Cumbernauld Chess Club

Ian · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 171

This is gonna hark back to some of George's posts from last season...

On Monday, our last free evening before league fixtures kick in, there was a turnout of two - John Pearston and I. Ronnie also dropped in for a while with his brood (two future stalwarts!?). George had earlier sent me an "apologies-for-absence" e-mail. Average attendance since August has been around 3-4. Depending on what list you consult, we have either 37 members (last season) or about 10 (this).

As club president, concerned with the continuing well-being, not to say existence, of the club, it is worrying that 30+ (former?) members have never returned, or perhaps only one or two do, but rarely. I am open to any constructive suggestions that would encourage our existing membership (i.e. this season's) to attend more regularly, and that is the purpose of this post. (Then again, I have no way of judging how many members read the noticeboard on any sort of regular basis, so perhaps this request will go unnoticed.)

As I said at the AGM, I am willing to organise, or help organise, any sort of event (e.g. blitz, allegro, quiz nights) that would create interest and atmosphere on free club nights, but it is the classic vicious circle - you organise an event and only three people (usually the same faces) turn up, which renders the time and effort involved redundant. Give you a very simple example. A ladder tournament (continuous challenge sort of event throughout the season) is a simple and effective interest-generator, but you can't run one with three people! 10, 12, 15 regulars - great! 3? Dead.

We had excellent responses to the simuls both last year and this, which is gratifying, but it's a pity that this didn't translate into higher attendance on other nights. The little coaching sessions I run also seem to coax a few more people out, but I could take double the turnout!

No criticism of anyone is intended by this post. I know that there are dozens of factors that might keep someone away from the club - work/domestic demands, schoolwork, TV, Champions League, car off the road, family member ill etc. etc. etc.

For starters, I've talked to Ronnie and Derek about getting more notices printed (check the noticeboard at the front of the centre for Daniel's nifty and eye-catching creation) and advertising ourselves, but that will not, per se, lead to bigger turnouts - we would still need to let newcomers see that there are things going on at the club, and that will be a tad more difficult with most club nights from now on being taken up by league fixtures.

Thoughts, comments and suggestions welcome.

George Thomson · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 121

Things were a bit better last night. We had four of the old faithfuls,
George, Robert, David B and Jack we even had another new player Surprised

Two new players this season already a wee bit more advertising and we might get some more.

ronniewallace · Site Admin Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 53

Ian · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 171

Ronnie -

I'm open to any suggestions. Don't know Core. What is it exactly?
Puzzles are a good idea - diagrams are very visual. Wonder if the Noddy News might be interested!? George, any idea?

ronniewallace · Site Admin Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 53

Ian · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 171

Ah, right.

George Thomson · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 121

Drew Hipson the Editor of "Core" magazine has already indicated to me that he would be willing to include an article on Chess and our Club.
Sadly with me being a Manana type of person, I have not managed to get round to writing an article. I really should get my act together.
Did you check out "the Gallery" Ian??