OPENING: Chess Club Of MATC Meeting Minutes (Motions are in italics & highlighted in black) For April 8, 2011 The regular meeting of the Chess Club was called to order at approximately 2:05 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2011 in Room S-322 by President Miguel Garcia. Chess Business Attendance: President Miguel Garcia Andres Junker Vice President Tosin Awe Secretary Debbie Jordan Roderick Douglas Treasurer Nathan Schlender Sergeant at Arms Thomas Hightower Tournament Secretary Charles Harris Jordan Roberts Membership Committee Chairperson Advisor: Brian Spaeth Chess Match Participation: Volodymir Opryschenko Roderick Douglass Thomas Hightower Ethan Wartick Charles Harris Syvis Xiong Jordan Roberts Benjamin Baldwin Nathan Schlender Tosin Awe Roderick Douglas Noe Huerta Andres Junker A. CONSIDERATION OF AGENDA Not Prepared or Ready B. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Minutes not Prepared or Ready C. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES IN TREASURER S REPORT No Report D. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES IN EXEC. BOARD REPORT (Presented on 4/8/11) Miguel Garcia presented the following motions from the Executive Board Report: Spring Executive Board Issue #7-11 Advisor Defined Issue #7-11B Finalizing Specific Ladder Tournament Rules
The underlying question was: What specific ladder tournament would satisfy the criteria suggested above and what are the rules of such a tournament? The Executive Board moved to implement advisor recommendation #7-11B...to sponsor the modified version of the spring 2008 tournament that is attached here at the end of this report (printed on blue paper). None Spring Executive Board Issue #8-11 Advisor Defined Issue #8-11B Setting the Prize amounts -----Motion approved (Unanimous). The underlying question was: What type of prizes should be awarded oto tournament winners and how much money should be allocated? The Executive Board moved to implement advisor recommendation #8a-11B...to allocate an award of $150 cash for 1st prize, $100 cash for 2nd prize, $80 cash for 3rd prize, $60 cash for 4th prize, $50 cash for 5th prize, $40 cash for 6th prize, and $25 cash for 7th prize for the $10 ticket fee option of the Ladder Tournament. None ----- Motion approved (Unanimous). The Executive Board moved to implement advisor recommendation #8b-11B...to allocate an award of $75 cash for 1st prize, $50 cash for 2nd prize, $40 cash for 3rd prize, $30 cash for 4th prize, $25 cash for 5th prize, $20 cash for 6th prize, and $12.50 cash for 7th prize for the $5 ticket fee option of the Ladder Tournament. In addition 8th thru 15th place will be awarded a mini chess set. None ----- Motion approved (Unanimous).
ATTACHMENTS START NEXT PAGE: CHESS CLUB EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORT Extracted from the meetings on 3/4/11 (Presented to the Membership on: 4-8-2011) Prepared by: Debbie Jordan Contributions by: Brian Spaeth, Officers present for meeting discussion: Miguel Garcia (Club President), Volodymir Opryschenko (Vice President), (Secretary), Charles Harris (Tournament Secretary) Debbie Jordan Advisors Present Brian Spaeth Guest Present Viola Marks, Rueben Casarez Absent Troua Cha Her (Treasurer President), Hector Lopez (Sergeant-at-Arms) News Items: Anticipated or Persistent Vacancies Publicist Membership Chair Treasurer Seargeant at Arms Planned Events or Activities Tournament Ideas still being Contemplated (no recommendations) New MATC Chess Club Website to replace or to be used in addition to current website Some Tasks an Officer(s) Completed Set up the tables in room S-322 on 2-25-11, prior to the club s meeting Sent out emails to the club officers Retrieved and replaced chess sets and clocks for club gatherings
Some Tasks an Officer(s) Worked On Attended the Executive Board meeting on 2-25-11 Created a Middle Rankings sheet for the bulletin board Projects in the Works A comparison of Google-sites web template to the clubexpress.com template Purchase of Chess Club t-shirts for fundraising purposes. Installation of new bulletin board display case Ladder Tournament marketing campaign Pending Issues (deferred to future Executive Baard Meetings) Questions of rules for the Travel Chess set raffle Issues Spring Executive Board Issue #7-11 Advisor Defined Issue #7-11B Finalizing Specific Ladder Tournament Rules Because there are many different variations of Ladder type tournaments in exultance, the club needs to decide upon one specific variation that is entertain enough to maintain player interest, offers incentives of both strong and weak players to participate, and is designed for ease of management. It also will help if either the advisor or the Tournament Secretary can vouch for its viability from previous experience. The underlying question was: What specific ladder tournament would satisfy the criteria suggested above and what are the rules of such a tournament? Recommendation for #7-11 The Executive Board moves to accept advisor recommendation 7-11b;...to sponsor the modified version of the spring 2008 tournament that is attached here at the end of this report (printed on blue paper). Four board members moved in favor of going with the modified version of the spring 2008 Tournament rules. Three of the board members abstained. Spring Executive Board Issue #8-11 Advisor Defined Issue #8-11B Setting the Prize amounts Because the expense of the bulletin board display case, the club only has about $428 dollars left in its account. Consequently, prizes for the Ladder Tournament must be kept down to a total that is less than this account balance. In addition to the cost of the prizes, the club will have an advertising expense to deal with.
