TCA EXECUTIVE MEETING MINUTES
Meeting held in Hobart, 19th of August 2018 after the Tasmanian Rapid Championship
OPENED :
1323h
PRESENT :
• Denis McMahon (President)
• Kevin Bonham (Vice-President)
• Ian Little (Secretary, Treasurer, Webmaster)
• Ian Rout (BCC Delegate)
• Alex Nagy (HCC Delegate)
• Kam Lee (Observer)
• Albert Chin (Observer)
• Tan Thanh Nugyen (Observer)
APOLOGIES :
• Christine Rumley
MINUTES :
The minutes of the previous TCA executive meetings (19 rd of November 2017, and 5 th of February
2018) were circulated via e-mail prior to the meeting. No amendments were notified; the minutes
were accepted as read and correct.
Matters arising:
Nil
MOTIONS MOVED IN ADVANCE :
Nil
TASMANIAN ALLEGRO GRAND PRIX :
Denis McMahon informed the meeting of an approach made to him by Jérôme Pirotais regarding an
idea to establish a Tasmanian Allegro Grand Prix. Denis, as TCA president, gave Jérôme authority to
solicit sponsorship on behalf of the TCA to be used in this pursuit. Denis informed the meeting that
the matter had been left with Jérôme being asked to present a plan for his ideas to Denis and the TCA.
Ian Little and Jérôme were to consult on the matter at the HCC, but due to a combination of absences
and the HCC Club Championships this consultation has not yet occurred. As such the overall Grand
Prix concept has not progressed at this stage.
Denis commented that while the TCA did agree to raise the potential of a Grand Prix at the next
opportunity, it was very difficult to have meaningful discussions about the project without knowing
some more details about the exact nature of the intended setup. The broad nature of the Grand Prix
as mentioned in the initial communications between Jérôme and Denis indicated a structure
composed of 4 or 5 one day tournaments, each with a time control of 13+2.
Further general discussion led to the agreement that following the submission of a more formal
proposal, an AGM was the correct forum to discuss the project further and gain input from general
members.
ACTION ITEM: Ian Little to approach Jérôme Pirotais and invite him to present a Grand Prix proposal
to the TCA for discussion at the 2019 AGM.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS :
Vega vs Swiss Perfect.
Denis McMahon indicated that Kevin Bonham had approached him regarding the use of Swiss Perfect
at future TCA event, and intended to move a motion to formally retire the use Swiss Perfect in favour
of Vega.
Kevin noted that Swiss Perfect is now 20 years out of date and did not work correctly when it was
created. Kevin went on to site incorrect pairings in rounds 7, 8, and 9 from the previous nights
Tasmanian Lightning Championships.
Moved Bonham
That Vega be used for all future Tasmanian Championships, Tasmanian Opens, Tasmanian
Rapid Championships, and Tasmanian Lightning Championships.
Motion carried unanimously.
Tasmanian Rapid Championships
Denis McMahon reminded the meeting of decisions made at the 2017 AGM regarding the structure
and entry fees for TCA tournaments, including the Tasmanian Rapid Championships, and noted that
this was reviewed annually at each AGM. Denis pointed out that preceding these motions he had
discussions with Martin Friebe from the Launceston club regarding the entry fees for juniors. As a
result, the entry fees for juniors were significantly reduced for the Tasmanian Championships and
Tasmanian Open.
Denis noted that the same fee reduction was not applied to the Tasmanian Rapid Championship,
which is run as a fundraising event, with all competitor’s entry fees set at $30. Denis then informed
the meeting that as a result of increased venue hire costs for the 2018 Tasmanian Rapid Championship,
Ian Little put a motion to the TCA Executive to increase the entry fees for the 2018 Tasmanian Rapid
Championship to $35 per player.
