Just browsing through the latest ICB -- and by "latest" I mean the
November/December 2003 issue I got for free at the January Normal Open (the
latest one I have since I haven't gotten one since joining the ICA on
January 3, 2004) -- and I came across page 45, which features a US Chess
Live game between Chris Merli (2068) and Colley Kitson (1661). The game
covers the entire page and includes two diagrams.

I'm wondering: How can the ICA, in good conscience, charge a state
affiliate $100 for full-page advertisement in the ICB when they have room to
devote a full-page to relatively meaningless *internet* games between a
noted ICB member and the editor of the magazine. I mean, wouldn't the ICA
and it's members be better served by finding out where to play their next
tournament (thereby saving the over-charged promoters/organizers money)
rather than going over a walk-in-the-part slaughter of an internet B-player
by an expert? If the ICB is so devoid of content, couldn't they at LEAST
offer a break to the people and clubs who keep them in business by cutting
the advertising rate by 75%?

I realize the ICA needs money (every organization does), but c'mon, man.....

sigh Just a thought.

Regards,

Matt

Historically, Matt, the ICB has been a highly cost-effective way of getting
tournament information to the most active chessplayers in Illinois. These days
I am no longer certain that is true. This is especially true/a problem since
membership was declining in ICA, and had been for some time - I don't know if it
is currently declining or not. During my tenure as an officer, we recognized
this and started to do some advertising (which I was willing to subsidize) by
doing a one-time mailing of the bulletin to non-members. We suggested this with
me providing some downside protection of the cost, and the ICA Board agreed. I
think some people now refer to this as something where I wasted ICA's money.
Saddest part is, I never knew what the results were, because the treasurer never
compiled requested data, and the overworked membership secretary resigned. Hard
to know how to adjust the plan if you can't get any data.

--
Kevin L. Bachler

"How can the ICA, in good conscience, charge a state affiliate $100 for
full-page advertisement in the ICB when they have room to devote a full-page to
relatively meaningless *internet* games between a
noted ICB member and the editor of the magazine." (Matt)
==============
You may recall that I've occasionally ragged Neil Brennen, editor of the
Pennsylvania State Eyecandy, for publishing his own games. State Eyecandy
types all over the country love to publish their own games.. Egocandy for their
Eyecandy.
Editors are not supposed to be the features of their Eyecandies but they
can't help themselves because in most cases being an Eyecandy editor is all
they've got.

Ols Haasie

Kevin L. Bachler wrote in message ...
Historically, Matt, the ICB has been a highly cost-effective way of getting
tournament information to the most active chessplayers in Illinois. These days
I am no longer certain that is true. This is especially true/a problem since
membership was declining in ICA, and had been for some time - I don't know if it
is currently declining or not. During my tenure as an officer, we recognized
this and started to do some advertising (which I was willing to subsidize) by
doing a one-time mailing of the bulletin to non-members. We suggested this with
me providing some downside protection of the cost, and the ICA Board agreed. I
think some people now refer to this as something where I wasted ICA's money.
Saddest part is, I never knew what the results were, because the treasurer never
compiled requested data, and the overworked membership secretary resigned. Hard
to know how to adjust the plan if you can't get any data.

The tale grows in the telling.

Vince Hart

(HAASpittle) wrote in message ...
"How can the ICA, in good conscience, charge a state affiliate $100 for
full-page advertisement in the ICB when they have room to devote a full-page to
relatively meaningless *internet* games between a
noted ICB member and the editor of the magazine." (Matt)
==============
You may recall that I've occasionally ragged Neil Brennen, editor of the
Pennsylvania State Eyecandy, for publishing his own games. State Eyecandy
types all over the country love to publish their own games.. Egocandy for their
Eyecandy.

I'm away from rgcp for a little bit, and nothing has changed. Haasbeen
is still trying to show off how little he knows about state magazines.
Although he is correct I have occasionaly printed one of my games. But
perhaps he forgets he gave me permission to do so.

Editors are not supposed to be the features of their Eyecandies but they
can't help themselves because in most cases being an Eyecandy editor is all
they've got.
Ols Haasie

And your contribution to chess is what?

"Matt Nemmers" wrote in message news:dgaPc.70990$eM2.48225@attbi_s51...
Just browsing through the latest ICB -- and by "latest" I mean the
November/December 2003 issue I got for free at the January Normal Open (the
latest one I have since I haven't gotten one since joining the ICA on
January 3, 2004)

At least you got that. I think ICA decided to cancel the exchange with
the PSCF without telling us. Strangely, it happened shortly after I
criticized Bachler on rgcp.

-- and I came across page 45, which features a US Chess
Live game between Chris Merli (2068) and Colley Kitson (1661). The game
covers the entire page and includes two diagrams.

I like Colley, but he really should cut that out.

I'm wondering: How can the ICA, in good conscience, charge a state
affiliate $100 for full-page advertisement in the ICB when they have room to
devote a full-page to relatively meaningless *internet* games between a
noted ICB member and the editor of the magazine. I mean, wouldn't the ICA
and it's members be better served by finding out where to play their next
tournament (thereby saving the over-charged promoters/organizers money)
rather than going over a walk-in-the-part slaughter of an internet B-player
by an expert? If the ICB is so devoid of content, couldn't they at LEAST
offer a break to the people and clubs who keep them in business by cutting
the advertising rate by 75%?

Agreed.

In article , Vince Hart says...

Kevin L. Bachler wrote in message
...
Historically, Matt, the ICB has been a highly cost-effective way of getting
tournament information to the most active chessplayers in Illinois. These days
I am no longer certain that is true. This is especially true/a problem since
membership was declining in ICA, and had been for some time - I don't know if it
is currently declining or not. During my tenure as an officer, we recognized
this and started to do some advertising (which I was willing to subsidize) by
doing a one-time mailing of the bulletin to non-members. We suggested this with
me providing some downside protection of the cost, and the ICA Board agreed. I
think some people now refer to this as something where I wasted ICA's money.
Saddest part is, I never knew what the results were, because the treasurer never
compiled requested data, and the overworked membership secretary resigned. Hard
to know how to adjust the plan if you can't get any data.

The tale grows in the telling.

Vince Hart

? Read the meeting minutes, then.

--
Kevin L. Bachler

In article , Spam Scone says...

"Matt Nemmers" wrote in message
news:dgaPc.70990$eM2.48225@attbi_s51...
Just browsing through the latest ICB -- and by "latest" I mean the
November/December 2003 issue I got for free at the January Normal Open (the
latest one I have since I haven't gotten one since joining the ICA on
January 3, 2004)

At least you got that. I think ICA decided to cancel the exchange with
the PSCF without telling us. Strangely, it happened shortly after I
criticized Bachler on rgcp.

Neil, I'm sure you didn't mean to imply that I had anything to do with this
(since I have nothing to do with ICA) but just thought I would take a moment to
clarify before someone jumps to that conclusion.

More likely, I wonder if ANY of the exchanges are still being done. I think
that ICA in a cost-cutting move cut a lot of their exchanges.

--
Kevin L. Bachler

"And your contribution to chess is what?"
(Neil Brennen)
=============
I once visited a local kiddie tournament to see if I could sell health
insurance to some of the parents.
That's about it from...

Old Haasie

"Kevin L. Bachler" wrote in message
...

The tale grows in the telling.

Vince Hart

? Read the meeting minutes, then.

And then debate them with Kevin's spin ad nauseum.