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District 7 Board of Directors
Minutes from |
| President Eldon Clayman called the meeting to order at
10:45 AM. Introductions were done with the following in attendance: Jay
Baum-ACBL CEO, Judith Bloomer-Unit 119 and MABC Secretary, Len Case-Past
President, Eldon Clayman-President, Susie Clayman-Unit 244 and MABC
Governor, Ray Coleman-Augusta Co-chair and Unit 202 President, Barbara
Doster-Unit 153 rep, Owen Doster, Unit 153 rep, Janice Glisson-Unit 202
rep, Geoff Greene- Unit 165 rep, Jim Hansell-Unit 191 rep, Barbara
Heller-District VP, Bob Heller-MABC governor, Unit 114 rep and District
Insert and Tournament Coordinator, Nancy Hetsko-District Secretary,
Margaret Hill-Columbia Chair and Unit 160 rep, Wayne Hollingsworth-NAP
Coordinator, Betty Hoopes-unit 202 rep, Hugh Hughes-Unit 169 President,
Reba Jernigan-ACBL Governor, Unit 206 President, David Klein-Unit 118 rep,
Wilmington Co-Chair and MABC Governor, Mike Kovacich-MABC VP, Sam
Marks-Unit 114, George Nichols-160 rep and MABC Governor, Judy
Nolan-District 7 Treasurer and MABC Governor, Bruce Reeve-District
Director, Larry Rich-Unit 114 President and MABC Governor, Kirt
Robins-Unit 171 President, Teddy Robins-Unit 171, Pat Seiler-Hilton Head
Chair, MABC Treasurer, Unit 160 rep, Janet Sherwood-Unit 114 rep, Joe
Sherwood-Unit 114 rep, Liz Swanson-GNT Coordinator and Unit 114 rep,
Marlene Wass-Gatlinburg Co-Chair, Chuck Whidden-Unit 114 rep and
Webmaster, Emory Whitaker-Unit 114 rep and MABC Governor, and Barbara
Winzurk- Unit 165 rep and District Education Liaison. Minutes: Liz Swanson moved to accept the minutes from the Hilton Head meeting, Barbara Heller seconded and the minutes were approved as per the corrections reflected in the minutes. Treasurer’s Report: It was pointed out that the report does not include the allocation that the District will receive at the end of the year. Ray Coleman asked who makes the decision on CD’s and was informed that Judy Nolan (Treasurer) makes that decision. She pointed out that although CD rates are low, we are looking for safety for our funds. Wayne Hollingsworth suggested that we consider money market funds. Mike Kovacich moved to accept the report as submitted, Susie Clayman seconded and all approved. There was no Easybridge report. Finance Committee: Mike Kovacich presented the proposed budget to the board; the budget will be voted on at the Columbia meeting. Mike explained that the proposed budget was developed by looking at last year and adjusting for known changes. The proposed budget reflects an anticipated increase in MABC revenue sharing. Len Case pointed out that the heading on the proposed budget should be 2002-2003. The ensuing discussion covered the fact that projected interest is much lower, the purpose of the reserve fund, and the fact that issues currently being discussed by various committees may result in changes in the proposed budget which will voted on in Columbia. Bruce Reeve proposed raising the amount budgeted for youth programs this year. Mike K. suggested that this wait until we get to new business. In answer to a question about the MABC revenue sharing, Mike K. explained that it was based on the number of tables at MABC regionals-the district in which the regional is held receives $1 per table. He also indicated that this will probably change. There was also discussion of the number of regionals allocated to each district, and that as an Ex Quota "Holiday" tournament, Gatlinburg is a permanent site regional. Tournament Coordinator: Bob Heller distributed an updated tournament schedule and asked everyone to check the dates. He also pointed out that the 2003 San Destin regional has been changed to the week ending 1-26-03, and there will be a District 10 split regional in early August. Bob reiterated that we need sanctions at least 12 months in advance and indicated that there are a couple of units delinquent in that regard. It was also pointed out that there is a problem with the ACBL website; some tournament chairs have confirmed the date but the sanction is not complete. The NAOP finals for this year are scheduled in December because it causes scheduling problems to have them in November. Sam Marks asked Bruce Reeve about the resolution to schedule fall NABCs that Thanksgiving does not fall in the middle of the tournament. Bruce said that the ACBL Board has discussed this issue, and some feel that this is not a problem, while others feel that it is a problem. Hotel rates depend on whether the hotels want us there in that time frame-hotels frequently give a better rate if the tournament is over Thanksgiving. Many younger (working) people prefer the tournament to extend over Thanksgiving because they don’t have to use as much vacation to attend the tournament. At any rate, the contracts are set for nationals for the next 5 years. Jay Baum interjected that the ACBL would see how this year’s fall NABC worked out (starts on Thanksgiving). Betty Hoopes asked why there seem to be so many tournaments during March, April and May, and so few during June, July and August. Bob answered that it was partly due to the summer nationals, partly due to regional schedules and partly based on what the locals wanted. Bob volunteered