Maca Board Meeting Minutes

01-14-02

Kennedy Senior Center, Natick, Mass

Minutes Prepared by Mark Kaprielian, Clerk

Scheduled:   7:30 PM

Opened:   7:52 PM

Closed: 10:10 PM

  

Board Members

 

Arrive  

Depart

Guests Present

Pres

Robert King

Present

7:52

10:10

 

V.P.

Steve Frymer

Present

7:50

10:10

 

Treas.

Bob Messenger

Present

7:20

10:10

 

Clerk

Mark Kaprielian

Present

6:45

10:10

 

 

Stephen Dann

Absent

 

 

 

 

Larry Eldridge

Absent

 

 

 

 

Tony Gavelis

Present

7:42

10:10

 

 

Gus Gosselin

Absent

 

 

 

 

Peter Lee

Present

7:45

10:10

 

 

Tim Oliveri

Present

7:35

10:10

 

 

Harvey Reed

Present

7:35

10:10

 

 

Vacant

 

 

 

 

   Note:  All vote tallies are shown as   For – Against – Abstention, e.g.  5 – 2 – 1

President’s Report

President, Robert King spoke about getting chess going and moving in 2002.

Some of the different things that we as individuals can do is to share our interest in the game when in family and social situations. Put together an informational brochure that we can have on hand as individuals and available at events.  We can also work for more press coverage.  We need to get information about Maca out to the clubs to make players aware of the organization.

Tony Gavelis offered that getting kids to bring in kids is the way to increase participation. They just want to play.  Joining organizations becomes a turn off.   Scholastic clubs are the key in his opinion. 

More discussion may follow later.

7:52 – 8:10

Minutes

Motion_2002-01-14

            Messenger, Oliveri 2nd

To approve the Draft 1 minutes of the 12-10-01 meeting with a typo correction in the Membership section and the title of the section itself.

Passed:  8 – 0 - 0

Treasurer’s Report – Robert Messenger

The Treasurer presented the standard monthly report to the board.  A copy will be sent to the Web team for posting.

It was pointed out that the combined effect of the change from last year, that of reducing CH from 6 issues per year to 4 and making money on each tournament in place of events losing money may make our budget sustainable as balanced.  Net Fund balance is at about$4,500.  The organization hasn’t been at that level for several years.

Discussion: 8 minutes: 8:10 – 8:18:

Coordinator Reports

Membership Coordinator – Gus Gosselin

No Report given

Database Coordinator – Mark Kaprielian

The Coordinator reported that the database is up to date as of January 5th, 2002.

Tournament Coordinator’s Report – Steve Frymer

The TLA for the Mass Game 60, April 6th, at the Natick Senior Center has been sent to the USCF by email one day after the deadline.  A flyer needs to be created from the TLA.

Mass Open has only the Hotel dealt with at this time.

Pillsbury financials were presented by Robert Messenger.  Did almost as well as the GBO.  Maca made $284.

Discussion: 9 minutes 8:21 – 8:30

Scholastic Coordinator Report – Peter Lee

The Coordinator reported that the Qualifier 1 on January 5th was very successful.  We had 143 players of which 70 were walk-ins that day.  To date profits net to approximately $1,077.02.  This money will offset the site expenses of the upcoming events.  The qualifying players were Dan Silverman10 to 12, Nikita Konovalchuk 7-9, Danny Moraff 4-6, Jay Po  & Charlien He K-3.

The three novice sections most likely increased the net turnout.  They total about 70, almost half.  Kids who didn’t think they would otherwise have a chance came and played in the Novice section.  This made the quality of games higher and harder in the Qualifier sections.

There were 20 high school players, which was a record number.  Qualifier 2 held January 13 in Palmer had 40 players.  The event started late but went smoothly once it got going.  Some CH issues were distributed.  T-shirts were being sold with part of proceeds to benfit of Maca.   Qualifying were Sanjayan Manivanan 10 to 12, Murad Mamedov 7-9, Bennet Pellows 4-6, Ezekial Silverstien and Danny Witke K-3.

40 players will participate in the Championships on March 10th at the Natick Middle School.  The Gus Gosselin tournament will be at the same location that day.

The Team tournament will be April 7th at Natick High School. 

The 3rd Qualifier is scheduled at Milton Academy on February 3rd

General discussion of venues and formats then proceeded.  Several ideas were brought up.

Holding a scholastic event at a mall.  Many benefits, things for rest of family has stuff to do, will attract new kids to watch, draw people to the mall.

Have the scholastic committee purchase some capital equipment to always have on hand, namely, sets and clocks.

Asking for donations of old but functioning at a certain level, Notebook PCs for use by the scholastics committee.

Peter did research on Postal Permit and other mailing costs for the projected mailings of Maca including scholastics, CH and other tournaments. 

Motion_2002-01_ 1

            Lee, Reed 2nd

To Authorize Robert Messenger and Peter Lee to take all appropriate steps to establish our postal permit in Natick

Passed:  8 – 0 – 0

Discussion: 45 minutes 8:32 – 9:17

Discussion of barrier to entry for Scholastics players and the fact that most parents aren’t interested in joining Maca.  Various ideas, nothing firm but the desire that something could be figured out.

Discussion: 13 minutes 9:20 – 9:33

Publications Coordinator – Stephen Dann

No Report

LMCF – Gus Gosselin

Peter Lee reported on behalf of the coordinator that the Boston ChessFest has 40 advance entries.

Clubs and Volunteers – Robert King

Robert King reported that he several volunteers for small mailing assistance.

Mark Kaprielian reported that he is going to try and sell collections of back issues of CH at the MetroWest Chess club.  Many times club players are returning to chess after many years away and newer players don’t know about Maca and CH.

Committee Reports

Investments

No work done on report since last meeting but a face to face meeting of the committee is being planned.

Old Business

Rica Discount

Some informal discussion and thoughts for Gus Gosselin were jotted down regarding the RICA discount issue.

Scholastic Booklet

Harvey Reed reported that the booklet is almost ready for Board approval.

New Business

USCF Delegate selection

Motion_2001-12_ 2

            Messenger, Oliveri 2nd

To authorize Steve Frymer to make submit a list of nominees for delegate and voting members for the upcoming USCF elections.

Passed:  7 – 0 – 1

 

Motion_2001-12_ 3

            Lee, Kaprielian 2nd

To Ajourn

Passed:  8 – 0 – 0