01.11.21 Here's an update from Maine Chess Association president Michael Dudley.

FROM THE DESK OF THE MECA PRESIDENT
10 January 2021

YOUR BOARD, DUES, AND DONATIONS AT WORK

Happy New Year, Maine Chess Association!

We can all agree that 2020 presented no shortage of challenges, and nearly all of us are glad to see 2020 in the rearview mirror. While the beginning of 2021 looks eerily similar to the chaos and tumult of 2020, there is also light at the end of the tunnel. For us, we look forward to preparing for a return to over-the-board chess, and to a return to somewhat normal operation.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the board, and to welcome two new board members: Kate Ervin and Aaron Spencer. They join a dynamic, motivated, and energetic group: Dan DeLuca as Vice President, Wyatt Hendrix as Secretary, Oisin O'Searcoid as Treasurer, and Elisabeth Mock and Stephen Wong as Directors. I'm excited and grateful to be working with such capable board members, tournament directors, and chess players.

My priorities for this next term are simple: to facilitate a smooth return to in-person play, and to deliver value to you, our members, in exchange for your dues paid. Many of you responded to our call for renewing memberships, and we are grateful for your dues contributions and donations. If you would like to renew, visit our store site, located at maine-chess-association.square.site. If you're not sure if your membership is current, contact us and we can look you up!

With the first board meeting of the year, the Maine Chess Association is prepared to put your dues and contributions to work. Last night, the board voted unanimously on several investments in our members. First, we have moved to bolster the Roger J. Morin Scholarship Fund, established in September 2019 to award scholarships to our college-bound and college-enrolled chess players. With further investment in this fund, we hope to award our first scholarships in the near future.

Second, the board voted to appropriate funding for a printed copy of the Maine Chess Journal to hit your mailboxes this year. We're hopeful that we can print and share the stories of our members with you, and provide the Maine Chess Journal as a forum for chess writing from our members. If you're interested in submitting an article, game, or other writing to the Maine Chess Journal, contact Secretary Wyatt Hendrix at member.relations.meca@gmail.com.

Third, the board has appropriated funds for six quarterly George Cunningham Brilliancy Prizes of $50 apiece. These celebrations of games of aesthetic quality and brilliance by Maine Chess Association members are a way for us to celebrate the brilliant play of our members, whether it happens in- or out-of-state, online or in-person. Games can be submitted for consideration by any current Maine Chess Association member; we hope to award the first George Cunningham Brilliancy Prize in April.

We've made these appropriations with you, our members, in mind. We hope to be making further investments in providing benefits to members throughout 2021. My hope is that you'll find these initiatives fruitful and worth your contributions. While over-the-board play is several months away, we are working hard to serve chess in Maine any way we can.

Thanks, and Happy New Year! We hope to see you online or hear from you, and we're counting down the days until we can make a return to somewhat normal life.

See you over the board (or elsewhere!),

Michael Dudley
President
Maine Chess Association