Candidate Statements

I have declared my candidacy for the presidency of Maine Chess Association, and my daughter Margaret has declared her candidacy for the position of vice-president. Here are our statements:

My Statement Declaring for President of the Maine Chess Association

In the spirit of democracy, I announce my candidacy for the position of President of the Maine Chess Association. For twenty years I have been involved in eastern Maine chess at the scholastic level as a coach and organizer of chess competitions between schools. For the past five years I have been playing recreational chess at the tournament level. My proudest moments in chess have been in overseeing a school wide chess tournament for the last twenty years that includes over 75% of the entire student body and seeing my daughters both win state championships and proudly represent their schools and states at national competitions.

On an administrative level I was a teaching principal at the Airline Community School for five and a half years from 1999-2004. Currently I am a teacher of 6th-7th-and 8th grades at the Airline School where I have worked for 20+ years. I wear many hats and have dealt with individuals in many different fields. I feel comfortable in working with people from all sides of the political spectrum.

How does my background relate to my candidacy? I feel confident that I can handle any situation that may arise and make a careful, thoughtful, and well-researched decision. I also am innovative and have ideas that I feel will boost membership in Maine chess. I will communicate six times a year to our Maine Chess Association members through Chessmaine.net about the most recent events in Maine chess, what issues that might have arisen, and future events that are appropriate to Maine chess players. I will actively pursue expanding the scope of USCF rated tournaments in Maine and look to coordinating events with other states through online chess. I will continue to promote scholastic chess while encouraging our young chess players to actively participate in MECA sponsored events. Of course, I will encourage those that have contributed to the strong foundation of chess programs and chess tournaments to continue to be a vital part of Maine’s chess future while encouraging those that are interested in becoming tournament directors and promoters to help us build a chess community that will be envied nationally.

I also am endorsing my daughter Margaret Bryan for Vice President. She has played in 57 USCF rated events from Pembroke, Maine to Chicago. She’s insightful and has youth and energy and an incredible desire to be the best at whatever she undertakes. Her state championships in track and field and chess as well as high honors status at John Bapst Memorial High School are indicative of her work ethic. Please consider a Bryan and Bryan ticket in the upcoming election.

Thank you!

Margaret Bryan's Statement for Vice-President of MECA

At the enthusiastic urging of several prominent members of the chess community, I announce my candidacy for vice president of the MECA. As V.P., I will strive to be as adept as possible in picking up the slack when the president is unavailable (esp. if the president in question is my father, Andy Bryan, seeing as we live under the same roof).

However, my primary mission, first and foremost will be to liaise and form beneficial relationships with various chess organizations around the globe, particularly in the scholastic arena. I am adequately familiar with the national chess scene, having participated in tournaments in Nashville, Chicago, Atlanta, and Lubbock, Texas. Through these experiences I have formed valuable connections that could prove to be highly beneficial to Maine chess in the near future. The marketing of the one of my favorite pastimes is very important to me, and I look forward to reaching out to the public in an attempt to make chess an even more widespread activity, both competitively and recreationally.

What have I accomplished that commends me for this position, and what skills do I possess that will enable me to help the chess community attain such lofty goals? I believe that determination is an important aspect of leadership, and I am under the impression that I possess both qualities in abundance. Through my determination to succeed, I have held various leadership positions (captain of the John Bapst cross country team for the past two years and co-president of the JB Student Environmental Action Committee), have achieved high honors in academic standing my previous two years in high school, and have received numerous accolades in competition (5 state chess title- 2 team and 3 individual, and track and field state champion in 4 events). I will bring this sense of resolve and purpose to the MECA as vice president, and will ensure that every voice in the Maine chess world is heard.

I would also like to take this time to endorse my father, Andy Bryan, in his candidacy for president. He is an excellent leader and has been passionate about improving Maine chess for the past 20+ years. Vote for him.

Maggie Bryan

Bryan/Bryan ‘09 (The bumper stickers are currently in progress!)