Happy New Year!

As 2014 swings into full gear, we'd like to thank you all for making this past year such a success.
To our participants, thank you so much for coming out to our various branches. It makes us really happy to see you enjoying the game of chess! At the end of the day, we do this all for you guys so we really appreciate your patronage.
To our sponsors and donors, thank you for providing the resources to make this all possible. Your donations help us expand and , as a nonprofit organization, you're a crucial part of our success.
Last but not least, thank you to our volunteers! You've donated your time and hard work over the past year to make our program enjoyable for everyone. Of course, as a growing organization we are constantly in need of more help! If you would like to join our team of volunteers and help us continue our success into 2014, please fill out the form below. http://www.chessinthelibrary.com/volunteer-application/

Once again, happy new year to everyone! May this year be even better than the last.

West Region Tournament!

Good news! Next Saturday is Chess in the Library's West Region Tournament. If you enjoy playing chess and want a chance to sharpen your skills, this is the event for you. There are several prizes waiting to be won! Plus, registration is free so definitely come check it out.  See you there!

Sign up: http://tinyurl.com/CITLWestRegion2013
Humberwood Library
850 Humberwood Blvd
416-394-5210
Sat. November 23
11am - 4pm.

New Branches

We are very excited to extend a warm welcome to the latest members of our Chess in the Library family! 

Juan de Fuca Branch 

Victoria, British Columbia

This program started on September 25th, 2013, and is held every Wednesday from 6:45-7:30pm. It is also our very first branch in British Columbia!

Albion Bolton Branch 

Caledon, Ontario

       

Our first branch in Caledon public library started on October 3rd, 2013, and the program runs every Thursdays from 6:45 - 8:00pm.

Cyril Clark, Chinguacousy, Mount Pleasant Village, and South Fletcher's Branches

Brampton, Ontario

Cyril Clark Library

Last but certainly not least, we have started four branches in Brampton! They started on October 5th, 2013.The Cyril Clark, Chinguacousy, and Mount Pleasant Village branches run every Saturday from 10:30 - 12, and the South Fletcher's branch runs from 3:00 pm to 5 pm.


All of the new branches have been a tremendous success so far, and we're really glad to see that our program is continuing to grow. Of course, we would be nothing if not for the hard work and dedication of our amazing volunteers, and we are currently in need of help! If you think you have what it takes to join the team, please take the time to fill out the application at http://www.chessinthelibrary.com/.

Junior Executive Applications

Are you going to grade 10 or 11? Do you want to experience the leadership internship of a lifetime? Apply to be a Junior Executive today! There are 5 open position:

Junior Executive President
Junior Executive Vice-President
Junior Executive Treasurer
Junior Executive Volunteer Coordinator
Junior Executive Arts/Web Designer

For each position, you will be working an internship with the respective executive member for the coming year. There is a lot of work involved but also although of room to learn, grow bonds and gain leadership skills. It is an experience you do not want to miss out on!

If you are interested in applying, e-mail us at info@chessinthelibrary.com to get the form to apply. Completed forms are to be mailed to info@chessinthelibrary.com. All forms are due Friday, August 16th at 11:59pm! After going through the forms, you will be called for an interview that will take place before the end of August.

If you ever have any questions, want more information or any problems arise, please e-mail us at info@chessinthelibrary.com so we can help you out. Best of luck to all!

2013 Annual Festival

What a day!  Our Annual Festival took place on Saturday June 29, 2013.  It was a great success, and 62 participants attended the festival.  The day was fun-filled with tournaments, chess jokes, puzzles, a giant chess set, and a chess simul by our chess champion Mike Ivanov.  With so many exciting activities to do, it’s pretty safe to say that everyone had a good time.

Personally, there was nothing more rewarding than seeing the determination of young chess enthusiasts and their joy at their triumphs.  

Our founder, Yuanling Yuan, who started CITL at age 14 and now attends Yale University, presented a speech at the festival. 

One of our first and most honoured donors, the Southam Family, gave a speech at the tournament. 

