Limerick Chess Club AGM was held on Thursday, 21st September 2023 at 8 pm. at Limerick Lawn Tennis Club
Attendance
12 members present: Niall McDonnell (Chairperson), Neal Kirby (Secretary), Laurent Talazac (Asst Secretary), Phillip Foenander (Treasurer), Liam Stack (Asst Treasurer), Tim Dineen, Liam O’Brien, Paul McGurran, Brian Murphy, Des Fanning, Filip Bartczak and Korneliusz Bartczak. Ray O’Brien (President) also attended.
The meeting was opened at 8.20 pm by Chairperson Niall McDonnell.
Minutes of AGM 2022 were read by the Chairperson.
The Secretary’s Report was read by Neal Kirby.
The Treasurer’s Report was read by Phillip Foenander. The club’s opening balance was €1,890.06 on 15 September 2022 and the closing balance as of 21 September 2023 stood at €2,048.46.
The 2023 Munster Chess League AGM is to be held on 22 October 2023 before round 1 of the Munster League.
2023 AGM motions
- 1. To offer cash prizes (1st €60, 2nd €30, 3rd €30, Best Junior €30) for the Tom White Cup, proposed by Neal Kirby. Supported by all present; passed.
- 2. To have a WhatsApp group to communicate with members, proposed by Neal Kirby. Supported by the majority present; passed.
- 3. To purchase 2 fold-up long tables, proposed by Neal Kirby. Supported by the majority present, subject to Tennis Club administration approval.
- 4. To switch club meeting nights from Thursday back to Wednesday, proposed by Neal Kirby. Supported by most present with 3 objections, subject to Tennis Club administration approval (noted that there is a yoga group meeting on Wednesdays 7-8 pm).
- 5. To donate most of the club’s chess books to the local library due to lack of storage space in the club lockers, proposed by Phillip Foenander. Supported by the majority present; some books to be retained in the club lockers for members to loan; the library to be contacted on this matter.
Nomination and election of Club officers
President – Ray O’Brien (for life)
Chairperson – Niall McDonnell (offered to resign if anyone can replace him; no new nominations; proposed by Neal, seconded by Phillip)
Secretary – Neal Kirby resigned for personal reasons. Phillip Foenander nominated (proposed by Neal, seconded by Niall)
Assistant Secretary – Laurent Talazac to continue (proposed by Neal, seconded by Niall)
Treasurer – Liam Stack nominated (proposed by Phillip, seconded by Neal)
Assistant Treasurer – Ray O’Brien (proposed by Niall, seconded by Neal)
PRO – Laurent Talazac to continue (proposed by Phillip, seconded by Neal)
Munster A Team Captain – Ray O’Brien
Munster B Team Captain – Phillip Foenander
Any other business
- 1) Announcement of the Cork Congress weekend tournament to be held on 6-8 October 2023.
- 2) The continuing problem of finding an affordable venue for the Limerick Open in Limerick meant that the club had to accept the West County Hotel in Ennis as the cheapest venue available (€250 for the whole weekend) for the tournament on 3-5 November 2023. The club will try again to bring it back to Limerick next year depending on venues available and cost.
- 3) Junior club coaching at Castletroy. Continue with coaching of juniors by Ray O’Brien and John Cassidy on Saturdays at Castletroy.
The meeting was closed by Chairman Niall McDonnell around 9.20 pm.
Source: Limerick Chess Club archive.