English Chess Federation
Bye Law No. 1 The Direct Members Bye Laws

Made by the Council of English Chess Federation on 16th July 2005 and amended on 22nd October 2005, 8th August 2005, 24th June 2006 and 21st October 2006in pursuance of Article 82 of the Articles of Association of English Chess Federation.

WHEREAS the Articles of Association of English Chess Federation in Article 1.1 define "the Direct Members Bye Laws" as “the Bye Laws regulating the categories, admission and conditions of membership of Direct Members and the procedure for electing Direct Members’ Representatives.” and define Direct Members’ Representatives as “the Direct Member’s Representatives elected to the Council pursuant to Article 13.

AND WHEREAS Article 4 (4) provides that a member shall cease to be a member “ in any case, if any subscription or membership fee due to the company remains outstanding for more than three months unless the Board otherwise determine.”

AND WHEREAS Article 5 (13) defines “Direct Members as “currently being Vice-Presidents (including Corporate Vice-Presidents and Honorary Life Vice-Presidents); Full Direct Members; Family Members; Veteran Members (aged over 60); Standard Members; Student Members (in full time education and aged under 24 on 1 September most recent) Junior Members (aged under 18 on 1 September most recent); Members with Disabilities and Special Members: Basic Members and Basic Junior Members (until 31st August 2006 and thereafter annually to 31st August in every year if the Finance Council by an Ordinary Resolution resolves to continue these classes of membership at its Meeting held in the preceding April) who shall have been admitted by the Board to membership under this Article 5 (13) and also such persons who are Life Members or such other categories of Direct Members as may from time to time be established under the Direct Members Bye Laws.”

AND WHEREAS Article 6 (1) provides as follows: “Every member of the British Chess Federation as at 30th April 2005 who, individually or acting by its Representative Member(s) as the case may be, by 31st August 2005 or such later date as may be specified by the Board deposits at the registered office of the Company a written undertaking pursuant to clause 6 of the Memorandum and a written election to do so shall become a member of the Company in the appropriate division of members referred to in Article 5 equivalent to his or its membership of the British Chess Federation on the basis that any membership fees paid to the British Chess Federation (whether before or after the date of such deposit) shall be deemed to have been paid to the Company .”

AND WHEREAS Articles 11-15 provide as follows:

“11. Direct Members shall be admitted to membership by the Board in accordance with the Direct Members Bye Laws.

12. Membership Fees for each category of Direct Members shall be as stipulated in the Direct Members Bye Laws and for the year 2006/7 and each subsequent year the Finance Council shall determine the same annually in accordance with Article 18(5) except for Life Members, Honorary Life Vice-Presidents and Honorary Life Members who shall pay no Membership Fee.

13. The Direct Members’ Representatives of the British Chess Federation provided they shall first comply with Article 6 (1) shall be appointed to hold office as Direct Members’ Representatives until elections are held in accordance with this Article. Direct Members shall elect a maximum of eight Direct Members’ Representatives in categories to serve on the Council for a period from the end of the next following Annual General Meeting of Council to the end of the next Annual General Meeting of Council after that in accordance with the Direct Members Bye Laws. Such Direct Members’ Representatives shall cease to be Direct Members’ Representatives if they do not remain Direct Members in the category in which they have been elected throughout their period of office.

14. When vacancies arise for Direct Members’ Representatives the Board shall have the power to appoint replacement Direct Members’ Representatives to the vacant posts to serve until the end of the next Annual General Meeting of Council.

15. Subject to compliance with the Financial Bye Laws all reasonable expenses incurred in acting as a Direct Members’ Representative shall be reimbursed on written request to the Director of Finance.”

AND WHEREAS Article 18 provides that a Finance Council shall be held in April of each year at which certain business shall be transacted and that business includes in Article 18(5) “Determination of the Membership Fee for each category of Direct Member for the year commencing 1 September next, or such other date as Finance Council may determine and whilst it shall subsist the determination of the annual renewal or cancellation of the Basic Member and Basic Junior Member classes of membership.”

AND WHEREAS Article 26 provides that

“At any General Meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded: (1) by the chairman; or (2) by twenty members entitled to vote present in person or by proxy.”

AND WHEREAS Article 30 provides that

“The Poll pursuant to Article 26 shall be determined as follows:

“In respect of the Direct Members’ Representatives one vote each.”

AND WHEREAS Article 82 gives power to the Council to make Bye Laws including in respect of the Direct Members Bye Laws

1. Definitions.

In these Bye Laws the expressions defined in the Articles shall have the meanings therein ascribed to them and:

“Basic Members” means the members of a Scheme entered into by the Company with a Constituent Unit or a County Association or a Chess League which complies with the Framework set out in the Schedule hereto.

