Minutes

WBL Board Meeting

September 18, 2002

In attendance: Barbara Doran, Dick Wegman, Steve Robinson, Fred King, Wei Bao, Don Berman, Michael Carroad, Ben Laden, Lee Jensen and substitute Secretary Alice Wegman..

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

At Barbara Dorans request, Dick Wegman presided over the initial part of the meeting.

The minutes were approved as written.

Treasurer Steve Robinson reported that we have $9665.29 in the checking account, including a check for the STAC of $1476.00. The treasurers report was approved.

Old Business: Review of the WBL Policies.

Steve said that Barbara Ames has agreed to review the books. He thinks the term "review" is appropriate. It is cheaper and less detailed than "audit". It was the only change he made. Barbara Doran agrees with the use of the word "review", based on Barbara Ames opinion that an audit is unnecessary and a review is sufficient.

Michael Carroad asked whether the Board had previously voted that motions must be in writing to be offered at the annual meeting. Stevie answered yes. Michael raised the question about the wisdom of the requirement and stated that is was not democratic. Barbara said there are dangers in allowing last minute motions. Dick suggested a compromise that we require 2/3 vote to allow motion that was not previously published. Fred King says that one can petition for a special meeting to raise a new motion that has not been on the agenda. Dick Wegman stated that the publication requirement may prevent someone from raising a new idea as an alternative to the proposed motion. Dick asked what the procedure was before the revision. Lee Jensen says written procedures have been silent on this for the last 12 years. There is nothing in the online minutes for the past 6 years.

Barbara Doran then took over presiding and said vote on policies should be point by point and not on the "Policies" as a whole. There was a vote on whether to accept a revised policy on the single issue of written motions. The motion passed.

Michael Carroad asked why the matter of prizes at tournaments should be in the policies. He thinks it doesnt make sense to change the policy every time the amount changes. No change was made. Michael then asked for clarification of the provision for points won at WBL sites as counting towards trophy races. Only Thursday night points count. It was agreed that provisions were redundant and Stevie will cut out redundant provisions. He asked about the up coming WBL Sectional and multiple sites. There was general discussion about which sites should be included for trophy races. Stevie thinks only Maryland sites should be included. Steve Robinson made a motion that points count from the WBC, Laurel and Gaithersburg sites for this tournament since they are WBL sites but not Northern Virginia. Michael emphasized that this issue must be resolved in advance of the tournament. Barbara Doran says that it is inconsistent to include Virginia for some tournaments and not others. Michael suggested that all sites in the WBL Unit area count. It was agreed that there was no need for a motion since that was consistent with the tournament ad.

The new revision regarding $15.00 for conducting the mini-lesson was OK.

Barbara Doran asked for a vote to accept policies as amended and written. The motion passed.

Discussion of Donnas survey was postponed since Donna was not present.

Barbara Doran raised the issue of whether Leslie Shafer can advertise in the Bulletin for free. Don thought encouraging advertising for novices, bridge lessons etc. by making it free is a good idea. Ads should be limited to 1/2 page. He thinks others should have to apply to advertise for free. Don feels that it doesnt matter if they are giving lessons for profit. Lee Jensen thinks the advertising shouldnt be free if the lessons are for profit Others disagreed. Don Berman says that the editor should be able to reject ads for reasonable cause. Barbara Doran asked members to focus on which specific bridge related activities should be entitled to free advertising. Michael Carroad says maybe we should limit the free ads to Leslie since she is the Intermediate/Novice coordinator. Barbara Doran says that Leslie has the title of Novice Editor and should be compensated by free advertising. Lee Jensen suggests maybe she should be compensated directly for being Intermediate/Novice coordinator. Lee is concerned that other area bridge teachers are being disadvantaged. Barbara Doran asked for a motion. Ben Laden moved that the Editor of the I/N portion of the bulletin be given 1/2 page free ad. It was seconded. Dave Ruderman argued against the motion and proposed financial compensation. Steve Robinson says what Leslie does is no different from his writing a column. Barbara Doran says Leslie does a lot of work collecting and coordinating information. There was further discussion among the membership. Lee said that Leslies title is self-proclaimed. Fred King said her editorship is not a listed position. Michael Carroad proposed to amend the motion to give 1/2 page free advertising to all major contributors. There was a motion to table Bens motion. It passed. The issue will be put on next months agenda. Lee said consider the cost.

