Massachusetts Chess Association

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 7:30pm

Boylston Chess Club, via Zoom

ATTENDEES: Andrew Hoy (President), Robert Messenger (Treasurer and Membership Secretary), Jeffrey Caruso (Clerk), and Directors Dmitry Barash, Igor Klempf, and Alonzo Ross.

CALLED TO ORDER at 7:35 p.m.

1. Minutes

MOTION (AH/RH): to approve the minutes of the December 7, 2022 Board meeting.  Passed 6-0.

2. Treasurer’s Report and Membership Report

Mr. Messenger presented the membership report, and the financial report for the Gus Gosselin Grade Championship (appended). He noted that the actual Prisoners figure is 403, meaning we have lost 3 members in that category since the last meeting; we also gained 24 Junior members.

The Gus Gosselin received more income but less net income than last year, mainly due to a greatly increased expense for site rental. The board discussed strategies for dealing with increasing hotel fees.

3. Scholastics

Mr. Barash reported that dates have been assigned for the 3rd Spiegel Qualifier (March 5), Hurvitz Cup (March 26), and 4th Spiegel Qualifier (April 2) and we have all contracts in hand.  The board discussed possible dates for the Spiegel Cup Final and the Girls Final.  The Girls Qualifier is being organized by the Boylston Chess Club, and a date in March was discussed.

4. Tournaments

Mr. Messenger discussed upcoming tournaments. The Massachusetts G/60 tournament will take place Sunday, April 30, and the TLA has been sent to US Chess.  The board discussed possible sites for the 91st Massachusetts Open.

MOTION (AH/RM) to authorize the Tournament Chairman to sign a hotel contract for up to $6,500.00 for the  Massachusetts Open on the weekend of May 27-29. Passed 6-0.

5. Elections

Mr. Caruso noted that the Elections Commission has begun its work and updated the Elections FAQ on the masschess.org website, and approved language for Call for Nominations and Voter Registration emails. These will be forwarded to Mr. Klempf for distribution to MACA members.

6. Other news

Mr. Barash has organized another Unrated tournament which will take place this month, with space for 100 entrants. Over 300 people attempted to join.  The board considered whether it might be a good idea to add an Unrated section to some MACA events.

6. Next meeting

Mr. Hoy called the next meeting of the Executive Board on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at 7:30pm at the Boylston Chess Club, 35 Kingston St., Boston, MA.

ADJOURNED at 8:37 p.m.

Minutes written by Jeffrey Caruso, MACA Clerk