Board of Directors Meeting Washington
Bridge League 12
October 1999
Attendees:
Jim Allen Roy
Becker Bob Bell Don Berman Frances Burke
Barbara Doran Millard Nachtwey Steve
Robinson Barbara Rothkin Dave Ruderman
Ted Ying
The October board meeting was held at
Barbara Doran’s house. Jim Allen called
the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Allen
reported that due to [[a]] confusion with the
board meeting time, Kruskal would not be present. Allen welcomed two guests to the board: Roy Becker, the WBL insurance agent; and
Millard Nachtwey, ACBL tournament director, DIC for MABC and several other hats
including DIC for WBL tournaments.
Allen suspended the agenda with the
regular board reports to hear from the two guests and allow the two guests to
leave at their leisure.
As part of the background research into
the insurance coverage of the WBL and WBL Board of Directors (BOD), Becker
investigated the current status of the ACBL insurance policies. Becker was primarily interested in insurance
liability coverage for the Unit and Unit BOD in the event that a third party
sued the WBL or BOD. The short review is
that no one is familiar with the details of the ACBL insurance coverage.
Becker reported on the information that
he could gather about the following policies in effect:
WBL Unit Policy
The WBL Unit policy covers up to $5
million per person and up to $7 million per occurrence for each liable
instance. This covers everything
involved in any suit in which the WBL is mentioned, primarily including
attorney fees. The principal limitation
is that it only covers the WBL as a whole if mentioned in the suit[[,]] and board members as officers, but not
individuals on the BOD should they be mentioned separately in the suit.
ACBL League Policy
The ACBL policy covers all NABC’s, Grand National Teams (GNT), North American Pairs (NAP) and Regional events sponsored by the ACBL. This coverage any liability that occurs at any such event, but does not cover any other events. The ACBL also has a directors and officers (DNO) policy that will cover individuals listed as acting directors or officers for the ACBL in such events. This policy will cover claims of up to $1 million per person.
District 6 Policy
The district does not have a separate policy of its own. They are covered by the ACBL policies in the instance of regional tournaments and GNT and NAP events. They have no additional coverage.
Clubs Policy
The clubs currently have no insurance policy that covers them unless they purchase such a policy themselves. The cheapest policy that each club can purchase is about a $120 policy. This is a minimum policy that will cover the DNO and clubs for up to $1million per person, $3 million per occurrence.
Summary
Roy said that currently all defined board positions including committee chairs are covered by the existing DNO clauses of the WBL policy (and the ACBL policy in certain instances). However, although committee chairs are covered, committee members are not covered. Roy said that we do not need to purchase any additional policies. However, any people acting on the behalf of the WBL should be given a designated [[commiittee]] chair position to cover them while acting for the WBL.
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR REPORT – NACHTWEY:
Nachtwey attended the WBL Board meeting to report on several items of recent importance to the BOD. The first was that during the October sectional tournament, the 50 cent [[50-cent]] discount for non dues paying members and non-service paying life masters (non paying players or NPP’s) went smoothly. Most NPP either paid initially or paid either the difference or their membership/service fee when informed their dues/service fees were not current. Most of the NPP’s were pleasant and responsive when informed. 7 NPP’s paid their dues/service fees when informed of the lapse.
Nachtwey reported tha[[t]] the 49er NAP Unit game went very well. He extended congratulations to Rothkin for all her hard work in getting the invitations and information sent out and all the organization she put into the event. The event hosted 11 tables, significantly more than was expected for the inaugural event. The event might have drawn more, but due to exceptionally good weather and a long holiday weekend, many 49ers who would have attended may have found other attractions to participate in. Nachtwey was very pleased and wanted to emphasize what a good event this was.
