Minutes
WBL Board Meeting
March 23, 2005
The meeting was held at Donna Rogall’s house.
In attendance: Don Berman, Richard Ferrin, Fred King, Steve Robinson, Barbara Summers, Dick Wegman, and Ron Zucker, and non-voting members Donna Rogall, Nadine Wood, and Ted Ying.
President Dick Wegman called the meeting to order at 8:10 PM.
Secretary’s Report
Without objection, the board approved the minutes, as amended.
Treasurer’s Report
Steve Robinson reported that the WBL had $10,217.64 in its
checking account. Ted Ying noted that
the WBL will receive $1,692.65 tomorrow from the February Unit Game
report. Nadine Wood reported that the
WBL has paid for rent at the
March 24 Unit Game
Dick Wegman noted Steve Robinson’s general e-mail alert that
the March 24 game would be held at the
March Sectional
Dick Wegman reported that the turnout for the March sectional was great (378 tables), as was the hospitality. Nadine Wood observed that the biggest pickup in attendance from the March sectional last year was in the team game. She speculated that perhaps the reason for the difference was that lack of heat was a problem on Saturday last year, and that may have driven down Sunday attendance last year. Dick stated that he received a few complaints about the change in the start time for the second session Saturday (2:00 PM instead of 1:30 PM, as advertised). Nadine stated that the change to 2:00 PM was necessary to give more time for lunch, and the Board agreed to the time change, but not in time for the advertising deadline.
Future Sectionals
Steve Robinson asked whether there would be a barometer game again for the Friday night of the April/May sectional. Nadine Wood confirmed that there would be a barometer game again, noting that there was still leftover champagne for the barometer/champagne pairs event, and it was included in the advertising. However, she suggested that the Board consider a change for future sectionals after that, i.e., the September/October sectional. Ted Ying observed that B/C players erroneously think that the barometer pairs favors stronger pairs, like Board-a-Match. Richard Ferrin agreed that a change would be in order for the September/October sectional, since the novelty of the barometer pairs seems to be wearing off. He said that the point is to have something new to attract players Friday night, and suggested IMP pairs for the September/October sectional. Ted agreed, but suggested that we shouldn’t do it more than two tournaments in a row. Richard agreed. Nadine suggested that we have IMP pairs once a year and barometer pairs once a year. Ron Zucker said that with respect to Ted’s comment about the B/C players preference against barometer pairs, we could, in theory, run a barometer pairs for A/X and a different game for B/C, but the problem would be that the barometer event generates noise between rounds and talk about the hands just played, which makes it impractical to run a different game for B/C. Ted suggested that the best time to run an IMP pairs game would be the sectional before the national IMP pairs (at the Spring nationals). Notwithstanding the longer-term schedule, Dick stated that there seems to be a consensus among the Board members to schedule IMP pairs for the Friday night game for the September/October sectional. Barbara Summers asked whether attendance on Friday night might be boosted by having a team game then. Ted stated that the NVBA tried it (triple-nickel Swiss), but that it did not boost attendance. Richard again stressed that the emphasis should be on keeping the Friday night game fresh with different events.
Partnership Desk and Online Partnership Bulletin Board
Ron Zucker stated that with respect to the partnership desk for the Unit Game, he found that several people agreed to volunteer as a standby partner a few times, but he was having difficulty finding people to commit to fixed dates. Don Berman volunteered to be the standby partner at tomorrow night’s game. Barbara Summers observed that people would call the telephone number for partners in the afternoon of the Unit Game, and asked if the designated volunteer would play with them. The problem is that the volunteer cannot commit in the afternoon but must be ready to fill in at the game site. Ted Ying stated that the standby partnership arrangement is working. Last week, Jason played with Barbara Summers and filled out a half-table. Don Berman stated that with respect to the online partnership bulletin board, he changed the name on the web site as discussed by the WBL Board, but the NVBA then unilaterally changed the name to the WBL/NVBA partnership bulletin board. Ted commented that the software owner was more likely to accommodate the NVBA, because the NVBA pays for the software whereas the WBL got it for free.
Lighting at the Unit Game
Ron Zucker stated that he can pick up the new lights, but he cannot bring them to the Unit Game. Dick Wegman stated that Barbara Ames can help Ron with this, but not now because she is so busy with work right now (tax season). Ted Ying volunteered to take the lights to the Unit Game, if Ron will pick up the lights and bring them to Ted’s house. Ted also reported that he has received new cards, and will replace the old card decks with fresh ones next week.
