Minutes

WBL Board Meeting

December 15, 2004

The meeting was held at Frances Burke’s house.

In attendance: Barbara Ames, Don Berman, Winston Edwards, Richard Ferrin, Fred King, Steve Robinson, Barbara Summers, Dick Wegman, and non-voting members Donna Rogall and Ted Ying. Bill Cole also attended a portion of the meeting.

President Dick Wegman called the meeting to order at 8:15 PM.

Secretary’s Report

Without objection, the board approved the minutes, as amended.

Treasurer’s Report

Steve Robinson reported that the WBL has $7,869.66 in its checking account, plus $671.75 for the November unit game proceeds. Ted Ying noted that in December, the WBL will pay for hand records for January-June unit games, rent at Christ the King Church, and rent at the Schweinhaut Senior Center for the January sectional. Steve reported that there is approximately $18,000 in the WBL’s savings account. The Treasurer’s report was approved.

January Sectional

Dick Wegman reported that the Saturday/Sunday events will be held at the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center in Forest Glen. Dick noted that the facility is well located, with plenty of parking. He said that we need to make sure that people park in the designated areas. Ted Ying suggested that the WBL find a volunteer to police the parking area. Barbara Summers agreed to find volunteers.

Dick stated that Bill Cole and Nadine Wood deserve credit for lining up this site. The Director of the Schweinhaut Center is interested in seeing how this tournament goes. It may be possible for the WBL to be a long-term user of the site if the Director is satisfied with the WBL’s use of the site at the January tournament. The Director has authority to decide whether the WBL can use the facility for more than once a year. Dick announced that Steve Forsythe will make sure the Center is clean following conclusion of the Sunday game. Dick emphasized that it is important that smokers do not litter the entrance with cigarette butts.

Dick hopes that the Center will invite the WBL to return for the May sectional. Dick hopes that this site may be a possibility for the unit game in the future. Steve Robinson noted that the problem with moving everything to the Schweinhaut Center is that the Center is unavailable for Friday nights during the sectionals.

Bill Cole cautioned that an administrator from the Schweinhaut Center will be on site during the January sectional, making it even more important to give a good impression throughout the tournament. Bill also noted that the caddies cannot clean up on Sunday evening, because they will be helping Lee Biggs with the tables. Bill emphasized that trash maintenance will be a concern. Trash from the Saturday event needs to be collected and deposited in the garbage bin in the back; it will be unacceptable to wait until Sunday. It is especially important to clean up food garbage. Ted Ying mentioned that we need to make sure to clean up garbage in the bathrooms.

Bill stated that when the WBL held its tournaments at the Kensington Armory, the problems with the city authorities were mainly the WBL’s fault. It is crucial for the success of future WBL sectionals to have a pleasant place to play, and the Newport Mill Middle School is unsatisfactory in that regard. Without pleasant surroundings, it will be difficult to improve attendance at the sectionals.

Barbara Ames expressed concern that the cleanup issues were such that the WBL should consider hiring cleanup help, rather than asking for volunteers. Ted suggested hiring somebody to clean up after every session. Steve Robinson said that if every WBL Board member picks up 10 cups before leaving the game, the trash problem should stay in check. Donna Rogall stated that she knew somebody who might be interested in cleaning for hire. Dick suggested that hiring a cleaner for Sunday evening should be sufficient. Bill replied that the cleaner for Sunday needs to start as early as possible, so that the Schweinhaut Center administrator will be there no longer than necessary. Ted suggested that hiring a cleaner for Sunday will be a bigger job than clean-up after the unit game, for which the WBL currently pays $50.

Dick asked Donna to check with her source for a possible cleaner, and to e-mail Nadine Wood. We will get a commercial service if necessary.

Dick stated that Fred King will make trophy presentations at the January tournament, between sessions on Saturday. Tomorrow night (December 16), before the unit game, we will present the trophy to Don and Rose Berman for the D.C. Championship Pairs.

Dick reported that we will try to get high school students from the school program to attend a side game at the sectional. Dick said that Ron Starr asked if they could play for free. Steve, Fred, and Winston all suggested that it is important to charge some fee, and suggested $1. The Board agreed by consensus to charge $1 for the side game for the high school students. The Board also agreed with a suggestion by Winston to present trophies to the winner of the high school game. Ted will arrange for the trophies.

Donna reminded the Board that new Life Masters will be recognized at the Friday night session. We need to obtain biographical information for the new Life Masters, and procure a cake as part of the celebration. Barbara Doran has taken care of this in previous years. Dick will follow up with Barbara Doran.

Donna also reminded the Board that we need to think now about promoting the April/May sectional. Will the schedule remain the same? Dick suggested that Donna speak with Nadine about the schedule. Donna asked what promotional events the WBL planned for the sectional. Dick suggested another panel show. He stated that the WBL trophy pair events will switch to the August tournament.

Unit Game

Dick Wegman noted the December 15, 2004 e-mail from Ron Zucker to the Board regarding lighting options. Ron recommends fluorescent bulbs on tree lamps; about six should do. Ted Ying recommends incandescent lamps with globe bulbs. Ted agreed to e-mail comparisons to Dick and Ron.

Barbara Ames suggested that the Board authorize the expenditure now. Richard Ferrin moved to authorize spending on lighting up to $400. The motion passed unanimously.

Steve Robinson followed up on his suggestion from a previous meeting to consider table covers for the unit game. Steve now believes that expenditure on table covers would not be worthwhile.

Steve also suggested that the WBL participate in a Toys for Tots drive, with bridge players encouraged to bring in toys to the unit game. Dick said that he thought it was too late for this year, but would be a good idea for next year.

