WASHINGTON CHESS FEDERATION
WHO ARE WE? The Washington Chess Federation (WCF) is Washington State's organizing body for chess. It is the only organization representing the State in the United States Chess Federation, which sanctions all rated chess activities in the United States. The United States Chess Federation (USCF) in turns represents our country in FIDE, the international organizing body for chess.
The Washington Chess Federation was founded in 1946 for the promotion of chess through tournaments, disseminating information to its members and working with the local chess clubs. In partnership with the Oregon Chess Federation, WCF publishes Northwest Chess, the only monthly regional chess journal, providing coverage of chess events in Washington and Oregon. Many contributions to this magazine include articles by international players and national masters.
The WCF is responsible for conducting the various state championships including the state championship, women's championship, junior championship, senior's championship and the class championships. Scholastic championships are currently organized by the local scholastic organizations.
WHAT YOUR MEMBERSHIP DOES FOR CHESS IN WASHINGTON STATE: Membership dues in the WCF go to the publishing of Northwest Chess, support major chess tournaments in the state, and go to support scholastic chess and chess for juniors. Dues also go to help support Washington's representative to the Denker tournament of high school champions and the state champion to play in the Governor's Cup in South Dakota.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP: Many of the major tournaments in the State require both WCF and USCF memberships. A WCF Membership includes a one year subscription to Northwest Chess, the only monthly state chess magazine in the country. www.nwchess.com
HOW TO JOIN WCF: The only membership requirement is the payments of dues. Adult memberships are $25 a year and Junior memberships (under age 20 at time of expiration) are $17 a year. Membership dues should be sent to Northwest Chess, P.O. Box 84746, Seattle, WA 98124-6046. Please include your address, city and zip code. E-mail and phone numbers are optional. A scholastic membership good for 6 issues of Northwest Chess and covers the time period between November and April will be available soon. See Northwest Chess website at
www.nwchess.com for details.
WASHINGTON CHESS FEDERATION OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS FOR 2001-2002
Duane J. Polich - President
P.O Box 37
Bellevue, WA 98009
(425) 462-1776
pduane2@qwest.net
David Hendricks - Vice President
(253) 425 868-3881
davidchendricks@attbi.com
Gary Dorfner - Secretary
(253) 535-2536
GGarychess@aol.com
Robert Allen - Treasurer
6114 N. 16th St. # 104
Tacoma, WA 98406-2449
(253) 761-1288
allenrobertj@msn.com
Carol Kleist - Tournament Coordinator
(206) 242-7076
WCFtnmtcor@cs.com
Elston Cloy - NWC Director at Large
(206) 427-5542
elston_JR@hotmail.com
CONSTITUTION OF THE WASHINGTON CHESS FEDERATION
Article 1: NAME. The name of this organization shall be the Washington Chess Federation, hereinafter referred to as WCF.
Article 2: NONPROFIT. WCF shall be nonprofit and shall not have nor issue stock nor pay dividends.
Article 3: PURPOSE AND GENERAL NATURE OF ACTIVITIES. WCF is organized exclusively for educational purposes according to Section 501 (c3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1954. The WCF shall support and promote chess related activities throughout the State of Washington. These activities will include, but are not limited to, chess instruction, publications, exhibitions, lectures, courses of study, inter-scholastic youth and senior adult competitions. The WCF shall distribute a periodic publication to its members, officers, and directors describing all such activities.
Article 4: INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP. Membership is open to all persons residing in Washington State. Annual Membership is not open to machines, computers, or computer programs. Annual dues are required and shall be established as set forth in the BY-LAWS.
Article 5: OFFICERS. The affairs and business of the WCF shall be managed by six Officers, who shall be members during their full term in office. The positions are as follows:
- President (2) Vice-President, (3) Tournament Coordinator, (4) Treasurer, (5) Secretary, and (6) The-Director-at-Large to the NORTHWEST CHESS Executive Board.
The term for WCF officers shall be from the time of their election at the Annual Membership Meeting until the next Annual Meeting. (B) Specific responsibilities of the WCF Officers shall be set forth in the BY-LAWS. (C) All officers shall have one (1) vote at the business meetings at which they are present, with the following exceptions:
- If an individual holds more than one (1) position he will be limited to one vote.
- The Chair does note vote, except to break a tie.
- Any WCF Officer position vacancy, excepting the President, shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term, by a majority vote of the remaining Officers. The Vice-President will automatically fill a vacancy in the office of President.
Article 6: CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS. All WCF members except tournament members are eligible to vote on the annual mail ballot.
Article 7: AMENDMENTS. This Constitution may be amended by any proposition receiving a TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY VOTE of the total members submitting the mail ballot that contains the proposition. Any such proposition for amendment must be first published in NORTHWEST CHESS magazine and a minimum of FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS allowed for discussion and consideration by the membership before the mail ballot is taken.