“Basic Junior Members” means the members of a Scheme entered into by the Company with a Constituent Unit or a County Association or a Chess League which complies with the Framework set out in the Schedule hereto and who are aged under 18 years at the previous September 1st of the date of their admission to membership or the annual renewal thereof.

“Corporate Vice Presidents” means the Corporate Vice Presidents of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 6(1) or who are admitted to membership by the Board and who fulfil the following criteria namely they constitute a chess club.

“Direct Members” has the meaning defined in Article 5(14).

“Direct Membership Officer” means the officer appointed by the Board to administer the Direct Membership of the Company.

“Family Members” means the Family Members of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 6(1) or who are admitted to membership by the Board and fulfil the following criteria namely two or more members of the same family live at the same address and each is a member but the family is treated as a single member for the purpose of membership fee and benefits.

“Full Direct Members” means the Full Direct Members of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 6(1) or who are admitted to membership by the Board.

“Honorary Life Members” means the Honorary Life Members of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 6(1) or who are appointed by the Council.

“Honorary Life Vice-Presidents” means the Honorary Life Vice-Presidents of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 6(1) or who are appointed by the Council.

“Junior Members” means the Junior Members of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 6(1) or who are admitted to membership by the Board are those who fulfil the following criteria namely who are aged under 18 years at the previous September 1st of the date of admission to membership or the annual renewal thereof.

“Life Members” means the Life Members of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the company pursuant to Article 6(1). This category is closed to new admissions.

“Members with Disabilities” means the Members with Disabilities of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 6(1) or who are admitted to membership by the Board and fulfil the following criteria namely they claim to have a disability as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1985. This category is closed to new admissions.

“Standard Members” means the Standard Members of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 6(1) or who are admitted to membership by the Board.

“Special Members” means the Special Members of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 6(1) or who are admitted to membership by the Board and fulfil the following criteria namely they are low-waged or un-waged and produce, to the satisfaction of the Direct Membership Officer, evidence to support their financial status. This category is closed to new admissions.

“Student Members” means the Student Members of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 6(1) or who are admitted to membership by the Board and fulfil the following criteria namely are in full-time education and aged under 24 years at the previous September 1st of the date of admission to membership or the annual renewal thereof. This category is closed to new admissions.

“Veteran Members” means the Veteran Members of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 6(1) or who are admitted to membership by the Board and fulfil the following criteria namely are aged 60 years at the date of admission to membership. This category is closed to new admissions.

“Vice Presidents” means the Vice Presidents of the British Chess Federation who become Direct Members of the Company pursuant to Article 6(1) or who are admitted to membership by the Board

2. Membership Fees

The Membership Fees are determined in accordance with Articles 12 and 18(5).

The current membership fees are as follows:

Honorary Life Vice Presidents, Honorary Life Members and Life Members pay no fee.

Vice-Presidents and Corporate Vice-Presidents pay a fee, for 2005/2006 set at £100 p.a. or £250 for three years.

A Family Member pays one fee, for 2005/2006 set at £52 p.a. or £130 for three years.

Full Direct Members pay a fee, for 2005/2006 set at £46 or £115 for three years.

Veteran Members, Special Members, Members with Disabilities and Student Members all pay a discounted fee, for 2005/2006 set at £26 p.a. or £65 for three years.

Standard Members pay a fee, for 2005/2006 set at £16 p.a. or £40 for three years.

Junior Members pay a fee, for 2005/2006 set at £13 p.a.

Basic Members pay a fee for 2005/2006 set at £10 p.a.

Basic Junior Members pay a fee for 2005/2006 set at £5 p.a.

All Membership Fees are due each year on admission to membership and on the anniversary of joining, except for Basic Members and Basic Junior Members whose renewal date for membership fees is 1st September each year.

Basic Members and Basic Junior Members ECF Membership Fees shall be collected as agent for the Company by the respective Constituent Units, County Associations and Chess Leagues that have entered into Schemes which comply with the Framework set out in the Schedule hereto and remitted to the Company by them on 31st October in each year and any subsequent payments shall be remitted at the end of each following quarter. Such payments shall be deemed to be ECF membership fees for such Constituent Units, County Associations and Chess Leagues for the purpose of Article 35 of the Articles of Association (no member shall be entitled to vote at any General Meeting unless all Membership Fees presently payable by him to the Company have been by the date on which the Secretary shall publish a register of voting entitlement for that General Meeting.) For every person who is not already a member of the Company such payment shall be accompanied by a Guarantee to contribute such amount as may be required not exceeding £1 to the Company’s assets if it should be wound up while he is a member, or within one year after he ceases to be a member for payment of the Company’s debts and liabilities contracted before he ceases to be a member, and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributories among themselves.

