Minutes

Minutes

WBL Board Meeting

February 25, 2004

In attendance: Dick Wegman, Fred King, Barbara Doran, Steve Robinson, Barbara Shaw, Ben Laden, Steve Forsythe, Barbara Summers, Ron Zucker, and non-voting members Michael Carroad, Donna Rogall and Nadine Wood.

Treasurer Steve Robinson reported that we have $7,762.91 in our checking account including $2,000.00 that is Regional money. Lee Jensen still needs to provide Pat Siler, District 6 treasurer, with the final forms for the regional and we will receive an $1125.00 refund. Kathy Hilbers will speak to Lee about submitting the final forms. We also should receive a $100.00 deposit refund from Montgomery County fairgrounds. The report was approved.

Dick Wegman told us that Don Berman has had bypass surgery in a hospital in New Jersey and is doing well.

Ron Zucker reported that there has been a delay of the directory. It should be to the printer by Friday. It may be ready for Saturday of the March sectional.

The prize discussion has been tabled until the fall board meeting. If a petition is signed, the subject may be on the agenda for the annual meeting in May.

Donna Rogall's survey results will continue to run in the next bulletin. Three more pages should complete the report.

The January Sectional had 329 tables. The food was great and well received. The parking is limited and we need to park on the street. Michael Carroad thought we should receive a refund for the cost of the custodian on Saturday who wasn't there. Charity and Jeff Roman will host a seminar at the March Sectional on how to get and keep a good partnership. Please send to Nadine Wood any special announcements for the Sectionals. The easels were purchased for use at the Unit game and Sectionals. We are still searching for a new site for our sectionals. The 4H on Connecticut was contacted but they never got back to us. Nadine Wood and Michael Carroad were appointed by Dick Wegman as our liaisons with the Silver Spring Convention Center Committee. Dick Wegman will talk to Shirley Watson, the Manager of the Kensington Armory. We will have the August Sectional at the school. Ben Laden said that the ACBL needs our schedule for the March Tournament. Kathy Hilbers is going to resign as the co-tournament Chair after the March Sectional. Nadine will get the next tournament schedule to Donna. Barbara Shaw will be in charge of the trophies, which will be presented during the Saturday session of the March sectional.

Dick reported that the publicity committee has been working with the Sunrise retirement Community. We will host an Open House with a mini-lesson. They are interested in providing transportation to our Unit Game and sectionals for any people interested in attending. He also reported that the brochure is almost ready for distribution. We have not figured out how to distribute 1000-1500 brochures around the area. Katherine Kiley found someone to print the two-color brochure.

Steve Forsythe will host an Instant Bridge game during the March sectional on March 6^th at the Washington Bridge Center. The cost is $20.00 in advance or $25.00 at the door, and a free lunch will be included. Students will be charged $10.00 and $15.00 respectively.

Nadine Wood reported that the 2005 Regional hosted by the WBL and the 2006 Regional hosted by the NVBA will be held at the Hilton in Alexandria since we have already signed contracts with them. However, beginning with the Regional in 2007 we will be hosting it at the new Marriott Hotel in Rockville and 2008 the NVBA will be hosting it in Reston. We are trying to get out of the contract but there is a substantial penalty.

The recreation center in Damascus may be interested is having us but the location is so far away. Ron Starr works with the Montgomery County Recreation Department to develop bridge in the county.

Dick Wegman contacted the ACBL to find out who is in charge of suspending a game. Jim Miller from the ACBL said that the Director has the right to cancel a game. Michael Carroad tried to contact the Tournament Office in Memphis and got no response. He thinks that it is the sponsoring organization's responsibility. In advance it is the Unit Game sponsors, who are Ron Zucker and Ben Laden.

The STAC in August for the Bridgeatschools! was discussed. Michael Carroad reported that Baltimore is unhappy and thinks that it will affect the participation in their tournament. It is a Georgia Unit 114 STAC, and not a National STAC. Nadine reported that Bridgeatschools! no longer has any employees. But they are still trying to get it growing. Steve Forsythe moved that we allow our local clubs to have the STAC if they want to. Barbara Summers seconded the motion. The motion passed with 6 in favor and 2 abstaining.

It was suggested that we send an e-mail congratulating participants on their qualification to participate in the NAP-GNT District finals and invite them to compete.

The WBL will subsidize Barbara Summers for the $100.00 she paid to the ACBL for Larry Galvin's late fees.

Dick Wegman appointed Barbara Doran, Steve Robinson, Steve Forsythe, Barbara Ames and Dave Ruderman to the Building Fund Committee. It is not feasible for there to be a tax-deductible fund since we would primarily have to be an educational organization and we are not. We would have to use the building only for education purposes. Barbara Doran reported that they have met once and have a mission statement. They have emailed each other several times also. Barbara Shaw suggested that the committee talk to Eva Klivington, who is in commercial real estate for assistance in finding a foreclosed building for purchase. Steve Forsythe suggested that we may find a place with a $50,000 lease with an option to buy.

Dick thanked Ron Zucker for hosting the meeting. The March 31^st meeting will be at Barbara Summers. The April 21 meeting will be at Barbara Doran's.