In affiliation with the Associated Students of the University of San Francisco

February Newsletter Issue I volume I

WELCOME to the Royal Knights Chess Club at the University of San Francisco.

Thank you for expressing your interest in the newlyfound Royal Knights Chess Club. My name is Violeta Pantaleón, I am a biology/pre-med major, and one of the first things I noticed when coming to the University of San Francisco was that there was NO CHESS CLUB! My objective is to successfully establish a chess club here at the University of San Francisco. Chess is an ancient game that originated in Ancient China and has been around for centuries. I have played chess for the past seven years. I deem Chess to be a very intellectual, sophisticated, and intriguing universal sport.

The Royal Knights Chess Club is a free-membership club that is open to active and non-active students, staff, faculty, and affiliates of the university. A couple of people expressed their interests to join, but mentioned, ‘I don’t know how to play." All members have the right to learn and will have the chance to be taught. Because this club is new there are several topics that need to be brought to your attention. Rules and regulations in regards to membership status (active or non-active) within this club will be discussed in the first meeting. Members will have an active or non-active status based on their status within the university. This respective chess club will observe the rules and regulations prescribed by the United States Chess Federation. With no further ado, the following are topics that need to be discussed:

TOPIC I: VACANT POSITIONS ON THE BOARD

There are two components to the Royal Knights Chess Club: the board committee and the chess team comprised of members. The following positions are vacant on the board:

Executive Vice President

Secretary/Treasurer

Activities Coordinator

Team Captain

Commitment, leadership, and order are essential for the success of any organization. The positions are all voluntary. What does that mean to you??? Taking active role in these positions means community service. Involvement in this club will give you a chance to serve the community of the University of San Francisco, as well as San Francisco City Youth (further discussed in Topic II-Community Service Event). I hope that within the next month at least half of the board will be filled. Active members have preference for all board positions and of course board members can be part of the chess team. So far, this is a one woman show. Please contact me for more information on the duties of the positions aforementioned.

TOPIC II: COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENT

This organization is affiliated with the Associated Students of University of San Francisco, thus in collaboration with this association it is our duty, as a club, to participate in a community service event. The University’s commitment to peace, justice and service is shared with the respective organization. My intention for this respective organization is to partake in an event targeted for the youth of San Francisco City. Two prospective youth organizations to keep in mind are as follows; Upward Bound Educational Program (located at the University of San Francisco) and the Native American Health Center (located in the Mission Neighborhood in San Francisco). My vision is an event that will promote chess as a craft and a safer alternative for the young minds of San Francisco City. Furthermore, this particular event or others are open to suggestions and ideas. Once the first meeting is established, the community service event can be discussed at length.

TOPIC III: SETTING THE 1^ST MEETING

Based on the class schedule and time availability, the next days and time are the best time to 1^st meetings. Having bi-weekly meetings is also an excellent idea:

Monday

Tuesday

Friday

6 pm

7 pm

8 pm

3 pm 7 pm

4 pm

5 pm

6 pm

12 noon

1 pm

2 pm

3 pm

Some of you may not be available at any of these times due to class, work, or other demanding duties. It is perfectly fine if you are a member and are unable to attend the meetings. However, it is very crucially important for the board members to meet at a certain time. Please forward me your input on what day/time/location works best, keeping in mind your schedule, as well as other commitments.

TOPIC IV: SETTING GOALS

Allow me to overemphasize the importance of setting goals and visions. There are roughly about 2.5 months left for the semester. The following are the short and long-term goals:

Short-Term Goals:

-Set up Tutorials Time/location within the next two weeks.

-Setting the 1^st Meeting within the next three weeks.

Long-Term Goals

-Championship Game within the next two months, but in adequate time before finals.

-Forming & filling at least half of the board within the next two months.

Because this organization is newly established, any chess set donations are more than welcome. As a matter of fact, the sets are still in ordering process. Several persons have expressed that they would like to donate their chess sets for this club. It will be appreciated if any of you can bring a chess set. You do not have to buy one, but you may be able to find an average size set (medium size preferred instead of the tiny pieces) made of durable plastic.

Furthermore, dead hour- 12:15 noon to 1:15 pm is a great time to set up chess sets and tutorials. It also gives the club a venue for exposure to the community of the university. In a way, it is a very powerful tool to market and bring the club into focus. I plan to make tutorial sessions at this time in Harney Plaza. The day(s) of the week are yet to be announced. Just to let each of you know, under the constitution for this respective organization as stated every member has the right to learn. Joining the club will give you all the perfect opportunity to learn how to play chess!!!