to meet with tournament chairs to discuss tournament scheduling. David Klein pointed out that there are lots of resort areas in District 7 which have high hotel rates during certain times of the year and that this can affect tournament scheduling. GNT: Liz Swanson presented the final GNT report. The # of club level qualifiers was down about 17%, the proceeds from club qualifiers was down about 8% or $430, but the semi-finals were up and we currently have $8200 vs the $8000 budgeted. Proceeds from the district finals will be pure gravy. Liz then brought up something the board needs to vote on: the NAP rules specify that the top 60% of the field or pairs with scores over 50% Q, while the GNT rules simply say the top 50% Q. During the Raleigh semi-finals the 6th place team had a scores above 50%. Memphis has said that since this is our event, we decide what the rules are. Barbara Heller moved that the GNT rules for qualifying be changed so that teams with a score over 50% will also qualify. Bruce Reeve seconded and all approved. It was suggested that if a team qualifies but decides not to go, lower ranking team(s) can move up into that slot. NAOP: Wayne Hollingsworth commented on the new allocation which was approved at the Chattanooga meeting following the ACBL change in awards to NAOP finalists. He said that it seems like a good formula as we spent $15 more this year even though more people received money. The NAOP finals will alternate between Greenville and Columbia over the next 4 years. June 1st starts this year’s club level qualification period. Education Committee: Barbara Winzurk said that there will be a meeting after the 1:00 session Friday July 5th in Columbia and that the education liaisons for each unit and all other interested people should attend. They will cover the New Mexico school programs and will have Mini-Bridge packets available. Barbara also said that Dana Norton (ACBL) wants districts to run more TAPs because we need to get more people playing bridge. Eldon asked about the cost. Mike K. said that in the past Jerry Helms has run them as a proprietary operation where he assumed all financial responsibility. Eldon said that we need to get as many people teaching as possible to stimulate interest. Entitlement Fund: Barbara Heller told the Board that the bidding boxes have arrived; Eldon is taking some to Hickory and Mooresville and she is taking the rest to Atlanta. These bidding boxes are on loan to school bridge programs. Regional Contracts: It was reported that the contract for the Augusta Regional in ’03 has been finalized and the Atlanta ’03 & ’04 contracts have been signed. The Atlanta Christmas to New Year ’05 contract and the Ocean City ’06 contract are in hand. The committee is working on dates for future Columbia regionals, and they are close to finalizing the Hilton Head ’04 & ’06 contracts. David Klein and Shirley Dail have agreed to do a Wilmington regional in ’05. Regarding the Charleston New Year tournament: Spencer Hurd has added Linda Butler as co-chair. They have recently had a sectional at the site originally set for the regional and found that the site has really gone downhill. As a result, the site for the Charleston regional has been changed (we had a clause in the contract which permitted us to change). The tournament flyers have all been changed. The new site is Embassy Suites. The room rate is $15 higher than the old site, but that is for a mini-suite and includes daily hot breakfast and daily cocktails. The Hunt Valley ’05 contract has been signed and they are working on ’06. Len moved that the District Board approve all this. Motion passed. District Director: Bruce Reeve stated that he had nothing to add to his Hilton Head report. We can read that report on the Web or in the Bulletin. Bruce introduced Jay Baum, the new CEO of the ACBL, and said that he was very impressed with Jay so far. Jay indicated that he has been a member of ACBL for 30+ years. This is his first experience with Gatlinburg and it is a great tournament. He found our District 7 meeting very impressive, and feels that the MABC is the envy of most parts of the country. He reported that his job is interesting and he thinks that things are fixable, but he needs to know what needs to be fixed. It is easy to email him. We need to spread the word to members that although there are things wrong with the ACBL, there are a lot of things that are right. Old Business: There was no old business
New Business: Bridge Camp subsidy for the Fournier brothers: Eldon proposed that the District provide the same subsidy for them as was provided for John Hurd, which was to pay ¼ the cost of the camp with the ACBL paying ½, and the home unit paying ¼. It was pointed out that the current cost is $425 and ACBL is only paying $200 leaving a balance of $225. Barbara Heller made a motion that the District pay ½ of the unpaid balance after the ACBL payment. Chuck Whidden seconded and the motion was approved. Bruce Reeve requested the Finance Committee increase the amount budgeted for youth programs to $1000. Eldon asked for our opinions on having directors courses at regionals. A lot of people seemed to feel that it is more appropriate for the unit level. Susie Clayman asked when the director’s test