English Federation for Correspondence Chess

The ICCF National Federation for England

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Constitution


EFCC

CONSTITUTION OF THE ENGLISH FEDERATION FOR CORRESPONDENCE CHESS

1. Name

This organisation shall be called the English Federation for Correspondence Chess (EFCC).

2. Purpose

The EFCC is the organisation responsible for all matters relating to correspondence chess for England including but not limited to Championships, Memorial tournaments, and International tournaments. ‘Correspondence chess’ is defined as any game of chess in which the players do not sit opposite each other at a chessboard to make their moves. The moves are transmitted remotely by various means, and the time is normally counted in days per move.

3. Objects

The objects of the EFCC are:

 (a) to harmonise the efforts of the various domestic correspondence chess Bodies;

 (b) to encourage and promote the study and playing of correspondence chess in both national and international games;

 (c) to establish and maintain correspondence chess Championships, Memorial tournaments, and all other tournaments under the jurisdiction of the EFCC as required and as agreed upon by the appropriate Body within the EFCC;

 (d) to maintain membership of the International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF) and represent the EFCC’s Patrons, players and Member Organisations at the annual ICCF Congress;

 (e) to select individuals and teams to participate in international correspondence chess team tournaments and matches organised by the ICCF, and by the EFCC;

 (f) to make available any discounts from EFCC software partners/sponsors to its Member Bodies, Life Patrons, and Annual Patrons;

 (g) to maintain a website devoted to all aspects of the EFCC;

 (h) to apply for the ICCF Title of International Arbiter (IA) for EFCC players who satisfy the requirements of that Title; and to apply for posthumous awards where considered appropriate;

 (i) to produce an annual EFCC electronic Yearbook;

 (j) to produce an EFCC magazine;

 (k) to scrupulously avoid seeking to influence the internal affairs of a Member Organisation.

4. Governance

 (a) The EFCC shall be governed by an Executive Committee (EC) composed of Officers and Officials as set out below:

  (i) the EFCC President;

  (ii) Deputy President;;

  (iii) Treasurer;

  (iv) Secretary;

  (v) International Secretary;

Officials:

 (vi) Assistant International Secretary;

 (vii) Tournament Organisers of tournaments approved by the EFCC;

 (viii) Games Archivist;

 (ix) Yearbook Editor;

 (x) Magazine Editor;

 (xi) England representative to the tri-federation Committee;

 (xii) Tournament Co-ordinator;

 (xiii) Titles Co-ordinator;

 (xiv) Regulatory Consultant;

 (xv) Webmaster, unless the Webmaster is contracted to the EFCC;

and Member Bodies:

 (xvi) One delegate from each paid-up Member Body. No delegate may represent more than two Member Bodies at any meeting held under the terms of Section 5 below.

(b) Officers and Officials may hold more than one post simultaneously within the EFCC.

(c) Those Officers and Officials appointed under 4 (a) must be registered or able (in the case of new players) to be registered to play under the England flag in the ICCF.

(d) Expenses

  (i) The Officers and Officials named in 4 (a) except for 4 (a) (xv) are entitled to be reimbursed their expenses for carrying out their duties for the EFCC. Those Officers and Officials will provide the Treasurer with a completed EFCC claim form, and sufficient receipts and explanations in order to be reimbursed their expenses. If sufficient receipts and explanations are not available, the Treasurer will, after discussion with the EC, make a reimbursement which is considered appropriate;

  (ii) The Treasurer, subject to the approval of the EC, may also make a discretionary payment to EFCC members not holding a position listed in 4 (a) except for 4 (a) (xvi);

(e) The EC shall have the authority to vary any Championship, tournament and playing rules, and any fees and prizes set out in the EFCC Tournament Entry Fees, by a simple majority of votes cast after consultation with the appropriate EFCC Sub-Committee;

(f) Any player wishing to play under the flag of England but currently playing under a different flag may only do so after the International Secretary has consulted the EFCC Executive Committee, which has given its approval. The EFCC Executive Committee does not need to be consulted if the player is not registered with the ICCF;

(g) The EC has the power to make any decision required for any matter not covered in this Constitution.

