Kansas Scholastic Chess Association State Agenda

KCA liaison

2009-03-01T14:03:00.000-08:00

From Ralph Bowman

When KSCA was founded it was set up that one person would be on the Policy Board of both KSCA and KCA to represent the interests of both. I have been doing that for 20 years, did you know that it was 20 years ago that KSCA was officially approved by the coaches of Kansas. However, since I was never a KSCA president, technically I am no longer eligible to do that. Therefore, I would suggest you find some person who is an active coach and will play in the Kansas Open each year and attend the annual KCA meeting to be the new liaison.

Article II Membership

2009-03-01T13:59:00.000-08:00

A recommendation from Ralph Bowman

While I have no official standing [anymore], I would suggest that Section 4 be reworded as follows: Section 4. To retain membership in this organization, a member school must do the following: a) not enter a team into any event which gives cash prizes, b) strongly urge their students to not participate in events in Kansas not sanctioned by this organization, and c) abide by all parts of this constitution and by-laws. I believe with these changes will make us right with USCF and even more in line with KSHSAA guidelines.

Player Attendance at USCF meets

2009-02-09T17:49:00.000-08:00

Since the KSCA is authorized by the Kansas Chess Association, which is the state level association for USCF, shouldn't any USCF tournament be included in eligibility for state. Within KSCA we take great care to not schedule meets on the same day within 100 miles. But if an adult targeted USCF meet happens to be on the same day shouldn't a scholastic USCF player be allowed to compete at that higher level of competition without being penalized by losing elibility for state.

The question is should we count any USCF/KCA tournament towards state eligibility regardless of the location of the adult meet?

Player vs. Player of Same School

2009-02-04T04:32:00.002-08:00

The home page of the KSCA website currently states: "A player will never be paired against a player from their own school, except during the last round when all players in the top score group are from the same school and no other school could tie or beat that school for the team tournament." This is a horrible rule for several reasons that seem completely obvious to me. I would like to suggest that this statement be replaced with: "USCF rule variation 28N4 will be used." Of course, 28N1, 28N2, or 28N3 would also be preferable to the current wording on the website, but I think 28N4 is best.

by Tom Brownscombe

Committee Proposal

2009-02-04T04:32:00.001-08:00

I would like to see a Committee that would handle tournament issues that can be posted. We have a set of rules that we use but they sometimes need to be amended as time changes. Not for bylaw issues but to handle KSCA policy issues. This committee can report annually to the state committee.

by CJ Armenta

Increasing the Registration Cost at State

2009-01-07T05:29:00.000-08:00

One of the recommendations by the Treasurer at State this year will be that if we continue to keep the six division format we increase the registration cost from the current $7 to $10 or $13.
This is because of the increasing costs of trophies, medals, and site use fees.

The question is should we increase our registration fees for State? If so to what amount?

Your opinions and suggestions are welcome. Please give them by adding a comment.

Changing the State Competition Medals

2009-01-07T05:14:00.000-08:00

Recent increases in costs have caused us to consider a change in the medals we use for state. Currently we have a custom design with the shape of Kansas and the chessboard imposed on top.
There have been several suggestions to change this design. One suggestion would be to go to a different company and get a different custom design for a lower cost. A second suggestion was to use the standard large medal and have a custom insert placed in the center. A third suggestion was to have color added to the original design (this was considered last year but it was found that would increase the cost by as much as $1.50).
It has also been suggested that we have a contest for a new design, so if the membership chooses to use a new medal the choice on the new design could be made at state.

The question is should be change the medals we use at State? If so what should the design be, should it be a custom medal, or a standard round medal with a custom insert? If a new medal design is to be chosen what should it be?

Your opinions and suggestions would be welcome. Please give them by adding a comment. If you have a design you would like to suggest send it as a file to me by e-mail and I will add it to the comment.

Continue Competition Divisions

2009-01-07T05:07:00.000-08:00

Last year it was decided to give a trial at having six divisions at State instead of the the three that we had always had before. It was decided to try it for one year and then decide whether to keep the change. The old divisions were K-5, K-8, and K-12. The divisions added were K-3, K-6, and K-9.

The question is do we keep the new divisions, go back to the old way of doing the competition, or make some modifications.

Please give your position and opinions by adding a comment.