Proposed WCA Bylaws Changes

  • Written by Mike Nietman
  • Published: 09 June 2013
  • Last Updated: 09 June 2013

Bylaws Changes to be Voted on At Annual Membership Meeting

 

At the Annual Membership Meeting being held on Sunday, September 1, 2013 at 3:30 PM in Neenah Wisconsin there will be a vote by the Wisconsin Chess Association (WCA) members to change the WCA Bylaws.  The details of the changes are posted on this site.

 

The biggest change is to have the Annual Meeting completed electronically (email) via the internet.  This would be completed during a three month time frame (January thru March) using a web site data base that will be maintained by a Data Based Coordinator assigned by the WCA Board of Directors.  The results of any elections, the President’s and Treasurer’s report will also be sent out electronically. 

 

The idea behind this change is to better communicate with WCA Members and to have greater participation by the Members.  You are a voting member if you at least 16 years old and have played in any WCA Tournament in the previous year.  You can also become a member by paying a $5 annual fee.  The current format has had the Annual Meeting at the Wisconsin Closed Tournament.  The attendance has been poor, and only the individuals at the tournament could vote.  WCA would really like greater participation in voting for new board members and feedback on any issues related to Wisconsin chess.  Another advantage to the change would be more time for chess at the Wisconsin Closed Championship either going to a seven round format or having other chess activities.

 

If at all possible please plan on attending the Annual Meeting this year to give us your opinion and vote on the proposed Bylaws change.

Wisconsin Chess Association

Bylaws Changes

 

Totally Replaces Section 6

 

6.         Meetings

6.1       Definitions:

            Annual Meeting:  The three month process described in this section.  References

to the Annual Meeting in other sections of the Bylaws is referring to the process in this section.

Audit Team:  Two individuals that will be appointed by the Wisconsin Chess Association (WCA) Board of Directors (BOD) on an annual basis to review the results of the voting members as accumulated by the Main Contact. 

Main Contact:  The individual appointed by the WCA BOD to send out and receive emails from the voting members.  The Main Contact will also tabulate the results of all votes and report all information to the Audit Team.

Member Data Base:  The data base with the Voting Members email addresses will be maintained by Data Base Coordinator.  The data base will be used by the Main Contact on the initial email sent out to the Voting Members.  All registration forms for WCA tournaments will have a line for the players email so the Member Data Base can be updated on an ongoing basis.

Voting Member:  A WCA member in the previous calendar year and over the age of sixteen.  An individual is a member by playing in a WCA tournament or paying the membership fee. 

6.2       During the first week of January the Main Contact using the Member Data base will send to the Voting Members the initial email.  The deadline for a response from the Voting Members will be the end of January.  The initial email will include: 

            -  The announcement of Board of Directors members whose terms will expire

            -  Request for nominations to serve on the WCA Board of Directors

            -  Request for any bylaw changes

            -  Request for any suggestions or comments

            -  The announcement of changes in the membership fees to be effective April 1

            -  Nominees for Honorary Life Membership

            -  If a survey is ready it would be sent at this time

6.3       From February 1 to February 15 the following will occur:

-  The Main Contact will review all responses. 

-  All BOD nominees will be contacted to see if they want to serve

-  The ballot will be prepared for the vote on Board of Directors

-  The current BOD will review and vote on any Bylaw changes

-  The Bylaw changes will be prepared for a vote by the Voting Members

-  The current BOD will review and vote on any Honorary Life Memberships

-  Honorary Life Memberships will be prepared for a vote by the Voting Members

6.4       On February 16 using the Member Data Base the Main Contact will send to the Voting Members the ballot for the WCA Board of Directors, the Bylaws changes referendum, and Honorary Life Memberships ballot.  The Voting Members have until March 15 to send their vote to the Main Contact.

6.5       March 15 to March 31 the Main Contact will accumulate the votes and review the results with the Audit Team.  The final results will be reported to the WCA BOD.

6.6       April 1 the annual report to the Voting Members will be sent via email by the Main Contact and will include:

            -  The results of the Board of Directors vote

            -  The results of the Bylaws changes vote

            -  The results of the Honorary Life Memberships vote

            -  The Presidents report

            -  The Treasurer’s report

6.7       The newly elected Board of Directors term starts April 1.  The BOD will have three regular meetings. Between regular meetings the BOD may conduct business by mail, telephone or email.  A special meeting of the BOD maybe called by the President or upon written request of three Board Members.  Five Board Members must be present for a quorum for any meeting. 

