AGM

[Ianbrownlee]

 "I also feel voting could be much better organised but that is a subject for another day. How can motions be adequately voted on when the voting is effectively and realistically over before the AGM. On average there are 60 votes cast with only 20 members attending which makes the debates and elections a farce"

Sorry you think that is a topic for another day.  As the constitution is under review, hearing comments on this aspect would be useful.

I too have concerns over votes cast in advance.  However, it is better than the previous system of proxy votes where people harvested others votes in the hope of getting something controversial through.  This usually ended up as effectively two people opposing each other with the winner being the person with the larger number of proxies.  Attendance at the meeting became an irrelevance as the debate didn't matter.

I'm not sure that keeping voting open after the meeting, even if possible, would be a better solution. 
How many would listen to the points made at the meeting?

At least the current system allows everyone to express an opinion if they want.  It is to be hoped that some thought is given before the vote is cast.

well since you asked Alex...

1. You mentioned the ECF in a previous post. I believe Council there has a separate chair who calls council meetings and the AGM. The council in Scotland could benefit from a chair who would be directly responsible for calling meetings in time and therefore avoid the problems that occured this year. I know the CS President should be the chair for Council but I feel this should be dissolved to a council member and also given the responsible of holding independent meetings outwidth Management Board and Exec Committee, Just one of my many thoughts.

2. There seems to be striking successes by many members of the Management Board , examples being the Junior Contingent by Harry and Sherry and the Scottish by Thor and his team. Now this needs to be followed through and developed by financial incentives especially on the Junior side

3. My main bugbear is the fact when voting on motions and elections, there needs to be an election/returning officer, who is not a member of the Management or Exec. Its not the integrity of the voting officer but anyone voting may be be influenced by who sees their vote, and may even attempt to curry favour by voting in a particular way. No one apar from the returning officer should see who voted what before, during and post AGM

[Andy Howie]

Problem with 1 is EXCO and MB are members of Council. So how do you have an independent meeting?

2 agreed, there has been some very good things this year.

3 I think there is agreement from just about everyone. Doesn't work for a F2F meeting where everyone sees how everyone votes. Thinking about it for a minute, I think it is possible to have votes recorded in the manner we are doing without knowing how a person has voted meaning the only check is on if that person is allowed to vote. That might actually simplify things quite a bit. Going to look into it as that solves the problem. I am 99.99% sure it is possible to do. Might be a bit tight to do for this years AGM but will see if it can be done

[Ianbrownlee]

thanks Andy its no reflection on you, I just feel some people may be tempted to vote too curry favour rather than vote according to conscience. I was thinking council could separate from MB and EXEC .
It all depends whether you consider MB and EXEC report to council or whether MB and EXEC are answerable to council, two very different points which will probably require clarification at some point. I am always confused why council isn't a separate entity in its own right

Doesn't work for a F2F meeting where everyone sees how everyone votes.

actually a big black box with a slit in it would do the trick

Also I nearly forgot (again)
It would also be good to list the posts that will actually be vacant at the time of the AGM rather wait until the nominations are in. For example if directors are not renewing then volunteers might be more forthcoming for vacant posts rather than contestable ones

[amuir]

With spectators being banned because of mobile phones, AGMs online, online titled tuesday, secret council meetings, it is becoming harder to make chess acquaintances and so it is more difficult to get nominations and seconders. Let's scrap this rule. People should be able to stand from the floor. What if Johnny no-friends or Vladimir persona-non-grata wants to stand for Chess Council ? Are we going to reject these people ?

[Ianbrownlee]

Council meetings are no secret if you want to get a seat on council as an individual get a proposer and seconder, I have. If you want me as a proposer or seconder, I'll do it. Get it done and dont complain about it. Spectators arent generally banned, look at the SNCL., just done have a phone on, its distracting for the players and can be used for cheating. I agree that AGM's should have a physical presence but thats democracy if I'm in the minority. CS is crying for volunteers including the Johnny's and the Vlads. What rule do you want to scrap specifically

[Andy Howie]

  Doesn't work for a F2F meeting where everyone sees how everyone votes. 

actually a big black box with a slit in it would do the trick

Also I nearly forgot (again)
It would also be good to list the posts that will actually be vacant at the time of the AGM rather wait until the nominations are in. For example if directors are not renewing then volunteers might be more forthcoming for vacant posts rather than contestable ones

Constitution has all votes as open. Secret ballot can be asked for

AFAIK all are restanding bar 1 person still to confirm.  Was 2 but one came back to me this morning.

[Jim Webster]

Before the change to online,  Council meetings were open to all with the proviso that they were not allowed to participate in proceeding of the Council meetings. Their role was simply as observers and allowed the transparency of the meetings, and I myself sat in as an observer in previous meetings.

There is no constitutional reason where observers are not allowed and in fact this would greatly increase the openness and awareness of the membership.

Where sensitive, confidential issues are raised the observers asked to leave the room any particular issue.  I can quote actual real instances it so reqiuired

For example 
Council meeting 16th March 2014 (extract of minutes)
Council Members 
Douglas Bryson David G Congalton Daniel C Deary David M Deary Hamish Glen - Chairman Dick Heathwood - Secretary Andy Howie June Underwood Jim J Webster  
Observers 
Andrew McCulloch David Archibald 
Apologies 
Alan Borwell Ian G Brownlee + others

[amuir]

Ian
1 Please propose the motion : "The Chess Scotland AGM should be held in person" . I shall second it.
2 As for standing for election, I have never won an AGM vote in 50 years. What generally happens is that I stand against the council favourite. I am then 10 votes down at the start. 20 other people are swayed by authority. 10 people believe in me. A 30-10 loss is a typical score. If you wish to propose and get a second for a suitable position please let me know. I work from home and don't attend chess club nights and I have no support from my club members. I have no other votes so will make no further attempt at this.

[Ianbrownlee]

Andy
you're not listening I am not proposing the AGM should be in person I am stating if possible a hybrid event and only if the exec can accommodate it. Also you don't have to stand against anybody. Andy if you want to stand on council as an individual and in view of your past and present contributions I'll propose you and I have a person willing to second you. If you want to stand as a club representative get your club ( I presume Paisley) to propose and second you. There also I think School and League representatives as well.

[amuir]

There is a lack of enthusiasm for Paisley to do things outside Glasgow League, so no AGM support for me.
Failures by juniors : last place in Glorney Cup
Failures by adults: no IMs in last 20 years, finished below seedings in Olympiads for 20 years
I shall not be attending the online AGM this year, I shall be playing chess instead, OTB and actually speaking to people.