|
Chess Searches for Purpose Tent Theory Surprisingly enough, the purpose of the United States Chess Federation (USCF) has been interpreted in two basic ways. The
first is often called the small tent approach and the second is referred to
as the big tent approach. The small tent approach maintains that the organization is about
running for-profit chess tournaments. The goal is to grow the number of
tournament players. The target market is the core of approximately
15,000-20,000 regular adult tournament players and about double that number
in scholastic tournament players. The focus is internal on membership service
for the tournament player. The idea is to give the tournament player the best
playing experience possible and be content with the membership never getting
much larger than this base tournament constituency. This limited target
market is the small tent. The big tent approach maintains that the organization is about
learning and playing the game of chess is part of one's culture, just as one
would teach one's kids a musical instrument or judo, for example. The goal is
to extend the role of chess in American society. The focus is external to the organization on chess as an
art and recreation being fun
and a stimulating elective activity. The target market is the approximately
15,000,000-20,000,000 American chess players, both hard core tournament as
well as the casual chess player. The idea is to encourage people to learn and
play chess and to contribute to the growth and quality of chess activity with
the American public. This broad target market is the big tent. In practice the USCF has embraced the small tent approach. Based on past USCF results there may be room to improve on that approach. What
is Our Purpose? According to the Bylaws of the United States Chess Federation (USCF) the purpose of the Federation shall be educational and instructional, to broaden and develop chess as art and recreation, as a significant element of culture in America. The Federation shall cooperate with schools, colleges, hospitals, military bases, community centers, recreation departments, and other groups and institutions, in teaching chess, conducting tournaments, and other activities. The Federation shall disseminate information through its publications and representatives, and the Federation shall select the official USA representatives in all international chess affairs. The Federation shall encourage and support chess programs for handicapped individuals and the participation of handicapped in chess activity, including, where feasible, the expansion of opportunities for meaningful participation by handicapped individuals in all chess competition. Social Welfare Underlies
Purpose Some believe the USCF is an organization designed for the benefits of the membership. However, the USCF is tax-exempt as a social welfare organization described in Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 501(c)(4), as an organization that must not be organized for profit and must be operated exclusively to promote social welfare. To be operated exclusively to promote social welfare, an organization must operate primarily to further the common good and general welfare of the people of the community (such as by bringing about civic betterment and social improvements). An organization is not operated primarily for the promotion of social welfare if its primary activity is operating a social club for the benefit, pleasure, or recreation of its members, or is carrying on a business with the general public in a manner similar to organizations operated for profit. Directors Adherence to Purpose
is Required Nonprofit corporations are organized to achieve specific objectives or
purposes, which are generally set forth in the organization's bylaws and
charters. Adherence to the purpose of the organization is critical as they
form the basis for the corporation's tax exemption and, thus, its status as a
nonprofit entity. Moreover, the stated purpose guides the distribution of the
organization's assets at dissolution. All directors must know the
corporation's purpose and the persons or interests it serves, and be prepared
to serve accordingly. Pursuant to their fiduciary duty of obedience,
directors of nonprofit organizations may not deviate from their duty to
fulfill the particular purposes for which the organization was created. If they do substantially deviate from the organization's
stated purposes, courts or attorneys general may institute legal action on
behalf of the organization to unwind transactions which are contrary to the
organization's stated purposes. Nonprofit directors may be liable to the
corporation for any harm it suffers as a consequence, or for any amounts
expended if the transaction cannot be unwound. Thus a nonprofit board's job
starts with putting into words why the organization exists and what it hopes
to accomplish. Successful boards, understanding their accountability to
community and membership needs, give voice to the enduring values, stories,
and aspirations that shape the organization. They translate these elements
into a compelling articulation of mission, vision, and core values that
guides major decisions and everyday activities. To survive in a changing
world, organizations must be focused and flexible. Successful boards take
community and membership needs into account when making decisions. Such
boards treat questions of mission, vision, and core values not as exercises
to be done once, but as statements of crucial importance to be drilled down
and folded into deliberations. Mission
Explains Purpose Mission is the phrase or sentence used to explain an organization’s
purpose to the public. It is written in everyday language, and should
generally state the obvious. For example, the mission of a school district
could be: "To educate children"; of a hospital: "To take care
of the sick". Sometimes, the same words are used for purpose and
