Minutes

WBL Board Meeting

September 21, 2005

The meeting was held at Donna Rogall’s house.

In attendance: Barbara Ames, Don Berman, Winston Edwards, Richard Ferrin, Fred King, Clyde Kruskal, Steve Robinson, Jane Sturgis, Dick Wegman, and non-voting members Donna Rogall and Nadine Wood.

President Wegman called the meeting to order at 8:10 PM.

Secretary’s Report

The board approved the minutes, without objection.

Treasurer’s Report

Steve Robinson reported that the WBL’s checking account balance was $16,590.80.  The balance was approximately $8,000 this time last year.  In addition, approximately $18,000-$19,000 is in a money market account.  Nadine Wood asked whether the WBL had received its share of proceeds from the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference (“MABC”) from the 2005 July 4^th Regional.  Steve replied that the WBL had not yet received those funds.  Dick Wegman asked whether the WBL had received the sponsor check yet from Michael Chelst on behalf of Fidelity & Trust.  Steve reported that he had not yet received the check. 

Dick then raised the issue of whether a budget should be prepared for next year.  Steve commented that it is difficult to prepare a budget, because it is based on the number of tables in WBL events, which is difficult to forecast with accuracy.  Fred King stated that it is unusual not to have a budget.  Steve replied he can prepare a budget if that is what the board wants.  Donna Rogall stated that a budget would help in planning spending on marketing activities.  Dick noted that in the past, that the board usually has authorized expenditures on marketing in the abstract. 

Dick posed the question of what charity the WBL should donate funds raised from the recent hurricane relief charity game.  He noted that $550 was raised.  Barbara Ames moved to donate the funds to Executive Women International, which has provided books for children who are hurricane victims.  Jane Sturgis seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

The board then approved the treasurer’s report, without objection.

Scheduling Meeting

Fred King distributed copies of the preliminary draft of the unit game schedule for 2006.  He explained that the scheduling committee scheduled games to avoid conflicts in games between the WBL and the Northern Virginia Bridge Association (“NVBA”), and also to schedule all of the necessary events.  Fred noted that because of scheduling conflicts at Christ the King Church, the unit game for April 13, 2006 must be held in a different location or canceled.  Dick Wegman suggested that we see if the Schweinhaut Center is available for April 13, 2006.  Jane Sturgis volunteered to contact the Schweinhaut Center. Fred also raised the issue of when to schedule the annual Bridge and Bowling annual event; he noted that this event historically has been held around the time of the Super Bowl.  In addition, Fred stated that District 6 has not yet set the date for District 6 charity events, and the unit game schedule has to be modified accordingly.  He noted that for the June Sectional Tournament at Clubs (“STAC”), the scheduling committee tentatively scheduled a Swiss team event.  Nadine Wood reported that for the MABC STAC, District 7 has voted not to allow any of its clubs to participate, because of the requirement that the STAC events must have hand records.  She said that hopefully District 6 representatives will not insist on hand records next year for the MABC STAC.  Don Berman suggested publishing the tentative 2006 WBL unit game schedule on the internet.

Interscholastic Competition

Dick Wegman reported that this is the sign-up time for bridge at local high schools.  Dick noted that Ron Starr reports that the sign-up at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School was good, with 16 students from last year and 12 new students.  Dick read the following report to the WBL Board from Ron Starr:

We have programs started in 5 Montgomery High Schools and I have teaches for those in line.  I have talked to the head of the Board of Education about the possibility of a free period like Jefferson in Virginia and that is not possible.  All of the programs are in schools that have a single lunch period, and that is when the club meets once a week.  At this point there are about 65 kids in the various programs and as in the years past more tend to come in from associated friends.  I am hoping to continue our program in Eleanor Roosevelt this year.  As in last year, Mark Rosen said that he was doing a bridge club at Tilden Middle School.

I have contacted several other schools in the county and offered them the bridge club programs with the hopes of having teachers if they decide to participate.

As the program continues, I hope to get the students to come to the sectionals for a game with their group as we did last year.  Several of last year’s students are already playing in the regular games.  This year I will try to get the students to participate in an area wide interscholastic match as well as the national student team game in April.

