Here are the main notes from our annual general meeting held last week at the club.

1. Apologies from Richard Jennings, Nir Oren-woods and Theodoros Vasiliadis .
2. Presidents report- It was a good year for the club, most Wednesdays were busy. We managed to get chess on Sundays started with few regular players and a few more coming along now and again. We purchased some new chess sets and books for the club.  This allowed us to donate 5sets each to 4 different schools (20 sets in total). Thanks and acknowledgement to Gordon Duthie for buying the club a trophy cabinet. I have put in some chess books which members can use at the club and possibly borrow to study at home.
3. Treasurer’s report –  Membership was up on the previous year, we have 52 members plus 3 family memberships so roughly 60 people. Overall the club made a small profit last year of approximately £200. It was agreed to keep membership fees the same as last year. £100 for adult, £50 for junior/concession. 
4. Tournament reports- Club Championship – Winner Theodoros Vasiliadis 5.5 out of 7. Bob Lothian has agreed to run the club championship again this year.Major tournament joint winners David Watkin and Jacob Drozd both 4 out of 4. Jeremy Mitchell has agreed to run the major tournament again this year.
5. Richardson Cup –  We were narrowly beaten by Bank of Scotland 5-3 in the quarter finals.National league – We managed to avoid relegation so we are still in division 1.
6. A new member Alex Giles has agreed to do some website design and maintenance for the club.
7. It was agreed that the club should acknowledge Gerald Lobley’s MBE award for services to Chess. More details to follow once committee decide exactly what the club should do.
8. Honorary Membership – Awarded to Hamish Olson for services to Bon Accord Chess Club and Scottish Chess.
9. Protection of Vulnerable Groups – Chess Scotland have a scheme for any chess members wishing to get PVG clearance. If there is any cost then the Bon Accord club shall pay for it. It was also agreed that any juniors under the age of 14 need to be signed in and out of the club by their parent or guardian if the parent/guardian are not staying.
10. Sunday Chess – Agreed to continue with coaching on Sundays but starting with only 2 hours each day. 3pm-5pm. First Sunday Chess shall be on 6^th October, (13th is Dundee Chess Congress) then 20th October. Full list of dates to follow.
11. Challenge Match against Stonehaven shall take place on Wednesday 25^th September at the club.
12. Election of office bearers – President Jeremy Mitchell, Treasurer Ross Brennan, Secretary – vacant, Committee Members Jan Berg, Bob Lothian, Thomas Murray and also Theodoros Vasiliadis and Richard Jennings if they wish to continue as committee members.
13.  At the end of October, Theo shall be travelling to St Louis in USA to take part in a Chess Conference. Hopefully this shall give him some ideas for his thesis project as part of his Psychology degree. This is a great and very exciting opportunity for him but he is looking for some funding so any help is greatly appreciated. Go Fund Me link https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/st-louis-chess-conference—october-2024We also discussed the idea of Theo giving a simultaneous chess display at the club to raise some funds. Possibly 2^nd or 9^th of October, more details to follow.