Minutes WBL Board Meeting
In attendance: Barbara Doran, Barbara Shaw, Kathy Kruskal, Steve Robinson, Don
Berman, Fred King, Michael Carroad, Bill Cole, Lee Jensen, Dick Wegman, Dave
Ruderman and guests Dave Idleman and Charity Sack.
President Doran called the meeting to order at
The minutes were approved unanimously as amended.
Treasurer Steve Robinson reported that we have $4815.63 in
our checking account. $2000.00 still belongs to the Regional. He has sent
$5000.00 to Margo Hennings for the Nationals. Vice
President Kathy Kruskal will work with the tournament
committee and proposed that they come to us only one more time with the
final total of extra money needed for the Nationals. The treasurer’s report was
approved unanimously.
Barbara Doran told us that our liability insurance is due
for renewal
people who sign checks. Our bank statements are sent to Vice President Kathy Kruskal who checks the account monthly. Lee Jensen said
that the insurance also covers the tournament committees and property liability.
Barbara also informed us that the Bulletin publication dates have been changed to correspond with the important dates coming up. Editor Donna Rogall wants to make the pictures better. She asked whether we advertise in the NVBA bulletin.
Barbara received a letter from Steve Forsythe suggesting
that we compensate new members who join the ACBL. It costs $24.00 to join.
Steve suggested that we give them free plays. Steve Robinson informed us that
the rebate from the ACBL is now only $1.00. He also informed us that Steve
Forsythe can not be a
member of the Board and also an employee running the Easybridge!. It would be a conflict of interest. Michael Carroad mentioned that retention of members is important
not just joining. He suggested that we reward new members for playing not just
winning points. Bill Cole suggested that we base the compensation on the number
of times they play not just joining. Steve Robinson mentioned basing the
compensation on masterpoints won. Lee Jensen asked what
percentage of our membership plays in our
Sectionals and Unit games. He said that 1637 people played between the two
units last year. 30% of the players at our Unit games and Sectionals were from
the NVBA. The biggest novice game was 17 tables at our Sectional. Lee
questioned if we can get 500 tables at the Non-Life Master Sectional, why can’t
we get 40 tables at our regular sectionals? Dave Ruderman
asked that we give free plays to anyone who brings
a partner or players to a Unit game in June who hasn’t played at the Unit game
in the last 12 months. Michael Carroad said that we
are averaging 40-50 tables at our Unit Games.
Dick Wegman said that we can have free use of the
basement room in the rectory. Fred King said that he had not seen the room which
is large and has its own bathroom. King said that he will touch base with Steve
Forsythe and see about using the room for the WBL Easybridge!
classes.
Barbara Doran then turned the floor over to Charity Sack and David Ingleman for their presentation for the Bridge in Schools
program. It is a marketing program currently. They are seeking the approval of
the Department of Education. They have made a presentation to Freddie Mac and
should know
need contacts into the schools in the area.
meeting for a budget and proposals. David was able to tell us that they
received an $80,000.00 grant from the ACBL Education Foundation. The ACBL may
pick up the tab for expenses from July to the end of the year. There is a
$7000.00 short fall for the month of June. This is where they would need our
help. There is about $12,000.00 per month in expenses. Jensen asked if there
was an effort to get chess endorsed by the DOE? Steve
Robinson asked whether bridge works better in low or high income schools? Barbara Doran asked for a copy of the 100 page
Freddie Mac proposal. Dave Ruderman asked what is the schedule for implementation of the program and is
there a limit in the scope of the implementation? Dick Wegman
asked how much weight is given to the studies from
Steve Robinson reported that the Double KO�s
of the WBL were going well. Bill Cole questioned the viability of a bye in the
middle of the event. Steve said that he had heard no complaints or comments.
The WBL Round Robin will start in May.
Bill Cole discussed WBL free plays. He suggested that we give free plays to the
WEB Administrator. Don Berman reported that he spends about 4-5 hours a week
entering information on the WEB site. It was agreed that he should be given
free plays to all WBL sponsored events. Bill also suggested cutting back on the
number of free plays which we give each year. It totals approximately $600.00
per year. We give 18 free plays to the clubs as compensation for closing during
our sectionals. We decided to no longer give the Laurel Bridge Club free plays
since they do not close during our Sectionals. Bill suggested that we come up
with a formula for free plays for the clubs. The people given free plays by the
WBL are listed in our policy.
Vice President Kathy Kruskal reported that we lost
two members last month. Lou Miller and Izzy Elridge died. Cards and flowers were sent by Francis Burke
to the families. Barbara Shaw informed us that long time member Mickie Kivel was recovering from
breast cancer surgery. She suggested that we send a get well card and flowers.
The board agreed.
Tournament chairman Lee Jensen stated that the ABA/WBL game scheduled for
Saturday was cancelled. He reported that the attendance was the same at the
armory as at the hotel. He reported that Kitty will be handling the food for
the annual meeting in May. She will need help with set-up from
Dave Ruderman made a motion about his previous
suggestion of free plays for new members. He moved that during the month of
June free plays be given to any member and his/her partner for each time the
member brings a player to the WBL Unit game who has
not been there for 12 months. Dick Wegman seconded
the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. announcements
will be made at the May games.
The elections will be held at the annual meeting in May. There will be two at
large board positions open. Dick Wegman as agreed to
run for Vice President. Anyone having suggestions for potential
board members should contact one of the existing board members. Steve Robinson
will handle the petition signatures required to run for the board. People
suggested as possible candidates were Carol Banks, Vince Wilmont,
and Steve Forsythe.
Since Kathy Kruskal will no longer be on the board
she said that we need a liaison with bulletin editor Donna Rogall.
She will continue to be the liaison until May. Barbara Shaw volunteered to be
the new liaison.
Barbara Doran thanked Lee Jensen for hosting the meeting. The April meeting
will be at Dave Ruderman�s on Wednesday, April
24th.
The meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Shaw, Recording Secretary