One major benefit among many in the Mensa Model scheme is the
potential build-up of money in the metro umbrella account. Here's
how: Suppose a District umbrella chose to run only tournaments, maybe
four per year. Instead of blowing their on one big "production" they
tried to design their tournaments to fit only a realistic guess as to
the drawing power of their area. Tough to do, but if they were lucky
it is possible they could break even on their first tournament. If
the District umbrella fronted say... $2500 in prize money, if they
pulled in enough EF, the front money would still be there after the
prizes were paid. The same $2500 could be used to front the second
tournament, and a third and fourth if their luck held. At the end of
the year, the District umbrella would have their original $2500 on
hand. At the beginning of their second year, the annual funding would
arrive... another $2500 assuming no membership growth in the first
year. So, to start year two the District umbrella would have $5000 on
hand to promote chess within the District. They could expand their
program of chess, maybe do some things other than run tournaments.
Suppose in their second year, they broke even on their four regular
tounaments but lost $1000 on a more ambitious fifth tournament. At
the end of their second year, the District umbrella would still have
$4000 in their account ... right at the time the funding for their
third year arrived. Say that was still just $2500 due to no
membership growth. OK, that still runs the District's money up to
$6500 for the promotion of chess in that District.
That kind of system would be a neat way to build up money for
chess, at least at the local or metro level.

Old Haasie