The underlying question was: What type of prizes should be awarded oto tournament winners and how much money should be allocated? Recommendation #8a-11 The Executive Board moves to accept advisor recommendation 8a-11b; to allocate an award of $150 cash for 1st prize, $100 cash for 2nd prize, $80 cash for 3rd prize, $60 cash for 4th prize, $50 cash for 5th prize, $40 cash for 6th prize, and $25 cash for 7th prize for the $10 ticket fee option of the Ladder Tournament. Four in favor, zero against, 2 abstentions Recommendation #8b-11 The Executive Board moves to accept advisor recommendation 8b-11b; to allocate an award of $75 cash for 1 st prize, $50 cash for 2 nd prize, $40 cash for 3 rd prize, $30 cash for 4 th prize, $25 cash for 5 th prize, $20 cash for 6 th prize, and $12. 50 cash for 7 th prize for the $5 ticket fee option of the Ladder Tournament. In addition 8th thru 15th place will be awarded a mini chess set. Four in favor, zero against, 2 abstentions Spring Executive Board Issue #9-11 Advisor Defined Issue #9-11B Whether or not trash talk is appropriate/beneficial at Chess Club gatherings Because many of us are often intimidated by those who make use of Trash Talk in the course of a chess match, the result of such behavior can often lead to a successful outcome for the perpetrator. Therefore, it most definitely skews the perceived skill levels of the regular membership of the club. Even though it is definitely not permitted during tournament play, it is not entirely clear whether or not it should be forbidden conduct during casual play. This is because it hasn t been established whether or not the majority of the club members are annoyed by it or if they are merely not bothered by it. Some may, in fact, actually enjoy the added challenge that it brings. The underlying question was: Is there any time during course of Chess Club gathering or competition where trash talk might be deemed appropriate or beneficial for the club? Recommendation #9-11 The Executive Board moves to accept advisor recommendation 9-11b; to ban too much Trash Talk inside of S-322 during club meetings.
The executive board: Miguel & Debbie said it didn t really matter to them, Volodymir said it didn t affect him, Charles and Troua Cha said get rid of it. We will wait for rest of Board members to vote to resolve this issue. Meeting Adjourned at 3:25 ATTACHMENTS CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE
Chess Club Advisor Report Presented to Executive Board On 2/25/2011 & 3/4/2011 (Distributed to club members on 4/8/11) News Items: Website Update No assessment at this time. Trophy Case It will soon be replaced by a bulletin board display case. Club Sponsored Events & Activities A Ladder Tournament is being planned for a March 22 nd launch date. Because there were at least four of our members that volunteered for MATC orientations this past January, the club will be rewarded with a minimum $200 donation from Student Life. Fees, Awards, or Stipends Paid None at this time. Vacancies Publicist Membership Chairperson Other Pending Issues (deferred to future Executive Board meetings) None at this time. Some Tasks an Advisor Completed Sent out emails to the club officers Wrote the chess tournament news release Supervised club meetings Created a Middle Rankings sheet for the bulletin board Created a Starting Positions sheet for the bulletin board
Issues: Retrieved and replaced chess sets and clocks for club gatherings Reserved S-216 for Executive board meeting Setup S-322 on 2-25-11 Wrote the welcome message on the Chalkboard for S-322 Some Tasks an Advisor Worked On Helped reset room S-322 after the club s general membership meeting on Tuesday Projects in the Works Installation of new bulletin board display case Ladder tournament marketing campaign Advisor Defined Issue #7-11B Finalizing Specific Ladder Tournament Rules Because there are many different variations of Ladder type tournaments in existence, the club needs to decide upon one specific variation that is entertaining enough to maintain player interest, offers incentives for both strong and weak players to participate, and is designed for ease of management. It also will help if either the advisor or the Tournament Secretary can vouch for its viability from previous experience. The underlying question is: What specific ladder tournament would satisfy the criteria suggested above and what are the rules of such a tournament? Recommendation #7-11B Move to sponsor the modified version of the spring 2008 tournament that is attached here at the end of this report (printed on blue paper). Rationale MATC s spring 2008 tournament rewarded those who played regularly at the expense of those who did not because contestants that played