2003 Summer
Scholastics Program Final Report
and 2004 Proposal
By John Bottini, Scholastics Program Director
02-13-04
The Fourth Annual MetroWest Chess Club Summer Scholastic
Program ended on
Each tournament ran with three sections: Open, Under 900 and Under 500 (Under 600 in the third tournament). This set-up resulted in reasonably balanced sections with competitive pairings.
All three tournaments were six rounds, with two rounds
played each night. The time control was
G30. First round pairings would
generally go up around
Adult support (beyond the TD) is very helpful in keeping things on track, especially on the first evening of an event. It is not necessary that the assistant be a qualified TD. Rather, the assistant can help the younger players find their boards, get equipment if necessary, remind players who have finished to pick up and analyze elsewhere, etc. He can hunt down missing players at the start of the round, answer parent questions, etc. All these things must be done, and often must be done when the TD is attempting to pair a section or print out standings, pairings and the like.
The results can be viewed on the website. Trophies were awarded for first and second place finishes in each section in each of the three events.
A total of 35 players played in the first tournament, 46 in the second, and 34 in the third. We had a total of 51 participants, 12 of whom were new to the USCF. Of the 51, 47 played on at least three evenings. 34 players earned at least four points, earning the MACA membership prize. Most of the 12 players who were new to organized chess won the MACA prize. Ten players compiled nine or more points, and these performances were good enough to win MetroWest Chess Club hats and T-shirts from L.L. Bean. Finally, two players compiled 14 or more points, each winning the $50 prize for this performance.
I was gratified by the many kind words from the parents of the players. What we do over the summer is appreciated and valued.
Financial Results
The Summer Scholastic ran a small surplus in 2003. The income and expenses are shown below:
Entries:
22 who entered all three (@$25) $550.00
21 who entered two (@$20) 420.00
8
who entered one (@$12) 96.00
Total $1,066.00
Medals and trophies $254.35
MACA memberships 190.00
Hats and shirts 440.00 (this is MCC list price)
Cash prizes 100.00
Rating fees 29.00
Postage 2.86
Total $1,016.21
The surplus is $49.79. However, the above does not take into account the cost of flyers that were produced (exact cost not known, but not in excess of $20). The budget included a $100 stipend for the Director. With this item, we would have finished approximately $50 in the red. I am pleased to donate my stipend to the Club. I recommend, however, that a stipend remain in future budgets. The above cost also does not include the two free MCC entries given to Steve Eddins, in gratitude for his assistance.
Three six-round events, two rounds per evening, worked well, although the final evening was not well attended (approximately 20 players appeared, compared to 34 who registered for the third event). On account of where the July 4 holiday fell, we took a week off, pushing our ninth Thursday out to August 21. This is late, and I suspect there were a disproportionate number of people away on vacation that last week. In 2004 our final Thursday will likely be August 12. I wish to stay with the present nine-week format.
The entry fee structure worked well. I recommend keeping this unchanged at $25 for all three events, $20 for any two, and $12 for any one. We do not require that someone pay for multiple events at once in order to realize the discount. For example, a player may pay $12 to enter the first event, and then pay $8 if/when he decides to enter the second event.
The medals (given for showing up three evenings) were well liked. They make good souvenirs, and while not inexpensive, they do have the MCC name on them. I recommend continuing to award medals.
I have mixed feelings about the MACA memberships. They are good prizes for those new to the USCF, but probably are not valued by those already in MACA (in their case, their existing memberships are extended). I would like to keep some prize for modest accomplishment, but am not sure the MACA membership is the best choice.
The hats and shirts were very well liked. This prize has a significant value, and we may want to award just one or the other, but make the threshold for winning this prize a little lower.
Finally, a change is needed in the cash prize. I don’t object to a cash prize in principle, but one ended up being awarded to a player who was significantly stronger than his official rating, and who played in the Open only in the third event.
I recommend limiting this prize to those who compete in just the Open.
We had 51 players in 2003, down slightly from the 54 in 2002. I was slow in getting the word out (flyers, schedule on website, informing schools, clubs, etc.).
I am certain that we can increase the turnout significantly with a greater amount of advance publicity, especially in the schools. It is my intent to get an earlier start in this area for the 2004 Summer Scholastic Event.
I propose that the MCC once again sponsor a Summer Scholastic Event, to run during nine successive Thursday evenings, beginning June 17 and ending August 12. The sections would be as in 2003 (Open, U900, U500), as would the entry fee structure.
I propose a budget along the same lines as our actual results for 2003. However, I would like some flexibility in adjusting the prize structure. For example, I expect that the total volume of hats and shirts awarded to be somewhat less (award one or the other, but slightly lower threshold to earn prize), and that this savings could be used to have third place trophies. I also recommend continuing to budget $100 for a director stipend.
Income: $1,100 (versus $1,066 in 2003), based on approximately 55 participants in total, with most playing in two or all three events.
Expenses:
Prizes $940 (medals, MACA memberships, shirts, hats, possible cash)
Rating/postage 40 (takes into account higher per-game rating charge)
Flyers/promotion 20
TD Stipend 100
Total $1,100
Note that the total prize expense in 2003 was $984, which included $100 in cash prizes. By limiting the cash prize eligibility to those only in the Open, I expect no more than one cash prize.
I noted above that greater publicity should increase turnout. My expectation is that the marginal income from the additional entries will be slightly greater than the marginal cost of the additional prizes (more medals, but same number of trophies).
The intent is that the Summer Scholastic program not have a direct financial impact (income or expense) on the MetroWest Chess Club, although it is my expectation that there are indirect benefits, both to the Club (many scholastic players join us on Tuesday nights and tell others about the Club) and to the chess community.
At the next meeting of the Board, I intend to move that the Board authorize the Scholastics Director to plan, organize and hold the Fifth MetroWest Chess Club Summer Scholastic Event, consistent with the foregoing proposal.