Respectfully submitted, Ron Starr

September/October Sectional

Nadine Wood reported that she obtained an extra room on Sunday of the sectional for the Instant Bridge Player program.  The room should hold about 24 tables.  Additional space on the stage would be available if necessary.  The cost of the extra room was only $125.  Barbara Ames reported that an advertisement will run in the Weekender section of the Washington Post, at a cost of $960.  The ACBL will reimburse 75 percent of that advertisement cost.

Nadine reported that the theme of the sectional will be sports.  The Friday night game will feature sausages, BBQ pork and chicken for Saturday, and pizza for Sunday.

Dick Wegman asked about the progress in promoting the joint game with the American Bridge Association (“ABA”).  Winston Edwards reported that the response thus far has been great.  Flyers have been distributed at the ABA Bridge Hut, and announcements have been made.  Fred King reported that ACBL headquarters has said that we cannot award extra masterpoint awards for pairs consisting of one ACBL and one ABA member.  Clyde Kruskal suggested giving a prize for the best result for such a mixed-membership pair, such as a trophy.  Donna Rogall suggested offering a free one-year membership to the other organization, but that suggestion was rejected because the number of pairs likely to sign up would not justify the cost.  Steve Robinson suggested a free entry to a future game.  The Board agreed to that suggestion.

Nadine noted that the WBL no longer produces a sectional bulletin (like the daily bulletins at most regional tournaments).  She suggested that producing a sectional bulletin would be a good idea.  Nadine suggested that we could either produce one bulletin, or one every day of the tournament.  The bulletin could include more specific information on upcoming events and hospitality than the flyers.  Dick agreed, stating that a bulletin would give some cohesiveness to the tournament.  He added that the bulletin could include a running list of leading masterpoint winners.

Looking ahead, Nadine noted that the theme of the January sectional tournament will be sportsmanship, and asked for ideas for prizes for miscellaneous “achievements”.  With respect to the March sectional, she noted that Saturday would feature a two-session trophy event, with a qualifying and final session.  Friday night would feature bracketed pairs and computer-assigned Board-a-Match teams.  Donna Rogall asked whether there would be a Thursday morning event.  Nadine stated that there is no plan for a Thursday morning event unless Jim Allen finds a new place for his club.

Player of the Year Qualification Policy

Steve Robinson raised the issue of whether it is appropriate to continue having a joint WBL/NVBA player of the year award.  He asked whether the contest generated any significant interest.

Don Berman stated that with respect to the player eligibility language, the WBL and NVBA had not yet reached an agreement.  Fred King suggested that Dick speak with NVBA President Leo Cardillo about the language.

Steve Robinson moved that the WBL recommend to the NVBA the language proposed by Don Berman, to wit:

The WBL in conjunction with the NVBA has created a Washington Player of the Year trophy and Non-life Master Player of the Year trophy.  These competitions are based on the total number of master points won in the WBL and NVBA sectionals during the time period of July 1 to June 30 unless the Boards of Directors of both organization approve a different period.  Traveling trophies will be awarded to the winners during the 4th of July regional tournament.  In addition, the winners will be presented with a replica trophy to keep.  No free plays will be given in addition to the trophies.

To be eligible, a player:

· Must attend at least three NVBA and three WBL sectionals during the contest period.

· Must be a member in good standing of the ACBL and all local affiliates and remain members in good standing through the time the award is presented.

For points won to be counted, a player must be a member of either the Washington Bridge League (Unit 147) or the Northern Virginia Bridge Association (Unit 218) or have membership pending and subsequently confirmed for either organization at the time the points are won.

“Attendance” requires that members play in at least one session other than Thursday night.  Points won on Tournament Thursday evenings are included in the totals, but do not count towards eligibility.  All points earned during NVBA and WBL sectionals are included in the point total that will be counted for these awards.

There was discussion of whether the “good standing” language was sufficiently clear and covered all contingencies.  The consensus was that the “good standing” language was sufficient and flexible and that no alternative language could be expected to cover all possible contingencies.

The issue was raised whether the language in the second bullet point regarding membership throughout the time the award is presented would unfairly penalize potential winners who move from one unit to another prior to the award being presented.  Richard Ferrin suggested, as an amendment to Don Berman’s proposed language, that the domicile issue be avoided by striking the word “members” in the second bullet point, such that the bullet point would read “Must be a member in good standing of the ACBL and all local affiliates and remain in good standing through the time the award is presented.”  Don Berman stated that he accepted Richard Ferrin’s proposed change to his language. 

