District 7 Board of Directors Minutes from Atlanta
 September 2, 2001

Barbara Heller passed out the minutes from the last meeting. Liz asked that a correction be made to the minutes. The sentence that stated "Hendersonville, NC, did not run a game" was incorrect. Eldon moved and Liz Swanson seconded that we accept the minutes as corrected. Motion passed.

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Barbara asked that each Unit submit the current names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of all their officers, educational coordinators, webmasters, and recorders to us. Electronic versions are preferred. Please copy this to Nancy Hetsko at nhetsko@att.net , Bruce Reeve at onahook@aol.com  , Barbara Heller at hellerb@mindspring.com , Eldon Clayman at brdgbums@hci.net  and Chuck Whidden at chuckwhidden@WhidCo.com. Nancy has been given last year's report from Barbara but will need the current lists.

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Judy Nolan presented the end of the fiscal year financial report. Anyone who needs a copy should contact Judy at her new address or email: 220 Savannah Park Drive, Maryville, TN 37803 Phone: 865-380-8852 E-Mail: judynolan@chartertn.net . Mike Kovacich moved and Eldon seconded that we accept the treasurer's report. Motion carried.

Election of Officers: Since this is the Annual Meeting, Len announced the slate of officers as recommended by the nominating committee. Eldon Clayman-President, Barbara Heller-Vice President, Nancy Hetsko-Secretary and Judy Nolan-Treasurer. There were no other nominations. Barbara W. moved and Kirt Robins seconded that we accept the nominations by acclamation. Motion passed.

Len issued a special thank you to Jack Feagin and all of the volunteers for the well-run tournament.

At this time the election of MABC Governors was held.. In this election, two states had only one person who wished to serve. According to the rules of election, Judy Nolan from Tennessee and George Nichols from South Carolina were automatically elected and were not to be considered in the voting. Ten others ran for the eight remaining positions. The following were elected: George Bloomer, Susie Clayman, Bob Heller, Nancy Hetsko, David Klein, Larry Rich, Bob White and Emory Whitaker. Harold Winecoff was elected first alternate in case one of the others cannot complete the term and Ken King was elected second alternate.

It was reported that 4 people took the EasyBridge! course at this tournament. Priscilla was not in attendance.

Barbara Winzurk, District Educational Liaison, recognized Barbara H. participation in securing the $80,000 grant from the Educational Foundation and stated that this is a great thing for the education of future bridge players. She stated that South Carolina still needs a representative on her committee. Her committee consists of herself from Tennessee, Nancy H. and Larry R. from Georgia, and Harold and Carol Winecoff from North Carolina. George Nichols from South Carolina was nominated by Nancy H. to take the position. Len thanked him for volunteering. Barbara will be attending the education meetings in Las Vegas. Nancy and Larry will attend the EasyBridge! Meetings there as well. The first meeting of the District Educational Committee will be in Chattanooga. This will enable them to present a full report in Hilton Head.

Eldon Clayman gave the Entitlement Committee Report. Barbara H. requested an additional $150 to repay her for expenditures necessary to complete the project to present the development of a Youth Bridge Development Director. She presented this to the full ACBL Board in Toronto and then to the Educational Foundation. The Educational Foundation granted $80,000 as seed money to continue this project. Bruce moved and Barbara D. seconded that we grant these funds. Motion carried. Barbara H. then reported on the project and thanked the District 7 board for its support.

The Finance committee, which includes George Bloomer (Chair), Reba Jernigan, Pat Seiler, Len Case, Judy Nolan, and the president of District 7, urged every Committee Chair to submit their proposed budget by Gatlinburg of each year. If no budget has been submitted, the finance committee will determine the amount that will be budgeted for that committee based upon past expenditures.

Liz S. gave the Grand National Teams report. She needs to know every Unit's team coordinator and is preparing to mail out the information. (If your unit has not received this information by the time you read these minutes, contact Liz at lizswsn@webtv.net ) The information will be sent to Sam Marks-114, David Klein-118, Sue Reeve-119, Len Case-153, Alan Brooks-160, Geoff Greene-165, Gretchen Smith-169, David Bonner-171, Bob Crawford-191, Brent Anthony-202, Dan Jernigan-206 and Eldon Clayman-244. If the contact name for your unit is incorrect, contact Liz as well. Jack F. addressed whether it was wise to mail these forms and information since the contact information is available online. David Klein pointed out that each unit has an electronic coordinator who could secure the information. Liz pointed out how imperative it is that each club get the information. Bruce pointed out that not all club directors are internet savvy. Liz stated that she will continue the mailings. No objection was raised. The District 7 GNT final will be Clemson in 2002, Morganton in 2003 and likely in 2004, with a possibility of occasionally going to Augusta, perhaps every 4th year. The Flight B and C semi-finals for 2002 will be in Alpharetta,, Columbia, Hendersonville and Raleigh.

