My name is Lee Doucette, and I have been actively playing in chess events in Maine for the past 23 years. While my preference is to play in as many OTB tournaments as possible each year, these events don’t happen by themselves. I know from personal experience that even the smallest club-level tournament requires a certain level of knowledge and dedication to organize and execute. I want to thank all those volunteers past and present who have organized and directed events, and who are currently working in various capacities to ensure these events continue to occur.

I will continue to participate in such activities as a player, organizer, and tournament director, and will run for re-election as Secretary of the Maine Chess Association with the intention of providing additional resources to these dedicated volunteers who support Maine chess. I’ve listed below what I feel are my qualifications for holding the office, and the objectives I will pursue if re-elected. I hope I can count on your support.

Qualifications:

Member, Portland Chess Club 1986-present

Treasurer, Portland Chess Club 2000-present

Member, USCF, 1987-present

USCF-certified club & local Tournament Director 1994-present

Ø organized numerous events for the Portland Chess Club & MECA

Ø chief or assistant TD for 107 sections in 46 events

Recorded & reported Maine Chess Player of the Year standings since 1994

1st place – 2006 Maine Chess Player of the Year (won by virtue of attendance, not strength of play)

Director, MECA Policy Board 1998-2007

Secretary, MECA 2008-present

Objectives:

I am developing a self-contained database application to manage MECA membership information and Chess Player of the Year standings. A section of the database is also planned to electronically maintain state association meeting minutes, rules & regulations, relevant communications, discussions, surveys, and other items of historical importance or interest for the Maine Chess Association. If practical, portions of this database may be available online.

I will work to create an immediate survey by MECA to help us understand Maine chess players’ tournament preferences, and to seek suggestions on how MECA can effectively serve its members’ interests.

I will work to have the MECA Policy Board take permanent responsibility for organizing the Maine State Individual Championship in Augusta, and to establish a recurring annual date as the anchor event for the Maine Chess Player of the Year competition.

I will work to establish a committee within MECA with responsibility for coordinating and publishing a schedule of confirmed MCPY events at the beginning of each year. This will include working with all organizers and directors to ensure that Maine tournaments annually offer the best mix of events, formats, and locations for all levels of play. This effort should include working with the Maine Association of Chess Coaches to promote year-round scholastic player activities, such as Rated Beginner Opens.

I encourage any other chess players interested in serving chess activities in Maine, to consider running for one of the MECA officer positions (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary) or one of the four Policy Board Director positions. The annual meeting of MECA is scheduled for 1:00PM on Saturday, Sep 12 in Brunswick, and is open to all active MECA members. Election of Officers and Directors is on the agenda.

If you are interested in participating in the Maine Chess Association as a Policy Board member, or have any questions or suggestions that you would like to have discussed at the meeting, please send an email to any of the officers listed below:

Phil Lowell, President: lowellphilip@yahoo.com

Jon Malev, Vice President: jsmalev@yahoo.com

Ray Duval, Treasurer:

Lee Doucette, Secretary: lfdoucet@maine.rr.com

IT’S YOUR MOVE!!