MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION
Standing Rules
Standing Rules of the
Michigan Chess Association
(Through April 12, 1998)
80-01 Any players completing an MCA tournament with perfect scores shall be declared co-champions.
(Adopted 05/08/80).
82-01 Ninth-grade students playing in an MCA scholastic team tournament must play in the event for the type of school they attend. Examples:
1. If a high school includes grades 9-12, then those ninth-graders would play in the High School Tournament.
2. If a junior high school has grades 7-9, then those ninth-graders would play in the Junior High School Tournament.
(Adopted 01/13/82).
82-02 MCA officers and directors are empowered to purchase supplies without specific Board authorization for each purchase.
(Adopted 03/10/82).
82-03 Out-of-state teams are excluded from the Michigan High School and Junior High School Team Championships.
(Adopted 03/10/82).
82-04 Michigan Chess will be published nine times per year, with a tournament bulletin being sent to all USCF members in Michigan in the off-months. 
(Adopted 03/10/82). 
Note: This was subsequently changed to six magazines alternating with six bulletins annually.
Second note: See standing rule 88-01 regarding the policy of sending bulletins to USCF members.
82-05 Replaced by 90-02.
82-06 Replaced by 90-02.
82-07 An MCA Elementary School Team Championship will be held annually, on a different date than MCA's other scholastic tournaments. 
(Adopted 07/14/82).
82-08 Effective 11/01/82 the membership dues will be:
Regular one year $10, 2 years $19.50, 3 years $28.50.
Senior and Juniors: 1 year $6.00, 2 years $11.50, 3 years $16.50. 
Replaced by 84-04.
82-09 The entry fee for the High School Team and Junior High School Team tournaments will include an MC subscription for the school library.
(Adopted 09/22/82).
82-10 One-half point byes will be granted to any player in an MCA tournament for any round in the first half of the tournament if: The player enters in advance, requests the bye(s) at the time of entry, and has a "reasonable" reason for the request.
(Adopted 12/08/82).
83-01 Elementary school students are allowed to play in the Junior High School Team Championship.
(Adopted 06/22/83).
83-02 The High School Team, Junior High School Team, and Junior (individual) Championships will be USCF-rated. The Junior Championship will comprise five rounds (reduced from six). 
Note: Having the tournaments USCF-rated also means that MCA membership is required of each player.
(Adopted 12/14/83).
84-01 The President or Vice-President is empowered to bind MCA as the official organizer for non-MCA tournaments, and use MCA's USCF affiliation to sponsor the event, providing that the tournament is personally supervised by an officer of  MCA or a member appointed by the President. No individual or group shall be assisted in this manner more than once,  unless the MCA Board approves such additional assistance.
(Adopted 02/08/84).
84-02 An MCA member contributing $25.00 or more, in cash or services, above the normal yearly dues to MCA, will be declared a Patron Member of MCA for a period of one year.
(Adopted 03/20/84).
(Amended 01/15/88).
84-03 Regarding board order in team tournaments: Rated players should generally be placed in rating order; unrated players may be placed anywhere. This should be done with fairness in mind: The strongest player on each team should play on first board, no matter whether he has a relatively high or low rating or is unrated. The tournament director may, at his discretion, change submitted player placements, after considering evidence from various sources (non-USCF ratings, other coaches, etc.).
(Adopted 06/21/84).
84-04 Effective August 15, 1985, the MCA dues structure will be as follows:
Adult, regular     1yr = $12  2yrs = $22  3yrs = $32
Under 18, over 64  1yr = $6   2yrs = $11  3yrs = $16
Under 18, no mag.  1yr = $3   2yrs = $6   3yrs = $9
(Adopted 11/30/84).
84-05 Out-of-state teams are excluded from the Michigan Elementary School Team Championship.
(Adopted 11/30/84).
85-01 For tournaments that require MCA membership, said membership must be valid throughout the tournament's duration.  Most non-consecutive memberships (new, or renewing after a lapse in membership) will expire on the last day of the previous month in the appropriate year (the next year for one-year member-ships, the second year for two-year memberships, etc.). The only exceptions are those memberships purchased at the Michigan Open; they will expire on August 31st of the appropriate year. Example: a membership purchased in February will expire on January 31st.
(Adopted 03/08/85).
85-02 At all MCA team events, team entries will be accepted with no fewer players than one less than full team complement.
Example: three players may play as a team in a four-player team event; two may not.
(Adopted 03/08/85).
