A Chance to build something

As I scan the internet for chess content, it occurs to me how much negativity surrounds our game. On blogs, websites, newspapers, the USCF forums (don't even get me started there), even in clubs. I know I am as guilty of this as anyone.

Well today, I would like to build something, and if you would like to grow something positive, I would like your help with it. Here is the idea, when I was a scholastic player, once a year there was a clinic put on by Larry Stilwell and Proviso West HS. This clinic welcomed scholastic players to sit in on free lectures and lessons by instructors, and was followed by a free tournament. I would like to bring this back.

Let me explain how this can help the chess community. First, a free rated tournament and free lectures are easy to understand the benefit for our young players. Next, if you are in individual that is looking for students, or a teaching vendor looking to grow, you could certainly benefit by being in front of 100-150 potential students. If the ICA helps with volunteers for the event, we could make ICA membership be a condition of the free entry. I think that a full day of tournament games and lessons more than makes up for the $10 ICA junior membership. So this benefits the entire community.
How can we do this? Here is what is needed, and if you see something that you can do, or would like to help please post on this.

1. We need to get a site that is low cost (or better yet, free).
2. We need instructors to teach. (NM Jon Burgess has already generously volunteered to donate his time).
3. I will volunteer my time to TD the tournament and donate the rating fee.
4. We could also use some prize donations.
5. Finally, we could use help promoting the event.

I would hope to hold this event in October as the scholastic season gets into swing.

Thanks,

Glenn