Directory

Dick Wegman passed on information from Ron Zucker that the directories, including the errata sheets, have been distributed to the clubs. Dick noted that the NVBA did not participate with the WBL in the printed directory, but the NVBA plans to have an online directory soon. Dick asked whether WBL members should be listed, and if so, whether their e-mails should be included. Don Berman noted that the WBL has previously rejected proposals for an online directory, with e-mail addresses, because of privacy concerns. Fred King suggested that the Board notify WBL members that they can give their names to the NVBA for inclusion in the NVBA’s directory. Winston Edwards agreed with that approach, noting that it addresses the privacy concerns. Dick predicted that the NVBA will want the WBL to collect the names for them. Don Berman volunteered to confer with Leo Cardillo to clarify the NVBA’s intentions.

Bridge and Bowling

Dick Wegman referenced Ron Zucker’s December 15, 2004 e-mail, in which Ron arranged for bowling on February 5, 2005 at Laurel Bowling Center. Don Berman said that Laurel Bridge Club can host the bridge portion of the event. Donna Rogall stated that the WBL needs to produce a flyer with details. The WBL Bulletin notice only mentioned the February 5 date for Bridge and Bowling, not the location or other details. Fred King suggested that Steve Robinson distribute details through his e-mail list. Don Berman volunteered to look for a director for the bridge event.

St. Elizabeth’s

Dick Wegman reported that St. Elizabeth’s asked for another donation for their bridge game. The WBL donated $150 last year. Richard Ferrin moved that the Board donate $150 again this year. The motion passed unanimously.

D&O Insurance

Dick Wegman stated that Barbara Ames obtained a quote of $750 per year for Director and Office (“D&O”) insurance. But at the last WBL Board meeting, Nadine Wood asked the Board to delay action until after Orlando, at which time she expected further information on this subject from the ACBL. Because Nadine was unable to attend this meeting (she’s preparing food for the WBL holiday party), the Board adjourned briefly so that Dick could confer with Nadine by phone.

Nadine told Dick that the ACBL Board of Governors discussed in Orlando the issue of D&O insurance for ACBL local organizations, but that nothing was resolved at Orlando and the Board asked the ACBL’s attorney to gather more information and report back. Nadine expects that ACBL will provide a solution, but not before this summer. Dick asked the Board whether the WBL should wait another six months for an ACBL-wide resolution. Barbara Ames and Fred King thought that the WBL should not wait. Dick and Richard Ferrin thought that the WBL could wait another six months, in light of the fact that the WBL has already done without D&O insurance for a considerable period of time.

Ted Ying noted that there should be coverage for game directors. Richard Ferrin noted that the kind of coverage appropriate for game directors ordinarily should be liability insurance (which the WBL already has), and that D&O insurance is directed more at covering activities of the Board, not decisions of game directors at the unit game. Richard said that to the extent that Ted is not covered, we should address it through changes to the WBL’s liability insurance policy, not through a D&O policy.

Dick asked what the policy limit should be on a D&O policy for the WBL. Barbara Ames estimated that a $1 million policy would be appropriate. She said that based on her research, having a higher deductible will not result in a significant cost savings. Barbara also said that Nadine thinks that the WBL is already covered by the ACBL’s own policy in the context of a tournament, but not in the context of the unit game.

Barbara Summers moved to go forward with a six-month D&O insurance policy or a pro-rata agreement, so that the WBL could withdraw from the agreement if the ACBL provides something better six months from now. The ceiling on expenditures authorized for the policy would be $800 annually. The motion passed without dissent.

Free Play Policy

Fred King reported on his comprehensive review of the WBL’s policy regarding free plays. He noted that free plays are awarded as prizes, and for work done. In both cases, the WBL’s policy is inconsistent.

Last year, 10-12 percent of the attendees at the unit game played for free, and 8-10 percent of the attendees at the sectionals. These figures underestimate the free plays actually awarded, because some of the awardees do not use their free plays.

Fred proposes changing the free play award policy to make them consistent. Fred also suggested that the WBL should consider whether it is appropriate to offer free plays as an incentive for work done, and if so, what the criteria should be.

Dick Wegman asked what was the total value of free plays last year. Fred reported that the value was $5,700 in 2001, $5,500 in 2002, and $4,400 in 2003. Ted Ying noted that these amounts are modest in comparison to income generated. Ted believes that the award of free play is cheap given the value of services volunteered. He added that the status quo appears to be more loyalty to the WBL than in the Maryland Bridge Association. Dick stated that nevertheless the free plays for volunteer work should be realigned in relation to contributions rendered. Dick also gave examples of WBL Board members and other volunteers that give significant time without asking for any free plays. Fred King added that the NVBA also is studying its own free play policy.

Name Tags

Steve Robinson suggested that the WBL should make its games friendlier by promoting use of name tags at the game. Dick Wegman noted that the WBL already does this occasionally, such as at the annual holiday party. Barbara Summers volunteered to procure name tags and markers for the unit games. Dick suggested that use of name tags might be appropriate for sectionals too.

STACs

Don Berman reported that by a new rule at the Sectional Tournaments at Clubs (“STACs”), persons participating in games that cannot guarantee at least five tables cannot qualify for overall awards. He said that smaller clubs have difficulty guaranteeing five tables.

Next Meeting

The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:20 PM. The next WBL board meeting will take place January 19 at Don Berman’s house. The February meeting will take place February 16 at Winston Edward’s house. The March meeting will take place March 23 at Donna Rogall’s house. The Board thanked Frances Burke for hosting the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Ferrin, Secretary