Article 8: LEGAL LIMITATIONS. (A) No part of the net earnings of the WCF shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, Officers, Directors, or other private persons, except that the WCF is authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payment and distribution in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article 3 hereof. (B) No substantial part of the activities of the WCF shall be carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the WCF shall not participate in, nor intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf or against any candidate for public office.
Article 9: DISSOLUTION. Upon dissolution of the WCF, the Officers shall, after paying or making provisions for payment of all the liabilities of the organization, dispose of all the assets of WCF exclusively for the purposes of the WCF in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501 (C) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as the Officers and Directors shall determine.
BYLAWS OF THE WASHINGTON STATE CHESS FEDERATION
Section 1. MEMBERSHIP DUES. The NWC Board, in consultation with affiliated Federations shall set membership rates. NWC shall retain not less than 80% or more than 85% of memberships to cover publication costs. Affiliated federations shall endeavor to maintain uniform membership rate structures and shall recognize one another's members at official tournaments.
Section 2. PRESIDENT. The President shall set policy and provide direction in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws. The President shall chair all meetings, appoint committees, set time and date and serve as chairperson for all meetings, and serve as official spokesperson for the WCF.
Section 3. VICE PRESIDENT. The Vice President shall assume the office of President when the position becomes vacant. The Vice-President shall also be responsible for the state-wide development of an educational program and other purposes set forth in Article 3 of the WCF Constitution.
Section 4. TOURNAMENT COORDINATOR. The Tournament Coordinator shall be responsible for the annual Washington State Invitational Championship, for other events as determined by the WCF officers, and for the general scheduling of WCF title events on the regional calendar.
Section 5. TREASURER. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the following. (A) Maintaining a bank account for WCF Funds. Expenditures will be approved at the official meetings of the WCF Officers and Directors. WCF Funds will not include subscriptions collected for NORTHWEST CHESS magazine. (B) Preparing a financial statement showing all revenues and expenses of the WCF. This financial statement shall be presented at the annual meeting and published in NORTHWEST CHESS MAGAZINE following the meeting. (C) Presenting at the WCF annual meeting, a statement listing any loans or outstanding debts owed to the WCF which exceed $50.00. The names of any persons or organizations owing such amounts shall be listed, together with whether the amounts are past due or have been defaulted upon, and the terms for repayment. This report shall be published as provided above.
Section 6: SECRETARY. The Secretary will keep the minutes at all official WCF meetings, and provide copies of those minutes for publication in NORTHWEST CHESS magazine. The Secretary will also notify the editor of the date, place, and time of the annual meeting. Such notification will be published in at least one issue of NORTHWEST CHESS magazine prior to the meeting.
Section 7: WCF ANNUAL MEETING. An annual open meeting of the WCF shall be held at a time and place to encourage maximum attendance by the individual members. (NOTE: The annual meeting is usually held at the Washington Open over the Memorial Day weekend at a time and place to be designated.)
Section 8: WCF TOURNAMENTS. All state-wide chess events, such as the following, which use the name "Washington", "Washington State", or similar designation are the responsibility of the WCF. The WCF Officers and Directors, through the WCF Tournament Coordinator or other designated individual, will exercise general supervisory responsibility to establish and maintain the standards of the competition, and to insure the continuity of the event: (A) The Washington Open, (B) The Washington Invitational Championship, (C) The Washington High School Team &/or Individual Championships, (D) The Washington Junior Open Championships, (E) The Washington Junior Invitational Championship, (F) The Washington Class Championships, (G) The Washington Action/Rapid Championship, (H) The Washington Speed Championship, (I) The Washington Challengers Cup Tournament, (J) The Washington Elementary Team &/or Individual Championships, (K) The Washington Chess League, (L) The Washington Junior High School Team &/ or Individual Championship. Some of these events may be held on a biennial schedule.
Section 9: WASHINGTON STATE INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.
(A) The WCF will organize two concurrent round-robin events annually, The Invitational Championship and a Premier Qualifying event. Each event will consist of 10 players. All Players in each event must be current residents and have been residents of the State of Washington for at least 183 days during the calendar year preceding the tournament, and all must meet the activity requirement (see section {E}). WCF memberships are required of all players in the State Championship, Premier, and all qualifying events.
(1) CHAMPIONSHIP: The Championship will be invitational to the DEFENDING CHAMPION, CHAMPIONSHIP RUNNER-UP, THE WASHINGTON JUNIOR CHAMPION, THE WINNER OF THE PREVIOUS PREMIER, THE HIGHEST FINISHING WASHINGTON RESIDENT (HFWR) IN THE WASHINGTON OPEN, THE HFWR IN THE CHALLENGERS CUP. After the invited players have confirmed their participation, additional players will be selected on the basis of their USCF rating, as of the Annual Rating List.
