The GREATER
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Board of Directors |
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President |
Michael Barron |
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Vice-President |
Ilia Bluvshtein |
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Secretary |
Erik Malmsten |
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Treasurer |
Nicholas J. Varmazis, P Eng |
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Director of Communications |
William Yuan |
williamyuan@torontochess.org GTCL@torontochess.org webmaster@torontochess.org |
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League and Club Coordinator |
Egidijus Zeromskis |
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Directors at Large |
Bryan Lamb Brian Fiedler Mickey Stein |
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Article 1. General Information
1.1. The Greater Toronto Chess League, hereinafter referred to as GTCL, is a non-profit organization.
1.2. The area of GTCL is defined by the Ontario Chess Association, (OCA).
1.3. This Constitution includes 9 Articles and it was discussed and voted by the GTCL Executive on June 22, 2006 and is subject to ratification by the Board of Directors of GTCL at the General Meeting of April 2007. The previous version was approved at the April 2003 General Meeting and published in the GTCL website in June 2003.
Article 2. The Objectives
The Objectives of GTCL shall be:
2.1. To promote interest and participation in chess at all levels for the purpose of increasing the popularity of the game.
2.2. To co-ordinate and harmonize chess activities in the league area.
2.3. To be the sanctioning and administrative body for the annual organization of the Chess events and tournaments, as listed in By-law #1.
2.4. To aid and co-operate with other chess organizations whose interest is to promote chess in this region.
Article 3. The Board
3.1. Board Composition
The Board consists of the following: Ex-Officio members, Club representatives, chess Organization representatives, and at large members. The Board shall include six executive members elected at the Annual Meeting of the League.
Members of the GTCL executive, members of the OCA executive resident in the GTCL area and members of the Chess Federation of Canada (CFC) executive resident in the GTCL area are ex officio members during their term of office.
Chess Clubs, which have regularly scheduled meetings and Chess Organizations operating in the GTCL area, may propose a representative as a member of the Board. The term of office shall run from the date the Board accepts credentials (presented in person by the nominee) till the next following Annual Meeting of the League. The Board may establish conditions under which a Club may nominate more than one representative.
The Board may include up to three at large members, appointed by the executive at the Annual Meeting from among applicants, who are CFC members and residents of the GTCL area. The term of office runs from the incoming Annual Meeting to the next outgoing Annual Meeting.
3.2. Conduct of Board Meetings
Quorum for a meeting is three executive members of which one shall be the President or Vice-P resident
Any CFC member may attend a GTCL Board Meeting.
Non -– Board members may address the meeting at the invitation of the chair but shall have no vote.
Non-Board members shall be given the opportunity to speak on all matters appearing on the GTCL agenda, and any additional matters regarding GTCL business.
At Board Meetings the President has a vote plus a second tie- breaking vote when required.
A Board Meeting could be conducted by e-mail, including the entire process of making/seconding a Motion, debating and finally voting on the Motion
Article 4. The Executive
4.1. The officers of GTCL, constituting the Executive shall be: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Director of Communications, and Club / Team Coordinator.
4.2. The Executive shall conduct the affairs of the League between Annual Meetings.
4.3. The term of office shall be approximately one year (between Annual Meetings of the League).
Article 5. Duties of the Executive
5.1. The duties of the President shall be:
To give leadership and to administer within the laws of this constitution, the affairs of GTCL.
To act as the Chairman at all meetings of the Board.
To convene all meetings of the Board and the Annual Meeting.
5.2. The duties of the Vice- President shall be:
To assist the President in the discharge of his duties, whenever requested by the President.
To maintain an up-to-date list of all member clubs within GTCL
The Vice-President shall be the first Acting President.
5.3. The duties of the Treasurer shall be:
To budget the finances and prepare and present a financial statement on a monthly basis and at the Annual Meeting.
5.4. The duties of the Secretary shall be:
To record and distribute the minutes of all meetings of the Board and the Annual Meeting.
To record and distribute all decisions of the GTCL executive and the Board.
5.5. The duties of the Director of Communications shall be:
To maintain an updated contact information of the Chess Clubs operating in the GTCL area and other Chess Organizations.
To communicate with the Chess Clubs, other Chess Organizations and public on GTCL matters.
To maintain the GTCL website.
5.6. The duties of the Club / Team Coordinator shall be:
To organize the Greater Toronto Chess League Team Competitions annually.
To hold GTCL team events on a regular basis.
To maintain and distribute results of all GTCL team events.
Article 6. Financial Structure
6.1. GTCL is one of the member organizations in the Ontario Chess Association.
6.2. GTCL is funded by proceeds from the collection of OCA dues, rebates from CFC memberships collected in GTCL sanctioned tournaments, sponsorship and donations.