will be revised. Bruce Reeve pointed out that club directors are the "front-line" of the ACBL since the majority of members do not go to tournaments. The quality of club directors varies a lot; we need to train our directors better starting at the club level. Wayne Hollingsworth suggested that club directors should be recertified every few years, but it was pointed out that a problem with that suggestion is that the people who are running games out of their homes will simply stop running sanctioned games rather than get recertified. Liz Swanson suggested that we should have seminars for directors to provide updates, etc. Brad Hotzberry (ACBL) is updating the education procedures for directors. Marlene pointed out that Michael Carroad did a seminar on the new alert procedures earlier in the week. Oversight & Insert Committee: Joe Sherwood reported that that the combined District 6 & District 7 meeting to discuss the future of the insert was well attended and that the general consensus was that we should stay with what we have until the ACBL makes us change. Jay Baum indicated that there would be at least 6 months notice before any change was made, but that it looks like ACBL may not be able to continue doing the inserts. January 1 is the probable format change date. Joe stated that the Insert Committee had voted to increase by 10% the allocation from the MABC to each district to cover advertising costs, but that the Finance Committee had voted this down. Joe feels that we need to request this increase from the Finance Committee at the next MABC meeting. Mike K. explained that the Finance Committee was trying to build up reserves without having to raise regional rates. The Finance Committee recommends increasing the MABC revenue sharing to $1.25 per table to cover all the various requests for additional money. Barbara Heller asked whether the ACBL is going to stop funding Easybridge. Jay Baum said that the ACBL will continue to support Easybridge and we have to motivate teachers, club managers, etc. to increase membership. He added that Edith McMullin has been terminated effective 6-2-02 but the ACBL is administering Easybridge without her. It was pointed out that it is too early to tell how that will affect things. Barbara Heller suggested that we need more than an additional $.25 per table. Bruce R. said that District 7 has banked significant amounts of money and over the past few years has not spent its entire budget. Joe said that the Oversight & Insert Committee voted that the MABC give us (the Districts) the money for advertising and let us pay the bills ourselves-why should the money go to the MABC? Pat Seiler commented that the District advertising coordinator should review and approve bills before they are paid, but we should wait until we see what’s going to happen before we start changing things. Mike Kovacich then brought up issues related to funding for Nationals. The Districts are supposed to set aside money for future Nationals; the MABC holiday StaC was established for that purpose with the goal of raising $25,000 for the 2002 Washington NABC and $25,000 plus inflation for the Atlanta NABC. In planning the 2002 tournament, the organizers had anticipated a certain amount of money from corporate sponsors which has not materialized. The tournament chair wants to ask the MABC for an additional $10,000, but the MABC has no authority over the money raised in the holiday StaCs, so Mike proposed that the District 6 and District 7 boards approve giving Washington $29,000 and giving Atlanta $29,000 plus inflation. Liz Swanson stated that we shouldn’t automatically give $29,000 to Atlanta simply because we’re going to give additional funding to Washington. Bruce Reeve asked how much the StaCs have raised so far. The last 3 StaCs have generated $29,800. It looks like there should be plenty of money for Atlanta after the 2002, 2003 and 2004 StaCs. The next future District 6 or District 7 NABC would be 2011 at the earliest, so we would have plenty of time to raise money for future NABC. Bruce suggested that perhaps the MABC could lend the amount of the shortfall and repay it out of the 2005 StaC. Barbara Winzurk asked what benefit the District gets from providing money for the Nationals? Barbara Heller responded that we get the reputation of putting on a great tournament. Len suggested that if the tournament organizers cannot run the National for $25,000 that perhaps they shouldn’t be in the tournament business. Susie Clayman commented that she had heard that one entertainment group had been booked for $20,000 for one performance. Bruce Reeve said that he didn’t like the idea of bailing people out, but that corporate sponsorships had pretty much dried up after September 11th, and this was a legitimate need. He moved that Washington receive $29,000 out of the StaC money and that Atlanta should receive $29,000 plus inflation and that if necessary the MABC should stand behind it. Chuck Whidden seconded the motion. Susie Clayman stated that bailing people out never works. The motion was voted down. The next District 7 meeting will be Saturday morning, July 6th, during the Columbia tournament. There was a rising motion to adjourn. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Hetsko |