(Sam Sloan) writes:

I feel that this is a bit like the case where Frank Niro agreed to
allow Northern California Scholastic players to join the USCF for only
one dollar. This was a clear violation of the USCF by-laws.

This was not a violation of USCF Bylaws. The non-member participants
in that event were never USCF members.

The Bylaws do not state that ONLY USCF members may participate in the
ratings system, though participation in rated play is recognized as
a privilege of membership.

Non-members participate in USCF rated play every month, such as primary
school players and foreign titled players, as well as participants in
events sanctioned by the National Congress of State Games. None of
these exceptions are codified in the USCF Bylaws.

Though the USCF has at times referred to some non-members participating
in rated play as 'length of tournament members' and even offered this
as a per-game fee until the early 1990's, these individuals were never
granted any of the other privileges of USCF membership nor were they
ever counted as current or past USCF members.

Should the USCF ever revive a per round or per event fee-based program
for non-member rated play, a more accurate name for it would be
'length of tournament particpant'.

However, given that Bill Goichberg was largely responsible for the demise
of the per-round 'length of tournament membership' program in the early
1990's, unless Bill has had a change of heart I consider it very unlikely
that it will be reinstituted any time soon.

A slightly stronger case could be made that Frank Niro exceeded his
authority with that Northern California tournament, but other ED's have
made similar arrangements in the past. Further, some of the members of the
Board were aware of it (specifically the USCF President).

Also, ED's before Frank all had the operational authority to exercise the
'promotional membership' privileges in the Bylaws, the same authority
Bill Goichberg is using today.
--
Mike Nolan, Member and past chair, USCF Bylaws Committee

On 3 May 2004 03:56:22 GMT, (Mike Nolan) wrote:


A slightly stronger case could be made that Frank Niro exceeded his
authority with that Northern California tournament, but other ED's have
made similar arrangements in the past. Further, some of the members of the
Board were aware of it (specifically the USCF President).

Also, ED's before Frank all had the operational authority to exercise the
'promotional membership' privileges in the Bylaws, the same authority
Bill Goichberg is using today.
--
Mike Nolan, Member and past chair, USCF Bylaws Committee

I strongly disagree with everything Mike Nolan says in this posting.
This matter was argued at great length back in early 1993 when this
was taking place. I suggest that anybody interested look at the
postings by George John, Allan Fifield and myself on this issue. I do
not recall Mike Nolan as participating in this discussion.

Mike Nolan states above "other ED's have made similar arrangements in
the past." Can you cite even one instance in the 65 years of the
history of the United States Chess Federation where any ED has made a
deal like the deal that Frank Niro made here? I am sure that you
cannot. More that that, the bylaws to not permit the ED to make this
sort of deal. Only the Executive Board, not the ED, can offer a
promotional membership and the board did no such thing here.

Sam Sloan

On Mon, 03 May 2004 12:45:06 GMT, (Sam Sloan)
wrote:


I strongly disagree with everything Mike Nolan says in this posting.
This matter was argued at great length back in early 1993 when this
was taking place.

Sorry for the typo. I meant to write in 2003, not in 1993.

Sam Sloan

On 3 May 2004 03:56:22 GMT, (Mike Nolan) wrote:


Non-members participate in USCF rated play every month, such as primary
school players and foreign titled players, as well as participants in
events sanctioned by the National Congress of State Games. None of
these exceptions are codified in the USCF Bylaws.

There is a big difference because in the Eade-Niro Deal, only Northern
California Scholastic Players were allowed to have the one dollar
memberships. When this deal was made, it happened that two big
scholastic organizers, Richard Jackson and Richard Crespo, were in the
room and overheard the conversation. They both immediately asked for
the same deal. Frank Niro told then that only Northern California
players could get this deal. Players from other states were not
allowed to have it.

This was the most corrupt and crooked deal I have ever known about in
my 48 years of membership in the USCF.

Sam Sloan

"Sam Sloan" wrote in message
...

"I am not afraid of the challenges, since August our Board
has been demonstrating a hands-on approach, but we need help.
Therefore, we recognize the importance of engaging new leaders, doers
and ideas. But also we need to drive away the people who has been
milking the USCF for many years."

Since this posting referred almost entirely to Frank Niro plus
indirectly to Susan Polgar and Paul Truong, one would assume that
Beatriz is accusing them of "milking the USCF".

Hardly. They had not been on the receiving end of any USCF largess until
quite recently. Certainly not for many years.

StanB