In attendance: Barbara Doran, Barbara Shaw,
Steve Robinson, Dick Wegman, Michael Carroad, Wei Bao, Ben Laden, Don Berman,
Dave Ruderman, Fred King, Lee Jensen, and guest Donna
Rogall.
President Doran called the meeting to order
at
The minutes were approved as corrected.
Treasurer Steve Robinson reported that we
have $4186.16 in our checking account. He has given $10,000 to the National
committee. Also he has paid the remaining $1700.00 for the dealing machine. New board member Ben Laden asked if our
finances were stable?
Steve explained that we had three major expenses that do not occur every
year, the directories, the dealing machine and our donation to Nationals. He
also said that we charged the Mid-Atlantic $12.00 x 15 boxes for using our
dealing machine for the Raleigh Regional. The report was approved unanimously.
Barbara Doran asked is anyone wanted to
change committee assignments? She then announced our assignments for the
year. Dick Wegman, Ways and Means and Church liaison;
Barbara Shaw, secretary and Club Managers Breakfast; Steve Robinson,
treasurer and Round Robin Chairman; Don Berman, WEB Master; Fred King,
Education, Easy Bridge; Wei Bao,
Clubs Chairman and Special Relations(NAOP and GNT Coordinator);
Ben Laden, C & E Chairman, Novice Chairman and Charity Chairman; Lee
Jensen, Tournament Chairman; Dave Ruderman, Unit
Games Chairman.
Michael Carroad said that he was going to Ohr Kodesh on Thursday, May 30,
to check out the newly remodeled facility. If he finds it suitable and is
considering on returning there for our Thursday night games, he will talk to
Dave Ruderman and Dick Wegman
about also checking it out. His feeling was that most people would rather stay
at the church. The charge at the church is $275.00 a night, including clean-up,
and is paid only when we use it. Ohr Kodesh charged $1000.00 a month whether we used it or not.
Fred King reported that he is interested in
adopting an agenda for the year. Bridge at Schools is high on his list. He
would also like to adopt a tournament schedule. He would like to see us update
our procedures.
Lee Jensen said that he will have the
up-dated 2002 Procedures Manual ready for our June meeting.
Donna Rogall said
that she would have a large sign about the June Free Plays for the Thursday
night game. Don Berman, Lee Jensen and Donna Rogall
will make a survey about what people want.
Steve Robinson said that the WBL Round Robin
will be starting. There are 20 A/X teams and 8 B/C teams.
Don Berman stated that he would like to see
us follow Roberts Rules of Order. He would like to see us update the
policy once a year. He would also like to see copies of the Policies, By-Laws
and Constitution distributed to the Board.
Michael Carroad said that if we have time, he
would like to have topics sent by E-Mail ahead of time so people can think
about the subject and therefore have more informed discussions at the board
meetings.
Dick Wegman
volunteered to circulate an agenda a week ahead of the board meeting. If you
want an item on the agenda please contact Dick by E-Mail so that he can include
it in the agenda.
Donna Rogall,
bulletin editor, asked if we could have an official photographer. She could put
an add in the bulletin. The photographer has to be
available to come to special events and sectionals. They may take digital
photos. She suggested that we give him or her free-plays.
Barbara Shaw requested that Steve Robinson
present the board with a more comprehensive Treasurers
report each month. She said that it should begin with the beginning balance,
and include credits, debits and an ending balance. Steve said that he will
E-Mail us a report shortly before our meetings. Then we will be informed if we
have any questions. Barbara Shaw also requested that we follow up on charging
non-WBL members for their 3 year subscriptions to the bulletin. We have over
200 non-members who receive it and this is a lot of money to be throwing away.
The board agreed. Dave Ruderman made a motion to
charge $21.00 for a renewal or new 3 year subscription to the bulletin. Fred
King seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.
Dick Wegman wants
to use E-Mail or the WEB site to put partnerships together. Lee Jensen
suggested that we put a partnership bulletin board on the ACBL WEB site. NVBA
member, Dave Milton, is in charge of the National WEB site.
Dave Ruderman
reported that putting the bidding boxes in the back room at the end of the Unit
game helped the caddies immensely.
Michael Carroad suggested that we look into
what goes into our bulletin. He suggested that we may discontinue the list of
winners to save on cost. It costs us about $14,000 a year to publish and mail
the bulletin. We receive about $880.00 in advertising. He also asked what can we do with the District 6 insert which is no longer
going to be included in the National Bulletin.
Old Business:
Bridge at Schools
Don Berman submitted four policy suggestions
(which are included with these minutes) for ways in which the WBL could support
Bridge at Schools. Don Berman moved and Steve Robinson seconded the motion that
we adopt all 4 suggestions. Discussion followed and Barbara Doran stated that
we have made a commitment to support their efforts to raise funds. Don Berman
thought that it was to our advantage to support them to get pilot programs in
our area schools. Lee Jensen called the question. The motion carried with two
abstentions.
Steve Robinson moved and Ben Laden seconded
that we give $10,000 to Bridge at Schools. Discussion followed. Lee Jensen
disagrees with Steve Robinsons theory that just because we have money we
need to spend it. Lee asked what the long term plan was?
Barbara Doran said that the Bridge at Schools directors need
to demonstrate to the ACBL Education Committee their ability to raise their own
funds. They need to raise $35,000 and then the Education committee will
consider giving them an additional $80,000 for their project. Dave Ruderman believes that all these small donations will just
prolong the process and that failure seems likely. It was then asked what is the object of the program. Steve Robinson said that the
object is for the school districts to take over paying for the program once it
is in place. When asked how long this will take, it was thought at least a year
for test improvements to show up. Barbara Doran then called Nadine Wood and
asked about the funds raised so far.
Then there was an amendment to the motion.
Lee Jensen moved that we contribute $5000.00 now and when a pilot program is in
a WBL area school we take a look at it and if the response is favorable we
consider granting an additional $5000.00. Dave Ruderman
seconded the motion as amended. The motion carried with 9 in favor and 1
abstaining.
New Business:
The election of the new
Conduct and Ethics Committee members.
Those retiring from the committee are Ben Laden, Ron Spath,
and Ralph Turner. Remaining on the committee and completing their 2 year term are
Alan Tennebaum, Barbara Ames and Bob Bell. Elected to
the committee for a 2 year term are Andrew Kaufman, Kathy Kruskal,
and Kefu Xu.
June 20th is the deadline for articles in the
Bulletin.
Thanks to Barbara Doran for hosting the
meeting. The next meeting is June 19th at Barbara Shaws at
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Shaw, Recording Secretary