Len read a letter from Jim Current, President of Unit 160, asking that funds for the GNTeams and NAPairs be increased. This matter will be referred to the Finance Committee to discuss where these increased funds could be secured. They will report in Chattanooga. Mike K. asked that a straw poll be taken to see if everyone would be willing to pay $4.00 more to play. Jack Feagin spoke to the procedure saying that he thought the full board should vote on the issue. Bob H. pointed out that there were really two issues to consider: Should this program pay its own way or should the district subsidize it. Jack made a motion that we increase the funding for the NAP and the GNT by 25%. Barbara H. seconded. Sam M. pointed out that the expenses are often determined by where the event is held. Our basic rate now is $400 and we have voted to give more in the past because of additional revenues. Mike K. pointed out that Pairs lost $2000 last year. Bruce thought that 25% was not enough, but since we do not know what any percent increase would mean to our treasury, that we should wait on the decision. He made a motion to table. The motion passed unanimously. The GNT and NAP committees will meet with the Finance Committee to study this matter.

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. The details for the Unit and District finals are on the web page.

Bob Heller as tournament coordinator asked each unit representative and tournament chair to take a good look at the calendar now. Everything is there through 2005. He urged everyone to look further into the future and to submit sanction forms. We did not complete the goal of having all 2002 sanctions in by Labor Day. Greenville SC, Aiken, Columbia, Valdosta and Greensboro did not comply, He pointed out that paper sanction forms will not be accepted by Memphis after Jan. 1, 2002, and that electronic versions will be mandatory. He stated that several tournament chairs have asked him about determining attendance at their sectionals. There are no quick answers. The variables involved make it guesswork. Bob pointed out that Morganton, as GNT host beginning in 2003, will be held on the first weekend in May
Liz S. asked Bruce R. if paper sanction forms would be eliminated for all events. Bruce will check into this and report in Chattanooga.

Bruce R. reported that David Silber is history. Wayne Hascall, an ACBL Board of Director member, is acting CEO on a volunteer basis. He has been CEO of a steel company. There is a search committee looking for a replacement. Bruce also reported on the U.S. Bridge Federation. The Salt Lake City athletes have been chosen. They will be contacted and will have to pass a drug test. Our objective is to get to Turin, Italy in 2006. Bruce asked us to recognize John Hurd and Brad Campbell. They are two of our youth who were on the winning World Championship team in Brazil. When Sam Marks asked why we have hired so many new CEOs, Bruce stated that even though we have had several CEOs the top managerial positions have remained the same. Perhaps a new CEO will be able to recognize if there are any problems in this area.

Mike K. reported on the MABC issues. He reported that the MABC has approved the Jekyll Island Convention Center lease in principal and that MABC Chief Director, Millard Nachtwey, is fine tuning the space we will actually use. There are two contracts for Greenville that we are examining. Jack F. is negotiating with the Ravinia for the future. The contracts committee has also reviewed the Charlotte contract and Len will pursue these changes. The schedules for Roanoke and Charleston have been approved. Mike thanked Michael Jinks for doing the Charleston fliers. He also reported that his term as MABC president ends on Monday but he will be the new MABC vice-president.

There will be a CDIN/TAP report given by Bruce Reeve in Chattanooga.

District Scholarship Program was discussed. Bruce pointed out that he is distributing $1000 to anyone in our district who can submit a proposal to him. Future District Scholarship awards were referred to Barbara H. as chair of the Entitlement Committee. She will investigate what is being done and report in Chattanooga. Barbara Winzurk and Reba Jernigan volunteered to serve on the Entitlement Committee.

Len C. reported on the MABC Regional Site Selection Committee. Presently, an Atlanta Regional is being considered for 2005 immediately after Christmas. There is one opening in 2006; interested areas need to apply. Greenville and other tournaments are being asked to think of hosting tournaments more frequently.

Spencer H. thanked everyone for support that was given to John and also to the ACBL for the youth camp program.

Eldon is proposing holding District 7 Board meetings at 5 of the 6 tournaments ending next Labor Day. The next meeting will be in Chattanooga. The rest will be announced at that meeting. Eldon thanked Len for his two years of hard work as our President. 

There was a rising motion to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara M Heller

Barbara M. Heller
District 7 Secretary
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