06-11-2019, 04:24 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-11-2019, 09:31 AM by Gerald Lobley.)
At the AGM a few of us were asked to produce a short draft that could be included within the Minutes and that dealt with the key points raised about the issue of the Scottish Championship award. The text is to aimed to show how the meeting tried to find an equable solution to an almost intractable problem and was keen to move forward in a positive manner to avoid such confusion in the future.
Please recognise that this is a provisional minute and is not official until ratified by the next AGM (2020)
FINAL DRAFT:
The proposal was discussed at the AGM and there was a strong feeling that the problems had arisen due to a series of failures/inadequacies of communication and that consequently no blame should be attached to any one individual for this. The AGM indicated their heartfelt sympathy for the near-impossible situation that Alex found himself in during the 2019 Championship. Based on the information he had available his decision to award the title to Matt Turner was correct.
Unfortunately, the information on which that decision was made was incorrect. Due to a series of communication errors and mistranslation of the original SCO motion in 2016, SCO registration was taken as an alternative source of eligibility rather than an additional requirement (e.g. birth plus SCO, parent plus SCO, residency plus SCO). Had this information been available to Alex his decision would probably have been different.
The problem has lain undetected for 3 years and in that period many of us could (and should) have identified the misinterpretation of the 2016 AGM decision and, as such, we must all take collective responsibility for the situation. It is unfortunate that lack of action on our part led to one of Chess Scotland's most loyal and respected contributors being placed in such a quandary. The AGM expressed wholehearted support and thanks to Alex McFarlane for his continuing outstanding work over many years in organising and running the Scottish Championships.
The proposal to share the title was seen by its supporters as a way to find a compromise. It was recognised that this is not ideal but was judged to be the least worst of the various options available. This was certainly not a unanimous view but after the subsequent vote the motion was passed by a majority of 30 to 22 with 12 abstentions.
The most important decision is to ensure such a problem does not arise again and place individuals such as the Scottish Championship Director and International Director in such difficult situations. The problem has been transferred to an Eligibility Working Party and the AGM was keen to have Alex as a member of this WP as his input as his knowledge of Chess Scotland procedures and his experience of the international situation would be invaluable (and indeed necessary). The AGM hopes Alex will be able to help steer CS into calmer waters.
END DRAFT
Since this original post (above) Alex has identified an error within my draft and requested that the following statement should be appended (November 11th, 2019):
"It has now become clear that Alex McFarlane was aware of the problems that the Muir motion would produce prior to its discussion and had informed two senior Chess Scotland officials of this. Although uncertain of how this was achieved, Alex is convinced that he was informed of a resolution which resulted in the changes to the Championship entry form."
Please recognise that this is a provisional minute and is not official until ratified by the next AGM (2020)
FINAL DRAFT:
The proposal was discussed at the AGM and there was a strong feeling that the problems had arisen due to a series of failures/inadequacies of communication and that consequently no blame should be attached to any one individual for this. The AGM indicated their heartfelt sympathy for the near-impossible situation that Alex found himself in during the 2019 Championship. Based on the information he had available his decision to award the title to Matt Turner was correct.
Unfortunately, the information on which that decision was made was incorrect. Due to a series of communication errors and mistranslation of the original SCO motion in 2016, SCO registration was taken as an alternative source of eligibility rather than an additional requirement (e.g. birth plus SCO, parent plus SCO, residency plus SCO). Had this information been available to Alex his decision would probably have been different.
The problem has lain undetected for 3 years and in that period many of us could (and should) have identified the misinterpretation of the 2016 AGM decision and, as such, we must all take collective responsibility for the situation. It is unfortunate that lack of action on our part led to one of Chess Scotland's most loyal and respected contributors being placed in such a quandary. The AGM expressed wholehearted support and thanks to Alex McFarlane for his continuing outstanding work over many years in organising and running the Scottish Championships.
The proposal to share the title was seen by its supporters as a way to find a compromise. It was recognised that this is not ideal but was judged to be the least worst of the various options available. This was certainly not a unanimous view but after the subsequent vote the motion was passed by a majority of 30 to 22 with 12 abstentions.
The most important decision is to ensure such a problem does not arise again and place individuals such as the Scottish Championship Director and International Director in such difficult situations. The problem has been transferred to an Eligibility Working Party and the AGM was keen to have Alex as a member of this WP as his input as his knowledge of Chess Scotland procedures and his experience of the international situation would be invaluable (and indeed necessary). The AGM hopes Alex will be able to help steer CS into calmer waters.
END DRAFT
Since this original post (above) Alex has identified an error within my draft and requested that the following statement should be appended (November 11th, 2019):
"It has now become clear that Alex McFarlane was aware of the problems that the Muir motion would produce prior to its discussion and had informed two senior Chess Scotland officials of this. Although uncertain of how this was achieved, Alex is convinced that he was informed of a resolution which resulted in the changes to the Championship entry form."