85-03 MCA tournaments will use ratings published in the latest available rating supplement, regardless of its cover date, and MCA will publicize this in tournament advertisements, and will urge other organizers/directors in Michigan to do the same. 
Note: The USCF's distribution of the rating supplements is staggered across the country and is post-dated intentionally in an attempt to standardize usage.
(Adopted 06/21/85).
85-04 The President, or organizer or director, if designated by the President, is empowered to negotiate vending terms with vendors for each tournament in advance of that tournament.
(Adopted 06/21/85).
85-05 The Secretary of the Michigan Chess Association will notify the United States Chess Federation of all State Champions for inclusion in the annual Chess Yearbook published in the April issue of Chess Life. Information should include: The full name of the event, plus the date and city; The full name and home town of each winner; and for scholastic teams include the full school name and city where located.  A press release should also be prepared for distribution to major newspapers and television stations in the state.
(Adopted 09/27/85).
85-06 Permission is granted to copy all MCA tournament forms for educational use and MCA tournaments.
(Adopted 09/27/85).
86-01 Any player in an MCA tournament (e. g. Michigan Open, Michigan Women's, Michigan Amateur, each class of the  Michigan Class, Michigan Postal, Michigan Speed, Michigan Collegiate, Michigan Masters/Experts, Michigan Junior, Michigan Young Junior, Michigan Children's) is eligible to win cash prizes in that tournament. To be eligible for the title and associated trophy awarded to the State Champion of each MCA tournament outlined above, the player must be an MCA member at the start of the tournament and a resident of the state of Michigan. (The Elementary School Team, High School Team, and Junior High School Team Championships were excluded from the above list due to standing rules 82-03 and 84-05 disallowing out-of-state participation).
(Adopted 01/10/86, amended 01/15/88).
86-02 The fee to be paid to the Tournament Director(s) for all MCA events will be $60 per day. The Michigan Open will be  considered a four day event for purposes of determining TD fees. For the Michigan Open, one TD will be hired for four days and one TD will be hired for three days.
(Adopted 03/07/86).
86-03 MCA will split the cover cost of MICHIGAN CHESS magazine with any business that agrees to carry and sell it.
(Adopted 06/20/86).
86-04 Junior High School teams will not be allowed to play in any MCA High School Team events.
(Adopted 06/20/86).
86-05 By vote of those present at the general membership meeting, all MCA board members have been granted free entry to all MCA sponsored tournaments.
(Adopted 08/31/86).
87-01 Smoking will not be allowed in the tournament room(s) of any MCA sponsored tournament. (This was a re-affirmation of a long-standing policy of the MCA).
(Adopted 03/20/87).
87-02 Standard pairing rules will be followed at all MCA tournaments, using ratings wherever possible.
(Adopted 06/19/87).
87-03 Replaced by 90-02.
88-01 Henceforth, tournament bulletins will be sent only to MCA members with the exception of the July bulletin, which will also be sent to all USCF members residing in Michigan.
(Adopted 05/27/88).
88-02 The MCA will require the chief TD of all MCA tournaments to be responsible for providing a cross table complete with tie-breaks and a list of prize winners to the Editor of Michigan Chess.
(Adopted 07/15/88).
88-03 MCA Tie Breaks Rules.
(Adopted 07/15/88).
88-04 Replaced by 90-02.
89-01 The MCA will suspend the membership privileges for anyone who is in arrears with the Association as determined by the Treasurer.
(Adopted 02/03/89).
89-02 The MCA Board has established the Michigan Invitational Tournament Fund.  The principle will be held in trust. The interest will be used to pay for any and all expenses including but not limited to prizes.
(Adopted 05/26/89).
89-03 Schools will be required to purchase only one library subscription (for $5.00) to Michigan Chess when participating in MCA scholastic events.  The sense of the Board is to charge $12.00 if not collected at or for a scholastic tournament.
(Adopted 11/10/89).
89-04 Life memberships in the Michigan Chess Association shall be made available based upon the following:
Cost:  The cost of life membership in the Michigan Chess Association shall be twenty (20) times the then-existing one year regular adult membership cost. 
Term:  Life Memberships run for the life of the member or until voluntarily relinquished.  They may not be passed on to children or others but are personal to the holder.  Failure to inform MCA of a change of address shall be deemed to be voluntary relinquishment for the time MCA remains uninformed of the change in address.  MCA retains the right to bar a life member from tournament play for just cause.  Life membership entitles the life member to all normal membership privileges.  Five percent (5%) of the monies received for each life membership shall go to the MCA General Fund.  The remaining ninety-five percent (95%) of the monies received for each life membership shall be placed in a reserve fund.  The principal shall be left in the reserve fund; the interest shall be withdrawn at the beginning of each fiscal year and placed in the General Fund.   In the event a Life Member becomes deceased, the associated principal may be withdrawn. 