Dick stated that he is concerned about wet floors at the Unit Game. Ted stated that he cleans up any messes if he is informed of the mess. Dick asked who cleans up at the end of the evening. Ted replied that Kitty Gottfried and the caddies clean up after the game. Dick suggested asking the caddies to clean up at wet spots during the game. Ted cautioned that this is within Kitty’s jurisdiction. Dick stated that he would speak with Kitty.
Bridge Column Message
Dick Wegman recalled the discussion at the last board meeting about boosting publicity and unit growth through a message at the end of bridge columns in the newspaper. Dick noted two potential obstacles: (1) ACBL cooperation, and (2) cooperation of the columnist or syndicator. Nadine Wood stated that she spoke with Linda Grinell of the ACBL. The ACBL will cooperate fully, but they have tried this idea in the past. Philip Alder has run a tag line in his column, but other bridge columnists or syndicators are reluctant to cooperate. Some syndicates refuse. Also, sometimes the newspapers cut out the message during the editing process. Dick asked Steve Robinson to call Frank Stewart to enlist Stewart’s cooperation. Steve agreed to call Frank Stewart.
WBL/ABA Joint Game
Dick Wegman reported that the WBL and ABA will hold a joint game on April 16 at 11 AM. Dick asked who among the WBL board members planned to attend. Dick and Don Berman (and their wives) will attend, as will Richard Ferrin. Barbara Summers may attend. Richard suggested making an announcement at the next WBL Unit Game. Ted Ying agreed to do so if he received a reminder at the game.
Unit Growth
Fred King reported that he planned to chair a meeting of the Unit Growth Committee. The best time to have the meeting is this Saturday at 10:30 AM. The Committee consists of Fred, Barbara Ames, Winston Edwards, Steve Forsythe, Barbara Summers, and Dick Wegman. Fred said that they would also invite Ron Starr and Charity Sack to the meeting. Dick said that this Saturday may be a bad date for the Committee meeting, because several people may be unable to attend. Dick recommended postponing the meeting until Fred returns from vacation in April.
Ted Ying stated that 74 persons attended the Instant Bridge Player seminar. Steve Forsythe is getting 5 to 7 tables per week in his weekly game. Some of those persons are graduating to games with higher masterpoint limits. Dick Wegman reported that we are also planning additional sessions for high school students. Nadine Wood stated that at the Pittsburgh nationals, we talked with a marketing firm with which the ACBL had contracted about developing strategies for getting more youth to play bridge. One of the consultants happens to live in Falls Church, Virginia, and so Nadine invited her to the WBL’s next sectional. Ted suggested that the marketing people can develop promotions, such as t-shirts. Nadine replied that the consultants realize that a cohesive program of strategies was necessary.
Dick recalled his previous suggestion about getting WBL members to write a weekly bridge column as a method of promoting the WBL. He said that the Washington Times promised to run such a column every Saturday. Dick cautioned that this would be difficult work maintaining a weekly column, however. Richard Ferrin suggested that in order to make it work, we should write up several columns in advance, so there is a cushion. Dick asked for volunteers to write articles. Steve Robinson and Richard volunteered to contribute articles. Barbara Summers volunteered to visit other newspapers to promote the idea.
New Logo
Dick Wegman reported that Charity Sack has developed several potential new logos for the WBL, and circulated copies to the Board. Ted Ying commented that the logo with a picture of a card will smudge, and the logos with white on red will wash when photocopied in black and white. Ron Zucker asked how much work would be necessary to redesign the Bulletin with the new logo. Donna Rogall replied that it would not be difficult. We just need to have the logo in the appropriate computer format. Dick suggested that Donna review the logos, and the Board should revisit the issue next month.
