Accessing notice board

[Ianbrownlee]

I agree with Andy 100% end of...

[Patrick McGovern]

Why would we want a members only section, what have we to hide??? What is sitting there in the deepest darkest recesses of the non member mind that we are so scared of?

i have not noticed anyone saying they are scared of non members; i have not noticed anyone saying or implying that they have anything to hide from non members; use of language Andy H is not helpful.

There are many forums/noticeboards that successfully run members only sections. I was hoping for opinions from members and i got (mostly) reasoned opinions.

Thanks,

Pat.

[Phil Thomas]

Perhaps the notice board should contain a section for non members only.

Discuss (non members that is )

[Alan Jelfs]

Surely it's better to have a private members' section, rather than have moderators close down debates which they think reflect badly on CS's public image?

[Patrick McGovern]

perhaps the fact that membership fees are used to help run CS and its noticeboard perhaps non members may wish to make a donation in the interests of fairness?

[Phil Thomas]

perhaps the fact that membership fees are used to help run CS and its noticeboard perhaps non members may wish to make a donation in the interests of fairness?

Fair point Pat.

What price Free Speech?

[Andy Howie]

perhaps the fact that membership fees are used to help run CS and its noticeboard perhaps non members may wish to make a donation in the interests of fairness?

Most already do. They play graded games in Scotland

[Hugh Brechin]

I'm basically not very impressed by people who choose not to be CS members despite particpating in the game in the country - paying membership is an easy way to contribute positively to chess in Scotland, and it's not exactly very expensive.

That said, I think the 'free speech' aspect of the noticeboard is too important to lose. The vast majority of regular posters are members (I mean, I presume so...), and I don't think it's worth excluding anyone from conversation.

[Mike Scott]

I would agree that membership is the easiest way but is not the only way. Those that give up their time for nothing to organize events, organise clubs/teams, grade events and/or cover costs out of their own pocket etc etc are certainly stakeholders in Scottish Chess. I would not argue that those that are non-members should be granted membership of Chess Scotland but they certainly should not be ignored or sidelined because they do wish - for whatever reason - to join CS. I would think it is in CS's interest to encourage engagement with these volunteers.

That said I do think there is a good case to be made for a private noticeboard area that can be subject to less moderator control.

Actually, perhaps there should be a new class of membership for the non-player that would encourage non-members to join and provide contact details and to get engaged but would offer fewer benefits of full membership e.g. entry discount

[andyburnett]

What kind of reasons would someone have for not joining CS?
(Let's say, apart from financial reasons - as Hugh says it's not very expensive but sometimes budgets don't always stretch to everything; I've had to pay golf, tennis (x2) and chess memberships this year).