(Passed November 10, 1989).
(Amended 05/25/1990).
90-01 All revenue from the Kellner Fund is eligible to be used for any and all prizes awarded in the Michigan Women's Championship tournament.
(Adopted 01/19/90).
90-02 Free listing(s) in the Michigan Chess Tournament Calendar will be granted to all tournaments which require MCA membership of Michigan residents, with exceptions as noted below.  Free listing(s) are available up to one year in advance as space permits.  Other listing(s) may be purchased as advertising space.  This policy in no way restricts activities of the USCF clearinghouse(s) for Michigan.
Exceptions:
1)   Tournaments in the following categories may be listed, even if they do not require MCA membership:
a)  Region V regional championship tournaments
b)  USCF national championship tournaments
c)  Rated scholastic tournaments
d)  Non-rated tournaments held in conjunction with rated tournaments which do require MCA membership.
2)  Reciprocal free listing arrangements with other associations are permitted.
3) Tournaments held on the same date(s) as MCA open state championship tournaments, or on the same date(s) as previously scheduled tournaments not sponsored by MCA within a 75-mile radius of each other, will generally not be listed.  One-day tournaments reduce the 75-mile radius to 25 miles.
4) MCA retains the right to not list any tournament, free or paid, for just cause.  If a paid advertisement  is not published payment will be returned (or another arrangement as agreed to by both parties).  Just cause  may include, but is not limited to, organizers who change the duration or existence of a listed tournament  without published notice.
(Adopted 01/19/90).
90-03 Ties between Michigan players or teams in MCA Team Tournaments shall not be broken for purposes of title.  Ties shall be broken for purposes of awarding non-divisible prizes.  Additional trophies shall be awarded for perfect scores.
(Adopted 03/09/90).
90-04 MCA representatives to the Region V Junior Invitational and the Denker Tournament of High School Champions shall be based on performance in the Michigan Junior Championship.  The MCA Board reserves the right to alter its invitation for just cause.
(Adopted 03/09/90). 
90-05 Between meetings of the Executive Board, motions may be approved using the following procedure: 
1. The maker of a motion shall send it, in writing, to the Secretary. 
2. The Secretary shall send it, in writing, to each Board member, along with a specified reply date which is no less than  fourteen (14) days from the date of mailing.
3. The motion shall be considered passed if no Board member notifies the Secretary of an objection, in writing, by the specified date.
4. Objections may be on either of two grounds: procedural or substantive. 
a. A procedural objection states that the objector thinks this motion, by its nature, should be discussed at a face-to-face Board meeting.  The Secretary shall put the motion on the agenda for the next Board meeting.
b. A substantive objection states that the objector votes against the motion on its merits.  Unlike a normal Board vote, this single "no" vote is enough to defeat the motion.  The Secretary shall notify the maker of the motion of the objection.  The maker of the motion may then take any action action he thinks appropriate, including, circulating a revised motion, or having the Secretary put the motion on the agenda of the next meeting.
5. The Secretary shall notify all Board members of the resolution of the motion in a timely fashion.
(Adopted 03/09/90).
90-06 Code of Conduct For MCA Scholastic Chess Tournaments
(Adopted July 27, 1990).
90-07 Players participating in the Masters/Experts/Class Tournament must play in their own class, as determined by rating.  "Playing up" is not allowed, except that a player WILL be allowed to play up a class if his rating over the past year would place him in that class, and if his current rating is within 100 points of qualifying for that class. 
(Adopted 09/28/90).
(Amended 01/30/98).
91-01 A Prison Membership category is hereby established at a Rate equal to the Senior Membership Category.
(Adopted 01/18/91).
91-02 MCA Membership List Rental Policy.
1. The person or group requesting the list must have a clear association with chess.
2. The person or group requesting the list must have the best interests of MCA in mind when designing mailing pieces.  And to that end, they may be required to submit proposed mailing pieces to the MCA Board prior to any solicitation.
3. Lists are for one time use only.
4. If members begin to complain that they are being inundated with mail, the MCA Board should suspend the list rental practice.
5. MCA members may request that their name not be released to any group.
6. A rental charge in line with regular commercial rates, shall be charged for each use of the list.  The MCA Board may waive this rental charge to non-profit groups.  A charge for providing a diskette should also be levied and is not subject to waiver.  The charge for this type of list shall be $50.00 per thousand names with at $10 fee to make and ship a diskette.
