Untitled Document

THE MINUTES OF THE CHESSA COUNCIL MEETING LEADING TO, DURING AND AFTER THE VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE - ON THE 14TH OF APRIL

Mr Tom Theunissen had just presented the Youth committee report and the meeting was busy with matters arising from his report.

Mr Bernie Parkin (BP) made a statement that SASCOC determines the structure of the federation and Mr Mark January (MJ) from SAJCA asked if he had it in writing.
To the above, BP replied no.
MJ asked if he was sure that SASCOC had made that statement.
BP then told the council that he had it in writing on the SASCOC’s President’s report.
Michael Burke (MB) a parent from Gauteng South remarked to the meeting that he found it strange that at first BP had nothing in writing and then when confronted suddenly did have something in writing.
MJ said to the meeting that in SAJCA’s meeting with SASCOC (on Friday afternoon) they categorically stated that SASCOC does not get involved in the structure or the running of a Federation.
BP, Laurence Ball (LAB) and Lyndon Bouah (LYB) were astounded that SAJCA had gone to see SASCOC and put it to the council that only the Executive were allowed to speak to SASCOC and that no one else could. They then went on to level accusations against MJ to wit; he was accused of undermining the Chessa Exec, hi-jacking Chessa, bringing the game of chess into disrepute and being disrespectful to Chessa.
MJ told the meeting that SASCOC had told SAJCA that it is not their policy to speak on behalf of or to run Federations. MJ explained that SASCOC was happy to try and clear up any misconceptions.
LYB persisted and again said that they were the only individuals that were allowed to speak to SASCOC. He went on to tell MJ that the meeting with SASCOC and SAJCA has done irreparable damage to Chessa, and that they would now look like a Mickey Mouse organisation. He further said that he personally was the only one allowed to speak to the South African government in Cape Town.
LAB confirmed that LYB was the only government representative and went onto say that disciplinary action must be taken against MJ.
Mr Kheto Mabasok (KM) from SASSU then said that before Chessa makes any harsh decisions, they should sit down with SAJCA to find out the true reason as to why they went to SASCOC because clearly SAJCA must have been pretty desperate to have gone in the first place.
MJ then said that certain Exec members of Chessa kept on saying different things about what SASCOC’s policies and rules were.
MJ explained to the meeting that when SAJCA asked important and critical questions on behalf of SAJCA members, the reply would be innuendos, confusion, and statements attributed to the president of SASCOC. This is what had necessitated the direct meeting with SASCOC, to clear the air.
LAB then threatened MJ and his “cohorts” with severe disciplinary action.
At the same time, while LAB was speaking, BP was shouting that it appeared MJ was referring to him personally and if that is the case he should name names. (at this stage the meeting had deteriorated into chaos)

MJ stood up and proposed a vote of no confidence in the Executive Director of Chessa, Mr Bernie Parkin and the President, Mr Laurence Ball. The motion was seconded by Brian Aitchison (BA) of Gauteng West.

LAB, as chairman of the meeting, refused to accept the motion and the meeting argued that the motion was on the table and must be voted on and LAB again refused.
At this point LYB stood up and stated that such a motion had to have been tabled 30 days prior to the meeting and should have been on the Agenda and also said that Chessa had set a precedent and quoted the example of Mr
Garlipp. He further said that there was nothing in writing.
MJ replied that this was perfectly in order and furthermore that a number of the issues were highlighted in the SAJCA report and SAJCA and other council members we were prepared to discuss them.
BA supported the tabling of the motion and said that there was nothing in the constitution to stop it.
LAB then asked for the opinion of Mr Eddie Price (EP) from the Arbiters Association and Seniors Chess.
EP told the meeting that this was a serious motion and asked LAB if he was aware of the impending motion.
LAB replied that he didn’t know anything about the motion of no confidence.
EP asked if the matter had been discussed at the Chessa exec meeting the previous evening.
LAB replied that, yes it had been discussed and went on to say that as far as he was concerned it was based on rumours he had heard.
EP then asked if SAJCA was prepared to declare a dispute against these 2 members of the Chessa Executive.
BA then chose to reply to the question and said that it had gone far beyond that point and reminded the meeting that there was a motion on the floor that required a vote.

LAB then asked for a technical recess and Messrs Bouah, Parkin & Ball had a discussion, excluding the other Chessa Executive members...

During this recess “BP was overheard saying that LAB should just close the meeting. Either LYB or LAB replied that that this would not be constitutional and BP went on to claim that no one would know”

After the short recess, the trio then called everyone back and LAB gave the floor to LYB to address the meeting.

LYB said that the vote should have been tabled 30 days prior to the meeting in order for Messrs Ball & Parkin to have the opportunity to defend themselves and that there was nothing in writing.

LAB suddenly and unprocedurally closed the meeting. Chaos erupted as the council members argued the point that the closure was unprocedural and that there were still matters on the table including the motion that needed a resolution.

LAB insisted that he didn’t care, and again declared the meeting closed. MJ pointed out that this autocratic behaviour was one of the reasons amongst many that had brought about the vote of no confidence motion.

(The normal procedure around the closure of meetings is that a council member must propose closure. This will then be seconded by another member, giving support for the closure motion. If none, of the other members, is opposed to closure then the meeting will be deemed closed.) For this reason many council members felt the meeting must go on.

At this point Messrs Ball, Parkin & Bouah abandoned the meeting by leaving. They were followed by other Executive members, clearly some people were confused by the wrongful actions of LAB.

The council then took a vote to continue with the meeting and appointed MJ as the chairman.

MJ then re-iterated the fact that the motion was still on the table and that one of the reasons for the motions was the unilateral decisions taken by the 2 individuals and pointed that they had not discussed this matter with the entire Chessa Executive, and most importantly with council which is part of the constitutional process.
The issue was put to a vote and the council voted in favour of the motion with a unanimous vote. Sedibeng abstained.
The council regarded the matter dealt with in the absence and absconded Executive as very important and binding.

MJ closed the meeting procedurally.