District 7 Board of Directors Minutes from Greenville
June 16, 2001

Len Case introduced Jim Kirkham, ACBL President. Jim stated that "There is no question that the MABC is the finest organization in ACBL." He also reported that there is a management consultant studying inefficiency in Memphis and they would be reporting in Toronto at the NABC.

Mike Kovacich moved that we make Jim Kirkham an honorary member of District 7. Approved except for the "no" vote from Bruce Reeve who stated that he would be working more closely to Jim.  Spencer Hurd asked Jim to speak more to us concerning the idea of corporate sponsorships and their successes. Jim believes that we may be turning the corner on it. He told about the US Bridge Federation whose purpose will be to run all ITT such as the Junior, Senior, Open, Women). This body will not be a subsidiary of the ACBL and will have as its responsibility to provide its own sponsorship by next year. He
stated that the Pro Bridge Tour in June in Las Vegas has not attracted corporate sponsorship. We need to find a way to make bridge attractive to television.

Len asked about online bridge. Jim stated that the ACBL will be looking into it in Toronto. Sam Marks questioned why Ebridge has the exclusive rights for the ITTs, etc. and Jim stated that they would examine this as well.  Liz Swanson asked about the Junior's finals. She thought that teams had been sponsored by Ebridge. Bruce stated that this was not true since
lots of the sponsorship had come from junior bridge. 

Jim stated that his personal opinion is that no member monies should be spent on international play. He stated that there is a motion to take away the $1.50 surcharge at the Nationals to fund International play

Len thanked everyone for coming to the meeting but emphasized the importance of notifying Barbara Heller, District secretary, their reservation for the meal. Her email is hellerb@mindspring.com.  Len issued a special thank you to Violet and Don Millenbruch and all of their volunteers for the wonderful tournament. 

Violet stated that she had 82 volunteers. She made special mention of Carmelita Hopkins, who was in charge of Novice and Michael Jinks who designed the ads and registration bags as well as creating software for online registration and templates for every days' bulletin. She stated that the daily bulletin editors need to be able to get the information of the winners
immediately following the event instead of having to wait until 1:30 am. She also thanked Richard Brown for his guidance and handling the scheduling. Eldon and Susie Clayman were excellent partnership chairs and her husband, Don , helped handicapped players throughout the week.

Sam Marks and George Nichols moved that we approve the minutes.

Passed. Judy Nolan gave the transaction report since Gatlinburg. She stated that we have $8032.91 in checking. $7,450 will be placed into the reserve fund for this year, which will give us $22,000 in the reserves in anticipation of the Atlanta National.
Mike Kovacich asked that the budget be approved for the following year.

Bob Heller addressed the District 7 Insert. He stated that we were under budget for last year with $21, 514 being actually spent. He calculates that printer increases will cause the cost to be up to $23.000 this year. He suggested increasing the insert budget to $24,000 for this year. Over the next year, we are planning 9 — 16 page inserts  and 3 -— 8 page ones. Discussion followed about making all of them 16 pages. Mike Kovacich moved that the Board state that the tournament
insert coordinator is authorized to manage the size of the insert at his discretion depending on information that has been provided to him for publication. Bruce Reeve seconded. Motion passed.

Bruce Reeve requested that all of our units submit the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of all their officers, educational coordinators, webmasters, and recorders to us. Electronic versions are acceptable and preferred. Please copy this to Bruce at onahook@aol.com  as well as hellerb@mindspring.com.

Bruce also noted that one person had made a donation to his club from a member who pays additional fees over the entry for all of the special games. He wanted everyone to know what a great idea this is. 

Mike Kovacich moved and Sam Marks seconded that we approve the budget. Motion passes. Committee chairs are advised to request funding by the Gatlinburg regional each year or the budget committee will assign the funding for the budget.

It was reported that 11 people took the EasyBridge! course at this tournament. Priscilla was not in attendance to give her report.