5. Meetings

(a) EC meetings of the EFCC

  (i) The EC shall meet at least twice a year. A minimum of 28 days’ notice shall be given for each meeting. Such notification will appear on the EFCC’s website, and may also be notified to EFCC’s members by email or other electronic means.

  (ii) Those who may attend EC meetings are:

  • Officers and Officials of the EFCC as detailed in Section 4 (a) of this Constitution;

  • All Life Patrons and Annual Patrons of the EFCC;

  • All players who play under the flag of England on the ICCF webserver.

No player who is under a penalty/suspension imposed by the EFCC because of instances of abuse of any EFCC Officer, EFCC Official, or player, unacceptable behaviour in EFCC events, or ICCF Team tournaments or friendly matches where a player is representing England, may attend an EC meeting.

  (iii) Those wishing to attend an EC meeting shall notify the EFCC Secretary of their wish to attend the meeting at least 21 days in advance of the meeting. If a person eligible to attend an EC meeting notifies their intention to attend the meeting less than 21 days in advance, that person may only attend with the approval of the EFCC President and the EFCC Secretary.

  (iv) Written notice of motions to be placed on the EC agenda shall be made available to the Secretary by no later than 7 days before the date of the meeting, except that late motions may be accepted with the agreement of the President and the Secretary.

  (v) The quorum for any EC meeting shall be three attendees each with at least one vote.

  (vi) The Officials listed in 4 (a) shall be elected at the EC meeting immediately following the AGM.

  (vii) The EC shall be empowered to fill vacancies which occur in the list of Officers and Officials listed in Rule 4 (a).

  (viii) The EC may appoint Sub-Committees as and when required, and may delegate authority to such Sub-Committees.

  (ix) The EC shall be empowered to co-opt.

(b) Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the EFCC

  (i) The AGM of the EFCC shall be held in March or April each year. A minimum of 28 days’ notice shall be given for the meeting. Notice of the AGM and its agenda will appear on the EFCC’s website, and may also be notified to EFCC’s members by email or other electronic means.

  (ii) Those who may attend an AGM are:

  • Officers and Officials of the EFCC as detailed in Section 4 (a) of this Constitution;

  • All Life Patrons and Annual Patrons of the EFCC;

  • All players who play under the flag of England on the ICCF webserver.

No player who is under a penalty/suspension imposed by the EFCC because of instances of abuse of any EFCC Officer, EFCC Official, or player, unacceptable behaviour in EFCC events, or ICCF Team tournaments or friendly matches where a player is representing England, may attend an AGM.

  (iii) Those wishing to attend an AGM shall notify the EFCC Secretary of their wish to attend the meeting at least 21 days in advance of the meeting. If a person eligible to attend an EC meeting notifies their intention to attend the meeting less than 21 days in advance, that person may only attend with the approval of the EFCC President and the EFCC Secretary.

  (iv) Written notice of motions to be placed on the AGM agenda shall be made available to the Secretary no later than 7 days before the date of the meeting, except that late motions may be accepted with the agreement of the President and the Secretary.

  (v) The quorum for an AGM shall be three attendees each with at least one vote.

  (vi) The Officers listed in Rule 4 (a) shall be elected by the AGM.

  (vii) The AGM shall appoint an Auditor. The Auditor shall be independent and therefore may not be an Officer or an Official of the EFCC as designated in Section 4(a).

(c) Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the EFCC

  (i) An EGM may be called with not less than 28 days’ notice on the demand of not less than three members. The demand shall include full details of the business to appear on the agenda for the EGM, and will be sent to the EFCC President and the EFCC Secretary by email.

  (ii) Those who may attend an EGM are:

  • Officers and Officials of the EFCC as detailed in Section 4 (a) of this Constitution;

  • All Life Patrons and Annual Patrons of the EFCC;

  • All players who play under the flag of England on the ICCF webserver.