the most games went up the ladder further. This aspect not only promotes regular meeting attendance, it rewards those that are helping the club s attendance the most. It also provides hope for the weaker players. The management of this specific tournament design is made considerably less complicated due to the fact that it eliminates the need for a Tournament Director (TD). This is because match-ups are determined by the contestants themselves rather than a TD. Not only does this design element eliminate the expense of hiring a TD, it also provides an added touch of strategy for the contestants. Consequently, victory or defeat often hinges upon who a challenger chooses to duel with. This added strategy provides more excitement and
should make for a popular tournament. In addition, providing for two ticket fee options in the prize awards design allows less skilled players a better chance of winning. Consequently, beginners will be more inclined to participate. Advisor Defined Issue #8-11B Setting the prize amounts Because the expense of the bulletin board display case, the club only has about $428 dollars left in its account. Consequently, prizes for the Ladder Tournament must be kept down to a total that is less than this account balance. In addition to the cost of the prizes, the club will have an advertising expense to deal with. The underlying question is: What type of prizes should be awarded to tournament winners and how much money should be allocated? Recommendation #8a-11B Move to allocate an award of $150 cash for 1 st prize, $100 cash for 2 nd prize, $80 cash for 3 rd prize, $60 cash for 4 th prize, $50 cash for 5 th prize, $40 cash for 6 th prize, and $25 cash for 7 th prize for the $10 ticket fee option of the Ladder Tournament. Recommendation #8b-11B Move to allocate an award of $75 cash for 1 st prize, $50 cash for 2 nd prize, $40 cash for 3 rd prize, $30 cash for 4 th prize, $25 cash for 5 th prize, $20 cash for 6 th prize, and $12. 50 cash for 7 th prize for the $5 ticket fee option of the Ladder Tournament. Rationale Given the fact that there will be a total of nine full club meeting days for which tournament participants will be able to compete in the Ladder Tournament, winners will probably have to devote a bunch of hours to the tournament if they want a chance to win. Consequently, prize amounts must not only match the effort put forth by the participants, but prizes must be attractive enough to entice entry into the contest. Advisor Defined Issue #9-11B Whether or not trash talk is appropriate/beneficial at Chess Club gatherings Because many of us are often intimidated by those who make use of Trash Talk in the course of a chess match, the result of such behavior can often lead to a successful outcome for the perpetrator. Therefore, it most definitely skews the perceived skill levels of the regular membership of the club. Even though it is definitely not permitted during
tournament play, it is not entirely clear whether or not it should be forbidden conduct during casual play. This is because it hasn t been established whether or not the majority of the club members are annoyed by it or if they are merely not bothered by it. Some may, in fact, actually enjoy the added challenge that it brings. Definitions: 1) Trash Talk is the art of talking during a game to distract and fluster your opponents. (Worldpicks.eu) 2) Trash-talk is a form of boast or insult commonly heard in competitive situations (such as sports events). It is often used to intimidate the opposition, but can also be used in a humorous spirit. Trash-talk is often characterized by the use of hyperbole, or figurative language, e.g., "Your team can't run! You run like honey on ice!" (Wikipedia) The underlying question is: Is there any time during the course of a Chess club gathering or competition where trash talk might be deemed appropriate or beneficial for the club? Recommendation #9-11B Move to ban too much Trash Talk inside of S-322 during club meetings. Rationale Because trash talk is often spoken in a loud and insulting manner, innocent bystanders are surely affected by it. Consequently, it can have a very significant effect upon the general atmosphere of the chess club if it happens on a regular basis. Some members may be so displeased by it that they may in fact decide not to return. Others may simply be uncomfortable with it, but not willing to speak up about it. Unfortunately, ignoring the behavior may tarnish the club s reputation. The bottom line is that it s just not fair to allow members that are gifted in the art of trash talk to take advantage of other members in this manner. However, the club will still need to decide exactly what constitutes too much Trash Talk.