Minutes

WBL Board Meeting

January 22, 2003

In attendance: Steve Robinson, Don Berman, Dave Ruderman, Fred King, Dick Wegman, Ben Laden, Barbara Shaw, and non-voting members Kathy Kruskal, Donna Rogall, Kitty Gottfried, Michael Carroad and Millard Nachtway.

The meeting was called to order at 8:01 P.M.

The Minutes were approved.

Treasurer Steve Robinson reported that as of December 31, 2002 our checking account balance was $4233.68. As of January 22, 2003 our balance is $6971.48. He transferred some money to checking from our A.G. Edwards money market account leaving a balance there of $18,807.18. Our 2002 operations were -$11,544.51 That did not count the $5000.00 contribution to Bridgeatschools! or the $10,000 contribution to the Summer 2002 Nationals. He reported that Barbara Ames will review the books. She suggested that we purchase a program to do the treasurer s reports, Quicksend possibly. Dave Ruderman asked Steve to prepare a budget for next year. The suggestion was tabled until the February meeting. Barbara Shaw moved and Fred King seconded that we purchase a program to do the treasurer s report. The motion passed unanimously. Steve did say that he prepares tax form 1099 for independent contractors like Donna Rogall who is paid to do our bulletin. The treasurer s report was approved unanimously.

Dick Wegman announced that Barbara Doran received an official resignation from Lee Jensen. He will be the tournament chairman for the February/March Sectional and the Alexandria Regional but will no longer be on the Board. Dick suggested that we recognize Lee for his contributions at the May Sectional. Kathy Kruskal and Ben Laden will be the new tournament co-chairpersons and Kitty Gottfried will be in charge of Hospitality. The May Sectional will be held at the Christ the King Church on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We are looking for a site for Sunday May 4th. Discussion occurred as to where to hold the Sunday game or possibly cancel it. The Washington Bridge Center was suggested. Partnerships are being done by Fred King for flight A, Charity Sack and Barbara Rothkin for flights B&C. It was suggested that we include this information in our Sectional add. Michael Carroad said that he would talk to Madge Gallant about retiring. We discussed food for Sundays. Kathy Kruskal suggested that we need a volunteer chairman to get help when needed. Jane Sturgiss was suggested. Dick Wegman thought that our prize structure was too high. He suggested that we restructure the prizes beginning in the fall. Don Berman thought we should consider giving other prizes.

Steve Robinson reported on the Unit KO s. We had no new teams because of the double KO structure last year. In fact we had the same number of teams as the previous year 2000, 12 teams. He suggested that we e-mail people to see whether we should have single or double KO s. There are 3 flight B teams this year. Dave Ruderman and Fred King will decide on type of KO after the survey is completed.

Our free play policy was briefly discussed. No decision resulted.

Robinson moved that we raise our entry fee $1.00 beginning immediately. The vote was unanimous. Thursday night games will be $7.00 and Sectionals will be $9.00.

New Business:

The topic of sharing a bulletin with the NVBA was discussed. Bulletin Editor, Donna Rogall said that it would not save us any money. We would need a larger periodical permit. She also said that a 32 page bulletin is the ideal size. The WBL paid $1100.00 for postage, labels, and the editor and $900.00 to have is printed. She doesn t see that it would save us any money and might even cost us more. Dick Wegman, Don Berman and Donna Rogall were appointed to a committee with the NVBA to look into this idea and report back ASAP.

Unit Growth was discussed by committee chairman Fred King who reported that the committee consisted of Charity Sack, Dick Wegman, and Jim Allen. They had a meeting and identified target groups. One was WBL dropouts and new members. Another was social bridge players. And the last was people who have never played bridge at all. Their first priority was to find out why people stopped coming. He asked for a list from Michael Carroad. He also said that Marlys Moholt will coordinate drivers for people who call her requesting rides because they don t drive at night.

Fred also discussed Steve Forsythe s novice bridge group. The first week he had 2 tables and the second week the group grew to 6 tables. Fred said that Jim Allen was taking the lead for publicity. He was going to contact the suburban papers (The Gazettes) and the Departments of Recreation for the surrounding counties to get articles published and bridge information published. Charity Sack was taking the lead contacting realtors, Newcomers groups and Welcome Wagon groups to get flyers about area bridge to those new in the community. Alice Wegman is helping to design the flyers. The committee is also working on teacher contacts and hopefully developing bridge competition between high schools. Ben Laden suggested why not college competitions. We also need to form a new members committee. Dave Ruderman suggested sending the bulletin by e-mail to non-members and social bridge players. We need a good PR person. Fred King sent a copy of his report to Betty Starzac and Bruce Culmer.

Bulletin Editor, Donna Rogall, said that she needed a list of the new life members for publication.

Dick Wegman thanked Ben Laden for hosting the meeting.

The February 26th meeting will be at Michael Carroad s. March will be a Don Berman's and April will be at Barbara Doran's.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Shaw, Recording Secretary