6.3. The executive members of GTCL shall not be paid by the organization.
Article 7. The Annual Meeting
7.1. The election of executive members shall be held at the Annual Meeting.
7.2. The Annual Meeting shall be held within a month of the end of the fiscal year. The GTCL fiscal year is from April 1 to March 31.
7.3. Notification of the meeting shall be published at least three weeks prior to the meeting.
7.4. All CFC members in good standing residing within the GTCL boundaries may attend this meeting. Only members of the Board may vote on all motions.
7.5. A quorum at the Annual Meeting shall consist of seven individuals of whom at least three should be members of the Outgoing Executive.
7.6. The executive members of GTCL shall present a report of their activities during the year.
7.7. Amendments to the Constitution, previously approved at a regular Board Meeting, must be ratified at the Annual Meeting.
7.8. Amendments, not previously adopted by the Board, may be voted on at the Annual Meeting,, provided that a notice of motion has been presented to the Secretary or President at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting.
Article 8. Proxies
8.1. A proxy is valid, if signed by the grantor and witnessed by someone, other than the grantee or grantor.
8.2. At Board Meetings a maximum of two votes (self vote plus discretionary proxy vote) may be cast by any individual. At Annual Meetings a maximum of three votes (self and two discretionary proxies, or three discretionary proxies) may be cast by any individual. Directed proxies (i.e. calling for a particular opinion on a particular issue) are passed to the Secretary and voted by the Secretary.
8.3. Whether a proxy may be voted or not, the grantee may express the views of the grantor.
Article 9. Amendments and By-laws
9.1. The Board shall have the power to amend the constitution temporarily, provided that the notification of proposed amendments is presented to the members of the Board at a previous meeting or by e-mail at least one week before the vote.
All proposed amendments to the Constitution and/or By-laws need approval by two thirds of Board members present.
9.2. The Executive may, whenever required, create and/or amend specific by-laws, which will define the GTCL’s policy in handling specific issues. These by-laws, (which cannot contravene any Article of the Constitution), become effective upon approval by a simple majority of the Executive, but require final ratification at the next AGM.
9.3. This is the last paragraph of the last Article of the Constitution.
GTCL Constitution Last Updated June 2006
By-law # 1. Annual Tournaments sponsored by GTCL.
The Toronto Closed and Reserves Championships (January-March)
The Toronto Open Championship (April)
The Toronto Active Championship (May)
The Toronto Blitz Championship (June)
The Toronto Women’s Championship (September-December)
The Toronto Junior Championship (September-December)
The Toronto Senior Championship (September-December)
GTCL Team Competitions (September to June)
GTCL Grand Prix Competitions (January to December)
Other tournaments, matches, exhibitions and lectures for the benefit of chess players in the GTCL area
Greater
Annual General Meeting
Present:
Michael Barron, President
Ilia Bluvshtein, Vice-President
Nicholas J. Varmazis, Treasurer
Erik Malmsten, Secretary
Natalia Bogushevskaya
Samuel Chaplin
David Cohen, Chess Institute of
Alex Ferreira, Hart House
Chris Field, TSSCL
Brian Fiedler
Mickey Stein, Willowdale Chess Club
Michael Sutton, City of
Barry Thorvardson, OCA
Egidijus Zeromskis
William Yuan, Director of Communications, is at a tournament in
Agenda
Executive Reports
Election of New Executive and 3 Directors at Large
Election of CFC/OCA Governors
High School Chess
OCA Achievement Award
City of
Fundraising
New Organizers and Tournaments
Executive Reports
Treasurer Nicholas Varmazis
Report was emailed. Present funds available $632. We haven’t received the 2007 rebate from the CFC. We should expect only $300, down from $1,000. CFC’s borrowed money from the Chess Foundation was to partially pay the provincial dues held in trust.
Club/Team Coordinator, reported by Michael Barron
Yuri too busy with his business, Knights of Chess. Problem with a host team not reporting the results. Several matches have been postponed. Three tournaments:
Premier has three 4-player teams with a time control of 1 hour plus 30 seconds.
The Under 2000 has six 4-player teams, game in 90 minutes if no increment clocks.
The Cup is 15 minutes with 5 seconds, Scheveningen, playing all four players on the other team.
Director of Communications, William Yuan report read by Erik Malmsten
Report was emailed. William is new to
William was praised for his outstanding website and quick updates.
Secretary Erik Malmsten
Report was emailed. Last year saw the biggest chess event in public in
With all five Grand Prix tournaments being held at Bayview attendance was down from 269 players in 2006 to 109 in 2007. As in past years, over 50% of the players played in only one event. More players, 132, played in the annual Labour Day Open despite the change in location. I think that the traditional Toronto Open at Easter would get a similar number if it was held at the same location every year. Praise must go to repeat Grand Prix winner Nikolay Noristyn for being our most active master, playing in all Grand Prix tournaments in the past three years. Photos of the winners were put on the GTCL website.
