YOUR FEDERATION NEEDS YOU !
- Andrew Farthing , Chief Executive
The ECF relies on the support of the many individuals , over 50 in all , who generously offer their time and energy to the cause of helping English chess . The Federation literally could not survive without its volunteers , and I should like to take this opportunity to record my sincere gratitude for their amazing efforts .
Although we are blessed with many volunteers already , some gaps remain . We have a number of positions vacant , and we urgently need to fill them with suitable volunteers :
Manager of Information & Communication Technology – This requires an IT-literate individual who can give support to the ECF Office from time to time on IT issues and give the Board guidance on decisions in the area of IT development . The role need not be very time-consuming most of the time , but occasionally issues will arise which need the Manager ’ s involvement . Ideally – but not necessarily – it would be someone for whom travelling to the office in Battle ( Sussex ) would not be too onerous . Reports to the Chief Executive .
Strategic Planning Officer ( SPO ) – Modesty forbids me from commenting on the excellence of the previous incumbent ! Suffice it to say that I would prefer not to have to combine the strategic planning work with my responsibilities as Chief Executive . The tasks of the SPO are to draft an annual Business Plan , Long- Term Strategic Plan and Achievement Report . In practice , when I carried out the role , I had an open invitation to attend Board and Council meetings as part of the process of understanding what the Federation was trying to achieve and the issues confronting it . It was excellent preparation for my current role . If you have an interest in shaping the future of
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English chess and can produce clear , well thought-out documents , this may be the role for you . Reports to the Chief Executive .
Minutes Secretary – This person needs to attend Board and Council meetings and produce accurate Minutes within a reasonable timescale ( say , a week ). In practice , this means travelling to London , Birmingham and venues in between about half a dozen times a year . The ECF pays for outof-pocket expenses and offers a modest honorarium per set of minutes produced of £ 50 (£ 70 for Council meetings ). As well as being an essential function , this role offers the candidate the chance to see the Board and Council in action and for some it might be a useful way of deciding whether to seek further involvement , e . g . as a director . Reports to the Non- Executive Chairman .
Manager of
Congress Chess – Something of an empty canvas and , therefore , a great opportunity for someone with the right vision . This role is currently only vaguely defined , so the scope is there for it to be shaped in all sorts of ways . Underpinning it is the wish to support English congress chess , in whatever ways the ECF can usefully contribute . Reports to the Director of Home Chess .
As well as these , we are seeking a Chairman of the Finance Committee ( the financial watchdog for the ECF ) and a Direct Members ’ Representative to be a voice for Basic and Basic Junior members .
Volunteering can be intensely rewarding . If you would like to join the throng of those giving their time in support of English chess , please contact the office in the usual way or get in touch with me direct by e-mail ( chief . executive @ englishchess . org . uk ) or phone ( 01905 358949 ).