MINUTES OF THE GARDEN STATE CHESS LEAGUE MEETING, 10 September 2019
Toby Katz Community Center, West Orange, New Jersey
Welcome: President John Hagerty welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Call to Order: Meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by President John Hagerty. Attending the meeting were Bruce Davis, of Lehigh Valley Chess Association; John Hagerty, of West Orange Chess Club, GSCL President; Ari Minkov, Secretary of West Orange Chess Club; Doran Race, Vice President of West Orange Chess Club, standing in for Steve Reade, who is in California on business; Charles Miller of Hamilton Chess Club and Treasurer of Garden State Chess League; Lev Zilbermintz, of Newark McDonalds, and Vice President of West Orange Chess Club; Greg Shaw, of Newark McDonalds; John Moldovan, Vice President of Garden State Chess League.
Absent: Steve Reade
President’s Report: John Hagerty reported on the status of the Garden State Chess League during 2018-2019 season. Previously, we used to have 12 teams. The idea was to have two 6-team divisions, and 5 matches. It is frustrating to get more teams in. President Hagerty said he is disappointed in how last two years were.
For the last three years, there were no Kenilworth Chess Club teams said John Moldovan. Hagerty reported that the Summit Chess Club has been kicked out of their place because they do not have enough people.
President Hagerty stated that this is his last meeting as Garden State Chess League President. He is involved with children’s groups and correspondence chess and will still be part of West Orange Chess Club. JH has been WOCC president since 1979. Once the new GSCL officers are elected, JH will give office unofficially. JH will strive to maintain what we have. Enjoyed working with everyone during his time as GSCL President.
Officers’ Reports:
Vice President: John Moldovan noted that for the past two or three years we may not be going down the right path. Perhaps the format is wrong. New Jersey State Chess Federation has changed.
Discussion of New Jersey State Chess League: It was discussed that NJSCF is putting together an online league. The advantages are that there is no need to worry about travel. All the information about the online league is on the NJSCF website.
The NJSCF Online Chess League was discussed. It was felt by the attendees that this group was too rigid and had a lot of shortcomings. Thus, Moldovan proposed creating a different, better group, for the Garden State Chess League. A better, more flexible format, will be made for the GSCL online group. The goal is to get more people into the league.
Greg mentioned that there is more personal contact when people play face-to-face over the board. The two leagues, GSCL and NJSCF, would not interfere with one another, as they are played on different days and times.
Doran Race reported on tournaments, including G/75.
Treasurer Report: Charles Miller reported on the financial status of Garden State League for 2018-2019. The balance starts out with $168.69. Income from 2017-2018 totals $60.00, which gives $228.69 . To this is added income of $40.00 for 2018 – 2019, making a total of $268.69. Expenses for trophy and plaque, 2017 – 2018, total $27.99. Final balance is $240.70
Status of the Garden State Chess League for 2019 – 2020
Lev Zilbermintz reported that between August – September he had contacted 32 clubs, organizations, middle schools, high schools and colleges. Rutgers-Brunswick, East Orange STEM Academy, Newark McDonalds, West Orange, Hamilton all agreed to participate. Awaiting response from Woodbury, whose meeting was being on the same day as the GSCL meeting.
Whippany Park High School, Hannah Malko’s middle school, NJIT, Bergen Chess Mates, Westfield, Kenilworth and Rahway have refused to play.
The College of New Jersey, Ewing Chess Club, Princeton High School, Princeton University, Newark Chess Club, Roselle Park High School, Princeton High School, Monmouth County Chess Club, Hillborough Chess Academy, Alpha Minds Chess Academy, Rowan University have not responded. Dean of Chess Academy and Toms River have not given a firm answer.
Lev asked, and the Garden State Chess League approved, a two-week extension to allow the organizations to respond. The final deadline to register is September 24. Lev wants to double the number of teams in GSCL to eight.
Proposed Calendar for Garden State Chess League: The calendar for the 2019 – 2020 season was approved. The dates are as follows:
October 1, November 5, December 3, February 4, March 3, April 7. January 2020 will be set aside for make-up games.
Elections for 2019 – 2020 Garden State Chess League Executive Board
The assembled members elected the following as officers:
President: Lev Zilbermintz
Vice President: Bruce Davis
Treasurer: Charles Miller
Secretary: Steve Reade
In addition, John Moldovan was voted in as GSCL Director of Online Chess. Lev Zilbermintz will handle over-the-board GSCL matches. All results, team changes have to be sent to Lev, with a copy to John Moldovan.
Inauguration of New Cabinet: In his first act as President, Lev gave thanks to John Hagerty, Charles Miller and John Moldovan for their service to the GSCL. President-elect Zilbermintz stated that he would like to increase the number of teams participating in the Garden State Chess League.
Announcements:
Robert Forney invites everyone interested to his Kings and Queens chess academy tournaments in Piscataway and Plainsboro. Flyers were distributed announcing the tournaments.
Next Meeting Date: To be announced.
Meeting was adjourned by John Hagerty at 9:30 p.m.
but when it was being updated regularly it was the place to find basically anything anyone wanted to know in regards to the league. Please feel free to look through it for more complete information on past seasons.
From new Garden State Chess League President Lev Zilbermintz:
President to Cabinet: