On the September 20, 2001 conference call of the USCF Executive Board, the following motion was considered:
EB 02-13 (McCrary) "Cash or merchandise prizes payable by the USCF for any U.S. ChessLive event will not exceed 75% of the USCF's net revenue, in entry fees or sponsorship, for that particular event. Payments to titled players for services provided to U.S. ChessLive will be suspended at this time." PASSED 5-1-1, with Barry opposed and Warren abstaining.
On the October 9, 2001 conference call of the USCF Executive Board, the following motion was considered:
EB 02-14 (McCrary) "The Executive Board approves the settlement in the case described in the confidential message by the President of October 5, 2001." PASSED 5-2, Warren and Barry opposed.
The Executive Board of the United States Chess Federation met on October 27 and 28, 2001, in Newburgh, NY. The following Board members were present:
Dr. John McCrary, President
Steve Shutt, Vice President
Frank Camaratta, Vice President for Finance
Bob Smith, Secretary
Dr. Frank Brady, Member-at-Large
Helen Warren, Member-at-Large
Doris Barry, Member-at-Large
The following motions were considered by the Executive Board:
EB 02-15 (McCrary) “The agenda is approved as corrected.” PASSED BY GENERAL CONSENT
EB 02-16 (McCrary) “The Minutes of the August 2001 Executive Board meetings are approved, subject to transcript review regarding the sequence of TLA motions. The following corrections are noted: Frank Camaratta was elected as a member of the Book-and-Equipment task force, and Frank Camaratta is listed as voting to elect Doris Barry to the office services task force.” PASSED BY GENERAL CONSENT
EB 02-17 (Camaratta) “The following operational guidelines for accounts receivable/payable shall be general policy:
1. No payable beyond 90 days except by agreement.
2. All vendor contracts to be negotiated on net 30-60-90- day terms.
3. Payables over 90 days to be retired immediately. Then payables 60-90 days, unless by prior agreement.
4. Immediate call for payment of receivables that are 90 days past due, with legal letter and/or a phone call to follow within 30 days to those with delinquent accounts over $200.” PASSED 7-0
EB 02-18 (Camaratta) “1. The Executive Board will continue the policy established by the previous Executive Board concerning reimbursement for travel. The Executive Board members will submit a request for reimbursement for travel costs only (receipt required). There will be no per diem or rental car reimbursement. Room costs will be paid in advance by the USCF Office.
2. Executive Board claims for reimbursement do not require approval by the Vice President for Finance, since only airfare is involved. The requests for payment must be submitted within 90 days. The office can ask the Vice President for Finance to approve any EB expenditure they might be uncomfortable with.
3. Special travel by any Board member will require Executive Board approval. Claims for reimbursement by the Executive Director will require approval by the Vice President for Finance. Any travel by the Executive Director, other than to regularly-scheduled meetings or events, shall require prior approval of the Vice President for Finance.” PASSED 7-0
EB 02-19 (Camaratta) “1. Preliminary monthly financial reports shall be sent to the Vice President for Finance and the Chair of the Finance Committee for review and comment one week prior to finalization and dissemination to the entire Executive Board.
2. All Book-and-Equipment purchase orders shall be approved by the Vice President for Finance.
3. All vendor payments shall be approved by the Vice President for Finance.” PASSED 7-0
EB 02-20 (Smith) “The ratings proposal described in the report of the Vice President for Finance is referred to the Scholastic, Ratings, Organizers, Membership Growth, and Affiliate Affairs Committees.” PASSED 7-0 [Note: This proposal, originally co-sponsored by Warren and Camaratta, concerns the possible creation of a rating system limited to scholastic-only events. It was described in a memorandum to the Board but not offered in motion form prior to this referral.]
EB 02-21 (Warren) “By January 1, 2002, all monies due PPHBF from Operations shall be paid including interest due.” PASSED 7-0
EB 02-22 (McCrary) “The Executive Board thanks the Scholastic Council and the Scholastic Committee for their outstanding work.” PASSED 6-0-1, Shutt abstaining. [Note that Mr. Shutt abstained on this motion of thanks because he is liaison to these committees and assisted in the preparation of their reports.]
EB 02-23 (McCrary) “The Executive Board designates the following tournaments as qualifying tournaments for the U.S. Championship, with six qualifiers apiece: The U.S. Masters, the National Open, The Foxwoods Open, the Chicago Open, the World Open, and the U.S. Open.” PASSED 6-0-1, Warren abstaining
EB 02-24 (McCrary) “In case of extraordinary events such as terrorism, a tournament organizer may appeal to the Executive Director or President for relief from sections of the rulebook that apply to minimum payment of prizes.” PASSED 7-0
EB 02-25 (Board) “The USCF will establish a promotional membership which will permit on-line play but not include receipt of a magazine. The price will be $10 for scholastic and $16 for youth. A combined USCF/U.S. ChessLive membership for participation in scholastic league online play will be offered for an additional $6 for scholastic members and $8 for youth members.”PASSED 7-0
EB 02-26 (Warren) “The Executive Board endorses the proposal to adjust scholastic dues to one-half of regular adult dues.”
Steve Shutt moved the following substitute for the Warren motion: “The Executive Board requests input from the Scholastic, Membership Growth, and Finance Committees for the following dues structure: that scholastic dues be changed to one-half of the regular adult dues; youth dues be changed to scholastic dues plus $5; and that a new category of young adult members with dues to be determined be considered. Such input is required before the next Board meeting.”
Frank Camaratta moved to amend the substitute by inserting “endorses and” before “requests”
Bob Smith moved to table the main motion (EB 02-26) and all substitutes and amendments to it. EB 02-26 was then TABLED 4-3, with Smith, McCrary, Shutt, and Brady in favor of tabling, and Warren, Barry, and Camaratta opposed to tabling.
EB 02-27 (Board) “The U.S. Chess Federation dissociates itself from the remarks made by Robert J. Fischer about the terrorist actions. The USCF Executive Board expresses the deepest sympathy for the victims of the tragedies and the strongest condemnation of the actions of terrorists.”
Dr. Frank Brady moved to amend by adding “Mr. Fischer will be informed that his membership may be revoked.” The amendment PASSED 6-0-1, McCrary abstaining. Then the main motion as amended PASSED 7-0
EB 02-28 (Camaratta) “Moved, to take the motions on scholastic dues increases (EB 02-26) off the table.” FAILED 3-4 with Camaratta, Barry, and Warren in favor, and McCrary, Shutt, Smith, and Brady opposed.
Respectfully submitted, Bob Smith, USCF Secretary