No player who is under a penalty/suspension imposed by the EFCC because of instances of abuse of any EFCC Officer, EFCC Official, or player, unacceptable behaviour in EFCC events, or ICCF Team tournaments or friendly matches where a player is representing England, may attend an EGM.

  (iii) Those wishing to attend an EGM shall notify the EFCC Secretary of their wish to attend the meeting at least 21 days in advance of the meeting. If a person eligible to attend an EC meeting notifies their intention to attend the meeting less than 21 days in advance, that person may only attend with the approval of the EFCC President and the EFCC Secretary.

  (iv) Only the business which appears on the agenda for the EGM will be discussed at the EGM.

  (v) Notice of the EGM will appear on the EFCC’s website, and may also be notified to EFCC’s members by email or other electronic means.

  (vi) The quorum for any EGM shall be four attendees each with at least one vote.

6. The EFCC Financial Year

(a) The EFCC financial year shall start on 1st January and end on 31st December each year.

(b) The Treasurer shall produce audited accounts for adoption by the EFCC AGM.

7. Voting at Meetings

Those who may vote at meetings are as follows:

(a) EC meetings of the EFCC

  (i) each EC Officer and Official listed in 4 (a) shall have one vote except that the EFCC President or acting Chairman shall have a casting vote only; each EC Officer or Official may only have one vote irrespective of the number of posts held on the EC;

  (ii) each Delegate of a Member Organisation shall have one vote;

  (iii) a Delegate of a Member Organisation if also an EC Officer or Official listed in 4(a) is entitled to a maximum of two votes except as provided for in 7(d) below.

  (iv) co-opted EC members

(b) AGM of the EFCC

  (i) the voting rights detailed in 7 (a) equally apply here;

  (ii) each Life Patron and Annual Patron shall have one vote.

(c) EGM of the EFCC

  (i) the voting rights detailed in 7 (a) equally apply here;

  (ii) each Life Patron and Annual Patron shall have one vote.

(d) Proxy votes may be accepted by the EFCC President or acting Chairman at any of the meetings listed in 7 (a), 7 (b) or 7 (c) subject to no person present at the meeting being able to hold more than two votes.

(e) A secret ballot may be held at any of the meetings listed in 7 (a), 7 (b) or 7 (c) if requested by at least two attendees and approved of by the EFCC President or acting Chairman of that meeting. The announcement of the result of the secret ballot by the EFCC President or acting Chairman shall be final.

8. Membership

(a) Application for EFCC membership shall be open to all domestic Bodies organising correspondence chess where a significant proportion of its members are registered or able (in the case of new players) to be registered to play under the England flag in the International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF).

(b) Individuals who are registered or able (in the case of new players) to be registered to play under the England flag in the ICCF may apply to become either a Life Patron or an Annual Patron of the EFCC upon payment of the appropriate fee.

(c) All membership fees shall be such sums as may be determined from time to time by the EC, and specified in the Schedule of Fees and Prizes. All annual subscriptions shall be renewable on the 1st August of each year.

(d) Life Patronage will be automatically allocated to an EC member after one full year of service on the EC.

9. Members’ Services

All players who play under the flag of England on the ICCF webserver shall be eligible to:

(a) participate in all national and international tournaments organised by the EFCC subject to holding appropriate qualifications for the tournament where entry is requested;

(b) participate in all British tournaments subject to holding appropriate qualifications for the tournament where entry is requested;

(c) be selected by the EFCC Selection Committee to represent England in international correspondence chess tournaments and matches organised by the ICCF;

(d) attend EC meetings, AGMs and EGMs of the EFCC, and to speak on the business of those meetings;

(e) be able to receive discounts for chess software for offers arranged by the EFCC.

10. EFCC Sub-Committees

The following EFCC Sub-Committees shall be elected at the EC meeting immediately following the EFCC AGM:

(a) EFCC Selection Committee

  (i) The EFCC Selection Committee will be chaired by the EFCC International Secretary. It will comprise a minimum of three members of the EFCC.

