In attendance: Fred King, Dick Wegman, Barbara Doran, Barbara Summers, Ron Zucker, Steve Robinson, Steve Forsythe, Barbara Shaw, Ben Laden, Don Berman, and non-voting members Bill Cole, Kitty Gottfried, Michael Carroad and Donna Rogall.

President Dick Wegman called the meeting to order at 7:39 P.M.

He turned the floor over to District 6 President Bill Cole who wished to discuss reasons from eliminating one of the WBL Sectionals from the yearly calendar. He pointed out that the area cannot handle 10

Sectionals a year. Our table count is down he believes because we have too many Sectionals. We average 310 tables at our Sectionals while the NVBA averages about 330 tables. Atlanta and Phoenix who have only 4 Sectionals a year have 770 and 475 tables respectively at each of their Sectionals. People aren't crossing from the NVBA to Maryland and visa versa. People are going to the Sectionals that are closer to their homes. If we reduced the number of Sectionals there would be a lot less stress on our volunteers. When Sectionals are bunched together on back to back weekends it is difficult to get partners and teammates. The fields are smaller and pay less master points than the STACs in the local clubs. The purpose of our Sectionals is not to give people a place to play. There are Club places to play. We want our Sectionals to be special. Extra hospitality will help to build the Sectionals. We need our Sectionals to be special to separate them from the Club games. Nadine Wood our Tournament Chair said that she will quit if we have more that 4 Sectionals. If we eliminate one Sectional our expenses will be less so money earned can be spent on the ones we have. The NVBA has a good consistent site in which to play. They have cut back one Sectional.

Steve Forsythe wants to do what is best for the membership. Fred King thinks it is questionable that reducing the number of Sectionals will increase the table count at the ones we do have. Steve Robinson stated that we will make money at our tournaments. Michael Carroad said that tournaments used to support the unit now the Unit Game makes more money. Dick Wegman pointed out that the declining membership in the ACBL and our Unit is affecting a change. Steve Forsythe said that the July/August Sectional is the last consideration. And we have no site beyond March. Michael Carroad said that we have the school for the rest of the year. Don Berman stated that many people liked the trophy pairs and other special events. He is not sure that changing one thing at a time would make a difference. Donna Rogall and Barbara Shaw think that it is important to have the tournaments spread apart, not on back to back weekends if at all possible. Steve Forsythe wanted to know what is the measure of our success and what is the goal for success. Is it table count or is making money the measure of success? Dick Wegman said that his expectation is to have 350 tables at our Sectionals. Steve Robinson stated that in his opinion table count for Friday, Saturday and Sunday not Thursday is a good measure.

Steve Robinson made a motion to cut to 4 the number of Sectionals that the WBL will have in 2004. Don Berman seconded the motion. Don Berman said that the purpose of the board is the serve our members. 7 were in favor, 3 abstained.

Dick Wegman will talk to Nadine since she does not want to be co-tournament Chair on a long-term basis. Steve Robinson moved that we drop the December Sectional. Barbara Summers seconded the motion. The motion passed with 8 in favor and 2 abstaining.

The minutes were approved as amended.

Treasurer, Steve Robinson reported that we have $7,755.07 in our checking account and $19,034.52 in our money market account. Millard Nachtway is doing a great job of keeping expenses down. The Montgomery County Schools will refund the rent for December since we were unable to use the facility. Ron Zucker requested a summary of the budget on a quarter. We will get $1250.00 each time we host a Regional. However, this year we received a penalty since our budget was not submitted on time to the District. The treasurer's report was approved.

Old Business:

Kitty Gottfried, Hospitality Chairman, said that we need volunteers to Clean-up and for loading and unloading equipment. The Church is no problem. She would like to see the contract about what the custodian can do. Steve Forsythe's system didn't work this time. He will try a new approach. Barbara Doran said that you can't ask people too early. Dick Wegman asked Barbara Doran to assist Steve in getting volunteers. Michael Carroad suggested that we pay the caddies to help clean up. Kitty, Nadine and Steve Robinson will decide what tasks to pay. Barbara Doran moved that $100.00 be allocated to hire people for assistance. Steve Forsythe seconded the motion. The motion passed with 10 in favor.

Ben Laden said that he received letters from Memphis asking for our schedule for January and March. Donna Rogall said that we could send the schedules from the bulletin. Barbara Summers said that she would get the box from Rosemary Marks so that we could pay past prize winners who have not yet collected their prizes.

Fred King reported on Unit Growth. The school programs are going pretty well. They have from 1-3 tables and the kids are enthusiastic. Saturday at the January Sectional will try and have a game for the kids. Barbara Summers, who sponsors Walter Johnson, said that no one showed up for the club the last time she went. She recommends that Junior High is a better age.

Fred said that he sold all of the books except for the D series. We will make a bulk purchase if the request is made. Dick reported that Alice Wegman has the brochure ready and the NVBA information is included. We hope the have it out and distributed early in the year. Volunteers are needed to distribute it. It was suggested that the brochure be put on the Web site.

Ron Zucker reported that he has not received any additional quotes for publishing the directory.

Donna Rogall said that she finally has finished tabulating the surveys and the additional information will be published in the bulletin.

New Business:

There was discussion on whether to continue giving free plays. The free plays cost about $3000.00 a year. That includes free plays for the winners at tournaments and all workers who are given free plays. The free plays at the Unit games cost about $1500.00 a year. Fred King, Don Berman and Steve Robinson were appointed to a committee to discuss the WBL Free Play program.

Friday night at the January Sectional we will have our annual New Life Master Party. Kitty needs the names for the cakes and will order the cakes. Dick Wegman will send a letter to the new life masters inviting them to the party and will get the names to Kitty.

Unit championship sanctions are available to give to area Clubs who request it for New Year's Eve. Steve Forsythe moved that we give the sanction to any club that requests it. Barbara Summers seconded the motion. The motion passed with 10 approving.

The board discussed replacing Robert Gunnell as a board member. He has missed three meetings and has not attended a meeting since being appointed to the board. It was suggested that Dick call and talk to him first.

Steve Robinson asked permission to start a building fund. He stated that there was no reason not to have one. The board tabled his request.

Steve Robinson moved that we offer Jim Allen and the Washington Bridge Center a WBL non-trophy, Sectionally rated Club Tournament to be held on a Friday - Sunday at his club. The dates are subject to Millard's approval. It is not to be billed as a WBL Sectional. Barbara Summers seconded the motion. The motion passed with 6 in favor, 2 opposed and 2 abstaining.

The board thanked Dick Wegman for hosting the meeting.

Our next meeting will be at Don Berman's on January 21, 2004. The February meeting will be at Ron Zucker's, March at Barbara Summer's and April at Barbara Doran's.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Shaw, Recording Secretary