13-03-2014, 03:40 PM
Chess Scotland is walking a financial tightrope, and based on some things some people have said I don't think everyone entirely appreciates that. This is not a case of trying to squeeze as much as possible out of people in order to maximise profits. The organisation needs to be financially viable or the activities that it undertakes will fall down face first, much to the detriment of everyone. We must have a method of generating an income that can support and sustain the most important objectives of a national organisation, without driving away people who cannot afford to contribute. That's not the easiest thing in the world to achieve, and so any idea which aims to achieve it should not be off the discussion table. The latest suggested dicussions on introducing a fee on junior grading; and making membership compulsory, are, therefore, worthy of discussion. But I sincerely hope other methods of generating funds are also suggested and discussed. David Congalton is - once again - being proactive and taking some very innovative steps. But we need more like it.
Introducing a fee on junior grading I support in theory, although I do think 25p is too high. I also think that we could introduce some conditions to it, such as fees only being paid for players who are over a certain rating, or whom have played a certain number of games. That way we are making it more likely the fees aren't a disincentive to new players/parents. I genuinely think that if Chess Scotland is honest with people about the financial situation - that in light of a loss in government funding we must generate new revenue streams to maintain the basic functions of the organisation - then people will listen and be understanding about paying a (small) bit more for their kids to play Chess on a weekend.
I used to support compulsory membership as the way forward for CS. However, in view of the facts it's now clear to me that it would be a bad idea. As Douglas points out, the majority of very active players are already members, and I do believe that forcing membership on the less active players might instead simply drive more players away from the game.
Compulsory membership for juniors is also a bad idea, although for different reasons. To improve membership among the junior populations I think it would be a good idea to give more benefits that are aimed at juniors. Maybe a junior-friendly section in the magazine, for instance... among other things. But I also think that a lot of parents (and juniors) simply aren't aware of Chess Scotland membership and what it offers them already. So perhaps marketing more regularly what already exists would be a good idea. A few small A6 leaflets at some of the junior events will probably convert some non-members into regular paying members, even if for no other reason than out of support for the national body.
Introducing a fee on junior grading I support in theory, although I do think 25p is too high. I also think that we could introduce some conditions to it, such as fees only being paid for players who are over a certain rating, or whom have played a certain number of games. That way we are making it more likely the fees aren't a disincentive to new players/parents. I genuinely think that if Chess Scotland is honest with people about the financial situation - that in light of a loss in government funding we must generate new revenue streams to maintain the basic functions of the organisation - then people will listen and be understanding about paying a (small) bit more for their kids to play Chess on a weekend.
I used to support compulsory membership as the way forward for CS. However, in view of the facts it's now clear to me that it would be a bad idea. As Douglas points out, the majority of very active players are already members, and I do believe that forcing membership on the less active players might instead simply drive more players away from the game.
Compulsory membership for juniors is also a bad idea, although for different reasons. To improve membership among the junior populations I think it would be a good idea to give more benefits that are aimed at juniors. Maybe a junior-friendly section in the magazine, for instance... among other things. But I also think that a lot of parents (and juniors) simply aren't aware of Chess Scotland membership and what it offers them already. So perhaps marketing more regularly what already exists would be a good idea. A few small A6 leaflets at some of the junior events will probably convert some non-members into regular paying members, even if for no other reason than out of support for the national body.