USCF Affairs / Candidate Statements Allen Priest
I am Allen Priest from Kentucky. Using my experience as a certified public accountant, an auditor, and a small business owner I have been serving as the VP-Finance. Since I assumed this role the office account - ing staff has totally changed. We have worked together to overhaul the USCF internal financial statement prepara - tion process. We have improved the financial reporting quality over the last several years, but the timeliness has suffered due to the staff changes. We can and will do better. We are working to make sure that all of the accounting information that the staff needs is shared with them on a regular basis. This was not always the case before.
We have recently received word that the IRS has approved the changes in the tax exemption of the USCF from
501(c)(4) to 501(c)(3). This is in recognition of the change in mission approved by the delegates in 2008 and included in the amended articles of incorporation filed in 2009. This doesn’t significantly change any of our reporting requirements, but it does give us the opportunity for donors to deduct contributions to the USCF on their tax returns.
This is a good change, but without planning we won’t take full advantage of this opportunity. Therefore, we have been working on revising the vision and mission statements of the USCF. As we bring those in line with the mission the delegates approved, we then need to compare all of our programs to those statements to make sure they are things we still should be doing. We also need to see where we are not serving our community well and determine what new programs we might start.
All of that must be done with a realistic understanding of the resources available to us. We are involving the office staff more in the budgeting process. We are continuing to be conservative in our estimations of revenue. We are looking for new revenue sources. We know that the economy is shifting and some of the ways we have done business, and some of the revenue streams that we have relied on in the past, may not be as reliable in the future. The financial results for the last couple of years have been good, but we still cannot afford financial surprises.
We still have much to do. The website needs to be better. The technology behind the website needs to be better. The ways in which we engage with social media need to be better. The financial reserves need to be stronger. And we are doing a bunch of things right. So we need to preserve the good and improve where we need to improve. The opportunities are there and I think we are making progress.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you over these past years and I appreciate your support to finish the work we have started.
As was announced with the last issue of Chess Life— and just after the candidates submitted their second statements—the USCF is now a 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. This has been a goal of the USCF’s leadership (board of delegates and executive board [EB]) for a long time. The largest single difference that you will see as a result is that you will be able to take a tax deduction for any money donated to the USCF. We are already in the process of identifying standing areas where you will be able to donate directly. For example, if you want to support World Youth, you will be able to direct your donations to that area. If you would prefer to support the general operations of the USCF, you will be able to do that, too. Please keep an eye out for more announcements about our changed tax status and what it will mean to you and chess in the United States.
The transition to a 501(c)(3) organization is just one of the good things that is going on in our Federation. If you read back over past candidates’ statements in prior election years, you will see a common theme among many of us on the EB is a focus on putting the USCF on solid ground, both in terms of money and leadership. We have made tremendous progress toward both of these goals, and while there is work remaining to be done, we can now begin to expand our focus.
THE USCF MISSION
USCF is a 501(c)(3) membership organization devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. USCF promotes the study and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, but also as a means for the improvement of society. It informs, educates, and fosters the development of players (professional and amateur) and potential players. It encourages the development of a network of institutions devoted to enhancing the growth of chess, from local clubs to state and regional associations, and it promotes chess in American society. To these ends, USCF offers a monthly magazine, as well as targeted publications to its members and others. It supervises the organization of the U.S. Chess Championship, an open tournament held every summer, and other national events. It offers a wide range of books and services to its members and others at prices consistent with the benefits of its members. USCF serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and as a participant in international chess organizations and projects. It is structured to ensure effective democratic procedures in accord with its bylaws and laws of the state of Illinois.
The most important next step is to grow the Federation. And the single-most important factor toward making this step will be volunteerism. So, here’s my challenge to you. Do something small to help grow the game. (I have assumed that one thing we can agree upon is that chess is a great game.) Teach someone to play chess this year. Invite a friend to a tournament. Run a chess tournament, if you’ve ever been inclined to do so, or volunteer to help run the next tournament in your area. Join a club if you haven’t already, or start one. Look through the USCF’s committees to see if there is one in which you’re interested. If you cannot volunteer, then consider making a donation to the Federation. Good stewards of your money are already in place, and I promise your donations will be well spent. I’ve mentioned just a few ways that you can help, and there are many others, some of which I’ve never thought of. If you cannot do anything else, play the game. You and our organization will be better for it.
I respectfully ask for your support in the next election. There are still many things I would like to do.
www.uschess.org 15 Gary L. Walters
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