Minutes

WBL Board Meeting

April 24, 2002

In attendance: Barbara Doran, Barbara Shaw, Kathy Kruskal, Bill Cole, Don Berman, Michael Carroad, Lee Jensen, David Ruderman, Fred King, Steve Robinson, Dick Wegman.

President Barbara Doran called the meeting to order at 7:15 P.M.

The minutes were approved unanimously.

Treasurer Steve Robinson reported that we have $6802.32 in our checking account. We still have to pay $1750.00 for the duplicating machine. We are looking into E-Mailing the bulletin to save the expense of mailing it. He reviewed the fiscal statements for the years 2001 and 2002. It was noted that the tournament profits were less + or - 25 tables. ACBL costs are higher. Michael Carroad suggested that we might add a Saturday morning game. Steve can't predict future income but this year we had the one time expense of the duplicating machine plus the directory expense which we do not have every year. It was remarked that the site changes affect attendance. We have about 350 tables per sectional. We may lose $5000.00 this year. The treasurer's report was accepted.

Vice President Kathy Kruskal reported on the summer Nationals. The Mid-Atlantic will contribute $10,000 to the Nationals. We approved funding the Caddie room for $600.00. Margo Hennings is now asking that we commit $2000.00 as an insurance buffer in case there is a short fall of income at the nationals. This money would be needed if we are short in covering our expenses or there are unexpected expenses. They are estimating 16,000 tables. Lee Jensen said that we should go to the ACBL to cover those expenses. If they won't cover any short fall then we will consider paying. Kathy Kruskal moved that the WBL guarantee up to $4000.00 to be divided evenly with the NVBA in the event of a short fall at the Nationals. Don Berman seconded the motion. Five were in favor, four opposed and one abstained. Kathy will be representing the WBL at the St. Elizabeth's awards dinner.

Dick Wegman said that he and Michael Carroad will take a look at Ohr Kodesh for space for the Unit Game. They will look into it in the next couple of weeks and report back to us at the next board meeting. He also reported that the new board candidates will be Weizhong Bao, Lee Jensen, Steve Forsythe. Cecelia Valdevioso has shown interest but has not yet decided. Carol Banks wishes to be considered for next year.

Francis Burke, Membership chairman, will have the complete membership list at the annual meeting. Peter Boyd will be running the meeting and is the election's chairman.

Dave Ruderman reported that the air-conditioning was not on at the church last Thursday night because the church did not want to turn it on. A number of people complained about being uncomfortable.

Lee Jensen said that we earned $500.00 for the National fund from the $1.00 surcharge at the Saturday game at the last sectional.

Don Berman announced that "Bridge at Schools" has been selected as the charity for our annual meeting.

Steve Robinson reported that there will be a town meeting at the Washington Bridge Center on Monday May 13th at 7:30. The purpose is to inform and educate any members interested in Bridge at Schools and to get an idea as to whether the general membership wishes us to donate $10,000.00 to the program. He said that he is sending invitations to former board members. Bill Cole and Kathy Kruskal suggested sending notice of the meeting to everyone. Bill Cole and Lee Jensen think that Bridge at Schools should be brought up at the annual meeting. Lee Jensen pointed out that the purpose of the annual meeting is election of officers, presenting annual awards and dealing with any major issues which come before the WBL. Spending $10,000.00, nearly 1/3 of our funds is certainly a major endeavor. A lengthy discussion occured. Michael Carroad suggested that we were usurping our responsibility as board members for making major decisions. Barbara Shaw pointed out that it takes nearly 40 minutes to conduct the normal business of the annual meeting and it is impossible to educate the membership adequately in such a short period of time in order for them to make an informed decision. If for some reason this issue took so long that you cancelled bridge for that evening you would have many unhappy people. Steve Robinson stated that most of the membership doesn't care and that all they want to do is play bridge that evening. Instead of building up the Thursday night game we would be taking a big chance that we would be driving people away from the game. Lee Jensen moved and Don Berman seconded the motion that we take this off the table. Five were in favor of it. This will not be discussed at the annual meeting for lack of time.

Steve Robinson reported that the Maryland Round Robin deadline has been extended to Thursday May 16.

Barbara Doran thanked Dave Ruderman for hosting the meeting. The next meeting will be at Barbara Doran's on May 29th.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Shaw, Recording Secretary