Minutes

WBL Board Meeting

July 25, 2006

The meeting was held at Shlomit Rind’s residence.

In attendance: Barbara Ames, Ellen Cherniavsky, Richard Ferrin, Fred King, Clyde Kruskal, Bob Levey, Shlomit Rind, Steve Robinson, Barbara Summers, Dick Wegman, and non-voting members Donna Rogall and Nadine Wood.  Steve Forsythe and Shawn Stringer attended for part of the meeting.

President King called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM.

Secretary’s Report

The Board approved the minutes as amended, without objection.

Treasurer’s Report

Steve Robinson reported that the WBL has $6,098.82 in its checking account, and approximately $40,000 in an account at AG Edwards.  The AG Edwards account is getting money market returns.

The Board approved the treasurer’s report, without objection.

Novice Games

Steve Forsythe stated that his new Sunday novice game is getting 11 to 12 tables, and he expects more in the future.  Steve is looking at seating options.  Food is running about $120 for lunch for 40 to 50 people.  The facility is great, with ample parking.  So far we have gotten about 10 new ACBL members.  There will be no game during the WBL sectionals, and probably no game during the NVBA sectionals, in order to encourage the players to attend the sectionals.  Steve added that he was encouraging the players to go to tournaments in Baltimore as well.

Steve Robinson suggested that Steve Forsythe should survey the players in the novice game to see if they would play in the sectionals or regionals if the Sunday game were closed on those dates.

Steve Forsythe then discussed compensation.  Apparently he and the WBL Board had misunderstood each other.  Steve originally proposed a $400 fee for the Sunday game, with a fee split for any additional amounts after the break-even point is reached.  Steve noted that the WBL currently gets Steve’s and Sandy’s services for running the Thursday night novice game for only $100, which is a very good deal for the WBL.  The Thursday night game typically draws 6 to 8 tables.  He constantly has to recruit new players, because the players eventually “graduate” to the non-life-master game upstairs.  The Sunday game, however, requires much more preparatory work than the Thursday night novice game.

Steve Robinson said that Steve’s proposal is acceptable as long as the WBL breaks even in the long run.  Steve Forsythe observed that the first 4 tables pays for fees and expenses.

Dick Wegman commented that the game should be structured as a WBL game, rather than simply a Forsythe-run club game, in order to avoid complaints from other local clubs about the WBL subsidizing their competition.

Barbara Ames asked Steve Forsythe what his preference would be for compensation.  Steve replied that the best arrangement for him would be a guaranteed minimum, with additional compensation after crossing the breakeven point.

Clyde Kruskal noted the continuing problem with mold and mildew in the basement of Christ the King Church where the Thursday night game is held.  Fred King replied that he would follow up with the church.

Steve Forsythe added that he planned to do another new bridge player program on Sunday at 11:00 AM at the October WBL sectional.  Nadine Wood replied that the separate room at the Schweinhaut Center would be unavailable the Saturday of the tournament, but she would inquire about Sunday.

Concerning publicity for the new game, Steve Forsythe stated that he was experimenting with advertisements in papers other than the Washington Post.

Steve Forsythe then left the meeting and the Board considered Steve’s proposal.  Nadine Wood noted that Edith’s new player game was a profit-sharing arrangement.  

Fred King expressed concern about possible complaints from other area bridge clubs about subsidized competition.  Richard Ferrin replied that the other clubs should not be concerned because this is a game specifically for new players, not an open game.

Steve Robinson acknowledged that Steve Forsythe is taking on much more responsibility with the Sunday game.  Any arrangement should be acceptable as long as the WBL does not lose money.

Fred King suggested a base of $300 for the Sunday game and $200 for the Thursday game.  Barbara Ames suggested $170 for Steve and Sandy combined for the Thursday game; for the Sunday game, Steve and Sandy should get a $300 guaranteed minimum, plus all profits after the breakeven point.  Clyde Kruskal stated that he prefers a profit-splitting arrangement.  Dick Wegman suggested $170 for Thursday ($75 each for Steve and Sandy, plus $20 for advertising), a $300 minimum for Sunday, and a 50-50 profit split with the WBL after the WBL breaks even.  Steve Robinson noted that the first four tables cover the expenses.  7 ½ tables pays Steve’s and Sandy’s fees.  Anything over that amount should be split 50-50.

Fred King stated that Steve Forsythe wants a total of $500 for Thursday and Sunday.  Dick Wegman stated that the Sunday game would need to attract 12.5 tables to break even.  Fred King proposed a minimum fee for Steve’s and Sandy’s services of $350 for the Sunday game, plus one half of any profits after the WBL reaches the break-even point.  For Thursday, Fred proposed a flat fee of $150.

Richard Ferrin moved that the Board adopt the proposal set forth by Fred King.  Barbara Summers seconded.  The Board approved the motion unanimously.

Plans for Next Regional

Fred King reported that he and Nadine Wood went to the new Marriott Hotel in Rockville to inspect the facilities.  Nadine reported that the hotel is beautiful, with large playing spaces.  The guest rooms are nice.  The room rate would be $107 or $109 per night.  The parking lot holds approximately 700 cars.  A metro is ¼ block away.  

Nadine noted some concern about dealing with hotel management.  There would be only one contact in hotel management instead of the usual three, and the contact did not appear to have much experience.

Nadine added that the contract promises a minimum number of hotel rooms would be sold.  With early start times for the regional games, the number of out-of-town visitors decreases, which could make it difficult to meet the minimum hotel room sale requirement.  Nadine therefore proposed returning to normal 1:00 PM and 7:30 PM start times.  We could also have a 10:30 AM game to accommodate people who like that start time.

