5. Executive Reports

[Lyle Craver]

I have received the following report from Junior Coordinator Frank Lee:

WYCC

This year we had a large (41 players and 4 coaches) and successful delegation go to the WYCC in AL Ain, UAE. Congratulations to Harmony Zhu for winning Gold in the U8 Girls with a score 9/11. You can see the final results of all the players by following this link:

http://www.chess-results.com/tnr1195...flag=30&wi=821

The delegation had a bit of a scary start as families and players headed for the UAE just before the start of the tournament since the tournament organisers had not secured the entry visas that some of the delegation members required and there was a mad scramble by the organisers to upload copies of the visas to their website. The first wave of visas uploaded to the Canada area on the website was for players from Egypt, China, and Mongolia. Eventually we managed to get everyone that required a visa a soft copy by email before they departed. Unfortunately some people had long delays entering the UAE with soft copy visas but everyone arrived safe and sound.

I hope people have noticed the 2013 WYCC Team Web Page (http://2013wycc.blogspot.ca/ ) that I asked Michael to add to the CFC homepage. I hope to keep this a permanent site for all WYCCs going forward. Some governors were concerned with the flow of information about players who were invited, extra players, the coaches, etc. We can use this site post this information after the CYCC for players, parents and governors to view. I hope to develop the site where we can post procedures, job descriptions for HoD, coaches, etc. for all to view. In the future I would like to use the website to attract potential sponsors.

Another process I would the develop is an “application” form to all WYCC qualified player at the end of the CYCC and all other CYCC players an “application” to be an additional player. The form will have information about WYCC, CFC procedures and rules, checklist (things you need like a passport or renew your passport), request for information (name, address, phone contacts, emails, etc) and “hard” deadlines. I hope to inform all parents/players of the CFC procedures and receive updated contact info so every player has a fair chance to participate. I would to use the Youth Committee to refine the form contents.

Youth Committee

I have run into some difficulties in recruiting past members to restart the Youth Committee. These past members found the last Youth Committee was ineffective and hostile. Unfortunately some have outright declined due to their past experience. I have drafted a Code of Conduct which includes a code where any issues discussed in the Youth Committee cannot be commented on any media outside of the Youth Committee. Hopefully I can convince some people to return to the Youth Committee so we do not have to start scratch.
Some objectives for the Youth Committee would be:
• WYCC website development
• procedures for the WYCC (give out application forms for qualified players with/without trophies and additional player forms to all other CYCC players at the completion of the CYCC)
• attracting sponsors for the WYCC delegation
• the possibility for have two Youth Coordinators – one to handle the international events/issues and one to handle domestic events/issues
• National Coaching Program

The National Coaching Program

I am having trouble getting a copy of the original proposal. So if anyone has a copy please forward to me. I would to get the Youth Committee to discuss and lay out a plan going forward. We will need to define the coaching qualifications and the player participation requirements. From my discussions will various people who are more familiar with the proposal my main concern is sustaining any Coaching Program will require a reliable source of funding going forward.

[Michael Barron]

Thank you, Frank, for your report!

Youth Committee

I have run into some difficulties in recruiting past members to restart the Youth Committee. These past members found the last Youth Committee was ineffective and hostile. Unfortunately some have outright declined due to their past experience. I have drafted a Code of Conduct which includes a code where any issues discussed in the Youth Committee cannot be commented on any media outside of the Youth Committee. Hopefully I can convince some people to return to the Youth Committee so we do not have to start scratch.

Could you please clarify:
Is the Youth Committee working or not?
Who are on the Youth Committee?
How the Youth Committee was formed? Is it your personal appointments or members of the Youth Committee should be elected by the Governors at the AGM - like for others CFC Committees?

[Frank Lee]

Michael,

Thank you for showing interest in youth chess. The Youth Committee is not working at this time. It appears the last Youth Committee was a little dysfunctional. I have been trying to gather information on what happened. I have drafted a Code of Conduct for the meetings in hopes of controlling the meetings.
I am also thinking to have a small committee consisting of 5 to 6 people across Canada. I was hoping to form the committee with parents and not CFC Governors since the Governors would vote and comment any major proposals. This would take away the politics in the committee process. Finding 5 to 6 people representing regions across Canada on the committee who are not Governors may not possible.
If I am not mistaken you were part of the last Youth Committee. I would be interested to get some history and ideas you have for the Youth Committee.

[Frank Lee]

I attached the a copy of the WYCC budget and final tally put together by Andrew Giblon. I would like to take this opportunity to thanks Andrew for his dedication and outstanding work as HoD in this year's WYCC (and pevious WYCC's).