Nachtwey addressed the game times for Saturday events in our Sectional tournaments. The game times are currently set at 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM for the Senior events and 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM for all other events. There were some continued complaints from some of the players due to the noise level during the overlap periods when one group was arriving and preparing to play while the other group was already in play (noticeably when the non-Senior events were preparing for the 1:00 session and later when the Seniors were preparing for the 3:30 session). Nachtwey has proposed changing the times for the December sectional to 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM for the Seniors and 1:30 PM and 7:00 PM for the other events. This should reduce the overlap problem. The drawbacks are that the seniors can only play 24 boards in their first session and they have a very short lunch break. However, if the Seniors want, they can still have a dinner break and be back to participate in the 7:00 PM Open session. If this doesn’t reduce the problem, Nachtwey has one additional suggestion which is to try and start the Senior morning session at 9:30 AM. So far, this doesn’t seem like a good idea, but Nachtwey wants to keep this in reserve as an option to reconsider and try if needed.
Nachtwey received a letter from a player from Baltimore addressing the WBL tournaments. Some of the points he wanted to convey to the board. The player suggested having shorter sessions on Sunday, perhaps cutting down to 7 matches for the team events. The player also suggested possibly having a shorter dinner break (either 1 hour or ½ hour), perhaps even an earlier starting time. The player was commenting that it was difficult for those farther away to make the Sunday event and still be home at a reasonable hour. There was some discussion about the issues presented. However, no motion was produced and no resolution was reached regarding the issues. Nachtwey’s comments were for everyone’s information and can be discussed at a future date.
Nachtwey reported that currently twice a year, we run a 2-session Flight A event. If we run a Strati-Flighted A/X event as a play through, those players with a poor afternoon session and those players who can only make one of the two sessions are not eligible for overall awards. On the other hand, if we run a qualifying event with a final, (where the consolation event is a new separate event with its own lower overall awards), then it alleviates the above problems, but we cannot stratify the final session (however, the new consolation event can be stratified). Currently we have one of each type of event, but the board may want to watch these events for the remainder of the season to discuss whether to change this in the future. Currently Nachtwey recommends keeping the events the way they are.
Nachtwey addressed the issue of mid-chart conventions, specifically those with defenses in the yellow book. Nachtwey mentioned that the yellow book defense to 2D Multi in particular is not particularly complete or adequate. The WBL may want to reconsider allowing mid-chart events in certain events (such as Open Stratified, or B/C events) where those playing these conventions will have a certain advantage due to the greater inability of the opponents to compensate/defend against them (unlike an event like the Flight A/X event). Ruderman moved and Allen seconded tabling the discussion for a later meeting. The motion to table passed.
Nachtwey reported an incident from the last sectional. Apparently, a situation arose between two experienced Flight A partnerships. In the incident, one pair failed to give adequate information to the other pair. Under normal circumstances, the information provided may have been enough, but there were previously announced extenuating circumstances that made it apparent that the disclosure may not have been enough. Additionally, a question was raised about full disclosure and following active ethics. Nachtwey asked whether he should pursue contacting the pairs as an ACBL Field Agent and tournament director or whether to address his comments on behalf of the WBL. Jensen moved and Rothkin seconded that Nachtwey should contact the parties involved as an ACBL Field Agent and to caution the offending pair to be more aware of their ethical responsibilities regarding full disclosure of special agreements. Ying moved to amend the original motion to append the WBL BOD “signature” to the letter. The motion to amend died for lack of a second. The original motion passed with 7 in agreement, no dissentions and 2 abstentions.
In addition, the board recommended (in discussion with Nachtwey) that the directing staff post a list of acceptible [[acceptable]] conventions and an applicable convention chart (both General and Mid) and a list of appropriate alert procedures. Also, the board recommended that the directing staff announce that this is available and that players should consult it.
Robin moved and Berman seconded that pairs that lead small from low doubletons (low from xx) be required to lead face down and partner of opening leader would be required to announce that they may lead low from small doubletons. After some discussion, the motion passed 5 in agreement with 4 abstentions. Allen asked Robinson to draft an announcement of this for the Bulletin and handouts to be handed out at the Unit Game and sectional tournaments.
Allen thanked Nachtwey for his report.
