11.E Changing the name of the Executive Director

[Vladimir Drkulec]

This is a discussion at the request of Michael Barron to change the title/name of the executive director to office manager. There will be an associated straw poll.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I am against this for a few reasons but the main one is that Bob Gillanders does not like the idea.

This should not be our highest priority. Bob is a very good employee. Lets keep him happy.

[Aris Marghetis]

I am against this for a few reasons but the main one is that Bob Gillanders does not like the idea.

This should not be our highest priority. Bob is a very good employee. Lets keep him happy.

I agree wholeheartedly!!

[Pierre Dénommée]

The CFC has way more important goals to achieve then a cosmetic change that is opposed by our outstanding employee,

[Christopher Mallon]

Being able to spend time discussing the small issues as well as the large is one of the main benefits of this style of online meeting. However... even though I'm definitely opposed to this proposal, it's hard to argue the point as nothing has been said in favour of it as of yet...

[Michael Barron]

Just to clarify:
This proposal in not about Bob Gillanders personally and not about his performance as Executive Director.
It's about clarifying the essence of the position to avoid misunderstanding and terminology confusion.

I had a hard time trying to explain CFC management structure to a new Voting Member:
- We have CFC Executive, also called the Board of Directors, and we have Executive Director, who is not Executive and not a Director...
- But why we call him Executive Director in such case?
- Because Bob Gillanders, who currently holds this position, likes to be called Executive Director. Bob is doing a great work for CFC, and we want to keep him happy.
- Well...

To avoid such awkward conversations I would suggest to call a spade a spade.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

He is also not an office manager since we don't really have an office. Bob is the guy that usually over-extends his credit card to pay the Fees to FIDE and stays up to 2:30 am along with Christina Tao to get people registered at the Pan Am online only to get the rug yanked out from under them.

[Victor Plotkin]

COO = chief operating officer

[Vladimir Drkulec]

COO = chief operating officer


That would work and would accurately reflect what he does.

[Michael Barron]

That would work and would accurately reflect what he does.

Finally we're making progress! :)
Thank you, Victor, for good suggestion!

So, let's amend my Motion:
"To avoid terminology confusion, rename the position of paid CFC employee to Chief Operating Officer (COO)".

Please put it to a vote at appropriate time.

[David Gordon]

I'll take the pink and purple deck chairs please.

[Aris Marghetis]

Finally we're making progress! :)
Thank you, Victor, for good suggestion!

So, let's amend my Motion:
"To avoid terminology confusion, rename the position of paid CFC employee to Chief Operating Officer (COO)".

Please put it to a vote at appropriate time.

If Bob agrees with this, then I'll support it.

[Stephen Wright]

"To avoid terminology confusion, rename the position of paid CFC employee to Chief Operating Officer (COO)".

If the desire is to avoid terminology confusion, I don't see how changing the position name to Chief Operating Officer would help when we already have Officers who are elected and non-paid.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

If the desire is to avoid terminology confusion, I don't see how changing the position name to Chief Operating Officer would help when we already have Officers who are elected and non-paid.


That is a good point. This is certainly not something that we would need to proceed quickly on, nor is it one of our highest priorities.

[Victoria Doknjas]

I have 3 questions:

1. What does Bob Gillanders think about this? If he is vehemently against this, I think that is good enough reason to end the discussion. It would be different if Bob wanted to be called, "His Royal Majesty, King Bob", but in this case, "Executive Director" has been in use for many, many years without any issues, and also has been recognized in other organizations.

2. Is there something specified in Bob's employment contract that states his title? If so, I think the discuss ends right there, i.e., why are we talking about something that CFC is bound to contractually and thus, can't change?

3. If the main reason for this suggestion is "To avoid terminology confusion", how widespread of an issue is this?
- If there are many, many new Voting Members who are confused and unable to competently do their VM duties, maybe a committee needs to be assembled to produce an "Everything a new CFC Voting Members Needs to Know, But Is Afraid to Ask" pamphlet (I specifically didn't write "handbook" because that just sounds like a HUGE job).
- And if you think that's a good idea, maybe 1 or 2 of these new VMs could volunteer to write this pamphlet, so basically what they are learning now, they can jot down for future VMs to benefit from their new and wonderous discoveries in the land of CFC.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

To Victoria's 3 questions.

Bob Gillanders was against the original suggestion of office manager. There is no office to manage beyond a virtual one.

Bob took over the Michael von Keitz contract and yes, I believe there is language stating his title.

I have not really had many people express confusion to me on this point. Executive Director has been in use as a title for at least fifty years in the CFC and in other non-profits.

[Victoria Doknjas]

To Victoria's 3 questions.

Bob Gillanders was against the original suggestion of office manager. There is no office to manage beyond a virtual one.

Bob took over the Michael von Keitz contract and yes, I believe there is language stating his title.

I have not really had many people express confusion to me on this point. Executive Director has been in use as a title for at least fifty years in the CFC and in other non-profits.

As such:
1. If Bob is against the title change, which is who it affects the most, I am against the title change.
2. If Bob's employment contract with CFC states his title, then of course I am against the title change.
3. If there is no huge confusion and the title has been in use for many years at the CFC and other reputable non-profits, well then, I think you get the idea...

[Aris Marghetis]

Victoria and Vlad and others all seem totally right!

Maybe this discussion has gone on long enough lol

Unless Bob asks for something, can we move on?!