Vice-President Ilia Bluvshtein
Assisted the President in many evening discussions.
President Michael Barron
Report was emailed. The GTCL’s main goal is to support chess clubs and organizers. We lost the Bayview Games Club, our most active club. We have new faces like Brian Fiedler and Liam Henry who’s having a FIDE rated tournament at the Chess’n Math school. We need more volunteers willing to put their skills, knowledge and time to help organize chess.
Barry Thorvardson mentioned that chess life is more active. Brampton Chess Club is up to 40 people and lots of students in the school not on the radar, not yet playing rated chess.
Election of New Executive
Club/Team Coordinator Egidijus Zeromskis
Director of Communications William Yuan
Secretary Erik Malmsten
Treasurer Nicholas J. Varmazis
Vice-President Ilia Bluvshtein
President Michael Barron
Directors at Large
They contribute ideas, participate in executive discussions, but do not vote.
Bryan Lamb
Brian Fiedler
Mickey Stein
CFC Governors
Important time to be a Governor as the CFC undergoes a major change. The number will go down this year from 9 to 5. Presented in order:
Michael Barron
Ilia Bluvshtein
Egidijus Zeromskis
Nava Starr
Gary Gladstone
OCA Governors
Michael Barron, GTCL President
Ilia Bluvshtein
Egidijus Zeromskis
Bryan Lamb
Gary Gladstone
Chris Field
Brian Fiedler wants big-time chess to return to
Brian is negotiating with a downtown hotel which has a space limit of 180-200 players so advanced entry will be necessary to guarantee a spot. He plans to advertise in schools, libraries and to do direct mailing to present and ex-CFC members. He was warned of the risk of guaranteed prize funds, as several organizers present have lost money.
He’s working with a corporate sponsor who would require a charity component.
Draft Budget
Fiscal year ended Mar. 31. Of the $7 OCA membership, 30% goes to the GTCL. Projected expenses of $879 slashed due to the lower CFC rebates. Barry Thorvardson is still donating the hosting of the website. Donations to the GTCL can be given through the Chess Foundation.
High School Chess
Chris Field presented with a cheque for $100 towards the TSSCL annual trophies. The teachers’ union had donated $350. As well, Nicholas offered to donate towards trophies.
Marc Garneau CI, led by Haonan Zhou, won the senior team, while Pleasant View JHS, led by Yuanling Yuan, the junior team. Yesterday, the 52-player Individual Championship was won by Pavel Rakov of Michael Power. Thanks to the OCA who provided sets and clocks. The league has 45 schools in four divisions, with East being the largest.
The Ontario High School Championship is always on Mother’s Day weekend, and there is a scheduling conflict with the Canadian Junior being the same weekend, so will lose their top players. Also, the Ontario Youth Championship is the weekend before.
OCA Achievement Award
Barry Thorvardson presented Chris Field with the OCA Achievement Award for his over 20 years of volunteer work organizing chess tournaments in schools in
City of
Mike Sutton considered the connection with the City last year a success, that we have our foot in the door. The display of the history of chess in
Unfortunately, the Nuit Blanche deadline was in March, but can still try to apply to see if chess can be put on the list of all-night cultural activities on Oct. 4. Mike made a flyer “Nothing in this world is blanc and nuit, except chess.” Erik will look into it.
Fundraising
David Cohen offer of consultative services to assist the GTCL in fundraising was accepted. Last year’s Canadian Open in
New Organizers and Tournaments
Liam Henry has organized FIDE-rated tournaments and wants to organize a weekend open and the Toronto Blitz Championship.
Alex Ferreira announced that the Hart House Chess Club is bringing weekend chess back to U of T. The Debates room is where many famous GMS like Fischer and Keres gave simults. Nicholas remembers an opponent smoking dirty cigars. Bryan Lamb will direct. Canada Day Open, June 27-29, 5 rounds in 3 sections: Open, U2000, U1700. Some players don’t like time control being at 30 moves, but it gives the TD two time controls to monitor. Long break between rounds, 1.5 hours, can be shortened. Bid approved.
Bryan Lamb announced that the Labour Day Open is moving back to the Macedonian Hall, where it’s been since 1991 except for last year. Last year’s location was difficult for the school whose opening day was right after the tournament. The $1,000 first prize is guaranteed and amateurs can enter the lower sections. The board approved the bid if it is called the Labour Day Open, not the Labour Day Macedonian Open.
Barry Thorvardson announced that
The Canadian Junior, May 9 to 13, has space for 20 players, so far 7 entries. The TD is Liam Henry. He plans to direct the Toronto Junior there next fall.
Willowdale will host the Toronto Senior Championship.
Barry is working on a funding proposal for a seven-days-a-week Toronto Chess Centre.
There was some discussion of the present CFC proposals to outsource their work.
In-person meetings give a better sense of community. They can be called between annual general meetings, preferably with two weeks notice.