Of course, how can we forget the awards?  Regardless of the tournament outcome, we were extremely proud of everyone and their hard work.  Once again, a huge congratulations to our winners!

Our overall winners are from the North York Central Library!

 Grade 3 and under section winners

1. Thomas Wang 
2. Wing Li
 3. Sivan Xu


 Grade 6 and under section winners

1. Cindy Qiao 
2. Hazel Guo
 3. Evan Wong


Open section winners

1. Jonathan Chan
 2. Jagdev Kondal
 3. Benjamin Lin

Our new executive was also selected!  The CITL executive team for 2013-2014 is:

President – Mohit Verma

Vice President – Jessica Cao

Volunteer Coordinator – Terry Zhang

Treasurer – Jessie Li

Webmaster – Zelin Liu

We sincerely thank all of our volunteers, supporters, and members.  None of this would have been possible without you!

Moving forward, we can’t wait to bring you many fun and exciting events in the coming year.

Arts Director Position Open

Chess in the Library Elections have come and gone and if you haven't heard, here's the new council:

President - Mohit Verma
Vice President - Jessica Cao
Treasurer - Jessie Li
Volunteer coordinator - Terry Zhang
Webmaster - Zelin Liu

However, there is one more position to be filled! Chess in the Library is looking for an arts director. The role of an arts director is to create and design posters, flyers and certificates for Chess in the Library. A long with this the executive member, like all, is required to volunteer at a Chess in the Library location and participate in other Chess in the Library events if asked. 

We are looking for someone who is already proficient in graphic design as we do not have anyone who is able to train people. If you're interested in applying for the position, please create poster that would attract potential teenagers to volunteer in the Toronto region. Remember to include our locations as well as provide information on how to apply. If you'd like a sample poster, e-mail us at info@chessinthelibrary.com and we can provide you with one. It is highly advised you take a look at the sample. Please send in the poster along with your resumé (optional) by July 31st at 11:55pm. Any late applications will be rejected at the discrimination of the CITL executive council.

If you have any other questions please e-mail us at info@chessinthelibrary.com

2013-2014 Treasurer Platform for Vladislav Bardalez

Vladislav Bardalez

Hello, my name is Vladislav Bardalez, but most of my friends call me Vlad. I am an active student at Victoria Park C.I and  have taken an interest in chess from an early age. I have been volunteering with CITL since 2009 and over the years I have gained a lot of experience running a branch at Brookbanks Library. Through my years of experience, I know I am a suitable candidate for the position of the CITL treasurer for the 2013- 2014 session. I have gotten a grasp of the financial aspects behind running the large program CITL has become. Not only have I received experience through volunteering with CITL, but I have acquired a plethora of skills through Cadets. I am currently a staff member at my squadron and as a staff member I am constantly faced with many responsibilities such as, organizing activities and trips for a squadron of over 160 members. This includes both financial and schedule aspects of planning. I am constantly in a position of a leader and role model, and through this I am able to work well with my other staff members in order to accomplish large-scale activities that involve my entire squadron.

 In addition to this, I believe that getting donations from sponsors and donors is crucial for the expansion of the CITL to other cities in Ontario and to improve branches that are currently running. Through the many connections I have made through cadets like the North Toronto Sponsoring Committee and through other programs like Duke of Edinburgh I have realized that there are many organizations that could be interested and keen in sponsoring a growing organization such as CITL.

Fundraising is another point I would like to touch upon. The cashbox or donation box that is seen in the chess festivals is a decent way to collect funds, but there needs to be more interactive ways to fundraise more money. Once idea could be setting up a canteen in events like the Annual Festival, which would create a profit at the end of the day that would go back into the program. The idea of a raffle to win prize such as a chess set or chess clock can be an incentive to parents and players to support the CITL and at the same time have a chance to win a prize. It’s a “Win Win” situation.

With the dedication and passion I have shown for CITL, along with the many skill sets I can bring to the executive board, I see myself as the ideal candidate to be next year’s CITL Treasurer.