MECA meeting agenda 1024/2010 1:00-4:00 PM, Governor’s Restaurant, Waterville ME

Attending: Officers: Andy Bryan, Lee Doucette  Directors: Steve Abrahams, Brian Roderick, Jon Malev

Members: Mark McPheters, Barry Magda, Phil Lowell

 

Meeting called to order by Andy Bryan at 1:00 PM


1. Financial Statement
No financial statement was provided by treasurer Andrey Savov
.  Andrey is moving to Boston so we may need to consider a potential replacement. 

 

Unofficial current balance estimated at $2400

Current activity includes $694 payment to support 2010 state championship and $80 to support Border Battle.  Additional expenditure will include new plaque for Maine State Championship trophy and annual support to Dan De Luca for ChessMaine.net website


Action item:
Barry Magda contacted Bill Loring (CPA) from Augusta to see if he will consider acting as a temporary treasurer. Bill was willing to consider this & has experience w/ other organizations.

 

ADDENDUM 10/31 Barry has spoken with Andrey, who indicates that he will be maintaining his residency in Maine and is willing to continue as treasurer for MECA for his current term.

 
2. Review of Border Battle with New Hampshire
Steve Abrahams reported that renewal of the Maine-New Hampshire event was considered a success by all attending.  New Hampshire won the event by a score of 11-9.

As voted at the previous Policy Board meeting, MECA split event expenses with the New Hampshire Chess Association, with MECA contributing $80 from the general fund.

Abrahams estimates budgeting from for next year’s event at $50, with Portsmouth as the likely site.

 

Action item Steve will research ME sites close to Portsmouth for next year’s event

 

Motion by Malev to provide MECA funding support for the Border Battle 2011

Second by Mc Pheters

Carried unanimously


3. Maine State Closed Championship
The 2010 Maine State Championship was considered a successful tournament in spite of a smaller than expected turnout, with Lucas McCain of Yarmouth winning 2010 Championship.  Phil Lowell will attempt to obtain the C. Stuart Laughlin championship trophy for Richard Judy so we can get a new name plaque added and present the trophy to Lucas McCain at either Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday.  A printed certificate is also being presented.

 

Date: April 9-10        Location: Waterville or Augusta

Barry Magda has spoken to the UMaine-Augusta activity director as a possible site but they would need to tie it to some type of student event.


Prize Fund and Format:
time control = G/120, 5 rounds, 2 sections

prize fund based on number of entries (40) with increases if over, supported by MECA general fund

 

Action item Lee will notify Aex Relyea about state championship relative to potential Freeport Open in April

Action item Lee will lead site search w/ assistance from Brian Roderick, Barry Magda, Mark McPheters, John Engle

4. Membership Dues
2011 Amount:  $10 is not considered excessive, but MECA should provide a clear definition of where the expenditures go through a statement on the ChessMaine.net website

Membership Dues are used to support for ChessMaine.Net website, Maine State Championship, Maine Chess Player of the Year, Border Battle.  There was discussion of publishing a regular hard copy newsletter, depending on cost projections.

Motion by Abrahams to keep annual membership fee at $10 adult, $5 scholastic

Second by Lowell

Carried unanimously

 

Action item Lee will ask Andrey to prepare a listing of fee expenditures from treasurer’s report for display on MECA web page

Action item Lee to send annual website support money to Dan DeLuca

 

5. Chess Player of the Year Proposals
Proposal >> MECA to sponsor up to 3 tournaments as a base for Chess Player of the Year if needed

Organizers don’t want to take financial risk for tournaments

Existing & traditional tournaments will be given first consideration, all others on a first-come, first-served basis

MECA Policy board members attending tournaments will be responsible to verify & collect membership fees

Annual prize fund will be supported by MECA membership dues, amounts determined by number of participants

 

Geographical sections

·         South            > Brunswick/Portland/Biddeford

·         South central > Augusta/Waterville/Lewiston

·         North central > Bangor/Orono

·         North            > Houlton/Presque Isle/Washington county

Format

·         must be active member of MECA to accumulate points; points awarded as in previous years

·         quick chess events (<G/60) will  be weighted at 50% of regular G/60 or more event

·         event must be listed on ChessMaine.net at least 6 weeks in advance

Tentative tournaments (dates to be announced on ChessMaine.net)

·         Feb     All Saints                           Bangor

·         Apr     Maine State Championship    Waterville

·         May    Portland Open                    Portland                 

·         Jun     Chessmaine Championship    Waterville

·         Jul      Downeast Open                  Portland

·         Oct     Eastern Maine Open            Orono

·         2 more from roger???                   Houlton/Presque Isle

 

Motion by Abrahams to list the above tournaments as tentative base tournaments 2011 Chess Player of the Year, if the organizers agree to make them CPY events.

Second by Malev

Carried unanimously

 

Action item Andy to check w/ Steve Wong & Dan DeLuca, Steve to check w/ Roger Morin

Action item have Dan update prize fund for Chess Player of the Year

 

 

 

 

 

6. Board of Directors Election
Brian Roderick, Steve Abrahams, Jon Malev will run for re-election.  Phil Lowell is available if Tom Sandford declines to run.

 

ADDENDUM 11/08 Tom Sandford has replied that he will not seek election to the 2011 MECA Board of Directors.

 

Action item Lee will provide a ballot to Dan DeLuca for voting for the 2011 Board of Directors.  Election to be held in December

 

7. Scholastic Support
Steve Abrahams reported on the Maine Association of Chess Coaches meeting on 10/23

They are seeking tournament directors to support for the 2011 Maine scholastic tournaments

Steve discussed the possibility of  MECA becoming more involved in scholastic activities & the development of more coordination between MECA & MACC

 

Action item Steve & Andy will discuss/create an ideas list of how to build bridges between MECA & MACC

 

8. Open Discussion
Membership in New England Chess Board

We were informed by NECA that they need to amend their constitution to allow Maine to withdraw from NECA

Motion by Abrahams to withdraw MECA from NECA

Second by Lowell

Carried unanimously

 

Action item Andy will notify NECA of official withdrawal by MECA

9. Set Next Meeting Date for Policy Board

Jan 2011 dates considered:  22/23

 

Action item Barry Magda will check on arrangements at UMaine-Augusta for a meeting site

Motion by Malev to adjourn

Second by Magda

Carried unanimously