Bourne Chess Club only requests member’s or chess-playing guest’s data for the purposes of registration. The registration form is completed by the member/guest and stored in a secure location for the entire chess season. When the season has completed and the new season about to start (typically August), the previous year of registration forms are permanently disposed of, and new registration forms completed for the following season.

On the registration form members/guests are required to complete name, address, contact number information and sign to confirm agreement to the Privacy Policy (as detailed on form) & Safeguarding Policy.

None of the information provided by members/guests is shared with any other organisation/individual and is not digitally recorded.

There is no other data recorded or stored of members.

(v1   Review date:27/06/2025)

Bourne Chess Club – Constitution v4 

 

General 

 

Bourne Chess Club (BCC) was established in March 2024, as a non-profit organisation without charity status. 

It exists primarily for the residents in Bourne, Lincolnshire, although is not limited geographically regarding its membership. 

It welcomes all ages and abilities and encourages members with any special educational needs and is able to comfortably accommodate people with physical disability. 

 

 

Objectives 

 

To provide a safe environment for the playing of chess 

To compete in regional chess leagues 

To provide a structured learning programme for Juniors 

To enable people to practice playing chess in a variety of formats 

To create a social network of friends 

To organise charitable events 

To offer internal league competitions 

To affiliate to the Cambridgeshire County Chess Association (CCCA) & Lincolnshire Chess Association

To abide by ECF policies as appropriate to running a chess club 

 

 

Members 

 

To become a member of BCC requires written consent to our ‘Privacy Policy’, ‘Safeguarding Policy’ and ‘Rules of the Club’ 

A member agrees to the monthly payment of a subscription (on the 28th), the amount is determined by the Committee and subject to change at the AGM 

Each member has the right to a vote at the AGM provided the member is up to date with their monthly subscription 

A member will cease to be a member by order of the Committee if the Committee believes that to be in the best interests of BCC. In such circumstances, the member has the right on one occasion to raise an appeal to the decision, in writing, and the Committee will review the decision and provide the outcome within 28 days of the appeal. 

To agree to indicate membership to BCC when participating in any external tournaments not organised by BCC 

 

 

Committee 

 

The Committee will comprise of unpaid volunteers and will endeavour to include the roles of: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Captain(s), Internal League Co-ordinator, Junior Club Officer, Designated Safeguarding Officer, Parent Liason Officer, External League Co-ordinator. 

The Committee will formally meet on occasion it sees fit, although the AGM is fixed as once per year (June/July). 

The Committee will endeavour to facilitate the normal running of the club and all that entails without the necessity for in-person meetings, where actions can be taken within a secure on-line platform. A minimum of three persons shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of decision making (one of whom must be the current Chair or Vice-Chair). Majority vote applies for authorising actions.  This includes the resolution of disputes and complaints (see below). 

In the event of a tied vote, the Chair shall have the casting vote. 

 

AGM 

 

To include: 

Election of the Committee for a further year term 

Review of financial status 

Review of member’s monthly subscription 

Other matters as proposed by the Committee 

Matters as raised by member attendees 

AOB – matters as raised by non-members 

 

 

 

Disputes 

 

When a member has a dispute with an incident relating to an external league, playing as a team member of BCC as opposed to individual entry, the member may bring that to the attention of their captain who can escalate to the Committee if required.   

Any disputes relating to an internal league organised by BCC, should initially be addressed to the Internal League Co-ordinator for internal resolution. The issue can be escalated to the Committee as required. 

Any disputes that directly involve the conduct of a Committee member will be resolved without the Committee member. 

 

 

Complaints 

 

All matters of complaint relating to the conduct of a member or Committee member will be automatically brought to the attention of the Chair, or in the case of it involving the Chair, it will be brought to the attention of the Vice-Chair, for resolution by a Committee meeting (as above).   

In the event of a complainant being unhappy with the resolution, they are to be given contact details of the CCCA (Cambridgeshire County Chess Association) or Lincs County Chess Association and if appropriate, the ECF (English Chess Association). 

 

 

Officer Responsibilities

Safeguarding

1. Maintain BCC Safeguarding Policy and align to ECF guidelines  2. Be first point of contact for any safeguarding issues that may arise and inform Committee immediately  3. Provide awareness training as appropriate  4. Hold a valid enhanced DBS certificate

Captain

1. Selecting the team in a timely manner and informing members 2. Liasing with our team members regarding how transport is going to be arranged for away matches 3. Picking up the kit to take to our venue for home matches, collecting kit at end of night and looking after it until it is returned to Wake House storage cupboard. 4. Liasing with our home venue once the fixture list has been published from the appropriate county league  5. Ensure venue booking is secured for home match nights. 6. Liase with opposing Team Captain one week in advance to ensure the match is arranged. 7. Acting as first point of contact in the event of any dispute in match play  8. Relay to Committee the overall strategy for team selection for the season 

(Players/parents who volunteer to assist with transport to away fixtures do so with no conditions: financial or otherwise) 

Club Secretary

1. Monitor and provide an initial response to all emails that come through on the club email account. 2. Arrange all documentation for the club in an orderly fashion so that the Committee has easy access to hard copies of: previous minutes, actions voted on within the WhatsApp Committee Group, external league communications, correspondence relating to Juniors Club and Wake House and grants. 4. Ensure invoices/receipts and previous stock checks of equipment are all filed in one place. 5. To welcome new enquiries either via email or in person, and ensure they are provided with the relevant documents to join (Safeguarding Policy, Rules of Club, Membership Application Form). 6. To be the first point of contact for all written communications in and out for the club. 7. To record accurate and full minutes of face to face meetings. 8. Maintain a timely written record of total number of members who are active, Committee Officer appointments and resignations. 9. Ensure the club notice board is kept up to date with important documents e.g. fire regs, safeguarding, up and coming regional tournaments.  10. Record and manage any complaints ensuring timescales are adhered to.

