation and deflation.

The proposed formula mitigates the problem of under-rated juniors by awarding bonus points to players achieving new personal high ratings and by awarding a generous bonus to exceptional performances. These criteria are very common among juniors.

Detailed examination of the methodology leading to this proposal can be found at:

http://www.victoriachess.com/cfc/cfc_rating_doc.htm

[Bob Armstrong]

Motion 2012-T Guide for rating Internet games

Moved: Paul Leblanc, Seconded: Vlad Rekhson

Introduction:

The CFC is silent on the issue of rating internet events yet from time to time such events are held and results submitted for rating. This issue was raised in the Rating Auditor Report during the January 2012 Governors Meeting. Discussion was limited however it appears that there is an agreement that there should be a published policy.

Motion: That an article be added to the CFC Handbook Section 7 CFC Rating System as follows:

"Events played over the internet may be submitted for CFC rating provided that:

i) Conditions of play are advertised ahead of the event and agreed to by all participants"

ii) A non-playing TD must be present at each playing site to ensure that normal tournament regulations and playing conditions are upheld.

iii) Along with all the information that is usually sent to CFC, an event that has games played on the internet shall also provide the following information:

a) moves from games played over the internet
b) The names of TDs present at each site,
c) provide the website where the games took place.
d) provide the internet handles of the participants.

[Bob Armstrong]

2012-U Guidelines for Standard/Regular rated events

Moved Paul Leblanc, seconded Fred McKim

All events rated Standard/Regular should:

1. use chess clocks

2. require both players to record moves

3. have time set for no less than game in 60 minutes per player (may include increments based on 60 moves) (CFC Handbook article 711)

4. have time controls and round times advertised in pre-event advertising and posted on organizer's website (CFC Handbook article 711)

5. have no more than 4 games per day

6. include the exact time control with the rating submission to the CFC


Otherwise, events must be submitted for Active/Quick Rating. Rare exemptions may be granted on the recommendation of the Rating Auditor and approved by the CFC Executive

Governors should note that this will be an addendum to the CFC Handbook Article 711 and to the website under "Rating".

[Bob Armstrong]

Governors in Attendance - 34/56

Attendance reached 61%.

( alphabetical by first name )

Aris Marghetis – EOCA – Ont.
Bob Armstrong – Public Relations Coordinator - GTCL – Ont.
Bob Gillanders – Past President – Ont.
Chris Mallon - SWOCL - Ont.
Christopher Field – GTCL – Ont.
Egis Zeromskis – GTCL - Ont.
Ellen Nadeau - NOCL - Ont.
Francisco Cabanas - Life Governor - BC
Garvin Nunes - SWOCL - Ont.
Gordon Ritchie - EOCA - Ont.
Hal Bond - FIDE Rep. - Ont.
Halldor Palsson - Life Governor - Ont.
Hugh Brodie - Quebec
Ilia Bluvshtein - GTCL - Ont.
Ken Craft - NB
Ken Einarsson - Man.
Kevin Pacey – Chair, Membership Drive Cttee - EOCA - Ont.
Les Bunning - Life Governor - Ont.
Lyle Craver – Secretary - BC
Mark Dutton – VP - BC
Michael Barron – GTCL – Ont.
Michael von Keitz – President – Ont.
Nikolay Noritsyn - GTCL - Ont.
Patrick McDonald - Youth Coordinator - Ont.
Paul Leblanc – Rating Auditor - BC
Peter Stockhausen - Life Governor - BC
Pierre Denommee - Quebec
Rob Clark – NOCL – Ont.
Robert Lazlo – EOCA – Ont.
Simon Ong – Alta
Valer Eugen Demian - CCCA - BC
Vlad Birarov - GTCL - Ont.
Vlad Drkulec – Chair, Long-Term Planning Cttee/Masters’ Rep. – Ont.
Vlad Rekhson - Alta

The meeting finished on Saturday, April 7.

Bob Armstrong, CFC Public Relations Coordinator

[Wolfgang(Wilf) FERNER]

Hi Bob A: Thanks for listing the motions at current online assembly meeting.
You show in header "debate" for motions 2-6 What does that mean?

In the olden days motions had 1st discussion,2nd discussion, and final vote
it took four governor letters to get the results of a motion
What exactly is the process now with the online assembly meets in place?
I know it is quicker now. I just hope it is not too quick. CFC members should
have some time to contact their governors and governors should have enough
time to think about the motions. And of course there should be some time
to make amendments to the motions. I say this because I noticed a lot of
failed motions at the winter online meet.

Wilf Ferner

[Bob Armstrong]

Hi Wilf:

" for debate " indicates the motion is only in the discussion phase at this point - I didn't want people to think they were already passed.

The first four days of the meeting are to debate all motions, and to bring any amendments. At the meeting, each motion is a separate thread, for governors to comment on each others' points.

Also, new motions can be introduced in the first four days, from the floor.

The last three days are for voting, and at that point all debate on motions being voted on ceases. No motions can be amended.

So if members/public have any input to their local governor on one of these motions, they must contact them in the first four days.

If new motions arise, I will post them. I will also post amendments proposed.

If there are any further questions about the process, looking at the CFC Handbook, Section 2, under Rules and Regulations, Para 22A , On-line Meeting Rules, may help.

We have now had 2 years of experience with the meeting format ( since April 2010 ) and it has worked out very successfully. Many motions are being dealt with in one week. In the old Governors' Letter system of Neanderthal times , one motion could take 9 months, and have a 25% participation rate on voting. No meeting so far has fallen below 50% attendance!

Bob A, CFC Public Relations Coordinator