mission. In other instances, the words chosen to express purpose speak to
people in the organization, while those used for mission speak to outsiders. The mission must be clear, concise and compelling that is well
understood by all parties, internally and particularly externally, and have unrelenting and rigorous management to the
realization and execution of that mission. While the organizations purpose
stays relatively the same over time the mission evolves and adapts providing
the flexibility in anticipating and meeting changing circumstances and
conditions. Successful organizations have exceptionally clear missions that, in
different ways, speak to their essential purpose and character. These
organizations also measure —and announce—their success in meeting their
missions, typically through explicit quantitative results. Such quantitative
results, which are related to measurable programmatic accomplishments, are
important because they indicate the clarity, appeal, impact and value of the
mission to volunteers, funders and others. Further, these organizations
relentlessly manage to the realization of their missions, recognizing that
all decisions, programs and activities are critical paths in moving towards
achievement of their primary purpose. The most important guideline for a board on all decision-making is the
mission statement. If the mission is not central at every board meeting, it
is easy to lose focus on the true purpose of the organization. Not
accomplishing anything towards the mission is no longer an option. Program
decisions need to be based on a strategy platform that focuses the mission on
outcomes. Understanding exactly where the money comes from and where the
money goes for each core program is essential to keep the mission and
associated outcomes on track. Ultimately an organization must stay true to
the purpose it was founded even as the mission evolves. What Have We Accomplished Towards Our
Purpose? In its
Bylaws the Federation is pledged:
Anyone can save money by
accomplishing nothing (a common USCF tactic). However, testing everything against
purpose must become the standard check of organizational direction. In this
regard, has the organization been successful? How has the USCF promoted the
study and knowledge of the scientific game of chess? How has the USCF fostered the
development of players and to help those who seek to become masters? How has the USCF encouraged the
formation of chess groups, clubs, and associations? How many additional regular
members? How many additional masters? How many additional affiliates? How
many additional participants in the U.S. Open? How many additional spectators
or prize funds for the U.S. Chess Championship? Addressing these questions will
keep the organization focused in the proper direction. Back to Basics In summary, the United States Chess Federation (USCF) is a not-for-profit membership organization devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. According to the Bylaws of the US Chess Federation the purpose of the Federation shall be educational and instructional, to broaden and develop chess as art and recreation, as a significant element of culture in America. It is important to note the original object for which the USCF was formed, as elaborated in the USCF corporate charter was: (a) To promote the study and knowledge of the scientific game of chess. (b) To foster the development of players and to help those who seek to become masters; to encourage the formation of chess groups, clubs, and associations. (c) To hold a tournament once every two years for the chess championship of the United States and to confer upon the winner of such tournament the title "United States Chess Champion." (d) To hold an open tournament every summer in some major city of the United States. The Executive Board with the
guidance of a Board of Delegates is responsible for the management of the
USCF. The primary role of the Board is to ensure that the USCF's mission is
appropriate to its nonprofit purpose and that it accomplishes that mission
efficiently. I’m sure the USCF leadership feels they have been acting
efficiently consistent with the corporation mission and purpose. However, no
amount of wish lists, retreats, consultants, grand plans, or intentions
changes the purpose for which the USCF was formed. In my view the purpose of the
USCF is solid but seems to have become misplaced or even lost. The Board has
become preoccupied with tournament activities and fallen into a system
impacted by special interest. Over time the corporation emphasis appears to
have shifted from chess promotion to chess promoters. In the view of many, the focus has become
internal rather than external and means may have become ends. We have
been told over the past twenty years that the issue of purpose and results
must take a back seat to the corporation’s financial survival. The USCF is not about advancing
publicity for a board member, accumulating dues money, achieving one's FIDE ambitions,
bolstering another corporation, proving business opportunities to ones
friends and supporters, or spending dues money to get chess in the press - it
is all about tangible
results towards the stated purpose of the USCF. Recent USCF events though difficult, have created a great opportunity for positive change. If the USCF wants to truly grow, it must be refocused and be willing to adapt and take advantage of this opportunity. This means that the USCF ought to be run as a business, not a private club. The main business of the USCF must be to advance chess in American society. Its obsession for such advancement must be external. To be successful towards this end, the USCF must return to the basics of a not-for-profit membership corporation focused on its purpose. To do so its mission and actions must become refocused on that purpose and back to its stated reason to exist. Without a purpose there is no point. |