Originally Posted by
Vladimir Drkulec
The question came up in the AGM about the idea that FIDE was going to give 60000 Euros to the CFC. It is not a totally outlandish idea as the discussion has come up though not in that particular amount. Many federations do already get significant sums of money from FIDE to attend FIDE meetings and Olympiads. The CFC got some small amount that did not fully cover the cost of sending our FIDE delegate, Hal Bond but every little bit helps. I think Ireland and Scotland got quite a bit more.
If we did get 60,000 Euros or $87,782.81 CAD from FIDE or some other source with the understanding that we should use it to advance chess in Canada, how would you spend it? Suppose you would get a similar amount every year from now into eternity. What projects should be undertaken? Suppose that you had to provide a report to FIDE or the donor at the end of the year showing forward progress (more children and adults playing chess, more titled players - FMs, WFMs, IMs, WIMs, GMs, WGMs, more FIDE games played). How would more money help us move the ball forward as far as chess in Canada and Canadian Chess in the World is concerned?
How would your answer change if the amount was 30,000 Euros or 100,000 Euros?
Hi Vlad
I didn't think it was like you to indulge in much 'iffy' thinking (I've been put down for doing such myself in the past); anyway, here's part of a cut and paste (and re-numbering) from a blog entry of mine re: goals the CFC might set for itself (many goals omitted, to suit the present thread) - what I'm putting here includes the CFC simply getting things back to what they used to be as much as can be done with a lot of new cash, plus, for starters anyway, some ideas for going beyond that (again with the use of a lot of new cash):
1. Have a server available one day for CFC members that's ready to be used;
2. Figure out how to promote chess better [as exciting] {cultural activity} - if nothing else, someday might have TV/Newspaper commercial(s) with a chess set plus refreshments on coffee table or picnic bench (no people present), with caption reminding people of chess in their childhood (asking if they would they like to brush up in a big way, then give CFC website address);
3. Promote rated Sections, or even whole events (by the use of cash incentives for organizers), designed to bring in many newcomers (takes advertising);
4. Improve CFC website, the face of the CFC (main page currently looks jumbled);
5. Might improve CFC Discussion Board, e.g. have specialized forums for non-Chess topics (compare e.g. OzChess, the Australian chess message board);
6. Provide some thing(s) for non-elite player adult CFC members (e.g. more funding for some types of local events);
7. Encourage growth of Canadian chess clubs (e.g. more discounts - maybe there's the possibility that the CFC might one day negotiate an arrangement with CMA/(equipment supplier[s]) to allow the CFC to indirectly offer discounts to clubs [and perhaps their members]);
8. Lots of [big] clubs helps promote team chess eventually too - could have team chess on internet as well;
9. CFC a force for chess education, e.g. core subject in schools;
10. Provide seperate Active and Blitz ratings;
11. Provide print CFC magazine again eventually;
12. Get a CFC physical office (and store) again eventually;
13. Besides chess books & equipment, CFC can sell e.g. T-shirts or perhaps even Canadian elite chess player [post]cards (with data);
14. Provide CFC Bughouse ratings eventually (perhaps same for Chess960, Crazyhouse & even other chess variants) - this may be more workable in the beginning if & when a chess server is up and running, if variants can be added as an option, but even now non-CFC rated Canadian bughouse events are increasing, as internet reveals;
15. Eventually lower CFC membership fees (e.g. by $3?);
16. Eventually lower CFC rating fees (e.g. by $1?).
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Hamlet (1.5.167-8), Hamlet to Horatio.