Acting President M. Urbonas called the MACA Board Meeting to order on ZOOM.  Nine people were in attendance: Acting President Michael Urbonas, Treasurer Robert Messenger, Clerk Nicholas Sterling, Directors Elsie Smits, Dmitry Barash, Colin Scheriff; Kateryna Odnorozhenko, Lawrence Gladding, and one guest: Jamie Williams, founder of the Jamaica Plain Chess Club.

We had a moment of silence in tribute to Dustin Hopkins, a former MACA Director who recently passed away.

Leadership: Robert J. King, the current President, has asked to resign. 

* * MOTION (925-1) made to accept his resignation; the MOTION passed UNANIMOUSLY.

* * MOTION (925-2) made to accept R. King as a Board Member; the MOTION passed UNANIMOUSLY.

* * MOTION (925-3) made to appoint M. Urbonas as the new President; the MOTION passed UNANIMOUSLY.  Because of this transfer, the Office of Vice President now stands VACANT. * *

Treasurer: R. Messenger presented the MACA 1st Quarterly Treasurer Report [link to pdf] which covered 5/2025 – 7/2025.  Total Assets: $188,000.  Salient points: (1) The first quarter (May-July) with $4,000 net income contrasted with a loss in the same period last year. (2) The 2025 MA Open was particularly profitable with increased participation. (3) Lower venue rates at the Westford Regency (negotiated by R. King) significantly improved overall profitability. (4) B. Messenger plans to move funds from Citizens Bank to Vanguard for better returns.

Membership: R. Messenger presented the 9/28/2025 Membership numbers.  The Membership decreased by 44 Members during the summer months, as is expected from seasonal fluctuation.

Tournaments: The following salient points were raised: (1) Most tournament dates have been confirmed except for Mass Game 60. (2) Scheduling conflicts have been identified with Boston Queens events. (3) The Board discussed alternate venues including Westford Regency, Montrose School, and potentially Boxborough Regency.

(4) * * MOTION (925-4) made to authorize the tournament committee to organize the 2026 New England Open if no other bids are received; the MOTION passed UNANIMOUSLY. * *. (5) D. Barash expressed concerns about the recent New England Open's organization, including declining participation.

Women’s Chess Program: (1) * * MOTION (925-5) made to approve a $6,200 budget for women's chess events; the MOTION passed UNANIMOUSLY. * *.

(2) K. Odnorozhenko reported that she had applied to USCF for a $6,000 USCF grant.  The decision is currently pending. The previous year's grant was $5,000, but actual costs came out higher. (3) The Masters vs. Challengers event was highlighted as an innovative initiative.  (4) Women's Chess Fund tracking will continue as a separate fund regardless of grant status.

Bylaws: (1) (a) * * MOTION (925-6) made to change the Board nomination deadline from February 15th to "no later than 11:59 PM on March 15th". (b) * * MOTION (925-7) made to change voter registration deadline from the last day of February to the last day of March. Both MOTIONS passed UNANIMOUSLY. * *

Future Actions: (1) B. Messenger will process a $250 donation to gastric cancer foundation in memory of Dustin Hopkins. (2) B. Messenger to follow up with Elaine at the Westford Regency about the hotel’s availability on 01-25-2026.  (3) D. Barash will follow up with Amanda at Montrose School about the school’s availability on 04-12-2025. (4) E. Smits will share the photo consent form for tournament participants. (5) B. Messenger will transfer the MA Open Trophy to M. Urbonas. (6) M. Urbonas will arrange repairs for the John Curdo Memorial Trophy. * * MOTION (925-8) made to approve $1,500 toward the repairs.  the MOTION passed UNANIMOUSLY * *. (7)  M. Urbonas will update the Bylaws published on the website with the approved amendments. (8) B. Messenger will research process for transferring funds to Vanguard for better returns.  (9) M. Urbonas will contact F. Delbonis regarding the next NECA meeting.

\President M. Urbonas adjourned the Meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Nicholas Sterling, Clerk

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Further Actions taken after this Meeting:

(1) An Election was run on Election Runner to vote Kateryna Odnorozhenko into the currently vacant office of Vice President.  The entire Board, excepting R. King and K. Odnorozhenko, voted on Election Runner regarding appointing Kateryna to the role of Vice President. The results came in unanimous at 7-0 in favor, thereby securing Kateryna Odnorozhenko the office of Vice-President.

(2) An Election was run on Election Runner to amend of MOTION (925-7) by changing the mentioned deadline from the last day in March to the first day in April.  The entire Board, excepting R. King, voted on Election Runner regarding changing the date. The results came in unanimous at 8-0 in favor, thereby changing the date.