Denis then informed the meeting of comments made by Martin Friebe regarding the 2018 Tasmanian
Rapid Championship on Facebook. The comments were described as “quite disparaging” towards Ian
Little, and denoted that he (Martin) was doing his best to promote chess in Launceston and Tasmania
he could not promote this event (the 2018 Tasmanian Rapid Championship) because juniors were
getting “ripped off”. Denis informed the meeting that as a result of these correspondences he had
written to Martin and informed him of the history of the matter, including the LCC’s delegate support
for the relevant motions at previous AGM’s and Executive meetings, and expressed his personal
support for a review of the matters at the appropriate time. Denis assured Martin the issue would be
raised at the next Executive meeting. However, Denis also expressed to Martin that in his opinion
conducting a review of the entry fees 2 days prior to the commencement of the event was entirely
inappropriate. Denis also urged Martin to apologise to Ian Little for the tone of some of the remarks
made via social media and through subsequent e-mail communications.
Discussion of the matter led to general agreement that the most appropriate arena to resolve the
issues raised will be the 2019 AGM. Several points leading to this agreement sited the fact that the
current meeting had no Launceston chess club delegates or observers, and the main proponent was
also not in attendance. It was noted that as the next AGM is scheduled to be held in Launceston it
would be much easier for either Martin on his own behalf, or a delegate of the LCC to attend the
meeting and put forth their grievances, ideas, and recommendations. It was also noted that an AGM
would allow for a general member vote on the issues raised, not just an executive vote, and that due
to this fact it was also somewhat unusual for an executive to overturn the decisions of an AGM unless
there are extenuating circumstances.
ACTION ITEM: Denis McMahon to write to Martin Friebe following the release of the minutes of this
meeting, informing him of the executive’s decisions regarding this matter.
Published Contact Details
Kam Lee raised the issue of no phone numbers being published on the TCA website, and sited previous
discussions with Ian Little regarding the TCA’s privacy policy. Kam asked Ian if he believed having a
published phone number would be advantageous. Ian Little informed the meeting that in his opinion
having a digital contact form was sufficient, and that most people were very used to dealing with this
form of initial contact. In Ian’s opinion, having a published phone number would not increase the
number of communications to the TCA or clubs, but would increase cold calls from agencies who scan
website for phone numbers.
Ian sited his personal experience from publishing his phone number online for business purposes, and
the increased call traffic from marketing and charity organisations. Ian noted he was not against a
review of the privacy policy preventing the publishing of phone numbers, but would strongly argue
that publishing personal numbers online was not a good idea and would not achieve the outcomes
suggested.
2019 Tasmanian Open, Rapid Championships, and Lightning Championships Locations
Denis noted that in 2019 the Tasmanian Rapid and Lightning Championships were loosely scheduled
to be held in Burnie, with the Tasmanian Open to be held in Hobart. Denis asked Ian Rout to consult
with Reg Harvey on Burnie’s ability and interest in hosting the 2019 Tasmanian Rapid and Lightning
Championships at around the same time in August 2019.
Denis went on to ask for comments regarding the suitability of Area 52 as a venue for when the
Tasmanian Rapid and Lightning were scheduled to return to Hobart in 2020. Discussion noted that
overall the increased noise at the venue from other games players was not an issue, but the increased
noise from fellow chess players was distracting. It was suggested that if the fundraising nature of the
tournament was changed, then a quieter venue may be required to give players the best setting to
play for cash prizes.
Levies and Members List Reminder
Ian Little reminded the meeting that the TCA for many reasons, including insurance coverage and
ratings, requires an up-to-date members list. Ian has been in contact with all affiliated TCA clubs and
thanked Burnie and Hobart for their payments, but noted that extracting information on who clubs
have paid for, along with some basic information was an ongoing issue. Ian urged club delegates to go
back to their clubs and talk to the club’s secretaries, presidents, or who ever is in charge of these issues
within their club and impress upon them the importance of keeping an up-to-date register.
When asked, Ian informed the meeting that while being in touch with Kerry Beeton, the LCC was yet
to pay their membership levies.
ACTION ITEM: Ian Little to stay in contact with Kerry Beeton regarding LCC levies and members list
and report to Denis McMahon as required.
CLOSED :
1355h