MECA Meeting Notes  -  January 23, 2011

 

  1. MECA Board members present: Andy Bryan, Maggie Bryan, Steve Abrahams, Brian Roderick, and  Phil Lowell along with member  Barry Magda.

 

  1. Financial Statement unchanged from previous meeting. Unofficial balance estimated at $2400. Neither Andrey Savov nor Lee Doucette were able to attend meeting.

 

  1. Discussion of Maine Closed Championship. First we discussed who would be chief TD for the championship. Steve A. moved and Brian R. seconded Phil Lowell to act as chief TD. The vote to accept Phil as chief TD was 5-0 in favor. We next had a very long discussion about the format of the tournament. In the end the following motion resulted. One section with the following prizes: 1st $200, 2nd $100, 3rd $60, Top Class B $60, Top Class C $60, Top Class D and Under $60. The format will remain 5 Rounds and Game 120. Entry fee will be $30 due by April 6. Registrations after add $10. Round times: 4/9 – 9:00, 2:00, and 7:00. 4/10 – 9:30, 2:30. Accelerated pairings will used in first two rounds and prize fund is based on 40 players. Players must be MECA members to participate. Final approval vote 5-0.    There was much discussion about a lower section and it was decided to have a one day RBO Under 1200 tournament on Saturday, April 9. Entry fee will be $15. More details on this section will be soon to follow.

 

  1. Relationship with MACC and scholastics discussed. Steve Abrahams was willing to act as TD for High School Individual Championships March 19 pending approval of MACC. MECA will continue to promote scholastic chess and help MACC whenever the opportunity arises.

 

  1. Delegates for USCF events at US Open. Steve Abrahams volunteered to be one and Andy will ask Dan Fishbein if he attends if he would be interested.

 

  1. MECA chess player of the year competition will be announced ASAP. The following tournaments will be chess POY events: the two upcoming events in Aroostook County run by Lois and Roger Morin, All Saints Winter Warmup, Maine State Closed, Portland Open, chessmaine.net championship, Downeast Open, and Eastern Maine Open. Players must be MECA members in order to receive credit toward top three awards. Memberships must be purchased before participation in said tournament to receive points from that tournament. One point for each round played and points received in tournament will be totaled – requested half-point byes excluded.

 

  1. Next meeting date will be determined via email.

 

  1. We visited venue in Augusta that we may use for Closed Championship. We will continue to look at other possibilities over the next week or so before making final decision  on venue. Steve, Maggie, and Andy also stopped by Grand Hotel in Waterville (formerly Holiday Inn).

 

  1. Adjourned