15-08-2013, 10:14 AM
I have been trying very hard to cast my vote for President based on the comments and policies of the two candidates. However, I have found Hugh Brechin's contribution very hard to ignore
"Both Alex McFarlane and Andy Howie have done terrific things for chess in Scotland over the years, and the fact that they have nominated and seconded Hamish Glen is certainly a point in his favour. I would also have serious concerns about electing someone to the office of President who has resigned, without being pressed to do so, from multiple CS directorships over the years."
Lets have a look at what the candidates had to say
Steve Hilton
Pluses
1. I was impressed with this
"I also want to clarify who is responsible for the day to day running of the Association. Council must remain the supreme decision making body for chess in Scotland, but the association has to still function as a body on a day to day basis.
and this
"One Idea worth considering is the introduction of voting by email"
Taken together they seem to be about practically getting Council to work better, but also crucially allowing Directors to get on with in - Council cannot micro manage
2. I very much like this
"I have also helped two young players one in Aberdeen through Sheila Emery and the father of a blind kid in Hamilton by providing braille sets free.
I have also donated a number of Sets to Chris Hampton to help him set up a chess club for the blind in Edinburgh."
Grand world designs are all well and good but action on at the local level usually counts.
Negatives
1. There is a lot about the constitution and very general statements about healing rifts. There is nothing about junior chess, the Scottish championship or the commonwealth championships.
Hamish Glen
Pluses
1. "I will work with my fellow Directors to promote and enhance the image
of Chess Scotland to put us in a position to be ready to host the
Commonwealth Championships and the Junior Team Home Internationals
next summer which CS can use to highlight the profile of Chess in
Scotland."
A great opening statement - he knows what is going on and the challenge and opportunities that lie in the year ahead
2. "I fully support the motion to bring Junior Chess in Scotland back
under the umbrella of Chess Scotland while still allowing different
areas the autonomy to organise events etc for themselves with the full
backing and support of Chess Scotland. The setting up of a Junior
Management Board with a direct input to CS Council would add credence
to this motion."
Clearly some ideas on developing junior chess, I am not sure that I agree with all of that, but the important things is that Hamish has thought about it and clearly thinks junior chess is important
3. "I was Head of Delegation and Coach to the group of Chess Scotland
Juniors who attended the European Union Youth Chess Championships in
Mureck, Austria in July/August 2012"
I like this a lot, action on the ground over grand abstract ideas again
Negatives
1. "If re-elected, I promise a Proactive year rather than the Reactive year which has just passed"
Great sentiment, but that doesn't really square with this
"I am submitting this Manifesto in response to Stephen Hilton posting"
Surely the President should be leading not responding
So there we have it, I am not electrified by either candidate, but I have decided to vote for Hamish. He recognises the issues that I think are important and it looks like he'll allow the younger, more dynamic new Directors to take things forward.
"Both Alex McFarlane and Andy Howie have done terrific things for chess in Scotland over the years, and the fact that they have nominated and seconded Hamish Glen is certainly a point in his favour. I would also have serious concerns about electing someone to the office of President who has resigned, without being pressed to do so, from multiple CS directorships over the years."
Lets have a look at what the candidates had to say
Steve Hilton
Pluses
1. I was impressed with this
"I also want to clarify who is responsible for the day to day running of the Association. Council must remain the supreme decision making body for chess in Scotland, but the association has to still function as a body on a day to day basis.
and this
"One Idea worth considering is the introduction of voting by email"
Taken together they seem to be about practically getting Council to work better, but also crucially allowing Directors to get on with in - Council cannot micro manage
2. I very much like this
"I have also helped two young players one in Aberdeen through Sheila Emery and the father of a blind kid in Hamilton by providing braille sets free.
I have also donated a number of Sets to Chris Hampton to help him set up a chess club for the blind in Edinburgh."
Grand world designs are all well and good but action on at the local level usually counts.
Negatives
1. There is a lot about the constitution and very general statements about healing rifts. There is nothing about junior chess, the Scottish championship or the commonwealth championships.
Hamish Glen
Pluses
1. "I will work with my fellow Directors to promote and enhance the image
of Chess Scotland to put us in a position to be ready to host the
Commonwealth Championships and the Junior Team Home Internationals
next summer which CS can use to highlight the profile of Chess in
Scotland."
A great opening statement - he knows what is going on and the challenge and opportunities that lie in the year ahead
2. "I fully support the motion to bring Junior Chess in Scotland back
under the umbrella of Chess Scotland while still allowing different
areas the autonomy to organise events etc for themselves with the full
backing and support of Chess Scotland. The setting up of a Junior
Management Board with a direct input to CS Council would add credence
to this motion."
Clearly some ideas on developing junior chess, I am not sure that I agree with all of that, but the important things is that Hamish has thought about it and clearly thinks junior chess is important
3. "I was Head of Delegation and Coach to the group of Chess Scotland
Juniors who attended the European Union Youth Chess Championships in
Mureck, Austria in July/August 2012"
I like this a lot, action on the ground over grand abstract ideas again
Negatives
1. "If re-elected, I promise a Proactive year rather than the Reactive year which has just passed"
Great sentiment, but that doesn't really square with this
"I am submitting this Manifesto in response to Stephen Hilton posting"
Surely the President should be leading not responding
So there we have it, I am not electrified by either candidate, but I have decided to vote for Hamish. He recognises the issues that I think are important and it looks like he'll allow the younger, more dynamic new Directors to take things forward.