Massachusetts Chess Association

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 7:30pm

Virtual Meeting

ATTENDEES: Andrew Hoy (President), Robert Messenger (Treasurer, Membership Secretary), Jeff Caruso (Clerk), and Directors Paul Arond and Oleg Poliannikov. Director Yi Wang joined later.

CALLED TO ORDER at 7:38 p.m.

1. Minutes

MOTION (AH/JC): to approve the minutes of the September 29, 2021 Board meeting.  Passed 5-0.

Unanimous consent motion (JC/AH): to suspend the rules and to approve the Executive Session Minutes from the September 29, 2021 Board meeting, distributed earlier by email.  Passed 5-0.

2. Treasurer’s Report.

Mr. Messenger delivered the Treasurer’s Report for the period May to October 2021.

3. Membership Report

Mr. Messenger delivered the Membership Report for the period September to November 2021.

4. Discussion of recent and upcoming tournaments, and other matters.

Mr. Wang joined during this section of the meeting.

The board discussed the recent Massachusetts Open and the Spiegel Cup 1st Qualifier. Despite higher expenses (mainly site rental) and lower income than two years ago, both tournaments managed to come in slightly above break-even. 

The 2nd Spiegel Qualifier will take place the weekend of November 6-7, the Senior Open on November 13 and 14, and the Pillsbury Open on December 5. Members discussed these and other tournaments, including the Gus Gosselin Grade Championships, the Winter Team Challenge, the Girls’ Championship cycle, and the Spiegel Finals and Hurvitz Cup.

Members also discussed a number of subjects informally, including selection of US Chess Delegates, the MACA Affiliates program, the MACA Website, and other matters.

Mr. Poliannikov departed.

5. Next meeting

MOTION (AH/JC): the next meeting will take place on December 1, 2021, at 7:30pm at the Boylston Chess Club, 40 Norris St., Cambridge, MA. Passed 5-0.

ADJOURNED at 8:54 pm.

Minutes written by Jeffrey Caruso, MACA Clerk