Ag. Item 17C - New Business - Public Relations Coordinator

[Bob Armstrong]

This topic has been started to be discussed under the thread of FIDE Representative. It seems important enough that I am authorizing it as a new business item.

Here is the filed motion on the new proposed Executive position of Public Relations Coordinator - this motion is for discussion only, and will not be voted on at this meeting:

Motion # 3 - Amending Bylaw 3, Duties of Officers – Public Relations Coordinator

Revision # 1, April 8, 2010

Moved: Robert Armstrong Seconded: Michael von Keitz

1. That there be added to Bylaw 2, section 10, after the words “ FIDE Representative “, the words “ Public Relations Coordinator “, and that the number “ seven “ be changed “ eight “ ( or “ nine “ if a Tournament Coordinator position is also added ); and

2. That there be added to Bylaw 3 , Duties of Officers, a new Section 8C dealing with “ Public Relations Coordinator “, as follows:

“ 8C Public Relations Coordinator

8C. The Public Relations Coordinator will be responsible for promoting the image of the CFC and for promoting chess generally to the public. As such the Public Relations Coordinator will, among other things:

- work with chess clubs and organizers across Canada to raise the profile of the CFC and chess
generally;
- work with the editor of the Canadian Chess News E-newsletter to develop content that is club specific;
- work with the Canadian Chess News editor and celebrity chess commentators to develop paid content that raises the profile of the e-newsletter and the CFC and chess generally.
- deal with mainstream media to promote significant chess news, such as Canadian Chess Champions, a new Canadian GM, major tournaments like the Can. Closed, Canadian Open, Can. Women’s Closed, CYCC, etc., the various benefits accruing from playing chess and other positive aspects of the chess culture.
.
Commentary:

This position is a valuable addition to the Executive.
The new position must now be made an officer of the CFC, and a member of the Board of Directors, by inserting it in the current Bylaw 2, section 10:

" Bylaw # 2

10. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the Assembly and shall be constituted by seven persons, namely, the President, Vice-President, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, FIDE Representative and Rating Auditor ( note that this seems to be an update that has been missed - the youth coordinator has now replaced the rating auditor on the Executive ) "

We think this position is essential to CFC projecting a favourable public image and meeting its objective of “ chess promotion “.The section highlights the duties of this officer as both improving the “ image of the CFC “ ; and equally doing “ chess promotion”. The CFC needs to improve as well its media relations in relation to chess promotion. So a separate duty has been specified to show that this office will deal with chess promotion in the mainstream media.

The issue raised on the thread it was being discussed under was that this position should only become a non-Executive officer position ( the current non-executive officer positions are: Masters' Representative, Women's Coordinator, and Rating Auditor ). The counter argument is that the position is so important, that it requires the weight of being on the Executive.

Any further comments?

Bob