Minutes

WBL Board Meeting

October 16, 2001

In attendance: Barbara Doran, Ben Laden, Don Berman, Fred King, Lee Jensen, Steve Robinson, Dave Ruderman, Michael Carroad, Barbara Shaw, Dick Wegman, and guests Millard Nachtway, Jim Allen, and Donna Rogall.

President Barbara Doran called the meeting to order at 7:28 P.M.

The Minutes were approved.

Steve Robinson presented his treasurer's report and said that we have $5555.34 in our checking account. The report was approved.

Old Business:

Donna Rogall, Editor of the Bulletin, brought up the question of how we were going to handle announcements or ads for bridge classes in the bulletin. She suggested that we could publish a list of classes free of charge. For a more detailed announcement there would be a charge. Discussion occurred. Lee Jensen moved that we have a list of classes to include name of class, teacher, time and place each month. Ben Laden seconded the motion. If it is a class that a Professional teaches and charges for perhaps there should be a charge for the ad. Ben Laden stated that accepting ads should not be an endorsement of their class. Donna asked whether there should be a discount for columnists or Editors of the Bulletin. Dave Ruderman moved and Don Berman seconded that the motion be removed from the table. The motion carried 5-2. Then Dave Ruderman called the question. 0 in favor 6 opposed.

The Membership survey was again discussed. Donna e-mailed us her version of the final draft and asked for questions and comments. Dick Wegman suggested that the survey be simplified and there be more general questions. It was the feeling of several board members that the survey was too long and complicated and many people would not take the time to complete it.

Ben Laden reported that he sent 2500 post cards advertising the 0-49 trophy game. We had 6 tables. The cost was $745.00 of which the ACBL paid $250.00. Did this generate more interest? Michael Carroad said that we had perhaps 1 extra table. Jim Allen commented that not many novices are interested in becoming Life Masters. They don't want to go to Sectionals. It was again mentioned that we need to have a program to promote the Unit game and Sectionals.

Michael Carroad stated that he and Dick Wegman met with Joe Miller at Ohr Kodesh and it is not ready yet. The management may not want us there. They will have a full parking lot ready in January. The cost was discussed. The church charges $275.00 per night that we use the Church. Ohr Kodesh wants to charge $1500 per month whether we use it or not. There will be 3 or 4 nights that we can't have Ohr Kodesh. They reported that the ventilation and lighting is wonderful. We would be in one larger room that could hold 70-80 tables. It has more open space and is a nicer facility. It was thought that the Unit game would grow with the nicer facility. We will try and make a deal for a charge per week that we use the facility. Michael said our table count is consistently in the high 40's or low 50's.

It was suggested that Barbara Shaw contact the Diamondback office at the University of Maryland about interviewing Leo LaSota since he is a National Champion now. It was thought that it would be good advertising with the young students and would hopefully generate new interest in bridge. Brad Tash is also a student at Maryland who is teaching his grandfather to play bridge.

New Business:

Lee Jensen reported that he sent a letter to Col. Connley to request use of the Armory for our Sectionals. He did say that White Oak Armory looks good for the November Sectional. Other alternatives were discussed. Lee is talking to the 4H people about the facility on Connecticut Ave. There is a snack bar facility. We could go back to the hotels. We need 6000 square feet for Saturday. We talked about using the church on Fridays also since the game is smaller that day. Checking into the use of Blair High School was mentioned. However, Barbara Doran said there is a no smoking policy on school grounds. So smokers would have to outside and to the sidewalk to smoke. The October Sectional lost $2100.00. We had 278 tables and we need 310 tables to cover expenses. Lengthy discussion occurred. Barbara Shaw discussed trying split sites for Friday between Maryland and Virginia because of the traffic snafu. Cost management would have to be considered (rent for a second site and directors costs for a second site). Jim Allen said that money management is important. It was stated that we haven't raised prices for 3 years. We do need to find reliable locations for our Sectionals. We need to know location information at least one week before the tournament since that is when the bulletin is mailed to our members. Dick Wegman said that he would check with the Church for 2003 with the tournament site schedule. Ben Laden focused concern that too many sites is confusing. Donna said that the bulletin deadline is November 21st. Jim Allen volunteered that the WBC will put a message on their Club answering machine confirming the location of the Sectional.

Barbara Shaw reported on the Club Manager's Breakfast. We had 22 people come this year. We had 10 no shows. Fortunately we were not charged for the no shows. But only 6 Club Managers came. Northern Virginia President, Bruce Culmer, asked whether the breakfast was worth having? Barbara Doran said that she will talk to Bruce since it is their turn to host it next year. The cost was only $171.00.

Fred King announced that he has arranged a seminar to be presented by the ACBL on how to grow a Unit. It has been scheduled for Sunday, November 17th at 10:00 A.M. We need to guarantee 10 people. Barbara Doran appointed a committee on Membership Growth. Fred King will be chairman and members are Dick Wegman, Jim Allen, Charity Sack.

Donna Rogall asked if we have ever advertised in the Washington Post? Millard Nachtway replied, yes, but we paid for it and it was back in the 1970's. He also stated that we used to advertise in the NVBA bulletin and they in ours.

Dave Ruderman suggested that Barbara Doran appoint a committee to discuss goals for our Sectional. Barbara felt that the subject was important to all of us that we should discuss it at the next board meeting. She personally was concerned about sacrificing the quality of our Sectionals in favor of quantity of those attending. She also liked the ambiance we used to have and feels like it is disappearing. The subject was tabled until the next meeting.

Barbara Doran thanked Dave Ruderman for hosting the meeting. The November meeting will be at Lee Jensen's on November 20. Francis Burke will have the December meeting and Ben Laden volunteered to host the January meeting.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Shaw, Recording Secretary