Minutes

WBL Board Meeting

January 17, 2007

The meeting was held at Ellen Cherniavsky’s house.

In attendance: Don Berman, Ellen Cherniavsky, Richard Ferrin, Fred King, Clyde Kruskal, Shlomit Rind, Steve Robinson, and non-voting members Donna Rogall, Ted Ying, and Nadine Wood.  Steve Forsythe also attended a portion of the meeting.

President King called the meeting to order at 7:50 PM.

Secretary’s Report

Without objection, the board approved the minutes, as amended.

2006 Year in Review: Novice Program

Steve Forsythe presented a report on the novice program.  (See Attachment 1.)  The Thursday night 0-300 novice game has grown significantly.  We need to work in 2007 to build a new group of 0-20 newcomer players.  Steve will be teaching novices Wednesday night in Rockville.  The Sunday WBL-sponsored novice game at the Methodist Home in DC is growing as well, now averaging about 13 tables.  13 tables is about the break-even point financially.

In response to a question from Fred King, Steve Forsythe noted that the Methodist Home is undergoing some renovations, and that will require cancellation of one Sunday game in February.  Clyde Kruskal asked about the conditions of the room in the basement of the Christ the King Church for the Thursday newcomer game, to which Steve replied that the room is still stuffy, but the mold problem has improved somewhat.  Fred stated that he would ask the Church to run the de-humidifier more often.

Steve Forsythe asked whether the WBL planned any newcomer programs for the July regional in Bethesda.  Nadine Wood replied that there will be newcomer events, but the details have not yet been planned.  The Board then discussed the cross-scheduling of the Instant Bridge Player program, the May WBL sectional, and the second weekend of the 0-5000 Grand National Teams, all of which had tentatively been scheduled for May 5-6.

2006 Year in Review: Unit Game

Ted Ying reported that attendance at the Unit Game has stabilized.  (See Attachment 2.)  All the playing cards have been replaced.  Barbara Shaw cleaned and resorted the cards for the bidding boxes.  We still need to repaint the boards.  The dealing machine (the replacement from Florida) is up and running and we expect to pass out pre-sorted boards this week.

Fred King asked how close we were to capacity.  Ted Ying replied that the main playing space in the Church could hold 63 to 64 tables, but only if we took away space from other things, such as the refreshment table.  The largest table count of the year was 59 tables (which occurred both in the Annual Meeting and at the Holiday Party).  On nights where the table count is high, we no longer have the option of bringing Steve Forsythe’s newcomer players into the main room.  (This had been done in the past when Steve cannot be there and there is no certified director to take his place in the newcomer game downstairs.)

2006 Year in Review: Sectionals

Nadine Wood reported growing attendance at the WBL sectionals, particularly the last tournament in January 2007.  (See Attachments 3 and 4.)  Nadine did note that the January traditionally had been one of the best-attended tournaments of the year.  Richard Ferrin added that good weather boosted attendance at the January 2007 tournament.  Nadine observed that the overall average WBL sectional attendance total for 2006 was the best since 2000.  Having an excellent playing facility helps.

Looking forward, Nadine Wood said that sectional tournaments for 2008 were tentatively scheduled for January 3-6, March 27-30, August 7-10, and October 2-5.  Organization for the July regional will begin soon.  She noted that the Senior Team Trials will run concurrently with the Bethesda regional.  Ted Ying suggested various people who live near the new regional playing site that would be good resources for the restaurant guide.

Fred King stated that we need somebody to transport tables for the sectionals.  Ted Ying said that he knew somebody who might be willing to do it.

2006 Year in Review: Financials

Steve Robinson presented a year-end 2006 financial report.  (See Attachment 5.)  The WBL overall netted approximately $1,600 in 2006, although a few additional bills could trickle in.  The Unit Game netted nearly $20,000.  Ted Ying noted that the Unit Game makes money every week except for the week of Hunt Valley, because the table count drops to about 28 tables that week.  He added that the WBL should still hold the Unit Game that Thursday to make those people happy who choose not to go to Hunt Valley.

