Candidacy for President of the Maine Chess Association

In the spirit of democracy, I announce my candidacy for the position of President of the Maine Chess Association. For twenty years I have been involved in eastern Maine chess at the scholastic level as a coach and organizer of chess competitions between schools. For the past five years I have been playing recreational chess at the tournament level. My proudest moments in chess have been in overseeing a school wide chess tournament for the last twenty years that includes over 75% of the entire student body and seeing my daughters both win state championships and proudly represent their schools and states at national competitions.

On an administrative level I was a teaching principal at the Airline Community School for five and a half years from 1999-2004. Currently I am a teacher of 6th-7th-and 8th grades at the Airline School where I have worked for 20+ years. I wear many hats and have dealt with individuals in many different fields. I feel comfortable in working with people from all sides of the political spectrum.

How does my background relate to my candidacy? I feel confident that I can handle any situation that may arise and make a careful, thoughtful, and well-researched decision. I also am innovative and have ideas that I feel will boost membership in Maine chess. I will communicate six times a year to our Maine Chess Association members through ChessMaine.net about the most recent events in Maine chess, what issues that might have arisen, and future events that are appropriate to Maine chess players. I will actively pursue expanding the scope of USCF rated tournaments in Maine and look to coordinating events with other states through online chess. I will continue to promote scholastic chess while encouraging our young chess players to actively participate in MECA sponsored events. Of course, I will encourage those that have contributed to the strong foundation of chess programs and chess tournaments to continue to be a vital part of Maine’s chess future while encouraging those that are interested in becoming tournament directors and promoters to help us build a chess community that will be envied nationally.

I also am endorsing my daughter Margaret Bryan for Vice President. She has played in 57 USCF rated events from Pembroke, Maine to Chicago. She’s insightful and has youth and energy and an incredible desire to be the best at whatever she undertakes. Her state championships in track and field and chess as well as high honors status at John Bapst Memorial High School are indicative of her work ethic.

Please consider a Bryan and Bryan ticket in the upcoming election. Thank you!