3. Membership Benefits

The benefits of each category of Direct Member shall be determined from time to time by the Board. Until otherwise determined those benefits shall be as follows:

All Direct Members shall be entitled to participate in events run by the Company or by third parties by arrangement with the Company, where it is a condition of entry that the participant is a member of the Company, on paying the requisite entry fees for the same.

The Company will use best endeavours to include Direct Members in the Grading Lists published from time to time provided they qualify for such inclusion by virtue of the number of their graded games submitted in accordance with the Game Fee Bye Laws.

The Company will also use its best endeavours to ensure that FIDE Rated games played by Direct Members in the British Championships and FIDE Registered events in England are included in FIDE’s calculations of that Direct Member’s FIDE Rating.

In addition thereto the benefits of each class of Direct Members is as follows:

Corporate Vice-Presidents receive two copies of each edition of ChessMoves, one copy of the ECF Year Book free of charge and of p.& p., one free copy of the ECF Grading List, Grading print outs for seven named players, exemption up to £15 from Game Fee for one team for one event each year, exemption from Game Fee for the grading of their internal club games and a reduced entry fee to the National Club Championship

Honorary Vice-Presidents, Honorary Life Members and Life Members receive a copy of each edition of ChessMoves and may claim a copy of the ECF Year Book free of charge apart from p.& p., as set from time to time by the Director of Finance, a free annual printout of their grading details, a free ECF Diary and discounts, as published from time to time, from leading chess suppliers. They are also eligible to claim Direct Member discount at congresses offering that facility.

Family Members together receive one copy of each edition of ChessMoves and may claim one copy of the ECF Year Book free of charge apart from p.& p., as set from time to time by the Director of Finance, a free annual printout of their grading details, a free ECF diary and discounts, as published from time to time, from leading chess suppliers. Each of the individual Family members is eligible to claim Direct Member discount at congresses offering that facility.

Full Direct Members, Veteran Members, Special Members, Student Members and Members with Disabilities receive one copy of each edition of ChessMoves and may claim a copy of the ECF Year Book, free of charge apart from the p.& p., as set from time to time by the Finance Director, a free annual printout of their grading details, a free ECF Diary and discounts, as published from time to time, from leading chess suppliers. They are eligible to claim Direct Member discount at congresses offering that facility.

Standard Members entitled to download ChessMoves by e-mail and are entitled to buy a copy of the ECF Year Book, an ECF Diary and an ECF Yearbook, all at discounted price plus p. & p., as set from time to time by the Director of Finance. They may buy an annual printout of their grading details. They are also eligible to claim Direct Member discount at congresses offering that facility.

Junior Members are given badges etc. and are entitled to buy a copy of the ECF Year Book, an ECF Diary and an ECF Yearbook, all at discounted price plus p. & p., as set from time to time by the Director of Finance. They may buy an annual printout of their grading details. They are also eligible to claim Direct Member discount at congresses offering that facility.

Basic Members and Basic Junior Members are entitled to download ChessMoves by e-mail and are exempt from paying Game Fee. They are also eligible to claim Direct Member discount at congresses offering that facility.

4. Admission to Membership

Direct Members shall be admitted by the Board to membership of the Company in the appropriate category on the recommendation of the Direct Membership Officer.

5. Election of Direct Members’ Representatives

5.1 The Direct Members shall be grouped into the following categories for the purpose of electing the Direct Members’ Representatives:

(a) Honorary Life Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Corporate Vice Presidents, Honorary Life Members and Life Members;

(b) Full Direct Members, Family Members, Veteran Members, Student Members, Special Members and Members with Disabilities

(c) Standard Members and Junior Members.

(d) Basic Members and Basic Junior Members.

5.2 Each of the four categories in 5.1 shall be entitled to elect two representatives.

5.3 Nominations for the Direct Members’ Representatives shall be sought among the four Categories in 5.1. If there are more than two nominations in any category a first two past the post postal election shall be held in that category in accordance with instructions issued by the Board from time to time.

The Schedule

Framework Agreement for Scheme entered into by the Company with a Constituent Unit or a County Association or a Chess League (“The Member Organisation”)

1. The Member Organisation shall use its best endeavours to ensure that all its members and all participants in its competitions shall become ECF Direct Members.

2. ECF will waive Game Fee for all games played by Members of the Member Organisation who are ECF Direct Members or Members of another Chess Federation affiliated to FIDE.

3. The Member Organisation as agent for ECF shall collect and account for the membership fees for Basic Members and Basic Junior Members by 31st October in every year and shall submit to ECF by such date applications for membership of ECF duly signed. The Member Organisation shall be entitled to a 10% discount for prompt payments made by such date for the year commencing on the preceding 1st September. New members after 31st October shall be similarly accounted for at the end of each following quarter with a discount of 5%.

4. Either party may terminate this Agreement on or before 1st March in any year effective as at 31st August following.