6.8       A special meeting of the membership, following thirty day notice, shall be called upon a majority vote of the Board or upon written request by ten members.

6.9       The Board Members as of September 1, 2013 will have their terms shortened by five months.      

 

For the following added changes are in BOLD deleted changes have a strike through line.

 

Changes to 3.2

A change in the amount of dues shall be announced thirty days after the meeting.

 

Changes to 3.3

Honorary Life membership maybe conferred by a three-fourths vote of the Voting Members present at an the annual meeting upon a person who has rendered notable service to the Association.

 

Totally replace 4.2

The newly elected Board of Directors shall elect Officers for the Association within one week after the Annual Meeting via a meeting or through email.  The new Officers will be announced to the WCA members via email.

 

Changes to 5.1

The officers of the Association are a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, who are elected by the Board, and such committee chairmen as the President may appoint.  The Board, at its option, may elect one person to serve as both Secretary and Treasurer two officer positions, with the exception of holding both the President and Vice President positions. 

 

Add 5.6

The Board of Directors will appoint an individual to service as the Data Base Coordinator who will maintain the Member Data Base as defined in section 6.1.

 

Changes to 8.3

OFFICE ADDRESS:  The principal office address of the Association shall be in care of the secretary the President’s address.

 

 

Chess Teacher Named New Berlin Citizen of the Year!

  • Written by Mike Nietman
  • Published: 06 May 2010
  • Last Updated: 27 June 2012

 

Because of his dedication to the teaching, coaching, and encouragement of our children in chess for the past 7 years, Randy Bubolz has been named New Berlin Citizen of the Year for 2010 by the New Berlin Mayor’s office.  Over the course of more than 800 sessions, Randy has mentored more than 1200 students to learn and excel in Chess!

 

Randy states "Motivated and considerate parents and students from Glen Park, Orchard Lane, Elmwood, Reagan, Poplar Creek, and now a number of other schools are the keys to my success with chess.  I merely opened a door for the students to show them they can have fun and be successful not only at their school, but regionally and nationally.  The efforts of the whole community sparkle in every trophy and medal.  Without the commitment of many, many people, I would be hearing my chess lessons echo in empty rooms." 

 

Randy will be given the award Tuesday, May 11 at the New Berlin City Council meeting.  Congratulations Randy!

Chris McKinney Captures 2008 WI Chess Tour!

  • Written by Administrator
  • Published: 28 May 2007
  • Last Updated: 27 June 2012

Congratulations to 2008 Wisconsin Chess Tour winner Chris McKinney. He held off TD Guy Hoffman at the WI Memorial to capture his first Tour title. Guy takes second.

Since the place winners were in class A, Jim Coons moved up to take the A prize and Robin Grochowski took the B prize. Greg Reese, Jr took the C prize while WCA Treasurer Ken Rasmussen captured the D prize. Sean Chang captured the Under 1200 prize.

The $450 prize fund came from $1 per entry from the nine Tour events.

The 2009 Wisconsin Chess Tour kicks off February 7-8 with the UW-Winter Open. The remainder of the 2009 Tour includes The Waukesha Memorial Feb. 28, Hales Corners April 25, Arpad Elo Open May 16-17 (Pewaukee), Green Bay Open July 25-26, Wisconsin Closed Championship (Milwaukee) Sept. 5-7 and the Badger Open (Waukesha) October 3-4 with additional events to be approved by the WCA Board of Directors later in the year.

LATEST NEWS:  Events Added!  In addition to those listed above, 2009 Tour events include Greg Knutson Memorial October 24-25 (Madison), William Martz Memorial/North Central Open (Pewaukee) November 27-29 and Wisconsin Memorial (Madison) December 19-20.

WCA President Nietman a Candidate for USCF EB

  • Written by Administrator
  • Published: 04 March 2007
  • Last Updated: 27 June 2012

The USCF announced last week that WCA President Mike Nietman's nomination papers are in order and he is one of eleven candidates for the four Executive Board seats open in the 2009 USCF Executive Board contest. All USCF voting members (those 16 and over) will receive a ballot in the mail in early June. Deadline for voting will be July 20. Mike thanks all those who signed his nomination papers and hopes you'll support his candidacy.

Phythyon, Berrens Elected

  • Written by Administrator
  • Published: 29 May 2005
  • Last Updated: 27 June 2012
John Phythyon and Dan Berrens were elected to the WCA board at the membership meeting in Neenah, May 29, 2005. The new board members contact information has been added to the board members page.