Harold Johnson reported on the progress of Jan Schroeder. She is making progress in her recuperation. Harold talked to her on the phone. Len Case announced that Barbara Winzurk has agreed to chair the Educational Committee in the interim. Larry Rich, Nancy Hetsko, Carol Winecoff and Harold Winecoff have agree to serve on the committee. Len is looking for someone to name to the committee from South Carolina.

Grand National Teams report was given by Liz Swanson. Hendersonville, NC, did not run a game.. For next year we have signed the Ramada in Anderson, SC. Bruce Reeve moved that we increase the per person amount that we are giving the qualifiers by $100.00 Liz seconded. Mike Kovacich spoke against the idea and pointed out that we are losing money
on the amount we are giving the pairs. Originally the idea behind making money in the Teams was to help offset loses in the Pairs. We also need to stop making references to free trips, since we are not providing them but are subsidizing their expenses. There were 12 votes for the $100 and 11 against. Motion passed.

It was reported that a Flight C team went to Albuquerque and did not play. We have in our conditions of contest that they must pay or refund the subsidy. Len thanked Liz for her report.

Bob Heller reported on the NAP for Wayne Hollingsworth. Greenville will be the site for the next NAP finals on November 3 and 4, 2001. Bob suggested that we need to look into sites at least 2 years in advance in the future.

The nominating committee which consisted of Mike Kovacich, Bruce Reeve, and Marlene Wass, submitted its slate of officers: President-Eldon Clayman, VP-Barbara Heller, Secretary-Nancy Hetsko, and Treasurer-Judy Nolan. The vote will be taken in Atlanta. Anyone who wishes to submit their name for consideration must contact Len Case or Barbara Heller
before the meeting in Atlanta.

Bob Heller as tournament coordinator reported on the following:
1. Units are asked to plan ahead for all sectionals, at least 2 years out if possible.
2. Columbia, SC has an unusual regional in July, 2002 and so rather than holding their summer sectional they will most likely host the NAP final in mid-November.
3. Augusta, GA is adding a fall sectional.

Bruce Reeve pointed out that Greensboro, NC and Morehead City, NC sectionals were the same weekend again last year and asked if anything can be done. Bob Heller pointed out that both areas are aware of the problem and that is all the district can do since they are more than 200 miles apart.

New Business:
Atlanta Labor Day Regional is our annual meeting. We will be electing our officers as well as our Mid-Atlantic at large Representatives.  Anyone wishing to have their name on the ballot must submit it to Barbara Heller, hellerb@mindspring.com  by no later than Wednesday, August 29, 2001.

Bruce Reeve reported on the U.S. Bridge Federation. He needs suggestions for the criteria used for our bridge athletes for the Olympics. Drug testing will have to be done. Len Case asked why the Worldwide Bridge Contest is $4.00 more per person. Bruce answered that the WBF is charging this to raise money.

Bruce Reeve reported on the TAPs and CDINs. He reported that we had pulled back a little too far and need to host more in the future.  Raleigh, NC, wants one as well as, possibly, Columbia, SC, Atlanta, GA, and Hilton Head, SC. The South Carolina Unit needs to decide whether they want a director or teacher's course at Hilton Head. He suggested that we have two director's and two teacher's courses each year.

Mike Kovacich reported on the MABC issues. He asked that we please give him input on any issue that arises. He mentioned the senior events. It seems that advertised senior events are not making or one knockout has to be made into a handicapped knockout due to lack of entries. The MABC is addressing this issue. He also commented on the
excellent off-site food and entertainment this tournament has had. He stated that maybe this concept should be looked at for other tournaments.

Len thanked Jim for coming to our meeting. It is our policy to invite the ACBL President to our meetings. Len said that Jim is very friendly and receptive to any of our concerns. A special thank you was extended to him for coming to our meeting. There was a rising motion to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara M Heller

Barbara M. Heller
District 7 Secretary
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