August Sectional

Fred King asked who will help Nadine with food shopping for the sectional.  Nadine said that Dana (her son) will help for the August tournament.  We need help loading and unloading Friday morning, Friday night, and Saturday morning.  Richard Ferrin volunteered to help Saturday morning, and Clyde Kruskal volunteered to help Friday.  Nadine added that she will need help with trash on Sunday night.

Nadine said that the hospitality will feature a BBQ.  Nadine plans to dedicate lunch in the October Sectional to the memory of Carole Geagley.  That should be put in the advertisement.

Fred King reported that for the October sectional, he is putting together a panel of “old-timers” for the 75th anniversary celebration.

Donna Rogall asked if there would be a panel show in the August sectional.  Steve Robinson said that he would put one together.  

Nadine Wood proposed that in the October sectional, the WBL should award prizes for the top men’s pair and the top women’s pair in the Friday day game.  For Friday evening, an award should be given to the top mixed pair.  (Note, the events would not be segregated between men’s/women’s/mixed pairs, just the special award.)

Dick Wegman asked for plans for memorabilia for the 75th anniversary celebration at the October sectional.  

Bob Levey stated that he would check on publicity with the Washington Post.

Dick Wegman asked how the nomination process was going for the new Machlin award.  Fred King said that he has received a few nominations.  Dick suggested publicizing the award in a Steve Robinson mass e-mail, and in flyers.  Richard Ferrin suggested making the flyer double as a form to list nominees with reasons for the nomination.  Donna Rogall suggested publicizing the Machlin award nomination process on the WBL web site.

Donna Rogall stated that we need a schedule for the January sectional within two weeks.  Nadine Wood stated that for Friday nights we have had IMP pairs, pair/BAM combined events, and barometer pairs.  We need a fourth variation (other than an individual).  Steve Robinson suggested a simple stratiflighted pairs game.

Fred King stated that the annual Lovenberg, Cohen, and Woolridge awards would be presented in connection with the January sectional.

Schools Program

Dick Wegman introduced Shawn Stringer, who has agreed to take on the roll of schools coordinator.  Sharon Osberg, who handles funds for the Gates-Buffett bridge-in-schools fund, is supportive of our efforts.  But they want to provide support for teachers, not the coordinator.  The coordinator role will take considerable time.  If the Gates-Buffett fund will not support the coordinator’s salary, the WBL should.

Shawn Stringer stated that she needs a packet of information for principals, in order to generate interest.  The key is quality, not quantity of bridge programs.  It will take several volunteers in the bridge community.  Shawn said that she knows three principals.

Dick Wegman commented that the program should build on the schools program the WBL has already started.  Shlomit Rind suggested that the program should capitalize on the Gates name.  Dick said that for each school, we need the cooperation of the school and a faculty sponsor, and the WBL needs to supply a teacher.  In addition, the WBL needs to have a representative available on Activity Night to answer questions.

Fred King asked about efforts in middle schools.  Shawn stated that any bridge activity for middle schools would have to be scheduled after school.  Fred asked about resources available from the Bridge At Schools group.  Nadine Wood stated that the curriculum is found at the Bridge At Schools website.  It includes quizzes.

Barbara Summers asked what pay level would be provided for teachers.  Dick Wegman said that Sharon Osberg suggested $20-$25 per hour.  Barbara Ames recommended stating only that a stipend is available.  Dick Wegman asked about Shawn’s compensation.  Barbara Summers suggested $35 per hour, with reports submitted to the treasurer.

Shawn Stringer then left the meeting, and the Board discussed her compensation.  Steve Robinson cautioned against giving a “blank check”.  Shlomit Rind suggested an hourly rate with a cap of 50 hours.  Bob Levey agreed, and suggested further that after the cap is reached, Shawn should submit a report to the Board, at which point the Board could decide whether to proceed further.

Bob Levey moved to adopt the suggested compensation arrangement discussed above.  Barbara Ames seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

Lighting

Barbara Ames stated that she found torchieres in plastic, and they could be available in two weeks.  Clyde Kruskal said that Ikea also has some, with soft plastic on the top.  Barbara Ames stated that she can get clamps for the electrical cords.  Clyde Kruskal volunteered to pick up a could of ones from Ikea to try them out.

Policies on Behavior

Richard Ferrin will make the changes to the WBL policy on behavior previously agreed by the Board, and Don Berman will put the changed language on the WBL web site.

Charity Games

Bob Levey said that Paul Weintraub recommended designating a national Multiple Sclerosis group as donee for a charity game.  Bob recommends against this, because the charity is a national charity, not a local group.

Steve Robinson stated that the WBL has no more slots for more charity games through the end of this year.  In order to schedule a charity game, the WBL must also schedule a charity game with an ACBL-designated donee.  Nadine Wood clarified that the ACBL’s policy is changing, such that only the first charity game must go t an ACBL fund (e,g., Junior Fund, International Fund, etc.).  The ACBL has deferred a final vote on this change until later this year.

Fred King advised Bob to tell Mr. Weintraub that the WBL is already committed for this year.

Bridgemate

Nadine Wood stated that the new Bridgemate wireless scoring system needs to be modified to be compatible with ACBL Score.  They will try it out in a tournament in Memphis, and hopefully an arrangement with Bridgemate will be approved at the Honolulu NABC.  The cost will be about $20 per unit on each table, plus $100 for the server.

Next Meetings

The next WBL Board meeting is scheduled for September 13, 2006 at Barbara Summer’s residence.  [Secretary’s note: this meeting was subsequently rescheduled for September 20).  Clyde Kruskal will host on October 18.

The Board thanked Shlomit Rind for hosting the meeting.

Whereupon, the meeting adjourned at 10:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Ferrin, Secretary