Minutes

WBL Board Meeting

November 12, 2003

In attendance: Dick Wegman, Ron Zucker, Don Berman, Barbara Shaw, Barbara Doran, Barbara Summers, Fred King, Ben Laden, and non-voting members Kitty Gottfried, Michael Carroad, and Millard Nachtwey.

The meeting was called to order at 7:50 P.M.

The minutes were approved.

There was no Treasurer's report.

President Dick Wegman welcomed new board member Barbara Summers.

Old Business:

Dick reported that the Publicity Committee had a meeting at his house. The committee members are Bob Levey, Ron Zucker, Joan Lewis, Barbara Shaw and chairman CharitySack. Notice of our games will now appear on the Washington Post's Web cite next to the Bridge Column. About 190,000 people read the Post on line. Bob Levey will be contacting the editor of the Sunday Source about including upcoming tournaments in the Sunday Source section of the paper.

It was also suggested that we have a joint tournament committee with the NVBA to work out area tournament problems and other joint issues. It was suggested that we include ads or NVBA tournaments in our bulletins and they include ads for WBL tournaments in their bulletins. We are also going to try to create eye-catching flyers for our sectionals.

The Unit Growth committee reported that the school programs are going well. There is a problem getting the bridge club started at Blair High School. It was suggested that we include articles in the school papers that have bridge clubs. This might help increase interest in bridge. Clubs are now at Whitman, BCC, Walter Johnson, and Roosevelt high schools. The kids are asking to play other area schools. Dick Wegman suggested that we have a division for the school players at our January Sectional. Ron Zucker is starting a class at Georgetown University in January.

It was suggested by Joan Lewis at the Publicity Committee meeting that the brochure include the NVBA. They wish to emphasize lessons. We could add an extra page or change the font size. The cost would run $450.00 for 2500 brochures and under $1000.00 for 5000 two color brochures.

Ron Zucker, directory coordinator, reported that he called several printers for prices for producing our 2004 directory. Susan Laden said thatshe thought she could beat the price quotes he received. A stapled directory is $2900.00 for 1500. Saddle stitching is $3485.00 for 2000. Wire binding is $3800 for 1500 and tape binding is $3500 for 1500. The board approved the following: size would be 8 1/2" x 11" in half. We will use 20 pound paper, 2color, saddle stitch, and a red cover this year. It will be ready by the March sectional.

Sectional: The attendance has declined to a table count in the mid-300's. We believe that improving hospitality would improve attendance. There was also the idea of including expert panel discussions. Once again the issue of having too many sectionals was discussed. Michael Carroad said that we need to maker a final decision on the matter. Millard Nachtwey, Fred King, Barbara Doran and Ron Zucker did not want us to drop a Sectional. Barbara Shaw wanted the sectionals to be spread apart rather than being held on back to back weekends. The May sectional has been moved this year to the first weekend in August. Ron Zucker wanted to look into the ideaof holding a sectional at the Washington Bridge Center. Barbara Doran was against the idea because she believes it will detract from our sectionals. The consensus was that we are willing to contemplate a WBC sectional, but the points won would not count toward the trophy races. DickWegman said that we will have a one hour break duringthe Sunday Swiss and we will provide a free lunch. We will also be purchasing a $200.00 trophy and 2 small plaques for the winners of the Trophy Pairs competition at the December Sectional. Nadine Wood and Kitty Gottfried are the tournament chairmen and Steve Forsythe will call the volunteers. In Januaryat the Sectional we will have a party for our new Life Masters on Friday nightand will get cakes with their names. In addition, the "Player of the Year" trophies will be presented Saturday afternoon.

Fred King reported that Diane Walker will work with him to redesign the WEB site and provide feedback for Don Berman.

It was decided that we will send postcards to those former players who dropped their membership. Barbara Summers volunteered to do that. p>

New Business: Barbara Shaw suggested that the officers always wear name tags when at WBL games. Not all members know who we are, and some of the playersmay have suggestions or criticisms they wish to express. The board approved purchasing name tags.

Barbara Doran moved and Fred King seconded that we donate $150.00 to the St. Elizabeth's bridge club.

Don Berman, the WBL Recorder, asked who decides what information is sent to the National Recorder. We decided that no forms will be sent to Rich Colker, the National Recorder, unless a hearing has been held and action taken. Then the national recorder will be notified. We should be sending a copy of the form to the local recorders for members in their units.

Berman also said that we must modify the prize section of our policies and procedures manual.

Michael Carroad presented the schedule of sectionals for next year. The WBL Sectionals will be held the weekends of January 4^th, March 2^nd, August 2^nd, October 2^nd, and December 2^nd. Ron Zucker moved and Barbara Shaw seconded that we approve the schedule. The vote was unanimous for approval.

Alan Crank will be duplicating the boards and Jim Coleman will be doing the hand records for the WBL.

Dick thanked Ben Laden for hosting the meeting and reminded us that the next meeting will be held at his house on Wednesday, December 17^th.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Shaw, Recording Secretary