(2) PREMIER: After all Championship participants have been selected, the Premier event will be filled. The Premier will be invitational to the PREVIOUS PREMIER RUNNER-UP, THE WASHINGTON JUNIOR OPEN CHAMPION, THE THIRD PLACE FINISHER FROM THE PREVIOUS CHAMPIONSHIP, THE HFWR in tournaments designated as qualifying events by the WCF, and the CHAMPION of WCF designated chess clubs. Tournaments and clubs shall be designated based on size and history, at the discretion of the officers of the WCF. The remaining positions will be filled on the basis of USCF ratings as of the Annual Rating List. Players who decline invitations to the Championship event may not choose to play in the Premier.
(B) In the event that one player qualifies from more than one event, or that a qualifier declines or is ineligible to play, the vacant position will revert to rating qualification. In the event of a tie for a qualifying position, standard tie-breaks will apply. Even if one of the tied players declines to qualify or has qualified by another method, tie-breaks still apply, and if the declining player wins, the position reverts to rating qualification.
(C) The event will be organized according to the highest and best standards consistent with available facilities, equipment and financial sponsorship.
(D) Any player who fails to complete all scheduled games in any WCF sponsored invitational event shall be barred from play in any other WCF sponsored invitational event for 1 year from the ending date of the violated event; and in any case may not play in the same event the following year.
(E) There is an "activity requirement" which includes a minimum of three USCF rated tournaments played in Washington without withdrawal or default. All of these events must occur and be reported to be included for rating in the USCF Annual Rating List preceding the championship.
(F) Exceptions: Exceptions to the activity or residency requirement may be granted by the WCF board for reasons such as military service or extended illness. Applications for exception must be made in writing by the candidate by at least the 15th of the month prior to the event.
Section 10: QUARTERLY MEETINGS. The Officers of the WCF shall meet at least four (4) times a year to manage the business of the organization. A quorum shall be fifty percent (50%) of all Officer positions occupied at the beginning of the meeting.
Section 11: SCHOLASTIC BRANCH. There will be a Scholastic Branch of the WCF composed of three members: The High School Director, the Junior High School Director, and the Elementary School Director, each of whom shall be designated by the annual meeting of their respective constituencies.
Section 12: NORTHWEST CHESS EXECUTIVE BOARD. The Executive Board of Northwest Chess magazine shall consist of the following members:
(A) Two directors for each affiliated federation, one of whom is the federation president, or next highest officer of the federation in case the president is unwilling or unable to serve. The other is a director-at-large, selected by the state federation. (B) One Business Manager, who shall be hired by the other directors. Once selected, the Business Manager shall be a full voting member of the Board. (C) One Editor, who shall be hired by the Board. The Editor shall be a non-voting member of the Board.
Responsibilities:
(A) EDITOR OF NORTHWEST CHESS. The Editor will approve all content, lay-out, and set-up of the magazine. Reasonable space will be allocated to the official chess organizations of Washington, Oregon, and any other state organization, which may become affiliated. The Editor is responsible for delivery of layout sheets to the printer.
(B) BUSINESS MANAGER The Business Manager is responsible for the prompt payment of bills, the collection of subscriptions, disbursement of membership monies to the state federations, prompt monthly distribution of the magazine, and its general financial health. Overall trends should be noted and reported to the Board. The Business Manager should work closely with the Editor, rendering or arranging assistance as needed.
(C) DIRECTORS Each director should take an active interest in the quality of the magazine, and should attend Board meetings. The directors shall elect a Chairman, hire a Business Manager and Editor. They shall maintain Bylaws, subject to approval by two-thirds of the affiliated federations.
(D) The Board shall set advertising and membership rates. The Board is ultimately responsible for the production of the magazine. A quorum shall be more than 50% of the Board members. Members shall receive advance notice of Board meetings.
Section 13: VOTING REPORT. The WCF Officers shall have an obligation to publish in NORTHWEST CHESS the results of the final voting on any substantive issue coming before the body. The Officer who records the vote, or other designated person, shall send to NORTHWEST CHESS magazine the text of the issue voted on and tallied. "Substantive" will include, but not be limited to, major items of expenditure and the election of replacement officers.
Section 14: AMENDMENTS. These Bylaws shall be amended by majority vote of WCF members present at the WCF Annual membership meeting, or by unanimous vote of all current WCF Officers, or by majority vote of those participating in a special mail ballot. A mail ballot to amend the Bylaws may be called when a majority of the WCF Officers supports an amendment, or if 15 or more WCF members sign a petition supporting an amendment, which does not otherwise pass.