NEW BUSINESS – ALLEN:
Allen recommended that we consider creating an Insurance committee to keep us current on the status of our insurance and any changes that we may need. Doran moved and Robinson seconded that we create an Insurance committee with an appointed chair. The motion passed unanimously. Allen appointed Becker as the committee chair.
SECRETARY'S
REPORT – YING:
Rothkin moved and Doran seconded accepting the minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
TREASURER'S REPORT –
ROBINSON:
Robinson reported that there was $9441.09
in the WBL account. Outstanding debts
that have not been paid include the following:
KCC rent for the tournament and STAC expenses. The bill for latest Bulletin has been
paid. Outstanding income still to be
received includes Unit game entry money from September. The WBL account is slightly lower than the
comparable time from last year, but Robinson did not think it enough to
worry. Doran moved and Rothkin seconded
accepting the Treasurer’s report. The
motion passed unanimously.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT - ALLEN:
Allen asked Joan Lewis to serve as committee chair for the 2000 Nominations Committee. This would be for the elections in May 2000. Allen said he would confirm her acceptance in January.
Allen asked about the problem with our advertisement for the April tournament. Jensen reported that Bob Heller had failed to include our advertisement for our April sectional tournament in the MABC insert of the ACBL Bulletin. The omission was noticed in the January/February Bulletin insert. The money has already been paid out to the ACBL and the MABC recommended that due to the confusion, the loss of approximately $400 be divided evenly between the MABC, District 6, and the WBL. Jensen moved and Doran seconded that we pay for 1/3 of the charge to resolve this easily and politely for all involved. The motion passed with 8 in agreement and 1 dissention.
Allen reported that he had consulted with Clyde Kruskal regarding the E-Z Bridge books for future classes of his at the University of Maryland. Kruskal suggested that we pay for the books this year as they were not advertised that the books would be required early on and that next year and successive years, that the students be informed about purchasing the books and pay for them themselves.
Allen reported that the
Kensington community had not yet selected a contractor to perform the
rennovation [[renovation]] work on the bathrooms
at the KCC. The local community
government is not particularly organized regarding the[[rennovation]] work on the bathrooms at the KCC. The local community government is not
particularly work on the KCC.
Allen urged the board to continue considering a 12:00 NOON start-time on Sundays for tournament events, should the issue come up to a vote again. The later start time allows us to share the parking spaces both at the KCC and the church down the street without any conflict. The services are typically done by 11:00 and by 11:30 or so most of the parishioners have departed and the spaces are available for the WBL players. Also the management of the church (specifically the rector) are [[is]] difficult to deal with and this would ease the parking problems for the players and help maintain the current neutral standing we have with the church.
Allen has assumed the duty of contacting lapsed ACBL members and encouraging them to renew their lapsed memberships or service fees.
The round robin is currently running
fairly smoothly. The protest was
resolved. The RR committee had to ruling
very similar to the recent ACBL ruling for Joanna Stansby.
Berman had nothing to report.
Rothkin
reported that the Unit final of the NAP 49er pairs event went very well. She especially thanked Rose Berman, Mary Jane
von [[Von ??]] Moss, and Leslie Shafer for all
their help in advertising the event, encouraging the players to attend, and
helping with the qualifications. One
minor problem was that the directing staff was not prepared to run the
event. Hence, the room was not preset
and had to be set up at the last minute and arrangements had to be made to
handle the event. However, all
arrangements were handled very neatly and the event ran smoothly. Next year, a little more advance organization
of the actual event itself should be planned.
The
event was so successful, Rothkin would like to try another one in the Spring
and potentially schedule this regularly for twice a year. The event cost about $200-$300 and was worth
the time, money, and effort. The players
enjoyed themselves and it is likely to encourage them to continue playing
bridge.
The
club manager’s breakfast has been schedule for 13 November 1999 at the Knight’s
of Columbus Hall where the NVBA November sectional will be held. All board members are invited and should be
contacted by someone from the NVBA.