Fred King asked if the WBL still plans to get the sponsor money pledged by Michael Chelst.  Steve Robinson agreed to send Michael an e-mail.  Fred noted the significant income (approximately $5,000 in 2006) from membership fees.  That is money sent back to the unit from the ACBL headquarters for the players’ dues.

Fred King asked about the line item for administration.  Steve Robinson replied that this includes expenses for Board meetings, and certain free plays.  Ted Ying added that this category includes expenses for all free plays except for students, section tops, and fill-ins.

Fred King asked about the low figure for Bulletin income.  Steve Robinson noted that we need to collect from several advertisers.

2006 Year in Review: Round Robin and Unit Knockout

Steve Robinson reported that the Round Robin Committee has made several changes to improve the Unit Knockout event, including reducing the length of the event by changing the format from double knockout to single knockout.  In response to a question from Fred King, Steve noted that attendance in the A/X flight of the Round Robin and Unit Knockout events are decreasing every year.  Fred asked how the WBL could boost attendance in these events.  Steve replied that it was hard to do, particularly because of the closure of Jim Allen’s club.  Several teams scheduled at least some of their matches at his club, but now that the club is closed, the only alternative when the game cannot be played at the home of a team member, is to schedule the game at the Church the night of the Unit Game.  That is an unattractive alternative, because most people do not want to give up their regular Thursday night game.

2006 Year in Review: Trophy Winners, Membership, and Calendar of Obligations

Don Berman reported that the trophy winners were determined and awarded faster this year than in the past.  Don has also gotten a volunteer to help clean up his online list of WBL members to update for deceased players, people moving out the area, etc.

Richard Ferrin asked when the WBL planned to issue a new telephone directory.  Fred King said that he is conferring with President Leo Cardillo of the NVBA about that.  Ted Ying commented that the WBL should have a paper copy, and not post an electronic copy, because of electronic privacy concerns.

Don Berman reported that WBL membership is dropping.  Another measurement of activity within the WBL is the number of players in the unit who earned points in the Lovenberg Cup race: 627.  Fred King noted that the WBL appears to be losing members at the rate of about two percent per year.  He contrasted that with the NVBA which, according to Leo Cardillo, increased from 1450 to 1525 members.  What about the ACBL as a whole?  Nadine Wood replied that the ACBL is running somewhere between even and a one percent annual loss.  Ted Ying observed that 95 percent of people who participate in WBL tournaments are ACBL members.

2006 Year in Review: School Bridge Program

Fred King noted that Shawn Stringer, the WBL’s school bridge coordinator, submitted a report.  (See Attachment 6.)  Shlomit Rind explained that Shawn’s biggest concern is getting more teachers who are interested in the program.  Shlomit Rind stated that another concern of Shawn Stringer is that it is difficult to get students to participate and to find a good time to schedule bridge.

Ted Ying said that Elliott Turley, a high school student, plays about once a month in the Unit Game.  Elliott is interested helping get a bridge program started in his high school.  Clyde Kruskal stated that he has contacts at Eleanor Roosevelt High School.  Steve Robinson asked Clyde whether the University of Maryland had a bridge club.  Clyde replied that he did not know.  Ted Ying said that at times in the past, the University of Maryland had a bridge club, but that it has been difficult to keep the program going.  Fred King stated that he is planning to visit the program at Thomas Jefferson High School in Northern Virginia.  The advantage of that program is that bridge is scheduled during a school period.

Dealing Machine

Steve Robinson explained that the WBL’s dealing machine broke, and the WBL sent it back to the producer (in Australia) for repair.  The company sent the WBL a machine that was in Florida as a temporary replacement.  The company offered to give to the WBL as a replacement for the broken machine sent back to Australia, at no additional charge.  If the WBL declines the offer, the company estimates the cost of repairing the old machine would be about $800.  When the machine from Florida arrived, it was initially jamming repeatedly, but now the machine seems to be working satisfactorily.  The NVBA has expressed interest in purchasing the machine from Florida.

