Minutes
WBL Annual Meeting
May 11, 2006
Director Ted Ying introduced retiring President Dick Wegman. President Wegman called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.
Thanks for Hospitality
President Wegman thanked the many members who helped prepare the meal. On Wednesday: Lee Ann Jensen, Barbara Shaw, and Ron Zucker. On Thursday: Barbara and Jim Summers, Audrey Stern, Audrey Marbach, Saul Penn, Francis Burke, Steve Robinson, Gloria Schulstad, Bob Stearns, and Bill Colligan. President Wegman offered a special thanks also to Millard Nachtwey, Kitty Gottfried, Nadine Wood, and Dana Wood (Nadine’s son), all of whom helped with hospitality at the last WBL sectional.
Secretary’s Minutes and Treasurer’s Report
President Wegman asked if there were any questions or comments regarding the Secretary’s minutes from the 2005 annual meeting, or the 2005 Treasurer’s report. (A copy of the 2005 Treasurer’s report is attached hereto.) Rosemary Marks inquired as to the status of the WBL building fund. Steve Robinson replied that the fund has not yet gotten off the ground.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the Secretary’s minutes and Treasurer’s report. The motion passed unanimously.
Departing Words from President Wegman
President Wegman stated that it has been a pleasure to serve as President for the past three years. The WBL is thriving, with several improvements in the past year, including a good location for sectionals and a guaranteed partnership program.
Election
President Wegman introduced former President Jim Allen, who conducted the election of officers and board members. Mr. Allen thanked President Wegman and Alice Wegman for their service to the WBL.
Mr. Allen announced that Fred King had been nominated as President, Don Berman as Vice President, Richard Ferrin as Secretary, and Steve Robinson as Treasurer. He asked if there were any nominations from the floor. Hearing none, a motion was made and seconded to close nominations for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All four were elected by voice vote.
Mr. Allen then announced that there were five open positions on the Board, two of which were one-year terms due to early resignations from the Board, and the remainder two-year terms. The following five persons have been nominated to the Board: Barbara Ames, Ellen Cherniavsky, Bob Levey, Shlomit Rind, and Barbara Summers. Mr. Allen noted that Barbara Ames and Barbara Summers wished to be considered for the one-year positions, but Article VI.4(iv) WBL Constitution provides that of those elected, those with the lowest vote totals shall be assigned the positions of directors who vacated office before their terms expired. Peter Boyd moved to suspend the rules and elect Barbara Ames and Barbara Summers to the one-year terms, and elect Ellen Cherniavsky, Bob Levey, and Shlomit Rind to the two-year terms. Noting that a motion to suspend the rules requires a two-thirds vote, Mr. Allen asked for a show of hands. Mr. Allen determined that the motion passed by more than the necessary two-thirds majority.
Mr. Allen then reintroduced President Wegman.
Awards
President Wegman announced the following winners of the Mini McKenney awards, which is awarded to the WBL members in each category compiling the largest total number of masterpoints during 2005:
Rookie of the Year: Shawn Stringer
Junior Master of the Year: Michael Berard
Club Master of the Year: Linda Marshall
Sectional Master of the Year: Katherine Rabenstein
Regional Master of the Year: Lily Andre
NABC Master of the Year: Jason Rosenfeld
Life Master of the Year: Michael Gill
Bronze Life Master of the Year: Eugene Fisher
Silver Life Master of the Year: James Geist
Gold Life Master of the Year: Peggy Allen
Diamond Life Master of the Year: Fred King
Emerald Life Master of the Year: Les Bart
Platinum Life Master of the Year: Earl Glickstein
Grand Life Master of the Year: Steve Robinson
President Wegman announced the following winners of the Ace of Clubs awards, which is awarded to the WBL members in each category compiling the largest total number of masterpoints earned at clubs during 2005:
Rookie of the Year: Robert Claypool
Junior Master: David Desjardins
Club Master of the Year: Alfred Caponiti
Sectional Master of the Year: Alex Goldenberg
Regional Master of the Year: Alexander Gottesman
NABC Master of the Year: Malvern Sheffield
Life Master of the Year: Mark Rosen
Bronze Life Master of the Year: Wallace Ashby
Silver Life Master of the Year: Juline Glaz
Gold Life Master of the Year: Eileen Theimer
Diamond Life Master of the Year: Dalia Kende
Emerald Life Master of the Year: Rossi Lindstrom
Platinum Life Master of the Year: Eugene Kales
Grand Life Master of the Year: William Cole
Other Business
President Wegman asked if there were any questions or comments by the members. Ellen Klossen asked if there is money in the WBL’s budget to improve the lighting. President Wegman replied that the WBL will push Christ the King church to install fresh lightbulbs. He added that Barbara Ames is heading a project to purchase more lamps.
President Wegman announced the beginning of a new weekly club game in the District for persons with less than 300 masterpoints. The game will be held Sundays at the Methodist Home, on Connecticut Avenue, N.W. just off Nebraska Avenue, N.W. The first game will be held on June 4, 2006.
Honoring Retiring President Wegman
Incoming President Fred King thanked retiring President Wegman for his great help to the WBL, and commented that his will be a hard act to follow. On behalf of the WBL, President King presented President Wegman with a gift certificate to Wegman’s and a Wegman’s shopping bag for Alice Wegman.
Adjournment
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Whereupon, the annual meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Ferrin, Secretary