APPROVED Board Minutes of 3-12-00

                       

Attendees (alpha list):  Donna Alarie, Stephen Dann, Lee Enderlin, Steven Frymer, William Gennert, Gus Gosselin, Peter Lee and George Mirijanian.  Attendance by Frymer and Gosselin was intermittent because of their involvement with the chess tournament in progress.  Board candidate Franklin Herman was also present. 

 

The meeting at Palmer High School was chaired by Bill Gennert who called it to order at 1:35 p.m.

 

Motion 0046:  (Mirijanian moved, Dann seconded)  The election of Harvey Reed to fill the vacant Vice President’s position was approved 5-0, with Frymer abstaining.

 

A few amendments were made to the minutes for the meeting held on February 13, 2000.  Motion 0047 :  (Lee moved, Alarie seconded)  The motion to accept the minutes, as amended, was approved (5 in favor and Frymer abstaining).

 

Treasurer Donna Alarie reported that MACA’s account is in the process of being opened at Spencer Savings Bank.  A safe deposit box for our stock certificates and CDs has already been established.  When all checks have cleared, the present account at Citizens Bank will be closed. 

 

As Membership Secretary, Donna Alarie mentioned the ongoing problems in her efforts to bring the membership data base up to date.  Some members have complained that, although their dues were paid, they have not received Chess Horizons.  There are those who have membership cards, signed by the former Treasurer, whose names have never been processed.

 

The report on the Pillsbury tournament indicates that income results were calculated on a  net, rather than a gross, basis.  Copies of e-mail correspondence were distributed, showing that the former Treasurer has refunded $276. to MACA.  Considerable work remains to be done to straighten out the records and balance our accounts. 

 

Motion 0048:  (Alarie moved, Gennert seconded)  The motion to prohibit Stephen Frymer from soliciting MACA memberships or signing MACA membership cards, effective immediately, was approved (3 in favor, 1 opposed, Dann and Lee abstaining).

 

U.S. Open 2001 Tournament:  There was considerable discussion regarding the contract with U.S. Chess Federation that was dated in March, 1999.  It came to light one year later and has never been signed by a MACA representative.  The USCF Open committee, established by MACA to evaluate the pros and cons of our sponsorship, was therefore never able to hold a meeting.  The time lapse further complicated the main issue of whether MACA would sponsor this event.

 

Motion 0049:  The motion was passed that MACA should notify USCF that we respectfully decline involvement with the U. S. Open 2001 tournament.  Should USCF decide at a later date to contact MACA in a subcontractor capacity, they are welcome to do so.  (The vote was 4 in favor and 3 opposed).  Donna Alarie was asked to so notify USCF by letter. 

 

The problems with accounting practices, tournament entry fees, our Citizens Bank account and the U.S. Open contract were discussed at length.  The following motion was then presented.  Motion 0050:  (Alarie moved, Gennert seconded)  The motion to set a special meeting of the Executive Board to remove Steven Frymer from the Executive Board as a Director, for cause, was passed (5 in favor, none opposed, Gosselin and Lee abstaining),

 

This special meeting was scheduled for Sunday, April  2, at 1:00 p.m.  The Clerk has advised all Board members accordingly. 

 

Motion 0051:  (Frymer moved, Alarie seconded)  The appointment of Franklin Herman to the Board as a Director was approved by a 6-0 vote. 

 

Tournaments:  It was mentioned that there will be a mailing card reminder sent for the Mass. 60 tournament.  Steve Dann and Franklin Herman will handle the details.  The Mass. Open is being held on Memorial Day weekend.  MACA’s annual membership meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, May 28, at 9:15 a.m. 

 

Election:  George Mirijanian reported that the election ballots will be mailed on April1, with the revised bylaws enclosed.  Fourteen candidates are running for Directors’ positions.  They will be asked to provide statements about their backgrounds in fifty words or less.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.  The next one will take place on Sunday, April 2, at the Kennedy Senior Center (Natick), starting with the special session at 1:00 p.m.

 

 

                                                   William R. Gennert, Clerk