About Us

Governing Body

Ultimately, it is parents of the children playing chess that are the “final authority”. The board and its officers work to create an environment and consistent set of rules that provide a positive and fair experience for the kids that play.

Authority

The WA State Middle School Chess Association has its own governing body that oversees the activities and events within Washington State. Its authority is derived from an assignment from WHSCA, the organization that ran the Middle School Championships for many years. They have vested this organization with their support and recognition.

During this transition, we have asked a number of people around the area to assist us in serving on an Interim Board (until one can be established by the parents),  below is the current list. If you would like to serve or participate in any way, just send us an email and we will get you included!

• Bruce Kovalsky
• Ed Dodd
• Rick Jorgensen
• Don Sowell
• James Stripes

Structure

The Governing Body for the Association consists of a 5 member board selected at large from members around the State. The board elects its own officers and is elected/reaffirmed annually at the MS Individual Championship Tournament.  While accountable to the parents, the board is the final authority on all policy and procedural matters.

We also recognize that parents are the key element in a successful organization. With that recognition, we are separating the State into many Districts that have a parent coordinator. These coordinators help others in their local area by passing along information about chess events and resources in their local area that is provided by the State Board. In addition, they inform the board of happenings in their local community so they can be shared with others in the State.

This structure is important so that we can reach as many parents as possible in Washington State by involving as many people as possible each with rather small tasks. Most of this work is just letting people in your area know more about chess so that your child will have a better experience.

The Districts we are considering (subject to change and in alphabetical order)

• Seattle Metro
• Everett/North Seattle
• Bothell/Eastside
• Bellevue/Sammamish/Issaquah
• Renton/Kent/Federal Way
• Tacoma/Lacy
• Vancouver, WA
• Spokane
• Bainbridge Island
• Tri-Cities
• Lynden/Bellingham

Volunteers

Rick Jorgensen – advocate and coordinator of Pacific Northwest middle school and junior high school chess.

Barry Hansen – webmaster. Please send me comments and suggestions about how we can improve this web site, thanks!

One Response to “About Us”

1. Kim Dietz says:

   January 26, 2010 at 2:14 pm

   We started a middle school chess club today and want to know more about meeting with other MS groups and about visiting chess masters.
   Can you please send info on opportunities for our small club, currently 9 students large and hopefully growing.
   Thank you