 Vice-Chair

1. To act as Chair of the club in the absence of the current Chair (both in person at the club and online). 2. To be automatically elected as Chair in the event of the current Chair no longer being in post. 3. To have voting rights as Chair (as per the Constitution) in the absence of the current Chair.

Internal League Co-ordinator

1. To canvas the wishes of club members regarding internal competitions and make future proposals for Committee to consider.  2. To act as the focal point for recording/tracking results of internal competitions (when appropriate) 3. To formally propose and when approved by the Committee publish the rules for each tournament  4. To be the first point of contact for any dispute/complaint regarding the running of internal league competition and immediately inform the Club Secretary. 5. To make initial attempts to resolve disputes and in any case, relay any such matters to the Committee (as a whole) immediately. 6. To propose to the Committee whether any future internal league competitions should be worthy of a winning trophy. 7. To formally record for the Club Secretary all winners of internal league competitions including the title and date of the competition. 8. in the event of internal competitions being formally recorded on LMS or SwissManager, ensuring the results are input and future rounds published (as appropriate)

 Junior’s Club Co-ordinator

1. Ensure appropriate Safeguarding qualification as per ECF guidelines 2. Oversee safeguarding matters at all times the Juniors Club is in session. 3. Liase with parents (online and in-person). 4. Propose to Committee the structure of the Junior Club syllabus  5. Propose to the Committee any intentions of formal, external grade schemes 6. Conduct sessions and give Committee advanced notice if unable to. 7. Organise and monitor any assistance provided by club members (ensuring they are not the sole providers of training given) 8. Propose any internal/external tournaments to the Committee. 9. Keep a running log of active Junior members and ensure this is provided to Club Secretary in a timely manner 10. Be the first point of contact for any dispute/complaint from any parent, and escalate to Committee via Club Secretary immediately. 11. Ensure all club equipment is properly maintained and remains fully complete 12. Collect any income from parents and transfer to club account in a timely manner. 13. Ensure all parents are handed all relevant paperwork prior to joining e.g. Safeguarding Policy, Member Application Form 14. Be the first point of contact on the Juniors Club WhatsApp group 15. Propose to Committee any marketing plan for the Juniors Club

 

 

 

A fascinating characteristic of playing chess, is that it can be a very enjoyable experience, even if you lose. 

Here at Bourne Chess Club we are promoting the act of playing chess over the board (otb) in-person, with an opponent sitting opposite you. Plenty of people enjoy the experience of physically seeing, and talking with their opponent. 

As much as it can be very rewarding to play competitive chess because you see that your grade is steadily increasing, demonstrating that you are improving, there is also a social aspect to the game which some players will place just as much importance. 

On Tuesday evenings players can arrive at the club, make a tea or coffee, pick up a couple of biscuits for good luck, and enter the chess room to see who they can play. There is plenty of time for a social chat, whether it be chess-related or not; often it tends to be not.  At some point, a game of chess is suggested and two players settle themselves in at a free board. 

You could choose who is white and who is black by way of placing a pawn of each colour in both hands, and the opposing player chooses a hand. But then again, perhaps one of the players wants to practice something they have in mind, playing as a certain colour; possibly a particular opening for example.

Either way, the players shake hands and wish each other good luck, and the game begins. They may be playing a game using one of the club’s chess clocks, but again, possibly not. Maybe neither player is in any rush or has any desire to play under time control. 

Some players will record their moves, so that if they want to, they have the option of replaying the game at a later time, perhaps using an online chess analysis tool that identifies good/bad moves. But maybe not. 

It is a peaceful activity, much like fishing or bird watching or reading a book. Thoughts will come into your mind as your brain starts to unwind from perhaps a busy day. You and your opponent might exchange the odd comments about moves, maybe a sneaky trap that has been set, or perhaps a mistake (“blunder”). As a game twists and turns it is interesting to notice the subtle differences in behaviours from you and your opponent. Chess can stir your emotions around as you play the game but you always have the option of dunking a custard cream in your mug of tea, and just relaxing for a moment. 

The seconds tick by, before you know it, half an hour has passed and here you are, watching your opponent as they are deep in thought, considering their next move. You can sit back, look around the room at the other chess players. It is a calming environment, it makes you feel very comfortable. You might notice some of the other players are very young, and others much older. It doesn’t matter with chess. Chess is a game that will appeal to all ages and ability. 

The game will conclude with a smart checkmate or perhaps an unusual stalemate or perhaps both players decide on balance, it should be a draw. Handshakes and smiles. There will often be an aspect or two about the game that the players will chat about. It is not uncommon to have feelings of “what if”: what if I had played a different move then, how would that have affected the game?

Chess can be as complex or simple as you want it to be. The effort you put into a game is your choice. But as you get to know the other members in the club, you start to make friends. Coming along to the club becomes a very pleasant past time, and something that you end up, very much looking forward to. It is a time that you associate with positive mental wellbeing.