Rothkin
reported that she had heard from Leslie Shafer that Shafer is out of E-Z Bridge
books for the Unit. The books were
formerly $6.00 per book, but have gone up to $9.00 per book. Rothkin and Shafer recommend that we purchase
100 books and then sell them to new students instead of giving them away to the
students. They propose that we can
charge $13.00 per book to the students.
Rothkin moved and Ying seconded that we purchase 100 E-Z Bridge books
for the unit and the unit education program.
Ruderman moved and Bell seconded that we table the motion until we can
have Shafer attend a board meeting to report on the E-Z Bridge classes and
answer some questions about the plans for the books and the E-Z Bridge classes
coming up next Spring. The motion to
table passed with 4 in agreement, 3 in dissention, with 2 abstentions.
Ruderman had nothing to report to the board. Ruderman asked about bulletin boards and Allen confirmed that the bulletin boards were now available at the KCC for the Unit game. Ruderman said he would start posting announcements, flyers, etc. once again.
Bell had nothing to report to the board.
Doran reported that the flyer for the District 6 NAP district final was out and looked very good. A new event was added to the weekend. On Sunday, there would be a 2-session open consolation pairs event for any pairs that did not qualify from Saturday to Sunday. This way, pairs travelling from afar would have an event to play in and would not have to come[[travel]] the distance and plan lodging for the evening just for one day.
Jensen announced that the 2000 schedule
for the Unit game was not ready. He
would attempt to have a draft schedule ready by the Thursday, October 14 Unit
game. The October sectional went well,
although attendance was down. We had just under [[fewer than]] 400 tables at the
tournament.
Ying reported that the web stats were
lower. This was due in large part
because Ying has not been at the Unit game due to conflicts with another event
going on through the end of November.
The gamefiles for the Unit game are not consistently coming to him and
hence the results are not getting up on the web consistently. He will work the details out with Carroad to
get better results. Berman volunteered
to help work on the web site. Ying will
send information to Berman on how to update the web site.
Berman recommended trying to get a
working on-line version of the WBL Bulletin
available for the members. Ying agreed
with this as a long-term goal, but cautioned that there are currently certain
technical difficulties with this, one being the current format of the articles in
the Bulletin and the need to
reformat the articles for inclusion on the web page.
For Cheer & Sympathy, Burke announced
that she had just been informed of two members in need of sympathy
responses. Terry Feetham had been ill
and would get a “Get Well” card. Dalia
Kende’s husband had been seriously ill and an appropriate card would be sent to
them.
Burke announced that she has started a
bridge class for a 5th grade class recently and that it was going
well.
NEXT MEETING
The next WBL Board meeting will be Wednesday, 10 November 1999 at Dave Ruderman's home. Directions are included at the end of this message. REMINDER: Ted Ying will not be at this meeting and Barbara Rothkin will be taking[[]]minutes for me.
The December board meeting is set for 12/15 at Frances Burke's house. DIrections will be sent out at the
beginning of December.
The January board meeting is tentatively set for 1/19 at a location to be determined. This will be confirmed
at the November board meeting.
Directions:
Dave Ruderman, 3600 Bell Rd., Burtonsville, MD (301-384-8825)
North on Route 29 from Beltway approximately 7 miles. Continue north on Route 29 past Route 198. There is
a Giant shopping center on the northeast corner of Route 198 and Route 29. After you pass the shopping
center go approximately 1/3 mile and make left on to Bell Road. There is a Meadows Farm nursery on the
southwest corner of Bell Road and Route 29.
Go down Bell road to very end where the public maintenance ends. You will see a trash dumpster at
the end of the road. At this point bear right down a private driveway (go to right of the dumpster).
Continue to the end of the private driveway. My house is the last one on the left. Ignore the "do
not enter sign" and cross two cattle crossing before you reach my house.
Allen thanked Doran for her hospitality. The meeting was adjourned at 10:09 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ted Ying, 6
November 1999