The Grassroots' Campaign is advised ( not given notice by the CFC - sigh - we've had to employ our moles ) that the Governors are considering 2 motions ( to be voted on by March 2 ) in which the GC has an interest ( we've been clamouring for the CFC to do something on fees for a while now, though we had hoped the Governors would take input from the membership, including us - not to be ):
1. The GC wanted any junior rating fee increase capped at a maximum of 100% ( or $ 1 ). The one motion does this, though adds the condition that the organizer must use the new CFC automated tournament submission system. The motion does not raise the adult rating fee- stays at $ 3 - but again only if you use the automated submission system. Finally the motion penalizes those organizers not submitting using SwissSys - $5 per player ( whether adult or junior ). We urge the Governors to pass this motion ( though we do think the 400% increase in the penalty for junior organizers is unfair, when the increase for organizers of adult tournaments not using the system is only 66.7% ).
2. The GC wanted the tournament playing fee ( TPF ) doubled ( to $ 20 ), if the Governors were going to refuse to eliminate it ( still our first choice ). The second motion does this, and introduces for the first time a " junior tournament playing fee " of $ 10 ( we're fine with that, if they are keeping the darned TPF ). We urge the Governors to pass this motion. But we will renew our motion for elimination some time in the future, when the new TPF has been gotten used to.
Too bad the Governors didn't consult with the membership - we had some new ideas on reforming the junior memberships and introducing a special membership for full-time non-junior college and university students ( an initiative of Frank Dixon's in negotiation with the GC ). Oh well, maybe we'll try to introduce it some time in the future, as part of a GC Fees Reform Platform.
Bob