(Adopted 03/15/91).
91-03 At the final meeting of the Executive Board during each fiscal year the Treasurer shall submit a proposed budget for the next fiscal year to be approved by the Board.  All Board members and committees must submit itemized budget estimates to the Treasurer at least one month before the final fiscal year meeting if their expenses are expected to exceed $50.00 for the next fiscal year.
(Adopted 03/15/91).
91-04 The President may make or authorize expenditures of MCA funds for items other than normal expenses.  The total amount the President may authorize is $250.00 between meetings of the Executive Board.  This limit increases to $500.00 if the Treasurer and one other officer (Vice-President or Secretary) are consulted and give their consent.  Normal expenses are those items that fall within the allocated amounts specified in the MCA annual budget.
(Adopted 03/15/91).
91-05 "All State" certificates are to be awarded to board prize winners in the Championship section of the High School Team Championship.
(Adopted 03/15/91).
91-06 A maximum stipend of $250 will be given to the Michigan Junior Champion (or replacement) to defray expenses of competing in the Arnold Denker Tournament of High School Champions.
(Adopted 09/27/91).
91-07 A maximum $250 "College Scholarship" will be given to the winner of the Michigan Junior Championship, payable upon proof of enrollment in an accredited educational program beyond high school within one year of high school graduation.
(Adopted 09/27/91).
91-08 Whenever pratical, separate directors should be hired for the Michigan Junior sections.
(Adopted 09/27/91).
91-09 Lowest grade level prizes in each section of the Michigan Junior Championship shall be awarded as "and under".
(Adopted 09/27/91).
91-10 Five trophies are to be awarded in each of the championship sections of the Michigan Junior Championship.
(Adopted 09/27/91).
91-11 Whenever practical, three full-time directors and three adult volunteers will be used for the Elementary/Primary Team Championships.
(Adopted 09/27/91).
91-12 Advance entry is required for all MCA Scholastic Team Tournaments.
(Adopted 09/27/91).
91-13 Whenever pratical, two directors, or one director and three proven adult volunteers, will be used in the Junior High School and High School Team Championships.
(Adopted 09/27/91).
91-14 Any team with an average rating of under 1400 may play in the Reserve section of the High School Team Championship.
(Adopted 09/27/91).
91-15 Tournament Directors are required to turn in MCA memberships within 15 days of the tournament.  Repeated  violations will result in suspension of advertising privileges in Michigan Chess.
(Adopted 12/06/91).
91-16 Students who are not enrolled in an accredited Michigan educational institution outside of the home are not eligible to play in the Michigan Scholastic Team Tournaments.
(Adopted 12/06/91).
91-17 Junior players (under 18) may play for 50% of the regular entry fee in the Michigan Open (Reserve section only), Michigan Women's, Michigan Class and Michigan Action Tournaments.
(Adopted 12/06/91).
92-01 The Michigan Chess Association will provide financial support (as provided in SR 91-06) for its representatives (as determined by SR 90-04) to play in the Region V Junior Invitational and the Arnold Denker Tournament of High School champions.  Requests of financial support for the purpose of playing in other invitational chess events will be considered by the Executive Board on a case-by-case basis.  Requests for funding for open tournaments will not be considered.
(Adopted 04/03/92).
92-02 MCA membership (or equivalent) is required of all players in all sections of MCA tournaments, including sections which are not rated.  Current membership in another state's chess association and current membership in another country's national chess federation are acceptable substitutes for MCA membership for players who do not reside in Michigan.
(Adopted 04/03/92).
92-03 Computers are not eligible to play in MCA tournaments, except in computer-eligible sections of the Michigan Postal Championship.
(Adopted 04/03/92).
97-01 When computing "based on" prize targets, Scholastic ½ price entries will count as ½ entry.
(Adopted 10/24/97).
98-01 The Editor of Michigan Chess may award a $10 gift certificate to persons sending in annotated games that are published.  The Editor will have sole discretion over selecting the winner.
(Adopted 01/30/98).
98-02 Free entry to MCA tournaments is granted for up to three members of the Editorial staff.
 (Adopted 01/30/98).
98-03 The MCA Team event is defined as having 3 players per team.
 (Adopted 01/30/98).
98-04 Re-entries are allowed for the Michigan Open.  The re-entry fee will be an amount equal to the early entry fee.
(Adopted 06/12/98).
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