Ted Ying suggested determining the age of the machine from Florida, and whether it is under warranty.  He expressed concern that if the machine had been in heavy use for an extended period of time while in Florida, the swap proposal would be less attractive.  Ted suggested asking Alan Crank (the person who currently makes the boards with the machine) about his impression of the condition of the Florida machine with the original one currently back in Australia for repairs.

Don Berman suggested splitting the use of one machine with the NVBA.  Fred King noted that the NVBA has raised donations from members to purchase a dealing machine.  The NVBA, however, thinks that the Scandinavian-designed machines work better.  Ted Ying cautioned that the Scandinavian machines use the bar-coded cards, which are expensive, and that the Scandinavian machines require special boards.  Fred explained that the NVBA nevertheless is likely to go for the Australian-designed machine, but they are unsure whether they want the refurbished machine, or a new machine, and have Alan Crank do the duplication.  If the NVBA purchases a second machine to be used cooperatively with the WBL’s machine, then NVBA should be charged the same $9 per box that the WBL is charged currently.

As a side note, Fred King reported that the NVBA is moving the site of its sectionals after its last Spring sectional because the Knights of Columbus demanded a steep increase in rent.

Bridge and Bowling

Fred King reported that the event will occur on Saturday, February 3.  Bowling is at 1:30 PM, bridge at 7:30 PM, with dinner in between.  In response to complaints from some bowlers, we looked for alternative bowling alleys with better lanes, but the problem is that the nearest alternative bowling alley is at least 15 miles away from the Laurel Bridge Club site for the bridge portion of the event.  As a result, we decided to stick with the bowling alley in Laurel.

Ted Ying suggested that dinner be scheduled at Sullivan’s.  The Board should notify Barbara Israel of the event, because she runs a club nearby, and therefore she could be a potential source of additional players.

Building Fund

Due to the long agenda, discussion of this item was deferred until the next meeting.

Bulletin

Donna Rogall asked who would be running for Board positions.  Fred King explained that last year, Barbara Ames and Barbara Summers had volunteered to run for the Board positions expiring in 2007, and they would probably not be running again.  If Bob Levey is going to be teaching at Vanderbilt, Fred will suggest that Bob wait to serve until some point in the future when he has more time to devote to Board business.

Proposed Modifications to Trophy Rules

Don Berman moved to include Steve Forsythe’s novice game in the Lovenberg and associated WBL trophy races.  Fred King seconded the motion.  Clyde Kruskal objected, on the grounds that it would force people competing in the race to attend more events.  Ted Ying replied that the nature of the event is to encourage people to play in WBL events.  Donna Rogall commented that the proposed change ordinarily would affect only the Woolridge and Tubbs awards.  The Board then voted 6-1 to approve the change, Clyde Kruskal dissenting.

Don Berman also moved to eliminate the reference in the Trophy Rules that had included the Thursday morning Washington Bridge Center game.  The consensus of the Board was to leave the language alone with respect to that item.

Kensington Armory

Fred King reported that the new Mayor of Kensington expressed interest in the WBL coming back to the Kensington Armory, for the Unit Game and/or sectionals.  (See Attachment 7.)  Nadine Wood stated that the Kensington Armory is bigger than the WBL’s current space at Christ the King Church, but is not as big as the Schweinhaut Center (current site for WBL sectionals).  Nadine expressed concern about the location of the kitchen downstairs, making it difficult to serve food on the main floor.  Parking is a problem.  If the WBL were to move to the Kensington Armory for the Thursday Unit Game only, we would still need a site for the Friday sectional events.  Ted Ying added that the Kensington Arts Theatre uses the Armory some Thursdays for rehearsal, possibly eight Thursdays during the year.  

Fred King commented that there was no great need for the WBL to make a move right now, but the Board should consider the Kensington Armory as a possible back-up.  Clyde Kruskal suggested exploring the scheduling issues further, and volunteered to follow up.

Upcoming Meeting

The next WBL Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 28 at Richard Ferrin’s house.

The board thanked Ellen Cherniavsky for hosting the meeting.  Whereupon, the public session of the meeting adjourned at 10:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Ferrin, Secretary