Minutes

WBL Board Meeting

June 21, 2006

The meeting was held at Barbara Ames’ residence.

In attendance: Barbara Ames, Don Berman, Ellen Cherniavsky, Richard Ferrin, Fred King, Clyde Kruskal, Shlomit Rind, Barbara Summers, Dick Wegman, and non-voting members Donna Rogall and Ted Ying.  Barbara Doran also attended, and Sandy Forsythe attended for part of the meeting.

President King called the meeting to order at 7:56 PM.

Secretary’s Report

The Board approved the minutes as amended, without objection.

Treasurer’s Report

There was no treasurer’s report this month, due to Steve Robinson’s absence during the World Championships.

Fred King noted that it has been a long time since there has been an explanation of the details of the WBL’s investment account.  Fred proposed that the status of the investment account be included in the treasurer’s report.  Fred’s proposal was referred to the Ways and Means Committee.

Dick Wegman reminded the board of the need to make sure collections (i.e., reimbursements, ads, etc.) are received on a timely basis.

75th Anniversary

Fred King noted that Bob Levey is writing a couple of articles for the Bulletin in connection with the WBL’s 75th Anniversary.  He noted that the Machlin Trophy for sportsmanship will be a new honor, and also noted the revival of the Eynon Trophy.  Fred emphasized the need to find the longest-serving WBL board members to help publicize the anniversary.

Dick Wegman reported that Trudy Machlin has agreed to present the Machlin Trophy.  Don Berman observed that either Alice Yoke or Trudy Machlin are likely the longest-standing members of the WBL.

Donna Rogall suggested that in observance of the anniversary, a panel should be assembled to discuss the history of the WBL.

Calendar of Obligations

Barbara Doran reported that she, Barbara Shaw, and Donna Rogall put together a new draft calendar of obligations.  She asked board members to review the draft and suggest any additions as appropriate.  Dick Wegman noted that the WBL’s nominations for ACBL Goodwill Member of the Year should be added to the calendar (not to be confused with WBL membership to the ACBL Goodwill Committee, which is Nadine Wood’s responsibility).

Ted Ying suggested a notation to the Calendar stating that letters granting free plays to specific events should be issued five weeks in advance of the event.  Don Berman added that for free-play letters for new life masters, the cut-off should be noted on the Calendar as November 30, and the free plays are to be redeemable at the January sectional.  Ted also noted that hand records for the unit game for the first six months of the year should be generated in November, and in May for the last six months.  Jim Coleman is the contact.  Finally, Ted noted that the scheduling committee meeting should be moved to October.

Fred King suggested circulating the draft Calendar to Steve Robinson, Nadine Wood, and Mike Carroad for comment, and each item on the calendar should note who is responsible for each action item.  Fred also noted that the list of masterpoint holdings should be generated each October.  Richard Ferrin volunteered to take responsibility for that item.

Guaranteed Partner Program

Fred King asked for suggestions for a substitute partnership coordinator for the Unit Game when Barbara Doran is absent.

Barbara Doran noted that volunteer partners for July are arranged, but that there are two dates open in August.  The board also discussed continued problems with the guaranteed partnership program  being overused by certain players.  Barbara also noted that she has difficulty pairing non-life-master (“NLM”) players with appropriate partners, as she does not know many of the NLM players.  Sandy Forsythe suggested that Barbara contact her on that issue.  Ted Ying also noted that Barbara Summers is a good resource for suggestions for appropriate partners for B/C/D players using the guaranteed partner program.

Ted Ying asked what the directors should do when a player arrives between 7:25 and 7:30 PM looking for a partner.  Barbara Doran suggested a cut-off of 7:15 PM for the partner guarantee.  Clyde Kruskal suggested that the partnership coordinator attempt to accommodate such persons where possible.

Barbara Doran noted that in the case of team events, we need a guaranteed pair.  Shlomit Rind noted that often pairs arrive on team game nights without knowing that it is a team game, and therefore suggested that Steve Robinson modify his e-mail alerts of upcoming WBL unit games to include a special title to the e-mail alerting members of upcoming team games, such as “Alert: Team Game Next Thursday”.

ABA/ACBL Unit Game

Fred King said that he asked the head of the ABA’s Washington DC unit if collaboration were possible on this scheduled event, but that she said that she would be out of town on the designated date.  Don Berman noted that the Laurel Bridge Club would host a joint ABA/ACBL event on the designated date.

New Novice Game

Sandy Forsythe  reported that the new Sunday novice game initially got nine tables, although she and Steve Forsythe hope to increase the table count to 15 tables.  She reported that the Methodist Home has been fully cooperative.  She stressed the need for more publicity to get more players in the 0-300 masterpoint category (most now are 49ers).  Barbara Ames reported that she is working on placing a Washington Post ad to publicize the new game.  Dick Wegman asked about publicity through the suburban newspapers.  

Dick also emphasized the need to publicize novice games in seminars for new retirees.  Ted Ying observed that the National Association of Retired Federal Employees is a good group to target for new player publicity, including the Instant Bridge Player (“IBP”) Program.  He also suggested looking at TV stations with community calendars.

Sandy noted that she and Steve Forsythe are hosting an IBP program during the August WBL sectional.  Dick where people have learned about the IBP program.  Sandy replied that only about 25 percent learned about it from the Post or the Gazette.  People have learned about it mainly through word of mouth.

Sandy asked for assistance for the new player program during Wednesday and Saturday of the Washington Regional, if they get enough players for two rooms.  Barbara Doran volunteered to help on Saturday.

