January 15, 2008

Northwest Chess combined February-March magazine,
possible dues increase

The Washington Chess Federation (WCF) board of directors, along with the Northwest Chess (NWC) representatives on the Oregon Chess Federation (OCF) board, recently reviewed a proposal by NWC business manager Eric Holcomb. The proposal deals with magazine and membership-related issues, including publication schedule, hiring an assistant editor, and raising membership dues and advertising rates. Although a final decision has not yet been reached on a dues increase (to $30.00 annually for adults and $20.00 for juniors), the WCF and OCF did agree to proceed with a combined February-March edition of Northwest Chess magazine, in order to “catch up” on the late publication schedule. The combined edition will be published in mid to late February, with the April edition to be published by late March. The April edition will include games from the Washington and Oregon state championships in February. All subscribers will still receive 12 magazines this year; it’s just that the months listed on the cover will be adjusted. WCF and OCF members will always receive the next month’s edition when their membership expires. (For example, if your membership expires in December, you will still receive the January edition mailed in late December.)

Advertisers should always submit their tournament announcements (and other ads) by the 10th of the month preceding the event, for example by March 10 for April events. For events the first weekend of the month, it may be advisable to advertise one month early, until we are certain about the new publication and mailing schedule. The 10th of the month deadline will also apply to games and other news and articles. Late submissions may result in the material not appearing until a month later, or not at all in the case of event announcements.

Please let the business manager know if you have any questions about this subject. We will keep readers up-to-date on any dues increase as the year progresses. If there is an increase, all current members will be given the opportunity to renew at the current rates for up to several years in advance.