Proposed resolution re State and National Championships

Motion:

That this Conference recommend to the ACF Council that:-

the Australian Chess Federation Inc (hereinafter "ACF") adopt the attached proposed policy statement headed "Proposed Policy Statement Concerning Australian and State Championships" in respect of all chess activities presented and/or administered in Australia and recommend the adoption of similar policies by all affiliated State and Territory Chess Associations, their affiliates and other organisations or individuals whose objectives or activities include:

• the organisation and conduct of chess competitions;

• the production and/or dissemination of chess information;

• the merchandising of chess equipment, chess publications and other chess-related merchandise;

• the provision of services relating to chess teaching, chess coaching and supervision of participants in

chess competitions; and

• any other activity relating to the presentation, promotion and/or development of chess activity in Australia and/or elsewhere.

Proposed Policy Statement Concerning Australian and State Championships

A chess activity promoted, conducted and/or reported on as being or having the status of an Australian chess championship or National chess championship (of Australia) shall have no valid claim to such status without prior approval by the ACF at a duly convened meeting of the ACF Council or by such other process as the ACF may choose. Information essential for such approval shall include:

• all words forming the name or names of the activity; and,

• such other information relating to the activity as the Council may consider appropriate or necessary.

Such a chess activity if not so approved is hereinafter described as being in breach of this policy.

The ACF, through its affiliation with FIDE, is recognised by that body as the legitimate representative of chess in Australia. As such the ACF maintains that it is in the interests of Australian chess for it to be universally regarded as the sole authority to conduct or authorise the conduct of events purporting to be Australian or National Championships. Likewise, the affiliated State and Territory Associations, through their affiliation with the ACF, are recognised by it under its Constitution as most representative of chess players in their State or Territory, and as such are regarded by the ACF as having sole authority to conduct or authorise the conduct of events purporting to be State or Territory Championships within their respective jurisdictions.

The ACF also maintains that it is in the interests of Australian chess to preserve the uniqueness, traditions and independence of Australian and State or Territory chess championships by ensuring that such events continue to be run or authorised by the ACF or by authorised affiliates of the ACF that are legally constituted as not-for-

profit organisations whose office-bearers are subject to regular election and whose policies are the product of democratic processes.

To the extent permitted by ACF rules, the following actions are approved as a means of implementing

this policy in any case where, in the view of the ACF Council, a chess activity is or might reasonably be

considered likely to be in breach of this policy:

1. Ensuring that organisers, hosts, participants and others concerned with the presentation and

promotion and media coverage of the activity are informed of its status under this policy;

2. Ensuring that any service, privilege or benefit normally provided by the ACF is withheld from the

organisers and/or presenters of any chess activity in breach of this policy;

3. Ensuring that any service, privilege or benefit normally provided by the ACF to an affiliated State

or Territory Association or an Associated body is withheld to the extent that would otherwise

benefit the presentation or promotion of an activity in breach of this policy; and,

4. Such other action as the Council may consider suitable to discourage or prevent a chess activity

that is in breach of this policy.