Jane Sturgis seconded Steve Robinson’s motion.  The motion to accept Don Berman’s language to the player of the year policy, as WBL’s proposal to the NVBA, with the Richard Ferrin amendment, passed unanimously.

Replacing Old Cards and Bidding Boxes

Clyde Kruskal reported that Ted Ying is in the process of replacing old playing cards from the boards used in the unit game.  With respect to the card inserts in the bidding boxes, he reported that the cost for a complete set for a table of 4 would be $20 for paper inserts and $30 for plastic inserts.  Fred King asked whether the WBL uses those bidding boxes at the WBL sectionals.  Steve Robinson replied that he was not sure, we may use MABC bidding boxes instead.  Fred King continued that if the bidding boxes are in use only once per week, the inserts will not wear out as fast.  He suggested that the WBL replace the inserts gradually, i.e., replace the inserts for one-third of the bidding boxes each year over the next three years.  Dick Wegman recommended that Clyde ask Ted for his opinion.  Winston Edwards noted that he was aware of one club director who avoided the higher cost of plastic inserts by purchasing paper inserts and laminating the inserts herself.  Clyde stated that he and Fred would look into that possible alternative.

Clyde also explained that currently, Alan Crank is in charge of preduplicating the boards, and Ted Ying has to pick up Alan on Georgia Avenue before the game each week, so that Alan can bring the preduplicated boards.  Clyde suggested that the WBL should procure 5 to 6 extra sets of boards to eliminate the need for Ted Ying to drive to pick up Alan before the game every week; if Alan did not have to bring the preduplicated boards just before the game, Alan could simply take the bus to the unit game instead.  Steve Robinson asked whether the MABC had any extra sets of boards.  None of the board members were sure.  Steve then moved that the WBL take the necessary steps to obtain 5 or 6 extra sets of boards, either through the MABC or through direct purchase.  The motion passed unanimously.

Unusual Game

Clyde Kruskal reported that he informally surveyed WBL members and determined that there is sufficient interest in an “unusual game” among the membership.  Dick Wegman asked Clyde to estimate the minimum number of tables.  Clyde said that 6 to 7 tables at a minimum would be needed to make the game worthwhile.  He also noted that according to Ted Ying, we would need an extra director for the event; Clyde volunteered to be the director for the event.  Dick asked what “unusual game” Clyde was recommending.  Clyde described the game as being one that would have different rules for each hand, based on special instructions.  Dick asked Clyde when the event should be held.  Clyde said that he did not have a specific date in mind yet.  He said that there should be a prize for the winners.  Clyde stated that presumably ACBL would not allow award of ACBL masterpoints for the event, but he asked whether points could be awarded toward the Lovenberg trophy race.  Steve Robinson said that he assumed that could be done.  Dick Wegman said that the WBL will hold the game and discuss the details further at the next WBL Board meeting.

WBL Policies

Fred King noted that he had drafted numerous proposed changes to the WBL’s policies for consideration by the Board.  The changes fall into three areas: (1) striking the section top prize notation, which is out-of-date; (2) inserting various additions to the WBL’s policies; and (3) addressing miscellaneous issues.  Dick Wegman suggested that all references to dollar figures in the WBL’s policies should be relocated to the end of the document, because those dollar figures will change from time-to-time, and are too difficult to locate and change if located elsewhere in the text.  In general, all policies involving number should be located at the end of the document.

Fred King asked, once these policies are updated, who should be responsible for keeping the written policies up-to-date in accordance with WBL Board decisions?  Richard Ferrin recalled that at the last board meeting, it was agreed that the Secretary would be responsible for keeping the written policies up-to-date with Board decisions.

Dick suggested that Board members give Fred suggestions to Fred’s mark-up of the policies document, and that Fred should go ahead and make changes on non-controversial issues.  Suggestions that might be controversial should be deferred and discussed in upcoming Board meetings.  Winston Edwards promised to have his comments to Fred within one week.

Upcoming Board Meetings

The next WBL Board meeting will take place on October 21 at Winston Edwards’ house, and Fred King will host the November meeting.  The Board thanked Donna for hosting the September meeting.

Whereupon, the meeting adjourned at 10:34 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Ferrin, Secretary