Online membership was then discussed. Dick Wegman reported that he has set it up on the WEB site and modeled after the ACBL WEB site at the July Nationals. Don worked with the person who developed it and invites people to look at it and use it to find teammates and partners. Dick asked board members to spread information by word of mouth of the availability of the WEB site. At Lees request, we will add a disclaimer that the WBL is not responsible. Fred King, Barbara Rothkin, and Charity Sack will be the partnership coordinators for the brackets. People can call them to get help in arranging partnerships in advance.

Ben Laden announced that we added Trophy Pairs for 0-49ers at the October 12 th Sectional. There are 1600 people who should get post cards about the event. It will cost $375-$400 for the postcards + postage. The ACBL will match 50% up to $250.00 if it bears the ACBL Logo. Dave Ruderman will get the trophies.

Don Berman reported on recorder forms from previous years. In 1998 there were 23, 1999 - 21, 2000 - 20, 2001 - 31, and so far this year only 7. The complaints were mostly bridge related not conduct issues.

New business: C & E committee report in Executive Session.

Fred King spoke to Leslie Shafer about increasing ties to the bridge teaching community. Fred hopes to meet with her and wants to know if the WBL supports this and is willing to contribute funds. Barbara Doran and Lee Jensen responded that we have provided a room for their July meeting (ABTA) but have not provided refreshments or help with mailing. It coincides with the July Regional. Fred says Leslie estimates the attendance to be about 40 people. Lee says that he would support subsidizing mailing expenses. Lee made a motion that we subsidize mailing for the bridge teachers meeting to a maximum of $100.00. The motion passed.

Michael Carroad described the program that the ACBL offers with their suggestions for increasing membership and he encourages board members, club owners and others to attend. WBL would have to provide a room. Barbara Doran suggests we do it in conjunction with Northern Virginia. It is a 6 hour seminar with a lunch break. Steve suggests November 17. Michael questions whether we are ready to commit to a date that soon. Barbara Doran says it could be announced at the Club Managers breakfast. Lee suggested scheduling it for 2 mornings during a regional. Barbara likes it in close proximity to the Club Managers Breakfast. Fred will check with Memphis on this. He will not be able to attend the Club Managers Breakfast.

The Club Managers Breakfast will be October 12, 2002 at 10:00 A.M.

Dave Ruderman suggests that we consider adopting the new ACBL policy on appeals for the WBL and he plans to put something in writing to propose to the Board. He also says that the Board should discuss whether the group has a consensus on this issue and convey it to Nadine if it is different from the position Nadine has taken. This issue will be discussed at the next meeting.

There were no committee reports.

Michael Carroad visited Ohr Kodesh to check the renovation. He reports that the room is 56 x 90, which appears to be significantly larger than the room at Christ the King Church. It is also quite bright. It has a new sophisticated heating and cooling system. There are three disadvantages, 1) Kosher Laws, 2) more expensive, and 3) not available every week. It will probably be $1500.00 a month. Dick will look at it and Michael will take a second look. Dick asked how many parking spaces there were. Michael thinks 120. Dick suggested we use Christ the King Church for the two dinner meetings. Dave Ruderman thinks that the cost of the Kosher meal at Ohr Kodesh may not have been that much different from the cost of the meal at Christ the King Church.

Barbara Doran received a thank you card from Charlie Stenger.

The next meeting will be at Lee Jensens on October 16. The November 20th meeting will be a Dave Rudermans.

Barbara thanked Dick and Alice for hosting this meeting.

Barbara Shaw would like to thank Alice Wegman for being the temporary Secretary.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Alice Wegman and Barbara Shaw, Recording Secretary