Issue Regarding Cross-Advertising With NVBA
Dick Wegman referred the Board to the e-mail traffic with the NVBA regarding cross-advertising of sectionals. Dick noted that the WBL and NVBA agreed to an arrangement, but a few times the WBL’s ads did not appear in the NVBA’s bulletin. Donna Rogall stated that the WBL’s ad appeared only once in the NVBA’s bulletin in the last year. Dick reported that the WBL has agreed with the NVBA that from now on each unit will include in a timely fashion the other’s tournament ads in its bulletins. Donna also noted the suggestion in her e-mail to distribute extra copies of the WBL Bulletin at NVBA games. Nadine Wood said that Donna’s suggestion was good, but not a substitute for placing an ad in the NVBA’s bulletin. Donna stated that for $10-$20 extra, the printer could mail the extras directly for distribution at the NVBA unit game. Barbara Summers asked why there were extra copies of the WBL Bulletin. Ted Ying explained that the printer wants to run a full ream of paper, and so he prints the extras at minimal cost to the WBL. Fred King volunteered to take extra copies of the WBL Bulletin to the NVBA sectionals, but not to the NVBA unit game. Dick said that he would ask Leo Cardillo to whom the printer should mail the extra WBL Bulletins for the NVBA unit game.
Unit Game Behavior Issue
Steve Robinson said that we need to find a way to encourage the directors to penalize Flight A players who intimidate B/C pairs. Ted Ying explained that to do so, the Board should develop a code of unacceptable behavior. Nadine Wood suggested that the “Zero Tolerance” guidelines should suffice. Fred King said that we like the concept, but not the “Zero Tolerance” label. Ted said that in the past, the Board has refused to write specific laws to justify the directors taking disciplinary action, so the directors get criticized for “doing what is right”. Ron Zucker suggested using recorder forms. Ted replied that Flight C players are unlikely to be willing to fill out recorder forms. Dick Wegman observed that either Rule 72 or 73 forbids players from creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. Ted replied that the difficulty was that the Flight A players in question are invoking the bridge laws, which makes it difficult for directors to admonish them under the circumstances. Ted offered a specific example in a recent game. Donna Rogall agreed that we need to find a way to get rid of rude behavior. Ted suggested that if we can guarantee that 3 WBL Board members will stay after each Unit Game, the Board members could serve essentially as a “zero tolerance” committee (as opposed to an appeals committee). Steve said that it is important that Board members back the directors publicly when they take action against bad behavior. Barbara Summers asked whether penalties for frivolous complaints be considered. Ted replied that the issue is that we need to give wider latitude to Flight C players. Donna Rogall suggested keeping a running tally of the number of director calls per year that each player makes. Dick said that we cannot resolve this issue tonight. He suggested formation of a committee to study the issue, with Fred as chair, and including Steve Robinson, Don Berman, and Michael Carroad.
Other Business
Donna Rogall reminded the Board that we need a volunteer chair for the regional this year. Barbara Summers volunteered.
Donna also noted that the Board had agreed to survey the membership regarding start time on Saturday sectionals. It was recommended to Donna that she contact Barbara Ames to remind Barbara that she was going to draft a survey.
Richard Ferrin reported that he received notification that the ACBL sent a cancellation notice regarding the St. Elizabeth bridge club. Ted asked who runs that game. Barbara Summers volunteered to look into it. Dick Wegman noted that the WBL gave the St. Elizabeth club a contribution last year. Ted Ying suggested that instead of making an annual contribution, the WBL should consider paying their club fees to the ACBL.
Barbara Summers asked whether the NVBA could use the WBL’s dealing machine. Ted Ying noted that Alan Crank charges $9 per box as the standard rate for his services, and the NVBA would need to get the boards to Alan. Fred King asked about the additional cost of maintenance of the machine. Don Berman noted for maintenance of the machine, it requires either shipping the machine back to Australia, or finding somebody locally who can figure out how to perform repairs. Steve Robinson suggested that the WBL charge $12 per box, which would include Alan’s $9 per-box fee plus $3 per box to cover machine maintenance. Dick Wegman agreed. Ron Zucker suggested that for clubs within the WBL unit, the WBL should charge only the $9 fee that goes to Alan, and that other entities (such as the NVBA and the Mid-Atlantic) should be charged $12 per box. Richard Ferrin made a motion to that effect. Ron Zucker seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Donna Rogall stated that she will be unable to attend the next WBL sectional, and asked for a volunteer to take pictures of the winners. Don Berman volunteered.
Next Meeting
The next WBL board meeting has to be relocated because Fred King will be out of town. Richard Ferrin agreed to host. Therefore, the next board meeting will take place April 20 at Richard Ferrin’s house. The Board thanked Donna Rogall for her hospitality.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Ferrin, Secretary