[Michael Barron]

I attached the a copy of the WYCC budget and final tally put together by Andrew Giblon. I would like to take this opportunity to thanks Andrew for his dedication and outstanding work as HoD in this year's WYCC (and pevious WYCC's).

Thank you, Frank, for presenting the WYCC budget!

Let's skip minor mistakes to avoid nitpicking, but we need to clarify the whole picture:
What is the current state of the CFC Youth Fund?
What was the Youth Fund balance before 2013 CYCC?
What it's now?

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Thank you, Frank, for presenting the WYCC budget!

Let's skip minor mistakes to avoid nitpicking, but we need to clarify the whole picture:
What is the current state of the CFC Youth Fund?
What was the Youth Fund balance before 2013 CYCC?
What it's now?

The youth fund balance before 2013 CYCC was negative with a loss the previous year of over $4000 according to the report I saw last year, though some of that loss was the CFC memberships not collected at the 2012 CYCC. We are still tallying receipts for this year's WYCC. Based on the budget presented here the situation improved to the tune of nine thousand and ninety seven dollars and this does not yet incorporate the YCCs that took place this fiscal year.

The budget is a little confusing in that the $6000 holdover which I insisted on was shown as part of the expenses.

I have made enquiries which should allow me to answer these questions more fully once they are answered.

[Michael Barron]

The youth fund balance before 2013 CYCC was negative with a loss the previous year of over $4000 according to the report I saw last year...

Vlad,
Hopefully, you would agree that the transparency is especially important in financial matters.
Thankfully, we all can see CFC Financial statements on the CFC website:
http://chess.ca/sites/default/files/fiscal-2013.pdf

As we can see in the Note 3 on page 6, the balance of the CFC Youth Fund at the end of the last fiscal year (April 30, 2013) was $7,402.

Based on the budget presented here the situation improved to the tune of nine thousand and ninety seven dollars and this does not yet incorporate the YCCs that took place this fiscal year.

That's why I'm asking about the current state of the CFC Youth Fund.

I have made enquiries which should allow me to answer these questions more fully once they are answered.

Thank you, Vlad!
Such answers would improve transparency of the CFC operations.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Vlad,
Hopefully, you would agree that the transparency is especially important in financial matters.
Thankfully, we all can see CFC Financial statements on the CFC website:
http://chess.ca/sites/default/files/fiscal-2013.pdf

As we can see in the Note 3 on page 6, the balance of the CFC Youth Fund at the end of the last fiscal year (April 30, 2013) was $7,402.

I missed that. In that case, we should be at approximately $16,500 plus whatever was raised by YCC's.

[Michael Barron]

Michael,

Thank you for showing interest in youth chess. The Youth Committee is not working at this time. It appears the last Youth Committee was a little dysfunctional. I have been trying to gather information on what happened. I have drafted a Code of Conduct for the meetings in hopes of controlling the meetings.
I am also thinking to have a small committee consisting of 5 to 6 people across Canada. I was hoping to form the committee with parents and not CFC Governors since the Governors would vote and comment any major proposals. This would take away the politics in the committee process. Finding 5 to 6 people representing regions across Canada on the committee who are not Governors may not possible.

Frank,

Thank you for clarification!
As you see, your approach simply doesn't work - please try something different...

If I am not mistaken you were part of the last Youth Committee. I would be interested to get some history and ideas you have for the Youth Committee.

Not sure what you mean by "the last Youth Committee"...
I was Youth Coordinator in 2009-2011, and during my tenure the Youth Committee was very active and it was a huge help for me.
During these 2 years we have accomplished a lot:
were developed and approved current CYCC rules,
was implemented current CYCC qualification system,
participation in youth tournaments increased at all levels - from local events to CYCC and WYCC,
we had our first WYCC medal in 2009 and first World Champion in 2010,
we organized the best ever CYCC in 2011...
All this was accomplished thanks to the volunteers working on the Youth Committee!

After I left the office, the Youth Committee really became dysfunctional - the role and usefulness of the Youth Committee depends on the Youth Coordinator's approach very much...

So, the ideas I have for the Youth Committee:
Please make it open for everybody - parents, coaches, organizers, Governors...
The more people - the better!
Everybody who is willing to help is welcome!
Let the people do what they are willing to do for the benefit of Canadian chess - delegate authority and responsibility.
If rule change is necessary - the Youth Committee could discuss the change and prepare the Motion.
In this process Governors on the Youth Committee are necessary.
The more work will be done by the Youth Committee - the less stress will be on the Youth Coordinator.
Only together we can make the difference!