  (ii) The purpose of the EFCC Selection Committee is to select EFCC members to represent England in international correspondence chess tournaments and matches organised by the ICCF. In the course of the selection process the EFCC Selection Committee may consider any criteria they wish to determine the EFCC members to represent England for a particular tournament.

  (iii) No member of the EFCC Selection Committee may be part of the selection process under 10 (a) (ii) if that member wishes to be considered for selection to represent England in a particular tournament. If all members of the EFCC Selection Committee wished to be considered for selection, then the International Secretary’s decision is final.

  (iv) In the event of a tie in votes of the EFCC Selection Committee on any matter, the EFCC International Secretary will have a casting vote.

  (v) The decision of the EFCC Selection Committee is final in all matters relating to matters under 10 (a) (ii).

(b) EFCC Rules Sub-Committee

  (i) The EFCC Rules Sub-Committee will comprise three members of the EFCC.

  (ii) The purpose of the EFCC Rules Sub-Committee is to consider proposed amendments to EFCC rules where necessary, and to make suggestions to the EC.

(c) EFCC Financial Sub-Committee

  (i) The EFCC Financial Sub-Committee will be chaired by the EFCC Treasurer and will comprise of two other members of the EFCC.

  (ii) The purpose of the EFCC Financial Sub-Committee is to assist the EFCC Treasurer as and when required.

(d) EFCC Appeals Sub-Committee

  (i) The EFCC Appeals Sub-Committee will comprise three members of the EFCC.

  (ii) The purpose of the EFCC Appeals Sub-Committee is to consider any appeal submitted by an EFCC member relating to any EFCC matter with exception to decisions taken by the EFCC Selection Committee under Section 10 (a), and with exception to decisions taken by the EFCC Executive Committee under Section 10 (e).

  (iii) Any decision made by the EFCC Appeals Sub-Committee shall be final and will apply from the date of the decision.

(e) EFCC Disciplinary Sub-Committee

 (i) The EFCC Disciplinary Sub-Committee will comprise three members of the EFCC.

 (ii) The purpose of the EFCC Disciplinary Sub-Committee is to consider and take any appropriate action if necessary by imposing penalties/sanctions against any English player involved with instances of unacceptable behaviour in EFCC events, or ICCF Team tournaments/friendly matches where a player is representing England.

 (iii) Any decision made by the EFCC Disciplinary Sub-Committee shall apply from the date of the decision.

 (iv) Any appeal against a decision to impose a penalty/sanction by a TD, TC or the EFCC Disciplinary Sub-Committee within the terms of the EFCC Disciplinary Procedure will be considered by the EFCC Executive Committee whose decision is final.

(f) EFCC Constitution Sub-Committee

 (i)The EFCC Constitution Sub-Committee will comprise three members of the EFCC.

 (ii)The purpose of the EFCC Constitution Sub-Committee is to consider and propose appropriate amendments for discussion at an EFCC General Meeting.

11. EFCC Tournament Committees

The following EFCC Tournament Committees chaired by the respective Tournament Organiser and comprising of three members of the EFCC shall be elected at the EC meeting immediately following the EFCC AGM:

(a) English Correspondence Chess Championship

(b) English Veterans’ Correspondence Chess Championship

(c) English Medals Championship

(d) English Continuous Tournament

(e) English William Mason Championship

12. Amendments to the EFCC Constitution

(a) No addition or alteration to the EFCC Constitution shall be made except:

  (i) when proposed and discussed at an EFCC General Meeting;

  (ii) supported by a minimum of two-thirds of the votes cast.

13. This EFCC Constitution became the official Constitution of the EFCC from the close of the AGM held on 16th March 2024.

An archived copy of the previous constitution from January 2023 can be viewed here.

SIM Ian M Pheby, IA
EFCC President

 
ICCF EFCC ICCF

EFCC Games Database

Guide to Correspondence Chess

This document, written by Neil Limbert, is an excellent introduction to correspondence chess for new players; download it from here.

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