Fred King emphasized that the Board appreciates and fully supports Sandy’s and Steve’s work on the IBP and related programs.  Sandy asked if they could get the use of a white board for teaching.  Fred replied that if the WBL has one, it would lend it to Sandy and Steve.  If the WBL does not have one, Sandy and Steve should buy one and the WBL will reimburse them.

Ted Ying noted the success of the program for WBL attendance as a whole, estimating that Unit Game attendance is up about 8-10 tables per week over one year ago.  Dick observed that the WBL may soon outgrow Christ the King as a space for the Unit Game.

Conditions at the Unit Game

Dick Wegman noted recent complaints about the Christ the King playing facility, including lighting, bathrooms, and mold in the basement.  The Board needs to bring these complaints to the attention of the Church.  Ted Ying emphasized the need for remedial mold removal service, and suggested that perhaps the WBL could offer to reimburse the Church, following a survey and estimate.  Shlomit Rind suggested that the Board first consider buying a room cleaner/filter.  Ted Ying agreed to survey prices.

Dick noted that floor lamp covers on the side of the playing room are breaking, and we need to cover the bare bulbs.  Barbara Ames recommended that the WBL purchase more of the same floor lamps because they are cheap.  Donna Rogall asked about wall sconces as an alternative.  Ted Ying expressed concern that wall sconces might be expensive.  Barbara Ames noted that wall sconces would avoid the hazards of electrical cords.

Dick also reported that he has found a possible alternative location for the Unit Game at the Gwendolyn Coffield Recreational Center on Littonsville Road.  It is a large space, with plenty of parking and excellent lighting.  He identified two problems.  First, the county requires closing at 9:30 PM; the WBL would need to inquire about the possibility of an exception for the Unit Game.  Second, the rent would be $500 to $600 per night, or about $100 per hour.  That fee, however, includes cleanup.

Schools Program

Dick Wegman reported on continuing efforts to start games in Montgomery and Prince George’s County, and noted some modest success.  He said that the problem is that the programs are squeezed into the lunch hour (about 40 minutes).  About six months ago, the WBL learned that Warren Buffett and Bill Gates have donated $1 million to promote bridge education in schools.  Dick contacted Sharon Osberg (Bill Gates’ bridge coach) about the WBL program, and she expressed interest.  The Buffett-Gates organization would be willing to pay a person to run the WBL’s school program.  Also, he noted that a national event for students would be held in connection with a regional tournament in Omaha, Nebraska.  According to Dick, Ron Starr said that the student participating in the Washington area program are not ready for that event this year, but that we should prepare for the new school year.  Dick estimated that with the assistance of the Buffett-Gates organization, a school bridge coordinator could be hired for about $25-$30 per hour.  However, we need to plan now, before the annual back-to-school night in September.  Dick noted the advantages of targeting a program for middle schools, particularly less competition from other extracurricular activities in the middle schools.  He noted that Thomas Jefferson High School has set aside a regular class period for bridge, but that is an unusual arrangement.  Dick suggested focus on Blair High School.

Ted Ying suggested a Saturday session in the school as a kick-off event, with the WBL offering everything for free.  Dick replied that the coordinator would be the key to success.  The board then considered various persons as possible coordinators.  Fred King suggested putting in an advertisement for a coordinator in the next issue of the Bulletin.

Compensation for Directors

Don Berman reported that he reviewed the current director compensation arrangement with Ted Ying.  The WBL policies currently read in pertinent part as follows:

Directors, other than the Chief Director, will be paid between $65.00 and $90.00 per session, at the discretion of the Chief Director and the concurrence of the Unit Game Committee.  An additional $10.00 per session will be paid if only two directors are working that evening.

Don said this current language in the WBL policies is sufficient for Ted to pay the additional compensation that he recommends.  Therefore, the WBL need not change its policies, but need only obtain the concurrence of the Unit Game Committee.

With respect to the Unit Game Director’s compensation, which is currently $100 (plus $25 as Club Manager), the $100 amount currently is not codified in the WBL policies.  Accordingly, Don recommends that the policies be revised as follows:

Old:  The chief Director of the Unit game shall be a nonvoting member of the Board and will act as club manager for the Unit game.  As club manager, the Chief Director will receive an additional $25.00.  His pay will be broken into salary and traveling and other expenses.

New: The chief Director of the Unit game shall be a nonvoting member of the Board and will act as club manager for the Unit game.  The Chief Director shall be compensated $100 per unit game directed.  The Club Manager will be compensated $25.00 per unit game held.  The pay will be stipend for traveling and other expenses.

Don Berman moved to amend the WBL policies as stipulated above.  Richard Ferrin seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.

Help for Nadine for Shopping

Fred King said that Nadine Wood needs help shopping on the Tuesday or Wednesday before WBL sectionals.  Rosemary Shaw is willing to help, and Barbara Doran may be able to help as well.  Ted Ying said that Alan Crank may be willing to help, with more compensation.

Clarification of Free Play Policy for Swiss Team Events

Fred King said that for Swiss team events during the Unit Game, the winning team should get the free play.  Barbara Doran said that it was always that way in the past, but it was not written in the WBL policies.  Barbara Doran moved that the WBL policies be amended to stipulate that in team games, the winning team in each flight is awarded a free play.  Richard Ferrin seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.

C&E Committee

Fred King reported that the four new non-board members elected to the Conduct and Ethics Committee agreed to serve.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held July 26 at Shlomit Rind’s residence.  The Board thanked Barbara Ames for hosting the meeting.

Whereupon, the meeting adjourned at 10:23 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Ferrin, Secretary